27
Jun

This Too Will Pass

By princessfilan 0 Comments
Categories: Weblogs

I was listening to Class 95FM (a Singapore English radio station) just few days ago when I came to know that Michael Jackson was going to have a concert in London next month. Oh, he’s making a comeback! - I thought. Then a couple of days after that, I was shocked when I learnt about his death from the same radio station. I thought I heard wrongly at first - I wished I did. I felt so sad suddenly and this was the first time I felt so for an artist (so much that I wished that I could attend his funeral).

Actually I’m really a fan of Michael Jackson. I only like some of his songs, but somehow he made me felt this way. Perhaps that was because his songs were the first few that I first listened way back when I was still in primary school. At that time, I loved the song “Heal The World” so much and the school’s choir had been singing it so often. It was brought me a great sense of aspiration. Today, my all time most favourite Michael Jackson’s song is still ‘You Are Not Alone’. When I listened to it on yesterday’s midnight, I felt so much of the pain. I really hope he would not be all alone in heaven and that his soul will always be blessed. 

This clearly shows how fragile life is when it comes to diseases like cardiac attack (or heart related diseases). Suddenly I felt thankful that God didn’t take my mum away when she was diagnosed with stroke early this year. It just happened so sudden, without any warning and was not due to any very obvious causes - just like what happened to Michael. It was unexplanable, yet we still have to accept it. The same goes to the current financial crisis and the attack of the Influenza A-H1N1 virus. I guess being patience is what everybody has to learn in order to live a life full with challenges and uncertainties like these.

Do you remember the article ‘This Too Will Pass’ that I mentioned in my last two post? I’m going to share it with you here. The story goes like this:

Once, there was a young emperor who inherited a large kingdom. Unfortunately he did not quite know how to rule his empire. In times of prosperity, he rejoiced. However, in times of disasters, he would go into deep depression. The ministers of the kingdom were worried and came together to work out a plan to teach the emperor an important lesson. They gave him a beautiful ring. On it, ‘This Too Will Pass’ was carved on it. They told the emperor to wear it at all times.

The young emperor took the ring and began to understand the engraved message. He understood that good times and bad times form the cycle of life. Bad times never last; the same goes for good times. It is important to ride out the bad times by practising some patience. On the other hand, it is crucial to be prudent during good times and plan for the rainy days.

This is a takeaway at times when financial fears loon large. We should be reminded that disease, recessions and misfortunes do not last forever; they were part of the cycle of life. Rather than being occupied with worries, we should instead fill ourselves with hopes that they will be over. If we choose to be positive it is more likely that the good outcomes will take place sooner. There is opportunity in every adversity. They may just be gold nuggets that we can pick from the ground, if we stay alert.

Let us pray that the bad times will leave us soon …

21
Jun

My “Singapore PR” turns 1 :)

By princessfilan 0 Comments
Categories: Weblogs

20 June 2009 marked the first anniversary of my SPR status :) In other words, I collected my approved Singapore Permanent Resident cert and had my Singapore IC made on this day last year from ICA … I still remembered I was so darm happy and excited on that day :) Can’t believe how fast time flies!

To be exact … I have been staying in Singapore for almost 1 year 9 months now! :) though I do travel on and off back to JB on weekends … So far so good, I really like it and I have been able to adapt to the lifestyle here, which is very different from Malaysia. People and things are moving way faster here; from the typical scene of people walking fast (especially at MRT stations) to the competition at work; it has been a culture here though it may sound like a kind of stress. It’s really rare to see people moving slowly like in Malaysia. This I like coz I really hate people who is (delibrately) walking slowly in front of me and blocking my way. Hehe! :)
Singapore is a country where you are less likely to see so many Malays everywhere. Nah, it’s not that I’m discriminate against the Malays, but in a way, I feel more comfortable and to be honest, everyone is given a fair chance to compete (though yes, ultimately, priority is still to be given to Singaporeans but to the least, PRs are not being discriminated and to be honest, it’s still not as bad as the ’special treatment’ for Malays in Malaysia).

