Okay, the stakes are on the table. HUGE stakes alright.
Really looking forward to the Genting trip. Its gonna be a good break for us both, and we get to gamble! Now what we've planned is to compete against each other mano a mano on our betting prowess. Setting is as such:
Each will get $100ringgit a day for the two nights we'll be there, the person with the most money at the end of the trip wins! Loser will have to pay for our next overseas trip(New Zealand?)! Exciting anot?!
Exciting! Okay so I won't be able to imitate a God of Gamblers entrance with a $100, but considering that I'm prepared to lose it all in several hours(very optimistic), better not spend too much. I did, afterall, infamously lose $50 on the roulette table in a mere 5mins on my last trip there. But this time I will show that I will win with skill, charm, good risk management, and a dumptruck full of luck! Good luck to me!!!!!
So its gonna be the risk-taker vs the ultra-super-duper-risk averse!
Who will win it?!
Stay tuned...
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Genting Here I Come!
Yup.
The promised land.
My next best chance to become rich after buying Toto. I've geared up for it, and with the right amount of cash I have calculated that I will come back a millionaire! Wish me luck!
Of course if I lose my pants then I will just spend whatever free time I have left wasting Genting electricity by riding all sides of that giant drop thingy as many times as I can till I make my money's worth! Hmph.
This time around will be my first time taking the super VIP(they call it SVIP) Grassland bus, which only has 3 seats per row instead of 4. I think it will also be my first time staying in First World hotel(where did I stay the last time?). And it the first time I'm going up there with the girlfriend! Haha.
Fun! Fun!(with more Ringgit) Even more fun!
___________________________________________________________________
The Presidential Room
On a separate note, I just came back from dinner with Uncle Alfred and Kin Wah. We ate at The American Club, with which Uncle Alfred is a member. My, that place is ultra posh siah. I had the Prime Beef Steak which cost $43.99, extra filling, tender beef but still overly expensive. Our whole meal cost more than $200 but luckily Uncle Alfred picked up the tab. So nice of him.
Anyway, short of sounding like some suah guy, the restaurant also serves Evian(still water) or Perrier(sparkling) too! Just like Top of the M! So posh. Then they also had a card on every table reminding patrons that use of handphones and pagers were not allowed in the club except in the lobby. Wah seh. To top it off, the toilets have got free mouthwash! Wah. And the club gives away free The Edge magazines! Wah. Okay, I'm done with my suah rant.
Dinner was good. We had a good chat and catch up session. Nice to catch up with them and talk about all affairs current.
_________________________________________________________________
The Showdown
Last friday, there was the ultimate showdown between our very own Jinde, against our basketball kaki, Cheng. It was a battle of the tequila shots. Held at Winebar(like nobody gets drunk at Winebar right?), the whole lot of us(I think there was quite a lot of us!) sponsored all the shots while all they both needed to do was down them.
Short of mentioning anything embarrassing, I will keep this short.
5 shots each and the showdown was over.
The promised land.
My next best chance to become rich after buying Toto. I've geared up for it, and with the right amount of cash I have calculated that I will come back a millionaire! Wish me luck!
Of course if I lose my pants then I will just spend whatever free time I have left wasting Genting electricity by riding all sides of that giant drop thingy as many times as I can till I make my money's worth! Hmph.
This time around will be my first time taking the super VIP(they call it SVIP) Grassland bus, which only has 3 seats per row instead of 4. I think it will also be my first time staying in First World hotel(where did I stay the last time?). And it the first time I'm going up there with the girlfriend! Haha.
Fun! Fun!(with more Ringgit) Even more fun!
___________________________________________________________________
The Presidential Room
On a separate note, I just came back from dinner with Uncle Alfred and Kin Wah. We ate at The American Club, with which Uncle Alfred is a member. My, that place is ultra posh siah. I had the Prime Beef Steak which cost $43.99, extra filling, tender beef but still overly expensive. Our whole meal cost more than $200 but luckily Uncle Alfred picked up the tab. So nice of him.
Anyway, short of sounding like some suah guy, the restaurant also serves Evian(still water) or Perrier(sparkling) too! Just like Top of the M! So posh. Then they also had a card on every table reminding patrons that use of handphones and pagers were not allowed in the club except in the lobby. Wah seh. To top it off, the toilets have got free mouthwash! Wah. And the club gives away free The Edge magazines! Wah. Okay, I'm done with my suah rant.
Dinner was good. We had a good chat and catch up session. Nice to catch up with them and talk about all affairs current.
_________________________________________________________________
The Showdown
Last friday, there was the ultimate showdown between our very own Jinde, against our basketball kaki, Cheng. It was a battle of the tequila shots. Held at Winebar(like nobody gets drunk at Winebar right?), the whole lot of us(I think there was quite a lot of us!) sponsored all the shots while all they both needed to do was down them.
Short of mentioning anything embarrassing, I will keep this short.
5 shots each and the showdown was over.
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Dali-cious!
Yesterday, I had enough free time(as you all know I'm out of work for this two weeks and am exceptionally free) to decide to hit the town and search for all of Salvador Dali's works on display. Its not as though I'm a really big fan of his but I do specifically remember his trademark melting clocks, introduced to most of us by his most famous work, The Persistence Of Memory. You may not think you've seen it, but I'm pretty sure many of you have but never knew the name to the painting thats all(just like me up until now). Its the one which has got melting clocks all of the place with like a desert and a couple of barren trees as background. Yes? No?
I must admit I'm not really like super good with art(never been known to be arty-farty though sometimes I may surprise), but this trip was more of a treasure-hunt-and-document kinda thing for me. So my views of the art pieces may be abit more practical and dull than even the more casual of artlovers.
