Goodbye 2004

2004 has come to a close. And, I still can't believe that it is over!!! Somehow, time seems to fly even faster with the university semester!! And, not forgetting, wonderful friends who make each sem more bearable that makes it fly even faster pass me...

YingXiang: You're indeed my bestest pal in Bizad. I really can't imagine Bizad life without you!! Thank you for bearing with all my nonsense, for being such a great listening ear, for all the nachos with cheese and double straw drinks (nobody understands my logic better than you! LOL). For the free Ritz Carlton dinner, for all the shopping and hanging out, the chionging, the bus trips back to the east and a whole lot more that I'm not writing here. Thank you so much dearie. And, yup, in this 2005, I hope we'll still be able to keep all these up, and be professional muggers, who'll hibernate in the library daily. =)

Shirley: I'm so glad that we've gotten to know each other so much better especially in the last sem, where we managed to work together on the Bizcomm project. (haha... all the trauma and sianness we had to go through!!!) And not forgetting the talk about mr Cap 5, and ms ho, and oh, yesh!! that Korean guy!! LOL... haha.. the car trip, the bus trips...... Hee...

Azrudi: Mr computer guy, mr almost Cap 5, mr movie buff (and movie partner), mr cat lover, mr loves to irritate Joanne, mr spongebob square pants fan, mr know almost all, mr researcher, mr help me buy textbooks, mr help me get lecture notes, mr editor and proof reader of my projects (though most don't even get through the first proof reading... no wonder my cap's so much lower than yours!!), and yuppers... mr neighbour... =)

2004 has been a year of many incidents. Nicoll highway (which had together with it some other industrial incidents); passing the baton from SM Goh to PM Lee; Singapore's very own Singapore idol, Taufik Batisah (I prefer Sylvester, though...); and lastly, the Tsunami tragedy on 26th december. The last of which, has indeed shown many Singaporeans how close we could have been to the Tsunami strike. I choose to believe that it is God who has so graciously placed Singapore in such a geographical position and allow us to be spared the wrath of the Tsunami. Indeed, although we were in the 3rd belt (of the impact of the earthquake), it was because of God's mercy that we were not struck by the Tsunami. Thank you God!! Thank you for protecting Singapore!! God, continue to protect our country and use us to shine Your light to the neighbours around us, that they might see Your light and Your works through us.

I am very glad that BnS is meeting regularly and that we are learning together. I thank God for placing such wonderful pillars in BnS.

Ben & Gen: Who've never failed to lead us week after week in bible study and for always encouraging us to do our homework. And, yes, not forgetting the little cutey too, whose name is currently under debate in a hope of finally getting a decent name...

Hsiangling: One of our longest serving leaders. Thank you for bearing with our nonsense and moodiness and most of all for bringing drama into group times. Miss you!!

Kok Liang: Who never fails to request that we report our location at group time, cos we're always late.

Nat: For giving such thought intriguing answers and for all his contributions to the group time. Class has been more lively with you around.

Veen: The only other one (besides Gen) who relates so well to girl stuff in a 80% guys group. =)For all the comic relief and for bringing so much joy and laughter to everyone. Thanks for everything!!

Eugene (if you do read this...): Your presence makes such a great difference. Hope that you can continue joining us even with your army.

Also, for my mentor group (Judy (our mentor), Grace and Mei) who has been meeting so regularly. I always look forward to each tuesday's lunch time as we come together to talk and pray (and also try new foodie places within NUS). You gals have been such a blessing in my life. Thank you for all your support and prayers!! And, yups, in the new year, I really hope that we'll be able to continue meeting like this, and if time permits, that we can spend more time in prayer and hopefully spread this culture to all of FL. Change starts with a small group of people (like what Grace said). And, I believe that we can make a difference. Thank you dearies!! Love you gals!!

Ok, let me apologize that, I think I'm going to stop here. If I do continue, it'll be way too long. So many of you guys have made such an impact in my 2004 life, like Cherie, Joanna, Petrina, PJ, Esther jie, the Touche girls, jus to name a few. Just wanna thank all of you al for everything you've done.

And even as I end, to say my final farewell to 2004, I must say this: God, thank You for seeing me through 2004. It is only by Your grace that I managed to pull through so many circumstances in 2004. I have seen Your hand working in my life, in protecting me and making me more alert to the gifts that I have. And, even as I enter this new year, I pray that You'll be my Guide, my Light and that You will always protect me as You always have. Thank You God for everything.

