Singapore - The Heaven for The Investors and Job Seekers

13 February 2012

Here I am, Singapore, a good place to work, to live and to make money, not to relax though. I came here to seek for job. Singapore may not be my dream place to live, but it is far better than Malaysia. 

I had an interview on the Valentine's Day. It made my day so unforgettable. It was a position for IT Recruitment Consultant in one of the job agencies. I remembered I sent the application at night once I landed in Singapore. I received a call the next morning, inviting me for an interview on the same day. The offer was given straight after the interview. Obviously, it was a job that did not really require much technical skills. Meeting the sales target was all they concerned. 

Sales-oriented jobs always appear challenging for me as the income is dynamic every month. However, I found it as a good opportunity to shift my career, doing something that deals with people. At one time, I was really keen to take this challenge and said yes. But it is not easy to get a perfection. This is life!!! It required me for a three-years bond which I do not think I could commit at the moment. 

I was not desperate though. That was just my first trial in my job search. I took it as an experience. I enjoyed the rest of the Valentine day along the riverbank at the Raffles Place. Here, I saw tall giant buildings and also tourists having seafood meals along the riverbank. Singapore is undoubtedly a heaven for jobs and travelling. 

My sister told me that I was lucky to have quite a number of interviews in a week. After the first interview, I went for the second interview at a company located quite far, doing customer loyalty system. This was a position for Support Engineer, responsible to support their operations on 24/7 standby. If worst comes to worst, I would have to give onsite support even if it happened at night time. I was offered quite good salary, but based on 12-months basis and with two year bond. I am not likely to go for this.

The third interview followed. It was a programmer analyst in the giant NCS hub. This was the only company so far that required a technical test. I was quite confident in working with Oracle technologies so I thought the test and the interview should not be a big deal for me as long as I did some revision. I never expected the test to turn out to be so difficult. It is far more difficult than I thought, testing on something that I have not learnt, or have not even heard. I felt so desperate after the test. While I was waiting for the interview, I had a thought to leave but I didn't. The interview was not too bad. I was warned by the interviewers that this positions would carry heavy workload as the team is doing projects for banks. Working till late is common, though it is not everyday basis. 

The fourth interview ended quite well. I love the location, the environment, the people and the acceptable workload. The only questions are the opportunity for growth of the position, and the salary. I was told that they have limited budget. 

I have two more interviews coming. I am quite interesting in one of them. It is a position for Change Management Specialist. It may be a good opportunity to shift my career from doing technical stuff to do something about management. This is not a popular career. It is rare to see companies are hiring a position in charge of the change management in any online job agency, except for the big companies I believe. 

The other one would be with CIMB bank located in Raffles Place. I imagine myself dressing smart formal attire, wearing high heels, carrying a branded bag, and put a thick make up to work in this high class working central. I feel this position is slightly better than NCS's. The agent is very helpful in giving me advice and tell me about this career prospect. 

From the performance of my overall job seeking, I noticed that it is not too hard to get an offer. But it is really hard to get a perfect offer which is good in price, benefits, growth, workload and location. And most importantly, it has to come on the right time. I may end up accepting the lowest offer which can be 40-50% different but hopefully it offers the best working environment. 

正式不用上班的日子

4 April 2011

我终于经历了人生第一次的离职。这样的一天，应该是我过去一年一直盼望的日子。可现在的我，感觉却是又轻松，也不舍。

习惯了每天7点起床，吃一顿丰富的早餐，再前往公司。现在难得能睡到日上三竿，却发觉原来我身体已经习惯了早起。

之前我最爱利用午餐的时间在公司上网，管它只有区区的一个小时，却很享受它那流畅的速度。现在的我，反而感到害怕从早到晚都在家上网。

在公司的日子，虽然没有与同事一起吃午饭的习惯，少了很多交谈的机会，但也比现在整天对着电脑不说话来的好。

我习惯放工后到领近的花园爬山，虽然通常都是独自的，但每当有同事一起去时，我却兴奋万分。

我习惯被喻为全公司最年轻的那一位，唯一一个在雨天或阴天也去爬山的人，也因为经常不吃午餐而被说为成仙。

在这一个早上，我比往常起得早，原因是现在的我，少了夜间活动，能够在10点就入睡了。但是起床后，也只能上上网，看看戏了。

纵使有太多的不习惯和不舍，我相信再过不久，我会很喜欢这样自由自在的生活，想必到时也懒惰找工了。

Before the April Fool comes

31 March 2011

At this late night of 31st March, I am feeling much heavier heart beats in my body. The clock is going to strike 12am, and the April Fool will arrive very soon. On the April Fool, it would also be my last service day with the company. It is not a joke.

