July 2022

My mind is drawing a blank on this month's adjective, so it's just "July 2022".  I've been really stressed out this month due to work and fruitless job search.  The other company (a French shipping company) that I thought had lost interest in me finally called me for a 1st round interview, however I was very disappointed at the outcome of the interview.  The interviewers had asked questions that were irrelevant to the role I was applying for, so of course, I did not "wow" them.  Throughout the interview, not only did I feel that the questions were misdirected, they had set the wrong expectations for the role.  It was a complete f💩💣king waste of my time, considering that I had prepared extensively for the interview.  

The other company (a German shipping company) with whom I had completed the 1st round of interview also did not return to me, but I noticed that they had downgraded the title for the job from manager to senior executive.  I've had several calls from companies I applied to as well, but nothing happened after the first call.  I even did a screening test for a job I applied for at DBS and I'm still wondering whether I'll get it or not.  

It has been an absolutely disappointing month on the job search front.  I can't help but turn to prayers all the time, hoping for some kind of a divine intervention. 

Decorations at Yueh Hai Ching Temple - Galaxy Note 9

Malleable March

In a blink of an eye, March has come to a near end. I really felt like my life just zipped past by me.  Work has been tiring - there has been no time for rest in between tasks, and I happily welcome the early release Fridays at the end of each month which is the only reprieve I get from work.  I'm really feeling the burnout from countless mindless executions.  I seldom have time to sit back and reflect on how I can do things better or utilise the tools that are available.  It has been a very tiring journey so far in Klook.

A Faint Rainbow For Good Luck - Galaxy Note 9

Shangri-La Staycation 2021

In mid-December, we went on a 3 days 2 nights staycation at Shangri-La Orchard.  It was an amazing staycation that brought about a much welcome break for everyone.  The kids had been cooped up in the house for most of their holidays while the missus and I had been buried at work for quite sometime, especially for myself as I was heavily involved in my previous company's e-Claims systems launch.  

Waiting For Our Room at The Lobby - RX100 Mk3

Offbeat October

It has been a very different October for me.  Possibly life changing too - I'll get to that later.  It has been a very interesting month and a lot transpired, I'm not sure how I should start.  How about with a nice cup of hazelnut latte from Baker & Cook Dempsey?

One of The Family's Favourite Bakeries - Galaxy Note 9

Scrappy September

On a personal basis, September has been very kind to me.  However, I'm extremely disappointed at the Multi Ministry Task Force's unforgivable blunder which has lead to a sudden increase of COVID-19 case numbers in Singapore.  Hence... "scrappy".  I'm extremely flustered that despite their simulation showing that cases could hit 2000 a day, the task force did not put any restrictions to slow the spread when the number of daily cases was still quite low.  Instead, they tried to ramp up handling capabilities.  Did they not learn from Israel's experience?  We will go endemic, yes, that's an eventuality.  But going endemic right now, is still too early.  What about the over 60s with co-morbidities who have yet to get their booster shots?  What about children under 12 who cannot be vaccinated yet?  Not only the over 60s, even normal adults need booster shots too, to avoid vaccine breakthrough infections!  The task force has made a wrong judgement on the timing to open up and we are now paying a heavy price with restricted movements, daily reported deaths, messed up school exam schedules and businesses that suffer from spontaneous restrictions or even closures when infections hit one of their own.  At the same time, I can't help but worry for the kids who have yet to get their vaccines.  While so far there has been no reported deaths of children under 12 from COVID-19 in Singapore, I prefer to minimise the kids' risks of contracting COVID-19 as much as possible.  As I'm writing this entry now, the number of COVID-19 cases for children under 12 has hit 1266 just in September alone while in the past 7 days the number of cases in this age group is 677.  

Oh Yes, I'm Keeping Track of This Age Group - Just Excel

Happy Mid-Autumn 2021

Well, today's 中秋节.  Its mid-autumn already.  Hopefully everyone is enjoying their mini reunion with their beloved family members.   

Enjoy Your Mooncake Too - A7RM3 + FE1635mm F2.8G

Messed Up May

The month of May started in a somewhat quiet suspense.  It was business as usual with 2 public holidays to look forward to.  However we were on our toes as the number of local Covid-19 transmissions were rising steadily and a series of tightening measures had been announced prior.  And finally on 13th May the government finally pulled the plug and announced "Phase 2 Heightened Alert" which will last till June 13.   Work from home is the default, no dining in and...  no karate.  Home based learning was immediately implemented from 19th May as the school clusters were growing.  Well...  All good hard work reversed in such a short time.  Messed up isn't it?  

