Project X - - - P31
Sounds like an undercover secret agent mission for the United States government? It sure is not.
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Spent the whole day in school today. To help the Business Studies Club to do some purchasing for their upcoming Student Leader camp in April.
Before that, I thought I go take a look at the secret project called P31...here's what it is all about, so it is not really that secret....
Its the new Food & Beverage Complex which is still under construction. I had a hard time finding my way there....(which probably is the reason why so much has been kept under wraps). This complex is to cater for the Diploma in Culinary & Catering Management students and for the rest of the division to hone their skills in Food & Beverage.
With the new restaurant TableTop, boasting 2 state - of - the - art Asian & Western kitchen, it is set to serve up a mean whip of fusion food, where East meets West. There's the deli called Sugarloaf with plasma telivision and all, a training kitchen with 16 stoves, 2 private dining room called Salt & Pepper...Haha...so cute...the chef demonstration room with the LCD screen telivisions overhead and the wine lab with personal sinks were awe strucking to me....I wonder how much is going into all these.
Well, looks like that would be the new haunt for many events TP will need to play host to....
To all Service Ambassadors: Its time for us to get the ball rolling again....WORKING TIME!!! Hee ha...everybody scream..."ARE YOU READY FOR THE PARTY???"
Will be headed up to Ipoh tomorrow to pay respects to my late paternal grandparents and catch up with some of my cousins...till then....
Reflect, Relax, Rejuvenate, Rejoice
The 4Rs of a spa. Sounds familiar? Anyhow, that has been exactly what I've been trying to do the past week...and well, it seems pretty successful...so far...
Reflect:Attended the trial of a friend and mentor at the Subordinate Courts yesterday. For those who have not been to court and would like to experience all the drama, trust me, its not as fun as the way it may be pictured on telivision.
I went to the new Ikea Restaurant & Cafe at Tampines for lunch, the place was swarming with kids, and I just can't stand those uncouth and unpresumptious people who cannot be bothered to clear their plates after eating. Like after all, that's the precise reason why your meal is so economical, as the Ikea managment said, "less work to clear, more time to serve you and prepare your food." Yet some of these people couldn't be bothered, wait till they end up as cleaners will they then truly understand how hard things can become....Ignorant fools...
There are also these people who cannot wait for people in front to place their trays on the belt and settle payment, but they are already pushing their trays to the front and inconveniencing others. Simply no consideration. At the end of the day, if you are seeking sometime for some peace and quiet to enjoy Ikea...don't go on school holidays & weekends. It is not only a mad race to fight for seats, but also a spoiler with those few wretched uncivilised "beasts." Apart from that, try their SWEDISH MEATBALLS, a combination of Beef + Pork accompanied with cranberry dippings, it is good....oh and the Chocolate & Almond cake for dessert. As for main course, I would recommend the daily special: Fish & Chips in chives sauce.
That was the spoiler of the day...and getting back to the court case, I arrived exactly on the dot and without a doubt, the courtroom was full. There were only 2 rows for audiences anyway. So a whole mob of us gathered outside, you know, it is just so heartwarming to see so many familiar faces (people who I have not seen for quite a while) gather together in support of a former friend who had been wrongly accused.
All too soon, the verdict was passed and from the looks of the faces exiting the chamber, it certainly did not spell good news....After which was an escape from the Paparazzi which even block our car....my goodness....(speaking of which, they were camping there since 7.30am in the morning.)
Further details of this incident are so sensitive I don't think I can write anymore than I already have.
Relax & Rejuvenate:Attended a retreat at the National Service Resort & Country Club (NSRCC) last week. It was really a getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city. Imagine...waking up to the silence and the cool morning air...no thoughts of work...and certainly away from my best friend (my ASUS notebook PC).
I really enjoyed it, taking the time to do some leisure stuff like my quiet time, swimming, cycling all the way to Changi beach....
I certainly felt refreshed and re - charged after that.
The next day spent some quality family time at the Singapore Botanical Gardens. My mother and sister headed off to do some photography as part of a course they were attending. While my father and I spent time brisk walking and talking about anything under the sun....from politics to overseas studies and food....
I actually feel glad to have time on my side and to take a step out of this rat race for a while. You will see many things from a different angle and things you never thought existed. Apart from all the people, there were tourists, dogs and even this man with a camera the size of a bazooka doing professional photography. What interest me was this group doing some Tai Chi with their Chinese fans...it looked as if they were practising, than again they may have been planted there by the Singapore Tourism Board.
Went for drama rehearsel on Tuesday, we'll be performing the MRT terrorist show at St Andrews Cathedral this Easter. Similar to the one we did at Newton Life Church before I left for Vietnam. I'm acting as this Singaporean yuppy who is a "banana" if you know what I mean...those bachelors who climb the corporate ladder but can't speak a word of Mandarin. It is an honor to use my God given talent to contribute to this project. It was so much fun the last round, I pray and I hope that all those involved and gel together without any difficulty and that we would be able to perform as a testimony for God and may this drama reach out to the lost and bring them to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Lord & Savior.
