Officially 26. Invited GD, CCL, Gwen, Elaine and Alex over to my house for steamboat on Saturday. Didn't take any pictures as none brought camera. The camera at home is missing. So sadly, no pictures taken. I really would love to have pictures taken of everyone and the fabulous steamboat we had.
Went for high tea buffet at Swissotel Merchant Court Ellenborough Market Café with my mum, sisters and my youngest sister's boyfriend. The food's worth the price, which is $22.90++ per person. Will upload the pictures soon.
For my actual birthday today, I can't take leave as the antibody group was arranged on this day. I was busy for the entire day, raising PO, refilling liquid nitrogen and sending emails. In the afternoon, went for lunch with the Antibody group at Imperial Herbal Restaurant. The food's not too bad, but the price is a bit steep in my own opinion.
Had the meeting from 2.30pm until 8.15pm. Not the most ideal timing to knock off on birthday. By the time I reached home, it's already 9.15pm. Too demoralized by this. Moreover, I had a chat with my Lab Head today. I think he knew of my plan to forgo the DSO Scholarship and go study on my own. So he talked to me today about staying positive and not let the promotion affect me too much. He kept encouraging me to go for the scholarship. My supervisor told me that my Lab Head has already planned for me to complete my Honors back at DSO using the Biacore and he will be my supervisor for the project. My supervisor even said that my Lab Head has got plans for me to continue my Masters using the Biacore. I'm really appreciative for holding such high expectations of me, but I am not confident on the higher management of DSO.
Seriously, I really would love to continue with the scholarship and complete my Honors doing Biacore work. Since I am already familiar with the system, might as well make full use of it to complete the Honors project. To be able to complete Masters is even better. Maybe I'm thinking too far, but it will be good if I can really complete my Masters. Like I told my Lab Head, DSO Scholarship is not really that good for Bachelor. They will only pay for the tuition fees and give you S$8000 per year, regardless of local or overseas studies. So if I do take it up, I will still have to fork out my own cash because S$8000 is barely sufficient for food. Chats with friends who studied in Australia will tell you that you need at least S$12000-S$15000 a year for food, transportation, clothes, accommodation etc.
He was surprised that the Bachelor Scholarship doesn't give an ample amount. He told me to check it up and let him know as he said that upper management want to retain their staff as much as possible. If the Bachelor Scholarship is such, it is not encouraging staff to stay.
I'm not sure. Thinking about my future when I am so busy with work just adds to my fatigue. I am going to take the March Malaysia trip to unwind and seriously think about my future.
Anyway, it is going to be 5 minutes before my birthday is over. So hereby wishing myself all the best in all that I do, stay happy as much as possible, quickly go for my studies and hopefully, find a girlfriend who can understand me. Happy Birthday to Myself!
Monday, January 28, 2008
Monday, January 21, 2008
Train Disruption
Didn't start off the morning on a good note. Met with a train disruption and took the free shuttle provided to Tanah Merah MRT. Proved to be a regrettable decision. The shuttle ride took 1 hour and it traveled from Pasir Ris to Tampines, to Simei and finally to Tanah Merah. Saw an auntie with very ugly manners.
The auntie, a local Singaporean nurse, was rattling at the bus driver to let her alight at one of the bus stops at Tampines. As the bus driver had received instructions to let passengers alight and board at a designated bus stop, he can't allow the auntie to alight. The auntie was complaining that she's late for work and she wanted to alight. She was also complaining that despite being promised that the bus will stop at Tampines, the bus was making no attempt to let her alight. The truth is, the bus stop is just minutes away and the bus driver had to abide by the instructions to allow passengers to alight and board at the designated bus stop. Despite attempts by other passengers to calm her down by telling her the bus stop is nearby, the nurse auntie continued to complain that she's late and she wasn't allowed to alight at Tampines.
What can I say? Irritating. Ugly. No manners. Rude. Inconsiderate. Annoying.
This is the second train disruption in less than 6 months and SMRT seriously need to up their maintenance routine. This is totally unacceptable given the fare hike almost every year. So where is our extra fare going to? The pockets of those on top? Isn't my extra fare supposed to ensure that I get "better" quality transportation?
I'm not too sure about that. Trains are always packed and buses are never on time. SMRT, you need to wake up.
The auntie, a local Singaporean nurse, was rattling at the bus driver to let her alight at one of the bus stops at Tampines. As the bus driver had received instructions to let passengers alight and board at a designated bus stop, he can't allow the auntie to alight. The auntie was complaining that she's late for work and she wanted to alight. She was also complaining that despite being promised that the bus will stop at Tampines, the bus was making no attempt to let her alight. The truth is, the bus stop is just minutes away and the bus driver had to abide by the instructions to allow passengers to alight and board at the designated bus stop. Despite attempts by other passengers to calm her down by telling her the bus stop is nearby, the nurse auntie continued to complain that she's late and she wasn't allowed to alight at Tampines.
