The reunion of SAJC!

My weekend was spent eating and eating! It was a weekend of fun and lots of catching up! Saturday night was spent at church, and go to White Dog Cafe for dinner after tat.. the food is so so lah, but the company was better! hahax..

But the best was not Saturday.. it was yesterday - Sunday that really made my weekend near to perfect!

Had a smacking good time yesterday man! Its really a day well spent, chatting up with old friends and just chilling out. I have not felt so good for eons!

The SAJC
(Sarah, Abriel, Joshua, Carlise) team @
Ben & Jerry, Dempsey Road.
The afternoon started when after church music practice, I was bored.. so I met up Joshua & Sarah earlier than our slated meeting time.. It was actually quite perfect I must say.. Ha..

Went to run some errands, by buying my all-expensive facial foam as well as my deodorant.. My toiletries supplies are simply getting low lahx..

** Picture on left: The Summer Berry Cake @ Ben & Jerry, Dempsey Road

Joshua came first to meet me, then Sarah.. so ya.. and guess where we spent the whole afternoon slacking.. its actually @ MacDonalds, Marina Square! hahax..

Joshua, Sarah & myself were just being silly and we just talk anything under the sun.. give updates of what happened in our lives over just 2 large packs of fries.. *sinful but yummy!*

Then its chatting halfway, and actually, I was not concentrating on the conversation.. hahax.. I was thinking where to eat dinner..

But our thoughts were all in vain! In the end, under the superb suggestion of Carlise, we went to Purvis Street & have the beef noodles! It was cheap and good!

** Picture on right: The girls (Sarah & Carlise) @ Ben & Jerry, Dempsey Road

Then after which, because Carlise has a car, therefore, under Joshua's suggestion, we went to Ben & Jerry @ Dempsey Road, and had our ice-cream and also to chill..

And for the first time in my life, I actually was so rush, that I bought 1 pint of Lemonade Sorbet, and its so good lahx!!

Was about to call my parents that I bought a pint of ice-cream, and suddenly, I saw my parents and aunty.. they came towards us.. it seems altogether so sudden lah!
I asked them why they were here (because they were supposed to be in hospital visiting my grandma who was just admitted to hospital yesterday for a knee operation to be conducted today).. so ya..
They told me is because my the other aunty suggested to come here for ice-cream after their dinner.. so ya..

** Picture on left: The guys (Joshua & me) @ Ben & Jerry, Dempsey Road

So ya.. but meeting my parents @ Ben & Jerry is super cool lahx.. hahax.. at least now they know why I said Ben & Jerry is good.. hahax.. =)

But ya.. yesterday was indeed one of the weekends that I enjoy the most, and wished it never ended! so ya.. but oh well.. those were happy memories, but they are etched permanently in my mind already! =)

Ok lahx.. gtg and sleep liaox.. too tired.. tml is another day.. haix.. oh.. I got my MioTV liaox.. super cool but took me an hour to just figure out how to "play" with the thing.. so ya.. I'm slow lah.. dun blame me.. =P

MioTV is way too cool lahx,
<<< abriel >>>

Ouch!

"Ouch" is the word to describe my feeling now! I actually sprain my back whilst at work.

Did not pick up the stuff (which is very heavy) at the correct position, and in the end, I twisted my back's vein.

My boss suddenly dun koe why so kind.. he call me not to do anything, just let him do it.. he even want to send me (by driving his car) to the company doctor opposite.. I of course didnt agree lahx.. didnt want him to waste money..

Then my boss asked me to go for such massage (aka tui na), and he recommended me the Malay one, which he always frequent. I didn't feel comfortable, so my section leader recommend me the one just down the road.. So ya.. so I went loh, and of course, my boss fetched me to the more "chee-na" one at Balastier from office and back home.. so ya..

Spend $31.50 altogether for this session.. and then, I've got to go back for another 3-5 more sessions.. so ya.. this would totally cost me a bomb lah.

