Sunday, March 26, 2006
Title: Working
Its been a week since i started working at Fossil. I must say i am very fortunate to have very good colleagues helping me because i'm new and showing me the ropes of handling customers especially now the climate is having great service. Its different between the way you handle customers and your fellow peers and superior ranking officers in the army. You need to have a different approach something similiar but not exactly the same. Its a learning tool and it helps you to have better effective communication skills, in this way, you can get things going and there will not be too much of obstacles blocking the passage. The experience so far is great but its very tiring to be attending to customers and standing for most of the time. You get to train your leg muscles but its physically tiring also. Taking your meals is different now because you cant possibly eating and serving the same time so there is rotation on whoever go for his meal first. In the way, i've been eating alone in food court, very lonely i must say and very expensive also. When you are out working, expenses is the main concern, it involves travelling and your meals also.
Definitely working life is more difficult but i have no complains. I chose this path because of my indulgence in spending when i have money now i am broke i think i should do something about it before its too late. Its quite boring to be idling at home also, you will become a crouch potato before you know it. So i am glad that at least i am working now.
I met up with my army friends yesterday night and we had a few drinks also. Its great to see them again after 2 weeks since i left my unit. Glad that everything's fine in camp but something that's quite depressing to hear is that my understudy or the current BSO is having some problems in terms of interacting with his fellow camp mates. There seems to be some problem how he relates to others and how others perceived of him. This is the worry part because i've always wanted him to learn and see how i work with fellow camp mates. I feel that this is important because you get to work with them almost everyday so a good relationship is vital for your work to progress. You cant have a soured relationship and you expect him/her to help you out when you are in need. Upon hearing what the others are talking about him, i think i should talk to him before he flies off next month for his exercise.
Got to go.. tomorrow stil working..
*cheers*
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Monday, March 20, 2006
Title: Fossil
After less than a week of rest, i'm back to work. I have no choice, resources running low and i need it for university life. As of now, i have already started work at Fossil Heeren. If you are free, please come and look for me. The pay is reasonable, i hsalln't disclose it here because its a confidential thing so i shall leave as it is. You can always ask me though, i have no problem telling you about it. To me, even a boring place that pays little i dun mind working not for the pay but for the company around you, what i mean is your colleagues. Right now, i have very friendly colleagues who are willing to teach me everything. Step by step, they guide me along and we can relate to one another quite easily, not much of a problem. This is something i like about working there and knowing more people.
It also helps me to gain some knowledge about watches, previously i know nuts about it so its a learning experience for me. But i do agree with some that the pay is an important factor i think its up to the individual to gauge whats the X factor for working. Then you can justify to say that. One thing that is hurting is my prolonged standing hours. Its really hard for me because i have not been used to standing for such a long period for quite some time already. Well, you just have to take it into your stride. I rejected another offer for this because of some time issues. Its a long story so i shalln't pen it down here on my blog.
First day was great, i experienced blackout not once but twice. What a day to start your 1st day at work. The sales was pretty good, i managed to close a deal within an hour of working in the store. Thats a pretty good way to start your chort career in this niche. And also, my soccer team, FBT United has played its second game we won 2-0, it was great to see everyone again after the exam break for Chee Wah and the rest. Our team has the potential to go far, so we need more games under our belt before we can make another huge step forward towards playing in a professional or semi-pro league. Thats about all i can update about me. Time to sleep. I'm getting sleepy.
*Cheers*
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Monday, March 13, 2006
Title: The end is here..
After 2 years and 2 months, the wait is over. I've gotten my pink IC as of today. I could still remember how i surrender it to the Sergeant at Pulau Tekong, now its back in my wallet. There wasn't any fanfare, i went back to sign some documents and the clerk was saying, 'Sir, this is your IC, please sign here and acknowledge that you have taken over the items.' That's it, end of story. Anyway, my DYS1 was with me, he was jokingly asking the clerk not to give me my IC and hold me back because i own him something. I think it is approriate to look back on my 2 years in army and how it had changed my thinking and preview what's going to be like for the next 3 years in NTU.
On 14th Jan 2004, around 1400hrs i boarded the TIBS bus with my family and we were on our way to SAF ferry terminal to be transported to Pulau Tekong. I was a bit confused over what's coming up for me. Will it be tough and how good my platoon is going to be?? So many questions but no answers. Thus, it started my BMT training, waking up everyday at around 0515hrs for the morning exercise and breakfast. My platoon was superb!! They are a great bunch of guys, helping me along if i face any problems and of course we had our fair bit of fun. It was delightful to have them as my platoon mates and i can say that my BMT was a breeze. Next up, i was dying to go to OCS because of some reasons, when the posting came, i was absolutely ecstatic to see myself posted to OCS for officership training.
For the next 4 months plus, starting from April till mid August, my second home was SAFTI MI. I would need to travel all the way to Boon Lay from SengKang, an hour ride at least. It was worth it. Another new place, another chance to meet new friends and see how it goes. Tango Wing Platoon 3 was my destination. The time spent there was fulfilling and enriching. I developed myself in terms of physique and my mental strength. The instructors taught us how to conduct ourselves and i assumed appointments which give me a chance to show how capable i was. I was set for more things to come and the prospect of craving out a career was high. How things crumble, something heart wrecking happened to me. I was bought down to Earth and i thought this is it, its the end of the road for my officership. I started to think about dropping out and switch to something that is not so demanding because my mind isn't concentrating at all, i'm distracted and i've lost focus and my determination. Towards the end of the 1st 10 months, i was recognized for my contributions to the platoon but all this matters nothing to me anymore. Everything just went blank afterwards. At the same time, i was injured badly because of my back. The Medical Officer was asking me questions about my ability to continue. I was thinking about quitting it for good.
