Lunar New Year

The last 3 days was chinese new year holidays. By and large, I am happy to have a chance to catch up with cousins and relatives. Had lots of laughters and interesting insights to certain things.

The new year would have been more fun and relaxing if I did not have to study for finance test on coming Thursday (which almost drives me up the wall) and coughing away. The cough is for sure a stubborn one - i have been coughing for 2 weeks already and disrupting my sleep (my fav thing to do during PH... what's a spoilsport).

Recently, I am also pretty bothered by career change decision. All available opportunities have their pros and cons. It is difficult to reach a decison, but i know i have to do so soon. It has been a month, time to make a choice.

I think i need to remind myself something again - I am just a small human being on this earth, and my troubles are even smaller. So don't be bothered by troubles.

Give myself a break, don't always push myself so hard.

Let the new lunar new year be a totally fresh and relaxing new year for myself ! :)

Speedy recovery, Mum

Mum is not well. Her blood pressure is high and creatinine level is higher than the acceptable level. I am worried.

From today onwards, all of us will make sure that she eats correctly, exercising regularly and don't make her angry. But I am not sure if she should be starting the medication. Will check that out tomorrow.

I 'm not sure if i am paranoid just because i am working in a hospital.
But it is really not the same when your loved one is not well....

Mum has worked hard all her life to bring up sister and myself.
This is a time that she can finally relax her pace of life, and just enjoy herself.

I will try my best to make sure that my mum gets the best appropriate treatment, so that her condition reverts to the normal parameters.

(Sis, thanks a lot for rushing to get the report despite your busy schedule. From now onwards, our dear mum will be under our 'nagging')

Speedy recovery, mum. Your daughters and papa will always be there for you.

Haven't had time to write my blog for a while... Life has been pretty hectic with work and school work.

Studying organisation behaviour this semester.
It is an interesting subject when you are in lecture, tutorial... but when it comes to assignment...haha... it is not easy! Hee, am sure my classmates will agree with me.

I am writing this blog now, partly because i have no more brain power to continue writing.... :p

Glad that it is weekend finally. Got to do a fair bit of domestic admin this weekend and of course cny spring cleaning.... (i am not even thinking of going shopping cos' i know it is not possible for sure.... u will know what i mean if you look at my calendar.... )

Anyway, hope i can catch some good sleep this weekend. *yawn*

Be Thankful

BE THANKFUL
By Author Unknown

Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire.
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?

Be thankful when you don't know something, for it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times. During those times you grow.

Be thankful for your limitations, because they give you opportunities for improvement.

Be thankful for each new challenge, because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes. They will teach you valuable lessons.

Be thankful when you're tired and weary, because it means you've made a difference.

It's easy to be thankful for the good things. A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are also thankful for the setbacks.

Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive. Find a way to be thankful for your troubles, and they can become your blessings.

Yea! I am finally done with my econ exam today!
Hardly got time to study, had only a few days of intense revision before exams.
But it was good! I like econs.
Perhaps i should have majored in economics back in university, and perhaps i may be an economist now :p

The most important thing now is that I will have a good break before next semester starts in early Jan 07 :)


Photo shows the pink flowers of my favourite butterfly plant.

Cheers.

Water water everywhere

Read from an article just now that water reflects our emotions.... water molecules will be nicer if they are showered with love and concern. Do you believe? I do.

Besides water, I feel that plants are also able to feel our emotions.

It's difficult to explain certain things in this interesting world.

Instead of pursing materialistic desires all the time, it is good to smell the roses, breathe in the fresh air, and reflect upon oneself periodically. Carry an abundance mindset, and have a big heart for others. You may just realise that plants around you are dancing graciously and perhaps water crystals are glittering! :-)

The deep blue sea

For the last couple of weeks, i have been really caught up with work and studies. While I thought that I could do more of my work this week, and perhaps to work on one of my assignments, nearly the whole week is swamped with work, and I was just too tired to do anything else after work.

I guess everyone needs a break, and I shan't be too difficult on myself.

Is it all worth it? Yes. The course is useful, and the challenges at work probably just helped me to be triple efficient... haha.