Anyways, I just thought since I've got nothing better to do, why not go on a solo hunt for these sculptures. Afterall, I've walked past two of the pieces at Capital Tower several times on my way to work during my last few days with my previous employer.
I took the 196 bus to Shenton Way and started my journey with the pieces at Capital Tower(obviously since they were the most obscurely located - notice that the pieces are also the cheapest of the lot)
Dance Of Time II
So this is the first of two pieces really easy to find, right at the entrance of Capital Tower. Its worth US$480,000. I like the whole melting-clock thing and it is very definitive of Dali's work, but I don't think I'd pay so much for this piece.
Dance Of Time II
Looks like a mushroom if you'd asked me.
St George And The Dragon
This piece was just in front of the previous piece so you really can't miss it, its got more details, so in my perspective, its more worthwhile of its similar price tag of US$480,000(same price as above piece).
St George And The Dragon
Notice the woman hiding behind the knight. I still think its way overpriced.
Surrealist Piano
The previous two pieces were more like the introductory performers of some megastar concert, so I guess they weren't that impressive. I walked all the way down Robinson Road to Raffles Place and then to UOB Plaza to catch the first of four pieces on display there. Somehow, this piece below didn't really look that awesome and I was kind of aware that people were starring at me take pictures of this art piece.
Surrealist Piano
Not that special lah although a piano with human legs did look abit quirky. US$550,000. Must be the legs.
Horse Saddled With Time
This was the piece that featured in the front page of Life! last Thursday. I think this piece was what attracted me to embark on this Dali hunt. I can't really describe how I feel about this piece but I think its a very good piece. Maybe being always in need of more time myself, I find this piece more intriguing than the rest. US$550,000.
Horse Saddled With Time
This piece would do very nicely in my room. Then again I'll have no place to sleep. This piece is just by the river, so its also not hard to spot.
Unicorn
This piece was right beside the Horse Saddled With Time piece, they were so close together there was no kick at finding this piece. US$480,000.
Unicorn
The newspaper says this sculpture depicts a unicorn tamed by a virgin. I don't really see it that way. It looks more like the unicorn just stabbed the woman's heart and left her heartbroken. Beastiality fans will like this piece. 'Nuff said.
Woman Aflame
This piece was perhaps the toughest to find, and the only piece I couldn't get close to. Why would they put it where people can't see it clearly? Anyway it took awhile to find this piece, its on the left side of the building towards the direction of Boat Quay. Somehow the place was cordoned and this was the closest picture I could get of it. US$1.27mil.
Woman Aflame
I gotta say she looks kinda weird with drawers sticking outta her and sticks sticking out of her back. Too abstract for me. But this was a very big sculpture, maybe thats why the humongous price tag.
Space Elephant
This was another enormous sculpture. This was on the other extreme right of UOB Plaza, beside 6 Battery Road where Stanchart was. It was so tall I think the tip of the pyramid almost touched the roof of the overhead shelter. US$1.7mil. Lagi more expensive, maybe only because of its sheer size.
Space Elephant
My only thoughts on this piece revolved around 5 letters: W-E-I-R-D.
Homage To Newton
I have to emphasize that this piece is not part of the exhibition of Salvador Dali's sculptures, but it has been standing at UOB Plaza for such a long time that I just had to document it as well since it was a Dali piece as well.
I think its more impressive than almost all of his pieces on exhibition and it has a higher chance of making people go,"Ooooh!". So its gotta be good.
Homage To Newton
Somehow didn't have much of a chance to take a very good picture, what with the heavy security(IMF season) and the weird stares I'm getting from people around me. Coupled with the high chance that I was about to bump into an ex-colleague somehow, I was outta the main plaza square in a jiffy.
Profile Of Time
Finally, it felt like coming down the home stretch. Camera was running out of battery. I walked from Raffles Place all the way to Orchard(thankfully I was wearing a singlet, was sweating like a pig) and was glad to have made it to Taka without my berms showing any wet prints of my underwear(luckily didn't wear boxers).
This was another piece I liked, largely because of the melting clock. It was actually similar to the Dance Of Time II piece but alot bigger. US$1.3mil. Price justified. Big is sometimes really more beautiful.
Profile Of Time
I liked the fact that the tree branch holding the melting clock up was more defined and stretch beyond the clock thereby giving it a more 'draped' look. This was nicer compared to the other melting clock piece which looked like a mushroom.
Space Venus
This was another impressive piece. US$1.7mil. Another super expensive piece. This was nice lah. Just nice. Oh yah, both pieces are right in front of the fountain at Taka, so its not hard to find.
Space Venus
Note the ants on the body, and the melting clock at the neck. Totally weird.
Alice In Wonderland
The final piece to the puzzle. This piece is really easy to find, right at the Wheelock entrance. Looked pretty ordinary. US$1.48mil.
Alice In Wonderland
Nothing much to comment on except Alice's face, if you look close enough, is actually a round shrub. Haha, interesting.
_______________________________________________________________
So that was my journey. I've got more photos if anyone wants to see more. Better yet, just go down and see for yourselves, quite interesting. I think they're on display until 14th Oct. Enjoy!
'Have no fear of perfection. You'll never reach it'
Dali
I must admit I'm not really like super good with art(never been known to be arty-farty though sometimes I may surprise), but this trip was more of a treasure-hunt-and-document kinda thing for me. So my views of the art pieces may be abit more practical and dull than even the more casual of artlovers.
