littlewen

It's like the 4th week into my last internship. I still have no idea much about my division. Once again my boss(es) sit behind me. Or rather my boss sits at the furthest end from me, while my big boss sits directly behind me. I am in fact closer to the other divisions within my department.

After weeks of self-reading, I am finally given some assignments to do. These assignments kept me slightly more motivated at work. Reading is essential to gain knowledge on the concepts and terminologies of the department, but it can get a little dry without doing some value-adding tasks. Most people would probably dread the idea of staying back late in office. On the contrary, I am glad that I have work to do. I don't mind staying on to finish up the research given to me. However, I can't stay beyond 8 pm. My boss tries chasing me back home yesterday, which signals that I probably won't get any dinner allowance even if I stayed on. Hence, it would be better for me to leave before that. I will still try to finish up the assignments given to me by the deadline, and hopefully I have done a good job on them too. Well, I just hope everything turns out well at work...

I heard rumors that there won't be enough vacancies for the graduate trainees. Most departments are not opening up during this period, probably due to head count issues (i.e. budget). The worst thing is I also heard that my current division is also not recruiting at the moment. When you finally thought you found your direction in life, you realised you can't fulfil that dream and achieve your goal. I was totally upset after hearing the 'rumors'. At this point in time, we have no evidence to verify the source of the news. However, there's no smoke without fire. I just hope that when my big boss returns from his holiday, he will bring back some good news for me.

I came home after work still feeling the impact of the news. Luckily, two good friends cheered me up a little. One of them was sweet enough to tell me I could always give him a ring if I need a listening ear...

I came across this at a friend's blog. I thought it is quite interesting, and decided to share with those who read my blog too.

每个男孩都曾是地狱的恶魔，当遇到自己喜欢的女孩时，便会动心，于是变为凡人。 所以女孩一定不要辜负男孩，不然男孩又要回到地狱。每个女孩都曾是无泪的天使，当遇到自己喜欢的男孩时，便会流泪，于是变成凡人。所以男孩一定不要辜负女孩，因为女孩为你放弃了整个天堂!

As the year comes to an end, I looked back at what I've achieved. I realised 2007 has indeed been an eventful one for me.

Major events in 2007:

1. I finally graduated (to the relief of my parents), but I still miss school. I had an amazing university years achieving many things in life that many of my peers could not have achieved.

2. I paid off my liabilities and was left with a tight budget. At least I don't have to worry the high interest rate charged at 4.25% per annum anymore.

3. I brought my mum to Tokyo and managed to survive with my poor Japanese.

4. I attained the Spanish Diploma Basic Level, which I have no idea what use I would have as of now.

5. I was at the crossroads deciding the career path I should pursue.

6. I finally landed myself my current job and felt really blessed to be offer a placing in an industry related to my studies.

In the coming year, I hope it will be a year of achievements.

Resolutions 2008

1. I hope to get into the department I am in now. I believe the field of work is specialised enough to keep me motivated on my learning curve.

2. I hope to get my braces done. It's been more than 10 years since I last checked out the prices for braces. It would certainly be an achievement to fulfil the dream I used to possess.

3. I hope to workout on a more regular basis. I have just signed up a year of membership with Fitness First, which has a branch located in the building of my office. I will be joining my colleague(s) who are already members of the club.

4. I hope to make true friends at work and in my social life. It's always good to have a couple of true friends, especially those who will be there when you need them.

5. I hope to meet up with friends in Bangkok in January when I am there. My Argentinian friend (a great 'Spanish teacher' of mine) will be flying in to Asia for holiday. I will try to meet up with him. In addition, I am planning to meet up with my Thai friends, whom I have not met for years (since those days we worked together in U.S.).

6. I hope to go Germany and visit my cousin and friend there. The plan is yet to be drawn up. I will try to arrange leave to visit Europe, a continent I have yet to venture into.

昨天心血来潮就踏进了书局，随手就拿了一本几米的《幸运儿》来读。其实好久好久都没再翻阅书本，更别说是华文书籍了。从新拿起书本的感觉让我回到读书时期... ...

几米的书带着绚丽多彩的图、简单的文字，却总是带着一点黑色幽默。《幸运儿》也不例外。故事反映了很多人生中的矛盾... ...