Another thing - Singapore is way cleaner than Malaysia (sorry to say that). If you have never been to Singapore before, you can just make a trip here and see for yourself what I meant here. Many tourists fell in love with this country on their first trip here. I am of coz one of them :) Singapore is definitely a nice Asian country to visit, but it may not be the best country for working. If you are the kind who tends to take things slow in your work, Singapore is definitely not a suitable place for you. Working can be the most stressful thing here. Personally I feel that the superiors and bosses here are not that great as compared to those in Malaysia. My best working place so far was still WKESP Cyberjaya (in Malaysia), which is partly why sometimes I feel (a bit) regret to have left the place. But then I left for a greater success in Singapore - which will always console me and I’m glad I didn’t let this chance slip away. I will definitely work harder to achieve a greater success in my next job. Hopefully when my PR turns 2 next year, I will be able to say that Singapore is a better place to work than in Malaysia :)
I love all my friends whom I get to know in Singapore (thanks to all who have brought me countless joy!). Despite the fact that Singaporeans are mostly very kiasu (afraid of becoming a loser and some said they are selfish, arrogant, etc), I realised that they are actually great people to make friends with, friendly and 247 foodies (they like to eat more than anything else!). There is only a very small group who is really arrogant and does not recognise foreigners in their society. Eventually they still have to accept the fact that Singapore is made up of half Singaporeans and half foreigners (westerners, Malaysians, Chinas, Filipinos, Indonesians, etc). Yeah, talking about angmohs (as in westerners), Singapore is definitely a good place to find an angmoh boyfriend :) hehe! Honestly this is another reason why I love Singapore too! :) (don’t laugh!)

For me, Singapore is definitely not only a good place to earn money, it’s also a great place to find better friends, working partners (and perhaps a promising relationship) … The country is also a more happening than in Malaysia … There are so much events going from time to time, just the matter of whether u have the time to participate in all those activities. They may not be all parties or food fairs; they can be useful activities such as free halth screening, blood donation or certain campaigns.

Someone actually asked me how come I look so much better after I moved to Singapore. Well, there is no secret or anything, I just want to look good for myself and also so that people will think I’m a Singaporean :) hehe! (Women among Singaporeans are mostly beauty experts, even old aunties in their 50’s look like just 40 years old - no kidding!) Indeed, most people think I’m a Singaporean, not until I tell them. 

Anyway, I’m just happy to be a SPR for the past one year :) Hope the following year will be way better! Cheers!

12
Jun

It’s finally over … under God’s grace

By princessfilan 0 Comments
Categories: Weblogs

Hi! How have you been doing?

It’s been a long time since my last update. I have been very very busy since mid May. That was when I undertook two freelance jobs at one time in Singapore - one has to be completed within a month’s time, the other within 2 months’ time. Call me greedy, but the sake of survival during this economy downturn, I had to do this no matter how tough it would be. I couldn’t just sit there and wait for someone to call me to go for an interview (at one peak of the time, I felt I was so priceless, unworthy, etc). Therefore, I decided that I wanted to do something while waiting. Some more the freelance job offers were quite attractive … I would be a fool if I rejected them!

All these actually started end of April 2009 when I was offered the post freelance editor by Healthy Times mag, which at first, I thought it was a full-time permanent post. I felt rather disappointed actually but anyway, I took up the assignment, but then I felt kinda guilty for holding my boss up coz I would still be looking for a full-time permanent job. She was very nice to me (to the least she gave me this opportunity to work in mag publishing and allow me to get a feel of it). But then, after two weeks’ time, I realised this was not what I wanted to do (probably it just clashed with my personality and that I do not possess that required creativity), so I told my boss. She started to look for someone else but was nice enough to let me stay for another 2 weeks’ time to help her out with the articles. I managed to write quite a number of them and if there was no changes to the initial plan, my articles will appear in the upcoming issue 39 of Healthy Times mag in July 2009. It was in Healthy Times that I started to gain back my confidence, bit by bit, partly coz I have met two very nice persons there - one was my boss, the other was the administrator. I really appreciate them for being nice to me and helping me to go through the toughest time in my life.

