O'Sweet Advice!
I really ought to be packing my bags for my long trip back home, but what am I doing now?! Scribbling on my blog. Duh! Just want to take this down, before it pops out of my mind and this happens really frequently now. I wonder if my brain cells are degenerating.
I have frequently distributed advices to my friends (of course carefully thought advices, not irresponsible ones!) and well, sometimes, they do not really need it, but for a second confirmation. Oh, my advices are great -- practical, logical, morally and politically correct. Great advices!
But, when the misfortune falls on me, will I have the guts and will to carry out my own advices? I can self righteously declare, yes yes, thou shalt not sin, blah... blah.. the 10 commanments. When it really happens to me, can I take myself mentally out of the fit, reconsider all my choices and act upon the best. Frankly speaking (My negotiation class lecturer would say, you mean you have been lying all along? Well, I have not!), there is a possibility that I cannot make good my own advices.
Therefore, here comes me to my conclusion :
Advices are freely given but not easily practised.
Saturday, October 19, 2002
A Loner in the Crowd
As I sat in the Chinese restaurant, fidgeting in my seat, sweeping my eyes across the room, I realised that, every table was occupied by either couples, duos or large groups. Huddled in my seat, I was the only loner.
Funny how I stayed at home all day and not feel a wee bit lonely, but sitting there in the middle of the crowd, I felt like I didn't belong. Which person would be insane enough to eat in a 'family' restaurant, alone?! I picked at the tablecloth, feeling very self conscious, thinking desperately for something to do, to drive away the L monster. No books handy as I wasn't really prepared to eat my dinner out. Yes, I could always fritter some time away by writing in my diary. Therefore, I hurled out my.. little... diary book and started scribbling. People started staring, totally curious about that Asian girl at the next table, alone and furiously writing away. I took down my little observations (When I forget my book in the *MRT, I like to observe people secretly. Discreetly of course, for I have no wish to be beaten up for a split second eye contact.), how some of the Germans insisted on using chopsticks... with plates, a wonder to me. How could they ever manage to eat properly like that, for chopsticks go with bowls and plates are just too shallow? Or perhaps, they were more Chinese than I ever was, for I used a plate, fork, spoon and knife just now. How amazing, the easterners striving to become westernised and the westerners busy imitating the habits of the easterners.
However, I have deviated from the purpose of this passage. Things always do not turn out the way I want them to. THe point I want to make is, when I am alone, the more people there are in the same room, the lonelier I feel. Whereas, alone in an apartment does not invite loneliness. Is this strange? Am I strange?
*MRT = Mass Rapid Transport in Singapore = Subway in UK = S bahn in Germany
As I sat in the Chinese restaurant, fidgeting in my seat, sweeping my eyes across the room, I realised that, every table was occupied by either couples, duos or large groups. Huddled in my seat, I was the only loner.
Funny how I stayed at home all day and not feel a wee bit lonely, but sitting there in the middle of the crowd, I felt like I didn't belong. Which person would be insane enough to eat in a 'family' restaurant, alone?! I picked at the tablecloth, feeling very self conscious, thinking desperately for something to do, to drive away the L monster. No books handy as I wasn't really prepared to eat my dinner out. Yes, I could always fritter some time away by writing in my diary. Therefore, I hurled out my.. little... diary book and started scribbling. People started staring, totally curious about that Asian girl at the next table, alone and furiously writing away. I took down my little observations (When I forget my book in the *MRT, I like to observe people secretly. Discreetly of course, for I have no wish to be beaten up for a split second eye contact.), how some of the Germans insisted on using chopsticks... with plates, a wonder to me. How could they ever manage to eat properly like that, for chopsticks go with bowls and plates are just too shallow? Or perhaps, they were more Chinese than I ever was, for I used a plate, fork, spoon and knife just now. How amazing, the easterners striving to become westernised and the westerners busy imitating the habits of the easterners.
However, I have deviated from the purpose of this passage. Things always do not turn out the way I want them to. THe point I want to make is, when I am alone, the more people there are in the same room, the lonelier I feel. Whereas, alone in an apartment does not invite loneliness. Is this strange? Am I strange?
*MRT = Mass Rapid Transport in Singapore = Subway in UK = S bahn in Germany
The Hamster Escapade Part 3
The slimy moron is now back in its prison! Muahahahah....!!!
