A statement that I found enlightening from the article.
“Working with senior and more experienced staff requires me to balance humility and stern leadership. Without humility, a young manager will come across as arrogant and haughty. If we are not assertive enough, there may be staff and performance issues.”
– Mr Chia Jingwei, branch manager, FairPrice Finest
This is in addition to the another statement that I also found enlightening a long time ago.
It’s 1 whole month since my last update. So what happened??
Well, I was part of the torch relay for AYG being a liaison officer to help instruct the carriers of the torch on how to use it, carry it, etc. Was quite an experience to be able to talk to people like Teo Ser Luck. Then my next involvement in AYG was being the Media Operations personnel at SAFRA Yishun for the shooting competition. Quite interesting to be able to see how this side of things work and what the media have to do all the time.
SMUX camp was the next event on my calendar. It was really a fun experience to be able to organise this camp once again with a different team of people. They really made this camp such a wonderful experience for the participant and me. Well this would be the last event that I would be organising within SMUX itself.
Yanzi’s concert was really wonderful. A lot, a lot better than her last concert that I went for. This time the whole concert was a non-stop continuous show that never seen to end. This is also the first time that she danced so much, like almost every other song she is dancing. Really thank my dear friend for taking time to go for the concert with me. Thank you, you know who you are.
17 July Overnight ride till 18 July morning, went to crash the night bike recce and had a good time riding with them although the crashers were equal to the number of GLs that attended. But at the end it was a wonderful ride.
19 July Morning, went for the KL-Sing training session that was changed to a local ride. Went up Mount Fader and down West Coast highway, then up north to kranji, then south back to school. Was a fast and fun ride.
24 July Overnight ride till 25 July morning, drove the car to ECP so that could drive home at the end of the ride. Cycled all the way up to Yishun Stadium, then went round the night bike route with the rest. Was quite fun. Will see if my friend can figure out where the second burger went to. haha.
Internship, well, it has been, up till now a wonderful experience for me. Being able to work and experience the army life once again. But thinking back, in terms of project scope and ability to complete the project, I think I should had try to accept a small workload somewhat knowing that all IT projects have a common result of being delayed and not up to standard. Hope at least I would be able to complete what is most critical for the users so that at least they have something that is somewhat useful.
Well, so what is coming up next for me.
First would be the end of my internship and the start of me having to write a report for OCS and also to pass a copy to MINDEF side.
Next would be KL-Sing Cycling trip, having to cycle from Port Dickson back to Singapore.
After that would be the AHM after all running is what keeps me going.
Mayday Concert would be on 29 August, still trying to find people to go with me for this. And also just relised that Night Bike would be on the same day. Think I’ll likely have to load the bike in the car and try to find them after the concert.
Well that all till the end of August. Will update as much as I can. I hope.
It’s 26th of June and almost half of Summer has gone past. So what have I completed.
Well for SMU Adventure Race, it was quite fun even being just a helper. Moving stuff and all. Find that the race was quite a success as everything seem to have went well. Although after watching the show Sports@SG that featured the NTU Adventure Trail Challenge, I felt that there is still a lot of improvement that SMUX can have for their adventure race like having more elements of adventure in it.
SMU Ad Race, The Back Stage, Day 0
SMU Ad Race, The Back Stage, D Day Part 1
SMU Ad Race, The Back Stage, D Day Part 2
Raw Duathlon was quite good, just that I had an accident during that event. Got knocked from the back by someone on my bike. Still completed the event and overall the event was good just that the location was quite open for the running part making it quite hot during the end.
BSM Israel was an adventure for me, getting to travel to the middle east area and experience the food and culture there and also be able to compare a little the difference between the middle east country to Israel. Got to see some of the different companies that operate in Israel and how friendly and straight forward the people there are.
My Internship started the Monday after I got back. Currently still ongoing and have been doing quite interesting work for them. Don’t think I can talk about it online, but if you really want to know, just come talk to me. haha.
For the Sundown Marathon, I was really a good run as I felt really good after I ran finish. Maybe it is the night being so cooling that made the run felt so much better.
Would not be going for the Standard Chartered KL Marathon as I would be involved in AYG. Plus with H1N1 going around, I think it might be better to avoid going overseas for the time being.
For AYG, I’m going to be doing Media Operations at SAFRA Yishun for the Shooting Event. I would also be doing Liaison Officer for the Touch Relay. The whole event is looking to be one of the biggest sporting event that Singapore has hosted ever. And I really hope that everything does goes well.
Whereas for SMUX Camp, it is shaping up to becoming a great camp all in all. And it is getting closer day by day. Hope that everyone would just hang on for just a little longer as it would be over soon.
