Saturday, March 22, 2008

Is This A Sign???

This will be short. But I just somehow have to blog about this cause its so damn strange! Like ESP!

Good Friday Morning, 3.30am, Michie, Nik, Bei Bei and I are having Bak Kut Teh at a coffeeshop in Mohammad Sultan after a high night at Butter Factory. We were a bunch of smelly, tired, hungry and sticky people. Thanks to BeiBei's brillant suggestion of straw drinking. However, I was the least 'sei', believe me. I'm just too good at the finger guessing game!

Anyway, half way through gorging into the bak, I hear someone calling "Jolene!". Heads up, its 'Boyfren' Zach sitting at the table directly opposite me! Then I saw Bachelor 'No. 28', Julius! So delighted to see the 2 cast from Shanghai Blues! We had a short chat then hug our goodbyes. Then Michie, Nik and I flagged for a cab. The moment I hopped into the cab. I hear this violin playing. I knew immediately, it's the theme song of Shanghai Blues 《晚风》. Couldn't believe my ears. Such coincidence! Is this a sign?! What is God trying to tell me about Shanghai Blues?! Did I miss something? LOL. I was shocked but excited! And so.... The next thing I do is sing along. Hahahaha..... Mich who was trying to sleep, nearly died, kept asking me to shut up but I won't. Think Nik was too nice to stop me. So in the end, on the third song playing from Taxi Uncle's oldies CD (I knew every song in that CD!), Mich gave up and sang along with me. 《老情歌》by 吕方。Ahaha... Such an old song....

Uncle knows I luv 《晚风》and he even repeated it for me! So nice of him....
*Sings*

“晚风中, 有你我的梦。。。” :)

ME 时代来也!

我是个喜欢发呆的人,但在我发呆之余,我喜欢observe the people around me. 我想这是我人生中唯一能够一心二用的时候吧。哈哈。。。Under 我的observation, 最近注意到了一个倾向, 发现我们都被电子玩意儿电到晕头转向了。在一次乘搭地铁的时候 ,呆mood来到。我便开始scan 一下四周围。大多乘客,不管是站着或者坐着都在低着头。Why?? 因为他们不是沉醉在Playstation里,就是在拼命SMS,要不就在用高格调的Blackberry回复email,有的就是耳朵塞着耳机低着头摇摇晃晃。不是随着音乐摇摆哦。而是在orh orh! 在睡觉嘛。。。我偶尔也会这样。呵呵….. 

有一次在地铁里我看到一位看似40多岁的女士站在门口在用Blackberry。也不是很挤,但她站在门口也情有可原。But, 人渐渐变少,她也还是站在原位。后来到了Dohby Ghaut, 很多人要下站了,她还是一动也不动,“稳重如山”,埋头按着Blackberry 的钮。她到底知不知道她这座“山”在挡着人出入叻??大家都得绕着她走。是真的没发现到,还是just don't care?? 有的小混混更离谱,好像他喜欢听的音乐,everybody 也会like。用他的手机播着大大声的mp3,一直播到他下站为止。真是不知道他们在宣泄什么。是告诉我们你没钱买mp3 player 吗?还是要乘客和你一起摇头,跳舞给你看?不说电子吧。就连报纸也是个问题哦!有人看报纸,翻到很大,仿佛没有人在身旁。地铁很挤的ok! 看到这些情况,真是如福建人所说的觉得 “gek sim” 。omg! 我还真像一位很多怨言的老太婆lei.

曾经看过一个台湾节目,节目提到现代人是活在“ME” 时代,不再是“WE”了。的确如此。就这样,大家都在自己的世界里,不再理会身边究竟在发生什么大小事,因为觉得不再重要了吗?还是因为无关己?“不关我的事。”好像是现在新加坡人的attitude。看了很多例子,不得不承认,现代人真的自私了。不在乎有没有伤害或对别人造成不方便。对父母,对朋友,或对陌生人,很多人都好像为了利益生存着。为了利益才互相扶持。

这样子真的可以吗?What's happening around us,good or bad, is not important anymore? 这是活在这个年代的格式吗?

I’m really not sure.