Goodbye 2004!

I finally understand why people say that BizAd is so competitive. I thought that it was only due to competitiveness in terms of results and projects. But, I am so wrong.

It's so much more than that!! I just realised that many people I know are taking double majors. (Cos, we are unable to attain the honours CAP grade, so double major is second best...) Yup, and in addition to that, some are doing minors too!! Haha.. was just joking with a friend that maybe, for our batch, the formal commencement should be in december instead of june!! LOL..

Met up with Grace and Mei for dinner at Terra in Bugis. Hee... Food was not too bad, price was relatively reasonable (think swensen's pricing, and maybe a little cheaper) and ambience was not too bad. Hee... Really miss our weekly meetings, but, so glad that we managed to meet up and catch up about everything and anything. Hee... =)
Girls: Can't wait for our weekly meetings to resume next year!! WhhEee... Thanks for hearing me out about everything!!

The last few days haven't been the most fantabulous of them all. Some things have changed and the pain which comes with it is not easy to deal with. I'm trying to cope with it and I hope time will change everything. Thanks to all those wonderful people for hearing me out. Really needed the support. Thanks!!

Anyway, that aside, I'm really glad that the buddy programme is taking a little bit of shape.
Pet, Sarah, Hanling, Edlyn and Tim: Thank you all so much for helping to get the meeting going. So sorry for not being there. You guys have been such a great help!!
To all the buddy leaders who came to the airport: Thanks for coming down and taking the time off to make the special effort. Really appreciate it. Do keep the buddy programme in prayer, k?

Christmas...
Hee... My cousins granted my Christmas wishes!! Haha.. I managed to get a full makeup brush set (though not from the brand that I wanted.. haha... but then again I also don't expect them to get it from there, cos it's to expensive. And if they did, I'll feel really bad) and managed to get a new shoe bag. Hee.. LOL.. =) And for this Christmas, got quite a number of books, so looks like it's time to do more reading. And on that topic, I realised that I haven't read a non-school book for ages!! Most of the stuff I read are more like research materials and TIME magazine. So, it's time to get some book reading done!! haha..
Thank you everyone for all your wonderful gifts!!

the owner of this blog shall not be held responsible for any issues as a result of this entry...

CHARM

NUS Bizad Christmas Bash 2004

23rd December 2004

Chinablack, Pacific Plaza

9.30pm - 2am

$14 (presale), $18 (door).

Music: RnB, Retro, Top 40s

Each ticket holder is entitled to 2 free drinks.

Lots of games and prizes to be won!!!

Christmas Haven @ Rave Mania CH@RM, 23rd december 2004, Chinablack, $14 presale

I'm eating this yummilicious cake/brownie from NYDC. It's not too sweet, and it's just fantabulous. And, mind you, this is the 2nd piece I'm eating. Compliments from the admin department (think they're having their celebration today...)

Now that I'm done with it, the harsh reality of food drops onto my lap. I can feel the fat cells forming... Forming in abundance to pack off all those fats and depress me furthur with my already fat body. Gee... And, what's more, this week I don't have time to pop by the gym. Am trying to cut down lunch, but at this rate, all these will more than make up for my half lunch. Gee.... I feel fat...

But the brownie was great...

Urghz!!! I'm getting fat!!!

The temptation of Christmas food is too great......

OK, let's give and take. I'll just pig out until Christmas, then diet all the way till CNY...

Then again, I don't know if I can......

OH WELL.... I GIVE UP!!!

Christmas is coming, Joanne is getting fat!!! URGHZ!!!!!!!!!!

But, I can't help the temptation of the Christmas cuisine. I just love food. Can't be helped. This week is going to be a busy week for many people, with carolling, parties and the list goes on... And yup, I've finally finished shopping for most of my friends. The majority of the presents which I have not bought are presents for GUYS!! (Princess: It's not only terrible, it's so exasperating, because I don't know what to buy at all.. LOL...). Guys say that it is very difficult to buy presents for girls. Seriously, if you really don't know what to buy for girls, accessories are the best way to go. Really. But, for guys, what decent present can you get under $20, if not for food?!? Guys: Anyone game to answer that question? LOL...

ChRiStMaS iS cOmInG...

Here I am, in the office, reading, reading, reading. Just keep reading....

