We work hard .. we play hard too.

Its almost a month since I joined this company but I have attended quite a number of 'mini parties' already.

 

Is this what Gen Y Singaporeans want during their employment? I think so.

 

In this company, colleagues work hard and they also play hard too but what's best is the people here are really fun and warmth.

 

This morning I decided to put on something shorter than my usual work pants or jeans, I wore bermudas. I know you are going to be really envious but too bad, you have to look harder for an employer as good as this.

 

I am happy where I am now and the work can be challenging but end of the day, I know whatever I do, my teammates will be there to support me even when I fall – this is very important.

 

Anyway, sharing a picture of my boss and the mini birthday celebration we had at Yarrow ( one of the many conference rooms we have ).

 

An aggravated ankle ...

On Tuesday, I decided to go for a run at East Coast Park with my colleagues and those who know me well enough also know that I am not someone who goes for jogs.

 

So after 10 years, this is the first time I put on those jogging shoes and jogged. My, it was a little tough at first but after awhile, the momentum picked up and I could feel the healthy me only to realise minutes later that I was panting really hard and my breaths got heavier and heavier and what's worst was the pain in my left ankle.

 

I remembered I sustained an injury at the ankle during my NS days while representing my unit in a Sepak Takraw competition that caused me to rest at home for a week due to a bad sprain. I thought I recovered but apparently it didn't recover fully.

 

This pain comes on and off and stays a little longer whenever I take part in vigorous exercises like soccer, basketball, volleyball and roller blading so can you imagine the pain after my jog on Wednesday.

 

Not wanting to stay in pain, I decided to visit a Chinese physician and there I was, being massaged at the ankles and calves. So what did the Chinese sinseh tell me besides my aggravated injury?

 

1) I lacked exercise

2) I sleep in too cold a room 

3) I consume too much cold drinks

 

Bingo! He said it right. I did all of the above and it has become a bad habit and now, I am really trying to kick these bad habits thus at work I take only hot green tea, I sleep at 21 degrees celcius ( no more 17 degree celcius) and I will try to join my colleagues for jogs every week.

 

Don't believe me? We shall see.

 

Wishing me a speedy recovery.

 

--
http://hidekram.blogspot.com/

Many thoughts but ....

This past two weeks past really quickly. Birthday celebrations. Meeting up with long lost cousin as well as lots to catch up at work.

 

During this two weeks, I had many thoughts that I wanted to share with you but too little time to do so. Many say time shouldn't be an excuse for not having things done but that's the truth. I lead a busy life. : )

 

Perhaps its also due to an unfriendly phone that doesn't really allow me to blog while on the go thus I intend to trade in the Omnia for another phone. I heard HTC Pro is coming out soon so hopefully that will enhance my mobile blogging experience.

 

The Chinese Olympics ended really quickly but am glad I managed to catch some games on television, especially the one that gave Singapore a silver medal. I won't go too much into this silver medal win as I know its everywhere in the forums now.

 

I had this thought about Tiger Woods while I was in the toilet earlier. I have no idea why his name suddenly settled in my head as I am no golfing fan. I put the name together - Tiger + Woods and what came into my mind was a forest full of tigers. Did you ever have thoughts like that or am I just plain weird?

 

During the National Day Rally, PM Lee mentioned about marriage and the long awaited baby bonus. Yahoo ...!! I will be richer when I get kids but like what Flying Dutchman said over radio. Instead of giving this bonus indefinitely, why not have it for a limited period only? I am sure with this in place, kiasu Singaporeans will surely make babies and by end of 2009, the population will increase by a tremendous percentage, don't you agree?

 

PM Lee also spoke about singles not making friends , being overly picky etc. Maybe the government might want to come out with more monetary ideas to spur on marriages like providing marriage bonus too but too bad, I aren't eligible.

 

Enough said, will blabber on again next time ....

--
http://hidekram.blogspot.com/

A Silver for Singapore ...

Its a Silver for the Singapore table tennis Women's Team and surely a proud moment for Singaporeans as our golden girls received their medals at the prize presentation ceremony.

I believe this is the first time that Singaporeans watched the Singapore flag being raised at an Olympic event. It took Singapore 48 years, a really long time and 48 years ago, television wasn't a very common thing.

So now that the team event is over, we are awaiting for more action from our golden girls when the table tennis singles games come up later this week. I believe there will be lots of pressure on them to do well as Singapore surely wishes for another medal.

So good luck to our table tennis team .....!!

An Olympic medal ... finally

Finally, Singapore will have a second Olympic medals and all thanks to our women's table tennis team. Yahoooo!

Many argued the fact that it wasn't really something to be proud of due to the fact that all the players who represented the Singapore flag were imported from China.

