Life is juz too hard

Juz another 2 months yet nothing seems to show up.

Various applications had been submitted but ...

I had now try to diversify and not concentrate on banking industry.  Contract, part-time, short term assignments...

Seeing account drying up is so painful.  The family need to be fed but I simply cant make life better.

This week I did something which never occurs to me before.  I went to see the MP of our GRC - Sim Ann.  I first wrote an email to her stating the current situation of the family.  She replied and ask me to meet her at the weekly 'meet-the-people' session held on Wednesdays.

So I went dat nite.  First gotten a queue number then spoke to one of the person about my case.  She - a young student took details of our family situation and says will try to help us.  She asked if I want to meet Sim Ann which I agreed.

Waited for another 1½ hours, I finally sit in front of her.  We spoke and she was trying to know better.  Out of expectation, she actually opens up an option for me.  She recommended me to go for an interview to be RCM (Resident Committee Manager) of our estate. 
Woah! It was a real surprise.  The position had been vacant been a long while and she thinks I can give a try cos:
1) My age is an ideal one for the post
2) My education level is quite a fit
3) I am a local in the area
Something very new to me but I decide to give a try.  One never knows what he/she excels till we try out.  So not waiting for the phone call to speak to the person in-charge.  Wish me good luck!

Today an Indian fren started to write some postings on wordpress.com which is similiar to blog.
He wrote so well and inspired me to continue with my blog.  Maybe I should create an account there and start writing too. 

There are still some other problems kept bothering me but I can only buried them deeply till the end of time.  Sigh...

Summary of 2012

How time flies.  We are now into the year of 2013.  My previous post was written in Jan 2012.

It had a long, long and very tough year of 2012 that I had been through.

From the beginning of 2012, unfortunate events juz started to come by.
Firstly, I am not the reward list from the company.  That came in as a great surprise.
Although I am not a great performer, but suppose I still did my best and get the job done.
Well, that it is the management's decision which we are able to defy but to accept.

Following which, our helper whom I trusted so much, left for home to see her sickly mother during Feb.  But least that I expected, the girl did not return to Spore after the 2 weeks break.  I had patiently waited for her ard another 2 weeks.  Unfortunately she failed me.  During that one month, thanks to my kind boss who allows me to work from home and look after the household at the same time.  That was a hectic period when multi-tasking.  Work seems to be never ending all the time.  I was in a desperado situation and finally found another helper during March.  This new girl does not know how to cook but after a little guidance she now can manage the simple dishes.  More importantly, at least I get help to look after my aged father.

Life is back to regular for the subsequent months till the arrival of July.  Another nightmare surfaced and I juz get into terrible shock.  For those who had read my previous posts knew that our function was deployed to India and I am a SME to the team.  Early July, management had decided that the function role will be fully moved to India.  OMG! That fateful day - 16 July 2012 when this was announced to the team.  About 20+ staff on the team were affected.   Never had I expected that to lose the job during this time.  I am given a grace period till end of Sep then either get an internal transfer or new job.  It was a miserable period.  I had applied a few job roles outside but sad to say nothing came near or materalise.  At this point of time, I am still jobless for the last 3 months.  It is a horrible feeling for not able to get a decent income to feed the family.  Also, the high expenses of the household is drawing me dry soon.

Onto a bigger scale, there had been unfortunate happenings either to our nation or global.
In a row, there had been scandals involving some respected people of several organisations and even members of parliament.  Also a couple of racism comments on fb that got the related staff being sacked from work.  Some fighting or quarrel shots caught on MRT and buses added colour to our news.  The mass breakdown of MRT during 2011 Dec was still a talking topic almost the whole year.  And of course not missing the strike of the bus captains a month back.

Globally, the concern was world coming to an end on 21 Dec 2012 which obviously did not take place.  Floods, earthquakes, forest or bush fires continue not to be missed each year.  Economy did not pick up much and the financial crisis still remain. But the most shocking news was the gang-rape incidents that happened.  That was very terrifying when I read and heard this news during Dec.  The 2 young and bright girls, in the separate cases, both suffer the same fate which they got raped and now dead.  The first girl, committed suicide after various failure of the appeals to the police.  The other, with major injuries on her body, sent to Spore for treatment but unfortunately passed away due to function failure of her organs.  This had raised a very serious concern to their countrymen and the worrisome women there.  The men involved in both cases, should be punished heavily and make sure the government take serious actions not to have such fateful incidents to happen in future.

