2006 recaps

Things are winding down a little for the new year... and so it's time to wrap 2006 with top/down moments of each month.

January: Giving thanks to renewed vision

Plagued with constant eye redness and itchiness, I decided to give Lasik a try. Thanks to Dr. Chan, efforts were rewarding. I felt new enthusiasm for my regained perfect vision.

However, it’s not all in the eyes…
Vision happens in the mind, not in the eyes. — Marc Maurer

February: Surviving V-day

Seated in the middle of the dreariest month... The day was entirely unnecessary; what is one day, really? The irony of having a day devoted to love is that, in practice, it becomes the one day a year I try not to think about love.

I have certainly woken up on February 15 with a sigh of relief ~ I have survived and everything's back to normal again!

March: 1-week immersion programme at Kyung Hee University
To gain a deeper exposure to the Korean language and its culture. That was my initial thought. Thanks to this wonderful educational experience made possible through partnership of NUS Extension and Kyung Hee University, I have met and made a few 좋은 한국친구
↖(^ω^)↗


I will always remember the 'panting slope' we have climbed every morning to reach IIE (Institute of International Studies) where our daily lessons were held. Hopefully I can return to KHU to further my Korean language in near future.

April: Falling short of good health
My mother fell and hurt her back end March when I was in Seoul. The doctor called it a minor compression fracture — the result of osteoporosis, a condition that causes bones to progressively become more thin and fragile. Poor mum.. it must have hurt a hell lot.

When she stands or sits, she's slumped slightly forward. She's currently on medication and undergoing physiotherapy to strengthen her back. Everyone now helps out with household chores as any heavy lifting is a no-no for her.

May: 궁 overload

Yes!! 궁 fever started in May for me. I managed to steal a few glimpses of ending scenes during my stay in Seoul. After my return, I downloaded the whole drama on Clubbox in April. Yup... it's legal ^^"

信: 對星星來說，有它自己的時間，就像人有人自己的時間一樣。如同書上所說，大部分行星都有返回到原來位置的公轉週期。人也有一定的週期——2500萬年。從現在起，過2500萬年，會重新經歷我們現在所經歷的事情，重新遇見以前相遇過的人。

彩：星星有星星的週期，人也有人的週期－－2500萬年。2500萬年後，說不定我們這些人會重逢，所以我們也會重新再見。律君，如果2500年後見到我，拜託你那時就逃離我吧，萬一見到我，不要理我，走你的路吧，我也會那麼做，我現在雖然離開了信君，但2500萬年後，還是會喜歡信君。

June: Here comes baby niece Adrienne

She has brought so much life and joy to our family. Almost everyone has become her personalised part-time babysitter. Extremely tireless and hyper with loads of kicking, she is definitely a kungfu and yoga master in the making.

Coincidentally Adrienne also shares the same birthday month as her aunt.

July: Surviving in a harsh world
Of my 4 working years, I have never witnessed a stabbing instinct. Sigh... this year I wasn't spared of any. I guess learning to win at positive office politics without selling my soul is perhaps the street-smart strategy to survive in this harsh world.

August: 한국 수업을 시작해요!

After a 4-month break, my Korean class finally re-started. Many have questioned me why I started learning the language... sometimes I'm just too tired to answer... Perhaps the following reasons why I started to fall in love with the language help:

1. 한국드라마를 참 좋아해요. I love watching Korean dramas.
2. 한국남자들 만나고 싶어요. I just want to meet Korean guys.
3. 시간을 많이 있어요. I have too much time on hand.
4. 그냥... 이렇다 할 이유는 없어요. Well there's no special reason.

Well actually my real reason for learning the language:
옛날에 서울에서 출장가야 해서 한국어를 배우러 NUS Extension에 왔어요.

저는 2005년에 한국어를 공부했지만 아직 잘 못해요. 선생님하고 친구들을 많이 사귈 수 있어서 참 좋아요!!

September & October: Peace!

The day I have been waiting finally arrived early September. 3 months of peace and active job hunting!!

November: Farewells

I bidded farewell to my twin students who have been with me since 2003. Thanks for bringing such fun and liveliness to my classes and may both of you grow up to be wonderful ladies with aspiring dreams.

