SIMPLY READ, INDULGE AND HEARD WITH WORDS

Sunday, June 24, 2007

De one with After Awhile

Sunny

It's already been 14 days since I started work in a CPA. More precisely, it's a major change in my life. Something different from the luxurious and less-worrying student life. This job could be also, my very first CPF-contributing job!

You must be wondering how am I coping? Work's getting heavier and even more complicated gradually as the number of assignments keeps coming one after another. Within the first week, I completed six years of both audit and compilation reports for a particular company. Of course, with alot of help from my manager. Till date, I'm moving on and working on my 3rd assignment - A standard audit. Sounds cool right?

Although there's really lots of tedious work, killing of trees (because of much amendments in reports), I found it very rewarding as I find myself gaining knowledge about accounting work and anything related to it. Sort of a headstart too!

To be even more comforting, the colleagues and my manager, Rebecca, are really very friendly and nice people. They have been very helpful, always willing to put down their work just to answer my queries. At least I don't experience any "tai qi" ( Singlish: "pushing responsibilities to others and avoiding interference to self".)

What's taxing might have not dawn upon... As much as I enjoy starting a new life point - working, I'm pretty worried about coping with studies when the next semester starts. Well.. time being, let's just let nature takes it's course bah.

With working hours invading my life, I find life's draining of colours. Gone are those jeans and comfortable t-shirts. Away with those long un-confined hours of shopping during non-crowded week days... Most of the time, I'm working overtime, in order to complete my assignments way before time to crunch my thirst to learn more. As such, it leaves me with only 2 pathetic hours, sometimes nil hours after work for me to settle my dinner and going out.

Fortunately, work's really busy but I still managed to spare some time for Honey. Meeting Honey every weekend. Well... perhaps it's due to us being too overly affected and occupied by our problems at work and meeting demands, it had caused our relationship to be sailing through rocky pavements. I admit I've been pretty emotional this period. Always in need of Honey to "output" my bottled troubles at this moment in life..

I guess I've been selfish bothering Honey while I should have turned to my close friends. Haiz.. i feel very sandwiched. I feared Honey might misunderstand I confide in my friends more than my love. On the other hand, I don't wish my friends to be occupied with my problems when they themselves have their commitments too. What should I do?

With that, I see less and less of my family. Yet, I'm pretty grateful that my granny helps me with my laundry and friends to accompany me. Otherwise, I'd be eating dinner alone and shopping with no one to provide me with opinions.

I still go out with Mohan. Paiseh but Mohan was the friend who could make it to accompany me out for some last-minute shopping. Managed to have supper with Clara once too, who have accompanied me to get my first sets of clothings prior my first day of work.

Economics taught us that the opportunity cost of earning money is leisure time. In my case, it would be more appropriate for me to quote that the next best alternative forgone for work experience is my leisure time with love, family and friends. Of course, together with the time I could have spared myself to do things I enjoy.

Jiayou ("Keep going" in Chinese), Jason!

Wednesday, June 06, 2007

De one with Disappointing Wednesday

Cloud overhead on 6 June

It feel as if time is traveling at the speed of light-years, before it's known, 6 June had silently creeped upon for the release of my 2nd semester examinations results.

As much I'd expected better results.. well.. it turned out rather disappointing...

Commercial Law : Pass
Management Accounting : Credit
Prices and market : Distinction
Business Statistics : High Dist

Sob sob... As compared to my previous semester's, I actually fell by 2 grades (1 HD, 2 DI, 1 CR).
Most disappointingly, this semester I've failed to achieve a minimum of 12 credit points, essential to guarantee a degree with distinction at the end of my course.

Well.. no harm crying over spilled milk. However, I can't help feeling sorry I've not been working hard to get better results. Spent 14 days on Commercial Law and this was the low grade I got. Omg.

Other than that, I supposed the outcome was more or less predictable at the back of my mind. Surprisingly, even before I took the exams. Geez.. I guess I was over-concerned about establishing a new found relationship bah.

Anyway, sigh~~ major, big changes in life ahead. Hopefully...nope! It should be MUST prepare myself to sail through the forthcoming voyage of new work and tougher semester to come!!

Monday, June 04, 2007

De one with Double Streak of Opportunities

Lady Luck, Clovers and Horse-shoes

Most commonly, choices will come forth knocking on our doors in life. The kind of having to choose one of two or many is a pretty dreadful thing as we have to be careful in evaluating the pros and cons of both/all varying course of action we're going to undertake.

Contradicting, chances are rare in occurring along the path of our life. Great opportunities particularly. Definitely, not twice in the same day, within 3 hours' time-frame. Unless you're fortunate enough to have a lucky streak befalling on you!

Apparently, it did occurred upon me. Luck me, I must say...