Well, so much of heart-hurting incidents.  Time to highlight some eventful and happy moments of the year.  During March, a niece got married and added a new member to our family.  During Aug and Dec, we have a couple of new-born babies whom are new blood to the community.  The circle is now growing bigger.

As for myself, I had make a group of wonderful friends.  Due to a common interest, we became very close acquaintance with several outings, functions, gatherings during the year.  That had been a piece of nice memory.  We will continue to keep and maintain this friendship.  Never had I taken so many photos apart from the Europe trip, and post them on FB to share with other frens.

Went for a few memorable volunteer events during the year too.  Packing the foodie bags for the lest fortunate families and hair-for-hope 2012 during my employment service with the bank.  Seeing the large crowd shaving for the cancer patients, I had the intention to contribute come next year.  Before the year ends, did the last volunteer job by helping to prepare christmas log cakes for the old folks home and the orphanages.  We even broke the record of having the longest log cake of 89.5 metres in Spore.

Nothing beats the unforgettable and encouraging achievement is my 1st run in the yellow ribbon run last Sep together with Yuva and Ajit.  I have completed the 6km run in an hour+ which I thought might take me 2 hours.  Although most of the time during the run, I am walking but I still complete it.  3 of us plan to do it again this year for health and society.

A few of my friends had added new babies to their families.  A couple of my India frens are no longer the bachelors group members but the loving husbands of their sweet wives.  Felt good and nice for them.  My blessings to u all guys.

One of the global attention last year was the marriage of Prince William and Kate in May.  More good news was that the couple is going to have their royal prince/princess this year.  Bless and best wishes to the royal family.  The president election of US was also a concern outside the nation.  The great man, under much stress, will continue to serve another 4 years.

Looking back, it had been an eventful and fruitful year for me.  Either good or bad, those were the days.  We can juz continue to look forward to the upcoming years...

Too bad there are some secrets that I am not able to pen here but buried them deep in heart.
Good or not I need to keep them sealed.... :(

I will continue to write more frequently on the blog and not juz do an annual report each year.
Watch out again next time.

Updates

Woah! It had been almost a year that I have not log into my own blog and update this space.
There were a lot of happenings in the past year.
Ups and downs during those days.
A fren resigned and I almost lost contact but juz a couple of sms and msg on fb. I felt a change in him but he tend to decline that.
During May, went to India for a short getaway. I went to Bangalore with one of the colleague. That was his hometown and we spent about 4 days there.
When back to Pune, procced to another trip with a couple other colleagues to GOA.
It was a beach resort and everyday we were out to the beaches, the hot sun and food.
That refreshment trip made me distress for a while as I was under pressure at work.
Thanks to those who travelled together made me younger and happier.

The months of July through Oct were tough for Yuva as she studies hard for the 'O' levels in Nov. Results were released early Jan and she is eligible for both JC and Polytechnics.
She had filed her options for both and finally got into Jurong JC.

December was a wonderful month for 3 of us. We booked a trip to Europe for 14 days covering Italy, Switzerland, Paris and London. First time travelling to the Eastern part of the globe was an eye-opener. We realsied the different in cultures and backgrounds and got to learn and respect theirs. The weather was cold but enjoyed a lot with the group of 22 and a young tour leader.
Time flies... When we were back from the trip, Christmas was juz a week ago. Then followed by the new year of 2012. Never in the least we found that CNY was merely weeks away from the fresh year. Everyday was a busy day running ard to get things done. Now it had been a week into the Dragon year.
I had also catch up with a few long lost-contact frens.
So glad to meet up and had a wonderful time with them although over a simple meal and cup of coffee. These are the frens I treasure and will contine to keep in touch with them.
Had also made a lot of new frens online or other means. Although most of them we have not met, but can feel the acquaintance close through the fb comments or msgs. A bunch of wonderful ppl ard.
This is the latest. Nowadays most of us are using fb as our communication tool to the outside world. But at times, our blogs can be our own platform juz to release some personal moments of happiness and sadness. Maybe a place you can tell your secrets if dat is not to be meant for the BIG group but you ownself only.
I will like to share something but juz do not know how to start with it. Maybe the next time when u look into this page, you might discover the great secret...

Why do u want to go?

