Hope

Many things happened for the past few year. 

Back to Singapore in 2019. I was unhappy in the company and changed in to another department. I learned new elements, especially in communication and coordination skills. I had to handle 3 projects at the same time. It was messy but I managed to make it through. 

2020 is an annus horribilis. I was lucky enough, went back to hometown for a CNY visit before the whole world lock down due to the virus. The first three months during the lock down was tough. I stayed in my own room everyday. I felt lonely. Luckily I am still sane now. 

I thought 2021 will be better. But, I may be wrong. I have changed a new job after 6 years of blind loyalty to the company. Business is business. There is no mercy when it comes to business. I strongly agree that I have to take care of myself first before I care about others. 

I think I will stay longer in Red Dot for a while, cannot travel abroad at the moment. I just really hope that all will go back to normal soon. 

Friendship II

Recently, few people asked me some of the questions below:

Who is your BFF?

Am I your BFF?

Honestly, I do not know how to answer it. There is no BFF in my dictionary. In our busy life, friendship is always put to the test. What I can say is, everyone got their own agenda. I will never get the full support from anyone that I know. I understand that I am on my own now. This is why I try to be independent. I will do my best to fill myself, with my own achievements. Nobody will help me, except myself.

January 2018

It is not easy to work with a superior who is good in acting. In front of you, he/she treats you well. Behind of you, he/she gives you a stab. Every morning I will face the same questions: 'What are you doing now? What is the status for this? For that? Why like this? Can you chase this and that?' Honestly, I fed up. I keep thinking of my home country. I miss the time that I spent in my home country. I will be leaving Red Dot for a year once my visa is approved. It will be another challenging year for me.

Birthday Wish List 2017??

Last few weeks ago, I received my first birthday gift of the year. They accepted me to stay in Red Dot for another 5 years! It was hassle to complete the formalities. But, I do not need to be worry so much if I get retrench. Nowadays, it is not easy to survive in a big multinational company. Work hard is not the best way to survive. We have to be smart and react well in all situations. From my previous posts, it is advisable not to trust a person easily. Readers may think that I become more 'kiasi' but this is what I am facing now. Too many liars out there. Yesterday, I received my second birthday gift. I feel that I was lucky to get the opportunity although I screwed up the video and talked a lot of craps in front of five panelists during the interview. Now, I have to wait for them to finalise the location soon because there will be a lot of preparations need to be done. There is no wish list for this year. I just hope all well ends well. 

272nd Post

Nowadays, most of the people that I known like to say that I am rich due to I am working in Red Dot and they think that I got a lot of money to buy everything and should treat them a meal. Frankly speaking, I dislike the way they think about this. 

2nd Anniversary

I have been in Red Dot for 2 years. Time flies fast. I am happy that I made the right choice to work as an engineer here although sometimes I feel I am lone ranger. I learnt a lot of things here. From technical knowledge to life learning. Currently I am having a dilemma. I have to study the new design codes which it is not easy to handle with. Nowadays, I do not believe people much. There are too many liars out there. Anyhow, life moves on...

  

270th Post

Few days ago, I suppose to attend a meeting in London but I could not travel due to work. I opted for a web-conferencing with the other apprentice colleagues. It was easy to do web-conferencing but I faced a problem. The connection was disconnected few times. Half way through, so sudden I heard the siren. The meeting was on hold as they need to change the venue. There was an attack at the nearby. I was so lucky that I do not attend the meeting there. Honestly, the world is getting worst. I hope the peace will restore back soon. 

First Post for 2017

I neglected my blog again. There were a lot of things happened for the past few months ago. I had a good pre-birthday celebration with two of my unimates on last October, who share the same birthday with me. Same birthday, same year, same university, same home country. We had fate meet up in Red Dot again. I hope we can do it again on next year. I celebrated my birthday alone for the first time in the Red Dot. I did not tell anyone about it. Loneliness was tough, but I managed it well.

From left, civil, electrical & mechanical engineers.

I was fortunate that I was selected for the scheme and traveled to London alone for the first time on last November. 14 hours direct flight is not easy. I was sat at the window seat and it was not convenient for me to go out for a walk, Nevertheless, it was my first ride on A380. Smooth journey and less noise. Reached London too early. I managed to visit few of the famous places. The weather was chilling but polluted. I had jet lag and I could not sleep well. I looked like a zombie. I was excited when I visit the institution headquarters and meet the other members. I need to improve my communication skill. They talked like 'Wow'.  I think I let the pictures below to show how I felt there. 4 days and 2 nights in London. Hehe..

