SobeAlwaysFresh

Termination of QS services for EP

2011-03-21T02:39:00.000+08:00

Our QS services to Elita Promenade is terminated. last date is 31 March 2011. A lot of issues to settle especially the Final Account. Am totally angry with the City head for deciding to terminate our services but am at the same time happy....Would be a very busy weeks ahead till the end of this month. Furthermore i would be in Kolkata the few days to settle some issue for the Kolkata job and also to look out for house for renting since i would be relocating to Kolkata soon......

Chartered Membership.........

2011-03-09T01:00:00.000+08:00

Submitted my SISV & AIQS application form for membership which is one step towards being called "Chartered Quantity Surveyor". Hope the result is favourable....

Relocation to Kolkata

2011-03-08T20:00:00.002+08:00

Spoke to my boss on me relocating to Kolkata to head the DLS team in Kolkata. He seems OK with the idea just not sure when the relocation would be done since i would still be handling some of the existing projects in Bangalore and there is no senior staffs to take over from me since all of them are fully loaded.......only time will tell if i would really be relocating to Kolkata............

Aunt passed away

2011-03-05T22:00:00.001+08:00

Just got to know that my mother's elder sister has passed away. Mum is very upset that she was not told early of her sister's poor health so that she could have gone back home to see her for the last time. She is sheding tears now in her room. Am very worried that this would affect her health...........

Year 2011

2011-03-01T00:28:00.001+08:00

It's been a while since i last updated my blog. Either too busy OR too lazy to do it.

5hrs to Go

2010-06-19T14:19:00.000+08:00

Have yet to do my packing for the SLR trip

Last Assignment

2010-05-31T03:39:00.000+08:00

Its 1am and i am still doing my assignment. Not even halfway. Have a feeling that i would not get a decent mark for this assignment which i would have to make it up in the EXAM. It's really stressing me.

Confused......

2010-05-27T02:00:00.002+08:00

Left another 6months before my contract expires. Very confuse on what to do next. Should i sign for another 3years or what? If yes, should i stay in Bangalore OR transfer to Kolkata. No one to turn to. Very depress & confuse. Desperately need a vacation......June is all taken since i would be in Sri Lanka for business trip and last week of June would be in Kolkata for the M&E Tender Interviews. Left only July bit damn the air tickets is very expensive especially Singapore Airlines. After the Air India crash i am not taking that airline again even if it is very cheap......What to do???

Demoralize and Very Fed Up.

2010-05-26T15:48:00.000+08:00

Badly need a holiday.

Air india crash

2010-05-22T10:30:00.001+08:00

Am right now in the office (Alone) as usual on a Saturday morning and i am reading the local news about the Air India crash at Mangalore Airport. Am very scared now since i would be going to Sri Lanka next month. Will it be safe??? Furthermore am planning for a trip back home and i would be flying Indian airlines part of Air India. Not Sure if i should take more reputed airlines such as Jet airways, Jetlite, etc instead of Air India.

Sri Lanka Trip

2010-05-22T00:04:00.002+08:00

At last, ticket has been confirm for the land of the Tamil Tigers. Would be there for a Business trip from 19 June 2010 to 24 June 2010. Can't Wait for it. Will take it as a Holiday trip.

what to do?

2010-05-20T03:00:00.004+08:00

Had a discussion with my Boss today on my apprasial. I knew it, he did not promote me...expected. Not sure what he sees in the local here...I GIVE UP. He gave me 2 options:-
1. Either to stay in Bangalore to handle QA/QC & Cost Data; OR
2. Transfer to Kolkata and take up new position.

What to Do?? Can't make up my mind.

Does Age matter????

2009-11-16T03:18:00.002+08:00

Does Age matters when dealing with a relationship?

DREAM..

2009-08-03T03:02:00.007+08:00

A lot has happen lately in the office which has stress me so much. It's not the work but the office politics. Am so stress, don't feel like going to work tomorrow. It was so bad that i had a dream this morning where in i had lost my debit card after i had paid for the food which i had in a Japanese restaurant. It felt so real that i woke up and went to check my wallet to see if it was there. So scary. Tried checking the Internet what that dream meant (not that i am a superstitious guy but just wanted to check), i only manage to find the below quotes from a website:-

" To dream that you lose money, signifies temporary unhappiness in the home and a few setbacks in your affairs. You may be feeling weak, vulnerable, and out of control in your waking life. Additionally, you may be lacking ambition, power and self-esteem. To give or spend money in you dream, is analogous to giving love. You are looking for love. To see others giving money away, suggests that you are feeling ignored or neglected. Someone is not paying enough attention and showing enough affection toward you. If you are hogging or hoarding money, then it denotes insecurity or selfishness. To dream that you have no money, indicates a fear of losing your place in the world or that a feeling that you lack the abilities needed to achieve some desired goal. You may be overlooked or neglected by others".

Loosing of the debit card relates to loosing money which in fact if i relate to the sentence in red, it more or else describes me at this stage. SOB SOB.

ConFused & stress

2009-07-11T03:30:00.001+08:00

Am feeling that i am bad leader. Despite my many discussions with my team members the same issues is still coping up again. I am just so confused on what to do....it is like choosing between money or life. This clearly shows that i am not a good leader who can't even handle small issues left alone big issues. Wonder where the problem lie with whom? With me or the team?

Furthermore the Kolkata client has ask for the detail breakdown on the VAT for all packages (MC, Lift, Electrical, etc) which they want it by next week....sure die.....so much work to be done at such a short span of time.

Will i be able to stay in this company for long?????

Roller coaster Project

2009-05-11T12:00:00.001+08:00

Just had a meeting with the Bangalore City head. She wants the Plumbing & Sanitary contractor to be terminated and to get a few contractor to quote for the remaining works. So troublesome more work. Very "Sian" think the Final Account for this project would be very messy..

Management Meet 09

2009-05-11T10:00:00.001+08:00

Just got the invitation for the Management meeting to be held in Delhi. Agenda for the meet i guess would be the issue on the bonus / increment / pay hike. Not sure what would be the outcome of the meeting but hope that at least the 15% pay cut done last December 08 would be reinstated. Other issues would probably be the grading of the individual QS for future assessment.

1week Trip to SG???