Anyways, I just thought since I've got nothing better to do, why not go on a solo hunt for these sculptures. Afterall, I've walked past two of the pieces at Capital Tower several times on my way to work during my last few days with my previous employer.
I took the 196 bus to Shenton Way and started my journey with the pieces at Capital Tower(obviously since they were the most obscurely located - notice that the pieces are also the cheapest of the lot)
Dance Of Time II
So this is the first of two pieces really easy to find, right at the entrance of Capital Tower. Its worth US$480,000. I like the whole melting-clock thing and it is very definitive of Dali's work, but I don't think I'd pay so much for this piece.
Dance Of Time II
Looks like a mushroom if you'd asked me.
St George And The Dragon
This piece was just in front of the previous piece so you really can't miss it, its got more details, so in my perspective, its more worthwhile of its similar price tag of US$480,000(same price as above piece).
St George And The Dragon
Notice the woman hiding behind the knight. I still think its way overpriced.
Surrealist Piano
The previous two pieces were more like the introductory performers of some megastar concert, so I guess they weren't that impressive. I walked all the way down Robinson Road to Raffles Place and then to UOB Plaza to catch the first of four pieces on display there. Somehow, this piece below didn't really look that awesome and I was kind of aware that people were starring at me take pictures of this art piece.
Surrealist Piano
Not that special lah although a piano with human legs did look abit quirky. US$550,000. Must be the legs.
Horse Saddled With Time
This was the piece that featured in the front page of Life! last Thursday. I think this piece was what attracted me to embark on this Dali hunt. I can't really describe how I feel about this piece but I think its a very good piece. Maybe being always in need of more time myself, I find this piece more intriguing than the rest. US$550,000.
Horse Saddled With Time
This piece would do very nicely in my room. Then again I'll have no place to sleep. This piece is just by the river, so its also not hard to spot.
Unicorn
This piece was right beside the Horse Saddled With Time piece, they were so close together there was no kick at finding this piece. US$480,000.
Unicorn
The newspaper says this sculpture depicts a unicorn tamed by a virgin. I don't really see it that way. It looks more like the unicorn just stabbed the woman's heart and left her heartbroken. Beastiality fans will like this piece. 'Nuff said.
Woman Aflame
This piece was perhaps the toughest to find, and the only piece I couldn't get close to. Why would they put it where people can't see it clearly? Anyway it took awhile to find this piece, its on the left side of the building towards the direction of Boat Quay. Somehow the place was cordoned and this was the closest picture I could get of it. US$1.27mil.
Woman Aflame
I gotta say she looks kinda weird with drawers sticking outta her and sticks sticking out of her back. Too abstract for me. But this was a very big sculpture, maybe thats why the humongous price tag.
Space Elephant
This was another enormous sculpture. This was on the other extreme right of UOB Plaza, beside 6 Battery Road where Stanchart was. It was so tall I think the tip of the pyramid almost touched the roof of the overhead shelter. US$1.7mil. Lagi more expensive, maybe only because of its sheer size.
Space Elephant
My only thoughts on this piece revolved around 5 letters: W-E-I-R-D.
Homage To Newton
I have to emphasize that this piece is not part of the exhibition of Salvador Dali's sculptures, but it has been standing at UOB Plaza for such a long time that I just had to document it as well since it was a Dali piece as well.
I think its more impressive than almost all of his pieces on exhibition and it has a higher chance of making people go,"Ooooh!". So its gotta be good.
Homage To Newton
Somehow didn't have much of a chance to take a very good picture, what with the heavy security(IMF season) and the weird stares I'm getting from people around me. Coupled with the high chance that I was about to bump into an ex-colleague somehow, I was outta the main plaza square in a jiffy.
Profile Of Time
Finally, it felt like coming down the home stretch. Camera was running out of battery. I walked from Raffles Place all the way to Orchard(thankfully I was wearing a singlet, was sweating like a pig) and was glad to have made it to Taka without my berms showing any wet prints of my underwear(luckily didn't wear boxers).
This was another piece I liked, largely because of the melting clock. It was actually similar to the Dance Of Time II piece but alot bigger. US$1.3mil. Price justified. Big is sometimes really more beautiful.
Profile Of Time
I liked the fact that the tree branch holding the melting clock up was more defined and stretch beyond the clock thereby giving it a more 'draped' look. This was nicer compared to the other melting clock piece which looked like a mushroom.
Space Venus
This was another impressive piece. US$1.7mil. Another super expensive piece. This was nice lah. Just nice. Oh yah, both pieces are right in front of the fountain at Taka, so its not hard to find.
Space Venus
Note the ants on the body, and the melting clock at the neck. Totally weird.
Alice In Wonderland
The final piece to the puzzle. This piece is really easy to find, right at the Wheelock entrance. Looked pretty ordinary. US$1.48mil.
Alice In Wonderland
Nothing much to comment on except Alice's face, if you look close enough, is actually a round shrub. Haha, interesting.
_______________________________________________________________
So that was my journey. I've got more photos if anyone wants to see more. Better yet, just go down and see for yourselves, quite interesting. I think they're on display until 14th Oct. Enjoy!
'Have no fear of perfection. You'll never reach it'
Dali
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
My Last Day
My mates at Tanjong Pagar
Yesterday was my last day.
I went to work at around 11am, cleaned out most of my rubbish in Tanjong Pagar and Shenton Way, then went to Plaza Main for my clearance and exit interview around 3pm.
At the exit interview, I was asked the expected questions like why I wanted to leave and how I think things can be improved. I raised a few good points(IMHO!), namely,
A) Overall remuneration for personal bankers was not as competitive as most foreign banks,
B) There was no use having the best commission structure but the worst fines or penalties for breach of even the smallest compliance issues.