All it took was a cookie box (Danish Butter cookie, for that matter!), a bowl of food, a stick that was made of little fruits. The cookie box propped up by the fruit stick and the food bowl placed strategically in the middle, that made up the trap. Tired of sitting, waiting, chasing after it the whole night, I decided that, there would be no more hide-and-seek with it. There are tonnes of places to hide in my apartment, and 90% of them are unmovables.
That fateful morning, it had the audacity to run around the room, AND even over my lap under my very nose!!! Pissed, I assembled the trap and left for work.
Later that day, as soon as I stepped into the door, I scrambled into the living room, to check on my ingenious trap! The box was down, the trap had sprung! However, the question was, did I manage to capture it? Circling the box, I cautiously knocked on the top of the box. No squeak, no sound.... Disheartened, oh well, it probably was smart enough to escape from its fate, since it had, still has, such an intelligent owner. I picked up the box, preparing to clear the mess. Lo and behold, it was sitting there, peering at me with its black round eyes. Oops. I have never been faster. I slapped the box right over the same position. Readying its home box (by taping tonnes of paper over the hole, a hundred miles of adhesive tape, and another tonne of paper on the outside of the box), I flipped the cookie box and all its content into the box. Caught but unrepentent, til this night, it is still scrambling around, searching for another nook to escape from.
Due to the superior intelligence of the owner, this episode ended with an amazing speed, with minimal effort!.
~~~ Who me?! My one cent worth of thoughts!! ~~~
The slimy moron is now back in its prison! Muahahahah....!!!
All it took was a cookie box (Danish Butter cookie, for that matter!), a bowl of food, a stick that was made of little fruits. The cookie box propped up by the fruit stick and the food bowl placed strategically in the middle, that made up the trap. Tired of sitting, waiting, chasing after it the whole night, I decided that, there would be no more hide-and-seek with it. There are tonnes of places to hide in my apartment, and 90% of them are unmovables.
That fateful morning, it had the audacity to run around the room, AND even over my lap under my very nose!!! Pissed, I assembled the trap and left for work.
Later that day, as soon as I stepped into the door, I scrambled into the living room, to check on my ingenious trap! The box was down, the trap had sprung! However, the question was, did I manage to capture it? Circling the box, I cautiously knocked on the top of the box. No squeak, no sound.... Disheartened, oh well, it probably was smart enough to escape from its fate, since it had, still has, such an intelligent owner. I picked up the box, preparing to clear the mess. Lo and behold, it was sitting there, peering at me with its black round eyes. Oops. I have never been faster. I slapped the box right over the same position. Readying its home box (by taping tonnes of paper over the hole, a hundred miles of adhesive tape, and another tonne of paper on the outside of the box), I flipped the cookie box and all its content into the box. Caught but unrepentent, til this night, it is still scrambling around, searching for another nook to escape from.
Due to the superior intelligence of the owner, this episode ended with an amazing speed, with minimal effort!.
~~~ Who me?! My one cent worth of thoughts!! ~~~
Thursday, October 17, 2002
Shout outs = Comments!
One last thought before I turn in for the night. Why aren't there any comments written, ever since I have enthusiastically added in my comments script. The enthusiasm has died down somehow, when night after night, I exuberantly checked my website, just to find the comments box empty. But, then again, if there aren't any constructive remarks, then it is a better idea to leave it blank. (Take note, Wenjie!) I can only think of the following reasons on why my comments columns are blank :
1. People have not realised that the little blue words 'shout outs' = comments. Yes, that is right. That is the link to the comments box!
2. Everyone do not have any constructive comments to make.
3. Nobody ever takes my writings seriously or even read them with a heart. No heart = no comments.
4. I must have twanged up the 688 hit on my page myself, therefore, I am the only one reading my own articles and hence, no comments from anyone else.
5. Busy working schedules have drained all my readers of their brain juices.
6. I am just another link in somebody's favourites. Sob.
One last thought before I turn in for the night. Why aren't there any comments written, ever since I have enthusiastically added in my comments script. The enthusiasm has died down somehow, when night after night, I exuberantly checked my website, just to find the comments box empty. But, then again, if there aren't any constructive remarks, then it is a better idea to leave it blank. (Take note, Wenjie!) I can only think of the following reasons on why my comments columns are blank :
1. People have not realised that the little blue words 'shout outs' = comments. Yes, that is right. That is the link to the comments box!
2. Everyone do not have any constructive comments to make.
3. Nobody ever takes my writings seriously or even read them with a heart. No heart = no comments.
4. I must have twanged up the 688 hit on my page myself, therefore, I am the only one reading my own articles and hence, no comments from anyone else.
