Met a Filipino couple on the bus. I knew they were Filipino cos' they were speaking Tagalog. I knew it was Tagalog cos' I heard my Filipino friends spoke before.
They were sitting behind me. And just before they were about to alight, the guy asked me,"aRe you Filipino?"
"Nope, I am Lao."
"SoRRy!SoRRy! I thought you weRe Filipino. You look like Filipino...Have a nice holiday."
Thursday, December 29, 2005
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
I almost got into trouble over cheap porn
I went to Chinatown yesterday. Nah I wasn't there to buy cheap porn CDs. I went there to take photos.
While I was happily snapping around, a guy stopped me.
A guy: Why are you taking photos?
Me: Just to keep for myself.
A guy: Just take! Show to the police! Let them catch us! You know, other sellers won't be very happy!I can't guarantee you something might happen to you. And please don't blame me for that. We're earning the living here!...
I did take photos of the place, but none of my photos shows any one of porn-VCD shops. I walked away and the guy was still mumbling.
The rest of the day, I just tried to stay in the crowd. Just in case, the guy sent someone to hurt me. You never know. Some say Thais are the most friendliest people on earth. But I say they are also easily provoked. When they are angry, they can do unthinkable things. It's pretty scary.
Lesson learnt: be sensitive when shooting photos. Ask if not sure.
FYI, at Chinatown, there is a small lane on Chareunkrung Road selling pirated VCDs and DVDs of all kinds of movies, from Chicken Little to Deep Throat. Sellers shout"Porn! Porn! This way! This way! Newest VCDs! Japanese, Farang, Thai...Cum! Cum!" They are not shy about it and not even trying to be a little bit subtle or discreet. If you have been to JB, you know how the sellers there try to sell porn VCDs. But here at Chinatown, the sellers just put the stuff on display on a walkway. Everywhere you turn, there porn VCDs! And 2 VCDs for B100. This is overwhelming!
Oh there are police patrolling around that area. I am sure they know what's happening on the street. The porn-selling guy shouldn't have been mad at me at all.
While I was happily snapping around, a guy stopped me.
A guy: Why are you taking photos?
Me: Just to keep for myself.
A guy: Just take! Show to the police! Let them catch us! You know, other sellers won't be very happy!I can't guarantee you something might happen to you. And please don't blame me for that. We're earning the living here!...
I did take photos of the place, but none of my photos shows any one of porn-VCD shops. I walked away and the guy was still mumbling.
The rest of the day, I just tried to stay in the crowd. Just in case, the guy sent someone to hurt me. You never know. Some say Thais are the most friendliest people on earth. But I say they are also easily provoked. When they are angry, they can do unthinkable things. It's pretty scary.
Lesson learnt: be sensitive when shooting photos. Ask if not sure.
FYI, at Chinatown, there is a small lane on Chareunkrung Road selling pirated VCDs and DVDs of all kinds of movies, from Chicken Little to Deep Throat. Sellers shout"Porn! Porn! This way! This way! Newest VCDs! Japanese, Farang, Thai...Cum! Cum!" They are not shy about it and not even trying to be a little bit subtle or discreet. If you have been to JB, you know how the sellers there try to sell porn VCDs. But here at Chinatown, the sellers just put the stuff on display on a walkway. Everywhere you turn, there porn VCDs! And 2 VCDs for B100. This is overwhelming!
Oh there are police patrolling around that area. I am sure they know what's happening on the street. The porn-selling guy shouldn't have been mad at me at all.
Monday, December 26, 2005
Swaddee Bangkok
I can speak Thai and I'm proud of it. So when I visit Thailand, I speak it whenever I have a chance, with Thai people, of course.
On Thai Airway
Thai Flight Attendant: What would you like to drink, sir?
Me:(try to impress) Kho Coke Krup(in Thai, let me have Coke)
TFA:Coke, is it?(English)
Me: Khob Khoun Krup(still try)
TFA: You're welcome.
At Khao San Road's street noodle stall
Me:(after finished eating) Thao Rai Krup?(in Thai, how much)
Thai lady:Four-ty Baht(English,You Thai?
Me: Phome Khone Thai Krup(Thai, I am Thai).
Thai lady: Ao Neuk Wa Khone Khamen(oh I thought you were Cambodian).
Oops.
Still on Khao San Road
I was looking for a place to stay and asking guesthouses around. All seemed to be fully booked. I am not sure if that was really a case. The guesthouses don't accept locals. They might just say the rooms were full because they thought I was Thai. So I tried to speak English. After my second try, I got a room.
