Jittery July

July has been another whirlwind.  I officially started the knowledge transfer from the existing PO and completed it before the end of the month.  However I feel that I'm still not ready to lead the discussions with the Scrum teams.  I'm quite afraid actually, the Scrum teams look more experienced than me in terms of using the system, and here I am the "product owner" who's supposed to tell them how to do things.  I'm attached to a mentor, who's somehow changing the designs made by the Scrum teams resulting in them having to redo the estimates and some of the development.  On the other hand, that asshole witch manager is not releasing me until 1st October, I really don't know why she has to make life hard for me by making me double cap for so long.  And seeing her take another product from the core business system really sickens me, I can't understand why such a vile person can be given so much power and influence.  When I checked my boot licker team mate's calendar I was surprised to see a "team bonding" organized by that witch.  I guess, she has her toxic clique set up already.  Disgusting people....

Waiting For The Missus to Pick Me Up - Galaxy S26 Ultra

Juggling June

June has been a mixed bag of sorts.  On the work front, I somehow got my wish to be transferred out.  I will become a full PO for one of ONE's core business system's module dealing with Demurrage & Detention.  While this is the exit I've been looking for in a long time, I'm quite apprehensive approaching this role.  Because so far I've never taken up full PO responsibilities, so I'm adjusting to a new role that seems to need me to be in the centre stage; something an introvert like me is quite uncomfortable with.  What I really want is actually to be a data analyst or AI engineer.  But by some dumb luck, I'll be reunited with an ex-colleague who's now working with the vendor.  I feel like the heavens designed this encounter in one way or another, but I'm not sure what will come out of it.  I'm a mixed bag of relief, apprehension and hope.

Beautiful Sunset to Start June - Galaxy S26 Ultra

Muted May

This has been a quiet month.  I got myself busy with vibe coding.  My first project was to automate my ServiceNow ticket tracking using Gemini.  I used Gemini to generate java scripts that scan my mail inbox for mails from ServiceNow, check my tracker if they already exist.  If the ticket already exists, the script will use Gemini to summarize the content and update the records.  If the ticket is new, it will create a new entry in my tracker.  There's still some issues with new tickets, so the process is semi-automated.  But man...  it reduces my workload a lot.  This particular task that could take anywhere between 15 to 20 hours a week now takes an hour a day.  And I only need to pay about S$6 to save myself 40 to 60 hours a month.  I was so frustrated when the asshole manager told me ticket tracking will be removed from my 2026 KPI, but apparently I'm still the one conducting weekly calls with the team in Vietnam.  Since they're looking for ways to fail me, I have to step up my game too against these assholes.

Took a Detour to Jewel Yesterday For a Korean Dinner - Galaxy S26 Ultra

Agonizing April

This month has been an absolute nightmare on the work front.  That asshole manager's rating materialized in a performance bonus of only 0.6 months and a 1.3% salary increment.  That "bonus" couldn't even pay for my income tax in full.  I'm so incensed beyond what words can describe.  3 of my colleagues got 2 months bonus, 1 guy who hasn't completed a year got 1 month, pro rated.  Mine has to be the lowest around.  God.... that witch really must die, I curse her, to not have peacefuls days, months and years for as long as she lives!  That's how angry I am, and how much I hate her and her f☠c🗡ing cronies. 

I Hate This Cursed Team - Galaxy S23+

Mauled March

I really don't have anything nice to say for March, this month has been an absolute nightmare at work.  It is the appraisal month and things really came to a head with that asshole manager of mine.  Oh yeah....  Absolute asshole...  Her appraisal of me was extremely subjective, she completely ignored the factors that resulted in delays on one of my KPI.  And she decided I did not meet expectations because I couldn't give a presentation that summarizes the as-is and to-be plan for data and file archival.  I'm so incensed...  It's not the presentation that matters but what I do on the ground that matters, to ensure the system does not come to a stop, which I do constantly.  I was essentially trying to fix the mess caused by another witch in a different department.  Despite all my efforts to fight fire she decided to give me a "Partially Meets Expectation" which is extremely unfair.  However I decided not to challenge her judgement anymore and just take myself out of ONE for good.  I know that she doesn't like me and she has to probably promote another asshole to manager.  The amazing thing is, I've informed her boss of my issues with her but I don't see any improvements and instead see myself getting pushed further into a corner.  And as my friend said, the longer I stay in the team, the dumber I'll look, which I really agree, but I can't do anything about it....

Flippy February

February's ending with my 17th wedding anniversary.  Yeah, it's been that long...  But this month, this year, has been very eventful.  I'm starting to think that I could be a regular visitor to the A&E.  This month the staff at Raffles Hospital really got to know me very well.

What a Painful February - Galaxy S23+

Jarring January

This month has been an absolutely awful month.  It has been an eventful 31 days for sure.  We started this month with a barbeque with my sister's in-laws.  It was kind of an awkward party, because my sister had a big fight my mom back in December and her husband actually asked me to translate his intentions to my mom which I felt was utterly disrespectful to my mom.  Although I agree that what my mom did was wrong and overboard, I felt that she still deserves some respect and shouldn't have been treated that way.  I was very upset at my sister and her husband, I felt that what they did was absolutely disgusting and I couldn't bear to associate myself with them.  It was a gathering that I wanted to end quickly and just get over with.  

A Party I Didn't Want to be in - Galaxy S23+

Japan Holiday 2025 Part 4

From Noboribetsu it was time to go on to the last leg of our journey which is Sapporo.  After checking out from Takimoto Kan, we took a bus ride to the train station.  As we were quite early the missus and I explored the surrounding for a quick look and see at this quaint little town.  