5. Busy working schedules have drained all my readers of their brain juices.
6. I am just another link in somebody's favourites. Sob.
The Hamster Escapade Part 1
I simply cannot believe it!! I have sealed up absolutely every hole in the box, so how did that slimy bastard get out of it? I simply could not understand. Could my devious dwarf hamster have teleported itself out of the box?! Nah, I must have been reading too many sci-fic. Refusing to believe that it had disappeared, I combed through the wood shavings and yes, its droppings, 3 whole times! GONE!!
Still pondering over this mystery, I headed for the shower. I am not sure if this happens to everyone, but showers work wonders for me!! I have solved iq questions, brain teasers in the showers! The questions absolutely boggled my mind for the whole day, but everything seems clear in the shower! Darn! Could it have gnawed its way through my paper security ?! (I have sealed the holes with 8 layers of thick 80 g paper after its previous escape!!) After my shower, I dashed to the kitchen and examined the box and sure enough there was a little hole bitten through the paper at the back of the box, just big enough for that little bastard to crawl through!
To think I had even contemplated on sneaking it back to Singapore and in the process, breaking every single customs law in my country. I swear I am going to poison its food and chop the ungrateful rodent up into micon pieces!!! !@%#@%!& There!! Are you going to report me to the Prevention of Animal Cruelty Association?!!! I will chop it up and cook curry with its meat and feed it to my neighbour's cat if it is the last thing I will ever do!!!
I simply cannot believe it!! I have sealed up absolutely every hole in the box, so how did that slimy bastard get out of it? I simply could not understand. Could my devious dwarf hamster have teleported itself out of the box?! Nah, I must have been reading too many sci-fic. Refusing to believe that it had disappeared, I combed through the wood shavings and yes, its droppings, 3 whole times! GONE!!
Still pondering over this mystery, I headed for the shower. I am not sure if this happens to everyone, but showers work wonders for me!! I have solved iq questions, brain teasers in the showers! The questions absolutely boggled my mind for the whole day, but everything seems clear in the shower! Darn! Could it have gnawed its way through my paper security ?! (I have sealed the holes with 8 layers of thick 80 g paper after its previous escape!!) After my shower, I dashed to the kitchen and examined the box and sure enough there was a little hole bitten through the paper at the back of the box, just big enough for that little bastard to crawl through!
To think I had even contemplated on sneaking it back to Singapore and in the process, breaking every single customs law in my country. I swear I am going to poison its food and chop the ungrateful rodent up into micon pieces!!! !@%#@%!& There!! Are you going to report me to the Prevention of Animal Cruelty Association?!!! I will chop it up and cook curry with its meat and feed it to my neighbour's cat if it is the last thing I will ever do!!!
Ripped this off YY's blog. Memory game - nice yummy japanese food. However I got everything right at the 5th try. My memory is deteriorating, talk about senility. Hmm....
Tuesday, October 15, 2002
Saturday, October 12, 2002
Sunday, October 06, 2002
OK, I am up!
Seminar for 3 days. Hurray! A brilliant excuse to get my butts off work.
The curry is eating into my pot, dusts are beginning to 'dustball' literally.... The latest effort in beautifying my apartment are the additions of an air freshener and a wc cleaner. At least, when I hit the door 3 days later, the place will smell good, sniff sniff, even if it doesn't look less like a war ravaged location. Not much of a homemaker I am. I swear that I will wilt and be reduced to ashes if I ever have to be a professional homemaker. My sincerest admiration for all the homemakers out there.
Now, where is my travelling bag?!
~~The Flustered Procratinator.....
Seminar for 3 days. Hurray! A brilliant excuse to get my butts off work.
The curry is eating into my pot, dusts are beginning to 'dustball' literally.... The latest effort in beautifying my apartment are the additions of an air freshener and a wc cleaner. At least, when I hit the door 3 days later, the place will smell good, sniff sniff, even if it doesn't look less like a war ravaged location. Not much of a homemaker I am. I swear that I will wilt and be reduced to ashes if I ever have to be a professional homemaker. My sincerest admiration for all the homemakers out there.
Now, where is my travelling bag?!
~~The Flustered Procratinator.....
It's 2am and I am still alive.
Uploading my dearly outdated photos into the Yahoo album.
My Favourite Photo - Doesn't it show lots of potential? ;)
~~The Sleepy Procrastinator....
Uploading my dearly outdated photos into the Yahoo album.
My Favourite Photo - Doesn't it show lots of potential? ;)
~~The Sleepy Procrastinator....
Scream 4 (Or is it 3?)
