The clock is ticking fast...

The clock is really ticking fast.. In a twinkle of an eye, it is already the start of December! Fast huh..

December is a time where I have been waiting for, becos lots of events happening in at this time of the year, and one of my favourite festivities, Christmas, is also here.. and guess wat.. Christmas = SHOPPING!!!! Yeh!! Gonna get my gifts as soon as I can find the time to do so! =)

This week at office is like coming home everyday like 4-5pm.. quite shiok but pain to the wallet, becos this means not much OT to do, which is like less OT equals less money.. so ya..

Today at work, did my preparation for my stocktake tml.. YES! You see it right.. Stocktake AGAIN! but then its stocktaking different kind of stuff.. so ya.. But its like sianx lahx.. imagine myself have to work on Sundays, just because of that mere sum of money.. I would rather spend my time on improving my driving, than doing stocktake lohx.. haix.. but what to do? This is my job..

So I hope tml's stocktake will not like drag for any longer.. it will be as fast as possible, becos in the afternoon, I have another appt (and that is going to some gathering organised by Alvin's mum.. so ya.. but that would depend what time I finish lahx.. Choa Chu Kang lehx.. Darn far lah!)

Then came home, and then clean the dog's poo! (YOU SEE IT CORRECTLY!!).. then bathe and got out of the house to go to church..

I tell you.. today I was super blur.. I almost took the wrong direction of the MRT to get to church.. instead of going from Lavendar to Tanjong Pagar (train shld be heading towards Boon Lay), I actually tot of taking the train which is heading towards Pasir Ris. By the time I realised that I was about to board the wrong train, the right train has just closed its doors and left for another station.. I was like arghh..

Then because its like everyone else is going home after dinner and there seemed to be no after-church activities, I decided to go home and just rest for the nite, since I got to work tml morning.. so ya..

Then guess wat.. when I got home, the dog poo-ed again, and I clean the mess again.. arghh.. why dogs have to poo? Can't they do it at one go? My goodness!

That basically sums up my day lahx..

Oh.. just to update you all a bit.. remember in my previous post, I mentioned where to go for my mum's birthday dinner? I've tot of it liaox, and also discussed with my dad (becos both of us wld be sharing the dinner equally) liaox, and we decided that we would combine our annual Christmas dinner with my mum's birthday dinner, so it would be held on Christmas Eve (24/12) at Plaza Market Cafe, Raffles The Plaza Hotel. Eh.. think its cheap stuff? Think again, becos its international buffet.. it costs $62++ PER person (WITHOUT any form of alcohol/wine), but if we wld want a free flow of alcohol/wine, the price would be $78++ PER person, but then the food would be the same.. so practically speaking, paying $78++ PER person is like super expensive lahx, so both of us decided to go for the option of having no wine.. so ya.. but then again, though its expensive, but this is a once-a-year affair and also its my mum's birthday dinner.. so ya.. so have to give a good one mahx.. so I can say that it would be well spent lahx! =)

Ok.. b4 I turn in for the nite (have to like wake up at 0730 hrs tml, becos have to be in office like at 0930 hrs for stocktake.. sianx), here are some of the stuff that I would be counting down everytime I post a blogpost (for the mth of December only!)...

11 days to my Traffic Police Driving Test (12/12).
15 days to my annual Church Youth Camp (16/12 - 19/12).
19 days to my highly-anticipated Bintan trip (20/12 - 23/12).
23 days to my Christmas Eve cum mum's birthday dinner at Raffles The Plaza Hotel (24/12).

"Tick tick tick", goes the clock,
<<< abriel >>>

A boring week at work..

Well.. my work has been boring.. I dun koe why.. I'm at crossroads now, becos I just found another job offer from my poly's (btw, its Temasek Polytechnic) internet career portal..

And then what happens is that I also want to work there rather than AVA, but the paycheck I'm afraid is even lower than my current company's as well as AVA.. so ya.. I koe I shld not be obsessed in monetary gains or what, but well you see, this is my ricebowl.. If I don't earn enuf, how am I going to stay alive in Singapore?.. so ya.. that's why I tot twice..

Then today over the news, I heard that civil servants at the end of this yr would be getting up to 3.3 mths of their dunnoe what kind of bonus, and on top of that, they would still get their 13th month bonus.. so ya.. so you see.. all these are attracting me to go over to AVA instead of the latter.. so ya..

Have confided with Tjow in the afternoon via SMS regarding my crossroad decision, but unfortunately, he cldn't advice me more to just pray abt it, and just wait for the right moment..