C) The company's Branch managers were probably the most overworked and most underpaid in the finance industry. Period.
I thought the feedback I gave were really constructive and even the HR lady also said they were strongly validated by my arguements. Well, hopefully I've left on a good note and have helped aided in making the company a better employer.
After all that I went back to Tanjong Pagar for dinner with the rest at our regular kopitiam and attend a training session for our latest fund. Infrastruture? Geez. Anyway, I just went through the training with the rest and even asked a couple of challenging questions here and there as if I was really gonna sell it to my customers. Haha.
Boss was real nice to have allowed them to skip teleconsulting on a Monday night just to come out and celebrate with me. Too bad he couldn't make it.
We ended up going to this shady karaoke pub in Union Square called Sha Sha. Thankfully we had two cars available(Led & Stacy) to ship us all there. Had a great time, took lotsa pix, lotsa beer(cheap!), and learnt how to play Bluff on dice! Haha. By the time we left the place it was already 12 midnight. The rest still had to work the next day.
Sobz. Farewell my lovely colleagues!
In a drunken stupor, I came home to pen the inspirational email below to everyone(even the ops people) in the branch. Now that I'm reading it again in my normal state, I think its super cheesy! Hahaha.
_____________________________________________________________
Dear UOB Tanjong Pagar,
As most of you are aware, today is officially my last day.
It brings me great sadness to be leaving such a loving and caring family.
Honestly, I have NEVER ever felt closer to a bunch of colleagues as I have
with each and every one of you, and the fact that I have to leave for
perhaps greener pastures brings me great regret of the things I will be
missing out in the days ahead.
I honestly do not know if corporate life will ever be the same again or as
good in my new job, but I would like to take this opportunity to thank each
and every one of you for bringing a special little something in my life
during this period that I have been with you. Certainly without each of you,
I would never have enjoyed my stay in UOB Tanjong Pagar so much.
I must impress upon each and every one of you that what we all share in UOB
Tanjong Pagar is a very special bond, a very special comraderie that helps
keep everyone moving along, enjoying the role that he or she plays for the
branch. We have had alot of ups and downs, stress and pressures, but at the
end of the day no one can deny the fact that when we strive together, we can
be the best small cluster(we've achieved that) or even the best
branch(hopefully someday) in the whole Singapore.
I vividly remember the time when I first came in, the grapevine about
Tanjong Pagar was that the branch was like a dead end especially in the
sales point of view. However, things changed. We all worked together and we
brought out the best in each other to achieve what we are today - a branch
that other people are envious of. And that is something we should all
cherish and appreciate, for it would all be lost easily if we started to
give in.
I trust that the culture of this loving family will continue to live on long
after my departure, especially under the guidance of our workaholic bm,
Robert, and that success for the branch will continue in the distant future.
Furthermore, I wish everyone of you health, wealth and the same happiness in
your lives as this branch has brought unto me. I am easily contacted through email and handphone, so do remember to pull me along(bo jio!) for any branch functions, and I look forward to seeing you guys in Bintan very soon.
To end this farewell email on a good note, I would like to dedicate my favourite song, You've Got A Friend, to each and everyone of you. Go take a listen, the song tells everyone of you how I feel about you. I wish all of you the best in your future endeavours be it in UOB or not, and may we remain friends forever.
Lots of love,
Chee Yong
97905402
cylum@hotmail.com
Listen to it here:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=aVZNXtJs7c8
When youre down and troubled
And you need a helping hand
And nothing, whoa nothing is going right.
Close your eyes and think of me
And soon I will be there
To brighten up even your darkest nights.
You just call out my name,
And you know whereever I am
Ill come running, oh yeah baby
To see you again.
Winter, spring, summer, or fall,
All you have to do is call
And Ill be there, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Youve got a friend.
If the sky above you
Should turn dark and full of clouds
And that old north wind should begin to blow
Keep your head together and call my name out loud
And soon I will be knocking upon your door.
You just call out my name and you know where ever I am
Ill come running to see you again.
Winter, spring, summer or fall
All you got to do is call
And Ill be there, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Hey, aint it good to know that youve got a friend?
People can be so cold.
Theyll hurt you and desert you.
Well theyll take your soul if you let them.
Oh yeah, but dont you let them.
You just call out my name and you know wherever I am
Ill come running to see you again.
Oh babe, dont you know that,
Winter spring summer or fall,
Hey now, all youve got to do is call.
Lord, Ill be there, yes I will.
Youve got a friend.
Youve got a friend.
Aint it good to know youve got a friend.
Aint it good to know youve got a friend.
Youve got a friend
_____________________________________________________________________
See? So cheesy right? Haha.
Sunday, September 17, 2006
20,000 and Counting!
I've hit the 20,000 page views mark for my blog! Whoo! Thats quite a milestone by my standards. But then again considering that existence of this blog began in February 2004, it doesn't seem like alot eh? How long's it been? 2 years and 7 months.Thank you everyone for your support! *clap, clap, clap* Hopefully this blog will still be alive for the next 20,000 page views.
In any case, need abit of help here. I took out my archives almost a year ago because of the Standard Chatered incident, and I really like to have it brought back into my blog.
Does anyone know how to do this?
Would greatly appreciate if anyone could advise.
In any case, need abit of help here. I took out my archives almost a year ago because of the Standard Chatered incident, and I really like to have it brought back into my blog.
Does anyone know how to do this?
Would greatly appreciate if anyone could advise.
