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.
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.
Turning thirty is a confusing juncture of life. It can be dreadful enough to make people feel that they are finally not young any more. At the same time, it can motivate people to start living their lives to the fullest. I would like to take this opportunity to thank those who wished me on last week. Although I received 17 wishes only but I feel very blessed and cannot ask anymore. Thankful and grateful for the people who have come in to my life and shared with me this life in a way or another.
I acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which I worked and live, and recognise their continuing connection to land, water and community. I pay respect to Elder past, present and emerging.
I was lucky to be here for my company's international assignment, which I will work until early next year. When I arrived here, I was surprised with the high security checking in the airport. If compare to Sydney or Melbourne, here is stricter and I think it is good. There was an officer stopped me and asked me for my declaration custom card. Then the officer asked did I bring any 'bakwa'. I was like.... Haha! Currently I am staying in CBD area, which is less than 2km to the office. I can walk to the office and back easily, except for now because it is the winter time. The temperature can reach to the lowest point, which is 6-7 degree Celcius. The office environment is different if compare to the Red Dot. The working desk is bigger, the walking space is bigger, the pantry is bigger, there is a mini fridge which stores the beers. Oh my... There is a monthly event, the 'Friday Forum' where everyone can drink as much they can for 2 hours. I do not think this will happen in the Red Dot office. How fortunate the OZ colleagues here. The workload is not that much, I was lucky to off work on time. I can treat this year as a gap year. To rest well, enjoy the environment alone. Sometimes it is not easy to stay alone, but time flies fast. I will make it through. I cannot wait to explore more here.
I wanna take you somewhere so you know I care But it's so cold and I don't know where I brought you daffodils in a pretty string But they won't flower like they did last spring
And I wanna kiss you, make you feel alright I'm just so tired to share my nights I wanna cry and I wanna love But all my tears have been used up
On another love, another love All my tears have been used up On another love, another love All my tears have been used up On another love, another love All my tears have been used up
Oh oh And if somebody hurts you, I wanna fight But my hands been broken, one too many times So I'll use my voice, I'll be so fucking rude Words they always win, but I know I'll lose
And I'd sing a song, that'd be just ours But I sang 'em all to another heart And I wanna cry I wanna learn to love But all my tears have been used up
On another love, another love All my tears have been used up On another love, another love All my tears have been used up On another love, another love All my tears have been used up
Oh oh Oh, need a love, now, my heart is thinking of I wanna sing a song, that'd be just ours But I sang 'em all to another heart And I wanna cry, I wanna fall in love But all my tears have been used up
On another love, another love All my tears have been used up On another love, another love All my tears have been used up On another love, another loveAll my tears have been used up oh oh
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.
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.
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.
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...
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.
I had a good break on last week Lunar New Year celebration. It was a memorable celebration. I had a KFC for my reunion dinner for the first time. Haha!
I went to the Pearl of the Orient on the third day. It was an annual trip, to visit my relatives there. I was sad when I reached the Gurney Drive. There is a huge development there. Land reclamation is on going. No more nice sea view to see.
When I reached back to KL, I met my old friends, ex-schoolmates, ex-unimates and ex-colleagues in different time. It was not easy to make an arrangement with them but I am glad that in the end we still can meet up. Most of them changed in a way. Time flies fast. 1 week off is not sufficient for me.
First week of work for 2017, it was awful. Work load is increasing and never ends. Few colleagues started to ask about my treat meal for them after they know about my new job position. I do not know why this type of culture happens in everywhere. Human are greed. Hopefully the next 357 days will be better for me.
Here we are Riding the sky Painting the night with sun You and I, Mirrors of light Twin flames of fire Lit in another time and place
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..
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!
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!
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.
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?
Last few days ago, I could not sleep well. I think that my old sickness is back. Sudden wake up during middle of the night. Auto wake up in the early morning. Is it true that if a person sudden wake up during wee hours, there is 'something' watching that person? I hope not. Today I went to Southern Ridges for a morning walk, to release stress and strain and 'wash' my eyes.
Refer to the above map, I just realize that I had walked around 6km trail from Start Point to the End Point. A good adventure but I cannot feel my legs now. Haha..
From Faber Peak.
Henderson Waves Bridge.
Forest Walk
Alexandra Arch Bridge
Interlace Condo. I think it is not easy to construct it.
HortPark.
I was impressed with the NParks, they managed to keep the parks in Red Dot well. I hope my homeland will follow the same suit, although the current situation is not that really good.
Last week was an 'Amazing Week' for me. So many last minute things need to be done or resolve on the same day and there was an 'earthquake' in the headquarter on last Wednesday. The company had started to retrench the employee. 19 employees affected by this retrenchment. I was so shocked when I heard this news and thank God that I still survive at the moment. Now everywhere got retrenchment, not only in oil and gas industry. I do not understand why the company used the this last card. Although the company is facing a hard time on this year, I believe that there is an alternative way to solve this. Why they do not want to the implement a shorter work week, temporary layoff or redeployment? The employees are also one of the company assets. Now, the morale is low in the office. Most of the employees are worry about their future in the company. There may be second round of retrenchment. Who knows? Should I plan something to save my own rice bowl? May God bless everyone!
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!