Talking about H1N1, it has become a bigger and bigger issue from the time I went to Israel till now. And there is now more and more cases of it in Singapore. There are people that has also called for AYG to be cancelled because of it. Well what I feel is that if we don’t carry on our normal lives and live in fear of it, then it would be just too much. As long as everyone is willing to be more public minded, like if you are sick or not feeling well, go see a doctor and rest at home. And also follow the instructions in this link. I think this H1N1 can be contained.
For the Yanzi concert, found someone willing to go with me, so thanks to that person.
Well that’s the update for now. Will update more when it happens.
Well today went to the science centre as part of my STEC 207 class and I got the opportunity to try to map the DNA from the cheek cells.
I got to do most of the steps other than the ones that need special machines. Next week would be going back to continue with the lab.
Well, yesterday 2359 was the end of SE. The modules that has made the whole SIS year 2 cohort have countless night not getting enough sleep, specifically during the last 3 days. At least it is now over. Had a good learning experience, but I’m not expecting much of a good grade from this as I crashed my IA & test quite a bit.
This late (or super early) post is because I just got back. Went out with some of my PMSB group members & the others that I had hanged out with over the past few days doing SE. Always thought that SMUX was the only place where I would get stirred shit about. But then, now I know is that if a group of people knows you & know that you are okie with anything, you would just get stirred. Quite a nice outing we all had after the 2359 submission of all our SE project. Went to “The ONE” ktv at orchard there. Quite a good group of singer all of them are. It been quite sometime since I went to ktv to sing. Sang 2 songs.
Well it’s now time to start to mug for the upcoming exams. 2 papers. Let’s get it over and done with.
Friday, 19 October 2007, 4:57 pm
Location: SMU, Library, Level 4, SMUX Corner
Well, It is been a week since my last post. Been busy with school & all my other stuff. And also just too tired to post anything.
Well let’s do something boring, going through the stuff I did for the week.
Last Friday, think I just stayed home to rest after my 2 Star. So nothing much that day.
Saturday morning had an Ad Jam Prog Meeting, lunched with John, met Marilyn & her friend at SIS opposite Kopitiam.
After that I went home to get the car to go the gathering that Jac organised. Fetched John, SY & WB to the place.
Quite confused with the area, went round in circles for like 4 times.
The gathering was quite good, just sitting around eating & talking about the internal elections results & everything else. That day also celebrated MW’s BDay.
Friday, 12 October 2007, 3:15 am
Location: Jurong East, Home
Just finished my MS homework that I have to submit today. Don’t think I would need to go school to do that as I did it in soft copy. Still left BP not yet started, dateline is Sunday. Hope I can get it done.
Did not post on Wednesday cause I was tired from the 2 Star course plus also needed the rest for the third & last day. For Wednesday, we went for an expedition down to Loyang beach, which was behind downtown east. Started late, and so causing us to have to kayak against the current. So the journey there was quite long, plus every-time we raft up, we started to drift back the direction that we came from. Had lunch at the beach. After lunch, we learned about kayak to swimmer rescue & then Eskimo bow rescue. For the Eskimo bow rescue, it was quite an experience, as it is something quite new to me. Didn’t did that well enough to pass it on that day. As we were about to go back, there was a storm over Pulau Ubin, which could have turned to us. So we were quite lucky to make it back without the storm turning towards us. When we reached Changi, we were suppose to form 1 line beside our instructor, but failing to do that, we were asked to capsize & swim to shore.
Then on the last day, which was yesterday, we practiced the Eskimo bow rescue again, then we were tested & all cleared the test. Then it was revision of our side movement stokes or draw. Then next was the low & high recovery. Was quite interesting to know that using the recovery techniques you could prevent yourself from capsizing. Then next was low brace turn &Â stern rudder. What was the most fun & difficult part was having to let your kayak fill up with water to the combing then move around, really lets you practice your recoveries. Then we break for lunch.
When we got back, we were ask to do an all in. (all to capsize then recover) Quite fun, but not when you have to do it a few times. Next we had some games, we had to paddle using just our hands and also try to catch our assistant instructor, did not manage to catch him. Next we had to repeat this with our kayaks submerged. This time we managed to catch him. But after all this playing around, I felt that I became better at controlling the kayak’s side to side row movement. Didn’t have to do that much recovery when I was going back to the shore. Next we were shown some of the 3 Star skills that we might get to learn, if we go for 3 star. Well then we washed the kayaks, bath, review session & getting our certs. Glad to say that all of us passed.
After all this experience for 2 star, now really interested to go for 3 star, but most likely have to plan it so that it spreads over 4 weeks, as we were told that it is quite a demanding course, plus you would need time to practise the skills that you have learned. Will go just a matter of time, and who to go with.
Now really interested to go further with my personal skills in kayaking. 3 star by summer?? Maybe, Just do it.