Another New Chapter: The Preview
Went for a teambuilding exercise organized by my new company last night. The afternoon I sprained my ankle(again!) during basketball, so I was abit apprehensive about what we were about to do to teambuild. Considering that we were told to wear berms and shoes I was prepared for an amazing-race kind of exercise.
Well I took a cab to Sentosa ferry terminal where we were supposed to meet. When we met I was quite surprised to find out that there were alot of people from my old company, like almost 7 of us, though not all were persoanl bankers. I was also surprised that there were more girls than I thought. Also, out of my interview group during the group round(the assessment centre), only one other guy made it though besides myself. We also got to meet our future managers and even the vice president of the company(he's Dane, along with a few other ang mohs) who would join us for the exercise.
It turned out that we would end up playing a game of mobile lasertag. Quite interesting, really, and probably costly, whereby it was like paintball except alot cleaner with laser guns and sensory belts very much like the army when fighting ATAC. Army boys will know. The weapons were quite realistic and the simulation and aim was good(not like you anyhow-shoot-sure-will-hit type). However unlike the one previously at Marina Square, we played over an open park area near the ferry terminal where there's alot of freedom to roam and natural obstacles(more realistic mah). Now playing in the hot and humid night in the Sentosa jungle sure made us sweat like pigs, but essentially it did help to teambuild alright. In fact, the exercise was so effective that by dinnertime we were all hanging out like a buncha old school reunion classmates catching up with each other's lives. Such was its effectiveness. But sweating like dog and not bringing a change of attire made me smell real bad. But then so did alot of the rest I think, especially the girls who probably didn't expect to sweat so much.
Dinner was at this old steamboat-turned restaurant also close to the ferry terminal. I forgot the name. Food wasn't very good but I shared the table with the VP(his name was Eric) and we had quite a good chat. Really humble guy and all, even though he was such a big fuck. He was already in his 50s and he still joined us for lasertag. Wow.
By the end of dinner we even wanted to go back to the mainland for some drinks together but after some careful thought, it was called off. But that was a preview of things to come I guess. All in all it was a good preview of my future colleagues and everyone seems really nice to work with, so I guess work will be something to look forward to come Oct 2nd.
Well I took a cab to Sentosa ferry terminal where we were supposed to meet. When we met I was quite surprised to find out that there were alot of people from my old company, like almost 7 of us, though not all were persoanl bankers. I was also surprised that there were more girls than I thought. Also, out of my interview group during the group round(the assessment centre), only one other guy made it though besides myself. We also got to meet our future managers and even the vice president of the company(he's Dane, along with a few other ang mohs) who would join us for the exercise.
It turned out that we would end up playing a game of mobile lasertag. Quite interesting, really, and probably costly, whereby it was like paintball except alot cleaner with laser guns and sensory belts very much like the army when fighting ATAC. Army boys will know. The weapons were quite realistic and the simulation and aim was good(not like you anyhow-shoot-sure-will-hit type). However unlike the one previously at Marina Square, we played over an open park area near the ferry terminal where there's alot of freedom to roam and natural obstacles(more realistic mah). Now playing in the hot and humid night in the Sentosa jungle sure made us sweat like pigs, but essentially it did help to teambuild alright. In fact, the exercise was so effective that by dinnertime we were all hanging out like a buncha old school reunion classmates catching up with each other's lives. Such was its effectiveness. But sweating like dog and not bringing a change of attire made me smell real bad. But then so did alot of the rest I think, especially the girls who probably didn't expect to sweat so much.
Dinner was at this old steamboat-turned restaurant also close to the ferry terminal. I forgot the name. Food wasn't very good but I shared the table with the VP(his name was Eric) and we had quite a good chat. Really humble guy and all, even though he was such a big fuck. He was already in his 50s and he still joined us for lasertag. Wow.
By the end of dinner we even wanted to go back to the mainland for some drinks together but after some careful thought, it was called off. But that was a preview of things to come I guess. All in all it was a good preview of my future colleagues and everyone seems really nice to work with, so I guess work will be something to look forward to come Oct 2nd.
Friday, September 15, 2006
My Final Days Here
Monday's my last day.
Can't help but feel a tinge of sadness all week long. Haven't been able to sleep too well, bad dreams, though I can't remember what they're about. But I assume its cuz I'm leaving.
Here and there will feel nostalgic about my days here. Even though I haven't been here for too long(approx. 1 year and 2 months) but I've had alot of fond memories here. The last few weeks somehow whenever we go for our dinners we'd be talking about the 'good ol'days' - albeit only about days gone several months back. Its also partly because alot of policies are changing, alot of new things we're just getting used to with the management's change of direction. So everyone's in a nostalgic mood. Which makes me sad sometimes cuz I also want to be a part of their current transition.
When I first came in it was Robert's first month as branch manager. Maybe thats why he's got a softspot for me, me being his first 'student'. There was only Steven and Simon. Then came Led, then Evelyn, then Ah Huat, then Sam, now Paul. So many people now when back then at our lowest headcount we had like Steven and I running for hte month of November while Simon was on leave. Or Simon, Led and myself cheonging for the month of February. It was tough then, but those are what memories were made of.
There're still alot of things to do, alot of rubbish to clear around the branch, alot of personal items to giveaway before Monday. There's gonna be a branch farewell tonight, and then a PB gathering on Monday too. So touched.
More updates while I waste away in Shenton Way.
_______________________________________________________________________
On an absolutely separate note, I'm glad Man U got off to a good start by beating Celtic 3-2 at Old Trafford on Tuesday. Good start, good ending. Hopefully this season they'll win something more than the League Cup.
