Scouty’s Weblog

Was supposed to be a dinner with my group members and another lady classmate of ours. However as the arrangement was quite last minute, so most of my group members can;t make it. Except for K, so end up meeting K and L for dinner at Haig Road Hawker Center.

Got 2 packs of cooling tea from L, as I told them I am still recovering from my stomach flu. So she bought me 2 packs of the tea which she said will help in recovering from sickness. So touched by her gesture. So on the way there, we were talking, gossiping, bitching about mostly work, our class people and stuffs.

So L start ordering food when K arrived, so continue with our talking, gossiping and bitching over food. Kind of fun though, as the rapport was built up during last sem, so we were quite open in sharing our thoughts and even our personal matters. Which is great, as you hardly can find friends who can engage in heart-to-heart talk nowadays.

Before we know it, time flies and we decide to make our way back. But before that, we decide to meet up most likely next week cos we need to thanks my ‘contacts’ from Ritz whom provided my group with detailed information on Ritz, which help me to earn a B grade for my CRM report! So we were discussing must get him a little gift to show our appreciation. Thus was thinking next week.

Anyway… I believe this group of friends I made during my 3 years of diploma will be one group where we will keep in contact. As we all had came a long way to achieve what we wanted. In the process become good friends too.

Thats what I call Education! Not about grades or marks, but the process of going through the tough times together and the good friends gain in the process.

Had been a torturous week for me.  Wasn’t feeling well since Monday and thought things will be fine after seeing the doctor. However it turn out things got worse, and I start to develop this pain in my stomach since Wednesday, and it seem to get worse in the middle of the night. So no choice went back to the doctor again on Friday and sadly things doesn’t improve. Was quite puzzled as I had never gotten stomach pain for such a long period of time. Thats where someone told me maybe I gotten stomach flu.

So did a check on the Internet for the symptoms and well it seem to match what I am having. So out of no choice I had to go over to the A&E department at Tan Tock Seng Hospital today to get my stomach pain issue addressed. First time going to the A&E dept, was abit excited as I didn;t know what to expect. But it turn out to be quite similar to what we go through at the usual polyclinics.

Lucky for me, the doctor that tend to me was a rather good looking young lady, so that helped to reduce the discomfort abit. So told her my problems and show her the packs of medicines I been taking, and complaint to her that I am going crazy with the constant pain. Thats where she suggested if I wanted a jab to help relieve the pain, which I agree instantly as I really want the pain to go away. I asked her if my condition was considered as stomach flu and she said most likely yes… Which make me puzzled, how come she can;t confirm if it is?? Anyway after the jab, she also asked if I wanted to do a blood test to ensure that one of the organs inside is ok. (She used some medical terms to describe the organs, so I asked her what is it and thats where she explained its one of the organs inside).

After drawing my blood, had to wait 2 hours for the test result, so was basically sitting at the A&E dept reading newspaper, falling asleep, looking around and then falling asleep. Gotten my results 2 hours later and everything is ok. So got my medication and went back home.

I must said, the jab and the medication she gave has been effective thus far. Things had improved… just that still feeling the bit of fatigue and lack of energy, since hasn’t been eating much for the whole of last week. Haa.. good detox opportunity.. no wonder my face is less oily this week. Thanks to the low meat and oily stuffs intake.

Well… going off to rest after this… Hopefully will recover and everything back to normal fast….

Was asked to be one of the brother and emcee for R’s wedding held on Sunday. Quite excited as it has been a long time since I last helped out in a wedding. So again can put all the wedding co-ordinating things I learnt through the past weddings I help out to good use.

As I am staying quite far from R’s place and I don’t drive, so I had to bunk in at R’s place on Saturday evening, furthermore that will give me more time to sleep. Was tasked to bring the oranges and wedding cakes from the groom’s place to the bride’s place. So got to sit in the Wedding Car, a  Chrysler. Haa.. damn spacious car and I can say its even better than a Merc.