Met up with a friend at Clarke Quay for high tea on Wednesday. I discovered a whole new area of life at the Robertson Quay district with Chocolate Factory and 'Canale.' Its this pastry shop which makes great chocolate desserts ( I think the best in Singapore), under the leadership of Chef Justin Pang, the vice president of the newly formed Singapore Pastry Alliance. There was this dessert called the Merang, we couldn't really figure out how to consume it. What looked like cream turned out to be a lump of icing sugar which shattered when we tried to break off small bits of it. Then the cashier made a mistake of charging us the wrong bill. Only $10.75? I asked. When we consumed so many items....We could have been despicable and pay that amount instead of our $26, but its not right to cheat a business so we clarified everything and settled the bill.
RejoiceIt was kind of a shock receiving my final results. It was announced that it would be out on Thursday, 15th March 2007. However, it came on 14th March 2007, 5pm, just as I was lifting a magazine of the shelf at Times Bookshop in Plaza Singapura. Oh my gosh! When I read the following:
Exam Results for 0400382H
But it looked good -
Issues in H & T: B
SIP: Z
Result: GR
THIS WAS IT!!! I have graduated, and not only that, I could not believe my eyes that I received a distinction for my internship. What seemed like a dream had became reality, that Pass with Commendation. The little extra I had always prayed for.
I couldn't be happier that I phoned my family to tell them the good news.
Later that night, I was touched when I found out that my MP had been wondering where I was all this while and he was concerned if anything had happened to me. Its just so amazing that the political leaders would actually ask about a small fry such as myself.
Well, that's about it for now...and to everyone out there...try to take some time out of your busy schedule if time permits to just appreciate some of the little things in life you might not know existed.
Till then....signing off!
The Purpose Driven Life: Friendship
To all readers of Primordialism Instrumentalism, I am officially back in Singapore after my working stint in Vietnam and a short retreat to Hong Kong.
Allow me to share with you all some of my thoughts which have been flashing through my mind the past few weeks. Upon graduation some 2 weeks back, I suddenly found myself lost, not knowing what step to take next and at the same time not being able to secure a permanent job.
I currently work for this company called Masterconsult Services as a research assistant. It is a tourism consultancy company which takes on ad - hoc projects for the Singapore Zoological Gardens, Night Safari, National Heritage Board and even overseas governments of China and Abu Dhabi. My reason for choosing this job is due to its flexibility in working hours which allows me to fit into my schedule any last appointments that I might need to attend to.
To top that off, I have been offered a job by Peter Knipp Holdings to assist in the World Gourmet Summit in April, that should pretty much tie me down for next month and after which I would need to consider a permanent part time job or start attending courses relevant to my future career.
Attended the Career Fair 2007 at SUNTEC Convention & Exhibition Center last week. It was a platform for me to catch up with some of my secondary and pre - U classmates, and it was good to see that they were all doing fine. From there, I discovered 4 options for my university education:
1) Singapore Management University
2) University of Nevada Las Vegas, BSc (Hotel Administration & MICE)
3) 2 year SIM cum IMHI at Switzerland, BA (International Hotel & Tourism Management)
4) 1 year Les Roche Hotel School in Switzerland
Apart from educational qualifications, these are the professional trainings I wish to receive:
1) Skills Certificate in Wine for Trade Professionals (6 months)
2) Professional Certificate in Golfing (2 months)
3) Certificate in Casino Management (5 months)
4) Professional Convention & Exhibition management training (unknown)
That is alot of research to be done, anyhow, you got to go all out for the best of your career.
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Now on to the second portion of this entry, which are my thoughts after graduation.
It seems a relieve to reap the fruits of your labor after 3 years of sleepless nights and gruelling hours in front of the PC. The "unofficial graduation" or to put it in layman terms, the last day of school. Everyone has been looking forward to the day when we close the final chapter of our research thesis with the interview.
"Alright that's all I have for you. Thank you. Good bye." Sounds familiar? The statement from our lecturers which pronounces our freedom! Happiness for all??? Well I'm not sure, most definitely not in its totality for me.
The last few weekly Thurday lectures saw an unusual sight. The lecture theatres were packed to the brim to the extent you would not be able to get a seat if you did not come early. This was the first for the Hospitality & Tourism division. Lectures have always been an avenue for students to obtain additional time to do their tutorials, project research, eat, and even escaping from school early to work or engage themself in retail therapy at Tampines Central.
However, we all knew our days together were numbered and everyone did their best to catch up with 1 another. I recall having a conversation on post - poly life with my friend Alan on the North East Line after an outing. He said something which really left me pondering, "You can't keep in contact with everyone, you have to think very carefully which are the friends you want to keep in contact with."
This is very true for all of us, when you graduate, there will be only a few individuals who will keep in contact with you and become your life long friends. For some of us, polytechnic may be the 3 most formative years of our life. To be honest, from secondary school, I only have 2 friends left who truly keep in touch with me.
