by Glittering Angel @ 12:22 am || 0 Comments

Thursday, February 16, 2006

Ex-colleagues

Got a surprised sms today from Sally, my previous Senior Manager back in last job. She had tendered her resignation and her last day would be on 5 March 2006. It was really alarming cos I know all along how attached she is to the company. For someone who have served 25 years in a company to tender her resignation can only mean 2 things. Either she is ready for retirement or she is really so disappointed in the management. From what I know of Sally, she would not retire so early as she had always been mentioning on keeping the brains agile and putting one's expertise or experience to good use. Apparently it is the latter reason on why the resignation.

Prior to today's news on Sally's resignation, I learnt during the Chinese New Year period that Janice, an ex-colleague who used to be in the same department as me had tendered too and left the company before Chinese New Year. For Janice, I know that she was really disappointed and just wished to take a break till she finds a new job.

Both Sally and Janice were the ones who made it worth staying in my previous company during my stint there. Somehow, I do feel a little sad that they had left or would be leaving due to utter disappointment in the management. I am not sure what was going on but I do feel for them as my departure was also due to me being unable to reconcile with the management's decisions. I can almost feel how sad or disappointed Sally must have been, especially when she had been with the company for 5 dynasties (i.e. she has seen a change in management 5 times). Perhaps she is tired and honestly, she should take a break. In a way, I am happy for her too.

I also learnt recently of a few other ex-colleagues who had resigned. Some had found greener pasture and I am glad for them. Others are still taking a break and looking around for opportunities after their resignation. I guess I am fortunate that I start work the next day after my last day in my ex-company. I do like to keep myself busy and cannot imagine not doing anything and taking a long break. A short break is good. I gonna be planning for a Bangkok trip in May. Need to do more shopping to relieve stress. Retail therapy always helps. A lot in fact. Speaking of which, I may order from VS again. Meanwhile, I do wish all my ex-colleague good luck in their future endeavours.

Labels: Work

by Glittering Angel @ 12:25 am || 0 Comments

Sunday, February 12, 2006

My little Pulau Ubin adventure

Just got back from Pulau Ubin today. Was so tired and my whole body was aching. I got to say that I was totally impressed with the little boy scouts through and through. Well, I was actually at Pulau Ubin with 5 scout leaders and 13 scouts, all either 13 or 14 year old.



We cycled from the jetty to the Noordin Beach, which is near the National Police Cadet Corps (NPCC) Campsite. It took about 20 minutes to cycle there and by the time we reached there, the boys had already pitched the tents and all preparing dinner. Small branches were scraped with swiss knives to hold the chickens which were ready to be roasted. With rocks blocking the wind direction, fire was started with merely twigs and charcoal. There was rice, sausages and vegetables too. Soon, dinner was served, in mess tins. Simple and nice, especially the yummy rosterie chicken.

After dinner, we were just cleaning the area and also chatting around. Actually the boys were cleaning and I was chatting with the 5 leaders. The boys then started to hover around the 4 fishing rods. Earlier in the day, they had learnt the basics to fishing and setting up the fishing rods. Anyway, we caught 2 fishes that day but 1 was a catfish which could not be eaten and we released it back to the sea.

Soon it was 9.30pm and we decided to start our night cycling. With no torches and merely light sticks hanging behind each of us (for the person behind to follow), we started cycling in a single file. There were 2 patrols and the patrol leader from each patrol was leading. They were using yellow and blue light sticks. The leaders and myself were using red light sticks.

Cycling back to the jetty was kinda eerie but thank goodness the moon was quite full yesterday (since today is 15th day of the lunar month, i.e. full moon) and the moonlight did aid us quite a fair bit. Not exactly an excellent cyclist, I was anxiously following the lightstick in front of me all the way. There were weird noises during the ride but I ignored both my sides and just continued cycling. It was really quite spooky and it did not help that dogs kept barking whenever we passed by some houses.

We stopped by for some chilled coconuts near the jetty. The shop closed at 10pm and it was indeed relaxing to sip the coconut juices while enjoying the night breeze. I could not remember how long we were there but we left for Balai Quarry after that.

The ride to the quarry was more arduous with bumpy paths and slopes. And when we passed by the cemetry, I froze. It was so chilling and dogs were howling nearby. All of us kept quiet and sped with lightning speed forward. Actually, there were other creepy encounters that the few of us experienced but I rather not mention. When we finally reached the quarry, everyone was so relieved. After cycling through so many puddles of dirty water and with some of the boys' bicycles caught in the mud, we were so glad to finally reach our destination.

The journey back to the jetty and then back to Noordin Beach again was equally spooky. What was worse was that one of the leaders' bicycle had some problem suddenly with the chain coming loose from the gear. The rest of us cycled back first while one of the leaders stayed behind to help. By the time we reached Noordin, it was already 2am. The clouds were threatening and the wind was fierce. We were all freezing. I headed to my tent to sleep about 3am while the boys and 2 leaders continued to fish. One patrol was on duty till 4am and then after 4am, another patrol was woken up to be on duty.

When I woke up, it was 7am. My body was aching. I quickly washed up and the boys prepared breakfast for us. Instant noodles and sandwiches. Not too bad. This was followed by some battleship game the boys were playing. Because they are both land and sea scouts, they have to be trained on sea signals and the battleship was based on the signals sent. Eventually the losing patrol got to take down the tents and also packed everything up before we cycled out to the jetty. Everyone was so exhausted and it did not help that we were lugging our heavy bags.

The bumboat ride back to Singapore island was a slow one though it was less than 30 minutes. We stopped by Changi Village to have Nasi Lemak before heading home. And I tell you, I gonna collapse on my bed!

Labels: Exercise

by Glittering Angel @ 9:28 pm || 0 Comments

Tuesday, February 07, 2006

We all just wanna be babies

I'm no Chinese movie fan but got a pleasant surprise when I accompanied Mummy to watch Jack Neo's latest flick I Not Stupid Too. The story line really echoes how Singaporen parents treat their kids. A true reflection on how many parents never really understand their kids.

When we were young...

• Mummy and Daddy praised us when we took our first step. "Oh, baby can walk now. So smart!" were the words ringing in our ears.

• Mummy and Daddy taught us to persevere on and continued walking when we fell after attempting to walk our first few steps. We cried, screamed and kicked but were only faced with further encouragement.

• Mummy and Daddy showed us how to write our ABCs and when our spelling tests got full marks, an ice cream treat would be awaiting. We were rewarded even for the smallest achievement. Ice cream never tasted so sweet. Really.

However, as we grow older, journeying from primary school to secondary school and then obtaining a tertiary education, Mummy and Daddy forgot. Forgot to encourage us, to praise us or to even reward us.

• When we tried, be it bothering to tidy our beds when we woke up or to do your homework daily or to buy little gifts for them on special occasions, Mummy and Daddy praised us no more.

• When we excelled in a sports, Mummy and Daddy would express that academic was more important as paper qualifications mattered. We lost the perseverence to walk our interests no more.

• When we got 90 marks for our exams, we were not good enough cos we could have gotten 100 marks. Mummy and Daddy would now constantly remind us of how well other kids were doing. The only reward now was more assessment books and tuition sessions.

All parents love their kids and like I said, they probably forgot how to praise, teach and reward appropriately as their beloved children grow older. And now, perhaps kids all just wanna be babies. Yes, we know you meant well but Mummy and Daddy, it will feel so wonderful if you can tell me that I am a good girl/boy today. As with any other day. And with your soothing words, I am sure I will keep trying hard and to strive further.

Labels: Movie

by Glittering Angel @ 12:43 am || 0 Comments