Verdict
Today is THE day whereby my lil sis is put on trial at the juvenile court. The judge had spoken and rule my lil sis to 2 years in girls home. My dad said that before the trial, my mum wanted to withdraw the case. It is impossible to do so coz when you put a person in BPC, it means giving up the right and letting the government take control.
Today the pouring rain seems to reflect how my parents feel deep inside their hearts though one cannot see it physically outside. I can feel it. Since my lil sis became problematic, my parents seem to have aged alot. Even during the studio shoot with me and my sis's in convocation gown, the photographer hadto keep asking my parents to smile.
2 years, if you look at it in the perspective of 730days, it's very very long. However, if you look at it in comparison to a lifetime, it is quite short. I consoled my parents that if 2 years can change my lil sis, then it is worth it. It'll be a more tramatizing 2 years if everyday she just go out and mix with bad company. Now she pick up glue sniffing for the KICK of it. Who knows when the threshold of the glue sniffing kick has been reached, she may venture to drugs or worse. The possibility of something major going wrong in 2 years is quite high if she's out in the streets.
2 years in girls home, she can also become a leader in it and get to learn to hold responsibilities so that when she goes to the society, she know what responsibility is all about. If performance is good, she'll be out sooner than usual.
As all of us know about the welfare package that is coming out. Many of us will be getting between 200-800 bucks depending on which type of housing we stay in. Those stay in hdb will get 800 while me .... 200. Today then I know that Girls home also have such a similar policy. It's normal to know that parents have to pay a sum of money for their daughter's accomodation/food in girls home. For your info, those girls who stay in a hdb estate, the parents have to pay a monthly fee of 100 bucks to girls home. However, for those who stay in private estate, parents have to pay a monthly fee of 1.5k! That is 15 times more! And guess what? The treatment is the same. Same lodging. Same food. Same treatment. So why the vast difference? Just that some of us are more blessed doesn't mean have to be "carrot heads" to be chopped. 1.5k monthly for 2 years sums up to almost the amount of tuition fee a University Engineering Undergrad pays for 4 years. I'm not saying that my parents are miser but some stuff just need to be justified. I'll write to ST forum one of these days since election is round the corner.
Chilli Analogy
I was talking to one my ex-uni/hall mate online. We were talking about church service. She told me she had a sudden emptiness in her heart probably becuase most of her friends are still in hall and they are preparing for their exams now. During the weekends, she'll be all alone. I invited her to come for our church celebration service. For quite some time, she has been amazed by some of our friends (including me) changed to the better when they became Christians. Was it the work of God or time? However, this curiousity has not been strong enough to overcome her stepping out of her comfort zone. Which is to meet new people and being in a place of "unknown" to her. Spontaneously, a thought came to my mind and I shared this with her.
For example you're a ketchup lover. All along you grew up having ketchup for your meals and everything. The friends around you told you that Chilli is something that is very hot. Not nice. From young, you got this fear of chilli. As time goes by, you make new friends and they happen to be chilli lovers. They shared with you that chilli spice up your life. Great stuff to add on to your food. There are also others who said that chilli is not nice at all. Though you're amazed by how your friends describe chilli and their facial expressions say it all, deep in you, you still have this fear of chilli. You have ketchup and you're living fine with it. Why should you risk trying something that will make you feel uncomfortable? Unless you yourself personally try taking chilli, you will never know how a chilli taste like. If you bring it to church service term, unless you yourself personally make the effort to experience it, you will never know the experience described by a fellow friend.
After sharing this with her, she told me that what I said really make her mind think. In fact she did not dare to take chilli since young until she reached university when she first tried it. After that, it was history. She loves chilli ever since then.
