1. My efforts yesterday that was made obsolete by what my user taught me. -.-
2. Discovered that morning's wasted efforts was due to delayed scheduling of goods delivery. Ow.
3. An afternoon killed by credit limit (with delivery block). Didn't know this :|
12-6
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Monday, July 30, 2007
Solved something on my own
JW: "Yay!"
Alter-ego: *snorts* "You almost wanted to dial those numbers in your head."
JW: *sticks out tongue*
Alter-ego: *snorts* "You almost wanted to dial those numbers in your head."
JW: *sticks out tongue*
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Catching up with old friends or having your own private gathering?
I hate to do this. But for future class gatherings, I won't turn up unless there are people to steer the talk away from the milestones in life.
When planning gatherings, I hate it when people base their decision to attend, conditional on the turn-out of their buddies. Imagine sending out a round of messages to 30 people...
-2 says yes
-10 ask you, "Who's going?"
-18 keep quiet
You shrewdly add the names of people who you know are waiting to know if their buddies would turn up and send out another round of messages to these 30 people again...
-2 say no
-4 say yes
-7 ask you, "Is XXX going?"
-17 keep quiet
Again, you update the list, trying to get the little gangs to turn up.
-13 say no
-5 say yes
-2 ask you, "Who's going?"
-10 keep quiet
At this stage, I'll be rather pissed and disheartened.
Why won't people return lost handphones?
JW: "Isn't it sad that people won't return lost handphones?"
Sancta Joky: "What for? Who would return?"
Sancta Joky: "What for? Who would return?"
Saturday, July 28, 2007
First impressions
[Resources]
Oh nice.
-No longer having to lock away my only pen that might get stolen; No longer having to be told to be more responsible for my own belongings when I lose that pen.
-Having my own production account; Able to do work without hitting "You are not authorized to...". --> Old post: "Missing authorisation"
-Free beverages.
-Air-conditioning that actually works; Perhaps a bit too well.
[Environment: Physical]
-Nothing to complain. It's good.
[Environment: That intangible factor]
-Picture paints a thousand words, they say. Link: here
[Co-workers]
-They seem nice; That is, if we can ever properly interact outside of our lunch hour.
-My mentor is helpful but she's so in glee that I'm taking over :|
[Overall feeling]
-Good but with a feeling of dread about the future.
-
Oh nice.
-No longer having to lock away my only pen that might get stolen; No longer having to be told to be more responsible for my own belongings when I lose that pen.
-Having my own production account; Able to do work without hitting "You are not authorized to...". --> Old post: "Missing authorisation"
-Free beverages.
-Air-conditioning that actually works; Perhaps a bit too well.
[Environment: Physical]
-Nothing to complain. It's good.
[Environment: That intangible factor]
-Picture paints a thousand words, they say. Link: here
[Co-workers]
-They seem nice; That is, if we can ever properly interact outside of our lunch hour.
-My mentor is helpful but she's so in glee that I'm taking over :|
[Overall feeling]
-Good but with a feeling of dread about the future.
-
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
"Interview" by Head of Department
I am seated in front of my Head of Department, which is quite a stressful position to be in. Our conversations are limited to morning greetings and good-byes. Like any self respecting nut case, I talk to my alter-ego while I work. He probably have a pretty good understanding of my inner Smeagol by now.
Today, I was working on a program change so I stayed an hour behind. Boss threw an invisible lasso just as I was packing up.
Boss: "So how are you picking up SAP?"
JW: "Er... if you mean Business logic, I'm still quite blur. Technical wise I'm still ok"
Boss: "Oh that's good to hear. Don't worry, usually people take about 3 months to pick up the knowledge"
JW: "Oh ok... But I think they are expecting me to take-over in 1 month"
Boss: "Ok, don't worry. Good night"
JW: "Good night"
While walking out to the door, my alter-ego stirred, "You didn't tell him that the technical side is the only thing you're good at". "Shut up", I said. He snickered and went into the background.
Today, I was working on a program change so I stayed an hour behind. Boss threw an invisible lasso just as I was packing up.
Boss: "So how are you picking up SAP?"