Lots of stories tonight. It seems that every crappy thing happens to me.
Still on Yahoo Messenger with my friend. "BRRrriiiinnggg...!""BRrriiinnngggg!"
Darn! The doorbell at this hour?! It can't be the postman!
I had, initially, thought that it might have been my friend, who lived, and still does, in the house beside mine. Wierd, he would, usually call me first. I put on my sweater, slipped my feet into my slippers and waddled to my door. All this while the doorbell rang, yet another time. I tore down the stairs to the front door.
I live at the top of a double storey house and my neighbour lives at the bottom and we share the same front door. The front door opens to a large yard and the gate stands in front of a long driveway.
I switched on the lights and flipped my front door open. It was pitch black in the yard. For some reasons, there are minimal streetlamps in Germany. Standing at the door, I couldn't make out if there was a person standing at the gate. There was a chilly wind blowing, as it had rained for the better part of the day and it was nearing winter. I made a dash to the gate. Nobody was there. I stood there for a full one minute and peered into the darkness. Still no one. Shivering a little, I made my way back to the front door and realised that I had left the front door and the door to my apartment open. Oh great. Thinking of the movie, Scream, I chided myself. This is how the victims are killed!! Darn! How could I have been so careless! It felt like a scene taken from the movie. THe doorbell rang, the victim went to the door, but no one was there. She went back inside, horror of all horrors, the psychopath was in the house!!! While she was watching television, he stepped out of the shadows and stabbed her to death. Whatever, I have only watched it once, but being a horror fan, I probably took all the scenes from every movie and rolled them into one.
I closed the front door softly and cautiously crept up the stairs. At my door, I snatched an umbrella from the stand. Great weapon har!?? Better than nothing! I left the door open and sneaked into every room, checking the dark corners and looking behind me . (The victims were usually killed from the back! Duh!)
Nothing. I heaved a sigh of relief, closed the door with a double lock. Phew!
Who knows, maybe he is still in here somewhere, webbed to the ceiling like spiderman, as I checked the rooms. Right now, he may be behind me, while I am typing my blog. Eeeh oooh ehhhh oooh....... Eeerie music from *the Ring floats in.....
*The Ring is one of the most successful horror movie, that I have ever seen. Adapted from a book, it is a simple, back-to-the-elements, but horrifying effective movie. 5 stars.
Lots of stories tonight. It seems that every crappy thing happens to me.
Still on Yahoo Messenger with my friend. "BRRrriiiinnggg...!""BRrriiinnngggg!"
Darn! The doorbell at this hour?! It can't be the postman!
I had, initially, thought that it might have been my friend, who lived, and still does, in the house beside mine. Wierd, he would, usually call me first. I put on my sweater, slipped my feet into my slippers and waddled to my door. All this while the doorbell rang, yet another time. I tore down the stairs to the front door.
I live at the top of a double storey house and my neighbour lives at the bottom and we share the same front door. The front door opens to a large yard and the gate stands in front of a long driveway.
I switched on the lights and flipped my front door open. It was pitch black in the yard. For some reasons, there are minimal streetlamps in Germany. Standing at the door, I couldn't make out if there was a person standing at the gate. There was a chilly wind blowing, as it had rained for the better part of the day and it was nearing winter. I made a dash to the gate. Nobody was there. I stood there for a full one minute and peered into the darkness. Still no one. Shivering a little, I made my way back to the front door and realised that I had left the front door and the door to my apartment open. Oh great. Thinking of the movie, Scream, I chided myself. This is how the victims are killed!! Darn! How could I have been so careless! It felt like a scene taken from the movie. THe doorbell rang, the victim went to the door, but no one was there. She went back inside, horror of all horrors, the psychopath was in the house!!! While she was watching television, he stepped out of the shadows and stabbed her to death. Whatever, I have only watched it once, but being a horror fan, I probably took all the scenes from every movie and rolled them into one.
I closed the front door softly and cautiously crept up the stairs. At my door, I snatched an umbrella from the stand. Great weapon har!?? Better than nothing! I left the door open and sneaked into every room, checking the dark corners and looking behind me . (The victims were usually killed from the back! Duh!)
Nothing. I heaved a sigh of relief, closed the door with a double lock. Phew!
Who knows, maybe he is still in here somewhere, webbed to the ceiling like spiderman, as I checked the rooms. Right now, he may be behind me, while I am typing my blog. Eeeh oooh ehhhh oooh....... Eeerie music from *the Ring floats in.....