2009-05-11T01:22:00.003+08:00

Have been thinking of going to Singapore for a week to meet up with my friends since January 09. But due to the "STUPID" work, i wasn't able to confirm it. Not sure if i would be able to go this June 09 since my MUM wants to go back to Nepal for a month. What should i do???

Remembering the Good Old Days...

2009-05-10T10:00:00.001+08:00

It seems only yesterday that i was in Singapore with my friends having a good time in Polytechnic (that would explain my poor results) and especially the frequent trip to JB and KL that was the best days of my life. The last few years has been a roller coast rider for me. Most of my childhood friends have either gone back to my native (i.e. Nepal) or have gone to UK, Canada, Australia, etc. Furthermore i was transfer to a country where i never dream of going there to work. after a year and a half in India, i suddenly beginning to think am i going to stay in India for GOOD? What have i been doing beside working? I have not been doing anything for myself. This brings me to my next question, when will i really start to think for myself instead of others? As the saying goes " Help yourself before you can help others".
So what is my plan for the next 6months, am to sit and do nothing OR start preparing my documents....

APPRAISAL...

2009-03-19T03:27:00.005+08:00

It is the time of the year again (Appraisal Time). Last year i was the one being appraised but this year i am the one doing the appraisal on my Juniors. All the while i thought that doing appraisal on the Juniors would be very easy but i was proven wrong when i did the 1st few appraisals today. Your Juniors would be expecting that you would either recommend her/him for promotion or even recommend increment at least in this current economy situation. This is really a tough job. Anyhow iis a new experience for me as first time i am feeling that i am part of the management team which are making some of the decision process and get to let how to make proper decision. Of course i am not saying that the appraisal done by me would be final but at least i am part of the team that is doing the 1st level check (2nd level being my boss...)....

Shortage of Manpower

2009-03-18T23:00:00.002+08:00

My team is suddenly reduce to 8 member down from 11 members. 3 of the ladies have resign the last few weeks, the last being 2 days back. Reasons being to be with their husbands (common in India for Ladies after getting married to move with their husband that would include resign from their job). Am thinking of requesting for additional manpower but i am sure that it would be rejected due to the current economic situation. Furthermore one of the Keppel projects might be starting soon and this would create a bottle neck. Hope my boss would take my request for more manpower more seriously...

Can't wait for my 1st trip in India

2009-02-28T02:05:00.002+08:00

4hours to go.......hoping everything will go smoothly....

Delhi & Agra Trip...

2009-02-27T23:44:00.014+08:00

After a year in India, i went for my first trip to relieve my stress to Delhi and Agra to see the Taj Mahal (One of my lifelong dream has being fulfill) but had to pay a lot (about Rs 50 thousand for 3 persons)...We went to Delhi on 21/02/08 night on a Jetlite flight, reach hotel (Budget hotel which cost us rs 2,000/night with breakfast....quite a good offer) around 12.15am. Check in and went to bed. Next Morning we got a local Taxi which charge us Rs 1350/day for tour of Delhi...We went to a few places such as india gate, Red fort, lotus Temple, etc.

The next day, we hire a tourist cab to take us to Agra to see the Tah Mahal. We got up early in the morning at 5.30am and reach Agra at 9.30am. The money spent to reach Tah Mahal was really worth it... We check out the next day and flew back to Bangalore.... Looking forward to the next trip....Where would be the next trip be.......must plan ahead.

Can't wait for my 1st trip in India

2009-02-21T13:00:00.000+08:00

4hours to go.......hoping everything will go smoothly....

Holy Heaven

2009-02-04T12:00:00.002+08:00

Just got the news from my close contacts in the office that beginning of March 09, 15staffs would be told to resign from Bangalore office which i never thought it would be from Bangalore office since Bangalore office is the only office in India having most of the jobs as compared to other offices in India.....this is just another stepe to cut cost during this current economic situation. Just praying that none of my team members would be affected....really can't think properly at this stage. I am really lost...who knows i might be in that list.....I have a feeling that sooner a later they might ask me to pay the house rent from my own pocket...2009 is really starting off badly.

Happy CNY

2009-01-26T12:00:00.000+08:00

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR TO ALL..

No More Car

2009-01-24T13:00:00.001+08:00

Just got the news from my driver on my way home that from 1st March 09 onwards i would have to take "AUTO" to work. NO more car to pick and drop me to work and home.. Due to the current economy situation, the company has been taken various steps to cut cost. The 1st one was to cut our pay by 15%, no snacks after 6.30pm daily and mostly recently a number of staffs were laid off citing "Poor performance" as the reason. But we know that it is the main reason.....am really clueless on what the company would be doing next...maybe ask me to move to a smaller flat.....how i wish the economy would recover tomorrow but know that it is not possible....

Rough Year ahead

2009-01-23T00:00:00.001+08:00

What a rough year it is going to be...It would seems that it would be end December 09 that the construction industry would be start to recover... Just recently Britain reported that the country is in recession and Singapore was hit that bad......

Handphone....

2009-01-07T22:00:00.001+08:00

It has been 1 year since i last bought a Handphone of my own liking. Currently i am using the old Nokia model with no camera function given to me by the company (whereby the monthly phone bills is being paid for me by the company). Lately, the phone has been giving me problems. Either i do not receive the persons call or in the middle of the phone conversation, the line goes blank..... Had highlighted to my HR manager to replace it for me but no response from him despite sending several reminders. Anyway even though if he was to reply i would still get the old Handphone modes with no camera functions where i really require the camera function due to work related or personal reasons. Have been thinking of buying a black Berry or maybe one of the Nokia "N series"......time to start checking the prices.

Damned.....what is this??

2009-01-06T02:25:00.005+08:00

What a great day to start the first day of work in 2009. The pre-paid line which i had apply via Airtel was disconnected. The reason was "i am a foreigner and because of the new rules and regulations imposed by the state by the 11/26 (i.e. Mumbai attack)". What the Fxxx... The more i am determine to go out of this country sooner or later....praying that the economy would prick up fast..

Good Bye to 2008 and Welcome to 2008

2008-12-31T22:24:00.011+08:00

What a Year 2008 was. The major of the world economies is in recession and this affected the construction industry a lot. Most of the Developers have either cancel their project or put on hold the projects till further notice. Prospect for an increment next year is very slim next year.We had to have our pay cut by 15% starting December 8. It may take another 1year or so for the world economies to recover but the construction industry would be the last industry to experience that recovery. 2009 would be a very tough year ahead.....