So I told him that I was also thinking of that, but then I can't wait too long, fearing that if I do so, my probably potential place at AVA would be gone.. so ya.. but then again, I have not acquire my driving licence yet, so it may be a challenge if they based their hiring decisions on the driving licence.. so ya.. that's what I'm worried about!

So I don't even koe whether its God's Will for me to go join either one of the companies I've mentioned above, or just stick to my current one.. if so, then I just don't know how am I going to die!.. so ya..

But oh well.. Tjow has indeed gave me some really good and spritual advice.. so ya.. I shall pray abt it ya.. Thanks bro for the advice.. pray for me too ya! =)

Ok lah.. gtg and turn in soon.. tml another day..

At crossroads,
<<< abriel >>>

One of the BEST Sundays so far...

Well.. today is nothing more than what can I ask for!

I had loads of fun and food today, and everything was so smooth-sailing..

** Photo on left: Grooming in progress for my sis dog, "Precious", @ Pet Safari, Vivocity

Driving today was like so fun! After like 3 wks stopping my driving lessons, yesterday was my FIRST driving lesson for November 2007! so ya.. I thought my instructor is so gonna scold me becos as my close friends would know that I have a short term memory.. so ya..

But believe it or not.. I actually prayed so hard that I would remember all my stuff.. so ya.. and true enough, thank God that I actually able to drive all WITHOUT much difficulty.. at least I can parallel park more accurately and confidently liaox..

But I still did stall (but ONCE only, out of my 100 mins lesson) my car, but on a slope, becos I forgot the procedure! hahax.. I also almost forgot how to do emergency stop liaox.. but after that, it should not be any other problem lohx..

** Photo on right: "Precious" after grooming! (Taken by ME on my Canon Ixus 60)

I just hope that everything would turn out well on the day of test.. My driving today is actually one of my best (if not the best) performance after like my 10-11 mths of driving.. so ya.. How I wish that this was the test.. hahax...

After my driving, went to Vivocity to meet my family, as they were there to bring my sis dog, Precious, to go for grooming.. it was quite interesting at first, but then it became boring.. the whole grooming session took abt 3.5 hrs.. so darn long lah.. but then its worth it, becos the cut was like so nice lahx.. (you can see it from the photo on the right..)

I cldn't resist but to take a photo of the dog.. she is so cute lahx..

** Photo on left: My results from my retail therapy!
NUM Party Tank & RipCurl board shorts!

After that, went home briefly to deposit the dog and then my family is out and about again.. I decided to go for some retail therapy, becos its like I have not done so for quite some time liaox.. and just as I remembered, I actually am going for a Bintan trip soon, so the 2 items which I bought yesterday were definately come into good use!

Both stuff I got discount.. My NUM Party Tank was supposed to be $59.90, but becos I'm a member, therefore I only got it for $53.90. My RipCurl board shorts was supposed to be $89, but becos I pay by UOB Debit, I only got it $75.65! But in total, I spend like $129.55, I still feel guilty ya koe.. but then after seeing the 2clothing hanging in my cupboard, I felt very satisfied.. but oh well..

After my dad gave my family a treat at Pearl River Palace Restaurant.. Yummy! so ya.. and believe it or not, I was actually in the midst of asking them for the CNY Reunion Dinner menu.. and then, we are also in the midst of discussing where to celebrate my mum's birthday, as well also have our family's annual Christmas dinner.. so ya.. a few places came into mind, but thinking still in progres..

Ok lah.. tired liaox.. feel satisfied after my retail therapy and the yummilicious food! =).. working tml liaox.. sianx..

A satisfied shopper,
<<< abriel >>>

What a week!

Well.. I must say this week has been blessed and at the same time, tired..

Blessed is becos' my workload is slightly lesser and there are always enuf ppl downstairs, so that means I don't need to work till late at nite to finish up my paperwork.

But tired becos I have been toiling late nites, coming back after work and then try to do my admin stuff for AVA.. been feeling the toll on me already.. but I'm glad to say that its almost done.. just need a little more polishing up and then the right time, and viola!.. just hope I can get the job lah.. really can't take it liaox.. so ya..

Then today I witness a serious case of "gossip".. I don't believe ppl can appear in front so good, but at the back, speak bad about the person.. so ya.. but if really the gossip is through, then this person is really too much though I koe that this person has some difficulties.. so ya..

But other than that, I don't think that anything happened this week.. and I just want to jump ship!!! help!!!

The inspector in progress,
<<< abriel >>>

I almost died..

... with the amount of paperwork that I have to clear at work that is. What else do you think?

This morning was quite hard to wake up.. dun koe why.. there is a sense of excitement as well as a sense of worriedness..