Ok lah.. gtg liaox and surf other websites.. On MC today and tml.. Today MC not worth it actually, because I went to see the doc in the late afternoon (which is 1 hr b4 knocking off).. but wat to do? Tml 0.5 day MC.. so ya..

Sprain my back is no joke,
<<< abriel >>>

Weird..

2 weird things happened in my office today.. here's why..

Weird thing no. 1:

Don't know who is the kaypoh one in my office, actually had so much time to go to the locker room, and check on the operators to see who sleep and all, and worst still, told my GM that someone is sleeping in the locker room.. and true enuf, my GM went to the locker and saw tat sight.. so ya..

Email from GM then kenna send to all the dept head in the company, and he actually said in his email, "Why do you need the GM to go round catching people sleeping and all? Is GM so petty or you did not enforce discipline in your department?"

He also requests all the dept heads to tell their supervisors to constantly check the locker rooms as well, on top of looking after the production. What do he think we are? Superman?

My GM thinks that the supervisors/executives have so much free time on their hands, juz like him.. He thinks our time spent in office just revolves round walking up and down the building and check this and that, and make sure operators' discipline are well maintained, etc. No need for paperwork or other stuff. Also can knock off at 1600 hrs sharp. Well.. this is his thinking, and I'm sad to say tat this is just a dream of his, because it will NOT happen!! Company is not paying me for the extra overtime that I do, so why do you think I must slog for the company, in a way tat I only do my paperwork after my production has ended? My GM thinks all the executive staff is filthy rich like him!

Oh well.. thank God tat my GM did not take me to scold or question.. or else, I would have thrown my resignation letter right in his old and sulky face! Super angry lah!

Weird thing no. 2:

As I was walking home from NTUC (near my house), someone called out to me and I turned over.. and I saw this fat guy who is in his 30s.

He told me that he was from JB and had a friend come with him, but his friend is uncontactable, becos he left his work permit in his hostel which is in Boon Lay. Then he asked me how to walk to Boon Lay from my place (which is in the north). I was of course shocked lah, because no one in the rite mind would walk from my place to Boon Lay.. it would take hours! And he said how to go to expressway? He want to walk to Boon Lay from expressway!

Then after that, he started mumbling, and his acting was very good! He actually like almost act like a autistic child and then want to cry..

After all these drama, I guess in my mind, its either he want me to help him call his friend or lend him money.. but I was determined that either purpose, I'm not going to do it, becos I dun koe whether this is a scam and also, I'm very cautious about this money matters to strangers!

Anyway, I told him that I was in a rush of time, and therefore, I told him, "you just follow the road (which I pointed) and then you reach Boon Lay.."

Then he answered me in Mandarin, "so you are thinking that I should walk to Boon Lay?"

Then I answered him, "ya lah. wat to do? I no money".

Then he said "okok.. nevermind" (in a very pissed off manner)..

I didn't care and just walk away.. Then as I was walking away, I was thinking to myself, he thinks I don't koe how to recognise a Malaysian, becos Malaysians have an accent which is very distinct (and I hear it everyday!).. So if this guy really from JB, how come he no Malaysian accent? So obviously, can see this guy is a fake lah, and maybe he got a slight mental problem as well...

So ya.. today is really a day of weird encounters..

Got to go and sleep liaox.. tired..

Weird things do happen,
<<< abriel >>>

My boss is driving me nuts!

Its more or less official liaox lah! I've met my match and even worse.. he is none other than my boss!

My boss is super chiong-hay (cantonese for long-winded), and he loves diverting topics. For example, I'm on the topic of A and he suddenly can use this A situation to tell me B, and he would go on and on about B.
So that's why everytime I want to approach him and teach him something, I think twice, because I koe if I do so, I would either run the risk of him asking me tons of questions (like, why must do this, and can't do another way? What is the rationale?). If I can answer, its ok, but some questions that he asked, I didn't thought of it when my previous boss was around.. I just do what they said.. When my boss ask me why and all, I just answer him, "I don't know. I come in a year ago and its already like that."