How many of us are like this? Heard of friends that something is good but didn't want to personally try it out due to fear of the unknown? Hope this little analogy will spur more people to experience "Chilli" themselves.=)
After 3 times, I've learnt to say "NO"
Yesterday was a record set. 3 calls from P********* within a month promoting their newly launched product joint with OCBC to me. As usual I chatted with the person but I didn't want to meet him. I "grilled" him on how he got my info till he finally gave up and hang up. My gf felt that I was very cruel and should just tell him I'm not free and hang up. End their misery and stop demoralising them. I told myself that next time any call asking me whether I'm free to talk on the phone or not I'll just say "no". When they ask when can call again...... I shall say, "next year". ;p (kidding of coz)
Just now a lady called me. (think it was the person who called regarding the lucky draw thing). As my gf was around, I told her I not free to listen what she wanted to tell me. Yeah! I've learnt to say "NO!". That's not so hard after all. Hee
My parents went to visit my little sis today. According to my dad, she seemed more calm. (probably due to the amount of time she spent doing nothing but reflecting on herself). She kept asking of what did the counsellor told them. This friday she'll have to face the judge again to hear the verdict. Till now, the blood sample test result still not out (this friday will be 1 month liao), inefficient! My dad was telling my lil sis that if she didn't create so much trouble upon herself, she would be on a holiday with my other sis in New Zealand right now (Yup, my other sis went to New Zealand yesterday night for a week tour before she officially start her UMCi work).
2 weeks at work has never been boring. Everyday is a new learning experience for me. I also think of ways to make things more efficient or easier to organize. Created simple database for my future enquiries, created conversion table from euro to Sing dollar and marking up a certain percentage for profit all in a spreadsheet. Thank God for people who are willing to impart what they learnt to me. In return, I also taught them computer stuff to make find things faster which they initially didn't know exist. As my colleague says, though the salary is not anything fantastic, he likes the freedom that he has in the office. The bosses put their trust in their fellow workers that they'll do their job and not laze around. My colleague was saying that the previous job he had in a US MNC, every move was like being watched and the progress has to be reported weekly. There'll be weekly/monthly meetings and stuff. Over here, there exist both a employer/employee relationship and a friendship type of relationship.
Tomorrow will be the 2nd time I'm going to follow up on my outdoor sales. Near Benoi (Tuas) area. It'll be a long journey but I believe I'll learn something more again. =)
My blog has revived!
My blog was down for a total of 10 days!
The previous post was made when I could publish my post (the few days before I couldn't do so) but realised that it gave a blank page when viewed.
Today I tried again, by going to the status bar and click "publish entire blog" and when I clicked the view blog in new window, everything was ok! thank God.
If not, I would have jumped ship to livejournal already but the thought of going through the hassle creating a new account was unthinkable.
For the past 1 week, everything was moving very fast, tiring but exciting. When I came up to sales in the office, I picked up things as much as I can and it's really busy replying to enquiries and giving quotations. I had my first outdoor sales yesterday whereby my colleague and I went to a workshop doing electrical systems near Boon Lay. It was my customer who requested that we meet up and discuss more about his enquiry. The night before I took a few books back to read so that I can know my facts before answering to his questions. Thank God I brought my colleague William along who is a great friend/upper-study. Learn alot from him and picked up things (good ones of coz) that I can use in my worklife.
This week my parents went to see my lil sis. She told my parents that the day before the counsellor went to talk to her and kept saying that gave her chance but she didn't cherish. She felt that most probably she'll stay in Girls' Home for 1 year. However, she did say that if Police found anything in the blood sample, whatever the Police rule will override BPC ruling. Which means if BPC put her in 1 year Girls' Home and Police put her in rehabilitation centre for 6months, the police's verdict will take priority (which in this case seems to be the better choice in her eyes). I also don't know much as siblings and friends are not allowed to visit her. Only parents are allowed to visit once per week for half an hour time slot.
Today is my girlfriend's birthday. Since I started working, I wanted to pamper her with something that she wants. A mp3 player. Thank God that my girlfriend is not a materialistic girl and once in a while pamper her with such stuff show her how important she is in my life. I got her a 2GB Ipod nano (black).
She has been really stressed by quizzes, assignments, upcoming exams, having to take care of her little brother(4 years old) and also do household chores (eg, wash toilet/wash clothes/iron clothes). Of coz her family is not abusing her but is just that their maid just got "retrenched" and everyone in the family chipped in to share the burden of household chores. Dear, if you're reading this post, perserve on k! I know you're tired physically but try to rest when you can. I love you! Blessed Birthday!
Inefficiency
My blog is finally up! Yesterday several bloggers experience the same type of error trying to access/post their blogs. Of coz my post is not about the inefficiency of blogspot (taking 1 day to fix the problem) but the inefficiency of the police/respective departments doing the blood test analysis.
