santa's little helper

Ho! Ho! Ho!.. The time of the year to be merry... check out this very adorable link http://www.elfyourself.com/?userid=f4537d50280f78a0fbf2192G06122422. You are warned of the high level of cuteness content and it's infectious ability to induce immense laughter capable of causing a tummy upset.

the perils of my occupation

Betcha u don't know that a valuer's job can be quite a risky one.. here're jus some of the many dangers lurking us poor valuers' lives:

1) The weather: As we are mostly mobile due to the tonns of inspections we have to make, we are exposed to the elements of the unpredictable weather. It can sometimes be so bad that even the use of the umbrella is senseless.

2) The Ugly Singaporeans: Clients sometimes think that they are the kings of the world. Valuers are jus like any other professions.. we work 5 days and have proper working hours. Yet, these clients think that we are being paid tens of thousands of dollars, demanded us to inspect only on weekends or after hours. Of course, I will try not to adhere to such request. Comon' ! I'm not paid for working OT, especially on weekends!! But sometimes, there is still not much choice to these persistant brats of the society.

3) Sexual Harassment: Yup, I've been sexually harassed several times.... by man's best friends. Dog owners usually let their dogs run free as they fail to neglect the fact that not everyone likes to be in contact with their furry friends. The smaller dogs will lick your toes while the bigger ones, well, will climb as high as the waist (never mind the details)>

cookin' cookies

It's been years since I last baked cookies.. and then now, I've decided that I will bake some. Turns out that the first attempt was a total disaster!! The cookies were too soft and soggy it looked like chocolate creame paste even after emerging from the oven!!

I had to throw away 2 hours of work. Haiz.. tat was actually jus the beginning of a spate of bad luck I experienced over the past few days. Well, I still went on to my 2nd attempt..

This time around, the paste was just nice, but the 2nd round took me almost 4 hours to complete baking all the cookies (nice for at least 30 packets). Below are some of the pics of the finished product:

it's the season to be stressful

Yup, it's that time of the year again. This time round, the pressure is even more daunting. Up to know, I still couldn't believe that my friends have agreed to buy a present for everyone within our group. This will equate to buying 5 presents on my behalf. Buying for 1 is already an Mt Everst task. Now, I have to buy for 5. I'm sure the retails must be arming with smiles and flexing their hands to swipe my cards. On top of this 5 presents, there's another for the company gift exchange, and some other presents for other frens. Well, I guess I'm lucky to be confined to only 1 X'mas party annually.

Ok, so out of these many brain cracking gifts, I've already purchased 4, 1 on order and another 1 to be placing an order real soon. Frankly speaking, I'm not even sure if the presents will be suitable for the receivers. I've been drawing inspirations from a much larger context, so if you dont really enjoy the present, you hav to think bac really hard... cos I got the ideas via previous conversations.

Tat said, I'm not really counting on getting gifts that I'll definitely find useful and practical. Nonetheless, I'll still be grateful for all the tots and efforts my dear givers have put in. Just one word of advice: NO CUTIES STUFF!!!.. hmmm.. it'll be good if you can give me some Armani, Hugo, or my desired iMac 20" desktop. hehe.

MIA

haiz... keeping losing things recently. this month has so far been really careless. My reports are carelessly checked, lost my swimming goggles, and today, left my shoe bag somewhere out there!!! Shoe bag with my track shoe!! it's so big, yet i can still mis place it somewhere out there. now hoping that SMRT will contact me about its whereabouts.

anticipation

Hmm.. I figured my previous entry must have been a handful to digest (should have put tat into my other blog instead). Anyway, now startin my 3rd mth in this new job. Colleagues are overwhelmingly supportive and patient. My current mentor has been anything but patient (though she thinks she is demanding a lot). Guess no one here realised what i've been thru in my previous job (not everyone was bad there lah.. jus a few memorable ones to last a lifetime).

