A term I learnt from my big boss recently. I think this is again one of those army terms ? Probably the guys will know better.
Anyway MBWA meant Management By Walking Around. My interpretation of his explanation was : to manage by walking around, "feeling the ground" so as to see, know, understand what's going on.
It was sort of like a wake up call to me. Though he wasn't referring to me when he talked about MBWA, but I thought it was very relevant to me. To manage a project, I have to be in touch with what's going on. I can't constantly hide in my cubicle and work through emails (which is what I'm most comfortable with ... which makes me think I previously should have continued being a programmer! haha!). I have to MBWA, I have to get out and see the people, talk to them and gather the latest news and info.
I tried that out yesterday with a small selected group of users who are friendly and kind. My first baby step.
A good lesson to end the year. *thumbs up*
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Friday, December 28, 2007
Happy New Year
Since I'm likely not being able to do any posting on NY Eve, so like to wish everyone including myself a Happy New Year!
D Day
Lots of frustration when you have no say over timelines etc.
Anyway D day is 31 Dec.
Whether I can survive or be condemned would happen on Monday.
But seriously I'm calm about it. I just fighting fires and doing whatever I can.
My every waking hour is spent in the office. I go home just to eat and sleep.
Work long hours, no rewards nevermind. I still have to pay my own cab fare every night. Can't claim (i think). So it effectively means work harder, get paid lesser. Quite frustrated actually.
Anyway, this explains why I am in no mood to do anything nor talk to anyone. No mood to reply to any emails let alone check on those facebook notifications / requests etc. I couldn't care less what is going on around me. I lose energy to exercise. I just eating and pigging and not exercising much and just growing more obese. What's new yeah ???
I need a break fast. But Phase 2 is hot on the heels after D Day. Let's see what happens on Mon first. Maybe I would have to clear up my cubicle by 1 Jan. hhahahahha ... frankly, I wouldn't mind that at all. :P
Anyway D day is 31 Dec.
Whether I can survive or be condemned would happen on Monday.
But seriously I'm calm about it. I just fighting fires and doing whatever I can.
My every waking hour is spent in the office. I go home just to eat and sleep.
Work long hours, no rewards nevermind. I still have to pay my own cab fare every night. Can't claim (i think). So it effectively means work harder, get paid lesser. Quite frustrated actually.
Anyway, this explains why I am in no mood to do anything nor talk to anyone. No mood to reply to any emails let alone check on those facebook notifications / requests etc. I couldn't care less what is going on around me. I lose energy to exercise. I just eating and pigging and not exercising much and just growing more obese. What's new yeah ???
I need a break fast. But Phase 2 is hot on the heels after D Day. Let's see what happens on Mon first. Maybe I would have to clear up my cubicle by 1 Jan. hhahahahha ... frankly, I wouldn't mind that at all. :P
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Counting Run
Got home near 2am this morning and had difficulty sleeping (don't you have that problem once you passed the bedtime ?). Was hoping to catch up on my sleep before I go to the office at noon but alas, bio-clock roused me at 0640hrs! Arghhhhh! Couldn't sleep so after much contemplation, finally dragged myself out for a run.
I've wanted to do an LSD around the west (to BG, to MR or to Labrador Park) but with my lack of training all these ideas have to be shelved until (if ever!) I get my motivation for running back. So for now, I can only stick to the short runs along the canal near my place.
I had no watch, no ipod, nothing to entertain me for the run today (as I left everything in office). I didn't plan for a run considering I was at work til late. Life is always such a contradiction or irony. Week after week I would bring my sports barang home thinking I would do something over the weekend, but week after week I just lazed at home. The one week I didn't bring my stuff back, I actually got my act together to go for a run! -_-" Anyway, I digress :P
The morning air helped to clear my body of the toxins (or so I felt or like to think :P) and I just took a leisure jog to and fro, and covered 4km. Went for another round and I had to start counting my steps in between lamp posts to keep me going (hey, this method works!). On my return trip back, I changed to counting the number of trees lined by the side of the path.
