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

Jakarta Trip 2024 - Part 2

Day 3 started very relaxedly; the missus went to a nearby eyelash studio while I started the day in Mercure's gym to ensure that my blood sugar and metabolism were well under control.  Even after I was done the missus still wasn't so I spent the morning waiting in PIK Avenue.  I started with a cup of palm sugar coffee and cinnamon roll in The Coffee Academics for my caffeine fix. 

Palm Sugar Coffee + Cinnamon Roll @ The Coffee Academics - Galaxy S23+

Opaque October

I felt like October just whizzed past me.  So many things happened over a span of less than 31 days.  Work has been unforgiving as usual.  I'm strongly considering to ask for an internal transfer as soon as I'm eligible because I really cannot stand the pace and an ambitious team mate who's willing to make me look bad so that he can get ahead.  There's also this other colleague who's so stubborn, sitting with him for a meeting earlier this month almost triggered my panic attack again.  It was a sensation that I haven't felt in a while but suddenly returned this month.  I guess I have been quite stressed out at work.  I have finished almost 24 muscle relaxant pills this month.....  That's how difficult this month has been... 

Waiting to See The Doctor - Galaxy S23+

Dotty December

Today's the last day of December; 2022 will end in about three and a half hours.  Work has been crazy busy as usual.  I wish I can do less work so that I have more time to think.  I've been wanting to explore how to use App Sheets and be able to create my own apps.  But I just haven't got the chance to do so just yet, even yesterday night I was still submitting tickets for new user ID creations. 

Work Never Ends - Galaxy Note 9

Outlasting October

On this last day of October, I start my 7th week with ONE.  It has been a very packed journey so far.  I've been very busy with work.  Not very difficult, except when it comes to "alignment", but there's just too many things going.  

Rainy Day in Orchard - Galaxy Note 9

Advancing August

August has been a mixed bag, but more towards the positive side.  It has been quite an amazing month on the job search front as I finally landed myself a new position in the maritime industry again.  I am so relieved to finally going to leave Klook.  But that job move came with a heavy price tag.  I returned my sign-on bonus and bought out 1 month of my notice period too.  It was such an expensive breakup.  And leaving Klook also means I will have worked for 2 years with no bonus at all.  It is such an expensive lesson....  I have a lot to say during the exit interview for sure...  At least I think I will.  

A Familiar Sight - Galaxy Note 9

Jiggly June

Hello June, it's been a rough ride isn't it?  Things have been changing from one end of the spectrum to the other so diversely, hence...  "jigly". 

I've been doing a lot of praying as of late, I really hope that something good will come out.  Whenever I go to office, I never fail to go to Yueh Hai Ching temple which is just nearby to pray for good luck in my job search.  

Yueh Hai Ching Temple's Facade - Galaxy Note 9

Manic May

I've used "Manic" before in one of my entries back in 2020.  Now is about a good time as any to use it again.  May has been an emotional roller coaster and a very loathsome month where work is concerned.  Well..  I'll get to that...   

One of Those Beautiful Sunrises - Galaxy Note 9

Finding February

As we inch closer towards the end of February, the question on everybody's mind is, what the hell is Russia doing???  War, is something that happened in history text books, it must not and should not have had to happen in our time.  How can this madness possibly unfold in our era??  I feel very sorry for the Ukranians and hope that something will happen somehow to stop this senseless invasion by the Russians.  Closer to home, the Myanmar crisis is also not showing any signs of improvement while further up north, missiles are still being fired into the sea on almost a weekly basis.  I can't help but think why are there still crazies in ruling positions in this world.  The world needs to find its sanity back.  What a concerning February this has been.

Feeling Nostalgic Looking at My Old House - 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

Novel November

November is "the" month of a novel new beginning for me.  After 8 years and 9 months of working for "K" Line Pte Ltd, I finally left the company - which I should probably have done 3 years ago.  But through the graces of the forces that may be, I had remained with "K" Line and rode through the worst period of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the time to disembark from this lengthy voyage has finally come this month.  And yes, I paid my dues already with the various projects I delivered during the pandemic.  As I left this month, I have just completed an e-claims project for the company too.  I left many good ex-colleagues and collaborators who have generously contributed to my development in "K" Line while at the same time I excitedly look forward to the new journey that I will be undertaking with the new company.  

Going Up From Starbucks Guoco Tower One Last Time - Galaxy Note 9

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

Just July - Again

I've used "Just" last year.  Somehow I've ran out of vocabularies by now.  My bread baking spree continued into July with a renewed frenzy.  In all I baked 6 loaves over a span of 3 weeks.

Challah + Ovomaltime = 😋 - Galaxy Note 9

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

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

The Cat Cafe Bugis Visit

On Sunday we visited The Cat Cafe in Bugis.  The pricing is $16 for 2 hours with a free soft drink per person.  That is quite reasonable actually, when compared to other cat cafes in Singapore. Linc & Lind were excited from the start, the thought of getting up close to furry felines, petting and playing with the furballs got them somewhat impatient throughout the morning.  After a quick breakfast in Bugis, we climbed up 3 storeys in an old shophouse outside Bugis Street.  

Here We Are - RX100 Mk3

Just July

As July comes to an end, the past 3 weeks have been crazy stressful at work.  The e-approval processes I have set up suddenly required urgent fixes because the send mail notification and the approval connectors were decommissioned (deprecated in Microsoft lingo).  The approval connector deprecation is especially hard to swallow, as I will need to re-design 6 of my flows - which I'm still figuring out...  At least, the other 43 are already OK...  I tried parallel branching, which brought down the nesting level to 9, just one over the maximum allowable 8.  I also looked at using Child Flows, but after careful consideration, I will end up with more flows to manage if I use this technique. Not forgetting to mention that this technique also requires premium subscription and a crash course on JSON, so...  nope, using child flow is also out.  The last technique I need to explore is variable initialization.  And I somehow must make this work.  Prior to this "breakdown" there were the usual office drama, politicking and reading between the lines which really, really drained me... man...  I really wish I could just jump ship.  

Along Alexandra Road - Galaxy Note 9

Jakarta Chinese New Year Trip 2020 - Day 4

Day 4, time to go back to Singapore.  We started with a simple breakfast at Mie Aloi which is just next door.  After the delightful breakfast, we returned to the hotel and the kids wanted a little swim.  So we obliged and let them have their splashy moment. 

The Kids Having Fun in The Pool - Galaxy Note 9

Jakarta Chinese New Year 2020 Trip - Day 3

Day 3 - 春到大地.  No rain this morning and I started the day with a prayer at Vihara Satya Dharma with my father and Lincoln.  That was the first time Lincoln joined me and my father for new year's day prayers.   

Just Right For Spring - RX100 Mk3

Jakarta Chinese New Year 2020 Trip - Day 2

Well, well....  Look and behold!  Dark clouds, grey skies and a pouring rain!!  And from our hotel room, we could see some parts of the streets submerged in water.  So it could flood after all! 

Heavy Rain in PIK - RX100 Mk3