Here wishing all a HAPPY NEW YEAR and may 2009 be a better year than 2008.

5days and counting.........

2008-11-02T22:00:00.000+08:00

20 Days....

2008-10-19T10:00:00.002+08:00

StReSS

2008-10-18T22:00:00.001+08:00

10months in India and i am beginning to think that i may end up staying here in this "Incredible Country". Right from the beginning, everything has not worked out for me....it seems like the problems is never ending especially when you are from a "3rd World Country". Being a foreigner, the locals sees you differently with some respect assuming that you are from Singapore, UK, etc.....but when they come to know that you are from a "3rd World Country" like Nepal. Their thinking of you completely changes. From opening of Bank accounts to apply for credit cards, it is so difficult for people like me. It was not that bad in Singapore..how i long to be back in Singapore but that seems like a dream for me....life is not that simple as we would seems it is especially in India....I am so fed up working here...so much politics here...i am not able to concentrate with the work given to me and most importantly to manage the team handed over to me when my former Associate left the company. But it seems that i am not managing the both.........feel so LOST.

Remember i wrote about trying to settle some team issues, thought it was settle after that "PEP TALK"......GUESS WHAT A "SEQUEL" has arisen. This is really a pain in the ass.....stressing me like hell....

Busy week Ahead

2008-09-28T19:29:00.005+08:00

Got to fly to Kolkata on Tuesday to settle the substation and P&E tender follow by settling the Main Contract issue for EH. Contractor is sticking to their stand of not giving in to the Employer...wonder will the issue be resolve on Tuesday or will it take forever.

Team Outing

2008-09-27T16:45:00.006+08:00

Really enjoy myself with the Keppel team for the 1st team outing. All the preparation done by the team members really paid off. We started off 7.30am in the morning and it took us nearly 3hrs to reach our 1st destination of about 90km (Mekedaatu which means goat's leap in the vernaculars. The holy river Arakavathi flows into a ravine narrow enough for a goat to leap across hence its name Mekadatu). In order to reach the river bank (which was on the other end of the river bank), we had to cross the river (though the water was shallow, we had to use the boat as the water was not clean and furthermore we had not brought any extra clothing). We got into a round boat (surprisingly the boat could accommodate as many as 4 people) and reach the other end of the bank. Thereafter we paid Rs 40 (round trip) for a jeep to take us to the river bank which was 5km away. Upon reaching the river bank, we had to climb down the steep slope to be close to the gushing water. We could hear the gushing sound of the currents as it made it way from the high level to the low levels. The view of the river was magnificent as we took our sweet time to climb down the steep slopes. We end up spending an hour or so while taking our lunch (Veg Brani, Curd rice, chapati and potatoes)on the river bank.

Our next destination was about 70km from the current location. Our 2nd destination was Shimsha Or Shivana Samudra waterfalls. By the time we reach the place, it was already 4pm. WOW......WOW was my 1st impression when we saw the waterfall. Though the water was not at the fullest, it was good enough for me. It remaindered me of my hometown where there would be many waterfalls which would be very magnificent during the monsoon period. We went to the bottom of the waterfall which we were told that the water level at that point was about 100feet deep (thought to myself....sure die as i could not swim but only float).....We spent about 2hours playing with the water, enjoying the cold water droplets touching our skins.....Wonderful. The journey home was another 3hrs. All in all we had travelled 400km..wow..

Team Outing

2008-09-19T11:14:00.001+08:00

Team outing in continuation from the last team discussion..........looking forward to it

Cable TV

2008-09-18T02:18:00.002+08:00

Just manage to rent the cable digital box @ Rs 1000. From it i am able to watch 216channels more than what i am currently having. The Rs 1000 would be return back to me if i do not want to continue using the digital box. So cheap, guess i would be spending more time watching Korean Drama..hahaha

PEP TALK

2008-08-31T03:03:00.007+08:00

What a day it was today. This was the first time in my life i have ever given a "PEP TALK" to my Keppel team. Well you all might have guess from my previous post that some of the team members were taking advantages of my soft side. So i had always wanted to set my positions clearly to them before they fully took advantages of it. Today was the best time to let my team members know that.
How this "PEP TALK" came was all because of some misunderstanding which arose among them a few days on site. So i had to become a referee and make sure that this misunderstandings would not repeat again (which frankly speaking was the 2nd/3rd time it was happening).
The meeting was only schedule for only be 5min but as you all might know i am like a "GRANDFATHER"....so you can imagine when the meeting ended...from 1.00pm - 3.00pm. The atmosphere was so tense when everyone was in the conference room. Knowing that everyone was looking at me in a mixed manner (whereby majority were waiting from me to finished the talk quickly so that they could quickly leave for home/for their appointment...), i spoke to the team from the bottom of my heart in singlish with regards to the various issues from working practices, office procedures, team co-operation, etc........ As usual there was some who did not share my view but i made my stand clear to them and told them that they had to accept it no matter what. When i finished, i handed over the talking to the team members to voice out anything in front of the team members. Was glade that everyone voice out what they felt personally in front of all the team members with regards to some of the situations we were facing as a team and also individually. This round of talk was more interesting as every team members voiced out their own views with the other team members shared their thought in that matter..After this talk, i am just praying that my team would be much stronger, united and co-operative......it is really a challenge to lead a team in India...

Trusting People...

2008-08-19T17:00:00.000+08:00

Difficult to trust anymore here even your closed colleague. Just can't wait to leave this place.

Tooth checkup

2008-08-16T21:30:00.001+08:00

After 10years, finally went to see the dentist to have check on my POOR tooth. "Wow not bad" was what the dentist told me after the initial X-ray to check for any problems with the tooth since the naked eyes would not be able to see if there was not problem to tooth. when the dentist told me that i had Cavity, i was shocked, can imagine how i felt. So young and yet i had cavity on my tooth.....Must be that sweets...damned.

To prevent the cavity from spreading further, filling to it was needed. The process was so tedious. practically i had to open my mouth during the whole process while the dentist fill the cavity with some chemicals (not really sure what that was...). This took nearly 1 hour. A total of 11tooth had to be filled up with the chemicals.