20th March 2011 - midnite
I got a call from my best fren telling me he decided to quit the job.
That was the most horrible to receive during the middle of the night which is worse than a nightmare.
At that moment I am juz at a loss of words. I juz cant control my tears.
Till now I still do not know what is the actual reason for you to leave.
Kyun? Kyun? Kyun?
But doubt u are going to tell me. Each time the tot of you leavin juz pain me.

Our partnership at work had been doing well. We do not have disputes and disagreements at all times. All problems and issues were able to resolve with peace.

You had been a good fren on business or personal. Each time I have any problems, u will be there to help. Even not able to resolve, your moral support is still there. We have gone through a lot of stress and pressure on work. Actually I felt yours is greater than mine.

We speak alot outside work too. Your family, hobbies, interests etc... At times when u started something u love, you will juz carry on and on. Though there are certain things I may not understand, but I will just listen cos we can learn a lot of things through your experience.

But now, u will be leaving the job soon. I tried to stop you from resigning but suppose not hopeful and not able to supersede yr family's decision. I m juz going to lose a good fren and listener to my problems. I have no one else to turn to anymore. Not sure I able to work with the new manager.

In barely a few days to come, I am not able to talk to you in office, on i-connect.
My dear fren, your team is going to lose a good team manager, a good boss.
I m going to lose a good partner, a good soulmate, close-heart fren.
Although modern technology is so advance and we can still 'meet' on facebook, but the feeling is still not the same as much as a phone contact. Well, probably that is the best choice available.

May I be able to see u again? Pray hard I do.
Really hope you will keep your promise to come Singapore at the end of the year. Then we should be able to catch up and fill up the missing part after yr departure.

Mera dost, from now till then, apna khayaal rakhiye.
Aap mujhe pasand ho. Mujhe tumse pyar hai.
Dil kee gaharaeon see.
Mujhe tum bahut yaad aate ho.
Fir miltne hain.

Rabbit year

CNY had come to an end today-17 Feb 2011.
Ms rabbit will still stay around for the next 11½ months.
This lunar new year had not been a fantastic one though we have more days to spend with and I had actually extend 2 more days.
But the mood is not there. I simply cant raise it to enjoy the entire off that I have.
What is bothering me? Only me and myself is fully aware.
Why is it so bad? Only me and myself will fully understand.
How is it going to be resolved? Only me and myself can fully know is quite difficult.
Too much things that I had never faced it before.
Too much stress that I had never expect it before.
Too much problems that I had never know how to solve it.
Too much trouble that I had never ever how to pull through.
I really wanna run away - from home, from city, from stress, from trouble, from problems.
I really wanna someone to be with - comfort me, console me, accompany me, protect me.
Will there be such a place to go?
Will there be such a person to stay?
So my NY and CNY resolution - try to find a nice place to let me enjoy the peacefulness and also get a good travel companion to walk the journey.
Hey let my dream and wish come true!!!

Trouble trouble trouble

Since the beginning of 2011 it had not been a good start.

All the things are not in the right position.

Problems, trouble, issues just come one after another.

I am very lost, very confused, very stressed, very pressured.

Family had been noticing the change in me lately, the quietness, the loneliness, the staying away and be alone.

I juz do not know how to tell, how to explain, how to express.
Everything is in a real mess....

I am very negative towards life, simply not able to say why.
Even the postings on FB are so sad, so negative, so disappointing.

Not sure what is going wrong with me but just feel that I am not able to hold on too long.

After watching the movie 'Into the wild', I really feel that I can be like the actor in the movie.
Burn the money, give up all the materialistic stuff and get to somewhere nobody know you, and u know none too. Is this running away from responsibilities? Is this not a way to solve our problems? Is this a terrible action? But who can tell me what should I do? How should I do then?

2010 to 2011

2010 is coming to an end.

Is time to wrap up the happenings for the year.

First 3 months were sailing fine.
Due to deployment 3 of our team members left among which 2 managed to get another role in the bank.

April was a nightmare to me. Father got hospitalised for 1 whole month at TTSH.
I travelled everyday without fail to the hospital to see him and only absent on Mother's day.
He then moved in to stay with us since discharged.
I never knew to look after an elderly can be so... tough that I even screamed at him a couple of times. That hurt me badly cos I raised my voice at him for the first time.

During his stay in hospital, they found stones in the gall bladder which need to remove.
Some of them were already 'floating' outside had been removed during his stay.
He needed to have another op to get rid of the rest which are still not out.
But it will be better to kick them off before it cause pain.
That was scheduled in June 2010.

