Driving!

Work is getting better everyday though I don't feel as attached as I was to OSRB. maybe cos there were people like yvonne who was so nice and awesome that made me sad when i left.

Started doing shortlisting jobs and this is the stack of application forms i had to go through and am currently going through still. Shan't say anything much but it's freaking alot. It's like... killing trees.

Left early for lunch with jin wen, cheryl and brenda before heading to CDC for my BTT Test today. I passed with 49/50! hehehe. happy. But afterwards was spending one hour waiting to get my PDL and another hour waiting to enrol into school! 2 hours of stoning literally!!! And yesssss, it freaking expensive. spent a bomb just enrolling in the school course, of which there's 6 e-trial for FTT (500 qns each), FTT exam, 5 practical lesson and e-learning. It's worth half of my salary in a month man.....

Cabbed home at bout 430pm to change and immedaitely went to KC to meet ms tan. She was marking in the foyer and so slacked in the foyer. Went to find ms yap for awhile to pass her presents but she was really busy setting test papers so...... as usual. talked for less than 5 mins.

She seems kinda touched when i gave her the presents. Just this feeling i get. Always felt that she's somewhat like me. Kinda sentimental but just doesnt show it..

Went back down and talked to mrs ho until gen came! Mrs Ho and I concluded that there are 4 types of students: Lazy, Slacker, Hardworking, Kiasu. haha (refer to end of post for definition).Thought this picture was quite nice. I really like the KC environment...

Then, while waiting for ms tan to finish packing, i managed to capture this view from the upper staff room. Its truly amazing. How funny that I've never seen this scenie view of KC before. Honestly, when I go back nowadays, I always see a more spectacular view of the school and enjoy it more than when i was there during the 4 years..

While waiting for their transport to come, we slacked and took pictures! Seriously, ms tan quite chio today la. And the dress is sexy can... haha

Her students were really funny as well and it was quite some good time spent there!

Lazy: never do homework/tutorial and never study

Slacker: do homework/tutorial but never study

Hardworking: do homework/tutorial and study

Kiasu: do homework/tutorial, study and study like siao.

Valentine's Day 2012

Spent the day at office. Played around with the carebears and gave chocos. Went to the interview centre today and it was a brand new experience! I'm learning something everyday and it's great.

Met the ODD gang for lunch and I had a fun time catching up w Jinwen. Packed chocos for Jinwen to bring up to OSRB to distribute. Haha KL actually text me after that to say thanks. So sweet.


Left at exactly 6pm and Took a train w Jinwen. Met sam at bugis to watch this romance movie by Sammi cheng ad louis Koo. I always love 郑秀文's shows and songs. She's a really talented individual who has an amazing life story. Anw, I really liked the movie although the starting was a little draggy. It was touching but didn't managed to make me cry though.



Cabbed back to sam's place after that and slacked awhile before dad came to fetch me home.

I love spending valentines day w KC ppl becos it means alot. Probably the KC culture to give sweets and candies on Vday and it's something I do every year even though I'm not in KC anymore.

Spending the night with sam was awesome cos she's forever my lovely babe whom I love alot. Hahaha.

Whatsapp-ed crabby about the chocolate and had a slight chat. Quite nice and she claims that she is single and available. Haha any takers? She's hilarious, very hardworking n know how to do household chores. Academically-inclined as well. Hahahahaha. I'll see her on results day n I hope I don't disappoint. Wanna get my A very badly...

Anyway, Good day generally. Although work can be sian, I love my life. =D

Happy VALENTINE'S day!

Dedication

Secondary school days were pretty much treasured memories cos there were really fantastic people around and she's gotta be one of them. Inspired me, touched me, scolded me, helped me and this list will continue on..

Lower secondary wasn't as fantastic as I hoped it would be. Class relations was not too good but thankfully, she was there. Can't remember how many times i cried in school. (In mathematics term, it simply mean nth times.) One incident I could recall very well was the class outing on teachers day(1st september 2006). Mrs ng and her had organized a class outing to improve the relations of the class and I was kinda 'forced' to go i guess? haha still remembered how I said I didnt wanna cos there's just no point. But yes I went and the two of them actually forked out $50 each for the event. I mean, how can I reject their good intentions right. The day was ECP was fun and that was probably the last class outing we had where almost everyone was there. In all honesty, I felt really angsty when she tried to close the gap between the class and I but thinking back, if not for her, I'd probably be #foreveralone. LOL. She's been a really caring teacher all this while.

Quite some time ago, i chanced upon this from a supposedly journal for JC life but there was only one entry in it. Fondly recalled how when i ran up to the galleria to look for her, she teared upon looking at my results slip. That, was the very first time she I saw a teacher cried cos of me. It really touched my heart alot cos the journey to O levels was not the least, easy at all. Despite not teaching me in upper sec, she'd helped me in Add and E Maths alot. I'd say the time i spend having math consultations were far more effective than in class and it's cos of her that i worked really hard to improve my math. I just didn't wanna disappoint people who trust and have faith in me. No doubt, B3 and C5 wasn't my ideal grades and honestly, i do regret not working even harder to achieve all As, the final lap in KC wouldn't be possible without her.