I continued to jobhunt and I went to numerous interviews (actually not a lot also as compared to when the time is still good). It was through these interviews that I got these two freelance jobs in mid May 2009. One was editing worksheets at Mad4Math (tuition centre), the other was editing challeenging Maths books at SAP (assessment book publisher). At the beginning of the days, I was like rushing between these two places every 4 hours in a day. I could feel the rising stress in me, partly due to the rushing up and down, also to meet the deadlines. After the start of June, I managed to plan so that I just have to stay and work at one place in a day. In fact, these two projects were currently still on-going - I need to finish them by end of June 2009. These two jobs were the reason why I was so busy but at the end of the day, I felt that I contributed something and I got to know more people. I wanna thank Hui Sing and Lee Mei for the great company when I was in SAP. Without you girls, I would sure be stressed to the max! :) I also wanna thank Chelsea (though I didn’t really get the chance to know you and meet you coz you were on maternity leave) - the article on your cubicle entitled ‘This Too Will Pass’ really inspired me to be strong during this period of time (someday I will put this article up in my blog). It was about teaching people how to face good and bad times, especially during this recession time. You know, actually I really hate it when people asked me this question, “Hey, how’s ur jobhunting?” ”Still looking” - that was my usual answer but actually deep in my heart, I was crying because somehow I made me feel so useless, just that I’m still strong enough to hide that tears away. Anyway, I know that people asked this because they concerned about me. So, no worries, it’s not a big deal…

You must be thinking why I want to make things so difficult for myself by taking up two jobs at a time. Why not just take a break while waiting for that job opportunity? Well, because I know that God is testing me. He has been testing me since early this year when everything just went haywired for me (if you have been catching up mu updates). A friend told me that these happened because God loves me. He gives all these challenges for me to learn and grow. At first I found this hard to be accepted, but after sometime, I knew that what my friend said was true. Thanks, Lindsay, for this great reminder! Because I trust in this, I show God the determination in me. I believe my determination will not only help to build back the tough Alice but will only help me to be a better person. Another friend said all these were not retributions, but I would srill believe these were partly retributions.

Whatever retributions they were, I guess God has announced the winner. My determination and perseverance were not wasted because I have finally got a job offer! I will be reporting my first day at work on 2 July 2009 with JustEducation. It’s a tuition centre but they are not having one but 25 branches throughout Singapore! They are currently expanding in Malaysia as well. I tell you, I would never forget the interview with them - a massive 4 hours, mind you! I have never been to an interview that took so long of the time. I spent 1 and a half hours on filling up some forms, IQ test, EQ test, personality test as well as solving some academic questions. Then, talked for 2 and a half hours with the interviewers but the good thing was that they were so friendly, especially the CEO (it wasn’t like an interview at all!). They shared with me about the company and stuffs. I actually didn’t dare to put much hope on this job as I believed I would definitely get a zero for the IQ test! Hehe! But anyway, I’m glad that God has answered my prayer by giving me this opportunity. As an Education Operations Executive, I will have the chance to be involved in teaching and operations work apart from being a book editor. Teaching has been something that I wish to get involved in because education is a very firm industry in Singapore, which is less likely to be affected by economy downturn, of coz provided that the company’s business is good.

I remembered someone told me when I was still all upset over the retrenchment. He said, “Sometimes a change may not be a bad thing, it may possibly bring you something fruitful.” Well, what he said seemed true and I’m really thankful to this person who have shared with me so much. His words and advice were more than useful to me (sorry, I can’t reveal who’s dat at the mo but confirm not my ex or potential bf … so dun think any further yeah … he’s more like a teacher, brother and perhaps father).

I also want to thank all my friends who have been there for me during the toughest time in my life, particularly Chee Ling, Lindsay Lim, Lee Mei, Hui Sing, Vivian Lim, Muneerah and Hidayah. I’m sorry if I say or done something wrong to anyone of you because at one point of the time, I was really depressed. But I’m glad that things are finally over now. I guess the recession is not also affecting me but also everyone. So for those of you who is lucky enough to have a job at the moment, please treasure what you have now. Stop those complains because you will never now if you will be the next. The job market is so cold at the moment and it’s not easy to compete with so many jobseekers. If you are an experienced executive who is jobless now and wish to find a job in Singapore, you need to give yourself an average of 6 months for the jobhunting (serious, no kidding!), that is if you are a Singaporean or Singapore PR.