I dunno how long it takes to cover this 8km but it doesn't matter. It felt good to be out and taking in the morning fresh air and getting some sunlight. What a good way to start the day (before the pigout MUAHAHAHAHA)
Hopefully I can get my act together and do an LSD soon.
Lost my heart rate monitor transistor about a month or two back at the gym. So now dun even have a HRM. Should I go get a replacement ? But seriously I don't really need one. So now my polar watch is doubling up as an expensive watch.
I've wanted to do an LSD around the west (to BG, to MR or to Labrador Park) but with my lack of training all these ideas have to be shelved until (if ever!) I get my motivation for running back. So for now, I can only stick to the short runs along the canal near my place.
I had no watch, no ipod, nothing to entertain me for the run today (as I left everything in office). I didn't plan for a run considering I was at work til late. Life is always such a contradiction or irony. Week after week I would bring my sports barang home thinking I would do something over the weekend, but week after week I just lazed at home. The one week I didn't bring my stuff back, I actually got my act together to go for a run! -_-" Anyway, I digress :P
The morning air helped to clear my body of the toxins (or so I felt or like to think :P) and I just took a leisure jog to and fro, and covered 4km. Went for another round and I had to start counting my steps in between lamp posts to keep me going (hey, this method works!). On my return trip back, I changed to counting the number of trees lined by the side of the path.
I dunno how long it takes to cover this 8km but it doesn't matter. It felt good to be out and taking in the morning fresh air and getting some sunlight. What a good way to start the day (before the pigout MUAHAHAHAHA)
Hopefully I can get my act together and do an LSD soon.
Lost my heart rate monitor transistor about a month or two back at the gym. So now dun even have a HRM. Should I go get a replacement ? But seriously I don't really need one. So now my polar watch is doubling up as an expensive watch.
Where am I headed ?
Wed - knocked off at 0045hrs
Fri - left at 0140hrs
all this thanks to some ridiculous deadline.
But I'm not the worst of the lot since the vendors are the worst hit.
Just feeling so tired ... and again wondering where I'm heading in this ...
And now I'm back in office on a Sat afternoon, wasn't feeling well this morning but no choice, got to come ... Right now I'm still waiting for my vendors to get the stuff fixed ... i'm just sitting here wasting my time. Oh actually I have loads to do, but I'm in no mood to work.
:P
I don't feel the holidays season at all ... though I have this fruit cake, gingerbread man etc from Marriott Hotel right in front of me.
Yawn ... here I am in office, while someone is enjoying in Genting lor ..... :P
Fri - left at 0140hrs
all this thanks to some ridiculous deadline.
But I'm not the worst of the lot since the vendors are the worst hit.
Just feeling so tired ... and again wondering where I'm heading in this ...
And now I'm back in office on a Sat afternoon, wasn't feeling well this morning but no choice, got to come ... Right now I'm still waiting for my vendors to get the stuff fixed ... i'm just sitting here wasting my time. Oh actually I have loads to do, but I'm in no mood to work.
:P
I don't feel the holidays season at all ... though I have this fruit cake, gingerbread man etc from Marriott Hotel right in front of me.
Yawn ... here I am in office, while someone is enjoying in Genting lor ..... :P
Monday, December 17, 2007
My New Beau
Two years ... that's how long we have been companions. We have never been apart for longer than a few hours. He is always there for me, reminding me about my tasks, my schedules and friends' birthdays and important dates.
He is always there to act as my "listening ear" when I just need to pen something down. He's the one who help to capture happy memories so that I can post them here ... I've scratched & bruised his face so many times that I have to give him a makeover several times over the past 2 years.
Sadly, he has aged and getting crankier. He has failed to wake me up for important functions (almost missed my flight if not for my bio-clock kicking in!) in the past and ignored phone calls and sms-es. The last straw came when I couldn't wake him up from his slumber ... I knew its time to say goodbye ....