But because of my job depolyment, I need to take another trip to Pune and guide another vendor team. They had send a team during late May to Spore for training about a month.
My missison there is to guide the team further.
I supposed to leave in July and so father's op need to be postphoned till I am back to Spore.

So I left on July 18 for the oseas task and back on 7 Aug 10.
The trip went on fine. I met another younger and bigger team this year.
They were nice people - willing to learn and very positive about the new job.
Though now already back to Spore, I am still regularly in contact with the big family.
We have built up good friendship. Some of them are even my facebook friends which we styaed communicated outside the office hours.

During these few months, management had given me a good platform to perform.
The overseas trip was a good opportunity to display my leadership skills, my knowledge sharing with the team and many other aspects.

They had put on a very fantastic report for me and recommend me for a promotion to AVP.
Final results were out on 13 Dec 10 which I received a call from Christophe toghether with Dushyant when he was in town to break the good news that I had managed.
The official list was out on 15 Dec 10. Once that was released, well wishes came from my young team at Pune. That was a best moment in life.

2 days ago, I got the official letter in regards to my promotion. Hereby I confirmed that my status had now be Asst. Vice President.
My definition to the title actually = more work, more responsibilities, more stress.
But this is a performance paid off. So I will harder not to let the mgt down.

The last 2 months of 2010 were the down swing. I recently suffering from chest pains and is coming more regulary than before.
Not sure it is due to work stress or my health is getting worse.
I had a hunch that it may not be a good sign.

Dec 17 marks the end of brokerage team in Spore. Our last staff on the team had left.
Though now with Expense Mgt since last year, my soft spot is still with previous team which we share alot of stuff together. Being so alone is also one of the reasons for my down swing mood.

Thanks to a friend that I knew for half a year that been there always.
The comfort that was given to me, the consolations provided, the care and everything just boost my spirit each day goes by.
Although miles apart, we keep frequent contacts sharing our happiness and the unhappiness moments.

Thanks a lot my dear friend, you will be always on my mind.
Hope this friendship can be maintained and carry on just like yr friendship with yr close fren which was there for 22 years and still get going.
You will be my lifetime fren.
Really hope you can come to Spore soon we can share the good moments together.

Just barely a week to go before 2011. Hopefully my mood will be heighten when get into the new year. And everything got onto the right track.

Let's throw 2010 behind have a wonderful and good 2011 ahead.

Update

2 months had gone by since my last update. Any other reasons - too busy.

Actually since back from Pune, time had always not enough.
After the last payables had gone off, I am almost on my own.

Anytime anything that needs urgent attention, naturally it will come to me.
Life was back to before except that I no longer have helping hands.

Any prioties - Jenny pls
When issues not resolved - Jenny pls
Things not right - Jenny pls

OMG it just went on and on and on.

Apart from that, had been troubled recently.
I just not able to get into sleep early.
The earliest probably after 3am and even as 'early' as 5am.
Lots of things weighing on mind and cant put it to rest.
No friends to speak to, nobody to turn to, no shoulder to lean on, no hand to hold on.
I am basically on my own.
Even there is someone that I can, I not able to.

Well, will just keep it deeply buried into the bottom and hope one day this will go off.

Sad thing...

Black Monday

Last week was a terrible week.

Sad # 1
Due to restructuring, some of our colleagues were affected.
Theyn were told to go in a month or two months' time.

One out of each team was asked to leave and we were puzzled how they were chosen.
All these staff are good staff. But sad....

I personally felt one of the guys got the worst hit.
He was away on vacation back to his hometown for 2 weeks.
Monday was his first day back to work and yet got the news.
Worst he need to leave immediately without serving notice.

Sad #2
Then Tues one of my colleague from previous company tender her resignation.
She just joined our bank for less than a month and now she left immediately.
I remembered the day when I see her.
After back from Pune and a little break during National Day, I get back to office.
When she waved to me, I returned a courtesy smile.
Not only minutes later, I realised that she was my former colleague.
Catching up with her for a while after days later.
When I have not really sit down for a longer conversation, she now is longer a colleague of us.
She claimed that the job does not suit her and not to waste the time on other staff having to guide her longer peruiod, she choose to leave immediately.

Sad #3
As the job function was deployed to India last August, some of the staff was kept and retained during the tranisition period. The rest was gradually lay off or managed to get transferred to another department.