Don't get me wrong. Although it's a little mundane to be reading all day, but I'm learning a lot of new things. Been reading up on Russia and Africa, and boy am I surprised that I've been having such a skewed view of the latter especially. Africa, in fact, seems to have many countries which are economically stable, and risks are no more than that of other developed countries!! Yar!! Shows how much of a "frog in a well (ya.. that chinese saying)" I've been.

Seriously, whatever we see on the media about Africa (especially those by the western media) has portrayed Africans in a very different light. They are fixated with the idea of Africa as poor, hungry and hopeless, starving, despodent, torn by wars and waiting helplessly for Western good Samaritans to come to their aid. But, that doesn't seem to be the case in the editorial of African Business (Nov 2004) by Versi, Anver. Nine out of ten Africans are proud to be African, are patriotic about their own countries, see themselves as hard working, peaceful, kind and polite. How mirred my image of Africans should have been, that I should have been so taken in by the media and assume a negative picture of Africa.

I'm still reading, reading and reading... But, for one, i know my viewpoint of other countries have changed.

So, in the end I didn't pop by SYC as I had intended to. Sorry guys!... Really wanted to, but was really too tired on sunday to go, and saturday... well, ok, let me admit, I was shopping. Haahaa... Really couldn't help it, it was the only day that I could.

About shopping and gifts...

Let's say that I'm really proud of myself that I managed to shop for more than 20 people's presents in less than 3 hours!!! haahaa.. So proud of myself!! And I found this shopping centre (I shan't reveal where yet, until after Christmas, that is if you really want to know...) whose stuff is really very reasonable and cheap!! And I spent like dunno how much in just one night!!! Haha... The stuff there is not too bad!! Quite interesting and most importantly reasonable!!! Definitely going back there to get the rest of my stuff.

Haha... Ok, gifts. Let me apologize (to all you wonderful people who are in my Christmas list)... Pardon me for not putting more thought into buying your presents. I'm super pressed of time (doesn't help that I work 9-6.30pm every day, and mondays I gotta go home for dinner, tuesdays and thursdays my nights are spent at the gym, and wednesdays have worship practice, spelling that... most of my nights are gone... aka: NO TIME TO SHOP.) Only time I have is saturdays, but somehow, Saturdays just slip by so quickly. So, I've been doing mass buying. As much as I would like to take my own sweet time and have the joys of cracking my brain to think of what to buy, I don't have that luxury this year. (Blame it on school for ending exams so late!) LOL...
Yups, so most people would be getting the same thing. Guys, especially, cos to buy things for guys is a killer. Trust me, from a girls' point of view, it is really terrible having to shop for guys. Hee...

There you have it, I've already said my apologies... =)

On another note:

The rest of the NUS interns came in on monday. So, where I'm sitting, there are lots of interns around (which is a good thing, especially during lunch). And now, we've got girl power!! haha... Yuppers, more girl interns came in yesterday, and they share my sentiments about walking all the way from Bugis Junction to Sim Lim Sq for lunch. Goodie... I hope lunch would be nearby, so that hopefully, it'll give us some time to walk Bugis Junction and shop a little, instead of having to compete with the evening crowd (which is mad, btw...)

Updating this before I go off from the office. Anyway, my sup finally outlined my job scope. And, yes, as some of you heard, I'm going to be doing research. Not that I hate it or anything, but before I took on this job, I was told that I was going to help them (my department) in the planning of the CPE in particular, the planning of the CPE. And, the person told me that it was somewhat like events planning. So, I agreed to come here. But, apparently, helping in the planning is apparently not about planning the actual event, but putting together the information that goes into the CPE, which spells: RESEARCH.

So, you can imagine the shock (ok, it wasn't a huge shock, cos I saw it coming from the briefing on the 1st day) that I had. But, my sup was really nice about it and all. Haha... Yup, have started the research, and know what? It's not that bad after all. Not that it's particularly fun, but I can really see myself learn a lot from this. And, my sup, he's a really nice chap who makes me feel so comfortable, and he's very knowledgeable. Was looking at some of the data and trying to wonder why the trends didn't look like what I thought they should look like, and he took one glance and explained everything to me!! I'm impressed!!

Haha... I think it may not be as bad as I though after all... Haha..

Okok.. my sup is chasing me to go home. LOL...

Dress down day tmr!! Ciaoz...

