Enquiry On Course Sponsorship

After I made the decision to gain better professional recognition, I spoke to my Human Resource Manager on whether I can get the company to sponsor the course I intend to take. She told me it can be done, and I just need to get my immediate superior and our Chief Finance Officer to sign the approval, after which I just have to submit to the Human Resource department for review and approval.

If the company does sponsor me the course, there will be a period where I would need to be bonded. I have checked and all the fees add up to about S$4,000.00 the most for the entire course. So for that amount, I will just need to serve a six to nine months bond upon completion. Not too bad! But of course, during the period where I was doing the course, I have to stay in the company.

The other terms and conditions are that I have to clear all the papers at first try. If I have to repeat any paper, that will be on my own expenses. That is a given, the problem is I have no idea if I can clear the papers on first try because those are subjects which I have proven to be not proficient in and it will be on a full examination basis, with no assignments, quizzes and tests.

Oh well... I just have to see if my boss agrees to send me for the course!

Distressing News Over A Week

This post is a bit late, as I was busy with the Youth Olympics, then it was back to rushing assignments again. In any case, last week, within a week, I came across two cases which really depressed me.

The first was on a dog being bashed to death. Apparently, it was done by someone mentally unsound. He threw and hit the dog against the wall, and the dog died of internal bleeding. I am always full of anger whenever I hear of any form of animal abuse! What made it worse is that the unfortunate dog looks so much like my own dog! How can I then stand anyone killing a dog?

What made me angrier was that there were eye witnesses! There were actually people who went to see what the commotion was about, saw the guy killing the dog, and just stood there and stared without doing anything! If it was me, I would have rushed to save the dog, no matter what happened! What was the worst that could happen? I could get beaten up by the mad man, but I would not have died from injuries, because I am so much bigger size than that poor dog!

Have the people here become so robotic that if no one told them, they would not take the initiative to do something right? Is something cruel happening in front of them just a show to them?

Some time ago, I wrote about staring incidents, where people witnessed an accident and the poor guy was lying bleeding on the street, yet no one went forward to help, and all only stared and did nothing, as if staring could help the poor guy get back to life. By the time the ambulance came, it was too late to save him.

This case of the poor dog is the same - people just stared without doing anything. Or is it because they deem that a dog's life is not valuable? Who is to judge which living thing's life is more valuable or not? Personally I much prefer a dog. A man can let you down, but a dog will always be loyal.

When men cheated me and played me out, my dog was the one who comforted me when I was down, who stuck with me when he knew I was upset, who tried to be nice even when I was angry and lost my patience, who waited for me and bounded up whenever he heard me coming back home. Just looking at him perks me up.

I believe most, if not all, people who have ever owned or currently have a pet will feel the same way. So I can never imagine how anyone can ever have the heart to kill a dog, or just witness a dog being killed without doing anything about it! In my opinion, these people are all equally cruel and under the law, they can be considered accomplices to a murder!

Just two days later, there was news about a gunman holding a tourist bus hostage, and the ensuing riot caused about eight deaths. People I know are in an uproar over this matter. Alright, he was dismissed, he felt frustrated, he was in a fury, but did he think he was the only one who was in that position? How many people have been dismissed from their employment?

Even my company had cut headcount and quite a number of my former colleagues were asked to go, just like that. They did not do anything wrong. So in this case, would they then have to take the company hostage and threatened to kill the rest of us just to get their jobs back? In what way could this help their situations?

Reading articles like these really sadden me, that human beings are supposed to be the most intelligent of the animal species, yet some behave more cannibalistic than other animals around.

A Teachers' Day Gift

I have not received any Teacher's Day gift for a long time now. Today I was pleasantly surprised when one of my Cathechism kids greeted me with a big chocolate chip cookie, wrapped up like a lollipop, with the words "Happy Teachers' Day", the moment I stepped into the class.

That really made my day. It makes me feel that all the scolding, frustration and losing of patience were worth it because at the end of the day, the kids (and their parents) do appreciate the time and effort we put in.

At the end of the lesson, another kid came up to me and gave me a packet of small cookies. Then some of the other kids said they would give us the gift next week, to which we said no need.

At least we did not face the class week after week in vain! Teachers' Day is on 1st September, and I must remind myself to greet all my friends who are still in the education sector!

Gaining Professional Recognition

Now that I am in this company for some time and doing the kind of work I do, I realise that without theoretical knowledge, a lot of things cannot be done, as in I am not able to rise up higher as I would have liked. Everything requires papers, and if one does not have the appropriate qualifications, be it academic or professional, one cannot really go that far, even though one has managed to learn a lot on the job and gained some experience.

I already do not have a practicing license, which puts me at a disadvantage over many others. In our local society at least, every industry requires upgrading. For instance, those in the Finance line have to work towards their Certified Public Accountant qualifications for them to be truly recognised. Hence, many of my colleagues take courses from the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants just to get their professional recognition.

Those in the Property line have to get their Real Estate license. Those in the insurance line have to get their Certified Financial Planner. Those doing audit even have to get their Certified Internal Auditor qualifications, all these to gain professional recognition. There is also the Certified Financial Analyst course. Just a mere degree or two or even a Masters and appropriate job experience is not enough nowadays.

For someone like me, if I do not cross the bar and get a practising license, I can never practice as a full fledged lawyer. This already limits me where job scope, prospects, remuneration and promotion are concerned.

Hence, to really gain a better edge, I am seriously considering the Professional Programme at the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators. By specialising in Corporate Finance and Governance, it is the only way I can rise up and take on more responsibilities. Career prospects will be better for me too, despite not having a practising license. Plus, if I manage to get the professional qualifications, it will also help me greatly if I do get a practising license in the future!

I went to check out the course and see that it is in two parts. One has to pass all the modules in the first part before going on to the second part. There are four modules in each part. One can take two modules per semester, and finish the whole course in two years. The professional qualifications will only be conferred when one completes all the modules in both parts.

The modules in the first part are : Financial Accounting, Taxation, Corporate Law and Strategic and Operations Management. Financial Accounting touches on Fundamentals of Financial Accounting, Methods of Financial Measurement, Accounting Theory and Regulation, Structure and Content of Financial Statements, Valuation of Assets and Liabilities, Group Accounts, Foreign Currency Transactions, Capital Reduction, Reorganisation and Reconstruction, and Interpretation of Accounts - Cash Flow and Ratios.

Taxation touches on Basic Tax Concepts, Tax Administration, Income and Deemed Income, Deductions, Capital Allowances / Wear and Tear Allowances, Unincorporated Businesses, Personal Reliefs and Tax Rebates, Taxation of Employees, Taxation of Business, Taxation of Overseas Income, Taxation of Non-Residents and Withholding Tax, Outward and Inward Investments, Taxation of Specialised Businesses, Investment Incentives, Tax Avoidance and Evasion, and Goods and Services Tax.