Upon reaching the bride’s place, we were given our task list and after that a whole buffet spread of food for the groom and the brothers to feast. The best part of the whole negotiating is when we give the ang baos. As the groom had already duplicated the main gate key, so we trick the sisters to closing the wooden door while the groom quickly unlock the gate while we distract them by knocking the door. So we rush in later when they open the door releasing that the gate has been opened.

However the groom was still subjected to answer a list of questions and sign a wedding contract done by the sisters.

Being the emcee, I was partnering with the bride’s friend who is amazing, she can speak good English, mandarin and even Japanese. I was jokingly telling her she can do her emcee in Japanese while I do the Hokkien version. Overall I must say she is the most friendly lady among the group of sisters, quite chatty and can hold conversations well. The whole event went smoothly as planned, and somehow I even managed to overcome the usual dis-comfort when speaking with a mic.

Perhaps the best achievement for the night is that, we managed to clear the whole photo-taking ahead of schedule. By the time the photo-taking ended, there is still 2 dishes + dessert not served. Being assigned as one of the drinkers for the groom. We then proceed to help him settle some of his guests who is trying to make him drink. Well, at least things wasn;t that bad as we planned.

Overall a joyous day, though tiring at the end of the day.

This week has been a week full of surprises and unexpected stuffs.

Was informed that one of my guy had been revocated, as such he will be transfer to another department. As he is the current acting 2IC of mine, so the news came as a surprise. With him gone, I am practically left disabled, due to the fact that my remaining guys are all just not up to mark to take up heavier role. Anyway it will be time before he ord and leave, which will still leave me disabled, but the surprise thing was that it happened much sooner than we expected.

Due to the mis-communication, our group report for Sales Management was kind of delayed as we are totally lost in doing our data collection. It was only on last Thur that we were told that we should focus on the local market of the company we are researching on. So we set out to do a very brief draft for our first consultation on Tuesday, lucky Mr S was nice to work out the whole skeleton of what we are suppose to do for our report. However we had only 2 days before our next consultation (which is on Thur) and then will be the submission of the report and presentation on the coming Monday. What amazes me was that our group was able to come up with a draft that contains 70% of what is required within a short span of 2 days. So today we managed to show Mr S our draft which is like 70% done. What was encouraging is to see the unity of the whole group, as we were all very clear that we have a very tight deadline to meet.

Perhaps the biggest surprise to me for this week thus far, was to see this lady who live in the same block that I had been trying to know, out with a guy whom confirm is her bf! Not being a sour-grape here, but I have to say her bf and her seem to be a mis-match. The guy seems to be in his 30s, look abit gong gong and is fatter than me. If only I had the courage to approach and talk to her many many months back, perhaps I too would stand a chance.

Life sure is full of surprises… What a week I must said!

Was supposed to feel relax and recharged after a short break at JB, but it turn out that this week has been a hell of a challenging week for me. Hadn’t felt so stressed up with stuffs for some time.

First there is some personal stuffs that is hanging at the back of my mine for the week, hopefully everything will be resolve by today (Fri), then theres some work to clear after 2 days of on leave and got an issue to sort out with my guys at work, then got a test to prepare which is on Thur and lastly the 2 reports we are suppose to submit by July. Don’t know if really getting old, but somehow can feel the stress level build up within a short span of 1 day..

Well.. Good thing is at least the Sales Management test was done, felt that I had did ok, as the last minute revision by the lecturer had shed light to what we should be studying, so at least can secure 80% of the paper. However a disappointing respond from the lecturer today had kind of make us lose the faith in him again. When we clarify with him again on the focus of our project, he changed the tune to tell us we should focus on the local market, and only do the regional market if we want to…. But that wasn’t what he said couple of weeks back man… he was the one that told us to focus on how the company gain entry into the regional market…

Either he is confused or he is out to play us out, consider that we were the one that didn’t give him much ‘face’ back then. Anyway.. will not bother to clarify anything from him now as we are not under his lecture group for our project.

Finally the week is going to end, hopefully when the new week starts next week it will be good.