She's been a really incredible individual that I've met and of course, very very hardworking.... Well, she's married to her work and I do hope that her work will ask for a divorce since she pesters him everyday ( i mean it in the good way yeah) and knowing her, work will be her priority as always. haha

she had given me one of the best days of my life and turning the worst to better days, academically and all other aspects. Tonight, I celebrate my respect and appreciation for her in this post. Would like to dedicate this post solely for one of the angels in my life since it's valentine's day.(and also,a really special day of hers as well).

Anyway, just to side-track alittle. I remembered clearly that I had asked her out for lunch on 090909 (coincidentally) but cancelled it cos she had work. Apparently, it was postponed till a really really later date. But since she's married to work, I've had no chance to date her at all. So maybe, i could make a 10 months in advance appointment for 121212? hahaha. Don't tell me need 1 year in advance hor!!

Okay anyway, Happy Valentines Day (and egg-crack day) and this is my little present for you this year! hope you like it ya. =D

thanks, yvonne

During my short period stay at HQ, met this really awesome individual. She's really an inspiration and in the longest time, I haven been inspired. I mean, who gets inspired studying for A levels right? Working life was even more boring. Repeating the same lines everyday:"Hi, have you tried our kueh bangkit" definitely has no room for inspirations.

In all honesty, I cannot tell you one specific thing about her that actually inspired me. I can just say, her life, her thinking, her words? Aiya, i just feel super motivated now to join the education industry.

My mum always tells me that she wants me to be a teacher in future. Reason? Cos its the most stable industry, won't get hit by financial crisis, get bonuses, holidays and benefits and so on. But, i always insisted that no i don't want cos I feel that entering the education industry imm after getting a degree means you'll be tied down forever. I couldn't imagined graduating at 23, serving my bond with MOE for 4 years and leaving at the age of 28 if I find that education is not for me. At 28, how easy would it be finding a job? Or rather, how difficult if I intend to enter an entirely different industry at all. Well, this is just my rationale, to my parents and to people who asked me if I ever considered joining Education Ministry.

So 6 days went past and I wouldn't say I'd talked to her for 6 days straight that I got inspired. Recalling the fact that we only talked for a really long time once, it was simply amazing how it really hit me at the right spot. Read her tumblr and browsed through facebook. I would want a life likes hers actually. If one day I told my mum I am gonna study japanese studies, she'd probably nag at me followed by a 'debate' about how I am gonna do something else that has a wider range of jobs or eventually provides a direct path to being a teacher, such as economics. And then, I imagined if one day i told her i am gonna be based in japan for a few years, she'd probably ask me if i can survive there with my laziness and poor jap abilities. No, i am not saying she's a tyrant or controlling mum. I know she's just a normal Singaporean mum who want her kids to have a stable and fulfilling life.

OKay, alittle off track. The experience at HQ, knowing her was truly an amazing journey because i learnt so much more from her. I would agree that the life and the people in japan are so different as compared to singapore because we are just a bunch of conceited fools who compete to be the best in order to survive. It hit me that life should instead, be fulfilling in terms of non-materialistic factors. Chasing your dreams, doing what you want instead of studying, working and just simply passing on with zero fulfillment.

People told me she's a really hardworking person. I totally agree. Who stays in office till 11pm?

Anyway, she's really sweet to have given me a farewell present. And can I simply emphasized how she's the ONE AND ONLY who bothered to write me a note. not saying the others are not nice people but really, people come and go and in this competitive world, we start to lose track of the people around us. Which is the reason why I hold on to my aim that whenever i leave a place, I have to write notes for the people whom i know and worked with, be it in school or at work. I really love and treasure this little gift alot and i kept it in my most precious cupboard beside my bed. Probably wouldn't use it.

Then, yesterday, I recieved a text from her. I literally went oh man at the mrt station when i saw it. After this message, I actually thought about it for a very long time. I couldn't sleep till 3+ and i know i wanna go back there to work again. The people, the place, the things that ever happened in that short 6 days, was one of the best working experience. I told her that she's never given me any tasks and when i saw the text, i actually wanted and hoped that the person doing it was me. That's how impacted i was.

I really regretted tendering without thinking much just cos i was tempted by a better job which turned out to be nothing but empty promises. Lesson learnt that in life, never be tempted and make decisions without careful consideration. Woke up at the earliest time possible today. 830am, so that i could call the manager. Sadly, the vacancy has been filled. But you know something, when one door closes, another opens.