What can I say? Irritating. Ugly. No manners. Rude. Inconsiderate. Annoying.
This is the second train disruption in less than 6 months and SMRT seriously need to up their maintenance routine. This is totally unacceptable given the fare hike almost every year. So where is our extra fare going to? The pockets of those on top? Isn't my extra fare supposed to ensure that I get "better" quality transportation?
I'm not too sure about that. Trains are always packed and buses are never on time. SMRT, you need to wake up.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Misc
My wisdom tooth is growing and it is causing a hell lot of pain. Can't eat and sleep properly.
Bought my American Eagle polo T-shirt, shirt and jeans. All 3 items for just $145. I think it is reasonable. Also bought a pair of Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66 Baja. Now trying to aim for an affordable pair of cool Tokyoflash watch.
Picked up my Wii Guitar Hero: Legend of Rock again after a few weeks of resting. Now challenging people online.
Was informed that my promotion is "delayed" because "I am not in the centre long enough".
CCL introduced a very nice yong tau foo stall at Eunos area to me. Will be bringing my family there soon.
Going for National Vertical Marathon held on 24 February 2008 at Republic Plaza (again...)
My room, since late November, is Doraemon-blue.
My room is now bed-less because the frame got damaged.
Waiting for Michael Jackson to release his 25 Years Thriller album.
Waiting for replies for my university applications.
Still undecided on whether to apply for the DSO Scholarship or not.
Praying hard my Nokia E61 don't die on me again.
Birthday is coming soon. Aging again...
Can't wait for my Malaysia trip (with my BMT buddy, CJ), Hong Kong trip (hopefully can still get to go with GD&Co), Europe/USA trip (overseas conference) and Hokkaido trip (with mum and sisters).
Bought my American Eagle polo T-shirt, shirt and jeans. All 3 items for just $145. I think it is reasonable. Also bought a pair of Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66 Baja. Now trying to aim for an affordable pair of cool Tokyoflash watch.
Picked up my Wii Guitar Hero: Legend of Rock again after a few weeks of resting. Now challenging people online.
Was informed that my promotion is "delayed" because "I am not in the centre long enough".
CCL introduced a very nice yong tau foo stall at Eunos area to me. Will be bringing my family there soon.
Going for National Vertical Marathon held on 24 February 2008 at Republic Plaza (again...)
My room, since late November, is Doraemon-blue.
My room is now bed-less because the frame got damaged.
Waiting for Michael Jackson to release his 25 Years Thriller album.
Waiting for replies for my university applications.
Still undecided on whether to apply for the DSO Scholarship or not.
Praying hard my Nokia E61 don't die on me again.
Birthday is coming soon. Aging again...
Can't wait for my Malaysia trip (with my BMT buddy, CJ), Hong Kong trip (hopefully can still get to go with GD&Co), Europe/USA trip (overseas conference) and Hokkaido trip (with mum and sisters).
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Friendship
Read GD's blog yesterday and thought of my own relationship within GD&Co. Apparently, the East Chamber is having an internal conflict on maintaining their friendship. From his blog, it seems like GD is the only one linking all the members of East Chamber. If not for him, they will most probably end up like pearls without a chain.
Looking at my own group, which consists of GD, Elaine, Gwen, QY and I, I realised that our group should be easier to manage since we are a smaller group. But I soon found that it is not that simple. Out onto the society, we tend to be caught up in the vicious cycle of losing ourselves to the cold hard reality. We are driven by fame, grades and money that we soon forget our true identity. We become slaves of work, losing our need for a warm touch. Hearts soon turn to steel, cold and hard. We start to lose every bit of feelings, emotions and a sense of belonging.
I know GD is trying hard to maintain the East Chamber and also my group. Kudos to him for the effort. I really appreciate what he has done for my group, despite his constant defence of the self-proclaimed outcast. I really treasure those Saturdays and Sundays where I will cycle to his house in the morning to meet up for a short jog and breakfast. No doubt I may have to drag myself out of bed at 7am, but I guess it was worth the effort. I believe that there is no barrier in a friendship. You just have to give and take all the time. You don't get to do only one. This is no longer friendship. Sacrifice and Gain are part of a Friendship. If you don't even bother to make an effort to maintain a friendship with your friends, you will soon lose touch with them and become a total stranger.
I always believe that maintaining a friendship is a matter of whether you want to make the effort or not. Take my group for instance. We all try to accommodate a time when everyone is able to make it for a meal or just a drink together. Sometimes, it may mean sacrificing several hours of sleep or family time. I understand that to organise a diner or supper is tough work. But like what I wrote earlier, it is part of a friendship.