Go Man Yoo!!!!!!
Can't help but feel a tinge of sadness all week long. Haven't been able to sleep too well, bad dreams, though I can't remember what they're about. But I assume its cuz I'm leaving.
Here and there will feel nostalgic about my days here. Even though I haven't been here for too long(approx. 1 year and 2 months) but I've had alot of fond memories here. The last few weeks somehow whenever we go for our dinners we'd be talking about the 'good ol'days' - albeit only about days gone several months back. Its also partly because alot of policies are changing, alot of new things we're just getting used to with the management's change of direction. So everyone's in a nostalgic mood. Which makes me sad sometimes cuz I also want to be a part of their current transition.
When I first came in it was Robert's first month as branch manager. Maybe thats why he's got a softspot for me, me being his first 'student'. There was only Steven and Simon. Then came Led, then Evelyn, then Ah Huat, then Sam, now Paul. So many people now when back then at our lowest headcount we had like Steven and I running for hte month of November while Simon was on leave. Or Simon, Led and myself cheonging for the month of February. It was tough then, but those are what memories were made of.
There're still alot of things to do, alot of rubbish to clear around the branch, alot of personal items to giveaway before Monday. There's gonna be a branch farewell tonight, and then a PB gathering on Monday too. So touched.
More updates while I waste away in Shenton Way.
_______________________________________________________________________
On an absolutely separate note, I'm glad Man U got off to a good start by beating Celtic 3-2 at Old Trafford on Tuesday. Good start, good ending. Hopefully this season they'll win something more than the League Cup.
Go Man Yoo!!!!!!
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Weirdest Taxi Driver Ever
Today I came off at Kembangan MRT and took my regular taxi ride home.
"Siglap?" were his first words to me. I was thinking how the hell this guy knows where I'm heading, but just brushed it off as if he just got lucky.
The whole ride he was yakking and yakking away about the IMF blah blah blah non-stop and had the laughter of an old man who need to catch his breath in the middle of a laugh.
Then at the entrance of Mandarin Gardens after he turned in, he said, "Block 3?". I was totally shocked that he seemed to know where to go. It was totally weirding me out. Then I asked him if he'd fetched me before but he said no. So I asked him how he knew?
Then the taxi driver said, "When uncle was born into this world, uncle asked my God to give me six million dollars. But God refused and instead gave me six cents(sense)! Muahahahaha". Argh. I was like, roll eyes. Buay tahan uncle can even gimme this kinda of corny jokes.
Once he reached my block I quickly paid up and got out liaoz. Really wonder how he knew where I was heading.
Weird.
"Siglap?" were his first words to me. I was thinking how the hell this guy knows where I'm heading, but just brushed it off as if he just got lucky.
The whole ride he was yakking and yakking away about the IMF blah blah blah non-stop and had the laughter of an old man who need to catch his breath in the middle of a laugh.
Then at the entrance of Mandarin Gardens after he turned in, he said, "Block 3?". I was totally shocked that he seemed to know where to go. It was totally weirding me out. Then I asked him if he'd fetched me before but he said no. So I asked him how he knew?
Then the taxi driver said, "When uncle was born into this world, uncle asked my God to give me six million dollars. But God refused and instead gave me six cents(sense)! Muahahahaha". Argh. I was like, roll eyes. Buay tahan uncle can even gimme this kinda of corny jokes.
Once he reached my block I quickly paid up and got out liaoz. Really wonder how he knew where I was heading.
Weird.
Monday, September 11, 2006
Worst Showflat Agent Ever
We were at The Trumps showflat in Kembangan yesterday. Really nice place, but the showflat agent was terrible! Somehow we weren't really pissed with his gaffs, but were laughing at him most of the time more like.
For starters his breath smelled as though he had eaten skunk. Wah lao go eat a mint for goodness sakes lah, macham like he rinsed his mouth in shit just before we came into the showflat lidat. So throughout the ordeal we both tried not to get too close to him.
The buffoon proceeded to blurt out loud, upon me writing 'Siglap Road' on the signing-in book,
"Wah you live in Siglap ah? That's where the rich people stay!".
Roll eyes.
Good Showflat Agent Rule #482: NEVER IRRITATE POTENTIAL CLIENTS AS ABOVE.
We just kept quiet and wandered away from him towards the condo model as fast as we could.
Then he started his introduction of the condo with damn lousy English(more on that). Plus he said that the condo "had the FULL range of facilities" and then proceeded to inform us that FULL means swimming pool, children's playground, bbq pit and indoor gym. Wow. What an array to justify the high maintenance fees of $250/mth.
He then mouthed off the biggest boo-boo of our meeting, while introducing the full range of facilities, he accidentally said swimming 'pee' instead of 'pool'. Geez, wonder if he was trying to irritate us. The dear and I almost burst out laughing. I dunno about her but I had to look down, bite my tongue and think lousy thoughts just to prevent myself from bursting out in laughter. Damn funny.
We took a lift up to see some of the showrooms thereafter, and didn't really bother him enough for him to make more of a fool of himself, but a couple of times I'd ask him something and then he'd reply something totally unrelated. So random. Like when I asked if it gets noisy around the area, he quickly replied "1430 sq feet!". Like damn proud that he know the answer lidat.
WTF.
Shortly after when we were about to leave the first showroom, we stumbled upon his 2nd biggest boo-boo. As I left the flat to put on my slippers, there I found exactly on top of my slippers were his freakin' leather shoes! Win liao lor. BOTH SHOES on BOTH SLIPPERS. Win liao. Maybe he was poking fun at us. I think he got embarrassed and quickly kicked his shoes off my slippers. And there on my slippers were his leather shoe dusty shoemarks, which I suppose would only come about if he had STEPPED ON THE SLIPPERS TO REMOVE HIS SHOES! Argh.