The other issue is on "appreciation." Has any of you actually sat down to ponder who your true friends really are? Who you can actually count on when you are in trouble? Who are those that will stay with you until the very end?
There are 3 categories of friends: casual, close and best. Have you ever wondered where you rank on your friends' list? Would any of them actually describe you as "righteous?" I've been through alot this past year, and I've come to learn not to be too intimate with anyone, love is blind and you really might find all your efforts going down the drain. This is going to make you feel rotten, dejected and many a times lose your purpose in life.
Here's a personal account, there was a friend who I came to know better a year ago, we grew closer due to the need to work together. As time went by, we started going out together, drinking, partying and just letting our hair loose. I started developing feelings for her, thinking that we clicked very well and this would be the girl of my dreams. There were even incidents when we became very intimate with each other. Aware of her family problems and financial difficulties, I promised to help her out academically and financially. However, she suddenly became very cold towards me, not replying my SMSes and just not being in contact. That time I felt very lost and confused. Could it been have something I said or did in our last outing? Surely not. The next time I saw her, she seemed very cheerful and jovial, I thought that everything was back to normal, but I was wrong. The way she treated me was different, occasionally she would just tell me off in front of others and even blame me when the job welfare was not good. I however, bottled all the pain inside me. I could not understand why someone who I gave so much for was responding in such a way.
Knowing that there were some materialistic items that she yearned for, I got hold of them on a trip to Hong Kong and gave it to her, however, with the exception of a single word "thanks" there wasn't anything more to it. I even got yelled at the next day when we worked together for a private function. Its just so hurting, when I tried to comfort her on 1 occasion when she broke down, she pushed me aside. That were nights I soiled my pillow with tears, wallowing in self pity, but all these was useless. I would need to face up to the fact and confess to her my true feelings.
I brought her and her bestfriend out for dinner and a movie since their birthdays coincided along the same month and week. However, she spent time talking to her best friend throughout the outing and treated me as if I did not even exist. She simply took all that I had done for her for granted!
When I tried to clarify some issues with her the next day, she said something which really hurt "if you feel that way, don't talk to me, I do not lose anything." Can you imagine? After you have done so much for a person they say something like that to you?
And so it continued, whenever she needed help in her studies or something else, she knew who to call. I became her panic button, and when things went well, she would just chuck me aside. Once her relative was very ill and she needed to borrow some money to finance the medical bills. In total, she borrowed about $2,000 from 4 people. At my best, I managed to lend her $200, while at the same time introducing her to some good paying jobs to help her out. She said that she would repay the money in 4 months time. However, when the time came, she said she needed more time. By then, I had already left for Vietnam for an industrial attachment. She talked about coming to see me off at the airport, but she never showed up. When I was about to enter the departure gate, I called her to find out that she had already started work and was not able to come. Not a problem with that, but she could have at least informed me that she could not make it.
When I returned and after graduation, I decided to check on the progress of the debt repayment. Late one night, I called her to ask about her financial situation, she wanted to know the reason why? I then explained to her about the $200 she owed me and CAN YOU IMAGINE HOW SHE RESPONDED???
MY GOODNESS! NO FRIEND WOULD EVER SAY SUCH A THING ESPECIALLY AFTER SOMEONE HAS LENT THEM $$$ TO HELP TIE OVER DARK TIMES.
This is what she replied, "I thought I have paid you back the money already."
This was a test which she failed and proved to me the kind of friendship and relationship which existed between the both of us. All the while she has been taking advantage and making use of me, betraying my trust and bad mouthing me behind my back. In front of me, she would say things like how much she appreciated my efforts in her heart but could not show it, and then say a few thanks and send SMSes with smileys. As if that was going to move my heart...
Such individuals are a first for me, and no word in the English Language can ever be used to describe them.
However, I will not stoop to her level to get back at her for what she has done. Why should I? It will just be a waste of my time, money and effort and in the end look like an uncouth, unruly, ungracious, unpresumptious, deplorable and excricable person.
I got back my money in the end. From that day forth, I have never spoken to her a single word, nor contacting her for any jobs, nor will I lend a helping hand should she need it.
I read an article the other day about the 'joys of singlehood.' Not having a partner would give you more time to hang out with your buddies for all those late nights at Clarke Quay, extra $$$ on hand, and of course no need to account to anyone except your parents.
I am sure those of you who have been involved in a broken relationship will be able to identify with me. For those who have had a happy relationship, God bless you always! =)
Well, as we call it a day, take some time when you're alone on the bus, MRT or even in the restroom, truly analysing these 2 inter - related topics of friendship & appreciation. You might discover many new insights which you have overlooked.
Feel free to post any comments to further discuss these issues, or give me a buzz if you're feeling the same way, down and out. I've gone through it once and would be more than willing to lend a listening ear to your problems.
Thank you and good night.
