Saturday, September 26, 2009

It has been a long and hectic week... Plenty of Ot's and late nights while having to wake up early and crawling out of the comfortable bed to drag oneself to work...


22.09.09 Start of work at Wini's coy

Alrighty, so I began my first day of work at ACR where Wini was working full time as a internal auditor. Reached there early and was introduced to the people in the claims team and a mini orientation to the office where I would be working in... For long or for a short stint, I dunno... I guess that would have to depend on whether DBS would call me up for the group budgetting position.. Anyhow, the people on my team though all aunties and uncles were rather friendly which was good i guess haha... No wonder, wini said they were a bunch of fun people.. Anyway, learnt how to use their system to input the claims data and my my it was a rather complicated affair as one had to look out for so many details and categories in order to put one claim in...


Was treated to lunch by Wilfred, the claim's team manager, at this japanese restaurant in Tanjong Pagar... Rather good i say but just a bit costly... haha one bowl of rice with salmon will set one back by around 10 bucks but the food was rather good! So while having lunch, Wilfred was telling me more about the company and all the interesting things that his work encompasses.. What with all the secerts of the aircraft industry that the public will never be told, the reasons as to why aircraft crashes and why ships collides and many various stories... At the same time, he kept asking me whether I would be keen to stay on with the company in the claims team... to this, I really did not know how to answer him... Yes, the working environment was very friendly and I like it but I dunno if the job's suitable for me cuz it seemed rather mundane at times... its more of a job that requires one to look through the contracts to see if the claim was listed in it...


Headed home to change before heading down to Geylang to meet the canoeists for durain at 10pm. Bought a Ping bi mooncake as a cake for Pei yu as it was her actual birthday today, since I was thinking she most probably wont have the stomach for too much cake if she wanted to eat more durains. Met Travis, Sarah and Marcus at Aljunied MRT, before heading down to the durain stall to meet Pei yu, Pamela, Eric, Edwin and Jason. Pei yu was treated to Mao Shan Wang there at the durain stall when the owner knew that it was her birthday. The Mao Shan Wang was rather small, haha but cant expect too much cuz its free right? Anyway, had our fill of durains before we headed back home. And Pamela was kind enough to drive me home, haha cause I was really wondering how I was going to go back home since it was already midnight… Thanks Pam!

24.09.09 DBS call up and dinner with Wen yi

Today was the end of the 2 week’s wait for DBS to call up to inform me if I was to be selected for the position for the MAS graduation immersion programme and I didn’t realize that my phone was missing till I stepped into the office. Was in a panic till I remembered that I may have left my phone on the bed as I was in a hurry to go to work. Called Mum to ask her check if the phone was on the bed and true enough it was lying there, and thereby asked her to pick up any calls for me. It was later in the morning when Wini told me that my mum was looking for me. Apparently, DBS had called me up to inform me that there would be a 3rd interview as the VP who could not make it for the 2nd interview wanted to speak to me personally. Felt rather excited and happy to be selected for the immersion program as I had always wanted to work in a bank, just to get a feel of how the bank operates and their culture.
Met Wen yi at Orchard and had dinner at Food Republic before deciding to walk around the area as she was feeling rather full. Learnt from her that there were several restaurants serving good food though a tad expensive in Taka itself. Maybe should go there eat one day when my financial situation improves. Hopefully the cheque would come in today.
Anyway, Happy birthday Kevin!! Hope you enjoyed the celebration that they planned for you in school though I didn’t know about it and couldn’t make it even if I knew till I saw the facebook pictures..

25.09.09 Melissa’s 21st at Penny Black

Headed down to Penny Black after work today to attend Mel’s 21st birthday party. The place had a rather nice ambience I must say, it was rather cozy. Met up with the rest there and helped decorated it a little. Stringing the photos along the ridges and the tying of balloons were only part of the job.. The food was great, the music was good and the company was even better... Had so much fun with Xiao Qiang... What with watching Nizam jumping at the proximity of it and Pamela running off just at the threat of it... Haha den came the birthday quiz about Mel and that the team with the lowest point had to perform a group forfeit! Well our group representive did us proud... haha but then again he had an unfair advantage!! haha all's well that ends well! Pei yu joined us later after her wisdom tooth operation. And I must say I was rather impressed with Mel's aunt... She actually prepared 21 gifts for her!!! Lucky Lucky Mel!!