At the end of March, the team was left with myself and another colleague staying back to clear the backlog. I was actually reporting to another department but job nature somehow does not change much. Mainly I am still supporting the India deployed team.

Then after the function remained in India but transferred to another vendor team.
Our colleague was still retained to help out.
But finally at the end of Sep she needs to go off.
So last Thurs was her last day.
She had been a good fren and colleague.
We helped each other during work.
Outside work, she is a good listener to my personal problems.
Now I am a lonely soul with my committee getting smaller & smaller...
I am so alone with a reporting manager only.

Well this is life and we still need to move on.

Pune again

Last August, I was at Pune to train the team for our job deployment.
Never cross my mind that I am back again for another mission - to train another team.
Touched down at Mumbai around 10.15am and reached Marriott Courtyard hotel 3 hours later.
The hotel's cafe was packed with customers mostly families.
Cant even get a seat and got a table at the waiting area.
Found a few familiar faces and they were glad to see me. So am I as their services were good.

Today I travelled back to the Wipro office. See the same old friends that I were here before. They were so happy and glad to see me. But knowing for a fact that my mission was now different to previous. I had mixed feelings.
1) I am really happy to meet them again.
2) I am sad that they need to go probably after another month.

First time getting aquaintance with the new team of colleagues. Not much of contacts but this team will be as friendly as the other and hope all things will be going fine.

Well, this is just the beginning of the trip. There will be another 17 days to go.
Wish me good luck!

Job deployment

Since last year, our job function had been deployed to Pune, India.

But the team is having a tough time taking on the job, so our 'small team' in Singapore is still helping out to clear some stuff.

I am currently on a SME (subject matter expert) role to support the Pune team together with a reporting boss in Spore.

When I was asked to take on the role, I was hestitated. Though the position is not so much hands on but more of a support role, I still find it still in relate to my past job. I may be out to learn more about management skills and reporting, but the scope of work is still within what I have been doing the last 6 years.

2 weeks I understand from my superior that there is a need to go Pune again for about a week. The trip is to visit our new VP on board over there and also to cover up some training gaps that were claimed not complete. Another sad story....

As days goes by, I have a stronger intention to move out of this function role. I wanted to learn other job scopes of Investment Banking. Therefore I have applied for some other jobs internally in the bank but still waiting for the outcome.

I have expressed such intention to my supervisor but seems that I can only be released probably at least 6 months later.Sigh....

Recently there had been a lot of resignations in the bank including 2 from our team. Seeing them going off is a really sad thing but life needs to go on when it is deemed good for them.

My wishes to all who left the bank recently. Make sure no regrets making such a decision. If not it will affect you the rest of the life. Good luck to all my ex colleagues whether I do know you or not.

Blog update

It had been half a year that this blog was left untouched. Now the 'in' thing is facebook. You basically can do anything on that platform - chatting, updating, play various games; a one for all system.

As for me, when I logged in to facebook account, most of the time playing they called the lame game - bejeweled blitz.

I had been addicted to the game since last year. My hands cant get off the screen when hooked on. Each time seeing my frens beating my score, the longer I stayed on to beat them.

But each time I reached quite a high unbeatable score, it got swiped off the board cos it was renewed each week. So at times a sad thing to see it going off the board the following week.

The advantage I found on facebook is really a good platform to look for friends. I managed to get quite a few through this site.

During our last meeting with some old NIC classmates, we wanted to plan a 30th year gathering with the class. Our mission is to locate those not found via facebook within the next 2 years. Well we understand that it will be a tough task as our age group is a different era from the younger generation. Not all of our classmates are active on the modern techno. However we really hope this mission impossible will turn out fruitful.

Alright I shall continue to keep this blog alive. Will add more blog updates after today.

Birthday at Pune

31st Aug 09 - My first birthday at overseas.

When I last know that I will be at Pune on my birthday, I have mixed feelings. Away from my family on this day was a bit upset. But on the other hand, got to celebrate with my supervisor whose birthday is the same as me.

Our initial plan was to travel to Agra and look at Taj Mahal the weekend before. But it was called off due to the long journey. So on last Sat, we went to one of the fort and roam the city. Our dinner was settled at one of the Japanese restaurant in O Hotel.

Monday morning, everything was per normal. Start off with a simple breakfast at the hotel we leave for work. The colleagues came around us and give us their wishes. During the day, there were a chain of sms from frens and relatives. Yuva called and send her vocal wishes too.