Corporate Law touches on the Nature and Formation of a Company, Constitution of a Company, Capital of a Company (Share Capital and Loan Capital), Directors, Auditors and other Company Officers, Shareholder Remedies, and Companies in Difficulty.

The first part of Strategic and Operations Management touches on Strategic Management like Nature of Strategy, Corporate Environment, Strategic Analysis, Choice and Evaluation and Planning Techniques.

The second part is on Corporate Management like Organisation - Structure and Culture, Managing Change, Managing Communication, Managing Operations, Managing Knowledge and Information, and Managing Quality. The third part is on Team Leadership like Nature of Leadership, Managing Performance and Leading, Developing and Managing Teams.

The modules in the second part of the course are : Corporate Administration, Corporate Financial Management, Corporate Secretariat and Corporate Governance. Corporate Administration touches on Role and Functions, Knowledge and Information, Human Resource, Insurance and Risk Management, and Corporate Assets.

Corporate Financial Management touches on Financial Objectives and Requirements, Sources of Finance, Share and Loan Capital, Capital Structure and the Cost of Capital, Working Capital Management, Capital Investment Appraisal, Business Restructuring / Reorganisation, and International Aspects.

Corporate Secretariat touches on four parts. The first is the Secretariat, Board and Members, like the role , functions and duties of the Secretariat, Dissemination of Information and Decisions, Communications with Shareholders and Other Stakeholders, and the Types, Roles, Duties, Responsibilities, Liabilities, Appointment, Rotation, Removal, Retirement and Disqualification of Directors.

The second part is on Corporate Compliance, touching on Company Formation, Memorandum and Articles of Association, Filing of Returns, Corporate Governance Overview, Annual Report, Appointment, Removal and Rights of Auditors, as well as Retention of Records and Statutory Registers.

The third part is on Law and Practice of Meetings, Shares, like Composition, Roles and Proedure of Board Meetings, Types and Purposes of Committees, Types of General Meetings, Composition of Meetings, Role of Chairman, Resolutions in Writing, Minutes and Minute Books, as well as the Appropriate Conduct and Management of Meetings

The last part is on Share Capital and Share Registration, like Regulation of the Securities Industry, Types of Shares and Loan Capital, Markets and Listing Requirements, Share Capital - Allotment, Purchase, Treasure, Alteration, Company Register's Function and Managing Employee's Share Scheme.

Corporate Governance touches on Definitions and Objectives of Corporate Governance, Regulatory and Ethical Framework, Basis of Sound Governance Practice, Company Secretariat and Corporate Governance, Board of Directors, as well as Internal and External Audit.

Essentially, this course will allow me to give advise on the on-goings of a company like share issues, capital injection, initial public offerings, tax consultancy, listing, mergers and acquisitions, amalgamation, liquidation, incorporation, board meetings, press release, announcements, etc. As one can see, this course covers just about everything from Finance to Law to Audit to Compliance to Management. Hence it is a pretty useful course if one get to graduate from it!

The only thing is that I am not a mathematical / financial person. The one brief time I took up Accounting, I failed so badly as my balance sheet can never balance and my Profit and Loss Statements always made a loss.

Furthermore, this course operates on a 100% examination basis, so whatever work I was doing throughout would not help at all. And people know how I feel about examinations nowadays. It would be a waste of time and money if I attempted a paper and in the end failed it, without anything else to fall back on.

If I am to take this up, it will be concurrently with my other course. That itself is not a problem as I just have to learn how to manage, but I worry I may not have the energy to do everything. I am no longer as young as during my tertiary years after all.

But still, a short term sacrifice leads to a long-term gain. I just need to grit my teeth and struggle for two years, after that I can gain professional recognition and much better prospects than what I can have now.

Now I just have to see if my company is willing to sponsor me for the course, and how long I need to be bonded if they do!

The Handball Game

I have never heard of handball until I started helping out at the games. I was very curious to see what the handball game was like, so when I found out I was doing the media stand on the first day of the handball games, I was quite excited.

As I watched the games, I figured the handball is like a variation of the volleyball, basketball and football (soccer). It was played in an indoor court, had goalposts like soccer, and yet you hit the ball like a volleyball. In other words, it is a hand soccer.

You pass the ball from one to another using your hands instead of kicking it around and you throw the ball into the net where the goalkeeper will try to block or hit it out, instead of kicking it out.

Cool! One learns something new everyday! This seems like a very interesting sport indeed! I only wonder if we have a girls' handball team here since there only seems to be the boys' team representing the country?

Different Types Of Fencing

Now I am hooked onto fencing! I have been fascinated with fencing for a while now, as it is only gaining in popularity in recent years, with the setting up of fencing schools and fencing being a co-curricular activity in schools nowadays.

However, I am only really hooked after the recent games. I thought fencing is just using the sword-like thing to fight, but now I know there are three kinds of fencing - epee fencing, foil fencing and sabre fencing.

What is the difference between these three? Besides the difference in the weight of the weapons, the attack areas are different too. For Epee Fencing (apparently the most popular here if I am not mistaken), the weapon is the heaviest, and the target area is the entire body. Double touches are allowed and there is no "right of the way". In other words, any of the two can just thrust and poke anywhere and everywhere (okay, that sounds a bit wrong, but I guess you do get the picture).

For Foil Fencing, the weapon is the lightest, and the target areas are restricted to just the torso, chest, shoulders and back. No double touches are allowed, and foil fencing follows the "right of the way".

For Sabre Fencing, it is also a light weapon for thrusting and cutting, and the target areas are the saddle line and head. There is also the "right of the way". Interesting!

My dear have also indicated that he would like to take up fencing too, so this can be done in the future, after we are done with whatever things we have on our hands!

Are Local Sports Personnel Not As Good As Foreigners?

My short stint volunteering for the recent inaugural Youth Olympics made me think : why is it that our local sportsmen can never compete internationally? Is it due to our limited pool of talent, or is it due to the fact that we just do not care about sports?

Times are changing. During my time, parents wanted their children to excel in their studies and not other things. Hence, even though the child could do a certain sport very well, or play a certain instrument very well, parents would stop them and made them concentrate on their studies instead, go to university and get a good job. Sports and music were frowned upon.

But it is changing. Kids are getting more and more all-rounded, excelling in studies, sports and music. A few years back, the sports school was set up, to groom all the young athletes around. Kids who are good in sports can now have a career in them since young.

Yet as compared to the international arena, somehow our own sportsmen are still not on par. What is the best here? He or she may be nothing internationally, which is a very sad thing.

Are we really not as good? I do not think so. Judging from the capability and power of so many people here, I daresay we are just as good, if not better, than many other people. I guess because sports is still a relatively new area, our locals still need more time and experience so they can be confident and not crumble under pressure.

That is why the Youth Olympics is such a good experience and exposure. Maybe give them another few years, perhaps by then, a born and bred local can clinch a gold medal at another major sports event, instead of relying on foreign talent.