From this moment on, my vision is to forget the past and look for a brighter tomorrow. Since God has given me the path, I must treasure this and make the best out of it. I’ve learnt the greatest lesson from this and I will not let the same thing repeats again in my life. Same to you - please be positive during this bad times.

02
May

Going Mad! (Between disappointment and appreciation)

By princessfilan 0 Comments
Categories: Weblogs

Feeling so disappointed when I knew that I didn’t make it to Pearson Singapore, I went mad! I couldn’t think of a reason why when the interview was going on so well. Perhaps my English was not good enough for them.

I kept thinking and thinking. Was it because I told others too early? Was it because I was over-confident? These led me to decide one thing - I’m not going to tell others anything until I get the job. So my dear friend, this will be the last update from me. I’m so sorry, it’s not that I don’t want to tell or being superstitious, but I really don’t wish to feel this kind of disappointment again. Hope you understand.

I’m actually working now, but on freelance basis, editor for Healthy Times magazine. So far so good and I did manage to learn quite a number of new skills especially in creative writing. I never thought I was given a chance to do this. The job is far more challenging than doing assessment books coz there are a lot that I need to plan and research (not forgetting the writing part which is the most challenging part of the job coz it involves a lot of creativity). Some more the content is on health (hey, I’m not a doctor and I had to write something on vasectomy!) … anyway I managed to write and I’m glad to know that I can do it! :) Honestly, I’m really thankful to the boss for the chance and Lilian SIm for the friendship … and actually I really hope I can work for long term here but I just can’t survive with freelance alone, which is why I’m still looking for a permanent post.

Hope things will turn out better for me soon. But I will definitely miss Healthy Times if I’m really fated to go somewhere else.

25
Apr

28th birthday celebration: Part II

By princessfilan 0 Comments
Categories: Weblogs

I am so thankful to all who had made 22 April 2009 a special day for me. Not mainly because it was my birthday, but it was more than just a joy for me when I’ve finally cleared up that stupid misunderstanding with my best friend.

If you have sent me a birthday greeting via sms, Facebook or Friendster, thank you very much. You really made me feel remembered, which I feel that I’ve somehow long lost … Not sure why, maybe because of the bad experience and I had started to feel that loyalty is not what everyone looks for in a friendship (therefore, they no longer care of when is my birthday). Well, I’m glad you do your part and I am very happy to know that you care. Thanks again to you!:)

I’m also happy because I’ve finally gained back my confidence after started working part-time for Healthy Times mag last week. Now I’m still waiting for the result and if it really turns out to be what I’m hoping for, I will let you know the story. Stay tune, yeah! :) I guess the confidence appears naturally because it’s like me going back to the working life again (tho’ it’s a part-time as I’m still looking for a full-time one). The best person I met in the Healthy Times office is Lilian Sim, the administrator. I started to like her on the first day of my part-time job. She is very down-to-earth and friendly, yet ambitious - a good career woman model I would say. She’s actually in her 40’s but she’s not like those aunty … There are so much that she can share and it’s just fun talking to her! :) Really thank her for the company and everything :)
My 28th birthday certainly had something to do with all these … and yeah, it was certainly a great one for me!

19
Apr

28th Birthday Celebration

By princessfilan 0 Comments
Categories: Weblogs

A big thank you to you if you have spent time celebrating my birthday in advance … and especially YOU, my good friend (Lee Mei), who also brought me a birthday cake … It was really a memorable one at Axtivo on 18 April 2009 … :)Thank you very much, I really appreciate that… Also all the nice bithday gifts (THANK YOU PEOPLE!)

