Personal DNA - Considerate Realist

About You

If you want to be different:

Appreciate that your skill set can be useful in many ways; your attention to detail and your familiarity with the inner-workings of things are valuable assets.

Try looking beyond the earthly qualities of things in order to expand your perspective, without losing your grounding in reality.

How You Relate to Others

If you want to be different:

Because other people would benefit immensely from your understanding and insight, you should try to be more outgoing in social situations, even when they make you uncomfortable. Others will want to hear what you have to say!

My personalDNA Report



Post Date: 19 Dec 07

Bye bye, Dan

2 days ago, CNN reported that Dan Fogelberg had passed away.

"Dan Fogelberg, the singer and songwriter whose hits "Leader of the Band" and "Same Old Lang Syne" helped define the soft-rock era, died Sunday at his home in Maine after battling prostate cancer. He was 56."

I have been afraid for many years, fearing that this day might come. But death comes to everyone, and dear old Dan is no exception.

Thank you for the wonderful music and your wonderful voice. Thank you for introducing to me Leader of the Band and Longer, 2 songs that touch my heart whenever I listen to them. Every single time.

Rest in peace, Dan, and do remember to watch over us from Heaven.



Picture credit here.

Post Date: 18 Dec 07

Places we would love to go - Part I

These places are high on the must-go list, hopefully in Apr/May next year.

Austria

The beautiful scenes of The Sound of Music really captivated us.

(Photo credit here)

Switzerland

I cannot get the image of the Swiss Alps with the little cottage from Heidi out of my head.

(Photo credit here)

Scotland

The land of bagpipes, Gaelic, castles and Nessie

(Photo credit here)

France

This would count as a re-visit, cos we didn't explore much the last time around.

(Photo credit here)

Post Date: 22 Oct 2007

Canon 400D

I have finally succumbed to temptation and am now a proud owner of the 400D.

I've pondered for almost a year on whether to get a DSLR, and if yes, which model to get. The Sony Alpha came really close, but the 400D won the day.

What tipped the scale was a well-placed advice, reminding me that I only live once, and since I like to capture memories, why not?

Being the newbie that I am, I have to put everything together, little by little. To start off, I have been loaned an entry level kit lens to use "until you feel like returning me". Another kind soul offered me his 2nd hand bag. Dry box will be phase II. Extra battery, card and tripod only when going for holiday.

The only thing missing now is the out-of-stock lens book, which will take me from lesson 1.

As my boss said aptly, "It's time to reward yourself".



Image from http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Canon400D/images/Canon400D_main.jpg

Post Date: 12 Oct 2007

Malaysia's first astronaut

So Malaysia has just had her very first astronaut sent into space. Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, an orthopedic surgeon and part-time model, travelled with Soyuz TMA-11, bound for the ISS.

I feel proud for Malaysia. I'm not bitter, jealous, anything. I'm glad that they have come to this level of achievement, organically or otherwise.

I feel proud that such a close neighbour has sent one of her sons into space. It's almost like I'm living out my dream through him ...



Image from http://diodati.omniscientx.com/2007/10/11/facing-mecca-in-space-an-exercise-in-spherical-geometry/

Post Date: 12 Oct 2007

Just when you ...

... thought it's done, you get a call to say someone went to ask sometwo, and since sometwo wasn't supposed to know and now the secret is out, we have to go back. And start. All. Over. Again.

Production line starts tonight.



Post Date: 12 Oct 2007

What a great way to start the week

Was reading the papers this morning at breakfast when I spotted a familiar face in the Business section.

It was an ex-colleague, someone that I quite regularly bumped into. He has just been made General Manager of a developing country up north.

Here I am, wondering if I'll still have a job in 2 weeks' time, and then I see in the papers a peer who has been promoted.

What I know is, he's no longer a peer after this announcement.



Post Date: 1 Oct 2007

Current predicament

So I have been offered a less-than-attractive package. While I want to sleep over it now, I may have to face it in a few weeks' time. May, because they might not want to hire me after all.

This is the fix I'm in - I can only choose 2:



- If I want money and time, I have to give up commensurate post -> current offer is to give up money AND commensurate post
- If I want money and commensurate post, I must give up time -> logical, but not likely to happen to me
- If I want time and commensurate post, I must give up money -> dunno what's the likelhood of this

Methinks my biggest problem today is the lack of an objective.



Without an over-arching goal to guide my decisions, I'll never know which choice is better, which is worse. Time? Money? High post?

Sigh.



Post Date: 1 Oct 2007

It's done

UPDATE - 29 Sep 07

The update is that the case is closed. All's well that ends well.

*********************************

It's done.

We completed one week of work last night, culminating into a trip to you-know-where.

The results are good, although we still don't know its direct impact. And so we wait.



Post Date: 1 Oct 2007

It's imminent

Just got a call.

The message passed was for Wifey and I to go back and help.

The situation is tricky, with many angles to cover. I can think of 2 possible outcomes:

1. We will be hated to the core
2. We will hate ourselves for being subjected to manipulation



Post Date: 18 Sep 07

How a weekend was screwed

Got a call from New HR on Friday, while I was waiting for the train at City Hall MRT.