End Of The Olympics

Today was the last of the games, and tomorrow will be the closing ceremony of the inaugural Youth Olympics. I feel as if everything was so fast. I thought it was just yesterday when I started my duty, and now everything was ended. Not to mention I was sick half the time, and my cough is taking forever to go away.

Today being the last day, I was asked to go to the Press Conference room for a debrief. There was nothing much to debrief anyway, since I was either stuck at the Media Helpdesk or the Media Workroom the past few days, and today I was at the Media Helpdesk again.

Anyway, the debrief was just to thank us volunteers for our time and the effort and commitment we put in. We received a signed Certificate of Appreciation as well as a letter to thank us. We also received a momento - a limited edition badge / pin of the inaugural Youth Olympics. And of course, we received our ticket to the party at our own Universal Studios in September!

The limited edition badge / pin

Now that everything is over, I kind of miss it. It has been fun volunteering for such an event. I only wish I was in a clean bill of health to thoroughly enjoy it. This could be the start of a series of volunteering for events! Maybe next time round I may want to volunteer for the Formula One night races!

I am going to miss the games, and it has been fun and enriching being so up close and personal with how the media works and some of the athletes. Now it is back to my normal life, but this will be a good thing to share with my children and grandchildren in the future!

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The Media Workroom

Unfortunately, I did not get back to the Media Stands when I reported back for duty yesterday. Instead, I was asked to go to the Media Workroom - the place where reporters go to compile and do their reports. I had to compile the data of the competitors and the results of the games.

I was not there for long though. Around half past eight, I was asked to go back to the Media Helpdesk again. And that was how I spend my time at my duty yesterday. Hopefully today will be better!

A Botched-Up Interview

I thought I did not do well for the interview I went last Friday, for the job I was recommended, that I was really surprised when I received an email, asking me to go for another interview today. Hence, before I started work this morning, I went back to that company and met with the Senior Vice President of the department.

And boy, was I grilled! I was totally massacred! I was asked every little detail of the work involved in order to test my technical and industrial knowledge. At the end, I think I just about botched up my chances to get the job.

Face it, I do not have enough qualifications, neither do I have enough experience. My experience may fit other multinational companies, but for a company that is so well-reputed and tops in the industry, why would someone like me even get considered? Thus I was really flattered I was recommended this job, but after the grilling session today, I seriously do not think I stand a chance anymore.

And the other company I went for two interviews for which I ended up using up whatever little brain juices I had to translate documents when they put me to the test, did not get back to me after all. Most likely I did not get the job in the end. Oh well, no harm done. I just have to stay where I am until further notice!

The Media Helpdesk

In my shift earlier, I was posted to the Media Helpdesk. It was unfortunate indeed, as being at the Media Helpdesk means I would not get to watch any games. I would be at the booth outside the hall, helping the media people with their queries, collating results, data, players, and helping photographers with the exchange of their vests.

I guess there were enough people in the hall, hence I was asked to go to the Media Helpdesk. But luckily I was not too bored, since I had my dear for company, as he had been at the Media Helpdesk since the beginning. Since we were only manning the booth and entertaining requests as and when, we were generally free to do as we please. So we could chat, check emails and even read.

At least tonight's duty was not too intensive. Hopefully when tomorrow comes, I would be back at the Media Stands with the reporters and watching the games!

Back To The Olympics

After a break of two days, I went back to my shift again for the Youth Olympics. The fencing match is over, today was the start of the handball matches. Since I was on the afternoon to evening shift, I got to see two male teams as two female teams had their matches in the morning and early afternoon.

The earlier match for handball was South Korea vs Cook Islands. Pardon the photos, as they were taken from quite a far range. The South Korean Handball team consist of all the tall men! The goalkeeper himself is a colossal 1.92 metres tall! On the contrast, the Cook Island Handball team look like midgets.

Cook Island Handball Team

The two teams

The South Korean Handball team

Before the match started, the Cook Island team performed their Maori war dance. Cook Island is actually under the New Zealand administration, so there are quite a number of Maoris, hence the Maori war dance. The match started precisely at six, and just fifteen minutes into the match, we could see that the South Korean team was gaining as the players were rather aggressive.

I went for dinner after that and by the time I came back, the match was almost over. Finally, the South Korean team won 70-4 against the Cook Islands. Each handball match is supposed to last for one and a half hours, so the match ended promptly at 7:30pm, with the Cook Island team being thrashed.

The next match started at 8:00pm, between Brazil and Singapore.

The Singapore and Brazilian Handball Team

The Singapore Handball Team

The Brazilian Handball Team

On the playing field

Brazilians on the playing field

I must say, our local boys did a pretty good job! They really tried their best, especially the main goalkeeper, who tried ways and means to block the ball. He used his hands, his legs, his body, even his tummy. Around the end of the game, the ball collided with his tummy, and he was reeling in pain on the field. The other goalkeeper took over, but by then, the Brazilians were leading a lot.

In the end, the Brazilians won 53 to 7. Not too bad! At the end of the match, we had to go to the media mixed zone to coordinate the reporters and broadcasters from interviewing the players. The whole thing wrapped up around 9:30pm and we could go off after that.

What a day! First the Social Mission Conference, then being able to watch two games! It is good to be a volunteer!

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The Social Mission Conference

Today I went for the Social Mission Conference organised by Caritas. Caritas is the welfare arm of the Archdiocese. The Archdiocese is an organisation where all the catholic churches and activities go under. Just like CHOICE, Engaged Encounter, Marriage Encounter, Marriage Preparation Course, etc, come under the Family Life Society of the Archdiocese, Caritas, being the welfare arm, organises events like community service, mission trips, and outreach to help the poor, under priviledged and disasters, fulfilling the church's social mission.

In any case, it was a very inspiring conference. The speakers spoke on what the church's mission is, how to help others and what we can do for the poor, the marginalised, the migrants, overseas humanitarian and the family.

The first speaker is the Secretary General for Caritas Internationalis based in Vatican City. She spoke on "Values and Social Change in a Post Crisis World". Essentially, she said the mission of Caritas is that all social and economic systems should serve the common good, rather than the interests of the elite minorities.

How many times have we come across priviledges that only benefit the rich and established, instead of those that really need it? Look at our own country. It is only those who earn certain amount and above that can benefit from things. Those that do not make the grade can never be given a chance.

She also spoke on showing compassion and solidarity, fighting global poverty, civil society growing strongly that it benefits all sectors of society, disaster preparedness and risk reduction strategies, priorities needs for poorer countries by funding for sustainable development, protection for migrants, better diagnosis and less prejudice for those with incurable diseases, and working together in peace. These are all a brief overview of what the church's social missions are.

The second speaker was a Monsignor, on "Faith, Charity and Justice". Essentially he said that charity is not enough, to really fulfil the church's social mission, charity and justice must come hand in hand. And only by having faith, charity and justice, can one properly and sincerely outreach to the less priviledged.

After that there was a panel discussion by various established speakers, on a brief overview of the breakout tracks which we would be doing after lunch. The panel discussion was on what the problems each of these group face and what society, especially the church, can do to help them.