So, here I am at the office updating this. Lets see... What have I been doing yesterday? Yes! You guessed it right!! I've been reading!!! But now, it's very work related. Reading about this system (aka the Balanced Scoredcard system) that they use here. And, naive me thought that it was only but a small management system. Little did I know that there was so much research on it!! (NUS' digital library is full of e-books and journals on what it is!!!)

What is the Balanced Scorecard?
(courtesy of http://www.balancedscorecard.org/basics/bsc1.html)

A new approach to strategic management was developed in the early 1990's by Drs. Robert Kaplan (Harvard Business School) and David Norton. They named this system the 'balanced scorecard'. Recognizing some of the weaknesses and vagueness of previous management approaches, the balanced scorecard approach provides a clear prescription as to what companies should measure in order to 'balance' the financial perspective.

The balanced scorecard is a management system (not only a measurement system) that enables organizations to clarify their vision and strategy and translate them into action. It provides feedback around both the internal business processes and external outcomes in order to continuously improve strategic performance and results. When fully deployed, the balanced scorecard transforms strategic planning from an academic exercise into the nerve center of an enterprise.

Kaplan and Norton describe the innovation of the balanced scorecard as follows:
"The balanced scorecard retains traditional financial measures. But financial measures tell the story of past events, an adequate story for industrial age companies for which investments in long-term capabilities and customer relationships were not critical for success. These financial measures are inadequate, however, for guiding and evaluating the journey that information age companies must make to create future value through investment in customers, suppliers, employees, processes, technology, and innovation."

The balanced scorecard suggests that we view the organization from four perspectives, and to develop metrics, collect data and analyze it relative to each of these perspectives: financial, customer, business process and learning and growth.

Yes, this is business stuff. The worst is that I haven't learnt it before, so I just have to try and catch all the basics and all the "cheem-er" stuff in less than 2 days.

Ok.. ciaoz.. my sup wants to talk about some projects now...

Oh.. btw, to those who went for carolling yesterday, I hope you guys had fun and I was not too harsh on you all. Remember to smile and singing with feeling and express whatever you all are singing out... =)

Day 2 @ work.

Yes, I am updating this at work. Somehow, my tagboard seems to be down or something, just can't seem to access it... Hmmmz... Anyway, did a little bit of work today (which probably took less than 4 hours) and it was back to reading "The Edge" again. Somehow today's articles all seemed very interesting. Haha... Maybe my brain is back into the reading the dry stuff mode. Managed to settle the bash tickets during my free time too!! *yeah*

My boss is so nice. He just let me off at 6pm again!! Hee... And, he gave me 2 chocolates (couldn't refuse it la... even though I know it's fattening...) Haha...

I hear that they are finally going to outline my job scope for me tomorrow!! Yipees!!! Hee... I feel really bad having been a slacker here for the last 2 days. Haha... my other friend (whom I just got to know yesterday and is working in our neighbouring department) seems to have lots of work to do. Poor boy... Jia you, k?

Okie dokie.. Adieus...

Day 1 @ work.

Yes, I started work today as an intern in some statutory board. Hmmm... Let's just say that it was uneventful. The people are really nice and all. But because my laptop had not arrived, I couldn't do anything much, but just sit around reading "The Edge". So, besides going on a quick orientation tour, I was just sitting around reading, reading, falling asleep, reading, dozing, reading... Well, not to say anything bad, but, it being an investment and financial weekly, it got me totally bored by the time I was on to the second paper!!! It didn't help that I slept late last night, so was kind of sleepy already. So there you have it dozing off and reading the papers(surprisingly, I managed to read through at 4 sets of them... and I mean really reading each and every article in there), a day full of tedium. Felt sorry for my superior too, cos he had to check my laptop for me all the time, and he kept coming over to ask me if I was bored (yes, I was, but just pretended not to be. He was already kept busy running around rushing the people for my laptop!! poor fella) and if everything was ok.

So, finally, after reading for more than 5 hours (ok, i admit, some of the articles were very relevant to my company, so paid lots of interest to them, but the rest were like......) my laptop finally came at 4pm. Away from the reading (or so I thought..) and yup, solitaire became my best friend for that 1/2hr before the IT lady came to set up my laptop and the Internet connection. And guess what? Things didn't flow on smoothly. There was something majorly wrong with the port. So the IT lady spent 1 hour trying to fix things up, and yup, I was back to my reading AGAIN. Sigh... It wasn't till about 5.45pm that my laptop was finally up on the portal and running well. By then, my superior said that I could go back early, cos there really isn't much to do in 1/2 hour. Haha...