Yesterday my parents and my sis (not the lil one) went down to the police post to collect and know the result of the blood test of my lil sis which was taken 2 weeks ago. When they reached there, they saw several parents and their children there awaiting for the result. The teenagers took the police post as a common place when they saw one another and chit chat as though they're at the coffee shop. When the police came out, they told everyone that the blood test result not out yet, have to wait a few days more. Man, 2 WEEKS and still can't analysis anything yet! Are they taking their own sweet time or blood test really takes such a long time?
It set me thinking of the people who have AIDS and donate their blood without knowing they have AIDS because it'll take more than half a year for the virus to be active and detected. Hmmmm, next time people who needs blood have to worry whether the blood is really "clean". Of coz, i'm exaggerating the figures but that doesn't rule out even the 1% chance of it happening.
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Recently, I received a call saying that I'm a lucky winner of a contest which I participated sometime back last year even though I said that I don't recall filling up any contest forms. The indian lady tried to convince me that I really won by verifying my particulars (name/IC/DOB) with me. She asked me when I can come and collect the prize. Their location is at faber house in orchard road. She even asked if I got a girlfriend. If have, bring her along and collect. In addition, she asked if I got a credit card. If have, by flashing the card I'll be able to get an additional prize. Still not convinced by her words, I just told her that I'm not free during the weekdays, she said she'll call me again on saturday to confirm another date.
I posted up my situation in a few local forums and they said that it's a scam. Something like timeshare where they will pressurize you to buy some products which in any normal situations you will not bother to buy. If got credit card better still, they can ask you to buy the more expensive ones. Something like giving you a cheap watch (those 3 for $10) but asking you to buy some few hundred or few thousand dollars worth of products.
If any of you have the same experience, will appreciate if you would leave a comment so that people will know how real/fake it is. What I experience is just through people's experience but with the belief that there is no free lunch in this world, I dun think I want to waste 3-4 hours being tested in my psychological area.
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After the post of "how to survive the corporate jungle without losing your soul", a few of my friends came up to me asking for the location of the church coz they want to attend or they want to bring a friend to attend this series. It really set me thinking that with so many different people reading this blog, there may be the possibility of people going to this particular series today or the following saturday without knowing who they actually are. It's a good thing though coz we're all so caught up with work that most of the time we may feel that what we're doing are like robots (coz we've somehow lost our soul in the corporate jungle). I challenge the people who are still thinking whether to go or not to just go. I believe that the 1-2hours spent is definitely worth more than your usual hanging out with friends for that 1 or 2 saturdays. Somemore, it's free. Normally if you attend such course, there'll be a minimal fee to cash on the corporate people. Thus, Go! I believe God will bless you and even impart you the skills to survive the corporate jungle without being one of the many lost (or in the midst of losing their) souls out there.
blood test result collection
My parents and sis went to the police post to collect the result of the blood test. Parents and their children were there. However, the police told them that the results still not ready (after 2 weeks), they'll inform them the date again when to collect. Hmmm....
Dad's "first" visit to Girls' Home
Been busy transiting from my work downstairs to the office as a sales executive coz my sis had officially resigned from the company. Everything been very interesting and interactive. I like my job!
My dad went to visit my lil sis at girls' home on Tuesday. Only half an hour is given for each weekly visit. My lil sis asked how come mummy didn't come along (coz only parents are allowed to visit, siblings & friends are strictly not allowed). My dad said that mummy is too heart broken to come visit her unless she decides to change. My lil sis asked my dad to ask the counsellor to let her extend her counselling by another year and she agree to learn hairdressing. She still die die dun wanna study. This way, she dun need to spend the time in girls home. My dad who loves her alot said that she has to make the request to the counsellor too. The love of my dad to my lil sis juz make me feel of God's love for each and everyone of us. No matter how much we rebelled or don't want to listen to Him, He still loves us alot and longed that we turn back from our old ways.
My mum, girlfriend and one of my best friend think otherwise. They feel that my lil sis always don't honour her words. Maybe it still valid for the initial few days after the 1st and 2nd release but as weeks past, she went back to her old ways when her "pig and dog friends" come find her. When she say on the phone that she'll be back soon at midnite, she'll reach the house around 4am or even 6am the next day (hmmm, I wonder when did Singapore expand its land till it need 4-6hours to travel from one place to another).