__________________________
After many "frustrating" discussions with good friend about which new phone to get ... I finally got myself the HTC Touch Enhanced on Saturday. Actually HTC Touch wasn't my choice. My ideal would be HTC TyTN II. But since the latter costs a lot more (and I mean A LOT!), I guess I have to stick to the former. The former is sleeker, inferior in processor speed as compared to the TyTN II but guess I will have to live with it :P
And best of all, I paid only $21 for it! The price w contract was $398. With a trade-in of $200 (I almost couldn't trade in the old one because it wasn't able to power up properly and the customer officer said I couldn't trade in. I told her it is working fine and I don't see why I can't trade in for such a small defect and after consulting with someone else, she relented. WHEW!!! Both my friend & I heaved a BIG sigh of relief!). I also used my Citibank-M1 bonus points of $107 to offset the phone. Hence I only paid $21!!!
Am very proud of myself for being thrifty and not splurging on a new phone.
Though the processor is still slow, I am not worse off in terms of functionality. So I'm not complaining.
Let's play with the new beauty for a while more and see the verdict ...
:)
He is always there to act as my "listening ear" when I just need to pen something down. He's the one who help to capture happy memories so that I can post them here ... I've scratched & bruised his face so many times that I have to give him a makeover several times over the past 2 years.
Sadly, he has aged and getting crankier. He has failed to wake me up for important functions (almost missed my flight if not for my bio-clock kicking in!) in the past and ignored phone calls and sms-es. The last straw came when I couldn't wake him up from his slumber ... I knew its time to say goodbye ....
__________________________
After many "frustrating" discussions with good friend about which new phone to get ... I finally got myself the HTC Touch Enhanced on Saturday. Actually HTC Touch wasn't my choice. My ideal would be HTC TyTN II. But since the latter costs a lot more (and I mean A LOT!), I guess I have to stick to the former. The former is sleeker, inferior in processor speed as compared to the TyTN II but guess I will have to live with it :P
And best of all, I paid only $21 for it! The price w contract was $398. With a trade-in of $200 (I almost couldn't trade in the old one because it wasn't able to power up properly and the customer officer said I couldn't trade in. I told her it is working fine and I don't see why I can't trade in for such a small defect and after consulting with someone else, she relented. WHEW!!! Both my friend & I heaved a BIG sigh of relief!). I also used my Citibank-M1 bonus points of $107 to offset the phone. Hence I only paid $21!!!
Am very proud of myself for being thrifty and not splurging on a new phone.
Though the processor is still slow, I am not worse off in terms of functionality. So I'm not complaining.
Let's play with the new beauty for a while more and see the verdict ...
:)
Monday, December 10, 2007
Spa Botanica
Thanks to a kind friend, I had the chance to pamper myself and mom at Spa Botanica last Saturday.
As it was my first time there, I wasn't sure what to expect. Didn't know what facilities they have (except that they have a pool). When I made the booking two days ahead, the receptionists that I spoke to wasn't friendly. They weren't helpful in suggesting the kind of massages or therapies based on my needs and simply pointed me to the website -_-" so I was quite apprehensive about going actually. Was thinking that the staff there would be equally snobbish, so wasn't expecting much.
Thankfully we were pleasantly surprised as the staff that we met that day were all polite, helpful & friendly. They set us at ease and the environment & ambience definitely helped. We were asked to change into their robes and shortly after, mom was whisked away for her massage. I didn't wait that long before I was led to the second storey for my deep-tissue massage. Got to say it was painful and after a while I had to ask the masseur to go easy :P But it was a good massage nonetheless as I told her about my stiff right shoulder, which I somehow pulled something on Thur during my morning bodypump. It was sore and I was having problems with the whole range of shoulder movements. Though it was much better by Sat, but bet the massage would help to release some of the tightness that I've been experiencing. She said its the usual work hazard for many of us, hours in front of the PC. Definite cause for stiff shoulders.