People around me wonder if I would cry, and most of them guess I would. Perhaps I am a young little girl in their eyes, or they feel I am a sentimental person.

Long time ago, I had been trying to imagine how I would feel when I need to officially leave the company one day. And I can tell my actual feeling now is far different than what I imagined.

I have been seeing colleague leaving one by one over the past one year. Well, that is acceptable as I still have a big gang of good buddies with me in the company. But I truly do not feel okay to leave all of them in one day.

All good things shall come to an end. I shouldn't feel sad for my own's leaving as we can keep in touch with each other. I am sure we will. I definitely will miss the people a lot. In order to cherish the memorable moment we had together, I have compiled a video clips for easier review in future.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evwLhl12jRE

梦

11 Mar 2011

人家说，日有所思，夜有所梦。 我觉得，日有所听，夜也会有所梦。

平日在别人嘴边挂着的，和我耳朵里听见的话题，偶而晚上在我梦里会演绎成一个我在现实生活中不敢想象的画面，既是令人觉得抗拒，却又发觉这样也不错。

就当我梦到那一幕，也就是我一直都认为不可能会发生的事情，我的第一个心情竟然是温暖和甜蜜。至今我还回味着。但是接着的就是错乱的心情。脑子也开始出现种种负面的想法，视线也开始放得更远，看到前方的路将会是那么的坎坷，要经的风雨是那么的多。

也许因为现实不能让它发生，所以就在梦中实现它，好让我搁下耿耿于怀的事情。这不就正正是人需要发梦的原因吗？

Farewell of my first formal job

9 Mar 2011

There are three more weeks to go until my last day. But one of us (among three) who resigned will be leaving this week. So our three team leaders decided to organize the farewell for three of us together. This time was unusual. We made it at Kura, a restaurant which provides Japanese cuisine in One World Hotel. It was indeed sumptuous dining.

I had a set of Shashimi and Salmon Terriyaki. It was served with a bowl of rice, miso soup, steam egg, salad, and fruits at the price of RM38. Without the Shashimi, it would be RM25.

pic: Three of us who resigned, me, ying hui, and wee loo

pic: bee kheng and I

pic: about 15-20 of us

"Updated on 10 Mar"

And today, we had another private farewell among the closed colleague, without the bosses. Once Again it was still too early for me. But still I enjoyed the fish at Lan Je. I believe we all did. There were 14 of us and each of us had one medium-size fish. Thank all of them for the treat.

Thumbs up for both of the dining.

Introduction to Short Stories

8 Mar 2011

Two days ago, I found a piece of my hard work done during college time. It was my first ever video production. It was indeed a tough work, which took a lot of my effort and time. Despite the fact that I came across with some minor problems that prevented me to finish it in a smooth manner, it turned out to be a successful and satisfying video eventually.

Each group with members of three, was assigned with different stories and each group could freely utilize own's creativity to present the story. I was assigned the story "The Cask of Amontillado". The story is about how Montressor executes his revenge plan on Fortunato (used to be his friend). He attracted Fortunato to his house with Amontillado, which is always Fortunato's favourite wine, got him drunk, and finally chained him in his vault and let him died of suffocation.

Here is the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayxhNSApf7Q

Another group presented the short story "It used to be green once" very nicely too. It is about the relationship between mother and children.