Then the moment came where I entered office and behold.. I see LOTS of papers just lying around.. My pre-checked cups by my operators were 4 stacks high! And my table is so messy!

Then I took 1 whole day to clear my table and do the necessary filing and all, and guess wat.. I still can't finish.. the record checking is killing me.. by the time I wanted to do more overtime, I became lazy and my head is giving me a headache..

Afternoon I also did not have the appetite to eat my lunch though it was with my brother-at-work, Alex.. so ya..

Then its like when I went down, machiam I like a superstar.. hahax.. (I koe you all must be boo-ing away but its true wat! hahax..).. A lot of ppl say I'm super tanned.. so ya.. in fact, only a bit, they machiam say I like charcoal-burned! hahax..

Oh.. just as I'm writing this blogpost, I'm kenna attacked by a computer virus (which UNKNOWINGLY is send by one of my church friends in MSN).. so ya.. is a W32.Spybot.Worm virus.. my goodness. Thanks to my GOH buddy, Chee Yong, as well as also my handy Norton Internet Security 2007, it managed to detect and resolved my virus in the computer. Believe you me.. I was praying VERY hard that my computer would not crash or anything like that, becos I can't afford to do so.. so ya.. so this means I will continue to support Norton lahx! I'm just waiting for Internet Security 2008 Upgrade to be available in the market.. so ya..

Ok lahx.. I'm now very anxious about my job-changing.. but then again, it will all depends on God.. if this is the route that He has chosen for me, I will get it or else this window at AVA would be shut forever. So ya.. but something just tell me to just get out of MDI and go to AVA. It maybe my inner self or just my emotions? I don't know!

In Christ I trust,
<<< abriel >>>

Back to work!

Well.. today marks the end of my reservist. Of course, I have mixed feelings.. Happy becos it ended and no more Sunday book-ins.. but sad becos I would be missing my coursemates.. so ya.. but oh well..

Yesterday's dinner at Sakura was ok lahx.. can be compared to Pariss @ Tampines Mall.. but of course if you were to ask me which one I prefer, I would tell you none, becos I prefer Kuishinbo! =)

I just don't know why, I actually managed to "cut" into someone's conversation, and got a shock of my life.. one of my coursemates actually works in AVA (Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore), and he told me that the place there needs ppl as they have a recent high turnover rate.. this is very tempting for me to just jump ship, but then I think I have to wait till I get my 13 month bonus then I will see how... I believe that there is a chance for me to work in AVA becos its 5 day week.. so ya.. according to this coursemate of mine, he roughly koe my pay range and he said AVA actually offers more than me.. he even koes about my GM matter in office (becos he comes very often to my company to take samples).. that's super cool lahx! But have to see how loh.. Maybe will pray over it or something.
Probably at the end of this year, I will then start writing my resume to AVA and see how successful is it.

Other than that, I don't think that there is anything else to say, but then confirm, guarantee chop, I would definately miss my coursemates for sometime.. haix..

The sad emo me is starting to emerge,
<<< abriel >>>

FREEDOM!

Yey! I'm coming to the end of my reservist already! NO more SFI or restricted orders..

But then seriously thinking, I'm beginning to miss my NSmen life.. its like my 2 weeks in camp, I bonded very well with the other NSmen.. and its naturally that since we have bonded so well, its quite sad to leave them lahx.. but oh well.. this is how life goes lahx.

The past week in camp has been a sweet and sour experience.. Sweet experience is because we had lots of bonding time together as bunkmates/coursemates.. Sour experience is because we had to clean the gun like a gazillion times, and also kenna "mosquito buffet" whenever we are outfield.. in fact, I got a slight sunburnt on my face, and my hands are 2 different colours.. super ugly lah.. its like an uneven tan.. and guess wat.. I got even an uneven 'V' tanline on my chest.. haix.. During my whole course, I also kenna burnt by the hot barrel *(about 200 degrees celcius) like 5-6 times, and this is considered little already..

Yesterday booked out of camp at 2330 hrs after my night live firing shoot which ended like at 2150 hrs.. so ya.. real tiring..

Then don't know why.. this morning suddenly woke up at 0735 hrs.. don't know why.. I only slept at 0100 hrs this morning.. weird right?

Woke up and then unpack my army stuff.. then go run some errands.. then came home and enquire about my Internet & MioTV bill.. I tell you.. I'm gonna give that person who served me a piece of my mind when he calls me back..

Then its online and then write this blogpost loh.. Really tired.. going to church later, and its raining.. haix.. I hate when it rains..