*The Ring is one of the most successful horror movie, that I have ever seen. Adapted from a book, it is a simple, back-to-the-elements, but horrifying effective movie. 5 stars.
Lego Boggle!
Diving, rollerblading, book collecting.. I was ticking off my hobbies with my fingers and toes to Wenjie, who was keeping me company despite the 6 hours time difference and triple visions of the monitor. All for a starbucks coffee.
"Have you heard about Mindstorms?"
Thinking that it was another of those rpg computer thingy, "Mindstorms? I have not heard about it yet. WHat is it about?"
"It is not a computer game, it is something from Lego."
Oh, Lego. The joys of my childhood and my parents. Images of colourful blocks flashed across my mind. I vaguely remembered my father carrying a large box, wrapped in bits of colourful paper. "Your birthday present!" "Mine mine!" My eyes were as large as saucers and I stretched out my arms for it. Anything that was wrapped up, I would be interested in it. I spent the next few minutes, thrashing the carefully wrapped box, mutated bits of paper all around me. At the end of the project, a large white box with colourful pictures of blocky figures sat among the mountain of torn paper. Different blocks of colourful plastic pieces could be seen where parts of the box were plastic. "Oooh!" I reached for the blocks and promptly poked a hole through the cover. My father reached for my little hand and placed it at the box opening. Prompted by the action, I pulled the top of the box apart. Rows and rows of shiny blocks sat uniformly in the plastic dishes. Father pulled out a little booklet from the bottom of the case and pointed to a little car. Within a few seconds, a spiffy little car sat in front of me. I hate people doing things for me. In the next minute, the car was back in its elements. Flipping the little booklet, I peered at the little figures. By the way, I was a bookworm and still am. Anything that is found in a book, catches my attention. I decided to embark on the most difficult project - a neat little bungalow. As usual, I liked the most provocative task, and still do. I embarked on the mission immediately, that took a few days, sitting among the little blocks. My parents were relieved for the next few days, as I had been the biggest challenge in their marriage. I was kept quiet by lego. I completed the little house, for throughout that time, I could only think lego, sleep lego, eat lego. Within the next week, I finished every single item in the booklet and embarked upon other challenging projects. Lego kept me quiet for one whole month, the most successful toy ever.
"Ah yes, what about lego?"
"You can make robots from this set and even program it to do some simple tasks. Have you ever heard of the Aibo?"
I rolled my eyes. "Of course!!"
"Well, a guy managed to make a robot, even more intelligent than Aibo all from lego blocks."
"SERIOUS! I love legos!! And a lego robot?! THat sounds absolutely cool!!"
"Yep, I just splurged 400 bucks on one."
"So what can your robot do now?"
"Erm... just making a few turns."
"I thought you said, it can be more intelligent than the Aibo, why is yours only making a few turns!"
"Give me some time! I just bought the thing and am still learning how to intelligentise it!"
"Is there such a word! Oh great! I think I will get one when I get back to SIngapore. I don't think I want to buy it here, not too interested in a German robot. Ok, when I get mine, let us compete on whose lego robot is smarter!" (Arh! My competitive streak again! )
"Ok, that is, if you get back! You still owe me a Starbucks coffee!"
" Hey! Good idea! Why not, let's go to Starbucks and you bring your robot along and let me play with it, while you drink your coffee!"
In a pained voice, "We shall see......."
"=p"
Took out my hobbies list, scratched another hobby at number 100.
Diving, rollerblading, book collecting.. I was ticking off my hobbies with my fingers and toes to Wenjie, who was keeping me company despite the 6 hours time difference and triple visions of the monitor. All for a starbucks coffee.
"Have you heard about Mindstorms?"
Thinking that it was another of those rpg computer thingy, "Mindstorms? I have not heard about it yet. WHat is it about?"
"It is not a computer game, it is something from Lego."