The hour passed quickly and in no time I was done. Mom and I just relaxed and enjoyed the tea. The pool was actually very nice and inviting, too bad I didn't have my swim suit with me. Its a short pool but deep. The depth ranges from 1m to 2m ...
As the massages cost less than the value of the vouchers that I had, there was a balance of < $30. Previously over the phone the unfriendly recep did not offer any suggestions on what I could use the balance on, and simply said that I could only use the vouchers for treatments and nothing else, so I was resigned to the fact that I would be forfeiting the balance. So I was again pleasantly surprised during payment when the staff told me about my balance and asked whether I would like to shop at their shop and pick up something which could be used to offset the balance. So mom and I walked around the small shop but there weren't anything that we particularly wanted to buy. I don't like aromatherapy so the oils were definitely not something I would get. The rest of the products for the skin were way too expensive. We finally decided to just get their cleanser and while the staff was working on the cash register, I found this beaded hand pouch which I thought was nice and though pricey, it was only slightly above the balance that we had left. So decided to get the pouch instead. Was waiting for the staff to tell me the difference I had to pay (which was just a few bucks) but she just said it would be complimentary. Nice :) She was also a doll in helping to check on when the coach would arrive to bring us out to vivocity.
It was a very nice experience and mom truly enjoyed it. Its her first time in such a nice spa and she totally enjoyed herself. Am glad that I could bring her along and pamper her for once.
As it was my first time there, I wasn't sure what to expect. Didn't know what facilities they have (except that they have a pool). When I made the booking two days ahead, the receptionists that I spoke to wasn't friendly. They weren't helpful in suggesting the kind of massages or therapies based on my needs and simply pointed me to the website -_-" so I was quite apprehensive about going actually. Was thinking that the staff there would be equally snobbish, so wasn't expecting much.
Thankfully we were pleasantly surprised as the staff that we met that day were all polite, helpful & friendly. They set us at ease and the environment & ambience definitely helped. We were asked to change into their robes and shortly after, mom was whisked away for her massage. I didn't wait that long before I was led to the second storey for my deep-tissue massage. Got to say it was painful and after a while I had to ask the masseur to go easy :P But it was a good massage nonetheless as I told her about my stiff right shoulder, which I somehow pulled something on Thur during my morning bodypump. It was sore and I was having problems with the whole range of shoulder movements. Though it was much better by Sat, but bet the massage would help to release some of the tightness that I've been experiencing. She said its the usual work hazard for many of us, hours in front of the PC. Definite cause for stiff shoulders.
The hour passed quickly and in no time I was done. Mom and I just relaxed and enjoyed the tea. The pool was actually very nice and inviting, too bad I didn't have my swim suit with me. Its a short pool but deep. The depth ranges from 1m to 2m ...
As the massages cost less than the value of the vouchers that I had, there was a balance of < $30. Previously over the phone the unfriendly recep did not offer any suggestions on what I could use the balance on, and simply said that I could only use the vouchers for treatments and nothing else, so I was resigned to the fact that I would be forfeiting the balance. So I was again pleasantly surprised during payment when the staff told me about my balance and asked whether I would like to shop at their shop and pick up something which could be used to offset the balance. So mom and I walked around the small shop but there weren't anything that we particularly wanted to buy. I don't like aromatherapy so the oils were definitely not something I would get. The rest of the products for the skin were way too expensive. We finally decided to just get their cleanser and while the staff was working on the cash register, I found this beaded hand pouch which I thought was nice and though pricey, it was only slightly above the balance that we had left. So decided to get the pouch instead. Was waiting for the staff to tell me the difference I had to pay (which was just a few bucks) but she just said it would be complimentary. Nice :) She was also a doll in helping to check on when the coach would arrive to bring us out to vivocity.
It was a very nice experience and mom truly enjoyed it. Its her first time in such a nice spa and she totally enjoyed herself. Am glad that I could bring her along and pamper her for once.