The Big Bird, A380

The famous Tube

The Big Ben

The Mall

The Buckingham Palace

The British Museum, a must place to visit

The Chinatown

The biggest M&M's World

Burger & Lobsters famous dish

Rasa Sayang~

The London City Hall & Tower Bridge

The Tower of London

Soho

The Westminster Abbey

ICE at One Great George Street

The President's speech

When I back from the trip, few of my colleagues keep teasing me that I will get promotion soon. They keep saying till December. Actually I dislike it. Human tongue is poisonous. I wish to stitch their mouth if I can. Haha! I  Last month I was a bit busy with works and I scolded the contractors until they do not dare to call me. Should I continue with this way? Hardly to meet friends nowadays when I back to my hometown. Most of them are busy. It is better to spend more time with family. Christmas 2016 was a wonderful time for me. I managed to spend my time family and welcome my new family member before I go back to the Red Dot. 

As for the new year countdown, I went back to the same spot to watch the fireworks alone. Mesmerised...

Have a blessed New Year 2017. Hopefully I can make it through..

266th Post

Recently, I applied for the an apprentice scheme. I received the phone interview. I thought I screwed it up because the interviewer's English accent was too thick and I keep saying 'I big your pardon'. Furthermore I could not answered the questions well. Until last Monday, I received an email and I was selected by them. I am 1 of  the 6 new apprentices, out of so many applicants. I feel so happy for it! I cannot wait to go there soon!

265th Post

Where is your girlfriend?

Why you have no girlfriend?

How come you are so choosy?

When you want to get a new girlfriend?

What? You do not have a girlfriend before? Are you gay?

It seems like getting more people concern about my single status. Sometimes, I do not know how to answer these 5 'W' questions. Anyhow, I would like to thank for your concern. I am still alright with my current situation although got few problems on work and I have to face an exam soon. My pressure level is increasing. I found few solutions for it and I hope it is working. This year seems like a good year for marriage proposal. So far, I saw 5 friends proposed to their partner. I wish them a wonderful life ahead and I hope I would not receive the 5 'W' questions again during the wedding reception. Haha... I hope you have a good start tomorrow.

We gonna let it burn, burn, burn, burn!

P/S: This is the song that I always sing out loud when I face pressure. This is one of my solutions. Haha!

264th Post

My mood swings like the weather recently. Sometimes good, sometimes bad. The work flow progress was not that smooth. So many problems need to solve. Luckily, I got a long weekend to rest. When I posted pictures where I had been in my hometown, few of my friends asked me why I did not tell them that I am back and find them for a meet up. Let me ask you a question back. Why should I tell you that I am coming back? Readers may think that I am arrogant but I would like to say that if a friend who really want to meet me, it is better for him/her to ask me when I will be coming back and arrange the time to meet up instead of I use a hailer and shout that 'I am coming back!'. It is more sincere. The holiday is going to end soon. I hope I got sufficient strength to move forward.

The Hailer Keeper

263rd Post

Last few days ago, there was a urgent internal meeting held after the CEO met the project client. My project manager informed to all team members that the client is not satisfy with the performance. Oh yes. We delayed our works. Too many of design change requests by the contractors. Too many design inquiries (RFI) raised by the contractors. I am wondering how long I can survive in this project. Meanwhile, my project manager informed us that he got increment, after he negotiated with his boss because of he was so tired with the project. I was like... What does he meant? How about his subordinates? The FEE is coming soon. Less than 2 months to go. I just started to do revision. I am not sure that I can pass or not. I do not pass, what is my next step?

260th Post

Last week, I went to Down Under after 17 years. This was my second longest trip after Heart of Asia trip back on 2012 with friends. It was planned on last year, after one of my ex-colleagues transferred there and we would like to visit her there. There were so much changes in Down Under and the governance is similar to Red Dot here. I was happy that I managed to see the changes there, visited many exquisite places and ate a lot good food in Sydney and Melbourne, drove a car around the Blue Mountains & Great Ocean Road, said 'Hi' to the Penguins at the Philip Island and accomplished my first wish and  climbed the Harbour Bridge. It was the end of Autumn and I really like the cold weather there. It was a memorable trip. Great experience!