What's a wonderful world

It's been exactly a month since i wrote my blog.

Been busy but life has been very fulfulling. Gradually learning to take things easier in quite a lot of aspects.

On last wed, i bumped into a colleague's baby gal. She is 9 months old. A bit shy, very sweet and adorable... initially a bit scared of auntie lynette... but later when she stretched yourself from her mummy to indicate 'hug hug' ... so sweet! All of a sudden... all my tiredness went off with laughter and laughter :-)

On the very next day, i saw my 2 of my neighbours' kids - oh mine, time passes so fast. Think they are probably 4 years old now. It seems like i just saw them as baby yesterday.
Anyway, these 2 little boys reminded me of my childhood. They were so excited been able to 'run away' from parents to run downstair to buy sweets. One of them were pushing a bicycle, (which is about the same height as him), and i think the boy's weight is probably same as the bicycle too. He fell! Ouchs! This ouch is not from him, it's from me!! He is just so brave, the bad fell hurt his chest (quite painful i think) but he just gets on and move! Brillant!

Well, did u get some inspiration from my two 'kiddish' stories?
I shall keep it open ended :-)

Speedy recovery please...

I have not fallen so seriously sick for very long.
And this time round, i am really conquered by a seemingly mild cold on last fri...
It was so bad yesterday that i have to take the afternoon off yesterday to see a doctor, and a whole day off at home today.

It is a super lousy feeling to be down with running nose, sore throat and cough...
I feel so blur all day.
Exam next week, yet I cannot study fast.
There is outstanding work in office that I have timed in such that I can take 2 day off next week... but of course it has piled up now.
I am super frustrated... and angry with myself.

The school itself does not help in things.
Realised that there was a technical gitch up in my previous module registration, and yet the administrator just said that "well, you should have corrected it before the censor date, you may get a F grade now". What she said really aggravated my running nose..... when i thought i was recovering. I do not see why I should get a F grade for a module that does not exist in the singapore campus, and I didn't even paid for it. It appeared in the system, despite i have corrected it. So is this fault of mine?! I hope that the Australian school would be more understanding. I washed my hand for our local administrator. As a administrator, the fundamental role is to facilitate. Doubt my school administrator understood their fundamental role. Anyway, I have also learnt a precious lessson: check entries properly next time.

Exam is next week...
There is indeed quite a lot of readings, and they are pretty heavy reading i must say. Whatever it is, i try my best lah (not at the expense of health for sure... haha).

Anyway, wish myself a speedy recovery and good luck for next week's exam.

Cheers.

An 'eye-opener' experience at a photo studio

My family and myself decided to take our family photo recently.

We decided to choose a studio that is pretty well-known in Singapore... but it turns out to be quite a disappointing experience unfortunately. However, it is certainly an eye-opener...

While we were sitting down at the studio to think about which packages to take, we realised that their packages were very rigid and they were counted in a couple of hundreds mind you. Yet they said, "this is a very good discounted price". To be frank, we could probably get lower rates outside. All right, we decided to pursue with the photoshot at this studio (one family shot at 20R) since they have a longstanding brandname in Singapore and brand image for quality, good family and bridal shots. We trust that the quality would be top-notched.

During the photoshot, we had booked ourselves for the 11am photoshot, and there was nobody in line, yet the photographers were rushing through. Nevermind, maybe they were experienced photographers. During the photoshots, the photographers kept asking us to take individual photos. All right, we decided to take up their recommendations. This translated to a hefty amount of $550 (excluding GST) for a 24R family photo and 2 8R individual photo (with 6 3R photos developed for each photo selected).

After the photoshot, we were requested to pay up the full sum of $550 (this is something that i have never heard off - upfront payment without seeing the products). Well, their answer was "100% guaranteed". Fine, we paid up the full sum.

When photos were developed for selection, we were told that the rest of the photos which were not selected must be returned (hm, we paid for the photos, why should they be returned?). Well, not all the photos were well-taken as fine details were missed out. I was telling myself that this might be the reason why they requested for non-selected photos to be returned (so that their sloppy photo shots would be shown to others).