Oh, Lego. The joys of my childhood and my parents. Images of colourful blocks flashed across my mind. I vaguely remembered my father carrying a large box, wrapped in bits of colourful paper. "Your birthday present!" "Mine mine!" My eyes were as large as saucers and I stretched out my arms for it. Anything that was wrapped up, I would be interested in it. I spent the next few minutes, thrashing the carefully wrapped box, mutated bits of paper all around me. At the end of the project, a large white box with colourful pictures of blocky figures sat among the mountain of torn paper. Different blocks of colourful plastic pieces could be seen where parts of the box were plastic. "Oooh!" I reached for the blocks and promptly poked a hole through the cover. My father reached for my little hand and placed it at the box opening. Prompted by the action, I pulled the top of the box apart. Rows and rows of shiny blocks sat uniformly in the plastic dishes. Father pulled out a little booklet from the bottom of the case and pointed to a little car. Within a few seconds, a spiffy little car sat in front of me. I hate people doing things for me. In the next minute, the car was back in its elements. Flipping the little booklet, I peered at the little figures. By the way, I was a bookworm and still am. Anything that is found in a book, catches my attention. I decided to embark on the most difficult project - a neat little bungalow. As usual, I liked the most provocative task, and still do. I embarked on the mission immediately, that took a few days, sitting among the little blocks. My parents were relieved for the next few days, as I had been the biggest challenge in their marriage. I was kept quiet by lego. I completed the little house, for throughout that time, I could only think lego, sleep lego, eat lego. Within the next week, I finished every single item in the booklet and embarked upon other challenging projects. Lego kept me quiet for one whole month, the most successful toy ever.
"Ah yes, what about lego?"
"You can make robots from this set and even program it to do some simple tasks. Have you ever heard of the Aibo?"
I rolled my eyes. "Of course!!"
"Well, a guy managed to make a robot, even more intelligent than Aibo all from lego blocks."
"SERIOUS! I love legos!! And a lego robot?! THat sounds absolutely cool!!"
"Yep, I just splurged 400 bucks on one."
"So what can your robot do now?"
"Erm... just making a few turns."
"I thought you said, it can be more intelligent than the Aibo, why is yours only making a few turns!"
"Give me some time! I just bought the thing and am still learning how to intelligentise it!"
"Is there such a word! Oh great! I think I will get one when I get back to SIngapore. I don't think I want to buy it here, not too interested in a German robot. Ok, when I get mine, let us compete on whose lego robot is smarter!" (Arh! My competitive streak again! )
"Ok, that is, if you get back! You still owe me a Starbucks coffee!"
" Hey! Good idea! Why not, let's go to Starbucks and you bring your robot along and let me play with it, while you drink your coffee!"
In a pained voice, "We shall see......."
"=p"
Took out my hobbies list, scratched another hobby at number 100.
Saturday, October 05, 2002
Suay! (Bad Luck!)
First time in Fuessen, 2 months back : We managed to catch the Hohenschwangau on film, but missed the Neuschwanstein because it started raining, by the time, we sent off for Castle N.
Second time in Fueseen, this morning: The minute I laid my tiny little feet on the Fuessen soil, it started pouring. That didn't look promising at all. Of course, it lived up to its promise, it poured from the moment I arrived and to the second I left. What a waste of time, I might as well, stay at home and watch vcds for the whole day. Unwilling for the whole trip to go to waste, I bravely went up the mountains. At the bridge, I managed to snap a few shots of Castle N. But, I am not too optimistic with the final products
1. It felt like the whole world was on that bridge, so as you can imagine, there were people jostling me, elephants stomping on the bridge. Not exactly the perfect environment for masterpieces.
2. There was a steady drizzle throughout the whole day, causing a slight mist to rise, fogging up the breathtaking scenery. I wonder if there will be mushrooms growing in my camera after its bath.
3. The skies were a gloomy grey, not an ideal background for any photos, unless you are taking black and white.
The only heartening beauty spots, were the autumn colours of orange and red, dotting the green tops. It is not a full blown autumn yet. However, to a *san gui like me, all the 4 seasons were fantastic. In my homeland, it is summer the whole year round. The Germans went, "Oh wow! You must love your weather! Summer all year round!" You could practically see their drool seep out of their mouths. Maybe it goes by the theory of " The grass is always greener on the other side."
Anyway, I have decided to stay at home for the rest of the holiday. It seems that when I coop myself up at home, it is bright and sunny outside and vice versa. I think I must have offended some weather god or goddess. Now what?!
First time in Fuessen, 2 months back : We managed to catch the Hohenschwangau on film, but missed the Neuschwanstein because it started raining, by the time, we sent off for Castle N.
Second time in Fueseen, this morning: The minute I laid my tiny little feet on the Fuessen soil, it started pouring. That didn't look promising at all. Of course, it lived up to its promise, it poured from the moment I arrived and to the second I left. What a waste of time, I might as well, stay at home and watch vcds for the whole day. Unwilling for the whole trip to go to waste, I bravely went up the mountains. At the bridge, I managed to snap a few shots of Castle N. But, I am not too optimistic with the final products
1. It felt like the whole world was on that bridge, so as you can imagine, there were people jostling me, elephants stomping on the bridge. Not exactly the perfect environment for masterpieces.
