Le Birthday

T'was the girlfriend's birthday yesterday.

Didn't really do anything spectacularly romantic and you can read most of the details with pictures(really good stuff!) in her blog. We had our dinner at the Top of the M @ Meritus Mandarin. Those of you who're like me, hardly-dined-in-such-top-end-restaurants-before types will wow with such suahku-ness at the 5-course dinner that took almost 2 and a half hours.

The gist is that the place is a revolving restaurant with a splendid view of the city(lucky the rain stopped) serving french cuisine. So we had for dinner in the following order in layman english(bloody French everything also pattern pattern):

Escargo(you spell it like that?). Snails lah wtf.
Mushroom Soup
Salmon Salad(with caviar ok, dun pray pray)
Fish OR Lamb(medium rare)
Pudding(creme brulee?)

How the meal actually took 2 and a half hours don't ask me but time flew quite quickly which was a good thing and before you know it we'd revolved one round around the restaurant liaoz. Amazing.

Oh then we were also serenaded by a trio of really talented musicians(one of them with cello even) whom we didn't tip because they didn't know the song I wanted ("Welcome to My World" - Jim Reeves?) but they made it up with a really good rendition of "Only You". Oh well. Muahahaha...

Very very recommended for those who want to celebrate a special occasion with that special someone of yours, like 5 stars out of 5. Hehe. Will set you back about 100+++/pax though. And make a reservation prior hor.

Catch the rest in the her blog.
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Just 2 and a half more weeks to go before I call it a day in my workplace. Quite xianz of running for sales lately since I'll be hardly earning anything and the boss's pms-sy attitude isn't helping much. Hope I can ride out the rest of my days more carefreely.

Those of you wondering where I'm headed or haven't heard of the place when I told you the name, check out their official website here.

No negative connotations please.

Totally looking forward to starting work.
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Was out with Uncle Alfred and KW for lunch yesterday. I always enjoy meeting up with them since there's always lots to catch up with and alot to discuss regarding economic issues and current market trends.

Its amazing that we each represent a different generation(me being from the youngest generation) and yet we get along so well. So when KW and Uncle Alfred talk about events from way back when(even as recent as the UOB-OUB takeover, all I can do is sit quietly and absorb their immense discussion and experience and remind myself to google for more information when I get home). Haha.

Sometimes I wonder what I really contribute at our gatherings. My expertise in the current market trends? My knowledge of the current process and system? My general opinion of the global outlook? Not alot compared to what they care to share with me. I am indeed lucky to have made such friends.

Looking forward to our next meeting.
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Just went to Comex'06. We each bought a portable 160GB harddisk at $125! Killer prices! I must be becoming a geek.

Almost bought a Sony PSP too. We thronged Comex but couldn't find any good PSP deals, then went all the way to Century Square and almost bought the PSP there. Original set + 2GB memory stick + data cable + protector screen @ $440!!! Cheap!

But alas, it was not to be. The shop didn't have anymore original sets! So its a sign that I can get it cheaper somewhere else! Haha.

This Sunday I will part with my money for a PSP.
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I cannot take it anymore.

SINGAPORE IDOL IS A TOTAL JOKE

Much as I try to hide the fact that I keep myself posted on who gets voted out each week, I really cannot take it anymore. Almost everyone in SI2006 cannot make it!!! I thought only John, Mathilda and Hady still were somewhat decent, everyone else...geez.

But JOAKIM(thank God he FINALLY got voted out tonight - the misery is over!) is seriously such a joke that I have finally started to pity him. You can totally see it from his face that he was just dying to get voted out. I mean...let the man leave the stage pronto with his dignity intact lah please. Dunno where all his fans get all the money to vote from siah.

I still maintain that SI cannot adopt the same voting system as AI because our small plus giam siap(I am guilty too) population makes it just too easy for some rich organization(think Jerry last season) or deraged fans to vote in their fav idol-wannabe. No matter how sucky he/she is.

They should actually release the audited(independent) vote tally each week man. Maybe total votes cast is actually less than 1,000. Haha.

They should let the judges influence a larger percentage of the votes lah.

Viewers 50%
Judges(ex Ken Lim, ex Ja) 10%
Ja 0%
Ken Lim 40%

I mean it is Ken Lim's company that'll be doing the hiring anyway right?

Just my two cents.

Common Brown Elephant

 

First Day Back

Back at work today. Felt abit weird but when I got to office Boss wasn't around. So I left the letter on his table.

Boss came in around 10am(heard he's been acting weird, probably wants to quit too), saw the letter and just asked me if that's really what I want. Told him it was, then he said he'll talk to me about it on Monday. Hehe, means I get to slack tomorrow(no roadhow!)

The rest of the morning went by quite peacefully, everyone was trying to update me on what's been happening over the last coupla weeks. Not that much big news except that Mag.L actually quit. Was quite surprised because she just got promoted to that important post only. Probably too stressed lah. Quite a few people entertaining thoughts about quitting too. Seems like quitting season is here again.

Things were so normal I even had sales but I was nice enough to pass the sales on to them. Had to put up with alot of teasing though and the "so good you don't have to piah anymore" rants, but in all its great to be back. We all did lunch together at Wisma Atria. So onz.

Monday will be another challenging day, but once I get past the morning and get released to Shenton Way then I'm gonna be free! Whoo!

Can I visit the Shire please?

At last, the fight is over. After a rigorous 4-round interview process, I've finally been accepted. It wasn't easy, but I sure hope its worth it. Will be tendering my resignation this coming Saturday and moving on to a better place.

The contract is so European, comes with clauses like:

If the EMPLOYEE believes that he/she has been discriminated against or suffered harassment, bullying or vicitimisation he/she should follow the Grievance Procedure which is available on request from the COMPANY’s administrative staff.