I must say, the ideas and notions brought forward were really good! It would really benefit if only the ideas could be acted upon! But it is not easy to change society and people's thinkings, so every effort has to come from each of us. Of course, the budding sociologist next to me always have his own theories on what and how society should function!

The breakout tracks included The Poor, The Migrant Workers, The Family, Overseas Humanitarian, and the Marginalised. We were actually given two choices on which tracks we would like to attend. We put Family as first choice and Overseas Humanitarian as second choice, and we were put into the latter, which turned out just as well because we got to learn about Mission Trips and what is required. This is exactly what I was trying to find out!

After the breakout tracks, the conference was wrapped up by two more speakers on what we could do and what we have learnt, as well as an overview on the various catholic groups set up to help these people. I am glad to say that in light of the church's social mission, the Archdiocese and Caritas have really set up various groups to help the poor, needy, marginalised and migrants!

The greatest lesson I have learnt is that, being church-goers, we should not judge. We should help with a sincere heart and according to what the needy needs, and not what we think they need. People in jail, people infected with AIDS, domestic workers, foreign spouses and workers, children from broken homes, abused wives, abandoned wives, and disaster prone areas, poor slums, these are the people and places that need our help.

We live in a priviledged country and take a lot of things for granted, but there are other places where the people have not even seen a toothbrush nor able to attend schools. What is better than giving back to the community what the community has given us?

Hence, when I found out that ACCT (Archdiocese Crisis Coordination Team) is going to be expanded into humanitarian and not just disasters, I wanted to register as a volunteer immediately. ACCT is now CHARIS (Caritas Humanitarian Aid and Relief Initiatives). I have always been inspired by the kind of work they do, and now that I have registered as a volunteer, I hope I, too, can do my part on overseas mission trips and help the needy.

I hope there will be another Social Mission Conference again soon!

Break From Olympics

Finally I can have a break from the Youth Olympics! It was back to work full day for me yesterday and today. I am still sick, can you believe it? My medication is almost finished, and yet I am still coughing badly and my voice has yet to return. Even my mum remarked how did I get so sick this time round?

I was supposed to go for the interview yesterday, but the person called and postponed it to this morning instead. So I went there before I went to work today. I met up with the Human Resource Manager and the Head of the Secretariat. They said they would call me back for a second interview next week. Somehow I did not think I did that well. :-( And the hotel company I went for two interviews for did not get back to me after all. Oh well, maybe I need to be stuck where I am for a while.

People have been asking me why I thought of moving when I just joined this company slightly more than a year ago? Well, the economy is getting better, hence more companies are hiring again. Besides, my company is owned by a Japanese company and the culture and management is just different. Even though the structure here is quite flexible, still, I feel quite stagnated, especially now that the wages have been frozen and no bonus is given. I want to do something more challenging, and moving to a bigger company will give me the challenge and the prospects I crave for.

In any case, I know what I want and know how I am going to achieve my goals. No matter what, I am not giving up. Hopefully one day I will be where I hope to be!

Fourth Day Of The Youth Olympics

Today my shift started early, so I had to rush down after work. It was the last of the fencing matches. Yesterday the individual matches concluded, today was the team matches. Vying for third place was the Asia team vs America team. The Asia team consisted of fencers from Singapore, China and Korea, whereas the America team consisted of fencers from United States of America and Canada.

It was an intense match. The first two fencers were Koreans, and they managed to lead the Americans. Then the third fencer was a local fencer. She was thrashed by a Canadian, poor thing! After that the other fencers tried their best, but in the end, the Asia team lost by a few points to the America team, with the latter clinching third place.

Next up was the Europe Team 1 (consisting of Italians and Russians) vs Europe Team 2 (consisting of Germans, Polish and Russians), with the former team emerging as champions. When the matches ended, the press came to interview them. At this time, I had to go press the elevator as the teams would be led down after the victory ceremony to the Press Conference.

The Press Conference went without a glitch. Because of the number of nationalities involved, each question was translated into the respective language - German, Russian, Italian, Polish. It was pretty interesting hearing the different language variations of the same thing!

The Press Conference lasted about half an hour. After that, we had to clean up the room, and had some fun taking photos at the press booth, pretending we were being "interviewed"! In the photo I probably look more haggard than usual because I was still sick!

Me at the Press Booth

The whole thing wrapped up earlier than expected today. After that I went to visit a friend who just gave birth. Then it will be two days' break for me before my shift starts again on Saturday!

By the way, regarding the job opportunity that was recommended to me the other day, I was called for an interview tomorrow. Keeping my fingers crossed that all will go well!

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Third Day Of The Youth Olympics

I went back to "work" today. I missed the second day yesterday, where there was the Men's Epee Fencing and the Women's Sabre Fencing. Today was the last of the individual fencing category - the Men's Foil and the Women's Epee Fencing.

The structure today was a bit different. Instead of seeing the matches close-up, I had to stand guard near the entrance at the barricade to prevent unauthorised people from entering the stands. Only the media and press were allowed in.

I did not manage to catch the matches, but the Italian won for the men's category, and the China girl won for the women's category. This time round, the Italian guy seemed rather cocky. He just pushed his way into the stand, despite me telling him he was not allowed to go in. Too bad I was still having an infection, otherwise I could have my firm voice. Instead, today I was barely a squeak.

There was the Volunteers' March today, where the volunteers would stand in a line and go up on stage to bow, while the commentator introduced us. I think I must have appeared quite nervous on stage, since I was still coughing and was trying to stifle my coughs!

Today's shift was pretty smooth nevertheless. We ended around 9:00pm again, and after cleaning up, we could go off. So I went off shortly after that. Tomorrow will be the last of my shift for the first week, then it will be two days break on Thursday and Friday!

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A Golden Opportunity?

I thought I had a good rest yesterday, but my throat is still sore and I still had no voice. Still I went back to work as usual today, except I could hardly get things done since I was still groggy and my brain was still not functioning as well.

I had a surprise yesterday. Some of you may remember, before I joined this current company, I was with a hotel and spa management company for a few years. Even though I had problems with certain people, but at least my supervisors never had issues with me. I was also on good terms with our external counsels.

Yesterday, one of the external counsels sent me an email. He is not just any external counsel, but the head of the firm where the company engaged their services. He asked me to give him a call at my own convenience. Feeling intrigued, I called him. Guess what? It was a job opportunity, not just any job opportunity, but an in-house role with a local public-listed company - the biggest property retailer here and in Asia too!

I was genuinely surprised he even remembered me! Ever since I left the company (and it had been more than a year now), I never had any dealings with him and his firm anymore. Plus I was never and am not any of his staff, yet he recommended me the job! I could hardly believe it! He asked me to send him my resume, which I did.

So he helped me tidy up my resume, and asked me to send to the Senior Vice President of the department, which I did the first thing today. Just now I received an email from the Senior Vice President himself, saying he would contact me for an interview.