2. There was a steady drizzle throughout the whole day, causing a slight mist to rise, fogging up the breathtaking scenery. I wonder if there will be mushrooms growing in my camera after its bath.
3. The skies were a gloomy grey, not an ideal background for any photos, unless you are taking black and white.
The only heartening beauty spots, were the autumn colours of orange and red, dotting the green tops. It is not a full blown autumn yet. However, to a *san gui like me, all the 4 seasons were fantastic. In my homeland, it is summer the whole year round. The Germans went, "Oh wow! You must love your weather! Summer all year round!" You could practically see their drool seep out of their mouths. Maybe it goes by the theory of " The grass is always greener on the other side."
Anyway, I have decided to stay at home for the rest of the holiday. It seems that when I coop myself up at home, it is bright and sunny outside and vice versa. I think I must have offended some weather god or goddess. Now what?!
Friday, October 04, 2002
Headaches of the Employers (Or is it Employees?)
Due to the much talked about topic of uncommitted employees in Singapore, there has been a survey conducted on this issue. "What makes a Singapore Boss ticks?" Interesting, interesting. The article pointed out that this syndrome was caused by bosses with poor people management.
Well, to a certain extent, I agree with this statement, for I have seen too many an example. Brilliant technical people come to a fork in their career paths. In foreign companies, there will be usually 2 options, to become a technical specialist and move up in that aspect, the other, to move in a resource (usually people) management post. Perhaps, due to the limits of the small offices in Singapore, these choices are not usually available. Therefore, you have the scenario of superb engineers thrust into the uncomfortable positions. "Either you become a manager or else, too bad, you will just remain in your current position til you are 60!!" Not much of a choice here, any sane person will pick the former. Therefore, you have on your hands, a very unhappy manager who is a square in a circular hole, with totally undesirable people management, a whole village of dissatisfied employees which results in an unproductive department. That doesn't sound much like a win-win situation to me. There you have it, a troupe of grasshoppers, jumping to any available, attractive field. I can really empathize with them, for I, myself, have been a scrapegoat of this system as well.
Another great reason, in my opinion, has to do with the culture and environment that we have grown up in. Singapore is a meritocratic society. When you have straight As, you are Mommy's blue eyed boy, just one F, you will be dropped from grace. The society is just so pragmatic. We have been encouraged to strive for good results, because that is equivalent to good job opportunities, high salary and a promising career. The "I want to be on top and have the best!" mentality has been cultivated since young. This applies to the expectations of a job too. People go from job to job, searching for the best one, chasing after the pot at the end of the rainbow, a fantasy. Employees no longer take crap as they used to, for they think that there is a better job out there. Besides, one day this industry may booming, the next day, totally gone.
"Why should we live for tomorrow? Live for today! Grab the best! Be the best!"
Therefore, once they smell the scent of a greener pasture, they move on.
Society has made us so, why push the total blame onto the bosses? Besides, most of these bosses are Made In Singapore products, nurtured by this very society. Think again!
Due to the much talked about topic of uncommitted employees in Singapore, there has been a survey conducted on this issue. "What makes a Singapore Boss ticks?" Interesting, interesting. The article pointed out that this syndrome was caused by bosses with poor people management.
Well, to a certain extent, I agree with this statement, for I have seen too many an example. Brilliant technical people come to a fork in their career paths. In foreign companies, there will be usually 2 options, to become a technical specialist and move up in that aspect, the other, to move in a resource (usually people) management post. Perhaps, due to the limits of the small offices in Singapore, these choices are not usually available. Therefore, you have the scenario of superb engineers thrust into the uncomfortable positions. "Either you become a manager or else, too bad, you will just remain in your current position til you are 60!!" Not much of a choice here, any sane person will pick the former. Therefore, you have on your hands, a very unhappy manager who is a square in a circular hole, with totally undesirable people management, a whole village of dissatisfied employees which results in an unproductive department. That doesn't sound much like a win-win situation to me. There you have it, a troupe of grasshoppers, jumping to any available, attractive field. I can really empathize with them, for I, myself, have been a scrapegoat of this system as well.
Another great reason, in my opinion, has to do with the culture and environment that we have grown up in. Singapore is a meritocratic society. When you have straight As, you are Mommy's blue eyed boy, just one F, you will be dropped from grace. The society is just so pragmatic. We have been encouraged to strive for good results, because that is equivalent to good job opportunities, high salary and a promising career. The "I want to be on top and have the best!" mentality has been cultivated since young. This applies to the expectations of a job too. People go from job to job, searching for the best one, chasing after the pot at the end of the rainbow, a fantasy. Employees no longer take crap as they used to, for they think that there is a better job out there. Besides, one day this industry may booming, the next day, totally gone.