Finally, his last boo-boo occured in the 2nd showroom. I think he ran out of things to say liaoz, so to make conversation he said that just to inform us that IF we were under 18, our parents had to come down to purchase the unit.
!@#$#@^%@%&$&$^*&^$*&^
Argh.
Like think he must have thought we were shotgun newlyweds or something. I shot him an insulted look, then he said like no offence but you guys really look really young blah blah blah, need your parents' consent blah blah blah. That idiot couldn't even believe that I was 27. Sheesh. Like wah lao, then we bochup him and carried on with exploring the flat in our own happy little world. Haha.
At least we went back to the office to get a quotation of the units from him, and still had to tahan his shit breath for a good 10 minutes before we could leave. Geez, that poor sod must've thought we were serious buyers.
But still somehow he looked like he wasn't the malicious sort and more like the clumsy clown type, so I guess we didn't really fault him or felt really insulted. In fact I think we were just dying to go back to the car to have a good laugh about him. Geez, this guy must've lost alot of customers with his antics man.
The Trumps is a nice condo in Kembangan which I like!
_________________________________________________________
In another episode earlier, we visited One Amber at Tanjong Katong and pretended to be really interested buyers. Hell that place is damn expensive siah. Sell backside also may not be able to afford!
For starters his breath smelled as though he had eaten skunk. Wah lao go eat a mint for goodness sakes lah, macham like he rinsed his mouth in shit just before we came into the showflat lidat. So throughout the ordeal we both tried not to get too close to him.
The buffoon proceeded to blurt out loud, upon me writing 'Siglap Road' on the signing-in book,
"Wah you live in Siglap ah? That's where the rich people stay!".
Roll eyes.
Good Showflat Agent Rule #482: NEVER IRRITATE POTENTIAL CLIENTS AS ABOVE.
We just kept quiet and wandered away from him towards the condo model as fast as we could.
Then he started his introduction of the condo with damn lousy English(more on that). Plus he said that the condo "had the FULL range of facilities" and then proceeded to inform us that FULL means swimming pool, children's playground, bbq pit and indoor gym. Wow. What an array to justify the high maintenance fees of $250/mth.
He then mouthed off the biggest boo-boo of our meeting, while introducing the full range of facilities, he accidentally said swimming 'pee' instead of 'pool'. Geez, wonder if he was trying to irritate us. The dear and I almost burst out laughing. I dunno about her but I had to look down, bite my tongue and think lousy thoughts just to prevent myself from bursting out in laughter. Damn funny.
We took a lift up to see some of the showrooms thereafter, and didn't really bother him enough for him to make more of a fool of himself, but a couple of times I'd ask him something and then he'd reply something totally unrelated. So random. Like when I asked if it gets noisy around the area, he quickly replied "1430 sq feet!". Like damn proud that he know the answer lidat.
WTF.
Shortly after when we were about to leave the first showroom, we stumbled upon his 2nd biggest boo-boo. As I left the flat to put on my slippers, there I found exactly on top of my slippers were his freakin' leather shoes! Win liao lor. BOTH SHOES on BOTH SLIPPERS. Win liao. Maybe he was poking fun at us. I think he got embarrassed and quickly kicked his shoes off my slippers. And there on my slippers were his leather shoe dusty shoemarks, which I suppose would only come about if he had STEPPED ON THE SLIPPERS TO REMOVE HIS SHOES! Argh.
Finally, his last boo-boo occured in the 2nd showroom. I think he ran out of things to say liaoz, so to make conversation he said that just to inform us that IF we were under 18, our parents had to come down to purchase the unit.
!@#$#@^%@%&$&$^*&^$*&^
Argh.
Like think he must have thought we were shotgun newlyweds or something. I shot him an insulted look, then he said like no offence but you guys really look really young blah blah blah, need your parents' consent blah blah blah. That idiot couldn't even believe that I was 27. Sheesh. Like wah lao, then we bochup him and carried on with exploring the flat in our own happy little world. Haha.
At least we went back to the office to get a quotation of the units from him, and still had to tahan his shit breath for a good 10 minutes before we could leave. Geez, that poor sod must've thought we were serious buyers.
But still somehow he looked like he wasn't the malicious sort and more like the clumsy clown type, so I guess we didn't really fault him or felt really insulted. In fact I think we were just dying to go back to the car to have a good laugh about him. Geez, this guy must've lost alot of customers with his antics man.
The Trumps is a nice condo in Kembangan which I like!
_________________________________________________________
In another episode earlier, we visited One Amber at Tanjong Katong and pretended to be really interested buyers. Hell that place is damn expensive siah. Sell backside also may not be able to afford!
Thursday, September 07, 2006
Suay Bong
Warning: This is really a boring rant.
____________________________________________________________________
Tonight was damn suay bong.
Was tasked to lock up the branch since the boss wasn't gonna be around. Now I've never encountered any problems the previous couple of times that I've locked it up. Just arm the branch, lock the doors and thats it.
This time was somewhat different. At 9pm the remaining trio of us, Eve, Huat and I, were about to leave the branch and I was setting up the alarm system. After arming the system, we noticed that the aircon wasn't switched off.
Shit.
So I had to disarm the whole alarm system and go back in to shut down the aircon. Then armed the system again. As we left the branch I called Cisco to inform them that we were leaving as we always do. Cisco, however, spotted some problems. Apparently, their system showed that the branch wasn't armed yet.