I never ever dare to dream that I will have a birthday celebration this year because of what happened lately … But I’m so thankful I could still celebrate it with my good friends, who never fail to remember my birthday! :) For those who have promised to celebrate later, yeah, I will be looking forward for that (yay!) Really thank you for remembering me …. your thoughts really made my day!

For those of you who forgets, well, i dunno what to say to you all … But I really dun mind it …

Just wanna wish myself a Happy Birthday … Stay pretty, positive and strong always! :) and must also love myself more than anyone else :)

13
Apr

What friends are for?

By princessfilan 0 Comments
Categories: Weblogs

It was such a disappointment!

The only thing that always make me feel so much of disappointment is when a close friend fails to understand me and in return accuse me for betraying/doing something that I will never possibly do (if you really know me well enough). Worst of all, the person starts talking behind you, influencing everyone who also knows me, thinking that I have really done all those bitchy things! What the heck!

Honestly, I don’t mind if people talking about me at the back … I don’t give it a darm! Whatever they want to say, it’s beyond my control since my world is always democratic and I don’t mind if I am kept in darkness about all these. But what they talk and they still want you to know that they talk and spread these to others. And the person who is doing all these is the one you always regard as a good friend (at least an understanding friend). Wouldn’t it be hurtful? Where is the respect by the way?

Nah, I know I’m not somekind of princess or what and of coz you can choose not to respect me in any way. But why should all these be created? If you are really unhappy anout me, you can just tell me straight that you are disatisfied and expect something better from me. I can certainly understand it if you have talked to me rather than making numerous assumptions, right at the back. What for?? Is this what a friend is for? For backstab? Or something for an interesting object/fun topic to discuss or whatever? I tell you, I don’t give it a darm!

For me, a friend (especially close one) is supposed to be someone supportive. I’m not saying that you must agree to everything that I say or suggest. You have the right to correct me, but if I’ve already apologised for whatever mistakes that I have done and you said that it’s ok, I will assume that you understand and have accepted my apology. What’s the point accepting my apology but start talking behind my back?? Is this what a friend is for? This is really ridiculous!

As you are reading this, I hope you can feel the pain in my heart. Not because you have betray my feelings, but you have killed the trust that I have on you as a good friend. I am really really upset because I never thought you would do this to me.

To others who read this, feel free to share your thoughts with me coz I really want to know whether me or her is wrong. Maybe I shouldn’t be trusting anyone from now on … I have already had enough!

18
Mar

Only God knows why …

By princessfilan 0 Comments
Categories: Weblogs

I was so regret … regret of trusting my boss too much! I ever thought he would betray me in such a way … but after all he didn’t have a choice since business is really bad … And now I have to find a new job (sigh!)

Perhaps this is also a retribution to me for hating my ex … and hating some of my friends … God has always ask us to just forgive and forget … But the devil side of me has really brought me trouble this time … I was really speechless … Deep inside, i know that God is trying to make things more difficult to me so that I can learn to overcome these with a peaceful mind instead … I kow I definitely can’t fight the God … yes, no doubt that I’ve defeated …

I’ve seek forgiveness from the person I hated the most recently - who else but my ex … Surprisingly he had never hated me for my bad behaviour … and we have become friends once again because of his understanding and forgiveness, which has really given me a peace of mind to face this challenge in front of me … It’s not that I’m scared that God will punish me further if I didn’t do this … Well, I can always choose to commit suicide, but I didn’t coz I know I’ve really defeated … I cannot be so selfish to leave everything behind for my siblings to settle … Instead I’ve to admit my mistakes and now the only thing that I can do is face all these bravely and positively … and consequently learn from this mistake …

In case you are wondering, I’ve deleted all the posts that I’ve written in this year … Those were nothing but craps (full of moans of dissatisfaction) … I couldn’t keep them aymore … I want a new start for year 2009 for now … the only thing that I really regret is trusting my previous boss too much …

I will defiitely try my best to build a better start … I want to show my previous boss that he had made a great mistake ad that I can survive better without him …

For all my friends who care, thanks so much! I know some of you have stayed rather late at night to talk to me on MSN …. I really appreciate that … and I’m thankful for all your forgiveness … true from my heart.

