This summer's gonna hurt like a MF

It's been a long while since I last posted. So here I am, going to update you guys some exciting bits and pieces of what has been happening.

Most importantly, I faced my first job rotation, moving from projects to operations. I could feel the sudden surge in job roles and responsibilities with that rotation. It is no longer just facing non-living things, but I now have staff under me that I have to account for. Juggling between operations and staff welfare is never easy, and there is always a thin line which you have to balance on so that things don't blow up in your face. However, stepping into operations has allowed me to see the constraints the staff are constantly facing on the ground, and how our decisions as management actually affected them either directly or indirectly. I also appreciated the sweat and tears these people contributed continuously into the operations to ensure that everything run smoothly, and also to make my life easier. They do earn my respect and admiration. But there are always two sides to a coin. With good staff, comes rotten apples who makes the department look bad. The challenge here will be how to change and correct their mindset so that we can progress and grow as a team; not to weed them out and leaving them behind.

Another thing that I've faced is the harsh changes in the financial world. Either they really go broke, or they made off with the money scammed from their clients, California Fitness shut down mid July. They left hundreds of us gym goers in a lurch, with a few of the newer clients losing thousands of dollars. For me, I lost approximately 14 months of membership subscription fees, as well as I think 15 odd sessions of PT. It came as a shock, because that amounted to almost $2k SGD (a lot of money you know). Nothing comes by easily, and life is always unexpected. I managed to move on from that, and now I'm with True Fitness. I just hope that they don't end up on the same path as CF.

Last but not least, I took a long break from work and visited Japan. It was a nice trip and I hope that I have the time to get some photos up here.

And that was my summer. How is yours?

Defending thy nation

So I've just completed my 4th cycle of ICT and it's a 2 week high key! This ICT brought about a lot of first for me; such as my first night outfield (after BMT), my first game of Clash Royale (which is bloody addictive), my first time hearing such a lame excuse that I almost wanted to strangle that guy who gave it, and my first *censored* ^^

Being the chief clerk, I see lots of stunts every ICT coming from the PSP functional group. Of course, some of them are really hard workers, providing their assistance in whatever roles or tasks they can do well in; while others really made me think what fucked up mentality they have growing up.

True, having an ORNS army may not necessary be the best option to safeguard our country, but I feel that it is still better than nothing. But to this particular small handful of people, they are so fucked up that they don't even want to volunteer to help us lessen our loads.

Eg 1.

Overnight sentry duty - sitting at the cookhouse for a 2h shift to take care of equipment.

When I asked for volunteers, Personnel A asked if there is any benefits for doing it, in which I reply that I am in no position to award any time-offs and such, I could only allow them to rest in bunk more. So he did not volunteer. And when I finally announced that the sentry gets 5h time-off, he commented that he would have helped out if there was rewards. Like come on seriously, can't you just help out because others need help? Must you be that selfish?

Eg 2.

CBRE Training - going into an auditorium for a 2h lecture and trying out the gas suit.

Upon hearing that it is compulsory for all PES status, Personnel B immediately asked if he can help out with office work. Initially, I agreed because I thought that it would be a busy morning. However, due to lack of participation of PSP in most ICT activities, an order was made for all of them to attend CBRE the next day. Being a stay out personnel, Personnel B booked out, and hours later, sent me a message saying that he has reported sick outside and will not book in the next day. Like come on seriously, asking you to attend CBRE is not asking you to die or feed yourself to dogs right? Oh sorry, you are so fucking fat that I doubt even dogs wanna eat you.

On top of that, Personnel B (who is a teacher) actually told me that he has lower limbs issues and is excused climbing stairs. This totally cracked me up, basically because the battery office is on the 3rd floor, so if you are excused stairs, don't tell me you fly up or teleport up. And tell me which school doesn't have stairs. Like omg, when I thought last ICT's excuse cookhouse food was bad enough, this ICT I face even weirder excuses. I guess it might be soon I see someone excuse oxygen.

And I don't even want to get started on some other people, I might not be able to stop if I carry on with this. So with that, I bid you guys goodnight!

Where I belong; where I keep my heart and soul?

Over the years, I have had the opportunity to know some of my friend's parents, and gosh they are the most supportive bunch of people I've seen. Sometimes, as parents, it is difficult to let your child make decisions that you do not agree with; however, it is imperative that you have that trust built between you and them to ensure that they grow from the choices they make.

One example would be X, a good friend of mine. He did decently well in his university and decided to craft a career overseas. It was a huge move I must say, and pulling away from your family and friends at such a tender career age, you are stripping yourself of all emotional support you have. However, his parents tried to understand his thoughts and view the choice made from his perspective. and subsequently gave him the fullest support in his endeavor.

Another example would be Z, another good friend of mine. A few years back, he shocked (I would be shocked if I were his parents) his parents by coming out to them. Being the only son, it is definitely a hard thing to do, since Asian traditions are all about passing on the family name generations after generations. However, his parents' reactions were the most heartwarming you would think of, not only did they accept him, they also accept his partner as their own child!