They offered a position that is below my expectations, and a package that, on first look isn't too bad, but a base pay that I was already on 3 years ago. Back to 40:60. To add to the pain was the impersonal, deadpan tone of the HR person.

I really wonder when my career and basic pay can finally make their way up consistently. Over the past few jobs, it has been up, down, up, down - how to put a stop to this nonsense? Initially the dream of a $100k annual basic pay dream seemed so much nearer, but now? Huh!

It's not so much that I'm an ingrate - my annual package has been on the up. It's just that at every stage, I get pushed back a few notches, and have to fight my way back to equity and beyond. Most of the time I clear, but sometimes I trip, and pay kena hentak kaki. When will someone finally offer me an increment to jump ship? Something clear cut, simple, not mind-taxing, and where I don't have to feel sour even before joining the company? When? WHEN?! Why is it that everytime, I'm made to feel small? Why? WHY?!

Apologies to Wifey, who once again had to put up with my long face and withdrawn mood. Don't know how long she can take this nonsense.

Here we are, sweating over the annual package on offer, and wondering aloud when will the tides turn, while people just took delivery of their new Mercedes Benz C-class. I'm been told a gazillion times, "Don't compare, don't compare", but I reaaaaally cannot help it.



Post Date: 10 Sep 07

Of herbs and gratitude

Aussie friends are here again!

Brought them to Imperial Herbal at Vivocity. The last time we ate at the restaurant, they were still at Metropole. But the standards remained. The food was good! Our guests enjoyed themselves, which was a great relief for me!

During the dinner, one of the topics was on their son, about how much he has changed after meeting his fiancee. He seems like a different person now, hardly visiting them, spending beyond his means, and a host of other illogical decisions.

So sad. All along, I thought he was the more sensible one of the 2 boys. Given how honest and hardworking-ly they have lived their lives, it's sad that their elder son is slowly pulling the rug from beneath their feet. Oh well ...

They had a few errands to do and I gladly offered to do for/with them. No amount of running around can measure up to the help they rendered us when we were in Australia. They were like our foster parents, and I'll be eternally grateful to them.



Image from http://www.learnenglish.org.uk/magazine/magazine_home_australia.html

Post Date: 6 Sep 07

881

Caught 881 with the folks yesterday.

I've always had my reservations about local productions, but this one turned out alright. A good break from the J-Team overdose.

The show did not invoke as much nostalgia as I thought it would. This may be because during the 7th month celebration of yore, we always had Chinese opera instead of 歌台. Mum said having Chinese opera was more seh been, because they were more expensive. I also didn't like 歌台 much - they were too gaudy and (audibly) loud!

The story was heart-warming enough, with forbidden love, kinship, success, and eventually death. And the leads acted really well. But what, to me, is the real icing on the cake is the "mainstreamisation" of Hokkien. It's about time people openly accept that as part of our culture!

I was also very mesmerised by the haunting song.




Image from http://www.cathay.com.sg/cp_nowshowing.html

Post Date: 3 Sep 2007

Temporary reprieve

Went to Waterloo street today. Badly needed to consult the Powers on the housing dichotomy.

I wanted to 求 for 2 签 - one to ask if we can sell, and one to ask if we can rent.

The first 签 was a 中签. While it was ok in general, it wasn't resoundingly positive.

When I 求 for the second 签, I wasn't able to get a 胜杯! After 4 tries! I think it's fairly obvious that rental is a route that I shouldn't pursue.

Mum suggested, "Why don't you ask if you should just let things stay status quo?" Which I did. For this, I got a resounding 'YES'. I'm to wait till autumn and winter, where things will become clearer.

I'm so happy with this instruction because it is such a difficult situation. I didn't want to rush into this, as it not only does it involve my house, mum-in-law and mum-in-law's house, but also emotions and responsibilities.

So now, we wait, should be until January.



Post Date: 6 Sep 07

Creative Zen Stone Plus

Went to Comex yesterday intending to buy an MP3 player. It needed to be light, handy, and must have a complementary set of accessories. With the choices and myriad of models, I narrowed down to 2: Sandisk or Creative Zen. Was eventually won over by the Zen Stone Plus. $99 for the 2GB model, with a skin with clip thrown in.

Ok, that's one item checked on the to-do list for the Singapore Marathon 10km run!



Image from http://sg.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=213&subcategory=744&product=16757

Post Date: 10 Sep 07

Colorgenics profile

Read about this colorgenics test from FF's blog. Not very choon, but can use for reference ...

You have always been on the move seeking affectionate, satisfying and harmonious relationships. Your ultimate goal has been the realisation of an intimate union in which there could be love, self-sacrifice and mutual trust. It has often been said that 'True love is just around the corner' and - if you haven't found it as yet - you possibly soon will.

You are very talented, imaginative and sensitive but you are holding back as you do not really like going it 'on your own'. In preference you would like to team up with someone, someone with similar attributes as your own, to explore - to seek out and go perhaps 'where no other man has trod before'. It is the unusual that attracts you and which will give you a sense of excitement and adventure.