Shit. Shit.
So I went back in and repeated the whole arming process once more, then called them back, but AGAIN they still said it wasn't armed yet. So I asked them to check on their system maybe its faulty because obviously the alarm system displayed that the branch was armed. So they asked me to speak to their technician to see if there was any fault but there wasn't. The technician couldn't help at all and tried to smoke me here and there. Pffft. Finally, after running up more airtime on my handphone checking with Simon, they called back to say that one of the vaults was not armed, thats why they are unable to see the full arming in their system.
Shit. Shit. Shit.
Like the vaults are so not my pasar lor. Knn. Xianz. Eve then called Hui who said that maybe one of the operations staff leaving didn't arm it. Wtf. So the technician taught me how to arm the vault(it wasn't hard but he took like forever to teach me how). In the end I armed it successfully and we went out.
This time I verified with the Cisco personnel that everything was in order. So hooray! Me and Huat went to take the MRT. Heng got Eve and Huat to pei me through this ordeal, helping me contact so many different people. But then stupid Cisco people had other ideas up their sleeves. They waited till I was all alone in Kallang MRT then called me to say that one of the doors still hadn't been locked and that I didn't lock it properly or something to that effect.
Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit.
What?! And you want me to go all the way back to lock one stupid door?!?!
The Cisco officer still had the cheek to retort back unless I was willing to take full responsibility if anything happened. Like hell!
Argh. So I took the train all the way back to branch. Cost me an extra half hour just to go back there. Argh.
Then on the MRT ride the dear called. As I pulled on my doggie handphone chain, it snapped. Fuck. My beloved doggie. Xianz.
Aiyah damn suay bong lah all in all. Enough ranting. Hopefully tomorrow will be better.
____________________________________________________________________
Tonight was damn suay bong.
Was tasked to lock up the branch since the boss wasn't gonna be around. Now I've never encountered any problems the previous couple of times that I've locked it up. Just arm the branch, lock the doors and thats it.
This time was somewhat different. At 9pm the remaining trio of us, Eve, Huat and I, were about to leave the branch and I was setting up the alarm system. After arming the system, we noticed that the aircon wasn't switched off.
Shit.
So I had to disarm the whole alarm system and go back in to shut down the aircon. Then armed the system again. As we left the branch I called Cisco to inform them that we were leaving as we always do. Cisco, however, spotted some problems. Apparently, their system showed that the branch wasn't armed yet.
Shit. Shit.
So I went back in and repeated the whole arming process once more, then called them back, but AGAIN they still said it wasn't armed yet. So I asked them to check on their system maybe its faulty because obviously the alarm system displayed that the branch was armed. So they asked me to speak to their technician to see if there was any fault but there wasn't. The technician couldn't help at all and tried to smoke me here and there. Pffft. Finally, after running up more airtime on my handphone checking with Simon, they called back to say that one of the vaults was not armed, thats why they are unable to see the full arming in their system.
Shit. Shit. Shit.
Like the vaults are so not my pasar lor. Knn. Xianz. Eve then called Hui who said that maybe one of the operations staff leaving didn't arm it. Wtf. So the technician taught me how to arm the vault(it wasn't hard but he took like forever to teach me how). In the end I armed it successfully and we went out.
This time I verified with the Cisco personnel that everything was in order. So hooray! Me and Huat went to take the MRT. Heng got Eve and Huat to pei me through this ordeal, helping me contact so many different people. But then stupid Cisco people had other ideas up their sleeves. They waited till I was all alone in Kallang MRT then called me to say that one of the doors still hadn't been locked and that I didn't lock it properly or something to that effect.
Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit.
What?! And you want me to go all the way back to lock one stupid door?!?!
The Cisco officer still had the cheek to retort back unless I was willing to take full responsibility if anything happened. Like hell!
Argh. So I took the train all the way back to branch. Cost me an extra half hour just to go back there. Argh.
Then on the MRT ride the dear called. As I pulled on my doggie handphone chain, it snapped. Fuck. My beloved doggie. Xianz.
Aiyah damn suay bong lah all in all. Enough ranting. Hopefully tomorrow will be better.
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Two More Weeks
Only two more weeks to go.
Today whole day in Shenton Way slacking and surfing my life away. Hardly had anything to do or care about except sell our structured deposit to a walk-in rabbit. I must say the current strutured deposit is really not bad though, so it kinda sells itself.
Its abit weird to while away my final days here this way. Especially since I still have two more weeks, it feels like an awfully long time. Already I'm thinking about the emails I'm gonna be writing to my Tanjong Pagar mates, and how I'm gonna spend my last day which is next next Monday. Otherwise I'd be daydreaming and surfing the web for stock update and other non-work related stuff(no porno though).
Even during teleconsulting I didn't make a single call. More like I spent it doing housekeeping and tidying my work area. Haha. Then claim OT somemore.
Geez.
Today whole day in Shenton Way slacking and surfing my life away. Hardly had anything to do or care about except sell our structured deposit to a walk-in rabbit. I must say the current strutured deposit is really not bad though, so it kinda sells itself.
Its abit weird to while away my final days here this way. Especially since I still have two more weeks, it feels like an awfully long time. Already I'm thinking about the emails I'm gonna be writing to my Tanjong Pagar mates, and how I'm gonna spend my last day which is next next Monday. Otherwise I'd be daydreaming and surfing the web for stock update and other non-work related stuff(no porno though).
Even during teleconsulting I didn't make a single call. More like I spent it doing housekeeping and tidying my work area. Haha. Then claim OT somemore.
Geez.
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