And my boss is very "kia-si". He scared this and that.. then he kept thinking of other solutions to solve the potential problems, but then if its really implimented, it would either inconvenience the operators or myself or both!.. because talk is simple, but implementing it, would mean that it would be double work..
And by the way, its not those very serious problem. Yes.. there is a possibility that this would happen, but then the possibility is very very little, and maybe minute or none!

Then also, he is very strong-headed.. I'm also strong-headed as well, and neither one of us wants to give way.. So once I cannot beat him, I just go with the flow, but of course, with an attitude of care-less..

Just today, I taught him how to write the production report and all.. I can actually take only about 15-20 mins to explain to him, but becos of him asking me a lot and tons of questions, in the end, I spend close to an hour!

And my OT has already been ticking and over like nobody's business.. and here is he talking to me and all.. of course, I cannot just brush him off like tat, becos he is my boss.. but don't he know that my OT has gone over already? haix..

Tommorow would be another busy day for me, because I have to explain to my boss, the tougher part, and using some computer software (which I recently learnt) to help me generate the Material Requisition sheet. I just wonder how much water I would need to drink, and also, how much "blood I must vomit", and also how much time I waste, just entertaining his endless ridiculous speech.. haix..

My boss would be taking over my role for the 2 weeks that I'm in reservist.. so ha.. good luck to the operators! Who koes.. he may drive them nuts too! hahax..

But then I have to face tml first.. ahhhhhh....

Nuts I shall be,
<<< abriel >>>

My call to the nation..

As the day approaches, my feelings were getting more and more sian.

This is one time which I really wish I could work and slog my guts out, rather than go for my re-call to the nation! But what to do? I've got to just follow law by law loh.. haix..

My 2 weeks is sure to crawl by, rather than fly by..

Though they said my weekends and public holidays I would be able to come home, but then again, this is not confirmed.. I don't know..

Sometimes I really wish that my days would not pass so fast.. But frankly speaking, October 2007 is really a month which flew by so fast! Even my office people also agree! Its either we are super busy this month, or the days actually pass so fast and we just don't realise how fast time flies!

Anyway, today left office at 1600 hrs SHARP, and then came home, and immediately, I packed my reservist stuff, which took me a whopping 2.5 hrs! Don't ask me why so long, because I also don't know why!

But all is not lost.. I guess my only drive to carry on that 2 weeks of reservist, would be my Bintan trip, happening on 20/12 - 23/12 !! Yeh! Its successfully booked by my bro, Ashley.. so ya.. after so much trouble and all, its finally done! So ya.. really looking forward for it lahx! =)

Am also looking forward for next year to come fast, becos' I would really wish I could go to Sydney to celebrate my birthday!! so ya.. let's just see how lahx.. Most probably, I would start to find out the prices in Jan 2008, then say shortly before CNY, I would start booking, to avoid anymore additional surcharges, and also confirm my booking lahx.. so ya.. Am really hoping towards my Aussie trip!

Other than that, I don't think I've got anything else to update, except to say that my room is FULL of NS stuff.. I've got a pile just right beside me now, on the floor.. haix..

Life is a roller-coaster ride,
<<< abriel >>>

My new toy.... !

Well.. its not what you are thinking lahx.. haix.. disappointed in you all!

** Photo on right: My Logitech Webcam

Anyway, I've got a new toy on my computer, and tat is none other than a Logitech Webcam! Quite fun to play with.. I can do webcam messenging liaox! Woohoo!!

Was shopping at Vivocity, and I went to Challenger to get the webcam.. It was a good deal actually.. Original price where they sell this webcam to the public is $59.90, but I got it for only $39.90, because I'm a member in Challenger mahx!

Then I also got a 1GB thumbdrive for my office, becos I simply have too many diskettes to store my documents in office.. so ya.. Price sold to public is $29.90, but I got it only for $20.90, becos I'm a member.. so ya..

So I was happy lahx.. =).. Gadgets just make me happy!

I think that shld be all to update liaox.. nothing much lahx..

Gadget boy,
<<< abriel >>>

Rants & more rants..

Well ppl.. My week has been fairly busy as you can see.