Anyway, we chose the 3 photos, and took for selection of frames today. Haha, this section is the 'best' experience in how to lure customers to pay more! They have requested for us to upgrade our 3R photos to 4R or 5R (this translates to $55 more for 4R)... and the next thing is to produce an album for $250 or $450 (which would include some of the sloppy photo shots). Why on earth do we want to upgrade to an album?? It does not make economical sense non logical sense (with all those sub-standard photos?). When my sis pointed out the sloppy work, the lady was very unhappy and did not even bother to find out more. This is certainly a classical example of poor customer service. The next 2 things that put me off was that we were not offered seats to select the frame and she was all ready to send us out (without any genuine thank you) right after we select our frames!

Oh, one last thing, the framing of photos needs at least 2 months (come on, who on earth will take such a long time in this techno age)

Well, maybe we are small customers to them, but this is certainly not the way to do business -poor customer service, trying their very best to get people to pay more when we have already decided on a package, and lack of genuine appreciation for their customers who have confidence in their brand name. They have managed to put me off successfully. We did not kick up any scene but they can be assured that this will be the last time they received our business, and their names will not appear in the list when friends ask us for recommendation.

I am not sure if I am over demanding being in the service industry. But i really feel that they have not even met the fundamental of customer service! And I am quite sure that they are allowing themselves to ruin their longstanding brandname if they persist in doing business in this non-professional way.

What's an eye opener experience? :)

Got a breather today... phew...

Got back my mid-term test result (results quite good but can be better), handed in my individual project, hospital audit is over today.

At 3pm today, i actually feel that the world had kind of slowed down... not quite used to it.
Have I been performing at gear 5, that's why not used to it when slowed down to gear 3?? Haha. Anway, it is good that i could have like a 2.5 hrs of breather this afternoon, just before i go off for my class...

Still got 2 more days to go to end the hectic week.
Jia you! jia you!

Cheers,
lynette

24 hours not enough lah

Have been super busy with work and study for these 3 weeks from preparing for mid-term test, rushing for assignments and of course to catch up with readings. 24 hour a day does not seem to be enough.

But at the end of the day, at least i know that i am learning something new...

My dad collected our family photos from the studio today.
Haa... my dear sister looks so pretty, especially in her NTU graduation gown and certificate.
Hmmm.. mine looks quite plain on the contrary.
But nevermind, it is good enough that the family photo looks good. This is the most important (and of course sis's photos second most important).

I look forward to putting on my Master course graduation gown soon!

Cheers.

Am i allergic to tiramisu or books?

I have started on my long awaited mba study about 2 weeks ago...

I think i must be mad to do part-time study... it is not easy to work and study at the same time... time has suddenly become so precious... and i really have to manage my time very well... and (haha!) obviously attempts have not been successful... i have lot of readings waiting for me... (partly because there are really lot of readings ok? )

I am so glad that i am doing my mba out of my interest only.... and don't really feel the stress...

However today is quite a flop.... had meant to finish lot of readings but i just could not study with heavy head, swollen eyes and feet today .... because i had some tiramisu last night. I know that i am allergic to alcohol... but i just want to try the cake and see whether i can tolerate it.... obviously the result is NOooooo.... :(

Anyway, the long and short of the story is that i am way behind my readings... how?!

Before i end this write-up, just wanna say that mba is really nothing... it is very common nowadays... and i like it only because it forces me to read... haha... except now that it is a bit too much to read...!

My trip to US and KL

In another couple of hours (15 hrs from now), I will be flying to Los Angeles and Las Vegas. I am very excited about the trip. I am looking forward to visit Disneyland, Universal Studio, Grand Canyon, the brightly lit Los Angeles in the night, the magical and grand casinos in Las Vegas, and of course the much applaused good buy at outlet mall.

For this trip, I must thank my Bro Lim for helping to plan the whole trip, from air tickets to itinerary. If not for him, I don't think I can manage both back to back trip at one go (I was in KL earlier for 3 days to give a talk at a medical conference). Thanks brother!