 Well thats it. END : 3:44 am
Monday, 8 October 2007, 10:53 pm
Location: Jurong East, Home
From the title of this post, most would be able to guess that I got my Kayaking 1 Star. The experience for the second day, was quite different from the first. Started with practising what we learn the first day & learning the classic draw. Then on to learning about the rescue. Was quite an interesting experience. Got to know two other people because of doing the rescue. 1 is from SIM ODAC, the other is a police regular. Never knew that capsizing can be so interesting cause 1 of them kept on wanting to cap. ha-ha. Well in the end did get my 1 star, so now it is on to the next level, Kayaking 2 Star.
Yesterday was also the day that I had to hand in my individual assignment for my Software Engineering module. Had to create a online t-shirt shop for this assignment. Did not really complete all the requirements so not quite happy with myself over this. Should have planned my time better. Well what has happened has happened.
Today I had my “fine” dining lesson at Raffles Town Club. The food was ok. Although I find that my prof did not look as if he was assessing us. Maybe that was his plan. Well was a good lunch, more like a meal with all the other SIS people, as most of my class who signed up for today is from SIS. Went back to school for SE meeting after that. Wanted to go JB to meet the trekking people for dinner, but time forbids so have to give up that idea.
Well someone told me something today via MSN, but then can not say what it is. But still understand why the person was telling me this. So sorry to have cause you problems on your side. Would do what I believe is right, but do remind me from time to time.
Tomorrow would be 2 Star course, will last for 3 days. Well hope that I can pass. Otherwise would be quite wasted.
Think thats it. END : 11:07 pm
Wednesday, 3 October 2007, 9:10 pm
Location: SMU, Library, Level 4, SMUX Corner
Just finished dinner at Fisherman’s Wharf at 8 pm. The people who went were, WB, John, Jac, XW & me. All but Jac went there with bags & all, but then decided that to go back to the library as it was still quite early. All but WB went back. As usual, the library looks full for this time, but must be due to the mid terms this week. Everyone is mugging for their tests this week. Maybe the reason I went back was because of her, but this reminds me about what I thought about when I was running today.
Earlier today, I went to run alone, as WB did not bring his running gear. But this gave me time to think about what WY said to me yesterday. The main thing was “Why do I like her?”. Well truthfully, can’t think of any good reasons. Cause every reason that I can think of, in most cases, can be found in the girls around me. So I think to truly know whether you like someone, it is more about each person’s beliefs about things. If your belief on things matches, there would be a chance that you would be together. Even if it differs, as long you are able to talk it out, you would be able to bring things forward. So I would have to say that it goes back to communication.
For the friends that I have gotten close to, you all might see me as someone who is crappy & maybe talk too much. But for those who are new to me, or not as close, you would know me as someone who is silent & don’t talk much.
Well the reasons that I have always say are these few, Don’t know what to talk about, Not comfortable talking, Want alone time with the person.
But like what others have tell me, Why don’t you have anything to talk to the person about, Is it because you don’t know the person well? Why are you not comfortable talking? Why the fear? Scared that you would embarrass yourself?
Well I don’t know, about scared of being embarrass is quite true. There is always that fear specifically if it is in front of people I am fond about. But why have that fear. Just be yourself like you have been in front of your close friends. Never fear about embarrassing yourself in front of her. Cause I think if you do, then you are not letting her know the true you. Cause what you are showing her is just a mask. Nothing more than that. Cause your true self is the self that you are in front of your closest friends.
Learn to open up, show your true self in front of everyone. Never stop trying to open up. Cause if you do close up, then people would never have the chance to know you.
 Well thats it. END : 10:08 pm
Today was the first day back to school after the elections, was not in the library much today, cause had SE lesson & meeting. Quite normal for today, cause it has been like that for the last few week.
Well think I took charged a little for my SE group, cause I really feel that we need to get thing to start working, in terms of using the Subversion server. So that we would be able to work remotely & separated. Cause it is taking too much time meeting & discussing about what to do. And I do feel our progress is quite slow. Need to push them harder, cause I really would like to score for this. Cause if I was not studying, I would be doing this sort of work for a living, so must score for this.
 Today went to SMUX table, & well, it looked quite normal, like always for a Tuesday. Nothing much to say.
While I was doing my homework, WY decided to chat with me. Giving me advice for quite a few things. Like the way I would react to people’s comments, taking it really personal & looking angry. Well that quite true, cause I really show my feelings on my face quite easily, from what WY say, that’s not good.
Then he also commented on relationship issue with me, Well have to think about this from what he tells me. Do I really want to be with her or do I just want a GF?
Well that’s the question for the month then.
Ha-ha. Looks like this is progressing well, second update for the month. Lets see how long this would last. 🙂