I don't know about those who desert their friends. I don't know about those who chose not to respond to their friends. I don't know about those who don't make an effort to maintain a friendship. But I do know one thing. I treasure all my friends
Looking at my own group, which consists of GD, Elaine, Gwen, QY and I, I realised that our group should be easier to manage since we are a smaller group. But I soon found that it is not that simple. Out onto the society, we tend to be caught up in the vicious cycle of losing ourselves to the cold hard reality. We are driven by fame, grades and money that we soon forget our true identity. We become slaves of work, losing our need for a warm touch. Hearts soon turn to steel, cold and hard. We start to lose every bit of feelings, emotions and a sense of belonging.
I know GD is trying hard to maintain the East Chamber and also my group. Kudos to him for the effort. I really appreciate what he has done for my group, despite his constant defence of the self-proclaimed outcast. I really treasure those Saturdays and Sundays where I will cycle to his house in the morning to meet up for a short jog and breakfast. No doubt I may have to drag myself out of bed at 7am, but I guess it was worth the effort. I believe that there is no barrier in a friendship. You just have to give and take all the time. You don't get to do only one. This is no longer friendship. Sacrifice and Gain are part of a Friendship. If you don't even bother to make an effort to maintain a friendship with your friends, you will soon lose touch with them and become a total stranger.
I always believe that maintaining a friendship is a matter of whether you want to make the effort or not. Take my group for instance. We all try to accommodate a time when everyone is able to make it for a meal or just a drink together. Sometimes, it may mean sacrificing several hours of sleep or family time. I understand that to organise a diner or supper is tough work. But like what I wrote earlier, it is part of a friendship.
I don't know about those who desert their friends. I don't know about those who chose not to respond to their friends. I don't know about those who don't make an effort to maintain a friendship. But I do know one thing. I treasure all my friends
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Goodbye 2007... Please be nice, 2008...
In a blink of an eye, 2007 had come to a close. I guess the only highlight of 2007 was the Phuket trip with GD&Co, the return of Gwen back from Australia and the loss of QY from the group.
In 27 days' time, my age will chalk up another year of existence. Still nothing accomplished yet. Still no proper career, no girlfriend, no life. But I ain't complaining. I am in no position to complain about my life. I chose this path and I will stick with it till the end.
Received a piece of news from my supervisor last week. She told me that my promotion is delayed because I have not been with my current division long enough. What a crappy reason... Do not be mistaken. Neither my Lab Head nor supervisor halted my promotion. It is the upper management. My ex-vice director received the same treatment as well. She should have been a director position but was given the same reason. Crap... This really sets me thinking about whether to apply for the scholarship. Enough of the crappy stuff. Makes my blood boil thinking of the stupid reason.
Looking forward to the birthday steamboat at my house on 26 Jan. We sure had lots of fun when we last ate at my house, also for my birthday. Guess the last steamboat at my house really left a good impression with the gang. That's why they are suggesting it again this year. Hahaha~
For 2008, I just hope that my luck can be better at the mahjong table. Hahaha~ May all my lovely family and dear friends have the best of health and be cheerful always. May Lady Luck smile at all of them in whatever they do. May my bonus be fat so that I can buy the gadgets I want (seriously keeping my fingers crossed for that...) Just hope that the world can be more peaceful and quiet. Cheers!
In 27 days' time, my age will chalk up another year of existence. Still nothing accomplished yet. Still no proper career, no girlfriend, no life. But I ain't complaining. I am in no position to complain about my life. I chose this path and I will stick with it till the end.
Received a piece of news from my supervisor last week. She told me that my promotion is delayed because I have not been with my current division long enough. What a crappy reason... Do not be mistaken. Neither my Lab Head nor supervisor halted my promotion. It is the upper management. My ex-vice director received the same treatment as well. She should have been a director position but was given the same reason. Crap... This really sets me thinking about whether to apply for the scholarship. Enough of the crappy stuff. Makes my blood boil thinking of the stupid reason.
Looking forward to the birthday steamboat at my house on 26 Jan. We sure had lots of fun when we last ate at my house, also for my birthday. Guess the last steamboat at my house really left a good impression with the gang. That's why they are suggesting it again this year. Hahaha~
For 2008, I just hope that my luck can be better at the mahjong table. Hahaha~ May all my lovely family and dear friends have the best of health and be cheerful always. May Lady Luck smile at all of them in whatever they do. May my bonus be fat so that I can buy the gadgets I want (seriously keeping my fingers crossed for that...) Just hope that the world can be more peaceful and quiet. Cheers!
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