My new boss came in on Mon (15/10), and he is actually ok.. except that he is very longwinded and also a bit indecisive at times.. for example, he would agree to what we all say, especially my executive colleague.. SOmetimes, I just wonder does he have a mind of his own?

Then my boss and me has like an age gap of 26 yrs.. so what do you expect? Go figure!

And what's worse is that my I have already hit my OT cap of 76 hrs.. and in fact, I'm already into my 87th hour, and there is about 2 more wks to go.. so you say leh? I'm just doing it FOC for my company.. this is super sianx lahx..

Paperwork in office is piling up, and its like after I finish 1 thing, another thing just pop up.. and with my boss being new, and sometimes the things he don't know, he ask me.. and once he asked, that would take me about 15-30 mins.. so that means its either dragging my OT time or wasting my time to do other stuff..

I think maybe he has forgotten that I have a group of staff downstairs, and I have to go down and supervise them, instead of staying in the office to rush my paperwork?

Then my boss also very funny.. he goes down to Production floor and see the process and observe, but he seldom see how we do the packing or wrapping, and he has never like learn how to wrap and all.. like try and all.. he didnt even bother to come to packing..

Then he also asked me, "why the packing ppl so free?".. I was like because they have nothing to do.. there is nothing for them to do.. I can't simply find things for them to do rite? Last time my previous boss also never say anything.. haix..

Sometimes I don't really know what my current boss is thinking.. over kan-cheong? very scared aka pai4 si3? I dun koe.. This is the impression that he gave me during his work week of 5 days! haix.. Maybe he would learn to be strong, when he is all left alone, when I go for my ICT in Nov.

We just see how lahx..

Church yesterday was fantastic! Tjow was the facilitator aka preacher.. fwah bro! You rock yesterday lahx! I can safely say tat yesterday was one of the best , if not the best session I've had in the Habitude Experience! =).. I think Tjow can be a preacher liaox! He combines his experience with the Word.. that's very good lahx! Keep it up bro!

Then after tat, dinner was at Sizzler Toa Payoh.. Fantastic dinner as well! Wanted to go Sizzler Suntec, but then too many ppl.. so in the end, we went to the Toa Payoh branch.. we ate until they closed, just like the old times with Wendy and the rest of the HCC clique.. it really brought back real good memories.. so ya..

Ate the usual Salad Bar, which I must say its very satisfying! so ya.. So yesterday was like one of the best church services and fellowship after church! =).. Almost the whole Youth went over to Sizzler.. if I count coreectly, its 22 ppl! tats big huh! =)

Then this morning went for driving.. Can see the instructor just teach me for the sake of driving.. so ya.. but oh well.. today made quite an improvement.. didn't stall so much.. only 1 time, but that was accidental.. so ya.. can see my driving improve liaox, only I still suck at parallel parking, which I hope I can impreove in the near future..

Then came back home, and came online.. to do up this blog.. so ya.. Got to go out with fmaily later for some family time.. so ya.. need to enjoy myself to the max, before my reservist.. and pls dun remind me of it.. arghh...

Ok.. gtg liaox..

Enjoying my weekend after a hard week,
<<< abriel >>>

Updates for the week..

Ok ppl.. its official.. this mth, I confirm work FOC (free-of-charge) in terms of my OT, for my company, becos its like I'm into half the mth, and I already clock 62 hrs, I got another 14 hrs more and that's it.. 14 hrs for me is very easy for me to hit. Give me 1 week, and this 14 hrs is considered gone! Ya.. I'm tat busy!

I so busy during the week that actually for the whole of this week, I actually spend 2 consecutive nites working from 0730 hrs - 2330 hrs, and waking up at 0600 hrs to go to work and the cycle starts all over again..

Lots of stuff for me to settle.. My paperwork seems never-ending.. its like I one person do so many ppl job, including the manager's!

But all is not lost lahx.. my new manager is coming tml to work, so at least I can "taichi" some of the work (done by my previous boss) back to him, and giving him the excuse that we have no time to do it.. so he has to do it, since managers spend lesser time in Production, but more time in office to do paperwork.. so ya..