So far, hav been working non-stop from feb 2006 to now.. w/o a single holiday!!! I cant wait to be confirmed.. then i can take leave for a short trip somewhere near. On the cards will be phuket or Bangkok (again) in Jan. Colleagues are also thinkin of organising a weekend getaway to Bintan.. Heard a Genting trip is also on the cards by my Company. What a Jan 2007 it will be.... If only everything will be as smooth as the plannings... anticipating.

Haiz... PF jus told me tat i shd wait for the new Mac OS cos of the recovery function. Tat means I will hav to postpone my purchase by another 2-3 mths!! Argh... The longer I wait, the more I crave... anyway, it's good to wait now also.. cos RAM prices dropping.. so I may get cheaper deals when Leopard OS is out in Feb/ March 07. Just hope the new GST won't kick in yet.

women's right? my foot!

Are men really losing it in today's society? After reading a blog entry by my dear sis (men-are-losing-it), I can't help but wonder why women are still complaining about their equality.

Women are climbing up the corporate ladder by leaps and bounds. This is especially with the liberisation of the Women's Right movement. In Singapore, we are also not against with such a liberal movement. Take my current work place for eg. Out of the 17 in my department, only 4 are guys. Not that I'm complaining. The females in my department often provides with the much needed relief from a hectic work via avenues such as gossiping. I also learn a great deal of women and their bodily functions via their daily conversations. In a world used to be dominated by men, the valuation sector is now infested by women, literally.

Women are also climbing up the politial sector, abeilt slower in our local context. But everything is still based on merits and choices. Women are not really expected to put their family in the first place (as evident by the many working mums in my department). Now now, not women are not the only ones who is achieving eauality. Men has grown softer now (also termed as SNAG) and partake in the domestic affairs as well.

The only problem now: Women still have that same old fashion mentality of wanting a husband who is able to provide for them, at the same time be romantic, and contribute (if not dominate) to the household chores and affairs. Singaporean men are not so bad. True, they have grown much softer compared to those MCP days of the 70s. But they have become more reasonable and caring. What is with women these days of not wanting a husband who crave for stability, both in their career and relationship?

I believe the so called 'hi' standards of the Singaporean women is due to unrealistic expectations and the years of equality surpression in the past few decades. It's almost like they wanted revenge and are playing catch up. At the same time, they can't ditch their olden days mentality of a perfect husband. At the end of the day, only those who can't adapt will be sideline. That will also include those seeking relationships.

true blue yuppy??

Last friday, I had a drinking session with my new colleagues. Honestly, I think it was one of the most memorable drinking sessions I've ever had. The relationship so far has been really fantastic (think classmate gathering but at a slightly more sophisticated manner).

The drinking session took us to all the road trips and ghost stories of the life of a valuer. With either redwine, beer or non-alcoholic drinks in our hands, we immersed ourselves into a frenzy of laughters and insightfulness conversations.

Can't wait for the nex gathering (almost once per month)..

tiring yet satisfying

1 month into my new job.. .. it's more hectic than my old one... .. but feels more fulfilling at the same time. For the 1st time, I actually felt that I was working. When I received my first paycheck, I felt that I've earned it fair and square. Well, maybe not truely deserving at the moment cos i'm still a rockie (a term used to describe me by my previous job smacked in front of my face..) My faithful blog readers would have realised that my blog entries have plummeted in quantity. I've even started to do OTs nowadays, abeilt not serious work into the nite yet.

Perks of my current job: Even though I wont get to fly anywhere and earn those precious Krisflyer points, I get to wake up late on certain days due to the inspection timings.... sometimes I get to knock off early due to the location and time of the inspections... The drawback: reports will be piling up when I do the inspections... I guess I will have to burn my sat very soon.

