Cathy-No-Money

10 THINGS I'LL MISS

2007-02-09T20:50:00.000+08:00

I'd like to share some of the things I'll miss about my stay here. (in no particular order)

1. Sleeping late and waking up later (Thanks, Suzy!)
2. Going around Singapore by foot with Richard, the tourist guide and historian
3. Walking A LOT and probably losing half an inch in each thigh
4. Biking in East Coast--but I won't miss falling flat on my face, haha)
5. Going for interviews--it's nerve-wracking as it is and having it in another country brings a whole new set of nerves
6. Eating, eating, eating (and drinking)--from stingray, chili crab, chicken rice, duck rice, cheng teng, soy bean drink, soy bean curd, teh tarik, mee rebus, prata and everything unique here
7. Commuting everyday--good thing transportations is efficient here
8. Going to museums--I only went to two but they have pretty interesting stuff here, I stayed for five hours one time
9. Going and taking photographs in Chinatown--probably where most of my photos came from (will be posting soon)
10. Independence (well, sort of)

AS THIS COMES TO AN END

2007-02-06T20:04:00.000+08:00

As this trip comes to an end, I feel both excited and sad. I miss home, my family, my friends and I can't wait to go back. I am sad though, as I know I am also leaving this place that I have grown accustomed to, even with just a short period of time. I do have some prospects here that may make me come back but everything is still unsure.

But the accentuated emotion I have right now is a sense of fulfillment and happiness stemming from the knowledge that I followed my dream. It's one of the few moments in my life so far where I reached for something I thought was so far away, only to find out that it wasn't. And it may sound as if I am a blind optimist but really, I feel that even if I don't get anything from this, I am and will be satisfied from any outcome. It's being here and getting out of my comfort zone that has made the trip. It has made me believe in myself more and learn about what I can do with my life.

WHAT'S UP?

2007-01-25T20:19:00.000+08:00

Well, nothing much. I've been staying inside the house for 2 days now, only going out to buy food and take some photos. And not surprisingly, I've been applying to even more companies. I hope other companies call soon, the clock is ticking.

MY SUNDAY & MANIC MONDAY

2007-01-22T19:22:00.000+08:00

It’s been raining in Singapore I heard from my colleagues who came here recently. I experienced that. And the only thing I can write today is: Can you imagine being head to toe water splashed by a passing bus? I can.

***

Today, I went to SC, the area where my interview will be tomorrow. I just wanted to check the place out to avoid any misadventures. This is too important for that. By bus, it actually takes two stops and about an hour and a half, which means I have to wake really early tomorrow.

I lugged around this huge bag which carries my laptop, camera and several books. It is so heavy, I have marks in my arms and hands now because of the weight. My back is aching as well. After confirming the place, I went to a retail store for market visit. At this point, I have concluded that most of the people I meet here may nice but some can be plain mean. Take for example this employee in C. When I was about to claim my big bag, I saw that there was only one person manning the booth and there was he was, standing and just doing nothing. I approach him and asked he could assist me in getting my bag.

Me: Excuse me, can you help me? I need to get my bag and there’s only one person manning the booth.
Mean oldie: You need to get your bag? Then fall in line.
Me: But there’s only one person there.
Mean oldie: Yeah, fall in line.

How he can stand there and watch the line go longer is beyond me. Is this the C service I am getting into? I hope not.

***

As I am not familiar with going around the city, I take along the bus guide and street directory Suzy lent me. My itinerary today included a visit to the National Library. Being closely connected to libraries, I was very excited to go and though finding it became somewhat of a burden, I am here right now and I can say that it’s worth it.

THIS IS IT!

2007-01-21T08:45:00.000+08:00

…I’ll spread my wings
And I’ll learn how to fly
I’ll do what it takes
Till I touch the sky
And I’ll make a wish, take a chance, make a change
And break away

Out of the darkness
And into the sun
But I won’t forget all the ones that I love
I’ll take a risk, take a chance, make a change
And break away

Kelly Clarkson singing what could be my theme song of the moment, me riding in an airport MB taxi on my way to Suzy’s house—my home for the next 3 weeks [only because with the flat rate, I thought choosing this type over the regular taxi wouldn’t make much of a difference but Suzy noted otherwise :s]. To note, the driver said, you’re riding an MB anyway. Yeah, whatever. But he was nice, so I guess he’s forgiven. This is me now—job-hunting in Singapore. And here begins my promise to update my blog regularly, to chronicle my stay here and the many misadventures I know I will get into.

