Saturday, May 12, 2007

From afar... ...

Haven't met her for 6 years due to distance. It was great to meet up with her again! Good to know that all is fine with her. Individuals all have struggles in life. I'm not alone. It was great to be out shopping and all... wish there was more chance of having such meet ups.

Work has been tiring with lots of overtime. It kills the joy of working when you have to work for very long hours. No social life. It gets daunting like lost my social skills or something along those lines. I get so tired each day, perhaps i should evaluate my reasons for living. Thankfully God has placed people like Gary, a few of my friends and family members who have been supportive. I do get blue... sometimes black.

I relate my feelings to clouds. Sometimes i turn grey, and pour (teary). Sometimes, bright and cheery. Its the unloading of burden and cares of the world. Its hard to stand out, in fear of being put down. Rejection, criticism and being reprimanded, i believe those are all part of life. Learning to deal with them can often be an emotional uphill. But i won't give up... will keep trying to be better. Improve on what i am lacking in.

I miss being free... ... ...

Saturday, April 28, 2007

I know how hard it can be... ...

This Saturday is slightly different from other Saturdays. There's no Cell Group today and so... i got up in the morning, got ready to go and open an account. Brought my sis along with me to the bank. There were many people who like myself wanted to open an account or make transactions. I must say that i was initially pretty impressed with the service however, they kinda screwed up linking my card. I could not make any transactions!!! i had to re-queue and ask again. My sis was complaining also... then she was telling me that Bank XYZ had much better service... etc. It was nice to go out with my sis. We did abit of shopping for mother's day gift. I know its pretty early but newspaper ads are already advertising for like mother's day. I figured since i'm free, why not do the shopping in advance and spare myself the last minute panick attack. Anyway, its a really small gift. I need to do some alteration to the gift. Gonna be alittle tricky but we'll see how it works out. The bulk of the cash shall be contributed together with my other siblings for lunch/dinner treat. (That was morning)

(afternoon) Gave family a lunch treat since mom wasn't cooking. Spoke to Gary for a few minutes and got down to cleaning my poorly maintained home. Everybody has been so busy with work and school, and i feel that everybody can help in little ways instead of making me do everything. Rubbish like paper throw in the bin, not left lying around, wash their own cups after drinking or at the very least, bring the used cup to the basin for washing. And it doesn't help when my mom bought those plants during CNY. She likes to buy ALOT of things... but doesn't like to maintain it. She doesn't bother to water the plants... the leaves and soil are being blown into the house. I wish the plants are thrown away... such a bother!!!

The house is so much cleaner but not neater... it will NEVER be neat because my mother refuses to throw nonsensical and useless stuff out. Broken radio she also wants to keep *faints*

Tired, i decided to come here and blog...

-Quick updates about work-
It's been 1 week and 2 days at work.
Well, shockingly, i had to go back on my first Saturday on this job!! They are moving 2 floors down and alot of files had to be carried down. Little me helped to carry boxes of files down. Thanks to the invention of trollys... after which hours were spent doing filing tons of papers.

God has been good cause there was this intern who has been working there for 3 months. I think he is quite bright as he understands and learns the rope pretty fast. Plus he has a keen eye for details so little mistakes, he is quick to spot. He has been very helpful cause he spotted so many of my mistakes. The people there so far have been kind and nice... Aunties and Uncles. I've met the big boss and 2nd big boss.. but i don't think i want to be too close to them.

The intern is gone means upcoming week i have to be extra careful cause there's no one there to spot my mistakes. So anything not sure i have to ask. Though i've got plenty to complain about, i'm still thankful somehow. God must have a plan for me there.

I'm still adjusting and trying to be more careful and understand the processes in my job. Alot of termalogy and jargons used. Too many short forms... i hope to get adjusted soon. I want to help relieve the auntie of her work so that she don't have to do so much OT and we can all go home early together.

Time management now gets more crucial. Must have time for God, boyfriend, family and friends. Oh and also... SLEEP! *smiles*

Gonna go for dinner... stomach hungry... shall blog next time!

Friday, April 13, 2007

Last Friday at current work

Today was quite an impromptu surprise. Met up with university classmates for lunch. So happy to see them... becoz i've always wanted to like meet them but they always bz... Still haven't met Carol but yup! When i first saw them... the first comment was.. OH MY!! LINDA YOU'VE LOST SO MUCH WEIGHT... which indeed is true. I have lost approximately 5kg over the months. Due to the fact that i kept falling sick month after month. Have to pray for good health. They even ask if i'm anorexia. diao~ Please lah... i'm a food lover... now why would i reject food? It's one thing that i look forward to... LUNCH BREAKS! Nice chatting with them.. i felt so much more myself.