It cost me a total of Rs 10K for the filling up the cavity, X-ray and cleaning of the tooth, quite cheap when compare to Singapore.

Cold cold.......

2008-08-15T17:00:00.000+08:00

seems like Winter is approaching sooner than expected.......

Missing SG badly

2008-08-10T00:20:00.001+08:00

Bloody Hell!!!!!!!!!!!!! Spending my whole Saturday in the office to make sure that the Electrical tender report for Kolkata project would be ready by Monday so that the DRAFT could be issued to the client for their advance viewing. Am so frustrated with my colleagues in Kolkata. One is Dick Head and the other one is a bit clumsy. That dick head though he is the same position as me, always thinks he is the "ACTING ASSOCIATE" in front of me and ALWAYS BRINGING UP HIS 14YEARS OF EXPERIENCE....BLOODY HELL. Whenever he says that i feel him sealing up his mouth for good. The other one whenever he submits his work to me for approval, it is all full of mistakes. I end up doing the work for him instead...... I end up neglecting my other projects which needs my attention more as it is under Final Account. Moreover as i only took over the project recently there is a lot of work to be done (i.e. reading all past emails, correspondence,etc) even though i am just overseeing it as there are a few QS to take care of it. The Contractor here is so claim conscious that even for a few Rupees, they are submitting their claim as VO. WHOLLY HEAVEN. WHY DID I EVER COME TO INDIA IN THE FIRST PLACE. REALLY MISS SINGAPORE A LOT.
The working conditions here is so much difficult as compared to Singapore. In Singapore we can get our colleagues help or even from other team's help but here is so different. But here it is so difficult to get your own colleague's to help, for example when i requested my team member to help to finalise the re-measurement of the rebars for the Showflat by last Friday, they came up all kinds of reasons to delay the re-measurement even though i told them that i needed it by Friday. Think i am not strict enough which is why they are taking me very lightly. Need to change strategy. No more Mr Nice guy. Muhahahahahahahahaha....
Too much politics being played in the company, AM SO SICK can't even concentrate on my work.

Happy Birthday Singapore

2008-08-09T23:19:00.001+08:00

Happy 43th Birthday Singapore....all the best

Bomb Blast...

2008-07-25T21:20:00.001+08:00

Where is Bangalore heading too? 7 blast one after another.

Unguided

2008-07-10T02:25:00.005+08:00

It has been 2 weeks since my Associate resign from her post. I would be lost sooner or later as there is nobody to ask for guidness in work apart from my Director but he is always outstation and he does not even read my email to him. I am really lost. The whole Keppel team does not have the same working attitude as before when under me. Everyone is saying that they are missing her that much as most of the time she would be chasing everyone in their work unlike me i am just making sure that the works are completed in time. Just don't know what to do? Should i be very strict with them or be my self? Already some of them are taking advantage of my kindness by not reporting to work and furthermore not letting me know that he is not coming to work on that day...If i become strict, they would definitely not like me and would not co-operate with me again..............SOMEONE HELP ME....being a team leader is really a challenge...especially in INCREDIBLE INDIA..

Bloody Hell.....wasted my Saturday & Sunday

2008-07-06T23:42:00.004+08:00

I had never in my life been humiliated that badly than yesterday. Whether to blame myself or my HR manager, it was fated that i would not be staying in that flat as earlier i was hesitating to move into the new flat. I had mentioned in my previous post that i would be moving to my former Associates flat. Thought i would be living like a King once i moved into that flat as it has swimming pool, Gym, jogging track and a park. My HR manager had assured me that i would have no problem moving into that flat so as long as i submitted the moving in forms to the President of the Council (something like the MCST). After work (Sat being half day) i proceeded with the shifting. During the 1st & 2nd shift the guards did not stop us but instead just let us into the Apartment to put our belongings. But on the 3rd trip, the Manager of the Council stop us and question us the purpose of the visit. When i told him that i would be moving in to the flat from today onwards, he started to talk about the procedures to be followed. When i told him that i am an employee of DLS and DLS is the tenant of the flat and that the lanlord is overseas. He refuse to acknowledge that but instead started to say that he would require the confirmation in writing from the landlord that i would be moving in. Without this confirmation i would not be allowed into the flat. This went on for about 45min (during that 45min the manager had a talk with my HR but was still unconvinced. The Manager even refuse to talk to my Director.). Finally not to waste my time since it was already 6.30pm, i told that manager that i had to take some of my important things from the flat and the rest of the belonging i would be taking back the next day.

On the way to our exisitng house, i told my Director that i was very displeased everyone and that i would not be moving in to that "CURSED FLAT".

You could imagine people looking at us when we reach out existing house when we started moving our beloingings again...............

Moving to new house

2008-07-04T23:30:00.001+08:00

Finally will be moving to my former Associate's house. Looking forward to it.

New Developments....

2008-06-30T23:06:00.001+08:00

My Associate has left India after her 3years stay in Incredible India. She has left the Keppel team to me to manage it. Though i would say it is like another promotion to me, i feel that i am not up to that mark as the responsibilities is too high. Already the team is not working as it used to when my associate was here.............have long way to get their trust in me. Waiting to see how it would turn out to be.

MARRIAGE

2008-06-01T15:25:00.009+08:00

Stomach Upset again

2008-06-01T15:25:00.004+08:00

This is the 3rd time that i had stomach upset in Kolkata. Can't remember what i ate that upset my stomach. I don't remember eating anything which was unhygienic as i had dinner with my boss and the clients (which they normally goes to KFC, Coffee bean and restaurants). Could it be because of the hot weather which was as high as 41degree Celsius. Everything was fine, when i started to perspire around noon and my stomach started to make some weird noise and i smelt bad air coming from my mouth when i "burp". I took some medicine but still it was no good. My flight was 3.30pm and we had to rush. Along the way to the airport, a few times i wanted to vomit but i had to "TARHAN" it. By the time we reach the airport, i was perspiring so much that i had to take another dose of medicine. That help a lot. A few times in the plane i had to go to the toilet to relive my self, luckily i did not vomit though a few time i wanted very much to do it. I had to "TARHAN" loh...what to do. The medicine hep a lot and i had no problem for the rest of the journey back home.

promoted

2008-05-16T20:00:00.000+08:00

Just got the the news that i have been promoted to Senior Executive Quantity Surveyor....