Wow... I must say, I am really blessed to know people like these, after having met superficial people throughout my life. People who are genuine, sincere and willing to help. I am more interested in this job opportunity, hopefully I can get that!

Follow-Up Interview

The head of the department from the interview I went to two Fridays ago, sent me an email last week, asking me to go back for a follow-up interview today. This was not a good day, since I was coughing the whole night and woke up with a very hoarse voice. Darn this virus! Is it never going to leave my body?

In any case, I went to work as usual, then took time off early to see a doctor. I was already on half-day leave anyway. The doctor said it is a normal viral infection. Yes, except this "normal viral infection" has been going on for three weeks already! Am I never to be cured?

The doctor gave me six kinds of medication! This is the first time I needed so much medication! Four kinds to be taken in the day time, two kinds to be taken at night. Goodness me! I better recover after this!

After that, I went for the follow-up interview. As usual, I was given a text to translate. This was a more difficult task as I had kind of forgotten most of the Chinese terminology and had to rack my brains, except my brains were not functioning today! Still, I think it went smoothly. The interviewers said they would make the decision by Wednesday and let me know, so we shall see how that goes!

Today was supposed to be the second day of my shift, but I sent a message to my supervisor and told him I was on medical leave for the day and would report back tomorrow. I went back to rest after that and slept the day away. I really really hope I can be cured soon, this illness is sapping away all my energy!

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First Day Of The Youth Olympics

I reported for "work" today. My place of duty is at the Mixed Zone - the place where the athletes met the press after the games. The good thing is that I got to see the games close-up for free!

I was assigned to the Fencing event, and today's event was on Men's Sabre and Women's Foil. Because my shift started in the late afternoon, the preliminary rounds were already over, so we got to see the semi-finals and the finals.

The men's semi-finals were South Korea vs Germany and Italy vs Belarus. The South Korea vs Germany match was very exciting, because the tall German guy was leading in the beginning, then after the breather, the short Korean guy suddenly poked and kept poking until he won! When that was over, I had to lead him to the area where the press was waiting to interview him. The poor German rolled miserably on the ground and he was on the verge of tears when interviewed. Because I was standing so close, I could actually snap a picture of the winner, although I should have used a my digicam instead of my phone camera!

The South Korean Fencer

Each fencing match lasted six minutes the most. The next match was Italy vs Belarus, where the cute Italian guy won! Hence the finals would be South Korea vs Italy and Germany vs Belarus would be competing for third place.

The Italian Fencer

Next up were the women's Foil matches. The first match was Italy vs Canada, where the very pretty Italian girl won. Then it was Russia vs Hungary, and the Russian won. So the Italian girl would be competing with the Russian girl in the finals where the Canadian and the Hungarian competing for third place.

The Italian Fencer

I went for my dinner break after that, so missed the matches for the bronze medal, where I heard the German guy and the Hungarian girl won. Luckily, I came back on time to witness the finals.

It was an exciting moment when the South Korean defended with all his might and won the Italian for the first place. When the Italian and Russian girls were sparring, it was also an exciting moment when the Italian won the gold for Women's Foil Fencing. All the reporters then crowded around, but only the broadcast journalists were allowed into the stand, so I had to stop all the "unauthorised" personnel from going in.

The victory ceremony was held ten minutes later. I must really hand it to the athletes that they could shower, change and dry themselves in just a short time, and appear at the stand to take their medals. Each guy was given the Lyo mascot and each girl was given Merly.

When the respective winners took their stand, the national anthem of the champion was played and the flags raised. A silent moment was then observed as everyone looked at the raising flags while the respective national anthem was being played.

Champion for the Men's Sabre Fencing - South Korea (middle),
followed by Italy (left) and Germany (right)

Champion for the Women's Foil Fencing - Italy (middle),
followed by Russia (left) and Hungary (right)

After the victory ceremony, we had to clean up the area. Then we went down for a break / supper, and after that, everything wrapped up and we could go. My shift was supposed to end at 10:30pm, but we could go around 9:00pm. I went back immediately as I was feeling unwell and needed to go back to rest.

All in all, it was an exciting first day. I am so looking forward to tomorrow, hopefully it will be just as exciting!

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The Coming Of The Olympic Flame

Last Sunday (8 August), I actually got to witness the relay of the Olympic flame. The flame had been lit in Greece and travelled around the world before finally landing in our shores. I saw a lot of people crowding around a pedestrian bridge, so went to take a look out of curiosity. It was really the right time, as just when I went to take a look, there were lots of cheering and people driving by, cycling by and running by, marking the start of the torch relay.

Even though it was for just a short while, still it was a rather glorious moment, as this is the inaugural Youth Olympics, and my country won the bid to host it first! What amazes me is that the flame could go round and yet not flicker! After the training today, I cannot wait for the actual shift to start tomorrow! Hopefully my body will let up soon!

Venue Training Exercise

Despite the light-headedness and slower speed, I had to attend the full-dress rehearsal aka Venue Exercise today. The opening ceremony is tonight and my shift starts tomorrow so we had to familiarize ourselves with the shopping mall-cum-convention centre which I was posted to.

We spent the day being briefed and taken to the various workstations, the entrances and exits. I have been coming to this shopping mall quite often and attended the various exhibitions here, but I never knew all those areas even existed! What an eye-opener!

Because I am sick, I was not able to move around as nimbly as the rest. While they rushed through the place, I was lagging behind. Still I managed to make my way around.

Thank goodness I went for the Venue Exercise! I was contemplating to just rest at home as I was feeling really groggy but if I did not go for this, I would not be able to understand what was going on. My shift starts tomorrow afternoon. Hopefully all goes well!

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Why Am I Sick Again?

Darn this virus! Seems like it is never leaving my body! I was so light-headed this morning yet I still had to go for the venue training for the Youth Olympics.

After two weekends of feeling under the weather with fever during the second weekend, I started to recover. My throat no longer hurt although I was still coughing and having a runny nose. Seemed as if my runny nose got worse instead of better even though I have already finished my course of medication.

Due to the illness, I was not able to focus on a lot of things, hence almost missed my assignment deadlines. Finally early this week, I thought I had kind of recovered.

Then I rushed through two assignments in two nights and on-going restructuring at work. Thursday night my throat started to itch and my nose started being blocked again.

Last night I came home after the movie. When I went to bed, all I could feel were cold shivers all over my body. My body started to ache and I was breaking out in cold sweat.

Today my movements were so sluggish. Where usually I could move by so quickly, today I was five steps behind everyone. I was wearing a winter sweater yet I was still feeling cold! And my entire body was sore and numb!

The training ended around 3pm so we went home. My dear felt me and said I am running a fever. Luckily I managed to find paracetamol tablets and just popped two down. Why did I get worse instead of recovering?

Now it is time for me to sleep the fever away and let the drowsiness steep in. How I wish this dratted virus can start moving out already!

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Ocean Heaven

I just watched a very touching Mandarin show called "Ocean Heaven", starring Mr Wong Fei Hung himself - Jet Li - in his first non-action role. In my opinion, this show is also a breakthrough for him as it shows that he can act and not just fight.