Here is the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxzg9OHIshU

你的心声

28 Feb 2011

原谅无情的我，烦着无助的你。
其实我看穿你的心，也听破你的呼吸。
就在我追求梦想的同时，你只祈求我出入平安。
正当我无忧无虑的身在外头，你却无时无刻的在家掂挂我。

我何尝不是盼望一切顺利，但是既来之，则安之。
开始学习不要把自己变成一位预言家，预测未必发生的事情。
与其费神胡思乱想，不如集中精神，做好充分准备，尽我所能安排妥当，处理危机。

我答应你，答应大家，答应自己会爱惜和保护自己，带着一箩箩的经验与大家分享。

My Dancing Life

1226 February 2011

I have been taking part in culture dance since I was 9. I quit in my 20's and after that, I learnt hip hop and various modern dances, occasionally. I was originally from Chin Woo/精武, but I have switched to Pooi Lam Old Students' Association when I was 14, after being captivated by one of their well arranged and performed dance. I was greatly happy that I was given a chance to play a role in this dance performance not long after joining this association. I supposed to have a recording for it, but unfortunately it could not be played back as it was corrupted. It is my favourite dance among all, followed by the dance that you can see in the first video below.

The name of this dance is 庆典, meaning celebration. Unfortunately we did not practise well enough and it turned out to be disappointing.

During my last performance in our association's anniversary dinner in 2006, I was asked by my coach to compose a dance choreography myself, where I would be the only dancer in this. Oh my God, I can dance, I can teach, but not compose!!!! Still, I felt proud to be given such opportunity and finally I went to buy some vcds with winning dances from China, and stole some ideas from them :) And below was my creation. I understand there are a lot of room for improvement, but I was only given a month of time.

Lately, I involved myself in belly dance, MTV jazz, and hip hop. If you are interested, please see this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1-8t9AhMOY

祸不单行

12 Feb 2011

脆弱的心灵终于被一连串不幸的事而打败了。这次真的在与好友通电时大哭出来，沉默了数分钟，才能正常说话，再次告诉她另外一个坏消息，钱包在回怡保的路途上遗失了。原来人在有需要时，真的要哭出来，不要憋着。哭够了，心也就通了。

这次绝对不是为损失而哭。真正的原因是我感到心寒，没有预料到不幸的事这么快又降临了。日子从2010下半年至今依然那么"精彩"。我虽然不是个迷信的人，但也开始担心今年的运测会一一实现。没错，当中有些事，我是应该负上责任，但也得天时地利人和三大元素配合到，它们才能一连二，三接二顺利地发生。从2010下半年开始，

1. 钱包被偷
2. 情场失意
3. 交通意外
4. 车子被偷
5. 钱包遗失

当时的我，觉得自己掉到谷底，很疲惫，没有勇气继续与恶运熬下去了，只希望未来的路走。不要求多了。只要出入平安，做事顺利就好了。不求大富大贵，也不望升职加薪。

有缘千里来相会，无缘对面不相逢

人与人之间一旦建立了感情，管它是友情，爱情，还是亲情，离别都是痛苦。因为你曾经付出的时间，金钱，关心，和爱，在此时此刻，感觉好像只能换取回忆，却失去与对方继续相处的机会。

亲情反而是例外，因为不管你是多么恨家人，你们依然被血缘牢笼着。它虽然也有一点抽象，但是里面的脱氧核糖核酸，却能够实实在在地证实彼此的关系。

对于朋友和爱人，离别后，剩下的只有回忆。离别时，通常都会互相安慰对方，有机会再见。要是往另外一方面去想，数年后在路上碰到他们，不打招呼的也多不胜数，要怪，也只能埋怨之间少了份缘。俗语说，有缘千里来相会，无缘对面不相逢。

在未来的这一年，离别的机会将会是很多，说再见的机会也一样多。我衷心希望我们都能说到做到，大家都会再见面。

All good things come to an end

9 February 2011

I have finally tendered my resignation today. It was a tough process to go through. The nervousness was huge as if I was waiting for a job interview. It was my first resignation ever in my life.

Despite the fast and strong heart beating, I booked a conference room and requested from my supervisor for a short discussion. He came in and I saw some curiousity on his face, wondering what I was going to discuss.

Right after he sat down, I tendered my resignation letter and told him that I am leaving the country soon. As expected, I was asked a series of questions : Reason, future plan, comment and etc.

I was greatly relieved after hearing his comments about my good performance. Though I did not totally agree, I just accepted :). I was happy enough to know that in his opinion, I was a valuable and useful asset to the company.

