pre-CNY celebration

Nothing much for today, just kept on doing my work (just 2nd day only, but I wanted to keep myself occupied) and this concluded my 3rd week of IA.

So lunchtime, instead of having to splurge on expensive food (like $4.70 for mixed rice at Banquet... 有一點無言說), we had a small gathering within the department where we had 撈生!

First time had 撈生 from Sakae Sushi with additional 生魚片 actually it's not that bad la... Love the fish and crackers lol. Then there was another plate with full of sushi too, had 2 or 3 of it before I call myself a day. Didn't even eat the bakkwa and the mandarin oranges.

I should have correct the Chinese writings on the white boards! They contain some writing errors, luckily it's not a wrong word. =X

The big big boss announced that we could leave work after 3pm. This is rather a good news for me as I did not expect leave earlier than 5; Friday is a good day that I look forward to 有沒有?

But at 3pm, I did not see anybody leaving. Are they too engrossed in their work? Or are they just joking? But nonetheless, about 3.30pm could see people start packing up and leave for CNY preparation and celebration.

I also left earlier, about 3.40pm. Reached home 4.40pm. Wanted to go for a run, but it was drizzling, no choice but to call it off.

Next week is rather boring for me as I think I'm the only one to be available in office because everybody goes for their CNY celebration. A bit sad la, unlike HH who gets a week's worth of holiday leh!

While on my way to work, on the MRT, I saw some EEE coursemates. I bet they are also on IA. But don't know which company though. One of them works in Harbourfront and also did project work for HW110, I don't think he actually remembers me. Shall talk to him next time we see each other bah...

That's all for now. Wish everybody and myself a very very Happy Chinese New Year!

Weekend enjoyment

The past weekend was a fulfilling one. As such, I became very lethargic and super exhaustive every morning the next day.

Chang韓式燒烤料理餐廳

Here came the much awaited Korean BBQ buffet on Saturday! Usually I won't high over Korean cuisine. It came to my mind after I watched the Korean drama 'Secret Garden' where some scenes were on BBQ of pig skin. On the other hand, it has been more than 3 years since I last do a Korean BBQ. So I guess it's time to savour on Korean cuisine! Everytime chatted with the rest about Korean BBQ, I just could not resist the temptation. Beh tahan~

After much discussions on whatsapp, we (PG, HL, Nicholas, Jordan, JX and me) decided on Chang BBQ at Iluma ($28.13 nett). Upon reaching the restaurant, it gave me the 'airy' feel and I guessed the ventilation was good. Indeed, the ventilation was good enough, despite we have very minor BBQ smell on our clothings.

So PG and I were the first to arrive, the restaurant had opened for business, waiting for patrons to visit it. Nobody was around. Not even the crew members. Then came Nicholas and he passed me a pink T-shirt which they bought in KL. lol it's said to be the first pink tee for me lor. It's only when we stepped into the place, then one lady waitress came to served PG, Nicholas and me.

So without anybody around, we took advantage and began to take pictures around. Then subsequently came HL, Jordan and JX. And the real BBQ starts! So we had a good chat while BBQing the meats. IMO, the marinated pork or chicken tasted the best. Somehow the spicy version did not buy my vote over, I think it's too normal when compared to the normal BBQ outside lor.

After the meal, JX left for his Chingay rehearsal and we went SMU for our usual 三國殺 hangout. OMG, the weather was scorching hot and there's not empty table with air-conditioning around. So we ended up playing the cards outdoors, enjoying the natural breeze (if possible).

After 2 games, they wanted to switch to a location where there is air-con. Granted, so we went to the McD besides POMO. Seated with a big gulp of ice lemon tea, we continued playing there. Then, HH, ZX and Sebastian joined in. (I knew HH could not resist the temptation of playing SGS la~~).

Luck was not at my side, it's either I lost the round, or I lost without even playing for one round. So after I was kicked out of the game, I switched to lower seats and waited for them to finish that round. Game continued after that.