My colleague treat me to Bundung drink with pearls! I didn't know that mr. bean sold such fantastic drinks... mind you the pearls are awesome! Not too soft, not too hard... the right texture. It's quality pearls.

Thankful for the good weather... God uphold the rain and let it poured at the right moment.
Go for lunch, drizzled.
Sit down, it poured.
Walking back, it drizzled.
Reach office, it poured... and i didn't have umbrella with me. I feel that we usually are thankful for the big things like promotion and all.. but not for the little things. Which makes us all grumpy and ungrateful nut.

Talk of the town: "Why are the members of parliment earning so much? Justified?"
*Linda frowns*

This is Reuters pantry.. paradise*
The city that never sleeps (workaholics)
And... Mmm the delicious Bundung Pearl Drink. Too much pearls... haha couldn't finish it.

Monday, April 09, 2007

I shall forget thee not

Just thought i would take sometime to write everything that has happened in the past month lest i forget and be ungrateful and totally disatisfied with things... lest i forget my creator who opened the doors so graciously for me...

Past few months have been a tiring laborious search for a place to start. So i thought the hard labour ends with that expensive paper... but i was wrong. Somehow... no matter how far i have progressed, it seems to be a start to a very long journey. Pressures of home and external factors were great. With pple who sneered and who think that you'll never make it anywhere.. and everyday, pple from home, work constantly asking you what you want to do. Anxiously waiting.. wondering if there was ever gonna be work for me. The big question of "What's Next?" Constantly appearing... and faith weakens. Discouraging words at home... that really hits home. Where had i gone wrong? What was i doing wrong? So many questions... with no answers.

Thankfully for one or two pple around(THank you Gary Dear and my dearest sister). Their small acts of encouragement uplifts my spirit. In church, i knew He was there... and somehow though i couldn't give anyone a good answer... He pulled me through each and every embarrassing moment.

I'm still struggling in this world of reality. What drives people to do what they do. What drives them to behave the way they do. It irks me sometimes to the brink of giving up on my own kind. Yet the Lord says to love our neighbours as ourselves. These are the very people He gave His son to die on the cross... the very people He loves. Since he sees such value in us, who am i to reject. I'm still unsure what lies ahead. I still do not know how to react or what to say in many situations.

May i remain thankful no matter how things are gonna be in my next job. That no matter how rough things are... that i will find strength in the very Lord who gave me life.

Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Straits Times contradicts themselves

Before you go nodding in agreement to every section of the newspaper...
Today, there is this contradiction. Not that i spotted it. Sth raised by some colleagues... ...
Straits TimesThe Business Times pg 10"Singapore is emerging increasingly attractive place to work, according to the results of a recent survery by global consulting firm Watson Wyatt... attributes new allure to two main factors. First, the expansion of companies' toles in Singapore Working in MNC is the same whether here or in London or New York.
The Straits times, pg H21
New York - CITIGROUP is taking its biggest step in the first major overhaul of the banking giant since it was forged by a merger nearly a decade ago.
· Citigroup is planning to shed between 10,000 and 12,000 jobs this year from across the company, according to people briefed on the situation. · Some 14,000 additional positions will be lost to attrition and relocated from high-cost locations - including London, Hong Kong, and New York, where the company is based - to less expensive areas like India, Buffalo, Cincinnati, Ohio, and northern New Jersey. Looks like staffs in Citibank have to be prepared.
My insights: Well, in the market, acquisitions and mergers are taking place every second. Companies whether MNCs or not have to be on their toes. ABN Amro is the next target. As companies are being bought over, mergers being made, a down scale has to be made some time soon. So before you start being joyful that your company is expanding, think again, you might be the next one on the axe.

Saturday, March 24, 2007

Wednesday, March 21, 2007
When its all about the fame and the fortune
Some people live for the fortune Some people live just for the fame Some people live for the power Some people live just to play the game Some people think that the physical things Define what's within And I've been there before But that life's a bore So full of the superficial Some people search for a fountain The promises forever young Some people need three dozen roses And that's the only way to prove you love them Hand me a world on a silver platter And what good would it be?

Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Inspiring McJob?
According to channelnewsasia, McJob is actually found in the British dictionary and this is the meaning that comes out of it.Oxford English Dictionary (OED) describes a McJob as "an unstimulating, low-paid job with few prospects, esp. one created by the expansion of the service sector". I went to run a check at wikipedia and it said the same thing. You can check out this web if you want to see it for yourself.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McJob.
Well hey, that's what it is isn't it. A low-paying job! Here's where it gets juicy. Macdonald WANTS to change that meaning to "reflect a job that is stimulating, rewarding and offers genuine opportunities for career progression and skills that last a lifetime." *Linda faints* Well, i suggest that the first step they take is to review everyone's pay in MacDonalds. Staff there ought to be paid 1500 per annum at least with annual leave just like any other MNCs. I'm not a Mac staff and nobody is paying me to say this. Just throwing out what's on my mind. That'll be the day when pple start rushing to send in their resumes to work for Macs. Will that day ever come? Hmm... ..

Queasy... that the way i will describe how i'm feeling right now though i'm just 30mins away from knock off time.
Yesterday i watched the show Hana Kimi with my sis. It was the last episode. I started watching the show mid way say 3 weeks ago. And can i say that i was appalled at how it ended. It's like ARGH... you kow how is it like to watch a show only to realise that the ending is so disappointing. The same goes for story book. I was almost strangled my sis. She lah... always want to watch that show. Grr... Waste my time... luckily i didn't watch it from the start if not i'll be furious. Its a love show and every love show should have an ending like if the couple ends up together or not. But does it? No it leaves the audience hanging there, lingering not knowing if the couple got together anot. I don't like!!!

Monday, March 19, 2007
Tuesday Morning
The sky looks gloomy this morning. Nothing bright or cherry about it. Just like my head it feels empty. I feel sleepy too. But the call this morning made me smile. Gary made my day, even when i was feeling sleepy and feeling a little under the weather. 8mths made me think just how much do i know of him thus far. Different countries but bonded by the same belief and values in life. I'm really really thankful for him. The going may be tough at times, both for him and for myself. Nonetheless, we've pulled each other through by God's grace.
I may feel that i'm stuck in a rut, but God may have an explanation for it. Perhaps God is preventing me from entering a career path which He knows is not for me or not His will for me. It's all about God's perfect timing isn't it. Not about what the majority are earning...etc. Which brings about to a short conversation i had with my neighbour this morning. He was waving and saying goodbye to his precious daughter. Why did i say precious. He took time to wait for her to respond with her eyes (she can't talk yet) and i could sense a "daddy don't want to go work but spend time with you" kinda feel. Anyway, i met him again at the bus stop (we both took different paths to walk to the bus stop). Had a brief chat on what i was doing at work and all. Don't know what is he doing, but hopefully he's happy with his job. More updates later!

Sunday, March 18, 2007

Arrival of Friday
Today has been quite hectic, considering that it is a Friday. Dsicrepencies, things i do not understand, they are just happening. However, everything is still under control. Just need to do abit of talking here and there, there and there. I shan't dwell too much on these things which i do not consider as jewels in my life.
Lunch was simple. I didn't take very long to find a place and settle for nasi lemak. It was quite alright. Chop chop, finished and i went for my stroll. I decided to be much more adventurous and explore further with the time i had on my hands. I went into Central Square. I haven't step in for let's say 3 years? I must have been there at a wrong time becoz i don't remember seeing so many shops and things over there. Vibrant and zipping with mass of people. Oh and a very rare sight, pubs being opened and patronized in the early afternoon! Oh yes, these pubs cater for the europeans who would drink even in the wee hours of the morning. Drinks to them are for all occassions. Well i had joy just walking around, quieting enjoying and absorbing all the energy around. Now back into my office desk, i shall now attempt to resolve the very confusing and difficult problems.

Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Shop to Drop: $63K to Dress for Wall Street Success
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601093&sid=apUYXurK2A.I&refer=home
While you dudes out there are checking out the goodies to read at Straits Times, i find mine at bloomberg. My oh my... just how much can one really shop till they drop. So indeed there is a market for jean paul and hermes. Because of these highly paid people who would kill for such an item.
Quick update, this morning i came into the office unusually early. I thought i would just get my laptop set up, have everything running before going for breakfast. BUT, ALAS! To my horror, i could not be connected to the LAN. I checked the lines, restarted the laptop 3 times but to no avail. Hence, i had no choice bu to call the IT pple. IT pple to the rescue. They are really a bunch of nice pple. They have to run around all the time and they don't have a desk or department of their own. Yesterday there was a real big problem with the Outlook, with connection. This whole week has been a bad week for them. By the time my problem was resolved, it was already time to work. There goes my breakfast. Stomach's kind of craving for roti prata.
After which, i received an email frm StrangerA. Apparently, there is a small tiny little problem between the departments, which does not involve me. Can i add that i was extremely tired and sleepy. I was sleepy yet wide awake. Praise God, i stared and the msg and initial idea was to just communicate with that person directly. That would have been a wrong move. Since its not in my work scope, i approached 2nd in command and he said he'll bring it up to the head. Settled.
Didn't sleep well last night becoz my i was emotionally too tired to go to sleep. Had things in my head to think about. Hopefully i won't get caught for falling asleep. Maybe i should take half day off just to go home and sleep.

Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Quiet

I jumped start my day today. It was a real challenge to get myself out of bed even though i was already awaken. Lately, i've been waking up much earlier than my alarm clock. Today was of no exception. I knew that i had to get out of bed soon if i wanted to complete my own stuff even before i started work. Minutes before it strike 6, i out of bed and ready to begin my day. It was quite a rush but definitely refreshing... not until my mother woke up. Gosh... she's really a light sleeper. Getting up, she started her usual "speech" and it was distracting as i was trying to get some work done. Well, for a start she did stopped talking when i told her i was tryinig to get my stuff done. Dad was great. He got up, got some beehoon out and got me eating breakfast with 2 hard boiled eggs. MmmMMm yummy! Thanks Dad. Before i left for work, i right about finished what i wanted to do. Well its not bad considering i finished 1/3 on what i set out to do. *smiles*
Praise God for the good morning. Even at work right now, its much quieter on the mails but the market has sure been springing some unusual movements. I feel so much better now, much better than yesterday (maybe i've said this too early).

~Big Shot in town
Today, there was a new foreigner who is sitted beside me. Must be some big shot, though i don't know what he exactly does or what title he holds. It's his first day here. Gonna be here for the next 2 days as well. As soon as he entered the room, he was warmly welcomed by everybody. People from other department would come to meet him. A very capable person i must say. All he had was his laptop, and in a couple of minutes, he wired it up to the monitor and was all set to go with his everyday tasks. Everything he did was so swift, like it was 2nd nature to him. Each time before he could warm his sit, he would be approached for help. In an hour, and already he had a meeting with a team of IT people.

This guy sure doesn't waste anytime. Think he expected a table and computer of his own. Could tell that he was like asking the secretary if he could have a table. Sadly, this place is swarming with pple. He had no choice but to occupy the temporal seat beside me. Could tell that there are tons of things on his mind. A talented person like himself wouldn't have time to exchange any form of conversations with me.
An insight into a VERY busy persons life.
I myself have been busy today. Firstly i had to recover from the shock that the prev temp did not tell me to get a certain form verified. I have with me 60 forms that i have to send to the next department.

After which, i had to quickly deport those forms that have been verified to another department.
Before i could do any of these, i had to ensure that i had a photocopy of anything i sent.
Couldn't make much of a calls to anybody.
I am closing shop for now. Not gonna do anything but take a breather. *Linda breathes*

Thursday, March 08, 2007
I was really out of sorts this morning. Just thankful that i didn't hit the ground. Alarm was set off at 7am as usual. But my waking up was definitely not a typical one to begin with. I off the alarm that woke me up. Fumbled out of bed 15 minutes later with a mission to proceed to the toilet. I reached for the doorknob only to be hit with a dizzy spell. Inbalance and out of sync i fell. Thankfully, onto my bed (the side which my sis was sleeping on). Slowly, i regained full conscious and was able to orientate myself steadily to the toilet. Brushing that unseemingly strange start in the morning, i rushed to get prepared. Having a quick munch, i left in quite a hurry and had to run for the bus. Satisfied with having a sit in the bus, my stomach started to churn. I cringed. I needed the toilet! I knew a diahroea was coming and it was a mid life crisis with tots hounding me with whether i shld just drop off at the next stop and look for a toilet. Gritting and biting my lips and enduring the constant discomfort that was surging from my stomach, it was the most tortureous 20 minutes journey. Efforts paid off as i rushed to the toilet and relieved myself. A pain that ward off... the sigh of relief. I staggered out of the toilet and slumped into my sit. Every now and then i feel the uprise, however its still manageable.
I went downstair, hungry looking for something plain and simple to digest. I stopped at Jollibean and purchased a red bean pancake. I know its not my idea of something plain or simple, but it was the best i could find. Everything else is oily with thick sauces.
I'm back and struggling to keep a straight face. Missing dear alot.