It was also hard to say goodbye to my colleagues who have been journeying with me for 2 years 4 months. I will take with me all the memories~ they will be my sunshine after the rain (*^‧^*)

December: New year's resolutions

For most of us, new year's resolutions are well broken within three days and we can safely forget them for another year! Happily, for Christians that doesn’t matter because every time we fail and fall, we can start over again. God picks us up and dusts us down and goes on loving us just the same.

So in the end we don’t really need new year’s resolutions. God himself is within each of us, helping us, loving us, forgiving us, supporting us, accepting us. This year, I will forget trying to make resolutions, and instead rely on Him to see me through in year 2007.

My trust in God is not a human trust - wavering, insecure, springing from my weakness, certainly not; it is the trust of God Himself which I borrow, which I make my own.

크리스마스에 원하는 것은 오직 당신...

크리스마스에 원하는 것은 오직 당신...
그렇지만... 당신은 지금 어디지?
얼마나 기다려야 할까요?

사랑하는 사람들이 크리스마스를 축하해요!

Super power!

I can't believe I had 2 sprains within 1 month!

I pulled a vein on my right foot (yes this time it's the opposite foot) on tuesday without knowing. This time round it's 10 times worse than my last sprain. The best part... I wasn't wearing high heels nor was I running after any buses.

Preventive care required!! More dairy products needed! Sponsors anyone?

Give time a break

A day on Bintan island

I was over at Angsana Resorts & Spa, Bintan for the offsite strategy management meeting yesterday. To learn more about each department's function, their challenges faced and strategies for next 3 years was my MD's intention that I join them for the meeting.

I must say it's quite an eye-opener. To be part of a zero defect global team who wishes to achieve market leadership in overall outsourcing arena and S$50m within the next 3 years, I hope I can play a small part in that.

After a gruelling 8-hour non-stop presentation by each team director or manager, my day in Bintan ended with an Angsana Spa back massage, courtesy of the management. Now I am fully recharged for the weekend!

從心出發...

這個星期起，我已经在新公司报到上班.
終于度過第一個星期了!

面對一片未知的世界,少了以前的歡笑和融洽, 還真有點不習慣.
好懷戀兩個鍾的午餐和偶爾的咖啡時間.

目前爲止, 老闆和management 同事都還滿熱情的. 新公司很講究top block service - 优质服務態度, 因爲這是維持公司長遠生存的关键.

雖然，以後在新工作上不能msn了, 但希望能累積更多的學習經驗!

안녕... 제발 울지 마세요...

My country manager's farewell note to me last friday, 24 November:

As all of you may know, today is Agnes's last day with the company. Agnes has been with us for over 2 years and has been very committed in improving the quality of our marketing materials. Besides the numerous marketing campaigns that she has done, she has also produced a wonderful product catalogue that has won many praises from our colleagues across Asia Pac. I would like to thank her for your contribution and dedication to this business and I am sure she will be dearly missed by many of us. Please join me to wish her all the best for her future endeavours.

I am very blessed during my two years four months' stay with the company. Despite ups and downs, I have met and made many true friends and learnt a great deal about what makes good copywriting and marketing campaigns.

You guys are the coolest bunch of colleagues. The laughters and simplicity in our relationship means so much to me, and will remain in my heart always.

방콕에 여행을 참 재미있어요!

12 월에 직업을 바꿔기 전에 친구하고 방콕에서 여행하려고 해요.
저는 친구하고 쇼핑센터에서 많이 쇼핑했어요 ^^*
우리 수상 시장을 구경하고 불교 사원을 관광했어요.
참 재미있어요!

발을 삐었다

20일 저녁에 왼쪽 발목을 삐었어요.

많이 아파 ^^''

빨리 회복할 거예요!

24일 방콕에서 여행하려고 해요.

저는 휴가를 기대해요!

我的長假...終于要結束了

生活總有走不下去之時
在苦尋出路的日子里,
就當是放自己一個長假,
在悠悠假期里累積能量,
然後, 重新出發.

我的長假...終于要結束了.
有點捨不得和擔憂
畢竟, 休息了好一段時間
在新環境里可以勝任嗎？
希望我可以學習許多新環境里得到的新知識 .

She's back!

Of late, Ms C is back to haunt me through emails...