JW: "Er... if you mean Business logic, I'm still quite blur. Technical wise I'm still ok"
Boss: "Oh that's good to hear. Don't worry, usually people take about 3 months to pick up the knowledge"
JW: "Oh ok... But I think they are expecting me to take-over in 1 month"
Boss: "Ok, don't worry. Good night"
JW: "Good night"
While walking out to the door, my alter-ego stirred, "You didn't tell him that the technical side is the only thing you're good at". "Shut up", I said. He snickered and went into the background.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
How am I doing at work?
Quite a lot of friends asked me today but sorry it's still too early to say. I don't want to make a premature judgement.
But then, here's something.
Plus
===
Frustrations on restrictions are gone.
If I want to, I can reach home at 6pm sharp.
Bad
===
No one leaves on the spot.
Supervison/monitoring is high.
But then, here's something.
Plus
===
Frustrations on restrictions are gone.
If I want to, I can reach home at 6pm sharp.
Bad
===
No one leaves on the spot.
Supervison/monitoring is high.
Scoring an easy win
Despite all the talk about sportsmanship, people love easy victories.
When Singapore was gripped by the fervour of the Tiger Cup from 1997-1998, fans would often look forward to the match between their national players and the Brunei national squad. With a great disparity in skill levels, fans expect a score of nothing less than 10-0. If they do, then the coach would have angry fans to answer to.
In war histories, the most remembered battles are those when one side inflicted an extremely heavy toll due to the utter inability of the other side to defend themselves. Yet we praise them and study their tactics.
Twice, we were invited by boys in LAN shop to play a match of DotA. When we replied that we are still learning the ropes, they would claim that they too, are just newbies. The first group laughed themselves silly whenever we got killed. The second group had the cheek to suggest a match between 5 of them against 3 of us. When we insisted on a fair number, they sent their weakest member over. Whether he was dying on purpose during the game was something I wondered.
--this post is brought about by Kelly's complaint: one of the disgusting guys finally dragged him into his first game of DotA but refused to team up with him...
When Singapore was gripped by the fervour of the Tiger Cup from 1997-1998, fans would often look forward to the match between their national players and the Brunei national squad. With a great disparity in skill levels, fans expect a score of nothing less than 10-0. If they do, then the coach would have angry fans to answer to.
In war histories, the most remembered battles are those when one side inflicted an extremely heavy toll due to the utter inability of the other side to defend themselves. Yet we praise them and study their tactics.
Twice, we were invited by boys in LAN shop to play a match of DotA. When we replied that we are still learning the ropes, they would claim that they too, are just newbies. The first group laughed themselves silly whenever we got killed. The second group had the cheek to suggest a match between 5 of them against 3 of us. When we insisted on a fair number, they sent their weakest member over. Whether he was dying on purpose during the game was something I wondered.
--this post is brought about by Kelly's complaint: one of the disgusting guys finally dragged him into his first game of DotA but refused to team up with him...
Monday, July 23, 2007
I'm back
The doors hissed open; I stepped out.
Crowding; Blocking.
Standing in the corridor; Everyone passing me by.
I'm back.
Coffee; Milo; Horlicks; Milk powder.
Blue pens; Black pens; Green pens; Red pens.
Cubicle; Laptop; Messenger; My own production ID.
Welcome back.
-
Crowding; Blocking.
Standing in the corridor; Everyone passing me by.
I'm back.
Coffee; Milo; Horlicks; Milk powder.
Blue pens; Black pens; Green pens; Red pens.
Cubicle; Laptop; Messenger; My own production ID.
Welcome back.
-
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Departure
It has been a while since a long serving (>1 yr) staff left our team, so naturally, I caused a little stir. History repeats itself.
As mentioned, Kevin, Wendy and Bhavani each gave me an unexpected gift. I'm surprised I mattered.
I could not trust my heart. I left without saying goodbye to most of my colleagues. I have no idea why it is affecting me worse now than when I left my first job.
Once I've done my exit clearance, I'm my own master once again.
Dinner was attended by Meng Kwee; Isabel (Belle); Kieran; Derek; Weiping; Teckming (Magician); Kaijie; Tommy; Eric; Steven; Clarinda; XXX; Alice; Kaifen (Xiaofen); Huikoon (HK); Angie, Jingying; Stella (Lala) and Tommy. Flattering to have our newer guys and girls to the team to turn up. My own team was only represented by HK as they have given me a private treat prior to this. We were split into two tables and I tried to share my time between them.
