Scouty’s Weblog

Well… closing another chapter to my working life. A closure to the days with The Force. A bit of nostalgia feeling I must said.

I had entered the Force with pride, since it was one of my dreams to work in the civil sector and particularly with the Force. Furthermore, the feeling of knowing you belong to the Force just give one the sense of pride. This can also be felt by my parents, especially my mum who has been proudly telling relatives and friends that her son is working with the Force.

So the chapter with the Force began in Nov 2007. It was abit of a culture shock for a start, as the style of work was pretty complicated. Battle lines were drawn clearly and identifying who are the friendlies and who are the hostile were necessary. Despite having worked for a few years, I had a bit of a challenge to adjust to such intense working environment initially. Lucky there were good colleagues around to guide me along and also the words given by my Shifu, Mr Cheong.

In some way, the exposure was helpful.. as it does hone my interpersonal skills and it sure was a good learning experience. Kind of make me realised a lot of things as well.

There were good things that I had gained during my time with the Force.

• Had made a very good friend / buddy while attending our induction course together, till date.. we are still in contact, even though she had left the Organisation earlier than me.
• Had many “adopted kids” who are scattered around now…. At last count, I am supposed to be the proud “father” of 4 daughters and 6.5 sons. Seeing them leave and moving on to their next phase of life is kind of like marrying my kids off.
• In difficult times, there are still kind souls around in the work-place who will help you out. These people are really what the Force and Organisation needs.
• Perhaps, one of my biggest gain… That is to gain the status of para-counsellor in the Force. Being trained and appointed as a para-counsellor was one of my happiest moments in the Force.

With all things good, there will be its fair share of bad stuffs as well. Perhaps to sum it up using a few phrases might be more apt.

• What you see may not be what you get, learnt you must, to see things from different angles and sides.
• Smile they may be, but hidden behind the smile is what you cannot see.
• The equation for Give and Take is never equal.
• For every good soul out there, there will be a bad ass out there to spoil things.

I have people telling me that such things are common and it exists everywhere, which I agreed. However I had also came to realised that, there is still a different in the intense level. To quote an example, While Singapore tend to be blanket under constant rain-fall during the year-end monsoon season, but we will not have a situation where the whole island will be flooded, flooding will occur only on certain areas.

It’s just amazing how the chapter for this part of my working life closes. Personally didn’t expect such a closure, but I guess life itself it’s just that unpredictable.. Sometimes what you wish may not really be what you get. Such is the wonders of life.

So I guess it’s just time to move on to the next chapter….

What makes one does something that is at times beyond logical explanation?? Even though the result or outcome is pretty much predictable, yet sometimes one will still choose to do the not logical stuffs and hope for the best.

Self-denial or irrational?? No ones know the answer.. Cos perception is different and more so for the person when he/she is in the position. So I guess there is no right or wrong answer in that, as from different view-points, each person will have his/her rational and stand.

Sometimes when one is clouded by what they call affection or feelings, the impulse behaviour will tend to over-ride alot of other behaviour. Even for one that is known to be rational can go into an irrational state. Gut feel or instinct that was commonly used in decision-making process was also given a back-seat.

Again… what is right and what is wrong in these… No one can say for sure. While the rational side will tend to do a detail analysis of what is going on and the possible outcomes or even ROIs. The irrational side will just want to bask in the thrill of pursuing something that he/she will perceived to be a positive outcome.

Well.. why am I coming up with such a senseless post… I have no answer to that, but I know I want to get something out of my chest from what I had seen or encountered for the past weeks, but yet have to ensure there is enough confidentiality. Perhaps I should have rant out the issue onto my diary instead of here… Since I am sure no one will see my diary…. But then again, it’s the new media era…

Confusing it sure is… and boy am I getting confused too….

To be rational means one will do things or execute something when he/she has ascertain all the facts and information needed. It also means making decisions that were carefully thought through.

An irrational person usually does things in the spur of the moment, more often than not, decision-making process revolves around things like emotions, feelings or even mood.

When one makes an irrational decision, does that mean the person has not gone through the thought process carefully and thus an irrational decision was made. But then again… who is to judge if a decision is rational or irrational. Different people with different perspective will view things differently. So who is to say if a decision is rational or not, I guess the question can only be answered by the one that makes the decision.