Nice Little Post Office There - Galaxy S23+

Japan Holiday 2025 Part 3

From lovely Hakodate we made our way to Noboribetsu via a 2.5 hours train trip.  We were welcomed by bear and oni signs at the station.  After all Noboribetsu is well known as the gateway to hell (Jigokudani) as well as for their bear park.  

Hello Bear - Galaxy S23+

Japan Holiday 2025 Part 2

Part 2 of the holiday starts with a flight to Hakodate.  It was an amazing flight where we got a nice clear view of Mount Fuji from the window.

Amazing View - Galaxy S23+

Dreamy December

December has mostly been "Out of Office" for me; I took a total of 3 weeks off, which is practically my whole leave quota for the year.  The pace has slowed down a lot for sure which is a very welcome change, although I can't say the same for Kuta Kute in Batam.  

After I returned from our Japan holiday this year, we had a team lunch at M Hotel City Centre.  My lady boss arranged a Nonya buffet lunch for the team which turned out quite nice.  

At M Hotel Looking at The Lobby - Galaxy S23+

Japan Holiday 2025 Part 1

This year's Japan trip was good for sure.  Ironically because I didn't bring Lincoln along.  I had been firm with him, if his grades didn't improve then he can forget about going with us.  And by mid-year I didn't see any improvements in both his grades and attitudes and made the call to leave him behind.  As usual he never proved me wrong when he got 31 points for his L1R5, even making excuses to avoid taking the report book home.  In any case.....  this year's trip has been more satisfying for sure too.  I covered most places I want to visit in my itineray and I didn't lose temper at all from having to deal with that boy.

Lindsay Enjoying Her In-flight Entertainment - Galaxy S23+

Nailbiting November

We started November with a short trip to Batam again.  This time the missus brought me to Pasir Putih to explore new breakfast hangouts.  

Pasir Putih Market - Galaxy S23+

Odd October

A month has passed and I have somehow patched things up with my wife over what she did.  We went out as usual going about our routines and all.  But deep down I still find it very difficult to trust her again.  A part of me still questions, how far would she have gone with the other guy had I not caught on to what they were doing.  And most of all I don't understand why she would even give this guy a chance to talk to her so intimately even after knowing he likes her.  I mean, if she had respected our relationship, she shouldn't even allow someone with such intentions to get close to her.  I always believe that when you play with fire, you'll eventually get burned too.  At times I feel like I have failed at both my marriage and work lives, I really don't know what have I done wrong.  I love this woman with all my heart and still, I can't believe how she could have constantly given a chance to a man who likes her to get so close to her.  I feel so tired both physically and mentally, it's as if I need a factory reset.    

Dinner in Batam - Galaxy S23+

Shocking September

September is supposed to be a month of celebration for me, and perhaps abundance too...  but the truth couldn't be further than how I wish things should be.  We started the month celebrating my birthday.  I officially turned 44 this month..   A year older but with still so many unfulfilled wishes.  

Beautiful View From Angus House - Galaxy S23+

Awful August

A lot of things transpired in August.....   My colleague who's transferring out of the department finally got the conclusion he's been searching for, his last day with my friggin' team will be on 30th September and he'll move to his next team from 1st October onwards.  I'm happy for him, but that also means I'll be left alone to fend for my own.  So I'm taking his departure really hard...  

What Kind of Ass Is That - Galaxy S23+

Jaded July

July has mostly been.....  Well I don't really know how to put it.  A mixed bag of sorts...   I started the month by accompanying my staff from Batam for a fair in Jurong Point.  It's been ages since I last visited Jurong Point for sure.  It didn't really bring back memories since the new Jurong Point is an almost completely different maze from the one I remembered during my NTU days. 

A Remarkedly Different Jurong Point - Galaxy S23+

Jubilant June

The kids' mid-year break kicked into full swing this month.  It was a time to slow the pace down a bit, although for Lindsay this period meant she has to catch up on her work as PSLE prelims will start on the 3rd week of July, which is not that far away.  

Beautiful Sunset in Harbourbay - Galaxy S23+

Maddening May

May has been an awful month where work is concerned.  The SAP integration project went Live on 26th May, however I had overlooked one issue related to displaying the dispute intent on the chat menu and another issue on an onboarding setup for China.  

What upset me most was that the manager just took me off the onboarding process and asked the obnoxious asshole to take over, I felt like I haven't been given the chance to fix my mistakes.  I was extremely upset, even coming to the verge of wanting to cry.  As that asshole took over the onboarding activities, he started asking questions that made me feel like I haven't done my work.  Well....  The miss on displaying the intent on chat menu was because he said we just need 1 user story and the different teams will work from that user story.  Guess what... the other team didn't come in at all.  I had asked if I need to create another ticket and he said "No", so I had assumed that the other team would come in by themselves.  Man...  it was such a big mistake to just trust him, although I was also at fault for not performing the check on Live environment.  To make things worse, the China team came with a last minute request on Friday to update the queue setup for the web channel.  I was so pissed off, they didn't respond to my inquiries timely, so I fixed the onboarding setup for them, and then at the eleventh hour they mentioned it is not what they want.

Unceremoniously Taken Off The Project

Another Arduous April

April's pace has been picking up again, it reminded me how last year I wrote about my wife being let go by her company, this year's April is just as arduous as last's.  

Stinking Work As Usual - Galaxy S23+