It was getting late and the girls asked if I could dismiss them. I asked why should it be me then I recalled that in Western decorum, no one can leave while the host is still present - and that is me. So we asked for the bill and called it a night.
Thank you.
As mentioned, Kevin, Wendy and Bhavani each gave me an unexpected gift. I'm surprised I mattered.
I could not trust my heart. I left without saying goodbye to most of my colleagues. I have no idea why it is affecting me worse now than when I left my first job.
Once I've done my exit clearance, I'm my own master once again.
Dinner was attended by Meng Kwee; Isabel (Belle); Kieran; Derek; Weiping; Teckming (Magician); Kaijie; Tommy; Eric; Steven; Clarinda; XXX; Alice; Kaifen (Xiaofen); Huikoon (HK); Angie, Jingying; Stella (Lala) and Tommy. Flattering to have our newer guys and girls to the team to turn up. My own team was only represented by HK as they have given me a private treat prior to this. We were split into two tables and I tried to share my time between them.
It was getting late and the girls asked if I could dismiss them. I asked why should it be me then I recalled that in Western decorum, no one can leave while the host is still present - and that is me. So we asked for the bill and called it a night.
Thank you.
Friday, July 20, 2007
Last day at Ulu Ulu place
I got unexpected gifts from Kevin, Wendy and Bhavani. Thank you.
I had my lunch with Huikoon and had a long talk.
Idiot Raymond... Thought she's my gf and scolded me online (msn). I scolded him back from not replying my usual messages and only did so when he thought I kept such news from him.
Had my exit interview, talked too much and.. that's it.
Now coming. Monday.
I had my lunch with Huikoon and had a long talk.
Idiot Raymond... Thought she's my gf and scolded me online (msn). I scolded him back from not replying my usual messages and only did so when he thought I kept such news from him.
Had my exit interview, talked too much and.. that's it.
Now coming. Monday.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
The right way to praise your child
[excerpt from http://www.greeleytrib.com/article/20070716/READERS/107160102]
The Negative Power of Positive Judgment.
It's normal for parents to think their child is the brightest, most talented and cutest thing on the planet. But praise like, "you're great...terrific...incredible" can be too much for anybody, even small children. Extravagant praise is hard to take. And if you're like most people, you probably get uncomfortable whenever someone evaluates you. When someone tells you how pretty you are, most of us have an inner voice that reminds us of a time when we felt ugly. Children are no different. They often push away praise that evaluates, and sometime will act out in a negative manner. For example, if you tell a child what a great artist she is, she might tell you that her friend is better at drawing. If you tell your son he's a terrific pitcher, he might become embarrassed by your bragging.
Evaluative praise can also make a child come to depend on the approval of others.
Ask yourself, "Does my praise make my child more dependent upon me and my approval? Do my words help her see her strengths and abilities?" And while it's easy to toss out phrases like "Good Job! Wonderful! That's Great!," it's a form of praise that gets children to conform to our wishes. It leads children to measure their worth in terms of what will make us smile and offer the words of praise they want.
Descriptive Praise Works Wonders.
Instead of evaluating your child in praise, try descriptive praise. Start by describing exactly what your child did. "Aidan, you did a great job striking out those two batters." By doing this, your child will probably recognize the truth in your statement and feel comfortable accepting it. Oftentimes, the child will then accept his or her accomplishment, and praise himself. "Wow, I really am pitching better."
It's true that descriptive praise takes more time and thought, but the payoff is very much worth it. It offers unconditional love, rather than love that is conditional upon your approval. Descriptive praise has positive results:
The Negative Power of Positive Judgment.
It's normal for parents to think their child is the brightest, most talented and cutest thing on the planet. But praise like, "you're great...terrific...incredible" can be too much for anybody, even small children. Extravagant praise is hard to take. And if you're like most people, you probably get uncomfortable whenever someone evaluates you. When someone tells you how pretty you are, most of us have an inner voice that reminds us of a time when we felt ugly. Children are no different. They often push away praise that evaluates, and sometime will act out in a negative manner. For example, if you tell a child what a great artist she is, she might tell you that her friend is better at drawing. If you tell your son he's a terrific pitcher, he might become embarrassed by your bragging.