"Why should we live for tomorrow? Live for today! Grab the best! Be the best!"
Therefore, once they smell the scent of a greener pasture, they move on.
Society has made us so, why push the total blame onto the bosses? Besides, most of these bosses are Made In Singapore products, nurtured by this very society. Think again!
Obsession...
Darn! Who is the idiot pressing my doorbell as if it is mousey's left button?? Leaving behind a pot of boiling soup and a pan on fire, I grabbed a coat, struggling with it, as I slipped my stubby feet into the slippers and rolled down the stairs in E=mc2 speed, across the front yard, right to the gate. The postwoman was waving a package excitedly, while I rolled up my sleeves to kill her. "Pooosttt...!!! Unterschreiben Sie hier bitte!" sang the victim. I swung the pot at her puny head and murdered her on the spot!
Well, of course not, being my usual hypocritical self, I plastered an engaging smile on my face, gently took the electronic device from her, signed with a flourish.
"Viele Dank!!!"
I stomped up the stairs, to find my whole kitchen on fire! Oh well, that was an exaggeration. Please ignore me.
I tore the wrapping off and ta da! The long awaited broadband password and software! Deprived for a long time for fast speed internet access, I connected all the hardware in an amazing speed, for a slowpoke like me. As people put it, when they meet the loves of their lives, they have never looked back since. Me too! Now, that was Friday. It is Thursday today.
Since last Friday, I have been obsessed with it. Aha! My Kazaa (the most popular p2p software, ever since my beloved Radiogalaxy was dissected by those hated American copyrights people. R.I.P.) can finally come into play. Download MP3s, movies, animes, whathaveyous... Every minute, every second, I was searching, downloading, watching... And before I know it, it is already Thurday!. Har?! Where has the whole week gone?! No blogs written, emails unread, plates and clothes unwashed, unironed, floor uncleaned, hamster unfed! I just checked it this morning, still alive, just looked a little skinnier though. There is another story to that stupid hamster... next topic.
Basically, there was nothing in my life for the last 1 week, but internet work, eat sleep, internet work eat sleep.... Gosh, I have turned into one of those geeks I despised during my schooldays! No way!
Internet limit per day : 1 hour, hmm.. nope, 2 hours.. ok ok 3 hours ! Last offer, no bargaining! 3 hours then.
Darn! Who is the idiot pressing my doorbell as if it is mousey's left button?? Leaving behind a pot of boiling soup and a pan on fire, I grabbed a coat, struggling with it, as I slipped my stubby feet into the slippers and rolled down the stairs in E=mc2 speed, across the front yard, right to the gate. The postwoman was waving a package excitedly, while I rolled up my sleeves to kill her. "Pooosttt...!!! Unterschreiben Sie hier bitte!" sang the victim. I swung the pot at her puny head and murdered her on the spot!
Well, of course not, being my usual hypocritical self, I plastered an engaging smile on my face, gently took the electronic device from her, signed with a flourish.
"Viele Dank!!!"
I stomped up the stairs, to find my whole kitchen on fire! Oh well, that was an exaggeration. Please ignore me.
I tore the wrapping off and ta da! The long awaited broadband password and software! Deprived for a long time for fast speed internet access, I connected all the hardware in an amazing speed, for a slowpoke like me. As people put it, when they meet the loves of their lives, they have never looked back since. Me too! Now, that was Friday. It is Thursday today.
Since last Friday, I have been obsessed with it. Aha! My Kazaa (the most popular p2p software, ever since my beloved Radiogalaxy was dissected by those hated American copyrights people. R.I.P.) can finally come into play. Download MP3s, movies, animes, whathaveyous... Every minute, every second, I was searching, downloading, watching... And before I know it, it is already Thurday!. Har?! Where has the whole week gone?! No blogs written, emails unread, plates and clothes unwashed, unironed, floor uncleaned, hamster unfed! I just checked it this morning, still alive, just looked a little skinnier though. There is another story to that stupid hamster... next topic.
Basically, there was nothing in my life for the last 1 week, but internet work, eat sleep, internet work eat sleep.... Gosh, I have turned into one of those geeks I despised during my schooldays! No way!
Internet limit per day : 1 hour, hmm.. nope, 2 hours.. ok ok 3 hours ! Last offer, no bargaining! 3 hours then.
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