Anyway, after that headed down to a pub at Boat Quay for a drink with Mervyn, Sarah and Pei yu. Its been a long time since I had a drink and it just proved once again how long my alcohol tolerance is... I was like gg to lala land when I only had 1 pint of beer.. Haha dunno why oso... quite chui lohz...

27.09.09 East Coast Park

Was heading down to East Coast Park (ECP) after tuition on bus 13 when I saw Travis running along Still Road with a face filled with determination. Haha wanted to call out to him but the bus just overtook him before i could wave at him... Well, anyway found my way to the void deck of Wen yi's house before heading to ECP with her... Haha she was rather cute in the way that she actually drew a map indicating where her house is!! Haha and i was thinking that if she just gave me some prominent landmarks to look out for I should be able to locate the place... and if not, asking always solves the problem... Anyway, spent the next 1 and a half hours cycling while she bladed... Wanted to learn how to blade actually but I decided not to in view that I do not wish to injure myself cuz I might have an interview with DBS the next day... Had dinner at the food center there where I was introduced to the popular wanton noodle stall... Not bad but the portion was quite small... We should have another session like this again!! haha fun but tiring and next time must teach me how to blade haha...

30.09.09 3rd interview with DBS

By now, I was really confused as to whether I should stay on with ACR or join DBS. I could tell that Wilfred was quite keen on asking me to stay with his team and I felt really bad to say that I would most prob go to DBS if offered the chance. I actually quite like the working environment there, not to mention the pantry there... lol its like heaven lah... its well stocked with Ribbena, Coke, Coke Zero, Diet Coke, Pokka Green Tea, 100 plus, Crysthum tea, Oolong tea, Milo and many others!! Its simply unbelieveable!! The day before, I consulted Yvonne on whether I should join DBS or remain here and she simply said this: "Go try DBS, the bank is the place where you always wanted to be in isnt it? Den dun waste the opportunity otherwise you will live to regret it later even though you have a stable job in ACR."

So said, I went ahead with my interview with DBS and there I was presented with a shock. So instead of the budgetting position, it was mandatory to rotate around the different departments in the bank which included systems.. I was actually alright with the rotation other than systems... Well, I guess the doubt that had lain dormant in my mind den started to grow again.. It was just then when I was asking the Vp some questions when i felt a wave of dizziness... Apparently it wasnt me only, it was the aftershocks of an earthquake which caused the building to shake.. First time experience for me and I must say I didnt really enjoyed it esp in the midst of all the tension during the interview. Well, the only good thing was I felt that I would most probably be offered the job since the vp said that she would contact me in a day or 2....

02.10.09 Confusion

Received the call from DBS today with the job offer, but HR didnt mention the pay package which I tot was rather weird but instead she simply told me she will send the contract to me either by today or tml and that I would have to meet her on one of the days, w/o specifying which day it was.... It was then I was thrown into total confusion... Mum, Mal, Js and Sarah were of the opinion that I should go DBS and try out... Py just said to go wherever I'm comfy with the work environment... but i haven been to DBS to work be4... so I guess it didnt really help... Wini, thr "spying" on me came over and gave me some insights on her thoughts which i really appreciated. I was left with a clearer picture, but it still didnt help in my decision... Though I think I may have already made up my mind, I guess I still wanted to hear what Wilfred's boss have to say to me ba... And I hope he does it before I sign the dotted line of the contract that DBS will be sending to me...

Posted by Clarence at 7:09 AM

Sunday, September 20, 2009

18.09.09 Last day at work and dinner
And so today concludes my last day of work at RFnet. I think I will miss my collegues there although it was just a short time frame and all the interesting office literature inherent within the company. Will be going over to Wini's company, Asia Capital Reinsurance to work as a data entry temp staff and hopefully get the chance to convert to a perm there... Or even better, I hope DBS faster call me!!! Although its like still within the 2 weeks period after the 2nd round of interview, I'm still kinda like hopping anxious about it... Hmm but still, I wonder what would the working environment be like at ACR... Hopefully its fun and the peeps there are friendly.