Just wondering what is the working style of my new boss.. hmmm.. we shall see.. we shall see..

Ok.. tats abt work and tats about all..

Yesterday at church, and had youth camp mtg after tat.. And everyone in the Committee is supposed to brainstorm games for island-wide game for Youth Camp.. and the worst thing is tat I can't think of any, becos its been eons since I left Poly, and now, I have to think.. oh no.. I just hate it when my memory fails me.

Then this morning, had my usual driving lesson by this instructor, which is also not bad.. he on the radio whilst teaching.. ha.. nice and funny chap.. =)..

After tat, went to Youth Leaders' Meeting and discuss quite a no. of issues.. Also discussed is the Youth Leaders Retreat 2008 @ Aranda Country Club from 05/01/08 - 07/01/08. So ya.. Quite looking forward to that actually.. hahax..

Then after mtg, went lunch with the mtg ppl.. and Tjow was of course there.. and I just told them tat I maybe going to Sydney at end of March 2008, and then suddenly, we just talk about Sydney.. after talking, I somewhat koe where to go and wat to do.. so ya.. wats not confirmed is whether I'm going.. but judging by the afternoon's conversation, it seems like I'm 90% die die want to go lahx.. so must save money I guess, and I mean really save!.. Estimated budget for this is like I plan at least $2500. So ya..

Then after tat, I went to Raffles City with my dad to just window shop.. and I actually picked up a MioTV brochure (I signed up after much reluctance, which is a long story.. if you want to koe, ask me.. lazy to type out!), and a musical, "Beauty World", which I'm interested to watch @ Esplanade. Got in mind a kakki liaox, but depend on whether the person agree or not lohx.. will update you all as time pass..

Ok lah.. gtg and sleep liaox.. very tired.. got to work tml, and have to be in office early.. dun want to let my boss have a bad impression.. hahax.. he super early one lohx.. I guess tat by about 0715 hrs, he shld be in office liaox.. hardworking chap.. so ya.. Just wish me all the best and I really hope that this wld be a good boss.. better than my previous.. hahax.. we shall see..

I will cya when I cya!

Sydney, I LOVE YOU!!!!,
<<< abriel >>>

A promotion on the way?

Well.. I have to admit that these few days, I have not been to production floor often.. becos its like I've got countless things to settle in office.. Its like this thing is settled, and another just pops up.. its like never-ending lahx..

Then now its like I do a lot of paperwork.. also learning the computer programme who I would be doing it part-time, in the event that my executive colleague is on leave.. so ya.. and tat really takes me a LOT of my time.. so ya..

Moreover, there are new forms to be done, as some of the forms I want my clerk to help to send to photocopy, alignment is out, so I have to spend time to re-do it.. then a lot of stuff have to key into computer.. so ya.. Now I think I'm more of like rather a Production Executive rather than a Production Supervisor.

Recently, I have also been interacting with my boss a lot as well, becos everytime pester him to sign the timecard for my resigned staff, as well as loads of forms..

Just like today, I've got some samples from the Purchasing Manager, and I emailed over the Purchasing Manager and ask her what she want me to do with the samples. She replied and therefore, I went over to ask my boss whether he got the form.. so ya.. he also tell me what to do..

Then after filling up the form, I explained to him in detail about what is going on, and he seemed impatient.. I think he find me longwinded, but I don't care. I rather explain to him clearly, rather than he ask me to explain.. so ya..

Then today, my boss send an email over to my email address, and ask me to like go and help to attend to some guests on 18/10 (Thurs), and show them around the factory (in my dept of course).. so ya..

My new boss has already came by that time, but weird.. he called me to do instead.. so ya.. but oh well.. kenna aimed, I can say no meh?

So all these factors make me think that I'm going to promote soon? I don't know. I just realise that I have taken a lot of responsibilities in my work.. For example, I was being newly recruited to be in the company's Safety Committee, and I represent my department.. usually its my previous boss, but becos he has resigned, so I have to take over. Anyway, its like they require someone from my dept to be sent for First Aid Course. And if I'm not wrong, I can safely say that I should be the first few (if not, the first) that actually submit the name of the person who is going to attend to the course.