So, there you have it... My first day of work. I'm looking forward to tomorrow, when I hope that I finally get to do some real work.

Oh, and did I mention that the department (comprising of 3 people) I'm in is 1/3 girls, and 2/3 guys. Well, if you include me and the other 2 interns who would be coming later, the ratio still remains the same. Male dominance.

At KY and Pam's wedding dinner at Orchard hotel. Pam looks gorgeous in that gown!!

I'm finally BACK!!!!!!!!!!! and yupyup.. I know it's about time I updated my blog where I last left off. Sorry for the lack of updates and lack of replies to all those who've tagged. Been really busy with my exams that I've lost touch with so many things.

Ok, let me start first by saying a BIG THANK YOU to the Spongebob paty organising committee... It was really a great job!! I also apologize that for much of the time I couldn't be there to help in the decor and all as I was in the midst of exam preparation. But, you guys did great!!
GOD: For being HIM and helping u birth this idea and bringing the people, even though there was a heavy rain before the event actually started.
Jasmine: Thank you so much for the doing the wonderful powerpoints and the cooking on that day. Haha... Looks like you're getting better at frying!! And, yupyup... Thanks for getting the spongebob videos too!! Hee.. =)
Princess, Sophie and Abby: For the wonderful decorations. The place looked great!!Hee... And I love the effect of the seaweed!! Yupyup, and all the hard work putting the piniata (is that how you spell it?) together. It was so good (haha.. also very hard to break open.. LOL).. yup, and the balloons and all were great!!
Deborah: You're a fantastic Minister of Finance. (Hee.. the finances came in very quickly!! hee.. thanks so much babe...)
Jake, Adriel and Sam: For the interesting games that you guys thought up of. They were great and fun!! And also for conceptualizing the whole game together as a whole.
Sam, Ben: You guys are wonderful MCees!! Haha.. I know the crowd was tough to handle, but you guys did a great job!!
Jake, Princess, Adriel, Sophie and Sam: For taking the time off class to do publicity for the Primary 6s.
Jon: For helping in all the other areas, covering for everyone.
Jasper and Daniel: For helping out with the sound and for setting up the sound system for us.
Tim Kiong: For helping me with the buddy system thingy and calling the leaders up for us.
Everyone else who was there: Your presence made the whole party flow so well. Thank you so much!!
Again, my apologies if I have missed out anyone. It's been quite a while since the party, so really can't remember a lot of things...

Ok, so after the Spongebob party, was the grueling examinations, of which, I was studying for (or at least suppose to be studying).
Mei: Thank you so much for lending me your room on friday night, so that i need not wake up so early for my sat morning paper. After one night there, I'm really convinced that I would like to stay in the hall/ PGP for at least one sem. I love the convenience!! =)

So, after my paper on 30th it was supposed to be fun time. Well, but I've not gone to club yet, haven't done any major shopping in town yet. LoL... Haha.. looks like I can only do so whenI start work (which is effectively tomorrow). Haha.. Oh well... Don't ask why things turned out like that. Long story. But, at least managed to have our (me and YX) long awaited supper with Shirley and Kevin (on seperate days of course).

Now that schools' out, and hopefully I have more time on my hands, hope that I would be able to catch up with the many people whom I've "negelected" in the past few weeks. Hee... =) Love you guys!! =)

Oh.. And before I end.. Just wanna say a BIG CONGRATULATIONS to KinYew and Pam on their marriage(which took place yesterday). Pam looked so pretty and she looked super hot in her red evening gown!! Ooo.... Huge wedding, with an even grander wedding dinner. Hee... More photos soon...

Okok.. Gotta prepare myself for work tomorrow. Feeling apprehensive now. Really don't know what to expect. I always get this feeling of apprehension whenever I step into a new place. maybe because of the lack of a comfortable and familiar place. Oh well, but this is all part of life. I'm half regretting why I sent in my resume and kill my holidays and the comfort of a familiar environment of friends and relatives, but then again, half looking forward to the challenge which lies ahead, a challenge to work seriously for the first time. Well, I'll have to discard that sense of regret and just look forward to the challenge which lies in front of me tomorrow.

M seriously gonna end now. I don't know when I'll update this again. We'll see.. hee.. =)