To me it didn't matter if they were not pure bred Singaporeans like myself, what mattered most was the fact that they delivered what they were supposed to do, the loyalty they have shown by training hard in bringing joy to the nation. You have to admit it wasn't an easy task but they did it after years of hard work.

Right now, we are only a game away from having Majula Singapura ( National Anthem ) heard at the Olympics and its definitely going to be a glorious moment for us all as Singaporeans when the gold medal really came our way but even if it didn't, we also know that the pure bred Chinese are far more superior in this game.

Tian Wei, Jia Wei, Yue Gu and Bei Bei, good luck and we must say you ladies have done us proud.

The Olympics ....

Its the Olympic fever right now thus how can I not write anything about this BIG event that is going on in Asia.

This is a time when people from all different countries, races and backgrounds come together to compete in a sporting event. When I meant different countries, its so true that I cannot figure out some of the flags. Not to say that my geography is bad but I don't think you know how the flag of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan look like ya?

This evening, I watched a wrestling event which I never knew existed in the Olympic Games and what's worst, I don't even know the scoring system. I just found that the game looked very similar to that of Sumo Wrestling, which is part of the Japanese heritage.

So watching it and with no understanding how the game goes, I just sat there staring at two white men fighting for a medal. Not knowing why and how points were awarded. Nevertheless, I stuck my eyes on the screen till a winner was declared.

OK, now picture this. Award ceremony, four medalists standing together waiting for their medals. As the whole world watches each of them receiving their medals, no smile was seen their faces. Grim faces receiving medals. They never spoke among themselves and I found it really weird. I wondered what were they thinking. Weren't they satisfied that they could leave Beijing with a medal?

I don't know the answer but shouldn't they be mingling among themselves and shaking hands, sending well wishes to each other? No, they just stood there like robots. Somehow I thought I knew the answer to the grim faces. Afterall, the silver and bronze medalists were from Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan and guess what, they were all from the former Russian Empire. As in history textbooks, these countries formed only when the Russian Empire dissolved and guess who won the Gold? You guessed it right.

Kia Hiang Restaurant ... my grandma's birthday.

To celebrate my grandma's birthday, we decided to do something really different this time. Besides the normal 10-course meal, we decided to do karaoke too.

At the beginning, everyone seemed to shy away from the microphone but after some warming up, two microphones were not enough. Kudos to grandma for being able to sing along. Never imagined that she would ever pick up a microphone and dance with us all. They even called her 'Coco Yeung'. As to why Coco, I have no idea.

Have a peep at the photos below and see how we enjoyed the session.

Happy 43rd Birthday Singapore ...

Once again Marina Bay lit up with fireworks on August 9. If I am not wrong, this is the second time the National Day Parade is held on the world's largest floating platform.

It can be said that the National Day Parade is similar every year but as a Singaporean, its this day that really strengthens our affection for this beloved country. Its this place we call home despite how far you wonder to work, be it Australia, Europe or India.

Despite the rain, most people stayed on to watch the parade. It was reported in the papers that the last time it ever rained during a parade was 40 years ago. My, can you imagine Singapore being this young once.

As time passes, villages have transformed into skyscrapers and who else can we thank but our forefathers who did so much for this country.

Being a supporter of Lee Kuan Yew and team, I always wonder how it would be for Singapore. If it isn't for him, do you really think we would have our 43rd National Day.

43 years ago, this country was kicked out of the Malayan Peninsula. It wasn't a fight for independence but happens to be more of a disposal by Malaysia.

Nevetheless, we made it through and who else can we thank but our present Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew and the People's Action Party.

It is him who allowed us our 43rd National Day, it is also him that showed us the way. Without him, we might just be nothing and only a small dot on the world map but today, we are still Singapore, a nation strong and free.

Let's strive together and believe we can bring our progress further.

Happy Birthday Singapore.

Another farewell ... at my new workplace.

I know its been a long time since I have come on to blog but forgive me as I have been rather busy at work - so much to catch up , so little time and with all these factored into the formula, it equates to stress.

Never mind the stress. It'll go away after awhile. After getting used to it.

I will not go into details about my first few days at the office but I thought I would like to highlight that for now, its a very warm family ast the office. Everyone laughed cried together. Oh, I meant it in a good way. The team was very close as I could tell it from Amanda's departure. The tears told the story.

I know the journey ahead is going to get tough but am sure with the team's support, I'll be cushioned as I am in safe hands.

I look forward to the new challenges ahead and hope to be able to fill the big shoes my predecessor left for me. She was really good in what she did and I have lots to learn from her but given a short time frame, I have to admit it was tough. Nevertheless, I'll be on my toes and learn as I go along.

Amanda, all the best in your future endeavours and to me, good luck!