If you need or have any friends who require their apartments to be valued, please do not hesitate to contact me. YOu can check out my company website at CKS.

bouncy curlies

'Coup' from a fren's blog.. Super funny.. If it can work for the neither region's hair, it can work for all curly hairs.

lifestyle

October 2006 is such a huge change for me. First and the most noticeable one will be the start of my current new job. The colleagues in my new department are SUPER FRIENDLY. Seriously, I wasn't expecting such a royal treatment to someone who is so new in the industry. Plus, I'm the fresh sprout in a field of crops that are ripe with experiences. But they provided me with more than guidance: I'm starting to make new friends.

Work wise is a huge change for me as well. It's totally different from my previous job: Different industry and job nature. But since working, any OT doesnt feel OT at all. Maybe I'm still new and eager to learn bah.. Well, no one can predict the future so I might as well enjoy the feelings now..:)

Next up, I've finally joined a gym after so many years of deliberation. The gym has so far worked wonders for me since I joined last week. It must be the more frequent work out plus the use of the sauna and steam room. I feel more energised daily, and I sleep lesser each nite, averaging around 7hrs compared to my previous average of 8.5hrs. In fact, the last 2 nites I've slept only 6.5hrs. No need beauty sleep, you just need to have a great relaxing session at the sauna and steam rooms.

Oh, not forgetting the spa packages I've signed up. I've yet to go for them.. but they have no expiry dates so it's SUPER good for my unpredictable work time table. Oh, and also, I've gained weight finally!! It could be due to my decreasing metabolism rate as I grow older.. but it's the weight I almost wanted, so I dont really mind. Now eating 6 meals each weekday: Breakfast, Teabreak sandwich, Lunch, Teabreak bun, Protein shake, Dinner sandwich, Light Supper. Okok, there are 7 meals in all. Currently standing at 63.3kg with 15.2% body fat, I need to reduce another 4% to achieve that admirable 6 packs.. Well, since I've enrolled in a gym pass now, I might as well work towards that goal. haha.

There you go, my changed lifestyle... maybe after the haze is gone, I'll go swimming and jogging every weekend.

poser bod

Gymming can be fun! I've been visiting the various branches of California Fitness the past week after work. The sheer number of people really motivates anyone there to work harder without feeling the extreme fatigue. I've not felt my body ache in such manner on a daily basis for such a long time, and I really liked that feeling... think I'm becoming attaining Masochism soon.. haha... Don't worry friends, I'll still be as sadistic to please my fellow masochismics.

The gym is like a fashion house sometimes, and you can clearly see the confidence level of each individuals. Muscule men will wear near to nothing singlets that expose their bods in full view, while those skinner people (like me) cover up mainly.. In the sauna and steam room where everyone's only covering their willies with a bath towel, these well-built people will usually stand in a manner that will maximise their beautiful structures while normal people like us will just sit and enjoy the heat. Take it positively, and you will find motivation to work harder. Take it negatively, and you might just stop exercising.. Just remember this: If you think you wanna show off your bod in the public, just make sure you really have one. It's really disgusting when people tried to show off their flabby figure in an arrogant manner.

Oh btw, those who think I'm too skiny, think again.. At my height, my ideal weight should be 63.2kg. I'm now at 63.3kg, with 52kg of lean muscle mass and 10 kg of body fat.. So I need to reduce that 10kg (ard 15%) by another 5% to be in the league of Vincent Ng (tat TCS actor).

nice hazy view

The beautiful skyline of our CBD area. This photo was taken from my office's pantry area, a place I will definitely visit at least a few times each working day. It's a really relaxing view: so American City feel, yet so smoothing with the European architectures. My side of the office, however, offers the view of the DHL balloon and the National Library, together with the Ritz Carlton Hotel. Never seen Singapore City view so nice before. hehe.