Nanadhi Hill

2008-03-09T21:00:00.006+08:00

Went to Nanadhi Hill which is approx 200km (to & fro) from the city last Saturday. Took the time to de-stress myself and also took my mum & sis out which had not done so since they came to Bangalore since February 2008. As usual we met our distance relatives when we were on the top of the hill.

View of the adjacent hill

Bangalore city from the top of the hill

At the edge of the cliff............So scary, did not even had the heart to look below.

Missing Singapore

2008-03-09T18:45:00.000+08:00

2months has gone by since i came to Bangalore and i am deeply missing Singapore especially my friends and the food. Most of my Indians colleagues are always in their own world and it is almost difficult to mingle with them. So far i have only manage to talk to a handful of them and then it is also difficult to ask them to go out after work as they would be leaving for their home.

Food wise it is almost difficult to adjust to the Indian food here. Many a time, i have had stomachache due to the food. End up eating fast food like Pizza Hut, KFC, Mc, etc which i think would be bad for my health. Guess i would not be staying in India for long.

Trip to Kolkata

2008-01-27T18:46:00.002+08:00

Bangalore and Kolkata is so much different. Went to Kolkata twice for work and i still prefer Bangalore. As compared to Bangalore, Kolkata is very dirty especially along the roads and that there are a lot of slumps in Kolkata than in Bangalore. Along the road you get to see slumps on both side of the roads. I can't imagine how they can live in that kind of living conditions. I don't have the heart to see this kind of things as it reminds of the poor people in my country. Apart from that no many people speaks in English as compare to Bangalore where most of the people speaks or understands English.

However, i must say there is better Chinese food in Kolkata than in Bangalore. Also there is more variety of vegetables in Kolkata than Bangalore.

Kolkata

2008-01-20T00:30:00.000+08:00

Will be travelling to Kolkata next Wednesday (23/1/08) for a Tender Interview for one of the Kppel jobs (For a residential project). Kolkata is one of the states of West Bengal located in the Eastern part of India. From Bangalore to Kolkata. It about approximately 2 & a half hours by Plane (almost from Singapore to Thailand).

Will be taking Spicejet (one of the Indian budget airline) but the air fare is not that cheap. It is more expensive than traveling in Jet star or Tiger Airways from Singapore to Thailand. Luckily for me, my company will be paying for the air fare as well as the accommodation (hotels in India is very expensive) which i will be staying there for a week.

Wish me luck as i heard that Kolkata is not as clean and safe as Bangalore. Also there is not much places of interest to visit. I may end up staying in the Hotel after the interview for that 1 week.

What A Day

2008-01-16T23:30:00.000+08:00

One incident after another, this is indeed a strage week for me. I had never in my working life, have i seen someone talking back to the client in a rude manner. Especially for the construction.

I have only been here in India for 3 weeks and i am experiencing this kind of things. My god, this is crazy.

I pity the guy as well as feel that he should not take talk to the client in that manner. After all, my Big boss always says Clients are always right no matter what.

Going Crazy....

2008-01-14T23:13:00.000+08:00

This job in India is really killing me. It is driving me crazy. Not only is the project so complicated with so many packages, the QS are also crazy.

I was simply asking for some info and i get this kind of reply.

Not sure how long i can "Tarhan" it. GOD HELP ME..........this is worst than arguing with the Contractor.

Black Out....

2008-01-06T23:36:00.000+08:00

Well guys after 2weeks in Bangalore, i am still trying to adjust to the life here and a surprise waited for me yesterday and today. There was a blackout 2times in a row. Thank GOD the Christmas present which i was given came in handy. For both the days, it the power cut lasted for about 1 hour. Luckily the apartment had a stand by generator where it would start when the power cut occurred.

Well i think i need to get use to this kind of things here in Bangalore.

As for work, i am getting more busy and more importantly i have to start training my juniors in their work bearing in mind that there is no QS school in India thus they have to be taught of the basic QS principals. This would be very challenging.

Missing you all in Singapore. Especially my Team B mates.

Exploring my New Environment

2007-12-30T21:34:00.000+08:00

Just came back after a short visit to the "Mall" know as "BIG BAZZAR" just about 10min walk from my apartment. Nothing special except that it is like "Mustafa Shopping Centre in Singapore" just that it is much smaller and the things there are very limited. Thought of buying some fresh Vegetables to cook for tonight but the choices were very limited. I end up buying Tea and "Indian" Instant Noodle. Got to try the Indian instant noodle.....

After a week in India, i am beginning to feel that i will be leading life from now onwards. The Internet connection is very slow and also the TV channels are mostly Hindi or Tamil. Those English movies channels are showing the old movies.

Hope the year 2008 would be better year than 2007. Understand that there will be no fireworks here in India to celebrate the new year, so think will be at home on New Year.

Guess i have to start preparing the papers to migrate to Australia.

Bangalore

2007-12-25T01:29:00.000+08:00

1st day of work in Bangalore was boring. As usual the orientation was carried out with the introduction of the staffs (some many Indians name, so hard to remember and pronouns it). After which was followed by the handing over of the project to be run by me. The 3projects which i will be taking over is a BQ and with the many directs contracts to be called. It is so much different from Singapore project where the directs contract are minimised.

I am shocked when they told me that during post contract we had to evaluate the M&E Hello,i am a Builder's QS and not a M&E QS. But too bad this is what is being practiced here. Further more, we had to called quotation for the CAR and do evaluation. I can't imagine what to evaluate and hoe to evaluate the CAR Policy.

Well this is more challenging then Singapore. So i guess i will be very busy from now on.

Sad Moment

2007-12-23T00:04:00.000+08:00

After 20years in Singapore, i am leaving Singapore for Bangalore for good today. As you all know my EP was rejected despite the many appeals my Employer did for me. Even i wrote to the President of Singapore, i did not even get a reply from him. Well i expected this.

I am still short of a camera so off i go to Funa the IT Mall to get one. After that i am straight to Changi Airport.

Leaving Singapore

2007-12-19T02:15:00.000+08:00

4 days to leave Singapore for GOOD (Never to return again)

Last Few Days in DLS / Singapore

2007-12-19T02:00:00.000+08:00

Just managed to finalised the final account figure for one of the small project which i am handling which i had been neglecting for the past 5months since completion of the project due to my full involvement in Visioncrest (THE HELL PROJECT). One less problem for my boss (Eddie Yee) to take care. Thus he can be fully involved in Visioncrest.