Right.

They must be getting sued left right and centre from all this silly-dillys. Must watch my back(side) next time I drop stationary on the floor.

Hope it works out well. This is, afterall my 3rd job in as many years so sooner or later I'll need to settle down somewhere, and that somewhere might well be here.

Just right here.

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Reservist has been really fun and relaxing. There's nothing better than a good high-key, non-cheong-suah, aircon-environment reservist to brighten up that few weeks of the year that you don't have to run for your numbers.

And I've made a great bunch of friends here. Just a week and a half and suddenly its as though we've known each other for a coupla years. Add to that the fact that assuming none of us defer we'd be stuck with each other for the rest of our NS cycle, I'm really in for a swell time! Whoo!

If all goes well, next year we might even get to go to New Zealand together! So cool! I imagine we'd be going in the winter and we'll probably be shuffling around in thick jackets and woolen pants, threading in ankle-deep snow. As we talk we will be able to see our breaths. So cool!! And cold. Haha.

And if we're REALLY lucky we will be trekking the mountains of New Zealand a la Lord of the Rings lidat(cue Breaking of the Fellowship orchestral piece).

Can I visit the Shire please?

One Bold Prediction

In the next 2-3weeks, the Singapore market will crash one last time.

Down until the STI hits 2100-2000.

If you're holding anything with a short term horizon in mind then please exit soon.

Don't say I didn't warn you.

Unless of course you're holding on to Put warrants.

Good luck!

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On a separate note, I will be going in for In-camp this Thursday for the next 2 weeks which is such a total bitch because I WILL BE STAYING IN!!! Argh.

Hate staying in.

But good lah can save abit of money haha.

The Birthday That Went

So my 27th birthday came and went without much fanfare. Alot more people remembered it than I thought. Thanks everyone!

Being 27 is like way old. So old that its like 10years older than being 26.

Haiz.

The battle isn't over yet, there's still a fourth round but I'm already having second thoughts due to the nature of the job.

Geez.

Oh I'm now on a rotational shift in Shenton Way branch so come visit lonely old me!

Guess thats all to update right now.

Fingers Crossed

Dear Chris Lum

We refer to your recent telephone interview with Michala Michael regarding the XXXX position at XXXX.

We are delighted to inform you that you have been successful in progressing to the next stage which will be an assessment day held at our Hudson offices week commencing 17th July 2006.

We will be contacting you shortly with further information and look forward to meeting with you.

Yours sincerely,

Hudson Global Resources (S) Pte Ltd
9 Temasek Boulevard
#35-01 Suntec Tower Two
Singapore 038989

*crosses fingers*

Shocked

As a Mr Brown fan, I never thought this possible. Just because of this harmless article, he got this letter from MICA and now he's been informed that TODAY has suspended his column.

Geez.

Outrageous man. My fave blogger plus my fave Friday column. Just what is our gahmen coming to when even the common man has got to be shut up like that.

Below is a relevant article from Reporters Without Borders

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SINGAPORE

GOVERNMENT CRITICISED FOR CONDEMNING "UNCONSTRUCTIVE" ARTICLE


It is not the job of government officials to take a position on newspaper articles or blog posts unless they are clearly illegal, Reporters Without Borders pointed out today after the Singaporean newspaper Today published an opinion piece by an official on 3 July condemning a recent post by blogger Lee Kin Mun as over-politicised and unconstructive.

"This reaction from a Singaporean official is disturbing," the press freedom organisation said. "It reads like a warning to all journalists and bloggers in a country in which the media are already strictly controlled. The media have a right to criticise the government's actions and express political views. Furthermore, a newspaper's editorial policies depend solely on its editors. They should under no circumstances be subject to instructions issued by the government."

Lee, who uses the pseudonym "mr brown," wrote an article entitled "S'poreans are fed, up with progress!" for Today's opinion pages on 30 June in which he criticised recent government measures and the constant cost-of-living rises in an amusing and acerbic fashion.

Krishnasamy Bhavani, a press secretary to the ministry of information, communications and arts, responded with an article published in Today on 3 July in which she defended her government's policies but went on to criticise Lee for taking a political position.

"It is not the role of journalists or newspapers in Singapore to champion issues, or campaign for or against the Government," she wrote. "If a columnist presents himself as a non-political observer, while exploiting his access to the mass media to undermine the government's standing with the electorate, then he is no longer a constructive critic, but a partisan player in politics."

Lee is one of Singapore's most popular bloggers. When the government banned political podcasts during the recent elections in April, the media largely took its cue from Lee's position that, "Prison got no broadband," in which he seemed to discourage bloggers from violating the new rules. But he nonetheless tested the authorities himself by posting a series of "persistently non-political podcasts" on his blog.

Reporters Without Borders was not able to reach Lee for a comment.

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Go on.

Spread the word and do your part for a better Singapore.

It Was Coming All Along

At the rate I thought I was going I'd probably be a millionaire by end of the year.

I already knew it but I just never heeded the signs.

Haiz.

Suddenly it kicks you smack right in the balls and the pain is so sharp you can only writher in pain.

Argh.

I've learnt my lesson and I'm a stronger person for it. At least life goes on and I live to fight another day.

Cheong ah!!!!!

Mari Kita

I sang our national anthem on friday during our passing out parade. I can't remember when was the last time I sang it. Perhaps it was quite appropriate since NDP is coming, but I was surprised I still knew the words and how loudly I sang it(one WOSE commented that I really loved my country).

So reservist came and went. T'was fun while it lasted and it was good cuz there was alot of networking involved, so it made the course fun.

And I didn't have to cheong suah.

OK its work tomorrow all over again...go July!!!!!