After almost 3 years of deliberation, I've finally joined a gym. So far, I've went 2 times, later will be my 3rd visit. Check out my gym website California Fitness . Currently, I'm having 15.2% body fat. Trying to reduce to 10%.. hehe

nature's air purifier

I went for the Nokia Cinema on Saturday night, and what a night to remember. Tha night recorded the worst PSI reading: at 150. At ground level, it was fine as the screen was still in clear view. However, the Shenton Way skyline was shrouded in a mysterious haze, threatening to swallow Singapore's economic bloodline.
Sian... hope the rain comes quick to relieve the helpless (or incompetent local authorities from the Haze Source Nation).

hold onto your life

A couple of days ago,my colleague and I were taking the escalator up to the control station of City Hall MRT station when we heard a loud thud. All commuters on the escalator turned their heads to see what was going on. What we saw was something you don't see daily.

A middle-aged man with a balding scalp was lying face up on the other upwards escalator! Apparently, he had fainted or lost his footing and fell backwards. His 'ta-bao' (take-away meal) was by his motionless and unconscious body. Everyone on the escalator I was standing starred in shocked. However, we couldn't do anything as our escalator was still moving upwards. Luckily, some commuters stopped that escalator that poor man was lying on, and within seconds, 4 helpful commuters rushed up to help him up. The unbelieveable part was the station's staff was not as helpful as the 4 helpful commuters. He stopped by the railings to look down, talked into his walkie-talkie, and then starting his slow motion walk towards the poor man. They started to carry the man up, with blood flowing visibily on his shiny scalp. It was only when the man was carried up to the concrete flooring that another staff came carrying a first aid box.

The moral of the story: Hold the side handle while taking an escalator. It may save your life even if you fall. Holding on will also minimise the impact of a fall.

1st day at work.. must start getting used to the rush hour crowd.. Everyone's mad rushing to board and alight the MRT.

Work was a friendly and small quarter nicely tucked in a level of the Raffles City Tower. My department is overwhelmed by female colleagues, which made me one of the very very few bachelors in the team.. haha.. Work requires me to be formal with tie... I can't imagine how I'm gonna take the heat while doing my inspections outdoors..

The ride home was equally crowded... The trains packed like sardine.. hmmm.. this is gonna be an everyday affair for me from now on..

light in the dark

Ok ok. This may be my 1st time writing about my room renovation in this new blog, but friends have been hearing about this for the past 2 years plus. Hey, it's not easy converting a hyper messy room (ask all those who have been to my room 3-4 years ago) into my ideal room.. Ok, it's turned out not really my ideal room due to the sheer amount of stuff I've decided to keep: Rubbish that are filled with sentimental values. Anyway, this is gonna be the first time I showcase a newly done part of my room: the bed side.
Looks nothing special in the dark ...


Wala, the night lights are up, the obvious tall bamboo lamp and a hidden lamp underneath...

Ok, now the rest of my room.. haha.

munch, munch, munch

2nd last day of work, but officially my last working day. Tomorrow is not a work day for me, it's my clearing day... the day I get each department to give me the clearance signature. Today also the monthly birthday celebration of all the staff borned this month. Today's buffet was especially huge, mainly due to the concidence of our lady boss' birthday as well. 3 big cakes from Secret Recipes. I only had the chocolate one, which was so rich and dense.









Even though it was supposed to be a special day for all those borned in September, it was also a special occassion for me since everyone knows tomorrow's my last day. I had the most photo opportunity at the lunch function, more than anyone else!!









All gungho and ready to qiong for the food!! Photo with the Warehouse Department.


A pic with the guys.......



... and not forgetting a huge group of girls...

Tomorrow, I will bid these people (and lots more) goodbye. Bitter sweet, but definitely more excited then sad.

dont mess around with me

My last Monday with my current company. I'm still training my replacement. Everything seems to go on smoothly until I had to make a call to this Sri Lankan client. You see, this particular client has placed his order with us since 2 months ago, but has yet to fully paid up his advance. Due to this, we had to postpone his shipment last week to next month. He is supposed to have another shipment this week, but he hasnt paid up his advance as well for it. So after 2 weeks of constant pestering on a daily basis, I called him to inform him that he is required to fax to us his TT receipt by today before we allow shipment. 2 hours passed, and still no fax. I gave him the ultimum after consulting with my boss. I called him again to inform him that his initial advance will be forfeited and his shipments will be diverted to out other clients if we do not received his fax in the next 10 minutes. With that, he gave me the rudest remark any client has ever given to me: You are a mother fucker!