The struggle started after he asked me to consider extending my service, if not staying back. My mind was not moved to change the decision, but my heart was moved as I started to imagine how sad the people around here, or even including myself would be about my leaving.

Among all, I have the strongest bond with Mr J, followed by a group of ladies such as hy, yh, bk, and sk. Mr J has been patiently imparting knowledge to me. And the team has brought out the best in me in my first formal job out of University by giving support and guidance throughtout the working time here.

They are more than colleague, but also good friends who can make fun and hang out with. All good things come to an end. Let us appreciate the two months left and spent the time together as much as we can.

I hereby would like to express my gratitude to Mr J, hy, bk, sk, louis, Mr S, Mr W and all others who have been putting effort on me.

2011 Chinese New Year

2-5 February 2011

Reunion Dinner

6 of us including my little baby nephew in my sister in law's stomach had a "sumptuos" dinner with great varieties.

1st day of 2011 Chinese New Year

And for the first dinner of the Rabbit year, we had another 8 dishes.

2nd day of 2011 Chinese New Year

On the second day, my sister and brother in law came back and again, we had a complete reunion dinner with more dishes. The smoke roast duck from "Yang Wei" stood out among all.

3rd day of 2011 Chinese New Year

The third day was full of gathering. We had an annual vegetarian lunch gathering with the other two families, who are friends of my parents.

At night, I had another gathering with my old schoolmates of my secondary school. I have never been seeing them since my high school graduation and surprisingly we could still spend the time chatting with each other without any problem.

是多，是少，在于你自己怎么想

31 Jan 2011

一个人是真心对你好，或者假情假意，不是一两天可以分辨出来。但是时间是一个很好的证明。我不敢说100%准确，但我觉得已经十拿九稳了。

自私的人，往往都只希望和你共富贵，而不愿和你共患难。所以如果在你低落的时候，还看到真正的友情，真心的关怀，和慷慨的援手，那你就应该好好珍惜他们。我想没有几个能够做得到了。

在我无助的时候，我感到很安慰，因为有父母的关心，朋友的陪伴和同事的协助。父母就不用说了，血缘关系是永远改变不了。至于朋友和同事，他们没有必要理睬。但是我看到他们尽量付出时间和精神，为的就是要配合我，帮我解围，让我开心。

曾经的我，觉得朋友不多而感到很孤独，其实不好的朋友，一个也觉得多；好的朋友，不用多，就算是一个，也都足够了。

难求啊

31 Jan 2011

人家说上天是很公平的，掠夺你一样宝贵的东西，它就会赏你另外一样宝贵的东西。
在这么不幸的一年里，我却有幸认识了一位贵人。
如果没有了他，我那一年是那么的平淡和难熬。
他的出现，令我灰暗的一年有了生气和意义，让我觉得那一年并不足以成为我的世界末日，也在我记忆档案里留下很深刻的脚印。
认识了他，让我觉得社会还存在很多人都觉得已经绝种的好人。
了解了他，也让我明白很多事情我应该看开一点。
我因该感到知足了。我衷心感激他，但愿他与家人能够平安，快乐。

我心乱如麻，慌张地寻觅，它依然消失了

29 Jan 2011

在一个阴凉的早晨，大概是7时30分左右，我带着疲惫的身躯，拖着沉重的脚步，装着昏沉的意识，心里却万分的兴奋，准备拿车去爬山。

来到停车的公路，两行都是停泊着车辆。以往常一样，从保安亭一直沿路走，走到昨晚停放我的宝贝汽车的地方。脑子顿时起了个问号，怎么没看见我的汽车，面前却停放了另外一辆轿车。