The show is about an autistic kid (by right he was no longer a kid but a twenty-one year old adult) and the struggles the father had to face in taking care and raising the child.

Being autistic, the child lived in his own world, could not express himself, could not understand what was going on and depended heavily on his father.

The father found himself to have advanced liver cancer and could only have four more months to live. In the short time, he managed to find an institution that could take care of his son and tried his best to teach him basic survival skills like cooking his own meals, taking the bus to and from home (the institution), telling the bus driver which stop to alight, and mopping the floor so he could work as a cleaner.

Many people became touched by the father's love - their neighbour who runs a provision shop, the head of the special institution, the former principal of the special school where the boy used to study, even the boss of the aquarium where the father worked and took his son to work everyday.

When the father passed on, these people put their names as the guardians of the boy. The father's teaching was not in vain. After his passing, the boy managed to cook for himself, change his clothes, take the bus to and fro, pay when he buy things and work as a cleaner in the same aquarium.

It is a very heartfelt show indeed. Many people cried, including me. Often we have heard stories of the mother's love for her children, but this tale of a father's love for his autistic son is so intense that it probably put many people to shame.

It makes me wonder, if I ever have children in the future, will I be able to give my all to my children? It is already a struggle taking care of a normal, intelligent child, let alone a disabled (in whatever way) child.

It is stories like these that remind me of our parents' love for us, and how we shall never take them for granted!

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Back To Back

Finally I am done! With my assignments that is. I just rushed two assignments back to back. I think I did not do that well this time as it was quite last minute. Yes, I should have started earlier but how was I to know the assignments would come so soon? Term has barely started!

I seriously thought the assignments would be due next week hence I only started doing on Monday. But when I saw the assignment sheet, I took a double take!

One was due yesterday and one was due today. Oh no! I would have no time to read and research thoroughly, let alone do drafts! I had to write out the whole thing on the spot!

In the end I was not able to do more research and had to make do with what I had. So I submitted one that looked as if it was done in a rush, simply because it was!

I must check my schedule more thoroughly henceforth!

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The Musical December Rain 雨季

Last night we went to watch the Mandarin musical "December Rain" starring Kit Chan - my favorite local singer. Her voice is really powerful and she is one of my idols because she is smart and can make a capable high-flying professional yet she gave up all to stick to her dreams of being a singer and actress. She was a gifted-stream student and is apparently fluent in English, Mandarin, French and Cantonese.

I first saw this musical when I happened to catch it on television years ago. That time it was the first full-fledged Mandarin musical developed by our own talented songwriters and composers.

I remember the musical captivated me, so much so that when there were posters advertising it earlier this year, starring Kit Chan, I know I must watch it again.

And this time round, it is a better production. Most of the original songs are still intact, with a few new songs. Most significant change was the ending. I like this ending better than the previous one actually. This ending is a closure to events that happened, more emotional.

Uncle DC was initially worried about me dragging him to a Mandarin musical. I told him he learnt Chinese before, even though he cannot really speak well, at least he can understand. Besides there were English subtitles available. Luckily he can still follow the story and like the musical too!

The story of December Rain started in the 1950s. At that point in time, Chinese students were fighting against the colonial government. Only the English-educated could get a good job and those Chinese-educated were always suppressed.

The central characters are Li Qing, the daughter of a wealthy Chinese merchant, and Ying Xiong, a poor orphan with ideals of equality and the overthrowing of the colonial government.

They were in school together. Li Qing has a childhood friend called Ming Li, who was in love with her. Her friends Wang Mei and Ah Ling noticed her interest in Ying Xiong and wrote a letter to him on her behalf, asking Ming Li to deliver the letter to Ying Xiong.

When Ying Xiong read the letter, he was flattered as Li Qing was the prettiest girl in the school. But before he could talk to her, he got news of a student riot and went to join in. Li Qing and her friends tagged along.

After that, Ying Xiong wrote a letter back to Li Qing, asking Ming Li to deliver it to her. And that was how their romance started, with Ming Li delivering their letters back and forth, as Li Qing comes from a wealthy and strict family and Ming Li was one of the few guys allowed to visit her since he was the son of her father's business associate.

Later on Ying Xiong and Li Qing started dating in secret. He told her of his plans to go to China and help fight for the motherland. She agreed to go with him as she said that a woman's place is with the man who truly loves her and whom she really loves.

On her father's birthday party, her parents plan to marry her to the son of another business associate. The family is wealthier and would be able to help her family out in their business. When she found out, she was horrified and let it slip that she already had someone. When her parents found out who she was dating, they disapproved partly because of his background and also because they knew he was heading a series of students' riots that got some students killed.

So Li Qing and Ying Xiong decided to get engaged before leaving for China. Unfortunately, her parents found out. Her mum went to stop her and told her her father had collapsed from a heart attack. Li Qing then went back with her mum, promising Ying Xiong that she would go with him, asking him to wait for her which he promised.

However it turned out to be a lie. Her father was still strong and healthy and her parents lied to her just to get her home. Her father had her locked up in her room.

On the day of departure, Li Qing called Ming Li over to see her, giving him a letter asking him to deliver to Ying Xiong. When Ming Li reached the harbour, Ying Xiong was disappointed that Li Qing could not come as promised. He told Ming Li to tell her that he would always love her and wait for her but he could not let the other Chinese students down and left.

Ming Li was angry that Ying Xiong would rather leave Li Qing behind and did not give him the letter in the end. When Ying Xiong left, he went back to Li Qing and told her Ying Xiong had left. She asked if he had read the letter and he said yes. She was so hurt and upset that after reading the letter, he still left. This was in the backdrop and setting of a thunderstorm.

Back home, Ming Li read the undelivered letter where Li Qing told Ying Xiong she was carrying his child. He finally understood why she was so upset but it was too late to tell Ying Xiong and he could not bring himself to confess that he never did deliver the letter.

Li Qing finally confessed she was pregnant. Her father was so angry he wanted to have her thrown out but in the end he relented. When it was time for her to be due, her mother brought her to a midwife where she delivered her baby.

Thirty years had passed. Li Qing now owns a thriving business match-making couples with her daughter Meng Yu (literally "dream rain") helping her. Meng Yu is in love with a guy from China called Yang Guang (literally "sunshine") who wanted to settle down in Singapore with her. But her mother Li Qing disapproves and told her that men, especially those related to China, are not to be trusted.

Meng Yu then went to complain to her uncle Ming Li, who had since taken over his father's business and have taken care of the mother and daughter all these years. She looks up to him like a father figure. Ming Li was in poor health lately so Meng Yu went to visit him at home and talked to him. He said Yang Guang is a fine lad and promised to talk to her mother to change her mind.

When Li Qing went to visit him, he tried talking sense into her. He said he knows she is still bitter over the fact that Ying Xiong chose China over her, hence hates anything to do with China. He then said she had to let go and let her daughter be happy to which Li Qing relented.