Last Saturday, I went for an interview. Not really confident that I could get the accounting-related job as I myself has lack of accounting background. The interviewer, Gabriel, or the head of department himself, was a very nice and friendly person. In our conversation, he spoke from personal experience, explaining to me what he expects the candidate to be.

Luck or not, I've delightedly satisfied Gabriel with a very honest answer from me when he asked what would I do given I'm disadvantaged by my limited accounting background.

It was Saturday afternoon, no formal wear, just two person, chatting about experiences and talks of what's required of the candidate and job.

Came Monday morning, I went for another interview at Tiong Seh Building. This time round, the job offer was presented to me straight. To be even more surprised, the financial interviewer offered me a higher-than expected pay! So, not being confident I was going to get another job offer, I agreed to go onboard this current as accounts payable assistant.

Just an hour or two later, I received numerous calls from the former interviewer, Gabriel. I didn't notice this until I checked my handphone to see the missed-calls entries recorded. That moment was dreadful, like what I've described in the opening paragraph of this entry.

The later job as AP would mean higher pay and lesser work pressure. It's geographically located nearer to home, yet farther from school when my school semester starts.

The former job might get lower pay and more work pressure. It's geographically located further from home, closer to school. One very attractive thing offerable was the intense amount of exposure I'm going to get, should I join this firm.

I decided to keep to my accepted job at the later interview. I called Gabriel. He sighed in disappointment when I told him of the acceptance to the interview I've just went for, together with the pay which I was going to get.

He said something which tipped my scale of decision. I told him I'd have to reconsider my choice. Thankfully, I've not signed a letter of appointment with the later firm.

After a few minutes of letting my heart chose what it wants and immediate talks with Honey and Jasmine, I dialled Gabriel up. 2 hours later, I signed up for the job with provided higher pay and exposure. Remarkably wonderful!

Although I should be happy that I made with a double streak of chances and eventually got the job, I was somewhat kinda regretful as working would mean I've to forgo the pleasure and kiss goodbye to the holiday mood. Another worry would be whether I'd be able to manage work and studies. Hopefully, I would. Hopefully...

De one with Pirates of the Caribbean

Calm skies

"Yo, ho, haul together,
hoist the colors high.
Heave ho, thieves and beggars,
never say we die..."

I was around primary 3 when I was amazed by the Lego-set which my parents got for me. It was a ship, sailed by pirates. There was a particular piece which was rather outstanding... he was in black uniform with a hook on his right arm.. more significantly, he was a pirate.

Several years later, image from my child-play had magically transformed itself alive, all it's life captured in the cinema screens when the trilogy movie of "Pirates of the Caribbean" were released since 2003.

The very first installation of the block-buster, "POTC: Curse of the Black Pearl", was a pretty confusing show when I watched it on vcd instead of the cinemas. I recalled it took me 3 attempts before my concentration lasted me through the entire movie.

Funnily, it was supposed to be a child-appealing thingy back then!

Recalling the statement "Captain Jack's back" in the release of the trailer for the second installation "POTC: Deadman's Chest" in 2006? Not quite?

How about try this one.. the scene where Will Turner said he will not leave without Jack until he saw the natives chasing a fanatically-escaping Jack.. Ahha..

Having watched the second installation, back then I felt it was nothing interesting as compared to the Curse of the Black Pearl. It turned out more to be a "bridging" movie between the first and the last. Ironically, it turned out that the 2nd movie did presented new characters and a new storyline. Just that it didn't make much sense until the final installation hit the screens this year!

I watched "POTC: At World's End" with Honey last weekend, it was really cool.. but then, it's as complicated as before. Well, nevertheless, credit and applause must be given to the twist of plot. I never expected the Voodoo witch to be Calypso (never thought a greek mythical goddess was dragged into the story). A zillion crabs relating to the lusty goddess? Not forgetting, how Elizabeth Swann got appointed as the Pirate of Singapore (earlier featuring a familiar face: Chow Yun-Fat as Sao Feng). Aww.. the ending where handsome, gallant Will Turner to be bounded by the Flying Dutchman.

Besides the ironical-packed story plot, the music captured my attention. It was the Love theme between Davy Jones and Calypso, which was aggressive and different from the sweet melody in the 2nd movie. The Medallion call's theme, featured mostly in the previous installations were replaced too, by Chinese tunes and fierce battle themes.

Of course, the awesome fighting scenes and this particular scene where Will and Elizabeth being wedded in the midst of a battle.. it was really "lame" yet entertaining.

For what I think, it was a brilliant movie. Not really extravagant as Spiderman or LOTR, it thrived on it's own unique theme of shabby and witty pirates. To make things further complicating, there were alot of negotiation.. Gees.. does the kids understand or are they just there to audience the thrilling actions?

Silly but I can't help thinking why must most block-busters like POTC and LOTR stop with trilogies. Anyhow, should there be a POTC 4, I'm very sure I won't give it a miss.

"Ooh.. Peanut!"