Evaluative praise can also make a child come to depend on the approval of others.
Ask yourself, "Does my praise make my child more dependent upon me and my approval? Do my words help her see her strengths and abilities?" And while it's easy to toss out phrases like "Good Job! Wonderful! That's Great!," it's a form of praise that gets children to conform to our wishes. It leads children to measure their worth in terms of what will make us smile and offer the words of praise they want.
Descriptive Praise Works Wonders.
Instead of evaluating your child in praise, try descriptive praise. Start by describing exactly what your child did. "Aidan, you did a great job striking out those two batters." By doing this, your child will probably recognize the truth in your statement and feel comfortable accepting it. Oftentimes, the child will then accept his or her accomplishment, and praise himself. "Wow, I really am pitching better."
It's true that descriptive praise takes more time and thought, but the payoff is very much worth it. It offers unconditional love, rather than love that is conditional upon your approval. Descriptive praise has positive results:
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Farewell lunches
With little fanfare, requests for lunch dates popped up.
There was one of them I was looking forward to but it had to be post-phoned. :|
Another colleague scolded me for not telling her and requested an appointment.
The latest surprise came from Diana, who wanted to arrange a lunch between her, myself and my fifth boss.
Ty. I think I should stop moving around for a while...
There was one of them I was looking forward to but it had to be post-phoned. :|
Another colleague scolded me for not telling her and requested an appointment.
The latest surprise came from Diana, who wanted to arrange a lunch between her, myself and my fifth boss.
Ty. I think I should stop moving around for a while...
My immediate bosses
[post has been edited]
The first was gentle. He never scolded me for mistakes. When someone slipped me a RM$10 note, he paid for the difference. He took out the garbage together with the boys (me).
So was the second. When the manager scolded him for letting me read during work (I had nothing to do...), he did not pass it on.
My luck carried on to the third. She was always protective and constantly steered me from danger. There was once when my pride clashed with her caution and tempers ran hot. Fortunately I did not quit and she turned out to be possibly my best supervisor ever. Even when I switched to my fourth "boss", she extended her protection to me. She was sad when I resigned and that almost made me retract my letter.
My fourth was my peer. She was my match or better in programming so I was often at odds with her on how to solve a particular problem. I can pity her as she couldn't stop me from helping out of bounds. My third boss had to rein me in.
The fifth was a break in Joran's string of luck. Her eyes were on deadlines, not reality. She pushed like a fly buzzing in my ear. Once she stopped being my boss, I found her a better person.
Number six was an approachable and helpful guy. When shit happened, he did not lay blame. The bad part was finding a time when he is actually free.
The last is hard to label as a boss. She is my peer. I work along and support her as best as I could. For a while, I worried about being seen as over-stepping my place. Probably neither of us wants her position but she does it well.
The first was gentle. He never scolded me for mistakes. When someone slipped me a RM$10 note, he paid for the difference. He took out the garbage together with the boys (me).
So was the second. When the manager scolded him for letting me read during work (I had nothing to do...), he did not pass it on.
My luck carried on to the third. She was always protective and constantly steered me from danger. There was once when my pride clashed with her caution and tempers ran hot. Fortunately I did not quit and she turned out to be possibly my best supervisor ever. Even when I switched to my fourth "boss", she extended her protection to me. She was sad when I resigned and that almost made me retract my letter.
My fourth was my peer. She was my match or better in programming so I was often at odds with her on how to solve a particular problem. I can pity her as she couldn't stop me from helping out of bounds. My third boss had to rein me in.
The fifth was a break in Joran's string of luck. Her eyes were on deadlines, not reality. She pushed like a fly buzzing in my ear. Once she stopped being my boss, I found her a better person.
Number six was an approachable and helpful guy. When shit happened, he did not lay blame. The bad part was finding a time when he is actually free.
The last is hard to label as a boss. She is my peer. I work along and support her as best as I could. For a while, I worried about being seen as over-stepping my place. Probably neither of us wants her position but she does it well.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
The relationships we have with other people are projections of the relationships we have within ourselves
http://namelessjournal.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!25E1648C276D440F!1325.entry
A pretty good read by Mao Fu Ren, if you can handle Chinese.
Belachanbabe,
*wink wink*
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Project planning
[Background]
I have been assessing the effort for a program change request for the last few days.