Monday, March 17, 2008

First Week @ Work

I’m into my second week at work. Before my 5 senses forget about how it feels to be fresh at my new environment, I reckon I should…. Talk about it? I’m sure after a longer time at this place (being seasoned into some preserved food), I will feel differently than when I first came. So, for memories sake I should blog. Let me re-enact my first day first :)

Drives into carpark, sees security at entrance; “Hi Morning, it’s my first day at work. Do I need to show you my pass or anything? Cos I haven’t got any yet.” Security replies nervously, “I don’t know, it’s my first day at work too.” …. We looked blankly at each other for about 5 seconds…. I just barged in anyway. Apparently, I really need to only barge in.

HR staff brings me to my department. It’s rather bright, it’s definitely big, at least 10 times the size of my previous workplace with about 50 cubicles (12 times of the no. of pax at my old place). It’s quiet, cos it’s early, many has yet to arrive. Enter my dept entrance, Girl A walks past. HR Staff, “Excuse me, do you know where Wan Jun sits?” Girl A, “Huh? I’m sorry, is there a Wan Jun here?”. Another Girl walks past, “I think Wan Jun sits around that area.” Points to far corner on right. And so, HR staff and I walk to the pointed area, HR Staff to Girl C, “Excuse me. Is Wan Jun here?”. Girl C, “Oh! Wan Jun has left the company.” Ah duoi….

I finally settled down at my cubicle after a good 15 mins of searching for the right PIC. My space is really not too bad. It’s spacious with 2 huge desks and has got a few good storage spaces. There’s a PC (with perfect connections, fyi, those who had to tolerate my on/off shit for 1 year +) and there’s a TV (with almost all channels, inclusive of cable), DVD and a Video player. *all smiles* I like…. Haha… Part of my job, as I have been told, is to watch TV (our own programmes most of the time for review and of course others if I want to). I have got a new chair, which doesn’t sink like the old one I had, a new set of stationery all ready, the pantry is filled with beverages (I don’t have to buy bottles of water from CK no more), the stationery room is packed, no more refilling of photocopy papers and toilet paper. There’s really much I can find fault in terms of such. As a matter of fact, I’m so pampered I’m suddenly not used to it. But of course, I wouldn’t repulse this.

My superior brought me around the office for intro, out of the 20 faces I met I can remember 15, but as for the names, only 5. Hahahaha….. There’s just too many of them from different departments, AND! It’s all on the same level. We went on further to meet those in other buildings and levels. *Headache* Oh well, guess I’ll get it in time to come. So far, work has been torturous. Not that I have a lot to do, but because I have not much to do. Everyday everyone seems to be really busy, I can hear many keyboards going “tut. tut. tut. tut. tut.” really fast, which makes me really uneasy, because it seems like my keyboard is the only dumb one. But I guess hearing the ‘tut-ting’ beats hearing the ‘thumping’ (my ex-GM typing angry emails, LOL) of keyboards. After a brief on my job, it sounds really interesting and I look very much forward on what’s to come. So far, my colleagues and superior have been really patient with me. My superior doesn’t want to push me too hard and hopes that I can learn and take over slowly. I appreciate that. I am slowly guided along my path, which is nice. I am trying very hard to pick things up fast so that I can do ‘tutting’ soon too, but it won’t be happening till much later I guess. My superior is away this week for an overseas trip, and thus, makes me even more eng. So for now, every morning the hardest thing I am trying to do, is to keep myself awake. Been struggling not to doze off, really struggling…. I attended about 5 meetings last week with different departments. More meetings to come soon…. I have to really adjust to coordinating with different parts of the corporation instead of the previous 1 man show. And I found out I spend most of the time waiting, I have to wait to get stuff going, precisely because of the fact that I am working with various departments. You wait for each other to move on.

Lastly, it’s the people. The people here are however, very different from Theatre, it’s very…. ‘Corporate’. People can work in the same office but not know each other. They can work on the same project but have never met. They meet in lifts but not greet. There’s this unexplainable distance amongst the people here. Not that they are mean or extremely cold (just a teenie weenie bit), just that… they are too private? Lack of personal touch. In theatre, we chat. And I think the thing we do most when we meet each other is hug or at least a smile and a shake of hands. I’m not saying everyone who hugs is nice but I now realised the importance of human touch. It simply brings people closer and it does make a difference. At the very least, the awkwardness is removed. I think if I were to meet any of the people here on the streets one day and give them a hug, they will freeze and look at me wide-eye as though I’m crazy. Hahaha…. Lunches have been really quiet and short…….. Cos my colleagues are mostly ‘indoor’ gals…… And most of the time they choose to “da bao” and eat in as they watch their individual TVs. Haiz…. I miss lunches with Bryan already. We talk about fun things. Fashion, gossips, personal lives/views, bitch about work, etc! Even lunch with GM is better, cos he’s also like a friend to me.