我们总是羡慕那些拥有很多很多的人，但是这些人是快乐的吗？或则也许我们拥有很多，但当我们真正拥有时，我们却不懂得珍惜, 直到失去了，我们才懂得后悔。

当一个人像小鸟被捆在笼子里，没有亲人、没有朋友，人生是孤寂的。或许有一天没有人会记得你是谁，也没有人会想起你。但是没有人是一个孤岛。大家都须要爱他的人。被爱是幸福的。懂得去爱更是难得的。特别是懂得博爱，默默地帮助身边的人也是种幸福。

I just reached home after watching 'The Warlords' with an university friend...

I must say that the movie is certainly another breakthrough for Peter Chan. The Hong Kong director has filmed different genres of movies such as 'Perhaps, Love", but this is the first time he did a war film based on a historical event. Watching this movie was considered quite amazing for me because I saw the director in person when he was here in Singapore few months ago.

'The Warlords' , a movie that revolves around brotherhood with many hidden meanings. The scene of a wretched war field not only reflects the complicated relations among the various characters, but it also brings out the significance of peace. The innocents did not choose to go into war. Nor did the soldiers choose to fight the war. They were told to be fighting for the greater good of their own people. The irony of a cross (which symbolises protection) but always associated with death. The "Shan" (mountain) that cannot contain "Er Hu" (second tiger). [It's a chinese phrase, which my friend reminded me about.] And many more meanings that reflect reality...

The movie is also great because of the visual effects, especially the bloody war scenes. Perhaps not all girls would like it. However, if you like Saving Private Ryan, you would simply like this show too. Peter Chan has really done a good directing job in depicting the cruelty of war with the killing, the blood etc. Interestingly, the horses' eyes were covered up in one of the scenes. This is something I don't remember seeing in many films. From my understanding of horses, the idea is to prevent the horses from being distracted. I guess it's even crucial especially in warfare because the horses will often get jittery when they see the swords coming their way.

Although the storyline varies from the original in a way, the plot of the story is laid out very nicely from the start, giving a clear picture of the characteristics of the three brothers and the inter-relationships of these characters. The story is a little sad though. The 4,000 innocent soldiers that were killed despite the fact that they have chosen to surrender. The eventual death of the three brothers.

Overall, I really like the movie a lot. It really makes you reflect that life is like a war scene in a way. There is always so much complexity in relationships at work or in our social life. How much is the friendship we established worth?

I just started my five-weeks' internship yesterday. I had a short briefing of the department, and spent the rest of Monday browsing through research reports. I hate just reading and doing nothing. What makes things worst is that I sat alone, facing the window. My whole department is behind me but I have no idea what goes on behind me. There is nobody beside me too. At the end of the day, my boss finally gave me the topic of the assignment. At least I know I have the assignment to do today.

I spent the whole day researching on my new assignment - market research on a particular industry in India. The industry comprises of a few sectors, which complicates the whole paper. I worked till around 7 in the evening today. However, I wasn't the last to leave though. Almost the whole of my department was still around. I bidded goodbye to my boss, mentor and my colleagues and left with Mr. W & Ms. H.

I am down with running nose, beside my cough... getting worst...hope I get well by the end of the week...

I felt blessed with many opportunities at work. As I mentioned previously, I am glad I got into the graduate trainee programme even though my results aren't fantastic. Lady luck has certainly been very good to me these days too. I got into Credit & Research Team, which is my first choice for internship. I hoped I will continue to be blessed with such luck. I must admit some luck is necessary.

Of course, I am also happy that I have gained the trust of some friends to open up and share their secrets with me. I must admit I may not be a good advisor. However, I can certainly play the role of a listener. As I always say, the worst thing to do is to bottom up feelings.

Well, life is never smooth... God has laid many tests in life for us. Taking them in stride is a challenge by itself. But we would learn to appreciate the good more when we've been through worst.

I feel like migrating this blog to my other account at blogspot. I prefer the interface there. However, I think that platform is not compatible with my Mac. I can't edit the blogskins. Nor could I add photos. Perhaps I need a Windows computer to edit my settings before posting any entries.

I am so tired today but I have no idea why. On the contrary, I had an enriching day listening to the working culture in a Japanese firm vs. a non-Japanese firm from the EBT. We also managed to settle on an idea for D&D, which we have to present something to the rest of the colleagues towards the end of the year.

One of my colleagues asked if I was moody today after lunch. Did I look moody? Perhaps I was. In fact, I was just quietly eating my lunch. I think it's my cough that made me behave not like my normal self. I am still down with the cough, though I consulted a doctor on Sunday to replenish my medicine. Or was there something else on my mind since yesterday night? Too much Jotei or thinking over the trip to JB next week?