Was at Toa Payoh Safra attending a 2 day course. As that place was within walking distance from my granny’s old place, so decide to walk over there after the course to take some pictures of the place and to relive the good old memories of the old place that my cousins and I partially grew up at.

Well, whats so significant about the place was that it was the few blocks of flats at Toa Payoh estate selected for en-bloc. The few blocks were feature on the newspaper recently as I think its about time all the occupants of the flats have to move out. In the report, one of the now key feature of the estate was also highlighted. That is the old type of playground that you may never get to see anymore in almost all the estates in Singapore. So reading the article kind of send the nostalgic feelings in me and before I knew it, the sentimental side of me decide to make a trip down there and take so pictures for memory sake.

So armed with my digi cam, I walked over to the flats after my course end and what greeted me was this dragon that was lying peacefully on the bed of sand. This dragon has been faithfully performing it’s duty to entertain countless kids (my sis, cousins and I included) around the estate. Somehow I guess the time will soon come for this dragon to be officially ‘release’ from it’s duty and hopefully it will remain in the memories of those kids (now adults) that were once entertained by it.

Moving on and walking along the path that was build for joggers running round the estate, I continue to make my way to my granny’s block (Blk 33). Was standing at this path that leads to the lift landing of the blk 33, this is one of the path we will have to walk when ever we are coming to granny’s flat, next to this path was what used to be an empty plot of grass (now got those foot massage stone path) that my grandpa’s wake was held. At the lift landing, can’t help but took pictures of 2 things that I believe is or will be going extinct soon in Singapore. A old type coin pay phone and the old type letter box that comes with a hatch for those that wanted to put an addition small lock over it.

Taking the lift up to the 9th floor where my granny’s unit was, I was abit excited since it was like at least a few years since I last came here. As most of the occupants had already moved out, so the whole 9th floor was very quiet to the point it does become abit eerie. I do not know if its the mind that is playing tricks, but personally I do feel abit of that uneasiness being alone there. So I took a few pictures before making my way down again. All the while having the uneasy feeling.

As blk 33 is consider as one of those earlier type of flats built, so they were also those that have units at the ground floor as well. While making my way to from the flat to the main road where the bus-stop is, walked past the stretch of coffee-shop and shops that we used to patronize whenever we are at granny’s place. Now what I see is just notices pasted on the metal grills that says State Property!

Will be putting up some of the pictures here, will be happy to share the links with whoever who wanted to catch some pictures of one of Singapore’s oldest estate. Might just bring back some wonderful memories to you, for I know it did to me.

Was going to sleep after checking my mails but after seeing what is in my inbox just now, made me compile to pen this down before I sleep to show my gratitude to this person. Though I know he may not even see this post at all but I guess that is my little way to show my appreciation.

Had managed to confirm an interview with someone from the hotel that my group is doing our project on. Actually all thanks to my cousin for helping me link up. So fixed a time with Mr B today and met him at the restaurant for the interview. He arrived shortly after we were guided to our seats and before every started, he asked if we wanted any coffee or tea. Being the shy and also cheapo (in case we have to pay), we were quite hesitant to order. However after his assurance that its ok, we should have some coffee or tea before we start, thats where we start to order.

After all that, I start by telling him what are our objectives for the interview and what we needed from him. He was very forth-coming in the sharing and that does help in the gathering of data. Furthermore he had also prepared some materials for us while he explained, which provide us with the additional information we need as references or appendices. The whole interview went very smoothly and before long, we start to get comfortable with each other and the sharing became quite lively. It ended with some casual talk after we shared with him that we are part-time students with full-time job. I think that somehow make him more comfortable as he initially thought we were some full-time students whom were asking for an interview to do our project.

As he said that he will look for some information with regards to their hotel’s customer service process and emailed it to me, so I gave him my email after the interview. To my surprise, when I checked my email just now. He had sent me quite a lot of information pertaining to their orientation program, training slides, guest’s feedback, monthly results on service standards compiled by their data company and a few other information. Frankly I was surprised, as some of the data were rather detailed. But I believe after knowing that we are all working adults, that might make him more comfortable in the sharing and thus the details. To show my appreciation, I had replied him to show my thanks and to assure him that whatever information he shared will be treated with confidential.