Spectacular view from Circular Quay..

Blue Mountains

Darling Harbour

Magnificent Victoria State Library

Not easy to drive on the Great Ocean Road

Fortunate to visit & see the last 7 out of Twelve Apostles before all corroded & gone forever.

The oysters here are not that pricey. They say oysters are an aphrodisiac? 

There are few things that I would like to share about this place:

1. Most of the traffic controllers in the city are women, certified and fit for the job. Not sexist and I believe they control it well.

2. The public amenities here are well-maintained.

3. A plumber's salary is higher than engineer. It is consider as a specialist job.

4. The speed limit and traffic rules need to be follow. Or else, heavy penalty will be given. 

5. The McDonald's in Down Under is so 'Un-Mcdonald's'.

6. The people here are open minded. 

 I hope I will go there again, maybe after 17 years later?

Where are you now?
Another dream
The monster's running wild inside of me
I'm faded

P/S: This song had been played on the radio for almost every hours when I was driving on the Great Ocean Road and Blue Mountains. Happy Teacher's Day to my all who taught me before!

259th Post

I heard the thunder in the early morning today but in the end there is no rain. These few days, the weather seems like unpredictable. Same goes to us, our lives are unpredictable. People change from time to time. From bad to good and from good to bad. Meanwhile, trust and respect are the most important values for me. If I did not get these two values from a person, you will not get it from me and the poker face game begins. I was thinking about this question when few people asked me how I spend my time on weekend in Red Dot. Actually I do not know to answer it as most of the time I spend my weekend alone, travel around the city with public transport, visit the FOC exhibitions, window shopping or read something in a decent place. As simple as that and it is not complicated. I have been a lone ranger for the past 20 years and I happy with it at the moment. Haha! 

Life is a drink and love's a drug~




 P/S: I would like to say thank you for those who concerned about my relationship status. Less than 7 days left. 

20 March 2016

Last week, I received an order from my superior to be based at client's office for 2 weeks. It was my first time to be there for a long time and I do not have much time to prepare for it. It was rushed and I will be there alone. Got pros and cons. I can go for window shopping everyday as the office is in the CBD area and at the same time I will get chase by the client for something. It is like a cat and mouse game. You chase me, I chase you. Recently, I heard a comment that work in engineering/construction line is like working in a dark world, corrupted world. For those readers who work in this line, do you agree? Haha!

Construction site for future MRT station in CBD area.

1 out of 100++ DWall panels excavation..

A Medical Doctor can only kill one person at a moment But An Engineer can kill Millions in a second.

P/S: Happy Wedding Anniversary! 

31 of 366 passed

Today afternoon, I found a place where I can resemble back the food from my hometown, which I miss it the most. I ordered 3 different dishes and its fulfilling. I may visit that place once a month. Thanks to my friend who recommended it. The 'Balik Kampung' mood is on and I think that I have no mood to work from tomorrow until Friday. Haha!

31 of 366 passed. I would like to share a part of a book with readers. I feel it may help you to move forward with better spirit..

The spirit to strive is easily observed in nature. Salmon swim upstream to lay eggs and multiply their offspring. A few blades of grass can survive between bricks. The branch of chrysanthemum plant stands still in severe weather though its flowers died. All the animals and plants in the world strive to survive. I agree that humans are imperfect, but we should never give up the effort to improve ourselves. Any kind of work has its difficulties. However, with the spirit to strive for the best, we can produce outstanding achievements in any tasks. We can see restaurant workers waking up before dawn to prepare food for early business. Also, the street cleaner sweeps the street during midnight, so that people can enjoy a clean environment in the morning. It is evident that many people are doing their best to survive. 

Every moment is dawn; every challenge is an opportunity.
Every obstacle is a test; every kind act is an innovation..

P/S: I found a new friend here. I can't wait for the holiday...

31 December 2015

Few hours left before the 2015 ends. Time really flies fast. I am happy that I managed to do few things that I want on this year. So much of good memories although I faced few hiccups. I believe that determination and patience are very strong tools to survive. I hope that next year will be another good year to live. Readers, have a good time for tonight's new year countdown. See you on next year!

It's time to plan for next year agendas.. 