Before I can utter a word, he slammed his phone. Well, sometimes you really can't do much with uncivilised people. Even though I felt insulted, I'm glad that I got back in my own ways by forfeiting his over USD 10k advance with us(of course with my HOD's approval). Whoever says Sir Lanka is a nice and friendly place? When it comes to business, even the meekest person becomes a barbarian.

divalicious

I've finally opened my box of Godiva Chocolates after 1.5 months. Yup, tat's rite, 1.5 months. No choice. I was ill last month, and my sis was having a sore throat. And then after a while, I've forgotten about it totally until today. Suddenly, there were 4 forrest gumps in my family: my 2 sis, my mum and myself. We opened the box with anticipation, and each of us had different flavors. My sis gobbled hers down, while my mum (finding out that each small piece cost almost $4) savoured it slowly. My younger sis was there smiling to herself while she bite it little by little. Godiva chocolate is like Gucci or LV of the chocolate world... And true to its reputation, tat small piece was so intensed i tot i had 1/2 a bar of chocolate! Mutiply that to 15 pieces, the $50 spent on that golden box was well-spent.. haha.













Maybe I'll have my 2nd piece tmr..

sexually harresed??

I was at my neighbourhood centre with my mum this morning when this granny used her arm to touch my butt. At first I tot it was because the walkway was blocked. But I turn to find the walkway very spacious. The granny walked past me and then stopped around 2m in front of me. She turned sideways just to show half of her face. Then the creepiest thing happened... She smiled in an errie fashion. My goosebumps rose immediately! I realised that I might just hav been molested by a horny granny!! Oh shit!

I was pissed with the fact that I've resigned and yet have to force-contribute to the bithday fund of my bosses. My pissed? check out FORUM for all the juciy details.

forbidden desires

Today I'll finally get to watch the Forbidden City!! I've missed it twice, both times I was in Brisbane. So exciting... with new scenes this time somemore..

I've handed over all my work stuff to my replacement. Name is Shao Hao. Now, I really feel free.. haha.. I remembered I had only 1/2 a day of learning which was spreaded over a period of 4 days. Yup, sounds impossible to some. I did most of my learnings the hard way. I was scolded ridiculously by the veteren in my department. I created lotsa errors. And I finally learned the ropes. Funny, but it all seemed so darn familiar now. It was exactly like when I first took over my role during my NS period. And now, the handing over is a deja vu to me again. Lucky I had experience in teaching.. haha.. I had handed over or trained 5 guys during my stint in NS, and had almost 1 full year of Relief Teaching experience. Shocking to some, but I have handed over all my duties in a matter of 2 half days! Now I jus need to wait for my last day to come. How I wish my boss will jus ask me to go now.. haha... I feel like I'm a sitting buddha here.. basically just surfing the net and occassionally answer questions by my understudy...

my most exciting day

Finally, a casual blog to contrast my nagging political FORUM blog! The first entry, but a mandane one.. Almost end of the month, almost end of my 1 month notice. Life's really getting bored and stale. Today, some japanese guys came over to conduct some tyres knowledge. The unfortunate thing was, their English was so foreign you would think that they were still speaking Japanese. Well, it was over by 12 noon, so 1/2 day was gone. Then the usual web surfing. I've done all my handing over stuff, just waiting for my replacement to fully take control of things. But he is still no where to be found, now with just 1.5 hrs before my day ends at work. So sian. Nevermind, not my problem also. I've done what i need to do liaoz..

Really quite bored here since everything has been handed over. But I think many would love to be in my shoes: Go to work but do nothing and get paid. So if you are reading this blog, please msn and chat with me!!