Ho ho ho... speaking about the KL trip... it is really a memorable trip. It is the first trip that I have travelled alone by myself! It was all so exciting to land up in the new KLIA (an impressive airport), and see for myself the spectacular Petronas Towers and KLCC. BUT forgetful me, forgot to bring my camera. So you know lah, how many photos can i possibly take with my 64MB SD card in my hp. Alamak rite??

The conference trip was really an eye opener. Besides the enriching talks and knowing more about the healthcare system of Malaysis, I met lot of people from CEOs, senior administrator, tour agent to even HR consultant!

All right, i better go sleep now.. before i have panda eyes tomorrow.
Shall fill you in with more details of my KL trip next time.

Anything to brighten up my day?

It is 3am in the morning now. My eyelids are heavy, body calling for a break, but why am i still up? I just want some time for myself.

Will be going away for next 3 weeks.. yet haven't done anything very much. Have been rushing my work. Tired.

If this kind of hectic lifestyle goes on non-stop, i think i will go nuts very soon...

Happy Mother Day

Coming 14th May is Mother Day. Sis and myself had a enjoyable day with mum at bugis junction today!

Three of us went to take neo print leh! It was most hilarious... first we took a long while combing all the machines for the best background. Finally we settled with one machine and inserted the $8 coins. And guess what, we were scruffling on how to pose at the next moment! Surprisingly we posed very well :)

We thought having to pose is the most difficult. But no lor, it was actually trying to touch up the photos that is the toughest. Simply because all the words and verbal instructions are all in japanese... my goodness... my sis and myself were trying to make sense of the whole thing lor.
Luckily the photos turned out to be very nice (even though without our desired background at all) :)

The 4 photos are now placed in each of our wallet - ie. dad, mum, sis and myself.
We told our dad "you can tell your friends that these 3 pretty ladies are my wife and daughters".. heehee

Mum, Happy Mother Day! You are the best Mum!

I am very happy !

Yoz! I am very happy today because my six sigma project is being shortlisted for an global award! Hee... and I will be going US for the result announcement in end June. You cannot imagine how upbeat I am now! I am lost for words, but deep down in my heart, i am really very touched... i finally see the fruits of my effort.

Will also be going to speak at a six sigma conference in KL, Malaysia in mid June.

I am looking forward so much to meeting all the six sigma practitioners from all over the world in these two meetings. I am sure I will learn a lot from the two forums. No doubt about it.

Aiyo... i am so excited that i cannot sleep now....

Bali - Simply fantastic!

Watching tv today brought back fond memories of Bali...
It was one of the most memorable trips that I had.
I went with my university classmates in 2003, and we went to ubud, kuta, jimbaran, and we stayed in nusa duwa.

Thinking of it makes me smile even though i had a tiring day :)

I need space, air and timeout

Work has been extremely demanding lately.
I cannot take it already.

I need SPACE, AIR and TIMEOUT!

i am feeling so suffocated. I want to cry it out but i just cannot cry it out.... this is worst than anything.
Let me breathe please....

What is the purpose of life?

This sounds like the beginning of a pressimistic write up.
But no la, it is not going to be the case.

I am the so called post 65 generation.

As I get older, this question of what is the purpose of life seems to pop up on my mind more often than not. Maybe it is because i have spent too much time in work. My work is rather heavy going as a senior executive in a hospital. A lot of concerned colleagues and friends are wondering how do i cope. Well, just do lor. As the youngest senior executive, i am probably paid the least and salary amount diluted with large number of hours that i have put in work.

But seriously, work is merely to provide food, shelter and maybe security (in terms of finances).
Why work so hard??

On the other hand, if one don't carve out a career in her 20s and 30s, one will really get no where when she is 40 or so, especially in this highly competitive city. And the worst part is to get rejected when one seeks out jobs enuthsiastically, and experienced the dejecting feelings. This is how mean this society can be.

I must confess that i do not know a lot of things, and i hope to read and travel more, but sometimes time and money are limiting factors.

Anyway, whatever it is, a person don't have many decades in this earthy world, breathing in the oxygen and consuming the earthy resources. Make good use of the time that i am being allocated - do good for others, treat myself better.

Don't complain anymore. Life itself is a irony at times. But live a life without regrets.