Ricciotti & Brewerkz
Went Ricciotti at Riverwalk after work on Fri nite. By the time we got there it was already close to 9pm. The place was almost packed but we managed to get a seat in the open. Not a good spot but well. Both of us were more keen on the desserts and were prepared to skip the mains and go straight to the sinful stuff. We flipped through the menu but couldn’t quite decide what to order and hence signal a waitress over. Asked about what she would recommend since its our first time there and she promptly suggested Soffiato (warm choc cake with choc chip ice cream). Ok, what else ? What mains would she recommend ? Everything drew a blank from then on. She was completely clueless and she honestly told me so. So I asked her to send someone who knows over to help us. The next waiter who came was no better. Soffiato was still the recommended and after that it was again a blank. By then I was getting bitchy and after a few more queries which he finally replied with “Everything here is nice”, I gave up and just ordered the Soffiato. Forget the mains we thought. For all we know it isn’t worth it.
Soffiato came. Nothing fanciful, just a small rounded cake like thingy with a scoop of ice cream by the side. The ice cream tasted toooo milky to my liking. The cake was well, just a warm chocolate cake. Nothing amazing if you ask me. What’s the big deal ? Why could something so unsignificant be their signature dish ?
We then decided to try something else and ordered a Cannoli (tube shaped chocolate pastry stuffed with ricotta cheese, citrus fruits & pistachio nuts). We didn’t enjoy that, cheese just isn’t something I enjoy. The service there sucks really ... we would have expected more from a Garibaldi chain.
The only saving grace was that all desserts went at half price after 9pm. So was glad this unsatisfactory experience didn't cost us.
Thereafter we went to Brewerkz. Somehow my friend likes to go there though to me its just another drinking hole. While waiting for a table, we headed to the open area behind the building to watch those radio controlled kites (Go Fly Kite) fixed with multi-colored blinking light bulbs in action. The group there in similar GFK polo shirts were playing with the RC kites while distributing phamplets to random spectators like us. Its kinda nice watching these kites flying about but how fun is it after a while ? Doesn't it get boring after a while ? :P
Pig out some more at Brewerkz ... glad I managed to relax and unwind after yet another long work week.
Soffiato came. Nothing fanciful, just a small rounded cake like thingy with a scoop of ice cream by the side. The ice cream tasted toooo milky to my liking. The cake was well, just a warm chocolate cake. Nothing amazing if you ask me. What’s the big deal ? Why could something so unsignificant be their signature dish ?
We then decided to try something else and ordered a Cannoli (tube shaped chocolate pastry stuffed with ricotta cheese, citrus fruits & pistachio nuts). We didn’t enjoy that, cheese just isn’t something I enjoy. The service there sucks really ... we would have expected more from a Garibaldi chain.
The only saving grace was that all desserts went at half price after 9pm. So was glad this unsatisfactory experience didn't cost us.
Thereafter we went to Brewerkz. Somehow my friend likes to go there though to me its just another drinking hole. While waiting for a table, we headed to the open area behind the building to watch those radio controlled kites (Go Fly Kite) fixed with multi-colored blinking light bulbs in action. The group there in similar GFK polo shirts were playing with the RC kites while distributing phamplets to random spectators like us. Its kinda nice watching these kites flying about but how fun is it after a while ? Doesn't it get boring after a while ? :P
Pig out some more at Brewerkz ... glad I managed to relax and unwind after yet another long work week.
Monday, December 03, 2007
Highest bridge in S'pore links Mt. Faber and Telok Blangah Hill
I'm so excited when I saw this news on TV!
Can't wait for this to be completed and then I can do a run there :)
Can't wait for this to be completed and then I can do a run there :)
Weekend
Just another random posting considering I haven't had the time to blog for a while ...
Fri nite worked late due to some issues at work. Thankfully issue was resolved in time for the launch, but it meant holding a few vendors back from their company function. Someone asked whether it is necessary to hold them back since they have been working so hard, but my point was we have come so far, this is something that can/should be solved. So why not ?