Then nxt mth I'm going for my In-Camp Training (ICT), believe it or not, I have already informed the main ppl in the Safety Committee that I wont be attending the next mtg as it clashes with my ICT.. so ya.. I even looked for my replacement already.. I should think that they are quite impressed with my efficiency? Hahax..

But of course all these, I have to thank God for giving me good workers and thus, making my full-workforce downstairs, and tat's why I can do my paperwork in peace and all.. so ya..

Ok lahx.. enuf of crap.. Got to run liaox..

Promotion I hope is coming my way,
<<< abriel >>>

Chilling out @ Timbre!

Well peepz.. I wanna say a BIG sorry to all my faithful readers.. Have been busy lately with work (what else?)

Last week was totally horrendous at work.. everyday work on average until 2200 hrs.. At one nite last week (can't remember which one), I actually left office at 2330 hrs, and next day got up at 0600 hrs to start to cycle all over again, and back home like 2230 hrs.. totally tiring.. I spend my last 5 working days totally lethargic!

Yesterday at church was one of my fun days after so long.. I really totally miss my church mates yesterday.. Its like though I've been missing in action for 1 week, but it feels like I've not seen them for a month! I'm serious! so ya.. thank God for friends like these =)

** Photo on right: Brothers chilling out at Timbre (celebrating Ashley's birthday).

And yesterday was Ashley's birthday, so decided to go out with the gang to just go somewhere to chill out..

We first went to Central @ Clarke Quay to eat "Pepper Lunch" for dinner.. It was quite tasty, but then serving a bit too small and quite expensive.. I had the combo meal (where its 2 types of beef - a hamburger patty, and some slice of beef) and it comes with a bowl of rice as well as a soup/drink, and that costs me like $14.80 !! Ya.. its that expensive, but its nice lahx.. better than MOS Burger.. so ya.. =).. Oh.. did I tell you I like the beansprouts? Becos everything is served to you on a hotplate, and you can cook your beef according to your taste, as well as adding the brown sauce and some salt & pepper to the beansprouts, and it becomes oiishi-nei (japanese language word for "delicious")

After that, under the recommendation of my bro, Andrew, the gang (consisting of andrew, nat, ash, pk, sebastian & myself) went to Timbre to just chill out..

This is the second time I had so much liquor outside.. ha.. I had a Caipirinha (which is a mixture of cacacha, lime juice and brown sugar).. its absolutely refreshing lahx.. its a bit too much lime juice and not enuf alcohol.. so ya.. but I still like it..

Then we all share 2 jugs of cocktails (one is Jack Daniel + coke - which I didn't like, and another is the Long Island Tea).. Long Island Tea for me is much easier and better to drink, but not as potent as the one I had at DXO.. so ya.. so I didn't really get drunk..

After a while, Joshua came to join us.. so ya.. then before we end off the nite, Sebastian, Ash, Andrew & myself ordered a Heinekken bucket of 5, where each of us had one bottle of Heinekken beer and it was like getting quite slow, becos I was so full with the food and all.. so ya.. so I finished half my beer within one go, and after tat, I almost want to vomit.. ha.. but I didnt lahx..

Oh.. the food there is not exactly world best, but quite value for money, esp. the seafood platter! Ha.. its even cheaper and more worth it than Fish & Co.. so ya.. Had also the thin crust Timbre Hawaiian Pizza, which I don't really like, becos no ham (which they claim is parma ham).. haix..

But oh well, its the company that matters, rather than the food.. so ya..

Then after which, came home by cab.. and then gorge down 1 lire of water (to prevent hangover).. so ya..

Woke up this morning and went for driving lohx.. Driving was ok.. same instructor, but same problem.. always never lift up clutch.. so ya.. sianx.. I shall improve it on lohx..

Ok lahx.. got to go and cacth some of my handsome sleep.. wahaha..

Eyes wide shut,
<<< abriel >>>