After lengthy talks with my buddy, i decided to stay on and perserve. It was very hard for me because there isn't any motivation for me at all. After another 9 weeks of intensive training, it was time to stream us to different vocations based on our preferences and availability and performance. I went to Stagmont camp, Home of the Signals. For the next 5 months, i am going to be trained to be a Signal officer. Its the final stretch before i am being comissioned as an Officer. Its a new venue and a chance for me to meet new friends again. We were a small bunch of people just 32 of us make up the whole cohort. Lessons were fun but they were boring also. Often, we had to fight off the 'zzz' monster but many a time, we failed. *haha* Missions were tough because of all the plannings late at night thus lacking sleep which we cant concentrate at all. On top of this, we had 2 overseas trips, Brunei and Taiwan for my exercises. It was great because i've never been to these 2 places at all. It was certainly the most enjoyable moments including the times we spent at Singapore Poly for our lessons on Networking as well. While all this are going on, i was fighting on a personal front as well. I slept late and i was busy doing something that i've never tried before in my life. When it came to the crunch time, 1 week before i was comissioned, the most devastating news was made known to me. All my efforts have gone down the drain. It was like end of the world and i'm not exaggerating here. I managed to continue to the day, 23rd Jan 2005, my Comissioning Parade.
After which, i was posted to 36SCE as Battalion Signal Officer. I do not wish to talk about my experiences there but i've really learnt a lot there and i own it to my peers and my colleagues who guided me along the way and helped me when i was faced with obstacles. It was an eye opener for me because i get to witness how the whole Army works. Great bunch of pals there also. I'm really happy that for everywhere i've been posted to, i get to know a great bunch of people and they care for me a lot. As of today, my liability as a NSF completed, I would really want to say a big Thank You to all those pals and colleagues whom have been a part of my this 2 years journey, without you all, i would be a lesser man today. Thank You!!
I never regretted my 2 years of liability because it makes me a stronger man and i learnt a lot about management and interpersonal skills. What i regretted is how things might be different IF i could only managed my time well and prioritize certain things. Now everything's over, when i look back, i am leaving with a heavy heart.
Upon that, my tertiary education awaits me in August. Before that, i'm desperately looking for a job to make ends meet. I want to have a fulfilling varsity life and leave with no regrets if possible. I do not want to disappoint my parents and waste their hard earned money. I want to do well and graduate with results they would be proud of.
*cheers*
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Sunday, March 05, 2006
Title: Bintan Lagoon Resort
I'm back from a 3 days 2 nights trip to Bintan Resort. It was a getaway and a time for me to relax and just let my hair down. The Sun, sand and the sea was there for me to savour. I've never seen such beautiful scenery in my life and it was simply awesome!! We stayed at a villa big enough to accomodate 6 persons. 3 bedrooms, living room, dining area and a kitchen for you to whip up some delicious dishes. Bob booked this chalet through the SAF system so it was at a discounted price. All in all, i paid less than 159 bucks for this whole trip and that includes our expenses. Actually there wasn't much to spend either. On the first day, we departed from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal at around 0800hrs. it was an hour long ride to Bintan jetty. Subsequently, when we were there, we had our breakfast at one of the restaurants and they went off to play golf. Being a non player, Brian and I checked into the villa itself to prepare for the evening's BBQ and tidy up the place before making our way to explore the area. First up, we drove our buggy (a miniture vehicle similar to the golfing type) to the beach. The sea was beautiful, the waves were roaring and splendid for surfing and water sports. It was too rough for swimming so we just took a walk to see more.
It was just a small stretch of coastline for surfers and beach goers to tan and play games. There were red flags demarketing danger not suitable for swimming. The scenery was spectacular similar those seen on Baywatch and other beach themed dramas and movies. We decided to go to the swimming pool and have a dip instead. The surroundings was relax and hip, i felt that i'm on some exotic island similar to those on the Mediterrean areas. I seen tourists siping their drinks and dining their cruisine in the water by the bar. Both of us ordered some drinks and finger foods as well. It's another story whioch i do not wish to elaborate on it. Haha. After which we went to the Leisure Centre to check out the activities there too. It was the same as any other resort, amusement centre, billard rooms, gymnasium and bicycle rental. Before we could finish, they have finished their game and waiting for us to go back to open up the door for them so that we can commence our BBQ.
We bought our own food for the BBQ, this was the perfect chance for me to show off my culinary skills and improve on it. I helped out to cook the stuff and make some small dishes like frying the beef and susages. I even cooked corn soup for them, exploiting my talent *haha* but it was a good chance for me to learn something. The next day, we went for a swim again because we thought that it will be a waste of time if we were to go to the town area and shop around. After which, we wanted to go to a nearby kelong for dinner but after calculating the transport costs and compare to the restaurant in our chalet, it was more affordable to eat here than to travel to the kelong area.
We left at around 1130 Bintan timing, that was our scheduled ferry timing back to Singapore. It was a very worthwhile trip in terms of money spent and the quietness that you will get. If you talk about the activities, then you could be paying more for it. I will definitely recommend it to those loving couples seeking a getaway and those families going for a get together also. It affordable to those working adults or those with discounts booking them. I thoroughly enjoyed myself there. After next week, i do not think i have the means to go on such a holiday anymore. Its going to be different.
*Cheers*
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