Firstly, when the inaugural issue of the newsletter was published, she wrote this nice thank you email to me and another colleague:

I am very pleased to see the inaugural issue of XYZ Bridge. It is a well written and design piece of communication. Good work and thanks for the effort both of you have put in for this newsletter. I would like to see a hard copy of the newsletter, can you please send me one.

Next she wants a copy of the updated marketing calendar:

Thanks for the update, Agnes. Yes, pls look for alternative collaboration opportunities with ABC to promote our japan titles. How's everything going along over your end? Please send me a copy of the marketing calendar updated mtd.

Well no one is indispensible in a company. I guess Ms C seriously thinks she truly adds value to the organisation. Ignorance but then again what does she know? Lol...

王力宏蓋世英雄演唱會，21 October 2006

It was a night of extravagant musical lineup. Lee Hom displayed his talents on the guitar, piano, violin, drums and er hu, giving his audience a short unplugged acoustic set '不要害怕', '大城小愛' and 'WHY' followed by piano crooning ballads like '一首簡單的歌' and '流淚手心'.

I was totally mesmerised and captivated by his violin performance.... Love theme from 新天堂乐园

Indeed a multi-instrumentalist and performer.

Burnt weekend :(

Thought I could enjoy my weekend but sadly no... Need to work on a huge marketing plan - an interview assignment which is due next friday.

Please put together a trade show marketing promotion plan within the allocated budget that ensures:
· An eye catching booth, featuring the survey
· Promotional communications for potential attendees at the show to ensure details of the survey reach the widest Singaporean HR audience possible
· Leads are generated at the show, fulfilled, followed-up and tracked
· HR professionals interested in the survey have the opportunity to meet with ABC company face to face at the event to learn about the findings

The plan should include:
· The objectives of trade show attendance and how they will be measured
· All the logistics you would need to co-ordinate to ensure all deliverables in time for the trade show
· Ideas for the trade show stand
· Communications pre and post event
· How you would organise colleagues and suppliers to achieve the launch objectives

Though tedious, I will try my best for this presentation. If its His Will, I am sure the job will be mine.

Hopefully the much-anticipated long weekend Deepavali and Hari Raya Puasa I will get some precious time to myself.

Why dream of love, when love has died...

Staged to coincide with the IMF in September 2006, Forbidden City: Portrait of an Empress ended its run yesterday.

A historical retelling of the story of China's Empress Dowager, the story is seen from the eyes of an American painter, Kate Carl, who is commissioned to paint the Empress' portrait.

The Empress recounts her amazing journey from a young imperial concubine to become the Empress of China and the pressures she faced. The musical explores the myths surrounding her reign, from the controversial death of her only son to her ambitious tussle for power.

This musical number captured my heart....

Why dream of love?

Is this what eyes were never meant to see
The end of hope and all it meant to me
How can I find the strength to carry on another day
Without my pride there’s nothing left to say
Is this the way my life was meant to be?

Too late for me to say that I was wrong
Perhaps the weak believe that they are strong
I thought that if I tried I’d find a way to earn their trust
Yet all I’ve know and loved has turned to dust
It seems there was no way I could belong

The fire that burns within your heart
The pain that tears your life apart
The rain that falls from broken skies
The love I lost beneath the lies
And must I face the truth alone?
Is this the end of all I’ve known?
The years I gave, the tears I’ve cried
Why dream of love, when love has died…

I know one day the story will be told
And in the end the secrets will be sold
And will they look at me and say I should have known the end
Perhaps I did but why should I pretend?
I only dreamed of love, and growing old…

The fire that burns within your heart
The pain that tears your life apart
The rain that falls from broken skies
The love I lost beneath the lies
And must I face the truth alone?
Is this the end of all I’ve known?
The years I gave, the tears I’ve cried
Why dream of love, when love has died…

The years I gave, the tears I’ve cried
Why dream of love, when love has died…

Awaiting opportunities...

Last week, its all about turning down job offers :(

It seems ludicrous to talk about turning down 2 job offers especially I have been actively looking out since July. I must be totally insane.

Though Shanghai job offered a 40% increment, sadly it did not include any accomodation. As known, Shanghai is among the top 10 cities for living costs in the world. Yes indeed its good exposure but I also want to be monetarily compensated for relocating to a foreign land for 2 years.

ST offer was not a bad deal either. But I just wasn't 80% comfortable in taking up the offer. Leaving vs staying I chose the latter.