The Education industry isn't one that is a dead end to me now. It's a door filled with opportunities and surprises. One day, I promise, I'll be back there in that very same dept, doing the same job and inspiring the younger ones, just like how it happened to me.

thanks, yvonne. =D

MOE HQ

Have been on a hiatus for a really long time. Planned to do a written update about the hong kong trip but i supposed it's alittle late already. So much going on in my life now and I have so much to blog about that I don't even know where to start from. Guess this is where laziness leads to: avanlanche effect. okay, but what I am gonna pen down in this entry is a really important part of my life, especially in 2012.

I went to worked at MOE HQ last week, a job opening that NY sent us. Kinda find it interesting cos the name is simply WOW. It wasn't as what i was expecting but nevertheless, i've had some very memorable times there. (therefore this entry)

First day was simply briefing and slacking before getting our first task near lunch time. Met this really special individual who not only not tell us her name but left us to complete 2500 magnets. Honestly, it was one of the most boring job i've ever done; cutting 300 pieces of A5 size paper into 12 smaller pieces each and pasting it onto 2500 magnets before sorting it into the different depts. (Who knows the 2nd day would be even more boring)

Second day was a task of sorting and testing stationeries. I swear that must have been the lamest thing i did. I tested nth markers and pens and placed it back nicer in it's drawers, according to the brand. And you know, it will just end up in a mess sooner or later. Threw away boxes of inkless pens and markers. So happen the table right behind the drawers was empty that day but I had no idea why i chose to used the other person's table (right beside the empty one) to place all those stationeries when they went for lunch. Felt paiseh when the person came back and she looked alittle intimidating actually. But anw, i decided to stop after 5 freaking hours of packing stationeries and join my fellow temps in doing up ppt slides.

I can't remb what we did on the third day but i guessed it was just powerpoint slides for me. oh okay, so yes i met the head of PS21 and he gave me really random tasks. there were 3 stacks of stuff which had different labels on it. "filing", "for reuse" and i forgot what's the last one. he actually left after showing me that 3 stacks and i was supposed to figured out everything myself. AND, he didn't tell me his name either. was really so pekchek cos everyone's simply asking us to do things for them without intro-ing themselves. okay so, i was lost. as if i knew where to keep files and the cupboards for re-used enevelopes. Started putting back some markers and the person behind me (originally the empty table) said hi to me. i was like omg, finally someone bothered talking to the temps. Seriously. felt so neglected during the first two days. ( more like maids adhering to whatever tasks we were given) okay so she kinda showed me where to put those used envelopes and the filing cupboards. However, was abit paiseh to disturb her again so i went to my admin manager.

Fourth day was continuation of the ppt slides for me while in between, I had to staple the seminar notes for the event later on in the afternoon. My fellow temp received a task of photocopying and had to sacrifice lunch for it cos he said that it was urgent. Therefore, Both of us stayed in the office during lunch while another temp went out to get food for us. Was kinda touched when the special individual started whining about how we are working during lunch hours and that we shouldnt be doing such stuff for him. Anyway, seminar in the afternoon. Did registration booth and supposedly to hold mics but ended up staying at the booth with a newbie staff to take down Q&A minutes. really amazed at how she can type without looking at the screen. oh and talked to many people. guessing what they teach etc during breaks and before the guests came in. Stayed on after that to do ppt slides and eventually stayed till about 7pm to chat.

Friday was kinda boring. Was stuck w the ppt slides while the whole unit was out for meeting. went around talking to ppl. Talked about literature with one and about the difference between life in japan and singapore with another. Honestly, i was freaking bored. Like seriously. got scolded for bringing my laptop by the manager when the whole unit was out!!! so innocent yet scary! she literally asked me who said or who ask me to bring my own com. Like hello. you think i'll betray the ppl there meh? So apparently, she sent an email out regarding the matter and one of the guys actually came over and told us not to be traumatised and helped us rebut her! The unit finally came back from a meeting and yes they all saw the email and started discussing about it. How about no iphones, handphones or any mobile devices then? okay anw, we were asking about our schedule the following week and

someone stood up for us and told the guy who made us work during lunch that temps only do branch work not individual's work. *touched* Left at about 630. That special individual fetched me to tampines before I took a train home. Guided her to tampines actually cos she's totally noob about the east. Talked to her in the car and she explained how the dept and each unit works as well as the people in the branch. Totally insightful half hour.

Sixth day was on tuesday. Last day of work after I'd resigned and thought that i would just go back to complete the ppt slides and the event i promised i'd do. had a blast cos i talked to many of them. wrote notes and brought candies for them. In the morning, i bought tea from macs for the one and only person who intro-ed herself to me. Reasoning: Told her one afternoon that coffee is bad and should change to tea instead so decided i should just do it la. LOL. lame but ya. Left the place at about 630 after final discussion of ppt slides with the so ever serious yet pro mentor. It's always the two of us left in the unit at 630 but this is the first time we talked about random stuff. Always felt that she's intimidating to go near cos she's been super serious since day 1 but on that very last day, it was an awesome chat with her. even after that when something happened, i gave her a call and she although she's abit cryptic, can tell she cared.

Okay, this marks the end of my work at HQ ODD. but its not the end. ;-)