They feel that should put her in girls home for a year so that she can be isolated from her "pig and dog friends" and also let her think. This time round is because of a mistake she made (glue sniffing) and not of parents making the request. It can also let her kick her smoking habit. In addition, next year the new school (dunno what is the name) will open especially for school dropouts who dun wan to study but wanna learn a skill. It'll be beneficial for her.
What do you think? Like my dad? or my mum/gf/best friend?
Tomorrow (friday) will be the result of the police case (glue sniffing). Though my lil sis will not be able to attend, my parents will be going to know the results. Dunno what the result will say and the verdict though, will just pray for God's will to be done.
Surviving the Corporate Jungle
It’s a jungle out there.
Ever wonder how you can survive - and thrive - in the corporate world without falling prey to your basic instincts?
Come discover how you can triumph through it all.
18 Mar • 25 Mar
@ Trinity Christian Centre Adam Road
Saturday, 7.30pm
Expectations
I was talking to my girlfriend a few days ago and we talked about expectations of friends. Do you expect more of a close friend compared to one whom you do not talk as often? And also in the same way less tolerance towards your close friends?
Initially I set up this blog as a way to pen my thoughts and gradually it also became a portal whereby my friends (whom I seldom met but am close with) can know about my life, my thoughts. As many of my friends are busy at different periods of time, it's very difficult to tell them on msn one by one and typing everything out. Whenever I'm disheartened by things that are happening around me, I'm amazed that how God has put people around me to encourage me. For the past few months, I had few of close friends who went to read my blog without me telling them to do so (coz my msn nick has the blog address) and calling me up giving me words of encouragement with regards to the situation i posted on the blog.
Yesterday after church service, 2 of my friends also came up to me and said they read my blog. One of them said that regarding my lil sis situation it takes a lot of patience and time. Her younger brother was also in BPC 3 years ago and yesterday she brought him to church for the first time (the amazing thing was it was him who pestered her to bring him to church). Another gave me words of advice and also commented on my horrible gramatical mistakes (haha, I'm not perfect though I got B3 for my GP during A'levels).
A really big thank you for all those who have read my blog and gave me words of advice and encouragements regarding my lil sis. Appreciate it deep from my heart.
How does expectations link to my above illustration?
Well, one of my close friend likes to chat on msn. Though I appreciate his initiative of always saying "hi", it really hits my nerve a few times when the next line would be "how's things/life?". It's not as though we meet up once a year (in fact we meet more than once weekly in a group basis). I've told him once before that I have a blog and if he really shows concern as a friend, he can ask a less generic question (like how's your lil sis?/cell gatherings?) or ask some specific things that I mentioned in my blog. It seems very superficial when you meet a friend at a regular basis and he asks you on such a generic question. Maybe I have higher expectations and lesser tolerance in this aspect. I'm not trying to say that the blog is my secretary but if my friends whom I seldom meet/talk msn to me asking me regarding some thoughts I had in my blog, that shows certain kind of sincerity in them.
3rd time in girls' home
Hmm...... yesterday my dad went to the junvenile court with my lil sis. My mum didn't go coz she don't want to be scolded by the judge for not being a good mother and stuff. However, during the trial, the judge scolded my lil sis this time round for creating trouble just a few days before the end of the counselling session. Scolded her for glue sniffing as it's harmful to the body and causes brain damage and stuff.
Usually my lil sis would keep silent when the judge scold her but this time round, my dad said that she told the judge to give her a chance. The case will be opened again at the end of this month. Meanwhile, she'll spend the time in girls' home. Heard from my dad that the first day of every girl going to girls' home would be locked in a small room. Just her and 4 walls and a door.
I thank God for even answering my prayer that the outcome of the hearing would not make my lil sis putting the blame on parents. Rather that talking about the breaking of curfews and missing counselling sessions, the judge choosed to solely talk about her glue sniffing and that made her feel that she's responsible for all she had done (not that the rest of the stuff she's not responsible la). I continue to pray that God will even use her time in Girls' Home this time to really make a 180 degree change in her mindset and attitude towards people and towards life.