How long more must I wait for the right opportunity to come?

Peace!

Ms C finally bombed last Tuesday... nearly in office though ~drama mama 3 weeks earlier than planned; hence peace came 3 weeks earlier yippee!

Hopefully this peace lasts for at least 2 months.
Let's keep our fingers crossed.

Til then, no crap english for to be uploaded for time being *sob sob*

Crap... as always...

Its a norm to edit Ms C's crap English once my DM brochure is back from its usual round of management circulation. This time however, she's got me! How can someone write this for an introduction? I'm still trying to figure how to edit this DM piece... Help!

Media invite...

Ms C's media invite, sent a day before the event:

Dear All Media

In the light of many recent cases involving corporate governance, compliance and accountability, Tax & Accounting has never been given more prominence and importance! Hence, ABC is organising this inaugural Trade Conference and Exhibition - XYZ event 2006, an Asia’s pre-eminent Tax Planning and Financial Reporting event of the year, designed for busy tax and finance executives who want the latest updates and trends on tax planning and financial reporting around the region. As many as 17 regional experts from large tax and accounting consultancy firms have been invited as speakers to the conference and for the first time, top solution providers are also invited to participate to showcase their products and technologies to the professionals at the summit.

Attached is a copy of the summit program for your information. More information can be found on http://www.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

We cordially invite you to join us at the summit and the details is as follows:
Event : XYZ Event
Date : 23 - 24 August 2006 (Wednesday & Thursday)
Time : 9.00am - 5.30pm (23 August 2006)
9.00am - 12.30pm (24 August 2006)
Venue : ABC Room

It's no surprise no reporters turned up at our event. Or were you expecting All Media Pte Ltd to stage its presence? :P

Speak Good English Movement

Last Friday's briefing by Ms C was grammatically unbearable!

1. I will need your attentions on...
2. ... to checks on the badges
3. Luncheon is provided to all of you...
4. It can disappear within no times...
5. The badges has already been pre-printed...
6. The badges are colour-coated...
7. ...to have the editors be there
8. Sales people who is on duty...

No. 6 is my favourite! How about saying 'The badges are sugar-coated?' Lol...

Just for laughs

I wonder if the receiver understands Ms. C's email?

Pertaining to the list of delegates at the XYZ event, as understood from ABC that the list cannot be made available to us during the privacy issue. However, as a concern I have raised to her, she has kindly offered to do a round of email blast for the promotion we have offered to the delegates at the forum.

Hence, I shall leave EFG to coordinate the information we wish to put up on the email. Pls advise us on how soon the email blast can be sent as we have planned for the promotion for a limited period only.

Perhaps we should run a nationwide 'How to write simple English' campaign.

We have won!

I was loss for words when I read the country manager's email telling the company we have won the Work-Life Achiever Award 2006 organised by the Ministry of Manpower.

How could we have won when bad management practices were carried out, trampling and undermining workplace morale?!

The final point that I would like to make is that although it is great to have received another trophy from the government, but it is how each and everyone of you feel about working for this company that is most important and meaningful about this award. No People Developer Award or Work-Life Achiever Award can replace that. The honour should go to everyone of you. Let us come together to make this a even better place to work in the years ahead!

A great pun indeed...

Touching...

Heard this on radio last week....

A Japanese mother lost her son in a shopping centre and was frantically awaiting for his news at the information counter. Moments later, someone tugged her t-shirt. She turned around and saw her son. Instantly she cried out, "Son!"

For a long while, she hugged her son tightly with tears welling up in her eyes. Her son was also crying at her arms. She then pulled her son to one corner..... guess what she told her son?

No she didn't scold him as many parents would do.

"Mommy would never let go of your hands again." That's all she said.

Heart-warming isn't it?

Mission week

Editing Ms C's letter will be my mission for the week.

History has repeated itself

Memories of my previous male boss -- an authority and control freak flooded my mind after reading this email sent by Ms C.:

Before we ascertain as to whether to support them as the official publication, I would like you to find out the following and discuss the terms of exchange:

Conference
1) expected turnout of this conference
2) track record of this conference
3) profile of attendee
4) size of circulation of the marketing brochure

As part of any barter, we will also like the following terms to be included:
1) table-top display and/or brochure insert
2) contact list of participants

In return, we will not include the use of xx mailing list as part of exchange. Let me know your findings and outcome of your discussion.