Once in every life there comes a time

We walk out all alone and into the light

The moment won't last but then

We remember it again when we close our eyes

Like stars across the sky

E per avvincere tu dovrai vincere

We were born to shine

All of us here because we believe....

P/S: I hope can see the fireworks tonight..

An Die Freude

My interest on symphony orchestra started when I watched my first concert in a philharmonic hall during my university time. It was a New Year performance by Johann Strauss Sr. I like the Radetzky March the most when I can feel the joyousness. Since then, I will go and watch at least once a year. Thanks to my former FYP advisor. He was the one who brought me there. I am not a musician and I do not know how to play any musical instruments. But when I watch or listen to the symphonies, it lead me to another world. Today is Ludwig van Beethoven's 245th year and I would like to share a video to readers. Whenever I listen to this symphony, I do not feel bored and delighted to listen it again and again and again. Symphony No. 9 D minor Op. 125 is Beethoven's final complete symphony before he died. The chorus were taken from the 'An Die Freude' or 'Ode to Joy' poem, written by Friedrich Schiller. It is about celebrating the brotherhood and unity of mankind. So far, I had watched this symphony twice live in a hall and I hope that I have the opportunity to watch it back live in the future.

Text of the fourth movement taken from Wikipedia

O Freunde, nicht diese Töne! Sondern laßt uns angenehmere anstimmen, und freudenvollere.	Oh friends, not these sounds! Let us instead strike up more pleasing and more joyful ones!
Freude! Freude!	Joy! Joy!
Freude, schöner Götterfunken Tochter aus Elysium, Wir betreten feuertrunken, Himmlische, dein Heiligtum! Deine Zauber binden wieder Was die Mode streng geteilt; Alle Menschen werden Brüder, Wo dein sanfter Flügel weilt.	Joy, beautiful spark of divinity, Daughter from Elysium,  We enter, burning with fervour, heavenly being, your sanctuary! Your magic brings together what fashion has sternly divided. All men shall become brothers, wherever your gentle wings hover.
Wem der große Wurf gelungen, Eines Freundes Freund zu sein; Wer ein holdes Weib errungen, Mische seinen Jubel ein! Ja, wer auch nur eine Seele Sein nennt auf dem Erdenrund! Und wer's nie gekonnt, der stehle Weinend sich aus diesem Bund!	Whoever has been lucky enough to become a friend to a friend, Whoever has found a beloved wife, let him join our songs of praise! Yes, and anyone who can call one soul his own on this earth! Any who cannot, let them slink away from this gathering in tears!
Freude trinken alle Wesen An den Brüsten der Natur; Alle Guten, alle Bösen Folgen ihrer Rosenspur. Küsse gab sie uns und Reben, Einen Freund, geprüft im Tod; Wollust ward dem Wurm gegeben, Und der Cherub steht vor Gott.	Every creature drinks in joy at nature's breast; Good and Bad alike follow her trail of roses. She gives us kisses and wine, a true friend, even in death; Even the worm was given desire, and the cherub stands before God.
Froh, wie seine Sonnen fliegen Durch des Himmels prächt'gen Plan, Laufet, Brüder, eure Bahn, Freudig, wie ein Held zum Siegen.	Gladly, just as His suns hurtle through the glorious universe, So you, brothers, should run your course, joyfully, like a conquering hero.
Seid umschlungen, Millionen! Diesen Kuß der ganzen Welt! Brüder, über'm Sternenzelt Muß ein lieber Vater wohnen. Ihr stürzt nieder, Millionen? Ahnest du den Schöpfer, Welt? Such' ihn über'm Sternenzelt! Über Sternen muß er wohnen.	Be embraced, you millions! This kiss is for the whole world! Brothers, above the canopy of stars must dwell a loving father. Do you bow down before Him, you millions? Do you sense your Creator, o world? Seek Him above the canopy of stars! He must dwell beyond the stars.

P/S: I hope one day I can watch Vienna New Year's Concert live..

1212

I was disappointed and demotivated on last week. Strong will is needed to survive. Here's a toast for the hardship done so far.

Am I look like 金鱼老?

Thanks to the rain just now. The weather is getting cooler. Lazy to move around. Can I hibernate until end of the year like the polar bear on the north pole?

It's so cold out here.. In your wilderness..
I want you to be my keeper..
But not if you are so reckless...




P/S: After I read this back, friend is merely for moment. Not forever.