Phone conversation with 2 agents
Within 24 hours, I had 2 calls from a same insurance company within a time span of less than 24 hours (one was around 9pm yesterday and another at 2pm today). My girlfriend and friends would say that why I would bother to talk to them on the phone for minutes when I'm not interested. Well, I have to be fair and give them a chance to train their perseverance and also test my own knowledge on the products available on the market. Ok, here is the first conversation summary between me and the guy agent.
Right from the start, he told me he was from P******** and want to recommend his company promotion (however, he didn't say his name) and ask whether can spare to listen to his explaination. Initially I said that I already have 2 saving policies and 2 single premium plans and going to sign up 1 investment plan, I don't need to buy another one.
He asked for a chance to explain his stuff which I gave him to do so. He said that their promotion was pay a monthly endowment fund of $127. After 24months, I'll be able to get $100 interest back yearly. After 25 years, I'll be able to get back a lump sum of $12.8k. and at the 28th year I can get back what I had put in. If you do a calculation, it's about 30% interest. However if divide by 25 years by compound interest, my mum say that it's not good enough to commit 25 years! Then I asked about the insurance coverage, he said that it's minimal but didn't provide me the amount (so much for wanting to promote). He said that he wanted to meet up so as to not give me false thinking.
Cut things short, I just didn't want to meet him as he's not my first degree nor 2nd degree friend. Asked him how he got my number and he said it was from a loyal P******* customer. I asked who, he said don't know. He continued to brag about how 3/4 of his clients were ones who said that they have enough policies or too heavy financial commitments. I just told him good for him and he can ask other people since I don't know who is the loyal customer who referred him to me.
2nd conversation with a female agent.
She called me and said she is from P******* and the company is expanding and I've been shortlisted as one of the potential candidates to join the company (again she never say her name). I told her that there was another guy who called to promote stuff the nite before and she seemed stunned. I also said that I'm currently working as an understudy in my dad's company.
She: So do you like your work?
Me: Yes
She: Oh, then do you think you'll be working the same job for the rest of your life?
Me: Yar
Then she changed topic to try to build up a friendship by asking how come of so many policies I bought, none from her company. I told her that maybe whenever the person from the company called, it's either the wrong time or situation.
She: Would it be possible if I do a financial analysis with you to see which areas of your policies may need enhancement?
Me: Nope, I'm a poor understudy now fetching less than 1 k home monthly.
She: Oh, then how about I keep in contact with you in the future coz your financial situation will change as time goes by.
Me: Anything
She: Alright, how about few months later?
Me: I think you can call me back few YEARS later
Can sense that she getting abit stunned by my words time and time again. She wanted to cut the conversation by asking whether I got anyone to refer to her who may need a job (be an agent like her). I said no, all are either happy with their jobs now or not wanting to be an agent.
Then I asked her the same question I asked the male agent on how did she get my number.
She: I got it from a loyal customer.
Me: Ya, the male agent said the same thing. When I do referrals from other companies (P*** C****), they would call up my referrals and said that I recommended him/her to them. But without knowing the name of your loyal customer how would I know it's real or not.
She: Perhaps the person don't want you know, wait you disown them (the exact words which she said)
Me: Haha.. why? If it's something good, then why would I disown them unless it's something bad?!
She: Erm... I dunno....
Me: Perhaps the person hate me that's why refer you to me.
She: Ehh... perhaps.... well, anyway nice chatting with you and have a nice day.
Is there a difference?
My lil sis is going to Junvenile court tomorrow. My dad told the counsellor what she had done and the counsellor is bringing her to the court tomorrow. High chance that she'll be put in girls' home. My mum is not willing to go coz she does not want the judge to scold her again for nothing. As my lil sis was caught by police for glue sniffing, the verdict will be out on 17th. Most probably will end up in rehabilitation centre or girls' home. But coz my dad told the counsellor, she'll most probably be put in earlier than the police can set the verdict.
My mum feels that there's a difference between
(a) Reporting to counsellor and putting her in girls' home coz she can put the blame on the parents. And carry the blame throughout her 2 years in girls' home.
(b) Letting the police set the verdict and put her in girls' home coz it will let her feel that she has no one to blame. Then she will feel that if need to change will be herself.