Anyway.. am feeling overjoyed with what we achieve for our project. With all the information on hand, I am sure we will be able to score very well for our research portion, now its just to piece up all the information and present a tip-top report. A great morale booster I must said!!

Well.. Thanks again to you Mr B.

Just saw this comic strip posted on one of the 883 DJ’s blog… so shamelessly copied it and share it here.

Anyone dare to try?? Do share the response if any…. 

Haven’t been updating my blog for some time, so today’s entry is quite a summary of the few things that happened to me past few weeks.

Attended one of my ex-colleague malay wedding on Sunday. Been looking forward to it, cos its also a chance for me to meet up with my ex-colleagues again. Somehow time flies, it had been 6 months since I left the company. Glad that we are still catching up and meeting up once in a while. Best thing I still have my ex-library assistants calling me once in a while to chit chat and sometimes ‘complaint’ about the their new Zone Coordinator.

Its such gestures from them that make me realised that what I did back then was right, guess its never wrong to put in the human touch in whatever we do. People will always remember what I done and how I always go all out to make sure whatever queries they have are all cleared. Thinking back now, I still do miss most of them. Perhaps its time to drop them a mail again.

Anyway had a great time meeting up with my ex-colleagues and all the catching up and the photo-taking. Haa.. still trying to upload the photos onto the online album, perhaps can put up a few once its done.

Speaking of wedding, will have another one to attend coming July. My classmate R’s wedding! Was invited to become part of his Brother Group and be the emcee on the night of his dinner. Haa… quite excited cos its been a long time since I last took part in a wedding. Hopefully can do a good show for him. Its always fun to be running around on people’s wedding and sharing the happiness with them.

I guess I should start doing some practice in my English reading and speaking, cos recently had been speaking quite a bit of hokkien with friends. Haa.. kind of amaze that I can hold a conversation in hokkien with ease and without having any vulgarities as part of the conversation.

Don;t know if I am really becoming an Ah Lao soon…

Been feeling kind of down recently, perhaps thats what the youngsters called being emo nowadays. Well don;t know if its due to the recent news of all the disasters happening around the world that is also affecting my mood, especially now that I do have a few friends living in China, it does make the anxiety level kind of higher than normal. The reason why I am saying this is that, over a period of 2 days I had almost cried while watching TV.

Once was when the news were showing reports of the China disaster area, and the footage of their Premier encouraging the victims, it kind of sent me to a sad mode and I start to feel the tears forming in my eyes.

The next occurance was while in the midst of searching of a song, I chanced upon the clips of the latest China production of The Condor Heroes, as I had missed the last episode when it was showing here, so I just start watching the clips on You Tube so as to ‘complete’ the whole series. Well, as expected during one part of the show, I guess I must have been too engrossed that I also start tearing….  

The last one was when I was watching the re-run of the Korean drama, Da Chang Jin today. When the old lady that is like the Top Lady of the Royal Kitchen (Not sure if I get it right, but they sure have tons of titles for a whole lots of ladies) died, and you have Chang Jin and the other lady crying like mad, that also sent tears to my eyes. For a moment I was kind of stunt by what had happened. Weird feeling I must said.

Also had met up one of my friend last week and had a good chat, basically its more of me being a listening ear while she share her ’story’. So in the midst of her sharing, she requested the below song to be played over at the pub’s karaoke system. Though she didn;t sing, as we ended up listening to the song and the lyrics. I must said, its a very nice song with very meaningful lyrics. A totally sad song to listen ( you have been warned). Again, while searching for the song and listening to it over on my laptop yesterday, again tears formed in my eyes.

Well.. seems weird to me to be feeling like that, but I guess that has always been a problem with me, for being emotional and sentimental. Good thing or bad thing?? I also don;t know… but am feeling puzzled by the sudden change of mood recently… Signs of aging??

The Link to the song that I had been listening since yesterday.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgjVF-ePD-Y&feature=related