Something big is coming my way, and it’s making me crazy. Where should I begin? Hmmm…. let me start by introducing the characters. The first link in the story is Mr. Cesar Gil. He’s originally from Spain, and is a Regional Project Implementation Manager, and he sits next to me in the office. He has a Spanish friend, who is working in another department, named Xavier Morera. Xavier is a Regional Account Manager for Consumer & Retail customers. He likes to come down to our side of the building to gossip with Cesar, and sometimes we have lunch together. I was never really close to him… I mean, I’ve only talked to him probably 4 or 5 times so far.
Anyway, last Friday suddenly he called me in the morning, and said that he wanted to talk to me. I said OK, although not knowing what he wanted to talk to me about. I thought it would be something related to my work. So he came over and gave me the big news. Basically, there is a position in DHL Jakarta that needs to be urgently filled because the previous person just quit the company. What they are looking for is actually an Indonesian with a Master’s Degree who can speak Bahasa, English, and Mandarin. So, apparently, I am the perfect candidate for the job. The position is to become an Account Manager, handling one of our key customer there : Huawei Technologies (a China company that produces telecommunication stuff).
We haven’t talked about the package just yet, but even before that, now I’m confused of whether or not I should even be considering this. There are just too many factors involved, and it’s going to be a big change. First of all, it’s going to be in Jakarta. I’ve never actually lived in Jakarta before, so I don’t really know what to expect. But people keep on reminding me of the bad things: the dirtiness, the crazy traffic, the sense of insecurity…. On the other hand, it’s going to be a big career jump for me.
Then there’s also the thing about leaving Singapore. Do I just give everything up here and go? I’ve just started here! I’ve just got through my so called probation period.
I also have a feeling of betrayal to my current boss, Lily. I mean, if I go, she’s gonna have to find a replacement, and it’s not going to be easy with her being in Sydney physically. And then she would have to teach the new guy everything again (well maybe I can help her with that, but you get the point…)
So, you see now that even tough nothing’s confirmed yet, I’m already starting to panic. Aaarrrrgghhh…..
Right now I’m just going to try to forget about everything work-related and enjoy my vacation to Korea =D
Will be back next week (Jun 7), so see you guys then….
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Monday, May 14, 2007
The secret formula
I've finally found the perfect formula for a bad gym experience...... yes, bad.....
**Bad music + Lousy intructor + Disappointing facility = Bad gym experience**
Today I was supposed to work out with a personal trainer because when I joined the gym they give me 2 free sessions. I don't really need them..... I mean, I'm not exactly a beginner, and most of the trainers are lousy anyway (including this one..... his name is Ramli, a big (as in muscular) malay guy..... quite old, 40+, I think).
Anyway, he texted me early in the morning saying that he can't make it today and have to reschedule to tomorrow. I'm fine with that, because anyway I'm still quite tired from Saturday's BodyCombat and yesterday's bowling session. But after work I decided to go to the gym anyway cos I don't really know what to do if I go home straight from the office.
And so I checked out the class schedule, and there is a RPM (cycling) class at 6.45pm. I didn't know who the instuctor would be.... and so the complaining begins
First of all..... the music was really really bad..... maybe some people like it, but it's just not my cup of tea..... it's a really bad remix of some good songs (Hey Baby - No Doubt, What's Going On - 4 Non Blondes, and some other songs that I don't know).
Second.... the instructor.... hmmm where should I begin? He's Indian (no offense, but I just can't get what he's saying). I don't know whether it's because of the structure of the room/building or it's just him, but somehow his voice just doesn't stand out from the music. Plus his teaching/people skills are not great (well, ok... bad). Most of the time it sounds like he's ordering the people around. Moreover he's as breathless as we are, and so most of his sentences are monosyllabic. Want more bad stuff? He has no sense of rhythm and he's not familiar with the songs, so he was always ahead by 1 beat.
Third.... the facility..... this cycling studio is not the "cosmic" (glow in the dark) kind (the ones at Melbourne and Paragon are)..... maybe it's just me, but I'm quite used to having a cycling class in the dark and not as bright as today..... so it didn't really feel like RPM class..... just cycling with really bad music.
Overall..... very bad. I'm starting to not like this branch more and more (the maind studio is just as bad, and the instructors too). I think I will go to Paragon more often, eventough it's further and they don't provide workout attire.