They set up an appointment at Wang Mei's restaurant to meet Yang Guang's foster mother and godfather, who then turned out to be Ah Ling and Ying Xiong respectively. She was so worked up that she left immediately.

It was then that Meng Yu realised who her biological father was. Ah Ling reunited with her two friends and said even though she followed Ying Xiong to China to fight for communism, their dreams and ideals were shattered and they lived a tough life. But Ying Xiong never loved another woman and he would still call out Li Qing's name at times.

Meng Yu and Yang Guang then decided to elope and followed Ying Xiong and Ah Ling back to China. When Ming Li found out, he took Li Qing to the airport to stop them. He finally decided to tell the truth of what happened during that rainy day so long ago. They managed to catch up with the four of them and Ming Li shouted at them not to leave, but before he could say anything more, he collapsed from a heart attack.

Before he died, he confessed everything. Ying Xiong said Ming Li was more deserving of Li Qing as he fulfilled all the promises which he (Ying Xiong) himself broke. Li Qing then said Ming Li was the one truly bearing the burden of the past so she took the undelivered letter and tore it away to release him of his burden. With all the bitterness of the past released, Li Qing and Ying Xiong reunited and their daughter married her true love who was touched by Ming Li's love for Li Qing and promised to love Meng Yu to the best of his ability.

The closing scene was when Ming Li, after finally confessing what he had hidden all those years ago, walked away with a smile into a bright light, which the audience supposed he died. And hence the rainy season of long ago finally ended with sunshine.

Is this not an intense and touching story? I really like this ending! This is definitely a better ending! The previous ending was after Li Qing gave birth to Ying Xiong's son, Ming Li brought the baby to China and put him in the care of Ah Ling. Li Qing then married the son of her father's business associate and had her daughter Meng Yu. Her husband died and she started her match-making business.

When Yang Guang's parents came to meet with Li Qing, she realised his father was none other than Ying Xiong and his mother was Ah Ling. So she was upset to find that the two married in China.

Meng Yu and Yang Guang decided to elope. When Ming Li found out about Yang Guang's parentage, he was horrified and stopped them from leaving but suffered a heart attack and was hospitalized.

At the hospital, he told Yang Guang the story of his birth ad he thought that was the son Li Qing abandoned. But Ah Ling came and said that boy died of a fever when he was two years old and Yang Guang was indeed her own son, with no relation to Li Qing and Meng Yu.

The older generation then realised it was unfair for the younger generation if they kept holding on to the past so in the end they relented and let Meng Yu and Yang Guang marry. And thus the rainy season finally ended with sunshine.

This was the original ending. But I supposed even the songwriter and producers felt the other ending was better and so changed the ending. And I would think the new version is better too!

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Hiding A Relationship?

Yesterday was my maternal grandma's birthday. We brought her to eat Peranakan food and bought her a cake. She looked happy, of course, with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren celebrating with her.

Last year during her ninetieth birthday, everyone from all over came back for a family portrait and gave her a massive celebration. So we had a big family portrait. Everyone brought their other halves and families, except me. Four generations managed to squeeze into a family portrait together. I was the only one of age still single then (not counting those twenty-five and younger). We then had a lunch at a fancy place where I saw more of my relatives with their other halves and family.

I remember feeling so left out. My cousins whom I grow up with and where we used to play together, suddenly started talking about topics like wedding preparations, pregnancy, childbirth, kids and in-laws. Yet most of those who are already married or engaged are younger than me. Their other halves are not only capable and intellectual, they hold good jobs and love them and their families so much too.

In short, I have never experienced a relationship as what my cousins had. The guys I were in relationships with only hurt me and despised my family for whatever reason. It was really depressing being the only one still single. I looked on in envy and despaired over being able to find someone just as good and eligible.

One year later, it was my grandma's birthday again. This year, it was not on such a massive scale but still, all her children and grandchildren made it a point to celebrate with her. This time I am no longer single.

Yet why do I still have to pretend as if I am single and not bring anyone to her birthday celebration? Again I had to look on in envy when the other halves were there.

Last year I was not in a relationship. Even if I was envious, I could not do anything about it as I could not just create a boyfriend out of thin air.

This year I am truly attached. I have a boyfriend who honors my family more than his. I finally found someone who wants to mingle and be with my family.

Yet I was told not to bring him, simply because my mum was afraid my grandma would be unhappy upon seeing that he is not of the same race, and she wanted her to have a happy and peaceful birthday.

How long more can I hide? Beginning of the year, my grandma was unwell and even though my cousin invited Uncle DC to her son's birthday party, my mum told me not to bring him so as not to aggravate my grandma.

That point in time, even though I was disappointed, still I accepted it because it was a new relationship and my grandma would be flying off after the party to Australia to witness my cousin's solemnisation. Then she would be staying there with my uncle for a while.

In the interim, Uncle DC was invited to other family gatherings in my grandma's absence, so all my other relatives know about him.

This time round, we have been together almost a year. He is someone who has put up with me through all my quirks and short temper. Even my mum approves of him, saying he is a nice guy with a good temper and that I should not keep "bullying" him. He is someone I can contemplate being with for life.

So is it not time I let my grandma know? As I have mentioned before, yes, my grandma did kick up a fuss when my cousins married their Caucasian wives. But my cousins are her grandsons who bear my grandpa's name. Their children will carry on the family line. But now they gave her great-grandchildren and she is no longer as grumpy as before.

I do not even bear my mother's name. My children will not even bear my name. So will she really be that affected no matter what kind of guy I brought home? It is not as if I have never been with Chinese guys before, but look what happened? The local Chinese guys here (as in born and bred), if still single, always have something that turn girls off.

How long more do I have to hide? After this is my cousin's wedding, then I cannot tell her because my mum would want my grandma to enjoy the wedding in peace, even though my cousin extended an invitation to him as well. After that my mum is bringing my grandma back to China to visit her relatives and making her stay a while there, so again we will not tell her so as to let her enjoy her visit.

Which makes me wonder, if I ever get married, shall I even invite my grandma? If we are not to tell her and she only found out about it when I get married, would it not be worse? Now that my paternal grandma is wheelchair-bound and an invalid, I really love to have my maternal grandma attend my wedding when she is still able to move around on her own.

It was supposed to be a happy occasion, but I really could not help feeling upset due to this!

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Which Element Would Be Best To Control?

If we can control one element - Fire, Water, Air, Earth or Metal, which would you choose? In "The Last Airbender", Fire exterminated Air, Earth had no power over Metal (although Metal was not technically a form of element in the show), but it was Water that finally distinguished Fire.

So if given a choice, which element would you like to control? If I can control Fire, I would only end up doing more harm than good. Everything would be burnt to pieces. There would be more forest fires.

If I could control Air, I could let it fly me everywhere. I could bring wind to an otherwise hot and sultry place.

If I could control the Earth, then maybe everything on Earth belongs to me. If I could control Metal, I would make millions building great technological machines, but also could destroy the world by building destruction machines.