Haiz, I think it's just a game, there are winning and also losing times. I did take it too seriously and furthermore I did not play it often. Not as crazy as them when comes to 三國殺. Frankly, I'm a 'gamely' person, not interested in all sorts of card games. This applies to console games, computer games too... I kinda the odd one out among the peers. Haha... Nothing wrong with that. 'cause without games, my time is quite fully occupied with other activities. 東西都要做不完了！

比起之前吃的Ju Shin Jung，這間的肉類選擇較少

哈哈！:P

開始燒烤咯！

烤熟後會變色，很容易的

That's for Saturday. Here comes Sunday.

Bay initiated for a karaoke session. I also had this thought the day before and I even talked to my friends about it. LOL! So coincidence! Anyway, after a bit of spring cleaning on my computer desk, I went to Dhoby Ghaut to meet him. (And I thought the rest also joined, perhaps I think too much liao, haha!)

This time round, wanted to try out new songs, but the system was a bit outdated, does not have the songs I wanted. Even Hebe's 還是要幸福 was not the official KTV version one. O.o Not to mention we could not find 胡夏 from the singer list. Have to find the song specifically using HYPY initials.

After 3 hours of K session. I need to improve on 那些年 by 胡夏. Was criticised by Bay for sudden high-low pitch transitions. Haha... :P Again, the weather was very very hot until I want to melt le.

Dinner was settled at Old Airport Road. Recommend there for Bay since he hasn't been there before. Had Char Kway Teow, Bay commented it was delicious. Glad to see he enjoyed my recommendation though. If not, I will not feel comfortable. Haha... Lastly, bought the famous 老伴豆花 back for family to enjoy.

2nd week of IA

Things are going smoothly for IA. Tried to read up the notes given my RX at the same time also chatted with colleagues. Well, I think I did the most talking. Somehow, I just find they all a bit on the quiet side, even during lunchtime. Is there really nothing to talk about? Things like giving comments and opinions are definitely welcomed, or even can share share experience, like food, travel, etc. I believe chatting can really makes me understand someone better and I believe that isn't too difficult bah. Also, chatting can foster relationships, so why not?

No, I don't mean talking bad about them. They are really nice people around. Helped answer my questions and provide me some training on the job I'm going to do. For this, I really thank them.

All in all, I've gotten used to everything except for working hours. Until now, I still can't get over it. I prefer a standardised form where I can follow, this is done so that I would not raise any suspicion nor I can't see my colleagues when I reach office. Understand their rationale too, so this kinda creates a conflict inside me.

Didn't realised boss fell sick today and thought he went for a meeting somewhere with his bag. =X

Haven't start on my logbook, will try to do on weekend. Now it's getting vexing.

Haven't do any canvassing works for OCIP. I really hope to get out of this *%^#$*!%&$ asap... See if possible, don't involve too much on it as might quiz after this, really tired of it. Perhaps prefer to do things I like? To enjoy freedom? Or I actually prefer working life? Guess from here, I kinda know what I actually want. Really don't want to go OCIP leh~

One last thing, lunch at Carl's Jr is really expensive. OMG!

First week of IA

Shall be a short update here. After the first week (actually only 3 days inside company), here is my thoughts on IA. I've got to used to the morning and evening peak hour on MRT. Lunch wise, nothing is cheaper than the previous Taman Jurong and Pasir Panjang liao, since it's Harbourfront.

Here, the culture between ExxonMobil and Keppel is different, but it's not a very drastic one. At first I thought, the colleagues were "un-approachable". I know this is not an appropriate word. How to say leh? It's like they will head back to office as soon as everybody finish his or her lunch, not even during work, no short casual chat other than work stuff? But they're disciplined though, when comes to work it's really work. Perhaps I'm getting used to my colleagues from Keppel. Would chat anything and everything under the sun.

So here in day 3 of my work, I tried to talk to them more during lunch so as to get to know them better. So far so good, will try to know them more to have a good and fruitful experience at ExxonMobil.

Next week will the IA starts officially. Hopefully, everything is smooth and I get to learn valuable stuff from ExxonMobil bah.

First day of IA

Finally no need to vex over theories, tutorials and exams for one semester.