Do wish me all the best! :)

19
Dec

Some Reflections on Year 2008

By princessfilan 0 Comments
Categories: Weblogs

In a blink of an eye, 2008 is ending soon … For me, I will really miss 2008 a lot coz so many wonderful things happened throughout this year. How about you?

Reflecting back early of the days in 2008, I remembered I was in a great struggle in my first job in Singapore (well, the company I’m talking about here is EPH of coz) … That was the worst company I’ve ever been to … well, things just not right there - with the Management and everything! at a point that I almost gave up my life (seriously I did!) but somehow I didn’t coz then I realised that I had a great bunch of colleagues there who actually treasured me like jia mei and good friends… Thank you very much for saving me and you guys were the ones I missed a lot whenever I thought about EPH..

Moving on, shortly after that, I came to know my current boss … I’m very happy that he had came to my rescue when I told him that I really couldn’t make myself stay in EPH anymore… and I’m more than happy working with him now… though it’s not a big company … at least I’m treasured like a gem here and my new colleagues are nice to me too …

I never ever thought that after 27 years living on the Earth, my 27th birthday gift was the greatest I ever got from the God … I’m so relief I didn’t give up my life, otherwise I wouldnt have the chance to receive ‘this gift’ from God … It made me realised that God is actually fair to everyone, including to me … This happiness is undescribable and only the both of us can feel it :) Thank you very much for appearing in my life and for everything that you have done for me … I pray hard that we’ll always be the two in a million :)
Just a word to describe 2008 - FANTASTIC! and I will always miss 2008 …

Have a great year ahead everyone and Happy New Year!:)

01
Nov

Singapore and I: The First Year Anniversary

By princessfilan 1 Comment
Categories: Life and Weblogs

1 Oct 2008 was my 1st year anniversary working and staying in Singapore … So far so good, I love the place more than Malaysia (sorry to say that) … But I still miss home and my car, so I will go back to JB on the weekends though :)
A big thank you to all my friends in Singapore - you people had made a big difference in my life here in Singapore … I truly think that Singaporeans make really good friends (they are friendly and easy-to-get-along-with) and somehow, I dun think the ‘kiasuness’ anyhow scared me or pressurised me … In fact, I think that the challenging working life teaches and trains everyone to be more positive and stronger … This is the spirit that I can see in the people here … Even walking also faster, at least I won’t be labelled as a freak here (walking so fast for wat?!) … Well, time is money after all :)
I also love the food here … Honestly, I have no idea what food is nice in JB though I have been staying there for almost 15 years! Yeah, seriously, I think JB’s food is the worst in the whole world! Well, in Singapore is different … There are nice buffet, Western food, Japanese food, etc (except Malay food … well, I’m tired of Malay food!) … and I like the ambience in the restaurants here … not forgetting the service is a lot more better! (Dun ever compare that with the lousy service in Pizza Hut Jusco Seri Kembangan/Pizza Hut Alamanda Putrajaya)

Talking about the customer service in Singapore, you will never ever experience things like being scolded by a bank officer for no reasons … The bank officers here, in fact, are polite and put the customers in the first priority … (Dun ever compare this with the bank officers in Maybank Cyberjaya - that’s the worst service ever in this whole world … Darm it!)

Another thing that really impressed me is the great public transport service … The trains (as in the MRT) are fast and efficient, though no doubt it’s still fully cramped with people during peak hours … after all, it’s still a lot better than the LRT in Malaysia (MRT got good air ventilation and conditioned … you wil definitely won’t be sweating by the time you alight from the train)…

Most of all, the peace and safety … this is the no. 1 factor that have attracted many people to settle down their lives in this country … and I’m glad I’m part of them too! :)
Just that the house rent and utility bills are darm high here … and the boss is too demanding … anyway, I’m glad my current boss is also a friend of mine; so I’m temporarily ok … :)
Well, whatever it is, life in Singapore is not that bad after all … Life is not like a bed of roses, but at least life in Singapore can definitely be described as a bed of lily :) If not because of Singapore, I wouldn’t have met so many wonderful people in my life :)

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