Whatever it is, I am determined to prove myself here and to make myself proud. It’s too early to judge. At least, I haven’t suffered in the hands of any evil people as yet... LOL.

Oh! Another thing to add, 70% of the staff here are females and I am considered one of the most fashionable (please exclude stars) person in the office. So any hopes to find a “someone” for myself here is close to ZERO I think.

Oh Boy... :(

Sunday, March 09, 2008

1 Level Up

I'm starting my new job tomorrow. Those of you who didn't know, surprised? Well, we all have to climb the ladder at some point of time don't we?

From the time I started working years ago, I know I always wanted to make it big. To never stop climbing the ladder. In a way, I was never satisfied with what I was in and that I should always be moving on to greater heights as I grow older. I personally feel that a career path is like playing a video game. You play the game, your main goal is to complete each level and eventually end up victorious. The last level, always come to a point where you have to fight the biggest villian before you are announced a winner. The biggest villian is like our boss. So far, haha... trust me, I haven' heard anyone said anything fantastic about their bosses. SO lets just play with my little imaginative assumption. It's a matter of wits, perseverance and experience. If you manage to put these 3 together and use them wisely, you complete the game and you take over. You become the boss, who creates your game for others to play.

Of course I'm not saying i want to take over my boss one day. Duh! What I'm saying is that, thats how the cycle work. As you move along, you meet barriers in every level, sometimes its the little soldiers (aka小人)who tries to stop you, cutting your chances on moving forward. Sometimes its the long, tedious work you have to go through. Some people are able to play the same game for years and eventually getting what he wants, but some may become bored and tired of the game that they decide to move on to the next one with what they have learnt from the current one. Keeping their fingers crossed that they play the new game better and moving up the ladder quickly. With the experience and qualifications we have, we sometimes have the secret code, this enables us to jump straight into the higher levels instead of starting from the bottom. There are also others who become numb with the game, either they aren't smart enough to move on to the next level, or they are too lazy to. These are the people who lands in the comfort zone and they just stay at the same level for the longest time. Its like us playing the video game when we simply are unable to move up that we jus completely quit playing or just enjoy the processs of winning at the lower levels.

Wow. Does the above even make sense? Ahaha... Well, its Jolene's little theory :)

It's a new beginning for me tomorrow. I'm a little nervous but really looking forward to it. I am lucky, because this is the place I always wanted to be since the tiny me had my tiny eyes stuck to that box. To be honest,I almost wanted to give it up but wow, the fact is I am here. I will consider myself at Level 3. Hey! Thats not good enough for my age. Haha... I hope I can really shine in this new environment and slowly move on to the tasks awaiting me in the remaning levels.

I think the Americans are right about this one. "Follow your dreams." I did and it worked.

Oh! Btw, meet "mojo", the bonus I got for completing level 2. Awww.... He's blushing.

Sunday, March 02, 2008

Leap Year 2008

All Smiles!
Odd 1 Out
TABOO

It's Feb 29 on Friday. I don't even remember what I did for the previous leap years. hahahaha.... Didn't think it was any special, but I guess this year is different. We did a 2nd Shanghai Blues gathering at Sentosa on Friday, attendance wasn't great as usual (LOL), but still, we had fun. Julius..... Tsk tsk... Organizer but chose his bed over us.

The journey to Sentosa was actually more dramatic than when we were actually there. Firstly, I have no idea how to get there. All I got from Meiling Jie is that u drive out of Outram park exit then go to Cantonment Police Station then at some point i have to turn left. And so I took the risk of not looking at the map and went to pick up Xiao Gui Jasmine. I think that gal nearly died in her passenger seat, she calls me a reckless driver. hahaha.... which i really dun deny. Cos I was cursing whoever is driving too slow or who in my opinion is reckless. I did this sudden swerve on the left nearby harbourfront and she went "wurrrrr......!". LOL.I just can't stop laughing. But yah lah she went toufu. There was no car behind what... If I dun make that swerve we would be going the wrong way.