It has been about one & a half year since i took over Visioncrest project. My first impression was that i would not be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel (even after June 2008) due to the many problems in this project. But now having gone through all the shit and also settling the problems (during the past one & half year), i am seeing light at the end of the tunnel. I believe it is would be much easier for another of my colleague to take over this project as compared to last year when i took over. I am praying that i would not be cursed that much when my colleague takes over the project.

Sad thing is that i am not able to see through the project after putting in a lot of effort in the project. I was hoping that God would answer my prayer and extend my EP but my prayer was not answered. I believe God wants me to venture outside of Singapore to gain more exposure and learnt how things works in different countries instead of just staying in Singapore.

I am grateful that i have such a wonderful bunch of team mates (i normally say in front of them that they are just my "Colleagues" but i must confess they are like my Best Friends which i have known them since childhood). This is so sad that i have to leave this wonderful bunch of friends. Sob...Sob...

Bangalore

2007-12-19T01:49:00.001+08:00

4 days to leave Singapore for GOOD (Never to return again)

Bangalore

2007-12-08T01:59:00.000+08:00

After many appeals, it was still no use. My SPass has been rejected (meaning my SPass is not renewed). I never thought this would have to me despite happening to all of my friends. I should have learnt from them (i.e. should have prepared to go overseas and should have done the paper works as the processing time to go overseas is usually very long). Well no choice but to accept the position in India, Bangalore. Will be replacing my friend there who would be coming back to Singapore.

A new journey starts for me. My SPass expires on 10 December 2007 after which i will be given 14days of social visit pass (i.e. my last day in Singapore is 24 December 2007). I will be flying to Bangalore on the 22 December 2007 thus spending my 1st CHRISTMAS in India for the first time in 20 years without my family members and friends. So Sad.......what to do...this is life.

Left only 13days before i leave Singapore. Will miss everyone in Singapore especially my friends and colleagues.

Damed

2007-11-17T13:30:00.000+08:00

Just work up and realise that it is already 1pm. F#!% miss another seminar. This time i am sure $35 will be deducted from my end of the month salary. SHIT!!!!!!!! I might as well don't sign up for the seminar in future if i keep on repeating. At least i should have gone for the first half. Not even that.................so LAZY.

Furthermore there is nothing that i can cook, so i guess have to "TAPOU" loh. There goes my $$. Better to get a wife who can cook good food hahaha.

Got an email from my best friend who is currently studying in Australia. He was mentioning to me that his EP was also REJECTED and he had to go back before able to enter Australia. I just pray that this would not happen to me. But who knows what will happen.

Just in case my EP is rejected again, i have decided to take the international English test also known as IELTS. This is one of requirement for all if you want to migrate to another English speaking country to work or study .

So wish me luck.

Cook Yourself

2007-11-15T22:43:00.000+08:00

Came back from site VO meeting which as usual was not so productive (only manage to agree on 2 VOs) at around 7.30pm (which is very early for me). Thought i would be eating yesterday's leftover foods but when i open the fridge (........there was no food). Furthermore the yesterday's dishes was not WASHED, you can imagine my reaction. I had to WASH the dishes even though i was not the one who had eaten at home yesterday. This really piss me off. My mother came to my mind. When she was still in SP, she would do the washing and also would cook me for something hot. Really miss those days. Wish she was still here..

NO CHOICE LOH, eat instant noddle. Think will be bold soon.

What? U Serious.

2007-11-15T21:46:00.000+08:00

"An Indian man has "married" a female dog, hoping the move will help atone for stoning two other dogs to death". The Man must be "Siow" loh. I can't imagine myself marrying an animal just because the astrologer said so. Does the man really think that he would recover from his illness just be marrying the dog?

Call that crazy, wait this you hear this. Another Man was caught trying to have sex with his bicycle...WHAT SEX WITH A BICYCLE....this man is even more "SIOW". I have no words to describe him. Was he thinking that the bicycle was "Pamela Anderson" in front of him. He is beyond help. What can i say.....

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7093422.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/glasgow_and_west/7095134.stm

Tihar

2007-11-10T03:19:00.000+08:00

Tihar also known as festival of lights which falls between October/November is the second biggest festival after Dashain. This festival lasts for five days and people worship Laxmi – the Goddess of Wealth. All the houses are cleaned and decorated with the belief that Goddess Laxmi will enter the house that is the cleanest and people lit candles, oil lamps and other lights and the whole place looks illuminating. During the five days, crows, dogs and cows are worshipped and honored with vermilion, garland and delicious food for what they have done in the lives of humans. The festival ends with Bhai Tika – brothers’ day when his sisters worship him for his long and healthy life to safeguard the lives of his sisters. This is also a gambling time in Nepal as gambling is not illegal during this festival. This is the time to EARN MONEY/LOOSE MONEY. On the 3rd & 4th Day of Tihar, youngster will go from door to door (from strangers houses to relative house) signing songs (from folk to pop songs). The purpose being to Warde away evil spirits. For their efforts, they are given moneys or things like rice, etc.

This year, Tihar starts on the 7 November 2007 and will end on 11 November 2007.

As Expected............REJECTED

2007-11-02T23:25:00.000+08:00

What a week it was! It was like a stock market. From one of hope to desperation to frustration and subsequently no HOPE. As expected my SPass got rejected and that left me with no choice but to think of buying a ticket to go back. This incident has completed changed my perception of Singapore. At one point they extend their hands to foreign talents but on the other hand they reject their Employment Pass application. What is this???? Is this how they hope to increase Singapore's population to 6Million and attract more foreign talents to Singapore? This is not what they are preaching. I really appreciate my Company DLS for going to that extend of even going to the MOM to talk to the officers about the appeal despite it being so time consuming. I just hope that the appeal would be successful (which would mean i would get another 2years extension). Gods Knows What the outcome would be. I am not so worried for myself but am worried for my sisters. Would their Hospital go to that extend to help them to appeal the rejection, that i am not certain (bearing in mind that the hospitals are also government boards).

At the same time i am lucky that i have such wonderful friends/Boss who have stood by me and comfort me (Especially Jade, Jaslin and Fion.....THANKS LADIES) in this situations. I am greatly THANKFUL for that. Seems that i am in stage giving a speech (but this is how i feel at this point of time).