With our already complicated life, decision-making process is made more complicated when we factor in things like if a decision was a rational one or an irrational one. Sometimes even the decision maker may not even know if the decision he/she made is rational or irrational. That could be the reason why my ‘kid’ at work used to tell me to toss a coin, or rather ask the oracle when I can’t make a decision. (As a matter of fact, we had adopted a one dollar gold coin as our official oracle at my workplace.)

In life it’s all about making decision… To quote what my ex Snr Exec said. “If you made a decision, stand by your decision, regardless if it is good or bad.” This has been a quote that I remembered deeply in my heart, and had even used it on a few occasions when my friends are faced with decision-making problems….

I guess right now I am going to once again experience the true meaning behind the quote.

Had attended a court session of my friend. First time in my life enter the Subordinate Court, so didn’t really know what to expect amidst the excitement.

Reached the Court Room pretty early, as the session starts at 9.30am. So was chilling outside the court room while looking at some of the lawyers walking past.

Soon it was time for everyone to enter the Court Room. Seat alone at the corner, as my friend wasn’t here yet. So start to observe the whole works of a typical court session. Soon the group people awaiting sentencing were brought into the Court Room, they are those who have been in remand and thus they were in the remand attire. Shortly the judge arrives, everyone rise at the shout of “Court”. That signify the start of the court session, and from this moment on, everything became very strict and solemn. No using of handphone was allowed during court session, and the police on duty had to remind a few of the people in the court room of that.

So one by one, each accused were called up the deck and face the charges brought against them. Some came with lawyers, or defence counsel. A few of the cases were pretty clear cut, plead guilty and wait for the sentence melted out by the judge. Some of the charges, I felt the accused were pushing their luck by trying to mitigate, cos they seem to make things worse, especially without a lawyer to help. A few were even more daring in their mitigation plead, till I think they are pushing their luck abit too much.  I know some of us viewing the whole session were like just plead guilty for god’s sake… before you make things worse.

Overall it was quite an eye-opener for me, the sad part about the whole thing was, those that were convicted to imprisonment were brought away in front of their family members. I can’t imagine the thoughts running through the mind of the convicted person and the family members present in the Court Room. It’s like the accused was standing on deck, and upon receiving the sentence melted out by the judge, if he/she is to be remand or imprison, he/she will be asked to take a seat at the deck, particulars copied down and handcuff. Once there is at least 2 convict, they will then be brought out of the Court Room.

This scene kind of freaked me out, and it set me thinking that to get into trouble with the law is really a horrifying experience. Especially on the day one has to attend court. Cos you never know if you will walk out of the Court Room a free man or a handcuffed man.

Well, a first time for me I guess. To be in a Court Room going through 1 whole court session. Something I believe will be deeply entrenched in my memory.

Had tasted another defeat at The Game today. Got checkmated and the look on the victor’s face was seriously priceless, while the loser walked away disappointed, not because he lost but because of who he got checkmated by.

Seems like I am still a noob afterall, thinking I was able to handle The Game well. I guess experience does play a big part in these, afterall birds of the same feathers flock together. So to survive in such hostile place, it’s no wonder one must be apt in playing The Game.

Anyway… such is life in this reality world… Playing The Game to survive, either you checkmate the person, or you end up being checkmated. What a way to lead one’s life….

Experienced what I would called a Bear Market in my mood for the past few weeks.

Was pretty surprise at how the mood can swing to an all time low, something that I hasn’t really encountered before. Though there were numerous occasions of low mood swings, but somehow this time round it was low till a point where I was getting worried about it.

Not too sure how did things happened till such a condition. Not able to manage my thoughts and emotions well? or was the stress really  that daunting? A lot of questions came to my mind, when I was reflecting about what happened, especially with regards to the mood hitting the Bear Market.

Aren’t I supposed to be able to handle such stuffs by now? Considering that I am out in the working world for quite some time. Yet, I almost succumbed to making some rash decisions. Haa.. lucky still got the bit of rationale and sense around to wake me up.