And then, we met Meiling Jie, Xiao Gui Del and Poh Chuan. As Mr Poh Chuan claims to be a frequent of Sentosa Beaches, we decided that he takes Meiling's car and lead the way, but.... this boy took us to the carpark so darn faraway from our Tanjong Beach! and we had so many thigns to carry! Really is xin cuo ren le. We should have known, its Poh Chuan! for God's sake. :p And so I went for a merry go round at Sentosa, analysing the map wif 2 kiddos, Xiao Gui J to direct and me to drive and Xiao Gui D doing nothing behind but jus insult as usual. As i was driving, Xiao Gui J goes "turn right here!", which I already past the turn and which i Jam brake and which leads to a van nearly running into my precious Mojo behind in which in turn i jammed up the road by stopping at the side trying to make a reverse. Point is , we got there eventually lah! But si bei drama. So chaotic in the small car. Poor Mojo.

Meiling Jie who loves spoiling us, cooked a feast. There was pizza, the fantastic Spaghetti and sandwiches! We went on to play beach ball, I really suck at it, took me 10 mins to really get into the game. Kelly who claimed she doesn't know how to play, was obviously lying. And she later confessed that she was from the volley ball school team. Kao..... Julian was really sweet, he made the effort to come even though he had to leave in a while. Awww... We moved on to Taboo, which was oso rather drama, hahaha..... Have you ever seen people playing taboo under the hot sun, all standing up, surrounding each other and all tense? We split into 2 teams, the "sheltered" team and the "tanners". Cos there are people like Meiling jie, Julian, Kelly (who had like 4 inches of sun block), and Missy Mindee (covered up like a mummy) who cannot hurt their fair skins. Anyway, in the end we still rojak and mixed the teams up. Lemme analyse the different behaviours of the individuals in the game, TABOO.

Esther - Shes the Drama Queen. Shes hilarious!!! With her 5 fingers put together like bolly bolly talking to you. "say something! a few words! Keep quiet! Let him speak! Speak!" OMG. Without her, it wouldn't be that fun.

Poh Chuan - When it's his turn to describe to his teamates. It's ......*silence*, as time ticks by, still.... *silence* When he does say something "I dunno how to say." "There is alot of this in the forest!" *BEEP* The word is 'Rainforest'. 'Forest' taboo word leh boy! But I have to admit, he's good at guessing. oh! And he's got a hotbod (that's what Julian said)! Gals (if u r straight) & Boys (if u r gay) will drool. *slurp*

Shaun & Cherie the darn chio couple - Shaun is a betrayer, he will just unknowingly recognise himself as from Cherie's group when he's not! Keeps giving them darn good clues unconciously ! Cherie is darn good at guessing! A few words that no one can really unerstand from Shaun and she actually knows them! duh.... Everyone said this at least once to me. "Cherie is chio." I know lah! Haha...

Mindee - She's like this strict referee standing next to you, "no. You can't say this word. No. You can't do that. No. No Chinese." Wah liew, stand next to her definitely stress. HAha... but shes good at this game and shes calm as ever. so calm its scary. Competitive opponent, but great team mate too, cos no temper. :p

Meiling Jie - A kind soul, being the time keeper she helps whoever is struggling. She's like our mother hen. Haha... While Mindee and I were screaming its unfair cos she helped the other team more she completely ignored us and continued to help. She did help us too when Xiao Gui J was struggling lah.

Kelly - Very alert. When the opponent said the taboo word, the card is removed by her even b4 you know it! Her favourite line when shes playing, "something like that".

Xiao Gui D - Alot of words she doesn't recognise. Tsk. Read more pls. But when she does know the word she can describe it really well. You'll get it in a while.

Xiao Gui J - Injects alot of illusions that we know her very well. "Wo shu shen me?!" (which year am I born in?!) ???? Seriously, wo men bu zhi dao. Things only Xiao Gui D will noe....... who! can't say anything cos shes in the other team. LOL.

Zach - HE came late, he nearly didn't wanna come, but he did eventually. Choosy fella, he claimed he dun want a himbo (PC) and a few bimbos in his team. But.. he's ok only at this game himself lo..... LOL.

ME - The *Beeper*. I just luv using that rubber thing that quacks at people when time is up. I use rojak language. I use anything to get the word right! Eng, Chi, Malay! Anything lah!

What a leap year. 亲爱的朋友们,四年后,我们会拿着馒头在桥下见吗?

*HUGS*