[/Background]
I have been colouring little excel boxes for the last few days, giving generous estimates to the program effort. I planned the scheduling, with 3-4 programmers in mind.
HK: "What you doing? We're lucky if we have 1 programmer".
Oh ya...
Me: "Have you seen my updated calculations?"
LT: "Can you give a breakdown for programmer and analyst's efforts?"
Oh ya...
-During the internal meeting
LT: "Does this contain User Acceptance Test?"
Me: "Yup."
LT: "Documentation?"
Me: "Nope." Darn...
This is a good thing, I guess. It highlighted my problem of thinking too much from a programmer's point of view. I broke down the programmer's tasks easily, but neglected the analyst's. Surprisingly, my coding efforts' estimate matched that of an earlier assessment, so that put my mind to ease that I was padding too much time.
A good learning opportunity. Ironically, just as I am leaving, with "lack of growth" as a reason.
I have been assessing the effort for a program change request for the last few days.
[/Background]
I have been colouring little excel boxes for the last few days, giving generous estimates to the program effort. I planned the scheduling, with 3-4 programmers in mind.
HK: "What you doing? We're lucky if we have 1 programmer".
Oh ya...
Me: "Have you seen my updated calculations?"
LT: "Can you give a breakdown for programmer and analyst's efforts?"
Oh ya...
-During the internal meeting
LT: "Does this contain User Acceptance Test?"
Me: "Yup."
LT: "Documentation?"
Me: "Nope." Darn...
This is a good thing, I guess. It highlighted my problem of thinking too much from a programmer's point of view. I broke down the programmer's tasks easily, but neglected the analyst's. Surprisingly, my coding efforts' estimate matched that of an earlier assessment, so that put my mind to ease that I was padding too much time.
A good learning opportunity. Ironically, just as I am leaving, with "lack of growth" as a reason.
Acres
http://acres.org.sg/donatetoAWRC.htm
A friend is making an appeal for her affiliated organisation as funds are low. I promised to make a donation on my next pay check...
A friend is making an appeal for her affiliated organisation as funds are low. I promised to make a donation on my next pay check...
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Regrets?
"Why are you leaving?"
Hmm... Good question.
I like teasing my juniors; I am good at what I do; I'm the "guru" in programming (which is flattering but...); I have a good working relationship with my team. I'm missing them already.
It'll be a sad day. Maybe I should move around less often.
Hmm... Good question.
I like teasing my juniors; I am good at what I do; I'm the "guru" in programming (which is flattering but...); I have a good working relationship with my team. I'm missing them already.
It'll be a sad day. Maybe I should move around less often.
Friday, July 06, 2007
It doesn't get easier the second time
The news quietly exploded among our 50-strong team and I received private well wishes. However, some meetings were so heart-felt that it triggered off an unbearable feeling of tightness, 2 weeks ahead of schedule.
Once again...
Once again...
Thursday, July 05, 2007
I will join sometime sooner
I wrote on impulse and now I have to slap my own mouth...
This time, principles take a back-seat. An interesting contrast when set against a bitter post I wrote - here.
Some info:
I will be working in the city. Yes!
It will be a permanent position.
The salary gain is petty, so don't expect large treats, haha.
I will still be in the same field.
Possible overseas assignment.
-
This time, principles take a back-seat. An interesting contrast when set against a bitter post I wrote - here.
Some info:
I will be working in the city. Yes!
It will be a permanent position.
The salary gain is petty, so don't expect large treats, haha.
I will still be in the same field.
Possible overseas assignment.
-
Can you join us anytime sooner?
Strange isn't it?
They don't want job hoppers, yet they won't hire you without experience from your previous employments.
They value loyalty, yet they look for people who can join them with less than 1 month's notice.
Maybe I should state this in my resume next time.
"Personal ethics does not allow me to quit without a proper handover period of 1 month".
Btw, that means I'm not likely to get the job...
They don't want job hoppers, yet they won't hire you without experience from your previous employments.
They value loyalty, yet they look for people who can join them with less than 1 month's notice.
Maybe I should state this in my resume next time.
"Personal ethics does not allow me to quit without a proper handover period of 1 month".
Btw, that means I'm not likely to get the job...
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
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