How can I put across to Ms C. I'm not an entry level worker?
The higher you go, the less you know.

Fatigue...

I was trying to edit this tagline this afternoon...
Keeps Your Pulse on Tax Planning and Financial Reporting Updates and Compliance

Now I know why I feel so tired these 2 weeks. It's work stress resulting from crap english written by my new boss, Ms C.

Poor grammar with limited range of vocabulary.

How can I survive another week?

It's hard to say goodbye

Today is my boss's last day. She was unfairly dismissed last friday.

I feel angry at the management for playing their game of politics
And a little guilty for my little tantrums, dark moods, frustrations and complaints.

I wish I can do more while you were still here.

Thank you for...
Your patience,
Your shields and shelters,
Your openness to ideas,
Allowing great autonomy and
Building my confidence.

Thank you boss for the rewarding two years.

Excellent marketing copy for an email broadcast

A LC marketing copy written by the Ms. C. Doesn't she surprise us enough?!

Booked your place(s) yet? Over 100 CFOs/Directors/Vice Presidents/Senior Tax & Finance Executives have! Only weeks away, now, here’s the summit highlight preview to whet your appetite.

In addition to the two-day conference and half-day workshops with the latest on tax and financial reporting trends, developments and best practices, XYZ event has more in store for you! Attendees like yourself can maximise your participation by visiting the Summit Exhibition and enjoy the Personalised Business Matching Services (BMS) ABC is providing you!

SNEAK PREVIEW TO THE XYZ EVENT HIGHLIGHTS (she wrote these in CAPS!)

The XYZ event will showcase leading suppliers with the latest in products, services and technologies. Here’s a peek at the list of participating companies you will get to meet at the XYZ event: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx and many more…

The Personalised Business Matching Services aims to serve as an interactive portal to match and facilitate one-to-one meetings between you as the attendee and suppliers during the XYZ event. Grab this excellent networking opportunity to meet with these companies and listen to what they have to offer to your business!

The XYZ event Conference - 18 prominent speakers from the Region will gather at the conference to discuss trends and practices of xxxxxx and xxxxxxxxxxxx in the region. Some burning issues that will be discussed include xxxxxxxxx, xxxxxxxxx on xxx/xxx, xxxxxxx, xxxxxxxx, xxxxxxxxxxxxxx on xxxxxxxxxx and many more…

SPECIAL OFFER ANNOUNCEMENT
Register Before 30 June And Save As Much As $500* and Stand A Chance to Win An iPod Nano!

If you haven’t yet registered, you can register today for XYZ event (over 100 Finance Professionals already have, so don’t wait till it’s too late and there are no places left) and benefit from the last few days of early booking discounts, by calling: 6xxx xxxx ext xxx or on the website http://www.xxxxxxxxxx

XYZ event downloadable registration form is available here: http://www.xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Finally!

Finally I have decided to start blogging after chancing upon this iworkwithfools website and getting inspired...

So here I am to share the exciting stuffs fools do in my company!

Here's a marketing copy written by the senior manager (let's name her C):

The Business Matching Services is an interactive platform that connects you to the participating companies and speaking organisations during the XYZ event. You can plan ahead and maximise your visit to XYZ event with the BMS.

The BMS provides you with
· Personalised service to help you make and schedule appointments with exhibitors, sponsors and speakers
· Market Intelligence on the industry's leading companies, latest products/services
· Maximise your participation at the summit by meeting with providers and speakers at one common place at the same time
· Priceless business contacts at the XYZ event

I was going through the CommunicAsia site the other day... guess what I saw?

CommunicAsia2006 Online Business Matching Programme is an interactive platform that connects you to the show's exhibitors 3 months prior to, during and 3 months after the exhibition. You can plan ahead and maximise your visit to CommunicAsia2006 with the Online BMP.

The Online BMP provides you with:
· Handy tools to help you make appointments with the exhibitors
· Personalised monthly matching letter to products/services of your interest
· Market intelligence on the industry's leading companies, latest products/services
· Priceless business contacts
· 6 months of unlimited usage - 3 months prior & 3 months after the exhibition

Word for word! How convenient...