Awww well *shrug*
In the still of the office I heard loud thumps coming from outside the window ... I suspected it was the sound of fireworks but was too busy trying to clear whatever work I could that it took me a while before I finally got my buttt off to check out the sound. I was happy to see that indeed it was fireworks and since there weren't anyone around, I just sat by the window enjoying the beautiful fireworks for a good few minutes before it ended. What's the occasion last Fri ? Why were there fireworks ah ?
On my way home happen to see two friends whom I haven't seen for a long time. Must be carbo-loading for the marathon on Sun *hiak hiak*
Managed to sleep in on Saturday and felt more rested. As any other weekends for the past couple of months, I always had grand plans about hitting the gym or going for a run during the weekends. But those plans never materialised haha. This past weekend wasn't an exception :P Sis and niece decided to pop over and we were all excited about receiving them. Just the night before I dreamt about my niece since I haven't seen her in a while! She just came back from HK from a school trip and even got me some HK wife biscuits. Isn't she a doll?? :)
I decided to go check out the Arena warehouse sale and convinced my niece to accompany me to check it out. Managed to get 2 (ugly but) cheap swimsuits for $20 each (what a steal!) and a pair of goggles. So at least I wouldn't have to worry about disintegrated swimwear (which happens to me oh-so-frequently!) for a while. Hooray!
I haven't been to the Henderson, Bukit Merah area in like ages! So was happy to be just walking around the area and reminiscing. Was telling my niece how I used to hang out there when I was in Sec school :P The place is now rather deserted ... but for someone like me who enjoys tranquility, I kinda enjoyed just walking around the neighbourhood :P
I then brought her to the Bukit Merah library and we spent a while there browsing and picking up the books we want.
I started reading this book Nice Girls Don't Get the Corner Office: 101 Unconscious Mistakes Women Make That Sabotage Their Careers and thought it was very interesting. Finished it yesterday and shall go get the book so that I can keep it.
Fri nite worked late due to some issues at work. Thankfully issue was resolved in time for the launch, but it meant holding a few vendors back from their company function. Someone asked whether it is necessary to hold them back since they have been working so hard, but my point was we have come so far, this is something that can/should be solved. So why not ?
Awww well *shrug*
In the still of the office I heard loud thumps coming from outside the window ... I suspected it was the sound of fireworks but was too busy trying to clear whatever work I could that it took me a while before I finally got my buttt off to check out the sound. I was happy to see that indeed it was fireworks and since there weren't anyone around, I just sat by the window enjoying the beautiful fireworks for a good few minutes before it ended. What's the occasion last Fri ? Why were there fireworks ah ?
On my way home happen to see two friends whom I haven't seen for a long time. Must be carbo-loading for the marathon on Sun *hiak hiak*
Managed to sleep in on Saturday and felt more rested. As any other weekends for the past couple of months, I always had grand plans about hitting the gym or going for a run during the weekends. But those plans never materialised haha. This past weekend wasn't an exception :P Sis and niece decided to pop over and we were all excited about receiving them. Just the night before I dreamt about my niece since I haven't seen her in a while! She just came back from HK from a school trip and even got me some HK wife biscuits. Isn't she a doll?? :)
I decided to go check out the Arena warehouse sale and convinced my niece to accompany me to check it out. Managed to get 2 (ugly but) cheap swimsuits for $20 each (what a steal!) and a pair of goggles. So at least I wouldn't have to worry about disintegrated swimwear (which happens to me oh-so-frequently!) for a while. Hooray!
I haven't been to the Henderson, Bukit Merah area in like ages! So was happy to be just walking around the area and reminiscing. Was telling my niece how I used to hang out there when I was in Sec school :P The place is now rather deserted ... but for someone like me who enjoys tranquility, I kinda enjoyed just walking around the neighbourhood :P
I then brought her to the Bukit Merah library and we spent a while there browsing and picking up the books we want.
I started reading this book Nice Girls Don't Get the Corner Office: 101 Unconscious Mistakes Women Make That Sabotage Their Careers and thought it was very interesting. Finished it yesterday and shall go get the book so that I can keep it.
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