To be honest, IA officially starts on 9 Jan. But I've already started on my IA as requested by my supervisor.

After full one day at ExxonMobil, I did not feel too much of a difference between a student's life and a working adult life. Much can be credited to my prior experience at Keppel, so agar-agar I already knew what an office working evironment can be.

Reached the office before 9am, just as instructed, I approached the receiptionist and told her that I need to report to my supervisor aka boss.

Boss was quite nice, brought me to my seat and introduce me the most powerful woman on that floor, haha. Gave me a brief introduction to the company, our department and my jobscope as well. Lunch at Seah Im Hawker Centre (seriously the last time I've been there was during 2008-2009 new year countdown bah...), didn't know what's good food there, but cincai bought lunch anyway.

Think either I have information overload or I really old liao, I didn't know I introduced myself to my mentor twice. LOL~ Nothing much to comment on her yet as it's only first day mah. Good to know from boss that everybody seems to be on 'auto' mode. Don't worry, I'm also very auto one.

Hmm, it appeared to me that everybody is from different walks of life in terms of qualification. While my department deals with computing, but I have people doing telecommunication, computer science (his job doesn't require him to write whole new program out) and my boss from economics. Is that the case why I'm selected? I don't know what exactly reason that I was selected.

Got to know my buddy also, he was from NTU before and graduated in 2009 with a computer science degree. It was him and among others that I'm the first intern for the department. Seriously, nobody has done internship in that department before? Somemore, others were surprised that I studied EEE and not some computer or computing related degree. Yay, EEE is too versatile liao, can do almost everything. But since I'm selected for the IA, I will just make full use of my stay at ExxonMobil bah, try to learn something and gain valuable experience out of it. :)

I didn't know ExxonMobil has an office at Harbourfront. In fact, it was quite big! But hope I can visit the plants in Jurong Island and Pioneer Road. Afterall, had some memories, both good and bad, at these places during my K9 days. Kinda miss it. Everything seems spacious, even between me and colleagues. There is even a table with chairs in between. The pantry is nice, but KIE is even bigger LOL. Anyway, I visit pantry only for refilling water.

Towards the end of the day, signed out a laptop for work use. But wasn't able to get my lift pass and smartcard. Even the laptop peripherals are new, makes me wonder if the office is also new. The people there are generally friendly, hope this is a good start.

Other than that, all seem to fall within expectation. What surprises me is the working hours, while flexibility is a good thing, but I hope to sync my start work and knock off hours with my colleagues. Don't want everybody's not around when I already reached office bah? And I didn't plan to take leave and MC, in fact I try to accomodate others for this IA. Trying to priortise IA as top priority.

Think that's all for now. Will update once I'm adapted to the environment at ExxonMobil!

Goodbye 2011, Hello 2012

又一年過去而走進歷史了

2011年沒有什麼大事件發生，也沒什麼好說的

大部分時間都花在學業上，是很忙的

漸漸也就走低調路線，低調了，也沒有人會去注意你的

所以FB、MSN、SMS都沒有人來打擾

除了一班朋友罷了，還是有whatsapp的

有時候開MSN一整天都沒人來找我，不如關掉更好hor？哈哈……

是不是也意味著，大家彼此的距離越來越遠了？雖沒明說出來，但我覺得有

發現有些已經開始慢慢沒有叫我去gathering或outing了

就算有，感覺也是有一點怪

或者說已經不像以前那樣了

我怎麼知道？感覺還有觀察

有一點可惜啦，但我又能怎樣呢？我又不是擅長搞outing的wor，都是等人約我

但話說回來，如果能忍一年了，應該沒有什麼問題吧？

日子照過，還是好好的

2011年也是開始經歷很多‘大人’的事情

會遇到有人過世，也會遇到有人結婚

然後也會開始為將來做規劃

忙歸忙，為自己的將來打拼，但我還是會停下腳步

時不時回顧過去

喜歡這樣的感覺

若時光能倒流就好了

只想停留在那一年不要前進

ok，發完白日夢，回到現在

很多人說世界末日在2012年

我不知道是真是假

但還是期待2012年會是一個更好的一年