Oh.. Fortunately yesterday during my live shooting yesterday, it didnt rain or else I would have been soaking wet and fall sick today.. so ya.. All thanks to my faithfulness in taking my vitamins everyday, or else, I would have fallen ill to the sick monster!

Ok.. got to run and catch you all soon ya..

The NSmen is experiencing a little more freedom now,
<<< abriel >>>

1 more week.. ENDURE!!

Well.. 1 week of reservice has passed, and ya.. guess wat! I'm missing it already and wished that it NEVER end! Yes.. you see it right! NEVER end!!

You may think I'm mad or something, but then at first I thought about it and think that this is true, becos its NOT the activities/lessons that I'm looking forward to, but the company (ie, my coursemates, and I'm NOT referring to the ppl I know, but actually, I refer to ppl I do NOT know!).. ya.. Some of the strangers in the course have become my good buddies already.. so ya.. and you koe me.. I'm those type which treasure friendships rather than anything else.. so ya.. so naturally these 2 wks of going through the same kind of "shit", would definately mean something to me.. so ya.. but oh well.. life still has to go on and I will definately cherish the balance 1 week!

This past week was theory and practical lessons.. This morning had 2 tests! Think I just managed to scrape through only, so thank God for that, becos I was so scared that I fail lahx! But thank God nothing of these sort happened!

This week in bunk sleeping overnite was at times good whilst at times bad.. Just on Wed (8/11) nite, I actually had a 4km route march the nxt day, and a stupid cat (dun koe from where) had the audicity to jump into my bunk and then "mewo-ing" away! It woke half the bunk members up (including me), and I was like so worried that the cat would then pounce on me! But thank God it didnt.. but then still, I cldn't sleep well that nite too.. so ya..

Other than that, I don't think there is anything else to report, except to say again that I hope my reservist would start all over again.. haix.. =(

Wishing life was like a VCR tape,
<<< abriel >>>

My break from camp!

Hey ppl! I'm back from my public holiday break, but booking in tonite.. haix..

Oh well.. here is an update of what happened over the past few days..

Monday (5/11) was like really sianx lahx.. I absolutely have no mood for anything in my stomach.. not even breakfast.. so ya..

Then the time came where I had to leave the house.. what I did was just to take a cab, and I tell you.. this taxi driver drive so slow lahx.. yes, there are a lot of cars and its raining, but then, there is no pt for the taxi driver to drive at 40-50 km/h! And he die die also dun want to overtake! I was like fuming mad! Lucky I was not late or anything like tat, or else I could have given that taxi driver a peace of my mind!

Then its seeing some familiar faces.. and then its settling down in the bunks.. ok.. the bunks are not as bad as I thought.. so ya..

Then is the interaction between my bunk mates.. so ya..

The instructors can be considered slack at times and sometimes not also lahx.. dun koe how to explain..

But as the days gone by, I got to know more people and their personality.. got to know them better.. in fact, I got to koe a NSmen (who is in my same course), who is from SAJC.. so ya.. but oh well..

Thank goodness all my coursemates were cooperative and all.. all easy to talk with and all.. so ya..

But the course I'm going through requires a lot of both technical and head knowledge.. it really takes a toll out of me.. never in my life I imagine I need to learn so many things.. so ya..

But oh well.. I just hope that I would be able to pass every single test, or else I may have a high chance to re-course and this is not what I want lah! so ya..

Anyway, got to go liaox.. got to do many things, before my book in tonite.. tml morning, there is a 4km route march.. haix.. bulky stuff and hope my back just don't give way!

Ok.. gtg liaox..

GPMG gunner in progress,
<<< abriel >>>

The last few hours of freedom!

Yes! Its right now that I would lose my freedom soon!

2 weeks reservist.. haix.. how I wish I could work! Serious! I don't really look forward to any of these lahx!

In fact, today I have totally lost my appetite! This just brought me back to the day of 2 yrs ago.. I actually felt the same way before I was enlisted.. haix.. its really sad lahx!

How I wish this time would never come.. but anyway, I did have some real encouraging commends from my church mates.. Thanks guys! I will come out stronger! wahaha..

This weekend was quite ok, except that there is this tinge of sadness that I just gonna suffer.. then just now, I receive a phone call from my ex-camp mate, and he was also in the same course as me.. He said last time he found out from them that there is like not really dig trench at all.. but then I hope it remains that way? Hope my back dun give way, so ya.. =)

But other then the dig trench issue, it shld not be scary.. I'm only afraid of the outfield, but then again, this is part and parcel of reservist.. haix.. but oh well..

I shall blog more when I get the chance to? Maybe 2 wks later? hmm..

Really sad and frighten as I don't know what to expect,
<<< abriel >>>

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 >>>