**Bad music + Lousy intructor + Disappointing facility = Bad gym experience**
Today I was supposed to work out with a personal trainer because when I joined the gym they give me 2 free sessions. I don't really need them..... I mean, I'm not exactly a beginner, and most of the trainers are lousy anyway (including this one..... his name is Ramli, a big (as in muscular) malay guy..... quite old, 40+, I think).
Anyway, he texted me early in the morning saying that he can't make it today and have to reschedule to tomorrow. I'm fine with that, because anyway I'm still quite tired from Saturday's BodyCombat and yesterday's bowling session. But after work I decided to go to the gym anyway cos I don't really know what to do if I go home straight from the office.
And so I checked out the class schedule, and there is a RPM (cycling) class at 6.45pm. I didn't know who the instuctor would be.... and so the complaining begins
First of all..... the music was really really bad..... maybe some people like it, but it's just not my cup of tea..... it's a really bad remix of some good songs (Hey Baby - No Doubt, What's Going On - 4 Non Blondes, and some other songs that I don't know).
Second.... the instructor.... hmmm where should I begin? He's Indian (no offense, but I just can't get what he's saying). I don't know whether it's because of the structure of the room/building or it's just him, but somehow his voice just doesn't stand out from the music. Plus his teaching/people skills are not great (well, ok... bad). Most of the time it sounds like he's ordering the people around. Moreover he's as breathless as we are, and so most of his sentences are monosyllabic. Want more bad stuff? He has no sense of rhythm and he's not familiar with the songs, so he was always ahead by 1 beat.
Third.... the facility..... this cycling studio is not the "cosmic" (glow in the dark) kind (the ones at Melbourne and Paragon are)..... maybe it's just me, but I'm quite used to having a cycling class in the dark and not as bright as today..... so it didn't really feel like RPM class..... just cycling with really bad music.
Overall..... very bad. I'm starting to not like this branch more and more (the maind studio is just as bad, and the instructors too). I think I will go to Paragon more often, eventough it's further and they don't provide workout attire.
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Too many dreams, too little time
Lately I have been feeling quite overwhelmed with things around me. There’s just too many things that I want to do but there’s just some kind of obstacles to realizing them some way or another.
First, going to the gym. As you know, I have signed up with Fitness First again and I am trying to go there regularly, but it seems that it’s quite hard to make it a reality. When I was in Australia, it was so easy because my schedule is so relaxed there…. I only had classes at night, and that’s not every night. So I’m free during the day and I can go to the gym anytime I want. Furthermore, the gym is so much closer back in Melbourne… it only took me about 15-20 minutes door to door from my place to the gym, whereas here, well it’s also about 15 minutes if I go straight from the office, but from my place it will probably take more than half an hour. Also, the timing is not quite right…. gym classes here starts at either 6.30 or 7.30 pm (compared to 5.30 or 6 in Australia, where people get off work at 5), which clashes with dinner time. 6.30 is still OK… I can eat afterwards, although I will be very hungry by then (because after the class I still need time to cool down, take a shower, change etc etc and by then it would already be 8+). But if I want to go to the 7.30 class, I’m always confused whether to eat first or not. If I eat first, I would be too full to exercise, but if I don’t eat first, well then I’d probably faint during the class. The only option is to have a snack first and then eat again afterwards. But isn’t it not good to eat too close to your bedtime? Dilemma, dilemma…. or am I just a drama king? Hmm….
Second issue…. going out and having a good time…. the obstacle here is twofold…. First, I haven’t found the people who have as much enthusiasm and party spirit as me. Second, it’s not exactly cheap….
Next issue…. I am such a shopaholic!! Oh my God, there’s just so many things that I want to buy (notice the word “want”, not “need”). Seriously, I might need help…. or a bigger paycheck hahaha.
Well, time to knock off now…. don’t worry, more complaining to come, especially when I have too much free time haha…
First, going to the gym. As you know, I have signed up with Fitness First again and I am trying to go there regularly, but it seems that it’s quite hard to make it a reality. When I was in Australia, it was so easy because my schedule is so relaxed there…. I only had classes at night, and that’s not every night. So I’m free during the day and I can go to the gym anytime I want. Furthermore, the gym is so much closer back in Melbourne… it only took me about 15-20 minutes door to door from my place to the gym, whereas here, well it’s also about 15 minutes if I go straight from the office, but from my place it will probably take more than half an hour. Also, the timing is not quite right…. gym classes here starts at either 6.30 or 7.30 pm (compared to 5.30 or 6 in Australia, where people get off work at 5), which clashes with dinner time. 6.30 is still OK… I can eat afterwards, although I will be very hungry by then (because after the class I still need time to cool down, take a shower, change etc etc and by then it would already be 8+). But if I want to go to the 7.30 class, I’m always confused whether to eat first or not. If I eat first, I would be too full to exercise, but if I don’t eat first, well then I’d probably faint during the class. The only option is to have a snack first and then eat again afterwards. But isn’t it not good to eat too close to your bedtime? Dilemma, dilemma…. or am I just a drama king? Hmm….