Sherwin treated me to lunch today at the chicken rice stall that they always go to, when someone leaves the company or goes on a long trip, as a form of appreciation. Well, went with Arthur, Vincent and Philip as well whereby I just sat there listening to the advices that each gave. Of all, I think I would have to thank Sherwin the most - for introducing the tuition kid to me and the testimonial.. haha. Anyway, the last day of work was agonizingly slow where time seems to come to a stop completely, especially when there's like 2 hours left before I can call it quits... I guess I can attribute some of it to the fact that I was rather looking forward to the meeting with Wen yi for dinner at Ion... Haha well, i guess anticipation didnt exactly help in the science of how time can pass faster...

Was late in meeting Wen yi due to last min stuffs that I had to settle cause Winnie wasnt around for me to inform her directly.. Hopefully, she understands the note I left on her table... Well, anyway after doing a short tour of Ion, we settled on eating Fish & Co. and luckily, I spotted Kenny working there haha... 10% discount!! Haha that's one of the reason we chose to eat there I suppose... Ordered a platter for 2 and my my it really was different from the rest of the other outlets.. There were scallops instead of mussels and the prawns were super big and DELICIOUS!!! Had dessert at Heeren's basement, wasnt really very nice though... After that, headed home whereby I saw Clara and Melissa Fong on the way to the MRT station... Lol surprise surprise since I haven see the both of them like for ages already.

20.09.09 Celebration of Pei yu's Bdae
A surprise birthday celebration that didnt turn out quite the way I planned it due to some miscommunication of info on my part.. Haha wasted... Otherwise, I think it would have been a major success!! Lol and to think that it was only this time that my face didnt show any hints of a surprise coming up, cuz normally i would be like an open book!! haha..Damn, need to make sure all the loose ends are tied up the next time u plan something like this again!!! Well, anyway I guess the look on her face was well worth the effort when she saw her present from Da Clique and the canoeists... Here's wishing you an early happy birthday gal! And oh enjoy the celebrations that Qiu Yong and gang has planned for you! I'm pretty sure that you will like them!! Haha have to thank Sarah in particular for helping to coordinate and suggestions on where to dine haha... Well, I guess we will let the pictures do the talking when I get them.. Okie, need to go off to Sentosa le!! haha looking forward to a day full of fun!!

Caught in buffets of vibes that blow hot & cold that nests you in a confused warp of emotions..
Clueless about the next step that should be undertaken...
Do I remain or do I take a step forward?
I saw a sign... oops... I meant I need a sign...

Posted by Clarence at 6:15 PM

Saturday, September 12, 2009

06.09.09 Outdoor Photoshoot
Yup, so this was the day of Da Clique's outdoor photoshoot... Sadly though only 5 of us were able to turn up -- Pei yu, Myself, Wini, Pam and Zam... Clara was unable to make it again due to Church, Jian Hua and Yvonne apparently had work commitments and to think that we push the date of the photo shoot back to today and we had to rush through everything.. but i guess such things cant be helped... Well, anyway had plenty of fun taking the photos with Pei yu's SLR though the weather's terribly hot and humid!! Well, I will post the photos at a later date, when I retrieve all the photos from either Pei yu or Wini...

So after numerous photo shots, we headed down to Serangoon Broadway to return the gowns and to collect our stage photo... The stage photo was a disappointment lah... Dunno how the 'pro' photographer take one... haha its either tat or i just wasnt facing the stage when the picture was taken... darn it.... Headed down to IMM for dinner at Fish & Co. with Pei yu, Wini and Pamela before heading to Cafe Cartel for drinks and some snacks... Haha I think on that day itself I put on a few kilos with the amount I ate hahaha.... Need to stop or at least cut down the monstronous appetitie that I am having...