As mentioned earlier in my post, this would be my final stay in Singapore if my Spass gets approved (i.e. for another 2years) as i expect my PR application to be rejected again if i apply again (it has been rejected 3times without any reasons stated). Of course my PR get approved, i will be staying in Singapore but if not then i will probably going to Australia.

Wait Until When &!@#$%!#

2007-10-30T22:16:00.000+08:00

Guess what, my EP will be expiring on 10/11/07(SATURDAY) and the BEST thing is that the MOM has not even revert back on the result for my EP renew despite applying online 2weeks ago. Accordingly to their "STANDARD" time frame by 2weeks the result should be known. NOT FOR MY CASE It has been 2weeks weeks and still i have not receive the result. Furthermore my HR even drop me a bomb this morning. They said that they had spoken to a MOM officer who told her that the latest the MOM would let us know the result is by 5/11/07 (MONDAY). WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! what do they think they are doing. Their service QUALITY is really so low yet they still boast that they are one of the best in the world...."FLY KITE IN EAST COST PARK".....WHAT A JOKE...HAHAHAHAHA. This would leave me with only 3days (excluding public holiday) for appeal, prepare all the logistics at home and aboard, also for buying a ticket to go back (which i understand that all the tickets has been sold out due to the DEWALI period), etc. This is really going no way. This is driving me crazy.......my office is telling me to wait. wait for what? for the sky to drop on me...haha...... die loh. Very scared, i am end up an illegal immigrant...To get EP or PR in Singapore is never easy.......so i have made up my mind i will not be staying in Singapore in the long run.

2nd Trip To My Hometown

2007-10-24T23:26:00.000+08:00

My 2nd time back to my country was much more refreshing and enjoyable as compared to the previous one. My parents paid for the 1 way ticket while the rest i paid for it. This time i went to Pokhra (one of the tourist destination from where tourist would go for tracking, river rafting, etc). I had always wanted to go there.

We left KTM on Thursday morning (around 12pm Nepal time) and left for the Bus Terminal (this is where all buses, taxi, coaches, etc will terminate for the whole of Kathmandu. From here the roads will branch to the rest of the smaller districts).

After much bargaining, we managed to get a Van (which is called "Micro" in Nepal) and once it was full we left KTM for Pokhra. Not even halfway our destination, we had to stop because of the jam. Never had i experience a Jam which lasted for about 6hours. You are stuck in the middle of a highway and the only way to KTM is a 2nour WALK???? Behind and Front of us there were rows of Buses, Taxi, Lorries, etc waiting for the Jam to ease......You can imagine how frustrated i was. To the people of Nepal this is common, so you imagine they would just get off the taxi, etc and start chating as if nothing had happen. I was to LAZY to walk back to KTM eventhough my Mum and brothers suggested doing so. Do you think i cared about their suggestions???? DREAM ON........after spending so much money (knowing the driver's answer's through his expressions...NO REFUND), i told them we are waitin for the jam to ease. I can imagine their expressions......like they wanted to kill me.

Below was where we stop because of the Jam.

Guess what caused the Jam? Apparently a newly wed girl was electrocuted when she was on her way to cut Grass. Her relative tried to save her but he was also electrocuted. The Police Force and the Army was there to investigate but instead of solving the problem it became a mess which took 6hours to solve. By the time the jam was easing, it was already 6.00pm Nepal time.

We reach Pokhra at 11.30pm Nepal time. Worst still, we had not even book a hotel to stay??? Everything planned had gone wrong just because of the Jam.....

"TAKLU"

2007-10-24T23:00:00.000+08:00

Was on the training heading home. In front of me sat a Malay couple. The guy had shaved his hair and his head was "shinning". Then to my surprise his wife touch his "Bald Head" and started circulating her hand on his head (like giving a massage....). She did that repeated for some time and the guy had close his eyes?? (Not sure if he felt "Pia Sa" or Not).......i wanted to laugh but had to control it. I wanted to give the lady a towel and a liquid so that she could polished her husband's head so that it would be very shinning (like a sparkling diamond).

Vijaya Dashani

2007-10-21T17:46:00.000+08:00

The tenth and most auspicious day of the Dashain festival, Vijaya Dashami or Bada Dashain, is being celebrated through out Nepal today by receiving Tika, Jamara and blessings from the elders. This year would be 1st year that we are celebrating Vijaya Dashami without our parents as they have gone back to Nepal after retiring from the Police Force. I can still remember the younger days when my parents were still here, we would greatly look forward to this days as we would get money from our parents and elders. This is same as that of the Chinese and Malay where one would go to their relatives house to receive blessing and also get money (Chinese is called "hong bao" or red packet and for Malay is called green packet). As you get older, the money or "hong Bao" gets thinner and thinner.

The day starts off with the preparation of the Nepali foods like "MOMO" (Similar to "Dim Sum"), roti, etc by our mother. Before the festival can commence, we would wait for the priests to let us know the auspicious timing for the "Tika" to be put on our head. The "Tika" is basically white rice mixed with some liquid when mix together will become sticky. Our parents will put the mixed rice on our forehead and give blessings. This would be followed by giving of the "hong Bao". Then Food is served to us. Once that is done we would go to our relatives house to get the blessing and the "hong Boa". It lasts for 5days, so imaging how much you would get if everyday you go and visit your relative house.

Anyway this year we were only invited to one house as compared to 10 - 12 houses when my parents were here..Sob Sob...Seems like everyone has forgotten about us. So Sad.

During the mid of November when the Indians/Tamils are celebrating "Dewali" or Deepavali" we will be celebrating "Bai Tika". Will Explain later when the day is nearing.

Back to Work.....from Holiday

2007-10-18T21:42:00.000+08:00

Good things always come to a end. That seems very true....2weeks and already the work is really killing me.....Should have gone for a longer break (1 month)......My Bosses reaction would definitely be DREAM ON!!!!!!!. Though it was a short trip, i managed to go to Pokhra for sight seeing. I would definitely encourage those who has extra spare cash to Visit Nepal. You will not regret it. Depending on what you would like to do, it can range from sight seeing to those who like tracking, river rafting etc. You money spent would be worth it. As for me, the next time i go back would be to do mountain tracking OR at least WALK 2 DAYS TO MY VILLAGE TO MEET MY RELATIVES (this would also be counted as tracking...hahaha)...Guys anybody want to follow me the next time i go BACK.....Accommodation is Free (U will be staying at SOBICREST.....hahaha).....U just pay for the Air Fare.