My dad feels that my lil sis didn't want to go school, didn't want to pick up a skill, didn't want to work, only lazy around daily. Somemore now come the glue sniffing case. And currently she's seeing a guy who just entered NS and drives a bike. My dad feels that things will run wild if it carries on like this.
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There's more and more chaos nowadays in Singapore. Summary of local news that caught my attention recently which made me think of the morals and values that Singaporeans have now.
- Nanyang Poly Clip (didn't want to write the popular search name in case there's a sudden influx of visits of my blog). Almost all my male colleagues gathered to watch the clip while I resisted from it to keep my stand as a Christian.
- "one-eye dragon" gunman in Singapore
- Nanoi baby dumped
- VJC scholar jumped down from 8th storey building last week
- TPJC student jumped from 11th storey building few days ago
On Bail
My parents went to bail my little sis out this afternoon. Results of the blood sample will be out in 2 weeks time which is on 17th. Till then will the verdict be out.
What is shocking that there were 10 people who were detained. 7 were girls, 3 were guys. Only 1 guy and 1 girl didn't participate in the glue sniffing. My dad already felt something was wrong when he called her at 11+pm. The way she answered was weird. My dad said she seem to be happy. Normally she dun respond like that. True enough, the call came and both my parents went to the police station.
Think in the end, the most will be probation or rehabilitation centre for not more than 6 months. Dun think will go to girls home. Apparently from what I read online regarding the laws and offenses, it only caters to general public (adults), never talk about juveniles. Thus, have to wait and see how.
Caught in the act
Early this morning 1+am, my little sis called my parents saying that she's at a police station in AMK. My parents woke up in the middle of the night just to go to the police station and sign a consent form for blood sample of my little sis. Why?
Apparently, my little sis and a big group of frens were caught glue sniffing at a coffeeshop at AMK. Everyone in the group was detained and held at the police station. They took their blood sample and should have passed them to the clinic to verify of any status of glue abuse this morning.
When my parents reached there, the police station seem quite busy. Groups of policeman having their supper, groups of parents feeling up the form. One of the parent say that the day before she had juz came to bail her daughter out for shoplifting, how come the next day come again for glue sniffing. Sigh.
With the intro of the "curfew" (11pm for teenagers), I believe this would further reinforce that teenagers should not linger outside late at nite. Status of the blood sample result has yet been known to my parents yet. However, if the result is positive, most prob my lil sis will be put into girls home for minimum of 2 years because she broke the curfew (10pm) and she did something like this. (To think that the end of her probation is 7 days time)
First Pay Day!
This week has been really hectic. Dun even have time to take a breather at work.
Got my pay on monday and I was "surprised" at my pay. Even though I got a degree but coz of the work I'm doing and what others (who got ITE cert and below) are getting, I'm getting the same too. Take home pay barely hit 1k. I already expected liao but didn't expect it to be so low. It's ok, I'm at my learning stage thus wun ask for much. Heard from my dad that the other partner going to bring me and his son to overseas this coming April or May to meet the principals of the dealers in China and places in Europe. After that, both of us will move upstairs and take on some of the outdoor sales liao.
My sis who is also working at my dad's company for a month more than me have been offered a job at UMC(I) at pasir ris. And the starting pay is 3k+!!!! Well, i was commenting that my sis wouldn't come back work for my dad liao after she leave. For me, coz I told myself that I wanted to help my dad carry on the business (if i'm capable) and thus money is not the issue liao. Nor is status.
Have been helping to take pics of some of the popular products for website these few days. Here are some of the pics. Some of the items are worth a few thousands! There are pendant lights, search lights, flood lights, mast lights, stern lights, deck lights, motor sirens and alot more. Pardon me for my poor photography skills. Tried my best to create a clear shot liao. Then going to let the ppl who do the website edit. From monday till today already took about 70+ products out of the hundreds. My eyes everyday tired and strained by the lights. But quite cool as I got to know more about the products when I asked the boss.
Did a website for my girlfren's mum. She wanted to do a website so that people can view them online but order thru phone or something. It's still at its initial stage thus not much flowers but worth a look. Go visit it! http://ferisia.fotopic.net Ferisia is the shop name and is located in Novena Square. The only flower shop there opposite bread talk.
