Sorry…

Well, this post comes as an apology to my dear friend who sent me a ‘DEAD BLOG ALERT’. Haha.

All right, reason why I have not been updating is because I spend a lot of my time in the office now. And I do not want to update my blog in the office because after all, it is the office computer and information is easily retrievable. So I do not wish for my blog address to be so easily found out by colleagues or bosses as that mean a death in privacy – as little as it is already. HAHA.

Everytime I meet someone, they will most certainly ask: So how’s work. Well I dont blame them cos put in the situation I’d probably ask that question too but I get a bit sick of repeating my answers or trying to come up with something new to say so I dont bore myself. And FYI, work has been good. Except for the timing of course. My work timing is unpredictable to say the least. There are two shifts, 8.30am to 6pm and 12.30pm to 10pm. So that kinda kills off my social life becos the first shift is rare since most people prefer mornings and as the intern I have to do at least 3 night shifts. Moreover, I also have to cover pple’s absence by filling in for them if they’re out for a meeting/pon-ing.

I have been on a house visit before, and have met with so many different kinds of people that I am amazed by my tolerance level to some of them. I am growing and learning definitely, trying to be more trusting, more friendly, and more tolerating. There are some people that can make your day hell and some who surprise you along the way. Thank God for good colleagues who are understanding and REALISTIC. Who actually say in front of their bosses that they are tired of working and want to go home.

CAROLINE is back!!! Been looking forward to her homecoming from Xiamen!! WELCOME BACK !!

SO many things I wanna do!

Here are some things that I hope to do before the end of this year:

- Cook a dish
- Travel to some country other than Msia/Thailand
- Watch One Tree Hill Seasons 2,3,4,5…
- Read all the books that I have borrowed/bought during summer
- Get down to doing up a scrapbook/photo album for Laos trip.

Hopefully I can get at least one done.

How ah??

Currently, even with very flexible and nice bosses, and a very flexible schedule (apart from times when there is no one on duty), I still feel that working life is such a social life killer.

After two jobs that are extremes of each other, I still find that I need something other than an office job. However, maybe once I start a non-office job I may not really like the irregularity. Currently, with shift work, its not that marvellous after  all because there are weekends that I have to work and am not able to go to church. And for the month of july, I wont be able to go to church at all! Haiz. Sad.

My internship with People’s Association hasnt been without hiccups. But I really thank God for the wonderful colleagues that I have – that do not back stab but support me in many ways, teaching me the techniques and secrets of working in a community centre.

I am still finding my perfect job.

And I really miss my Caroline Chan who is currently in XMU – I kid you not. XiaMen University. HAHA! May she come back soon! I also really miss hanging out with my gal pals namely Joy, Mich, Sherry and Charis in no particular order. How I wish there was no such thing as an overseas education and they were all here with me in Singapore. : (

Working Life

Actually this internship that i’m on really requires some good public relations skills. I think that this is probably the best public relations job that any PR/Corp Comms major can hope for. Until today, I have always been thinking about how this internship can contribute to my understanding of my Social Science degree (Political Science major) but not to my second major – Corporate Communications. Until today, I realise that the chinese saying ‘xiao li chang dao’ (hiding a dagger behind the smile) is quite true. Not that I experienced anything, just that there are things that my colleagues teach me, show me and explain to me, that made me realise that.

Not only that, today I am made a cynic of altruism – not in all cases but majority. Just like in Social Psychology, where we learnt that a person will only help if the benefits outweigh the costs – no matter how altruistic you are. But many would often say that there are some truly altruistic people out there. But if you think about it, what if these altruistic people were faced with the costs of their own lives/lives of their loved ones, would they still do the same?

What do I wanna do

Hmm. What do I wanna do in the coming days? Apart from finishing my internship well, I also want to enjoy myself this Summer Holidays. Granted, I wouldnt be able to do that much because of my internship. So, I shall have to find some way to do that in August before my internship starts again. Should I have a short getaway? Hmm… But no money $$$.