Off tO NepAl For A HolidAY

2007-09-11T19:55:00.000+08:00

It is 415am in the morning and all of us are rushing to get ourselves ready to go to the Airport. As this is a Militrary flight, the timing is such. Yesterday we had managed to shift all our stuffs to our just rented flat at Ang Mo Kio around 10pm. It is geting late. I should be back in Singapore on the 20 Sep 07, till then...see ya.....

Bad Luck......back to sQuaRe One......

2007-09-07T03:06:00.000+08:00

Just came back after viewing the flat at Serangoon Central. We end up waiting for the agent for nearly 30minutes. As usual there were a few people viewing the flat. When we went to the unit, some of the tenants who had view the flat told us that the landlord had rented out to his relatives....upon hearing this we were so angry as well as sad. For one we had wasted our time and secondly we had to continue searching for flats to rent. The funny thing is that we need to move in by this weekend.......2more days left..CLOCK IS TICKING FAST.......hope can find the flat quickly....if not i may have to sleep in the street....

Busy Week

2007-08-14T04:18:00.000+08:00

It was a busy week for my whole family. Saturday we ended up viewing the flat for renting which was located at Tiong Bahru. To get to the flat we had to take a bus from the MRT and alight 5 stops after the MRT. My 1st impression was that the whole block of flats was isolated from the main road. After viewing the flat my brother and i decided that we had to find another flat which would suit us (as the bedrooms were very dark and also the unit was at the top most floor which i do not want to stay as it would be hot just as what i am experiencing now). So back to square one again (i.e. to find another flat loh.........so sian..). Sunday we went to take our Family photo (for the whole day), as usual the ladies took about 3hrs to do their make up and the photo taking session took another 3hrs .Everything has been done now (i.e. taking the family photo, buying all necessary things to bring back home, etc), the most important thing in my mind now is the finding of the right place to rent a room and also making sure that my brother’s & sister’s student pass is approved by ICA. Pray that all will be fine.

Technology....Blessing Or WHAT?????

2007-08-09T05:08:00.000+08:00

Mention Technology...u may think of Handphone, computers, etc. To us younger generation we would consider it as a blessing in disguise but it may not be necessarily be true for the older generation. Last Monday, as usual on my way to work (i.e....9.00am...already late for work) I came across an old man in his early sixties which he boarded the train just 1 stop after me. The seat near to the door was empty and he proceeded to sit. Just than his Handphone rang.....he took it out from his pocket and tried to answer it by pressing some buttons (u can imagine my reactions when he did not know which button to press when answering???????)....... Without any luck, the handphone just stop ringing. Again the handphone rang for the 2nd time…..he tried answering the phone but he was still unable to answer it. He kept pressing different button….still no use. The handphone again stop ringing...Again the handphone rang for the 3rd time...this time the man gave up...he just off the phone.....looking at his actions....i began to wonder the impact of technology on the older generations. Hope this will not happen to me when I am as old as him, bearing in mind that the technology is every second changing…..

Simpsons

2007-08-02T15:01:00.000+08:00

Just came back after watching the Simpsons movie. It was worth my $8 bucks. The cartoon was so funny that the whole bunch of us ended up laughing non-stop ( i would think we were the only onces laughing non-stop). As usual the whole week has been a busy week especially when this week the Main Contractor has submitted the Final Account for Phase 1. The ball is on my court NOW, so got to add more oil and speed up .....got to go now..

New Flat....

2007-07-24T16:34:00.000+08:00

Just got news from my sister that her friend will be renting the flat to us as she will be migrating overseas. Phew!!! no need to ask the agents to find our us. This saves us the half of the monthly rental amount to be given to the agent. 1 thing done, left the important one, my EP & PR. I just promoted this July 07, so i am expecting my monthly salary to be adjusted. Though i know that the adjustment will not be much, hope at least it would be at least $100 dollars so that i can upgrade my Employment pass from SPass to EP category 2. I am just praying that the MOM will approve it. If not i may have to proceed with plan B & C. Will keep you all posted on the developments.....

2Months Left......

2007-07-15T14:14:00.000+08:00

Left another 2mths before my parents leave Singapore for Nepal never to return. As for me i would have to find a new flat to move in. Still looking around for flats which is centrally located to the MRT or Bus Interchange. Just worried that the rental of the flat would be very costly (as recently the rental cost of flats has gone up), at the end of this year i would be imaging that my savings would be decreasing.......i may end up working more OT to cover up the cost for the renting of the flats. On Sunday, i managed to pack all notes (from Poly to Uni) into one containers.......now left my clothes...this would have to wait until the day before the shift i would pack my stuffs......not sure if it is for the better....all i know at this point of time is that my wallet may end up getting thinner and thinner.... At the same time not sure if my Employment Pass would be extended (right now the chances is 50/50). Also triend apply for PR another time, still got rejected (this would be the 3rd time). Not sure if i should try again............why so unfair........

FIRDAY ThE 13

2007-07-14T13:09:00.000+08:00

it's once again friday the 13..not sure why this day i always do not seems to forget it. It all started when i was in Primary school where on this particular day (FRIDAY THE 13) during break time 1 of my classmates (a very popular girl) dislocate her ankle while playing skipping and one of my frind broke his right hand while doing the monkey bar....the news spread like bullet train where it reach the whole school....being only 10years old, we directly jump to the conclusion that as it was friday the 13, this incident happen.....till now when i rember this day it reminds me of that incident...as for today nothing unusal happen at the Office or at home....i was surfing the net and came across some of the website which tries to explain the origins of Fiday the 13....

My 1st POsT...

2007-07-08T01:30:00.000+08:00

just finished packing my stuffs for the office transfer. It involved the entire office (about 200 staffs) as the company just finished carrying out the renovation for the whole office. The whole week has been a busy week juggling both the packing of stuffs (drawings, packing of contract documnet, etc) and also running the day to day work. Now that everything has been done, can't wait for Monday (9/07/07) to unpack my stuffs and concentrate with my work.