But if I could control Water, I would be able to put out Fire, wet the Earth, bring rain to a dry and parched place, rust and bury the dangerous machines.

But I could also cause floods, monsoons and drown millions. So which element would be best to control?

I would still say Water. If I could have a choice, I would want to be able to control Water, not to bring disasters, but peace and good things to the world.

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Translating An Interview

Finally another long weekend, and I have to rush an assignment that is due in a few days. But after being sick for almost a week, I need to catch up on a few overdue matters as well. Looks like it is going to be another busy weekend!

The interview yesterday seemed to have gone well. I was able to take some time off in the afternoon by leaving office early and went for the interview. The office is actually quite near mine.

The office building is situated at the newly-revamped cable car tower. The lift is made of glass and while the lift is going up, I could see a nice view of the sea and the surrounding island.

The office looks cosy and professional. The entire place has an air of professionalism, like what a hotel / hospitality company should look like. The interview room is in a boardroom that oversees a certain hill with the group of restaurants facing the window of the boardroom.

The Director and one of her Counsels interviewed me. There is another Counsel but she was away. So it will be a team of four - an all female team. I used to prefer working with men but nowadays I have no issues working with any gender as long as my work is appreciated and I get to do my work in peace.

The two ladies asked me about my experiences. Then they described the job scope, which all sound so familiar! In my previous work place, I was handling more contracts, trademarks, property, insurance, sales and marketing, corporate finance like acquisition, term loans and equity and some litigation.

In my current place, I am doing mostly corporate finance like mergers and acquisitions, amalgamation, liquidation, share transfers, quasi-equity loans, loan conversions and a bit of trademarks.

The job scope which the interviewers told me is a combination of both from my previous and current work places. Hence everything sound familiar as it is nothing I have not done or handled! Of course that is not to say there will not be new cases. I am sure every company has its own way of handling matters.

The second part of the interview was the tough part. I was given a document in English, and told to translate it into Chinese on the spot, by keying in the Chinese words. I took about twenty minutes to translate the whole one-page document, and even then, I do not think I did it well!

In any case, the Director said would revert by next week so I see how it goes!

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Headhunted Again ...

You know the economy is picking up when companies have started hiring and headhunters are calling you up. People are getting more bonus and increment this year, yet my company is not giving out any bonus nor increment. My pay is frozen until further notice. :-(

Last week, a headhunter called me for a role in an American multinational corporation, apparently the world's third leading in the foundries industry. I was sick yesterday but the Human Resource Manager of that company called me up for a brief chat. He just went through a brief overview of my experiences and said he would have to run through with the Director doing the hiring and if I am shortlisted, I would be called in for a face-to-face interview.

Today someone else called me for an interview this coming Friday. It is for a hotel company headquartered in America. The company owns several hotel and restaurant chains around the world.

To be honest, I am more looking forward to that since I have had experience in the hotel industry based on the work done in my previous company. I do not mind going back to the hotel industry again as I always find it so interesting and exciting!

Hopefully the interview goes well on Friday!

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Replica Dresses From "Sex And The City 2"

After watching one of my favorite shows "Sex And The City", I always ogle at their clothes. The first movie and the drama series did not create such an impact on me, but the second movie really impacted me.

I love the clothes they wore, especially in the opening scene when Carrie walked in with her white dress, holding a gold clutch, wearing gold stilettos and gold shades. The epitome of style!

And the mustard dress Miranda wore (also in the opening scene). These two dresses just stand out. They are out of the world, whereas the rest are quite normal.

So when I saw a lookalike of the dress Miranda wore at a boutique going at a steal (only S$33.00, complete with a belt), I bought it immediately. It is the same mustard colour with a camel belt. A wraparound style.

Then a few days later, I stumbled upon a website selling a similar dress worn by Carrie. The same wraparound dress, knee-length. It comes in grey, navy blue, white and blue and even has a sash that comes along with it! All for S$25.00!

So I bought it online. The dress just arrived and it looks every bit as good as it is in the pictures. If only I lost a bit of weight, I can just look good in those dresses!

How I wish I can shed off the kilos fast now, which seem to be taking a long time to shed off!

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Collection Of Uniforms

I am still having runny nose. Why am I taking so long to recover this time? I was out sick yesterday and went back to work today.

After work, we went to the Youth Olympic Office to collect our passes and uniforms. The pass is quite big, with my picture, name, role and accessibility venues.

We were given two polo T-shirts, Crocodile brand. There is the Crocodile logo at the side, with the Youth Olympic logo at the other side. The T-shirts are purple in colour.

We were given one pair of pants, khaki colour. Apparently we can wear our own pants but has to be at least knee-length and khaki or similar colour.

We also took our prepaid card for transport. There were other things in the kit like a tube of sunscreen, a Giordano Khaki voucher and even a Crocodile cap!

So now that we are all kitted out, we only need to sit back and await the actual day, which will happen in less than two weeks. Can hardly wait!

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Registering For A Social Mission Conference

I have always been interested in doing more for society. I do not mean just writing cheques or donating a large sum of money. In the first place, I do not have the cash to donate. In the second place, anyone can just write cheques hence I find that a tad impersonal.

I am referring to actual mission trips like building homes, taking care of the poor and sick and just outreaching to those that are not as privileged.

I am always envious of the other Christian churches as they are quite big on mission trips. The members of the church make it a point to contribute their time to serve the community, be it locally or overseas. Yet I do not seem to find that in Catholic churches.

However in recent years more and more Catholics are made aware of the church's teachings of charity and justice. Our Archdiocese has a Crisis Coordination Team that helps rebuild homes and shelters after natural disasters.

The public was only made aware of social missions when there was an inaugural Social Mission Conference back in 2008. I did not attend the last session as that point on time, I backslided for a while.

But ever since returning to my faith, I have been thinking about my role as a Christian in general. Being a Christian is not just to attend mass and pray. It is also to serve, and to love. At least for me I feel we should help the less privileged as that would open up our horizons to this who are not as lucky as us.

So when I heard about the Social Mission Conference going to be held this year, I took the opportunity to sign up for it. It will be on 21st August for a full day.

Hopefully the conference will be insightful and inspiring, and will give me some ideas on where and how to serve!

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A Sick Weekend

What a way to spend the weekend! I ended up sick in bed the whole day! Saturday was hot, Sunday was wet, rainy and cold again. Wonder how long more I have to continue in my winter wear.

I got a constriction in my chest last week, then developed sore throat, then runny nose on Friday, and fever yesterday. So I ended up just sleeping and not doing anything else.

I missed the Volunteer training session yesterday and the New Moon Big Walk today. In any case, it was raining so heavily the whole day today that I wonder if the walk even went on as scheduled.

I missed two classes on Thursday and Friday and postponed my tuition class today as well. I cannot believe I can be this sick! It has been a long time since I had been sick for days!

Hopefully I can be well enough to go to work tomorrow!

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