Fiery Sunset in Hot Hot May - Galaxy Note 9

Dogged December

It has been an extraordinary 2020 for sure, which will come to a close in a mere count of hours.  And I do mean extraordinary in both memorable and unpleasant ways.  Work was full of pressure in the last quarter of the year and 婆婆's sudden departure in early October really shook me....  Not to mention the travel bans which meant that we can't meet our family members in Indonesia too.  What an extraordinary year it has been indeed.  On the flip side, we experienced what it feels like to be partially "locked down" and saw a totally different face of the place we live in.  The travel bans imposed by many countries also affected livelihoods everywhere and shows how important it is to remain open and connected always.  This is also a watershed year that brings about the New Normal.  Masks are the norm now, working from home, schooling from home, online shopping and food deliveries too.  Of course not forgetting going about in smaller groups as opposed to big gatherings last time.  Oh yes, what an extraordinary year 2020 has been.

Cloudy East Coast - Galaxy Note 9

W Singapore - Sentosa Cove Escape - Part II

Day 2 started with breakfast at The Kitchen Table.  It was an à la carte buffet, not very nice...  Part of the joy in going for a buffet spread is that you can choose whatever you want whenever you want, which unfortunately (although understandably) is not possible at the moment.  To avoid crowding, we had to book specific time slots, which for that day we could only get the last, starting from 10:00 - 11:30.  Apparently there was some drama, but we didn't notice anything when we were at the restaurant until we  read the news.  

Anyway, after breakfast we went to Quayside Isle one more time to just have a good look at Sentosa Cove and take more photos for keepsake. It was a very nice walk; usually we could only see Sentosa Cove when we were on board a ferry to Batam, this time we really walked on Sentosa Cove.  

The Missus & 2Ls in Quayside Isle - A7RMk3 + FE20mm F1.8 G

W Singapore - Sentosa Cove Escape - Part I

Just last week, we had a short staycay escape at W Singapore - Sentosa Cove.  It was a short 3 days 2 nights stay.  I wish I could have stayed longer really, unfortunately there are just too many things that still need my attention at work.  Nevertheless, it was a very welcome break, much needed too for me.  

Going Up to The Lobby - RX100 Mk3

Mid-Autumn 2020 in Chinatown

Last Saturday I had a jalan jalan chance at Chinatown and enjoyed the sights of mid-autumn lanterns from the blue hour till about 8 plus.  The lantern installations this year....  are not as good as last year's.  I'm hoping I can still make a visit to Gardens by The Bay to catch their lantern installations, but Lincoln's oral exams are coming next week, so those will have to take first priority for now.  

My itinerary started from block 5 Banda Street from where I planned to capture the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple from the 10th floor.  Prior to going up the block, I stumbled upon this mural of Samsui Ladies by the side of a pedestrian's bridge.  

Samsui Ladies of Banda Street - Galaxy Note 9

Ostentatious October

Ostentatious ehh.....  Well.... still related to last month's recap actually.....  And we reached the crescendo this month during rehearsal for the audit.....  I've seen more than enough to draw my own conclusions.  The insincere attempt to impress which borders unprofessionalism is just too much for me to stomach....  

Sunrise in Guoco Tower - Galaxy Note 9

Jangan Lupa Bahagia

I made another fast trip to Batam with the missus, went yesterday evening and came back this early evening.   

On-board Horizon Ferry - Canon G9XMk2

Mid-Autumn at Gardens by The Bay

On my birthday last week, we visited Gardens by The Bay for a family dinner followed by a lovely stroll to enjoy the lantern installations.  We had our dinner at Bakerzin before finally making our way to the Super Tree Grove to enjoy the sights. 

Lantern Tunnet - A7RMk3 + FE16-35mm F2.8 GM

Lincoln's Grateful Birthday

One day before Lincoln's birthday, we went to an orphanage in Batam to celebrate his early birthday party.  This year, I and my wife thought that we should let him celebrate his birthday by sharing his joy with those who are less fortunate.  We want him and Lindsay to learn to be more grateful and cultivate a compassionate spirit, to help others who are in need. 

On this occasion, the lady boss of Little Nyonya Batik and her hubby went along with us to make the event merrier.  I also had a lot of help from my father's staff in making the arrangements.  We decided to celebrate Lincoln's birthday in an orphanage called Yayasan Samaria Fao Kasih.  The orphanage is located near the Hang Nadim airport.  There are 22 children in the orphanage, the youngest is a 5 year old boy while the oldest is an 18 year old girl.  

Yayasan Samaria Fao Kasih - A7R3 + FE 16-35mm F2.8GM