After a month and a half of planning, I finally set foot on the island. Of course, in my usual fashion of going about things, this was not easy. It took a lot of back bending hard work and last minute hurries. I went home late last Friday and woke up 5:30am Saturday. Thinking that my flight was at 8am, I was sure, I wouldn’t make it. Fortunately, I had the sense to search for my ticket first and was surprised to see that my flight won’t be until 12:50pm. Saved.

While packing, my sister noticed that I had quite a bulk of things to bring and warned me that I might go over the weight allowance. True enough, my stuff weighed about 34 kg which was over the 20 kg limit. I was asked to pay Php6,300 [this is actually 60% of the price of my ticket]. I definitely did not want to pay for this and the only solution was to cut down on the number of things I will bring and have the driver pick them up. After much negotiating and the transfer of things to be left, I was finally able to check in. Saved.

But then, I did not notice that time flew by so fast that it would be boarding time soon and I still have to get past immigration. I ran all the way to the line and look for people to assist me. Since I was flying budget, no one really paid attention to me. There was I guy I asked:

Me: Excuse me, can you help me? I’m flying JS and the plane is boarding already, can you get me to a shorter line?
Attendant: Oh, I’m from CX.
Me (blurts out): This is useless.

Fortunately, a new lined opened and I ran towards it. Saved.

This is it! Many are the barriers, but I am very much persistent and persevering. May luck be on my side.

ULTIMATUM

2006-03-28T14:07:00.000+08:00

In my head, Cokelover threats: ‘If you’re not going to write something when Friday comes, I’ll write something for you and it ain’t going to be pretty… it will be plump…’

Ok, threats aside, I’m finally writing something after more than a year of blog hibernation. For the record, I did not post those photos in the previous entry. I would not place such comical photos on public display. Not that I get that much readership but still.

Anyway, something happened today that urged me more than ever to write again. Just to keep you updated, I’ve been working tirelessly for an electronics company since May of last year. A lot of developments have been happening and a lot of new experiences from going home at 4am in the morning because of work to added on responsibilities that in reality didn’t merit additional return for my part but except perhaps for the fulfillment and satisfaction I get from a job well done.

Since I’ve started here, it’s been like hell week after week. But it’s been much enjoyable as well because of the things I’ve come to learn to do and love. In fact, I’m actually surprised at myself for this newfound passion. I don’t mind working on weekends which includes both market visits and coming up with reports, working late almost everyday because in my mind, these are the things that I can do to improve the things that are under my attention at the moment.

What I do my mind are people’s inefficiencies which consequently reflect on the work I do. I must admit that not everyone works or thinks like me. Not everyone will agree and share the same things that I want to do to achieve targets. But then again, when you put all efforts into lessening the loopholes in the work processes and people still make the same mistakes however hard you stress the importance of doing just one simple thing to make sure something does not fail, you will most likely feel absolutely frustrated. And that’s what has been happening to me. For all ten and half months that I’ve been here, I must have cried for like 8 times already [yes, it’s lucky 8] and for all of those times it was out of frustration. Whether it be being told to start the presentation material again after I’ve done over 60 slides already, whether it be being shouted upon because we lack the stocks, whether it be being called ‘akab’ [that’s ‘stupid’ in another language] and whatever things that have triggered the floodgates to open.

Perhaps, this day is an ultimatum for me to stop feeling frustrated over something I do not have control of. Things fail and it’s all part of the lesson I need to learn. But I believe that this is also an ultimatum to the people I work with to shape up. I’m not saying that if things don’t improve I’ll leave all at once. It’s been one hell of a roller coaster ride that I don’t regret because I chose this and honestly, I still choose to be here. But there’s always a limit to everything. Yes, it’s not the pay that makes me stay--as you can see in the slogan. Whatever it is, it attributes to the passion I feel about the work I do. And when this dries up, there nothing left to do but…

CATHY GOES CRAZY

2006-03-20T02:30:00.000+08:00

I had fun yesterday during my lunch with Cokelover and Kristine. These are my pictures. Cool, huh?

*Click on an image to see its enlarged version. I dare you.

COMING SOON

2006-01-06T19:41:00.000+08:00

Coming soon.