Second issue…. going out and having a good time…. the obstacle here is twofold…. First, I haven’t found the people who have as much enthusiasm and party spirit as me. Second, it’s not exactly cheap….
Next issue…. I am such a shopaholic!! Oh my God, there’s just so many things that I want to buy (notice the word “want”, not “need”). Seriously, I might need help…. or a bigger paycheck hahaha.
Well, time to knock off now…. don’t worry, more complaining to come, especially when I have too much free time haha…
Friday, May 04, 2007
Stefan's newsletter
OK people, I’m back from the dead…. well, not literally, but I was very very sick for most part of last week. Fever, flu, sore throat, cough, blocked nose… the whole package. Not really sure how I got it, but I suspect it’s from one of my flatmates.
Anyway, I feel much better now, and already went out and about haha. I finally joined the gym again (Fitness First, of course) and yesterday I had my first BodyPump class again. The last one I had was back in December 2005 when I was still in Melbourne. The instructor yesterday was not half as fun as Teresa, and the sound system sucks. But I guess it’s better than nothing. Maybe I have to try other sessions at other branches until I find the good instructor haha.
Another exciting event….. last Monday me and some friends went out to see a comedy show by Kumar, Singapore’s most popular drag queen. I’ve watched his/her (?) show before a few years back (right before I left Singapore), but now he’s only performing Monday nights at Hard Rock Café. Since Tuesday was Labor Day, so I decided to gather some people and see the show.
It was a really funny show, but I think a lot of the jokes are very ‘local’, so if you have never lived in Singapore you won’t be laughing as hard as I did.
On other news…. tomorrow is shaping up to be a very busy day… I got badminton in the morning, and then apparently one of my high school friend has opened a café here in Singapore, so I will check it out with some old friends….. and then there’s a belated birthday celebration for another friend…. well, so far only the organizer is excited about it….. the other people are like “hmmm, I don’t know whether I’ll come or not, let’s just see how tomorrow”. So I got a feeling it’s not going to be a very good party.
Work-wise….. same old boring days…. just trying to get through each day. There’s this new thing coming up, called “First Choice”, and I have been automatically selected to be one of the team members.
Not really sure what I need to do in relation to this yet…. so far there’s only introduction meetings and brainstorming session, but nothing concrete yet. So, hopefully I’ll get to do more things.
Anyway, I feel much better now, and already went out and about haha. I finally joined the gym again (Fitness First, of course) and yesterday I had my first BodyPump class again. The last one I had was back in December 2005 when I was still in Melbourne. The instructor yesterday was not half as fun as Teresa, and the sound system sucks. But I guess it’s better than nothing. Maybe I have to try other sessions at other branches until I find the good instructor haha.
Another exciting event….. last Monday me and some friends went out to see a comedy show by Kumar, Singapore’s most popular drag queen. I’ve watched his/her (?) show before a few years back (right before I left Singapore), but now he’s only performing Monday nights at Hard Rock Café. Since Tuesday was Labor Day, so I decided to gather some people and see the show.
It was a really funny show, but I think a lot of the jokes are very ‘local’, so if you have never lived in Singapore you won’t be laughing as hard as I did.
On other news…. tomorrow is shaping up to be a very busy day… I got badminton in the morning, and then apparently one of my high school friend has opened a café here in Singapore, so I will check it out with some old friends….. and then there’s a belated birthday celebration for another friend…. well, so far only the organizer is excited about it….. the other people are like “hmmm, I don’t know whether I’ll come or not, let’s just see how tomorrow”. So I got a feeling it’s not going to be a very good party.
Work-wise….. same old boring days…. just trying to get through each day. There’s this new thing coming up, called “First Choice”, and I have been automatically selected to be one of the team members.
Not really sure what I need to do in relation to this yet…. so far there’s only introduction meetings and brainstorming session, but nothing concrete yet. So, hopefully I’ll get to do more things.
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