The way things are, you feel that you are stuck in a rut and there is not much you can do about it. You feel frustrated and inhibited but if you can find a way to let yourself go, you may find that things aren't quite so bad as perhaps you thought they were. One consolation is that since you are an extremely emotional individual, with the right person you may be able to release some of that frustration and tension with some mutual tender loving care.

It is said that we are all influenced by our environment and indeed you are no exception. It would seem at this time that even though you may be surrounded by people, you are experiencing an inner loneliness. Fortunately you are sufficiently strong minded to realise that life has a great deal to offer you and that you may miss your share of experiences if you fail to make the best use of every opportunity. You therefore pursue your objectives with a fierce intensity and are prepared to commit yourself deeply and readily. You believe that whatever you would like to do or think 'you can do' - you do! It is because of this attitude that you may be considered by others as arrogant and even conceited, but its fair to say that whatever it is that you really want out of life you will put your heart and soul into it and will not take 'NO' for an answer.

You have so many ideas that you would like to revitalise but you need to realise a stable and peaceful condition to do so. Once you can free yourself from all the aggravation and tension around you, you will make strides that may amaze you. You will not be prevented from achieving all the things you so desire.



Post Date: 29 Aug 07

Damn regret

Damn paiseh and regret also.

Earlier was at IMM Jurong Point and saw this girl. Wah, she really 气质非凡. Was looking at her and she must have detected that someone was looking at her, cos she turned to my direction.

And smiled.

And what did Uncle Waverley do in return? Smile back? Wave? Went up to strike a conversation? Noooo ... being the Singaporean, all I did was stare into space, like a statue in Italy.

It must have embarrassed her, cos her smile quickly disappeared. But she continued looking in my direction.

To the lady in white at Mos Burger, I so badly wanted to smile back, and walk up to you to comment on your 气质, but I just couldn't pluck up enough guts to do so.

If I see you again, I won't make the same mistake again.



Post Date: 29 Aug 07

Financial Independence

Wifey recently got her first credit card, from a foreign bank. I'm so happy for her cos I think it's a mark of financial attainment and independence. The other reason is, if she doesn't use my sub cards, then I can stop paying some of her bills liao - hehehe ...

I've gone so far as to get a sub card FROM her! Woohoo, shopping liao!



Post Date: 28 Aug 07, from IMM Burger King

UPDATE - Aussie dollar vs SG dollar

Wow, it certainly has become really attractive ...



Post Date: 22 Aug 07

Singapore buys an island

Was looking at it sometime back and had wanted to set up shop, but quite expensive. Then my thoughts went to the government, and wondered when they were going to do it - and they finally did.

http://www.straitstimes.com/Free/Story/STIStory_150344.html

Govt agency buys island - in cyberspace

21 August 2007

By Tham Yuen-C & Chua Hian Hou

AN IT-SAVVY government agency here owns an island - but one which does not exist in the real world.

Along with at least two other agencies, the Infocomm Development Authority (IDA) has bought real estate to operate in a universe that exists only online.

This virtual world, called Second Life, is visited by more than 8.9 million residents from about 100 real-world countries.

Besides the IDA, the Singapore Tourism Board and Economic Development Board have bought stakes there - not for commercial gain, but to reach their audiences, or to explore operations in a virtual world.

Senior Minister of State for Information, Communications and the Arts Balaji Sadasivan, revealing this yesterday, noted that life in this digital age was making the world increasingly porous, so it was important for people to 'exploit the opportunities opening up' in the cyberworld.

Dr Balaji, who is also the Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, was speaking at the opening of a gathering of 220 lawyers, social scientists, entrepreneurs and technologists from 20 countries.

The State of Play V Conference is a platform for them to discuss the impact of virtual worlds on, for example, real-world laws and regulation.

In Second Life, more than US$1 million (S$1.53 million) in virtual transactions happen daily.

It has attracted companies, organisations and yes, agencies from other real-world governments interested in reaching out to the audience that spends several hours in cyberspace.

Assistant Professor Aaron Delwiche from Trinity University's department of communication, who is also the co-chair of the conference, noted that people were forming impressions of other cultures based on these digital encounters.

He said: 'Today, virtual worlds are viewed as playgrounds, but tomorrow, they will supplement our physical workplaces.'

The three Singapore government agencies yesterday declined to elaborate on their cyberspace forays.

But The Straits Times understands that on the 'island' the IDA bought, the agency is working with students of Nanyang Polytechnic to design software applications that could be used in the virtual world.

For example, they have created a live video conferencing programme for Second Life residents to stream live meetings and conferences.

Speaking at the conference yesterday, Principal Senior State Counsel Charles Lim of the Attorney-General's Chambers said Singapore was in favour of leaving virtual worlds alone, as long as the activities there did not damage the 'fabric of society' by, for instance, using online characters to incite religious hatred.

Another speaker, Temple Law School professor David Post, suggested that governments might want to leave virtual worlds to set their own laws.



Post Date: 22 Aug 07