In the evening close to 6 pm, we were given a surprise. The Pune colleagues prepared 2 cakes for each of us. We cut the cake and share with the office staff.

Back to hotel, we sat for a normal dinner. About 9pm we retired to our own room which another surprise for us. There was a huge birthday card on the office desk with the hotel's staff signing their wishes. That was very sweet and touching.

A last surprise was a friend added me on facebook unexpectedly on this day.

This had been a memorable birthday.

Pune training trip - 4th day

We had been in Pune for 4 days. During these few days, we found that the hotel service is very good especially at Momo cafe where we settle our meals excluding lunch.

The staff are very friendly and helpful. We can request for special food from the kitchen if they are not on the buffet choice.

Almost one of the staff is attached to our table to provide service. Each of them put on a nice smile and greet us 'Good morning madam' - a whole hearted greeting.

They rendered very flexible services. Should you find the food not good or not to your satisfaction, they will void the item on your bill.

If Singapore can provide such good service, we will have a wonderful city.

Each morning, we will take the free taxi service to the work place - Vipro II. It takes about 10 to 15 minutes to office.

Over there, we will spend our 9 hours working there including lunch. Lunch is served at the cataferia located within the compound.

The food is real cheap. On the first day at work, I bought a set meal - curry chicken with rice, some vegetables with chappti. Guess how much does that costs? Only Rs40 just barely a little after S$1.00.

Today is just the third day and I am getting a bit sick of the food. Oh... how to survive for another 23 days.

Pune training trip - day 1

Departing on an early flight on sunday morning, we reached Mumbai airport about 10 am India time which is 2.5 hours behind Spore.

Then we transfer to road transport from airport to Pune. Along the way we see mountains, waterfalls, nice landscape. The drive took 3 hours when we finally reached our hotel - Marriott Courtyard.

Upon completion of the check in, we took our first meal at the hotel. On Sundays they provide brunch at the cost of RS399 equivalent to S$13+.

We had a good meal and back to room to have a wash up. Around 4 we took the taxi from the hotel and went into city to take a look.

Our first stop is Central Mall where we spent about an hour plus but only completed 2 levels of the mall.

Then we went to MG Road but just a few shops as most of them are closed.

Our last spot was SGS Mall along the way. I got a vcd - Fast & Furious 4 for Ajit and a magazine named Yuva obviously for the girl.

Back to hotel almost 9 pm, we decide to order food from room service and have an early night.

That was how we spend our first day at Pune before starting work on the following day.

Volunteer work - 25 Jul 09

About a few weeks ago, I received an email requesting for volunteers to join an event to clean up shoes for the needy.

The job need us to sort, clean, pack and label for about 4,000 shoes collected during June 09.

I have not able to join in their voluntary jobs due to date crashes. Finally a chance to render my service. I ask the kids if they would like to go along. Both agreed.

So on sat morning, we left about 8.30 so to be on time t0 meet at 9.45 at expo mrt station. There will be shuttle to pick us up. After a wait until 10.15 we set off to the Crocs warehouse at Changi districtpark.

On arrival, we saw cartons of old shoes and crocs donated by the public. Then we started to sort, check if vivable for wearing, then pairing up.

Then an station starts the washing and scrubbing. Boxes of the good ones took the queue to be looked new again. 3 of us took the sorting. It was not a simple job. As all sizes, colours of them were all over. Not easy to pair them up.

After about 3 hours of work, we stop for lunch around 1.30pm. We each have a burger and get the drinks from the vendor machine.

Near to an hour of rest, we took over the scrubbing from other volunteers. We were worried if we can finish all the jobs ending 4 pm as mentioned. Many hands help the work and we managed to finish on time.

After a good clean up, task completed, we took a group photo before leaving. It had been tiring. So when the shuttle took us back to Expo mrt, we decide to take a ride to Changi Airport and treat ourselves to Popeyes' chicken.

Though no pay off for the job, but it always good to do something meaningful to help the society and needy.

Hope we can be more involved with such voluntarily jobs in the future.

Geraldine's new born twins

This afternoon received an email from our supervisor that Geraldine, our colleague, had gave birth to a pair of twin boys. The boys had excitedly see the world a day ahead.

Initially, she had arranged to undergo Caserian operation on Sat 11 Jul 09. But maybe the pair prefer 10 Jul and they came earlier.