Drawing parallels back to myself, sometimes I really wonder if I am even part of this family. My characteristics and personality is just too different from them. Ranging from small things such as spicy tolerance; all the way to doing well in studies and logical reasoning, I just feel the stark difference all the time. On top of that, no one seems to value my presence and input ever, to the extent that whatever I do is a burden to them and whatever I say is an annoyance to them. With such boundaries, I don't even want to get started on trust issues. I admit that I may have made some mistakes here and there in the past, however, that doesn't determine any possible future scenarios that may come. People do grow and learn from their mistakes, but this is one huge point that my parents don't see; and after all these years, I have already lost my patience to explain to them and can't be bothered much anymore. It may just be beneficial to everyone if I shift out once and for all, but with my current meager salary after CPF, that doesn't seem financially feasible.

I guess I just have to make do with what I have now, and continue to find the place where I belong, where I can feel comfortable to keep my heart and soul.

P.S. They don't even trust me to travel alone. -.-

One step, at a time; because once bitten, twice shy

I know I haven't been writing much these days. Hopefully, I will get around to upload my HCMC trip and BKK trip soon. Partially because I haven't been using my com at home much, ever since my chair broke (no I'm not too heavy, it's just the chair has been around for far too long).

So what happened recently, mum and dad just turned 51. I was so caught up with work (new financial year, blah blah, excuses I know) that I forgot to follow up on the birthday presents that I have planned for them. What an unfilial son, I know. Sometimes, just trying is not enough, and only actions speak loudly enough, so I'm that son who doesn't care much about the family. Oh well, most important thing is what I know, and I'm too tired to care much.

In life, people come and go, and on April Fools' Day, I was hit hard. So hard probably because I didn't expect it to happen. It felt like all the effort I made was for naught. Fortunately, I managed to recover well thanks to someone. So this time, I will take one step at a time; and I'm not going to let myself nosedive into hell again. For I was once bitten, twice shy.

Fus3ion!

It's been another month of endless challenges and new perspectives. Work never gets boring because there is never a day like yesterday! (Neo, 2015) But seriously, I've been learning and learning and learning that it feels like I'm in school again, but I'm getting paid this time. *giggles*

So one great takeaway this month is the SIA Fus3ion workshop I attended in Pulai Springs. It was together with the 4 operation divisions of SIA - pilots, cabin crew, engineers, and ground services. The workshop is basically a team bonding type of activity that shows us how we can be ignorant of the other operations around us, even though we have to work together towards a common goal. On top of that, we are also exposed to risks and problems that we always face on the ground - such as competition and bring blinded/muted at work.

My greatest takeaway would be to get to network with so many senior staff with much more years of experience in the industry, compared to my mere 9 months, and get to see things from a veteran's point of view. I really appreciate the late night sharing sessions from both air crew and ground crew, and definitely their support in my decision moving forward. Hopefully, I get the guts and the courage to execute this move and propel myself further in my career.

Singapore Airlines - Always a great way to fly.

And of course, not forgetting that I'm jetting off to Bangkok tomorrow! (I need to stop posting only once a month, I have so much to bitch about!)

新年快乐 万事如意 & Happy Valentine's Day

This is the month kids love the most - February and her Lunar New Year. It's the time where we receive red packets, and gather with long lost cousins and play to our heart's content. To others, it is the time to gamble and test their luck. Others will believe the superstitious fortune telling according to zodiacs, and others will be smizing at how the advice given by those shifu are just generic.

On top of that, February is also the time when love fills the air. People all around celebrating the traditions left behind by Saint Valentine, or whatever which I couldn't really be bothered. It's the time guys burn a pocket in their holes; and girls start competing with each other who receives a bigger present. Technically, it's just a money scamming trap everyone is falling into. I mean if you truly love each other, why wait till 14th February to show it?

Other than that, February has been a turbulent month for me. Now that I have been settling down comfortably in the department, the work slowly stacks up for me to attend to. I still get very frustrated that some people around are so stubborn that they are resistant to potential improvements to their work processes. And for a projects executive, it is not easy to get my job done with so much negative reactions.

In the relationship department, I can only describe it like a candy bar - short and sweet. At the current stage, there is no predicting what may happen or any end results that may come my way. So all I can do would be to hope for the best, and let nature take its course. And not to forget the good friends I have around me all these while. I am really grateful and appreciative that I got to know you guys.

In the health department, I have been really unhealthy with all that goodies intake, coupled with skipping my exercise sessions. So much so that 15 sessions of my PT actually expired (without me knowing that there is a bloody expiry date). But let's not talk about unhappy things shall we?

All in all, life's been good, and I'm headed to Ho Chi Minh City tomorrow. BYE! (:

AND JANUARY IS ALMOST OVER

Greetings fellow readers of my boring blog,

It has finally come to my favourite month of the year! Just that this time, it isn't as enjoyable as before. When I was younger, January is the month when you just start school and have no exams. When I was younger, January is the month of birthday cakes and new resolutions. When I was younger, January always brought new hope and excitement for the upcoming year.

This January, everything changed. it started with days of 11-hour work days back to back. And it went on with a blister infection. Even my birthday this year was spent rotting at home for more than half the day. Not that I'm complaining, but it is definitely an indication of the shift in the phase of my life. I miss the carefree me, I miss the worry-free me. But being 26, some things just have to be let go I guess.

It's been a year since I started up this blog, and even though people say that blogs are getting obsolete, I'm happy I still get streams of readers now and then. My initial objective of maintaining a blog is to keep my English in check and seeing that I have readers, it is really a surprise to me. Thank you for all your support!

With that, CNY is coming up and I am going to be busy with the upcoming Air Show. Hopefully, my ang baos don't get affected too much!

Oh and just to add, second weekend burnt today! (with many more to come...)