Perhaps I was taking things too seriously? Like what SS had said to me at my usual watering hole, “take it easy at work”…. Haa… how I wish I could get some advice from Mr Cheong. I bet he would know what to do and how to handle the stuffs that were and will be coming.

Well.. time to give my shifu a call soon for advice I guess.

The story of the 3 P.

Passion was discovered during the course of my work in the Air Force. It gain it’s strength through the daily encounter with the guys at work. Through the numerous session of providing some form of counselling or listening ear to them, passion grew as the day gone by. The most significant growth was after attending the para-counselling course, where with the help of Purpose, Passion reached a new level.

However the problem with Passion was, Passion lacks the proper qualification to fully become what it wants. There is a gap that needs to be fill up before Passion can truly become what it wants to be. Somehow, the issue bugging Passion is nothing new. The same predicament also happen to Prospect before, but that was something of the past.

To fill up the gap, there are 2 options that Passion can take. But each option comes with its own set of pros and cons, and before a decision can be reached, all options must be given a serious thought, as there are implications to face regardless of which option to take.

Pride was discovered during the time where I was accepted into the Air Force. Pride was always around and it even managed to settle down in my queen’s life as well. As from her expression and speech, its obvious Pride was with her. Pride was a result of Wish. Wish had always played a part for me to be in civil service, particularly in the Defence Ministry. So after successfully entering the Defence Ministry, Wish gave birth to Pride.

Prospect has the most complicated life story. Prospect started out looking grim, but with the aid of Perseverance, Prospect starts to look better. The unique thing about Prospect and Pride is that, they can complement each other pretty well. Sometimes with Pride, Prospect will look good and sometimes with Prospect, Pride will shine even further.

However it was discovered recently that Prospect might have  reached a situation where it face difficulties in growing. An old ailment that came back to hunt Prospect. To make matter worse, Environment and Politics further make Prospect  look bad. Though Passion had been able to offer Prospect some light, but the light is still at one end of the tunnel, while  Prospect is at the other end of the tunnel. So it will still take some time before Passion and Prospect can come together.

So now is the time where Passion, Pride and Prospect has to sit down and discuss what are their next course of actions.  By right Pride has got nothing to do in the discussion and decision process, however Emotions had gotten Pride involved perhaps as a minority voice.

Again, it’s the situation where one is placed on the cross-road and having to choose between choices. It’s a situation where many people hate, but sadly that’s how life work most of the time. Presenting one with choices and having to choose one right choice out of the many choices.

How do one know if the choice they chose is right???

Was just thinking about this yesterday and today received a letter from ITE, asking us the graduates of ITE who has been working for around 5 years or more since graduated to do a simple survey.

Well.. Time flies. Its like 5 years since I completed my ITE, got enlisted and stepped into the working world. From my very first job as a sales rep, to becoming a librarian till now. I sure have learnt alot, both good things and bad things.

Personally, this 5 years had indeed help me become a wiser person. With so many roles to play at one time, if I am not learning something, then my 5 years of working life would seriously be wasted.

Thinking back, working life sure opens one’s mind to a different perspective of things and life. I am glad that with a sound spiritual support and good friends around. I am able to distinguish what is good and what is bad. While sometimes its tough to juggle with all the roles to play but I guess that is life afterall.

5 years have passed. I guess the next 5 years will be a more challenging one, as by now I should be better prepared for what is to come in the working world.

Well.. Finally the time of the year where well-wishers are aplenty. Yes.. Its call birthday.

Did something that to some may be perceive as meaningless or pathetic, but I am glad that I have this day to myself. Though the few calls from office in the day was kind of a kill-joy. But nevertheless, I had managed to enjoy the rest of the day, going where I like to go. Yes.. after today, I am confident that “The Place” is indeed the right  chill out place for me.

Learnt to fully appreciate what I call, “relac one corner”. Perhaps truly understand what she meant the last time we also “relac one corner” at the same coffee joint that I was at today. Sitting down, sipping coffee, watching the world move by you. How enjoyable is that… Anyway, that was her idea of “relac one corner”

Ended the day at my usual watering hole. Haa.. a finale to a day I call my own.

Must plan for such a day at least once a month.