Months back, when we heard she is carrying twins, we feel very happy for her. This is an addition to the elder handsome boy, Gabriel aged 5.

In her inital stage, her tummy was not obviously. But then her twins grew well in her belly and we can feel her discomfort when moving around.

Now the mummy will be at home with the babies till Nov. Hope she enjoyed her motherhood as it is no joke looking after 2 at one go.

Next on line is our supervisor who will be due on late Oct. This is her 4th one and form a perfect family with 2 girls and soon 2 boys.

Keep it up to the mummies!!!

Job deployment

About few months back, boss together with HR, told us that our job is going to deployed to India.

Well, this is n0t something new as other banks had already been doing so.
Why? Simple - cost savings.

When we heard the news, the 10-person team of us, started to worry.

I can't deny that I may be the one most worried as losing the job is a nightmare to me.

My financial status had not be steady. The fixed expenses are high and not able to bring down to lower level. Generally they are all daily basic expenses - from the kids pocket money, household expenses, market costs etc... as the list goes on.

As days goes by, our mood at work was demoralised. About a month back, boss told me that I need to be in India for 4 weeks to train the staff there as they are taking over our job.

OMG 4 weeks - what will be the kids' reaction when they hear this. Well, they still need to be informed but probably when the date gets nearer.

At the same time, there is an open and confirmed role when our job is migrated.

That is to be a SME (subject matter expert) attached to one of the department overseeing the job. Initially I rejected it but boss felt that I should take on the role.

Reason being I can be of help to the team due to my experience and exposure to the work that I had been doing for the last 5 years.

After giving a thought, I decided to give a try on a very simple basic ground - a permanent job which means my ricebowl is 'protected'.

Now the whole team is busy clearing our work as it will be migrated to India towards end of the year.

Currently, a team of 4 from India had been with us learning the job for the third week. After which in about 4 weeks later, our team from Singapore will be flying there to train more staff at Pune.

Last weekend, after the voluntarily work, we went to Changi airport for tea break cum dinner. Over the meal, I finally told them about my trip to India. Surprisingly, they told the news coolly though they did told me not to go. But there is not much choice left.

Last night I went on facebook. A colleague, currently over there, posted some pictures she took. Noticed that the place is quite underdeveloped including the Mumbai airport.

Well, let's see how things go by and hope I can perform in my future role.

Wish me good luck!

Seven pounds

Earlier almost midnight I watch an English movie "Seven Pounds" by Will Smith.

Basically the movie is about a guy who wants to atone for his mistakes in the past. He then set out to make amends by helping seven strangers.

The movie starts off showing he called for ambulance for his suicide from the motel he stayed.

This guy - Ben Thomas was an IRS agent who went around to collect tax. He will only help those who are truthful and sincere. There was this lady who has heart condition and having problems paying the tax. This guy falls in love with her and tries to help her.

The movie went on with him meeting up some old friends and how the lady also has this liking in him.

In between there were some patients that had he had helped.

Only after Ben committed suicide the whole picture surfaced. His brother got a kidney transplant from him and another lady from the Family service dept had his other kidney.

He also donated his bone marrow to a little boy, gave his beach house away to a lady who was ill-treat by her boyfriend.

Back at the motel he stayed, he kill himself by getting the poisonous jellyfish to bite him. After his death, he donated his heart to the woman that he loved deeply and his pair of eyes to a blind pianist.

This 2-hour movie is very touching. He almost give up his body to the needy.

Well in real life, how many people is able to do such a good deed. If the society is so wonderful there will great then.

One job done

Yesterday we went out for a swim at CCK swimming complex. Then we went to the Yew Tee point nearby for dinner.

Since it was still not too late, we took MRT from Yew Tee to Bt. Batok station. Then a quick run at the Popular bookshop we bought some stationery.

After which we proceed to Harvey Norman to get the fan for our hall and a router for our lap top.

Upon reaching home, we fixed the fan first as that was an easy task. Finally we need not suffer the heat when watching tv in the hall.

Next the tough job was to set up the router to connect the laptop and pc for internet surfing.

I am a pc nerd. Ajit was helping but we just cant get it done.

Today as we do not have plan to go out, I intend to tidy up the pc corner as it was very messy.

Discard the unnecessary stuff, I tried to get the connection.
Guess what, I managed to get both the laptop and desktop connected to internet.

Wow! That is a job complete. Now the corner looked neat and tidy.

Well, a satisfactory job done on a beautiful sunday!