09.09.09 Meet up with Wai Sian
Today was the day that the canoeing club were going to run to Orchard which I so very much wanted to join! Haha I dunno why but I just like running there... but then by the time I knocked off from work, they most prob would be somewhere past Holland Village. So I met up with Wai Sian after work at Sun plaza after work instead.. Its been ages since I last saw her and God knows how difficult it is to meet up with her... Headed down to Sembawang Shopping Centre to Aston's for dinner... Caught up with her on how she had been doing and chit chatted abt stuff before heading back home.. Well it was good to see her again


12.09.09
Met up with Wen yi after lunch to learn about the pivot table and the vlookup which was like almost a pre-requisite for all the damn jobs i applied for... Haha but to find a table with a power socket for my laptop in town was like simply like so difficult that in the end we ended up in SMU... Surprising, the pivot table and vlookup was rather easy.. Haha but then again I think I can attribute it to Wen yi's teaching abilities haha she made it look rather simple! Thank you gal for sparing the time to teach me haha you are a real life saver!! haha Anyway, went to watch Gamers. The show wasnt really like what I expected... Plenty of action but the storyline is quite standard or rather not much existence of a storyline... 3 popcorns out of 6 haha but if u want action, this is the movie to watch!! Warning... Some nudity and gore involved... Zam dun even think of watching this haha not yr type... Had lunch at PS food court and chatted over a while before heading home.

As the saying goes, it just takes one drop of ink to stain the water... it so applies to today... kinda enjoyed myself today only to be marred by one event... Apparently, I had just lost an uncle today.... The cause for his death is still unknown, but it came as a major shock for me cause he was so healthy... Sigh... Life is so fragile...

Posted by Clarence at 9:44 AM

Saturday, September 5, 2009

Went down for training today as per normal but today my performance was horribly upsetting!! The goal was to complete rowing 16km under 2 hours (which i believe is rather slow oready) and I was like on the verge of dying after rowing for about only 4 km.... Dunno what happened to me... Could it be due to a long stint not rowing long D's or tat my mental strength was not strong enough? I wonder... Anyway, today was also the first time, I felt pain on my butt lah while rowing... Haha could it mean that i have lesser fats in that area? lol kidding... haha but dunno why oso lah quite pain...

Okie anyway, headed down to Suntec for lunch with Pei yu, Mel, Nizam, Lex and Matthew while the rest of the canoeists headed down to Old Airport Road for lunch... And while eating lunch, I was still busy figuring out where in town would there be shops selling flowers that were of an affordable price... So anyway, headed down to Centrepoint to check out the price of the flowers there and yup quite cheap $9 liddat only but with a catch... All of the damn flowers were in pots, not like a bouquet... haha so that left me with no choice but to hunt for another present...

Oh and if you were wondering why I was looking for flowers... basically today's Yu Fong's Birthday and I expected that she would assume that I forgot her birthday and hence... haha

Okie back to the story, headed down to Famous Amos as per Nizam's suggestions and bought her a mini hamper instead before heading to Wheelock to find zam... And there again he told me about the NUM offer that was going to be on eh... when was it? next week i think?... 50% off for every 2 items bought? was that the offer? Hmm think I will check with him tml... NUM canoeing singlet, I'm setting my eyes on you!! haha Anyone want to share?...

Met up with Yu Fong at around 1830 and I passed her the present... and mine mine lol she had a classic expression on her face... When I reached out my hand to wish her happy birthday with a hand shake... She literally gave me her whole hand that I had to grasp which was like so weird! haha When I told her about it, she said she was in shock and that she was thinking how come i knew it was her birthday today!! lol damn funny can... anyway, caught up with each other after the last meet up which was about a year or so? quite long time oready i think... haha
Headed down to Raffles City Ben & Jerry's to find Ginni as promised and I was quite surprised to see Alicia with her bf there... Couldnt recognise her till she said hallo! haha damn.... No wonder I found her so familiar but I couldnt confirm haha

Oh oh one other thing, there was this job that Wini was asking me to do at her company and I was like so tempted by it... Well cause the pay is the same as what I am receiving now while working as a temp, the flexibility is there too and there is the chance that they may convert temp to perm... Haha but then the max duration i suppose there is 3 months, well... I need to think hard about it before giving her an answer tomorrow....

Yup, tomorrow's finally the day for the grad shoot that we have been trying so hard to schedule with everyone... But to my disappointment only 5 are able to turn up... Me, Pei yu, Winifred, Pam and Zam... the rest were either working or have church activities.... Zzz.. SO much for the Da Clique plans....

Now, I'm confused... Should I or should I not? That is the question...

Posted by Clarence at 8:18 AM