Well, on a more ah-soh note, I’ll be going for a cooking class at the community centre (the one tt i’m working at) on 24th Mat 2009. Well, as ah soh as it sounds, I have been for a class once before at Marine Parade Community Centre and have learnt quite a bit. This time though, there is a more nobel cause for going for the cooking class. I am going with my mum and its her birthday. I know she has always wanted to go for classes and improve herself at the CC but she hasnt had the time because looking after the two grandchildren takes up more than half a day and the rest of the time is really precious. Therefore, although we would not be going for service this sunday, I believe that this is a good time for her.

I ordered a cake for her. Surprisingly, when I went to check the prices at emicakes and angie the choice, the latter was cheaper. Being a smaller company I thought emicakes would be cheaper. However, the difference in price is about $30.

I’m also thinking about applying for the UOB Campus Card and doing away with my NOW card becuase it is SO ugly. Stupid UOB go and change the VISA mini to the NOW card.

Angels & Demons

Caught this new release today at Vivocity.

I thought that the show was really good. In fact the feeling after watching this movie was better than after watching Da Vinci Code. I dunno if reading the book makes a difference or not, but I didnt read Angels & Demons before watching it. Read Da Vinci though.

This movie has a lot more twists and turns and is probably a good insight (though not necessarily accurate portrayal of the Roman Catholic Church). It made me really excited about reading more about Christian history, learning more about art pieces and all the history behind though art pieces and statues in Rome. Goodness! I love History!

The movie could get a little gory at times and you really gotta watch it with an open mind cos honestly, a lot of the things are not true. I can just imagine the excitement of those people who watch this after having been to Rome.

On the whole, I give it 4 popcorns out of 5. Definitely worth it. My opinion.

Internship

So I am into the second week of my internship at People’s Association, where I am posted to the Siglap Constituency Office. This means that I work inside the community centre, (the one opposite Bedok Court).

My colleagues and bosses are wonderful! Given my previous experience at the law firm, where things can get a bit stressful and people a bit cranky, this is like a gift from God. It is amazing, I am finally experiencing what they call boss-subordinate relationship, where I can actually talk to my bosses about things outside of work. Where I do not feel damn guilty about slacking etc. It is a very good working environment and it makes me wanna contribute.

I am currently doing a good lot of customer service and am looking forward to attending things like meet the people session and events that are organised by the community centre for the people. Think that I will be learning a lot! Probably not technical knowledge honestly, but there has been a lot of soft skills that I have ALREADY picked up. I get to meet so many different types of people, my people management skills have shot right up.

However, I have also been able to apple my ‘Intro to Public Policy’ knowledge in this case. ESPECIALLY the idea of street-level bureaucracy, considering that PA instructed all community centres to take the temperatures of visitors (I had to wear masks and gloves to take temp!) Sometimes its just not practical, people sneak in, people run away from the temperature station, and sometimes there just isnt enough staff!

So far it has been mighty fun, including the part where I can take a quick walk back home for lunch and back to work within an hour. Hopefully it stays this way for the following weeks of my internship! May God grant me favour too!

What am I doing now [10.56am 20th Apr 09]

I am studying for my last paper which will be occuring at 1pm! But its not really anything to be joyful about since I have irritating friends who ended on Tuesday and have been enjoying themselves.

Loneliness

Well, the boyfriend is in France for school rugby trip. Leaving me behind all lonely and appreciating his presence so much more. Its only Day 3 of 14 days and am already feeling terrible. HAIZ. Well, not to mention that I’d be starting my internship before he comes back. So this means no boyfriend to have dinner with after first day at work. BLEHX. Sure sucks. Looking forward to 2nd May 09!

Well, hopefully my parents are agreeable to a whirlwind holiday this weekend. HAHA. Would be so fun. Maybe book my tickets today and leave on Thursday, come back on Sunday in time for Internship. HEE HEE.

My Problem

I realised my problem. Maybe a bit too late. I realised why I’m not getting those grades.

I’m not kiasu enough.