糊里糊涂的我，当时还不敢去想车子可能真的被偷了，却说服自己老懵懂，大概是忘了自己把车停在哪里。

心里还是开始觉得不对劲了。我于是倒头走，一边走，一边想着昨晚是星期几，几点回家，回来的时候把车停在哪里，下车前到底有没有上轮盘的锁，下车后又有没有把门锁上。

平日我就不敢肯定，但昨晚停车的情景的确还很清晰的播放在我脑海。我很清楚记得停车的位置，也很肯定有上轮盘的锁。

我依然不敢相信事实，再次说服自己眼睛模糊，看不到自己的宝贝。于是我又沿路再走，这次我按着遥控器，如果车子在附近的话，alarm必定会响起来。

心里越来越着急了，当时的心情仿佛就像一位母亲跟孩子失散了，四处慌张地找自己的孩子。

我终于崩溃了，无法再说服自己，被逼接受残酷的事实。于是就跑到公寓保安亭打听，也到隔壁商店的保安处询问，但却没有任何线索。

我坐在路旁，无助地东张西望，希望宝贝会出现在我眼前。我拿起电话，拨电给母亲，却连接不上。当时的我，感觉很不实在，心也寒了，开始想起近来发生不幸的事情。

跟母亲通电后，就开始找同事帮忙，载我到警局报案。在等他到来的2个小时里，我不愿回家，就毫无目标的在路上晃荡，累了就坐在路旁，在FB留言。偶尔跟母亲，父亲，同事，和一位同学通电，谈的越多，心就越酸，泪水也开始滑下了。

最后决定到邻近的mamak，叫了一杯milo，一直用手机连接到FB，心情也开始平复下来，过后也没有再哭了。伴随我六年的车，就这样离开我了。我多年的音乐珍藏，买了不久的NIKE球鞋，也随之消失。

不愉快的事情始终发生了，但却让我感受到温暖的亲情，和真挚的友情。谢谢大家。

A great rabbit year

I was told to have a great and prosperous 2011 year yesterday. But before it realizes, I have experienced a not-so-good year. Perhaps the good year shall only start in 2011 Chinese calendar year, which is after Chinese new year? Over the past one year, my purse was stolen, I had problems in relationship, I spent a lot on car for repair, and now guess what, after spending so much on the car and now it was stolen. To think optimistically, I shall feel glad to have a healthy 2010 year? This would be the last unlucky event I allow to happen in this year. Let's wish everyone to have a better year ahead. Happy New Year.

Disciplined life

26 Jan 2011

I have been so disciplined for a couple of days that I go to sleep before 10pm. I do not force myself to follow the health protocol. I just automatically feel tired and sleepy when my body's clock strikes 9.30pm. At 10pm, I will shut my laptop down and put myself under the blanket, preparing for a 8.5-hour of sleep.

The next morning, unexpectedily I do not feel much better. I could hardly get up and open widely my eyes still. My energy is leaking every hour. After few hours, I turn to a lady with withered face and emotionally I feel ill.

For another one more night, I need to be "disciplined" again.

For the one

21 Jan 2011

This is a post specially for the one who has been helping me a lot throughout the year. It is my greatest pleasure to know him as a friend, and as a colleague. Sometime, I treat him as part of my family, sharing my unhappiness. I hope he does not feel frustrated every time I bring him troubles.

He is such a nice person that I have no excuse for myself to disappoint him. However, we should have our own track which lead us to different destinations as we are not in unity. I want to try my best to stand up and be independent, to cherish everyone who has put expectation on me.

"Unshareable" talk

21 Jan 2011

Life has been so different recently, and will be greatly different after a few more months. I have a lot to share, but I just feel it is not the time as I need to keep them secret. Some of you who have heard from me, you may be able to understand me.

Everything is going on track. No, I shall say they progress even faster than what I expected and planned. The closer I am to that day, the more agitated I am, and of course more things to think and plan.

Another two more weeks, after I have settled down, I will definitely write freely here and share my whereabouts. Please be patient and do stay tuned.

Brainstorming S.O.S

14 Jan 2011

I have been whole day sitting in front of my monitor, looking at the same document, having only one thought on my mind, that is to enhance my first official proposal (first piece since my graduation) according to my manager's feedback. I've been thinking all day and getting nowhere. I keep the song "Love Paradise" by Kelly Chen repeating in my music player so that I can be delighted every second listening to it.

He has given me valuable comments on the draft that I did and it is time to enhance it to be more redeable for users. I actually understand all his comments, his expectations and I even agree to his point of view.

I just could not work out the exact way to improve the proposal though I have racked my brains. I have included all I know and I could into the draft. What else?

Simply it is because I am not in good condition/mood, or they are all I have to my best understanding?

Let's pray I can brainstorm on this during my journey back to my hometown later, so that I can greatly enjoy the lovely weekends.