Now at Khao San Road, I speak English first, then Thai, and follow by Lao. Hey there are lots of Lao people here. There happens to be one Lao at the guesthouse I am staying now.
Like me who like to show of that I can speak Thai, locals like to speak English whenever they have a chance.
How ironic, Thai try to speak English with me. While foreigners speak Thai with me. The bad news is foreigners also tend to ask for direction from me because they think I am a local.
Today I went to King Palace, one Farang asked me where the toilet was and thanked me in Thai later.
Being able to speak Thai and looking like one has an advantage here in Bangkok. Admission to King Palace for foreigners is 250B(about S$10 plus). It's free for Thai. And I can enter without fee. All I need to do is walking straight to "For Thai tourists" Gate. And if the guard asks me, I just say a word or two in Thai. Problem solved.
And local people won't chase after me and beg me to buy things from them. I think foreigners are annoyed by this practice. No one has ever tried to chase after me, except when I take pictures and they want to see what has been captured. Other than that, they just ignore me. I am like one of them.
I fall in love with this place already. I can switch my personas as I like, be it Farang, Thai,Lao-Isan(those who live in Northern East who speak the same language as Lao), Southern Thai(Thai people in South who look like Malay), Khamen(Cambodian), Lao.
Khob Khoun Very much!
On Thai Airway
Thai Flight Attendant: What would you like to drink, sir?
Me:(try to impress) Kho Coke Krup(in Thai, let me have Coke)
TFA:Coke, is it?(English)
Me: Khob Khoun Krup(still try)
TFA: You're welcome.
At Khao San Road's street noodle stall
Me:(after finished eating) Thao Rai Krup?(in Thai, how much)
Thai lady:Four-ty Baht(English,You Thai?
Me: Phome Khone Thai Krup(Thai, I am Thai).
Thai lady: Ao Neuk Wa Khone Khamen(oh I thought you were Cambodian).
Oops.
Still on Khao San Road
I was looking for a place to stay and asking guesthouses around. All seemed to be fully booked. I am not sure if that was really a case. The guesthouses don't accept locals. They might just say the rooms were full because they thought I was Thai. So I tried to speak English. After my second try, I got a room.
Now at Khao San Road, I speak English first, then Thai, and follow by Lao. Hey there are lots of Lao people here. There happens to be one Lao at the guesthouse I am staying now.
Like me who like to show of that I can speak Thai, locals like to speak English whenever they have a chance.
How ironic, Thai try to speak English with me. While foreigners speak Thai with me. The bad news is foreigners also tend to ask for direction from me because they think I am a local.
Today I went to King Palace, one Farang asked me where the toilet was and thanked me in Thai later.
Being able to speak Thai and looking like one has an advantage here in Bangkok. Admission to King Palace for foreigners is 250B(about S$10 plus). It's free for Thai. And I can enter without fee. All I need to do is walking straight to "For Thai tourists" Gate. And if the guard asks me, I just say a word or two in Thai. Problem solved.
And local people won't chase after me and beg me to buy things from them. I think foreigners are annoyed by this practice. No one has ever tried to chase after me, except when I take pictures and they want to see what has been captured. Other than that, they just ignore me. I am like one of them.
I fall in love with this place already. I can switch my personas as I like, be it Farang, Thai,Lao-Isan(those who live in Northern East who speak the same language as Lao), Southern Thai(Thai people in South who look like Malay), Khamen(Cambodian), Lao.
Khob Khoun Very much!
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
Friday, December 09, 2005
I love you so much. I have to kill you.
"The greatest creation is the life you lead." From Tarnation
"If you can't cry, speak. If you can't speak, smile. If you can't smile, just keep quiet then." From A very Long Engagement
"When two people know each other too well, it's time they broke up." From Lan Yu
(Lisa to Matt in the kitchen) "Faster" From 9 Songs
"If you can't cry, speak. If you can't speak, smile. If you can't smile, just keep quiet then." From A very Long Engagement
"When two people know each other too well, it's time they broke up." From Lan Yu
(Lisa to Matt in the kitchen) "Faster" From 9 Songs
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
I won't quit.
I'm just tired.
You are right. Things will only get better for me. I just need to work hard and be patient a little bit more.
You are right. Things will only get better for me. I just need to work hard and be patient a little bit more.
Thursday, August 25, 2005
I don't wanna die of starvation
Still have to work at the cafe for the time being. Just realized that the amount of money I would get from my Telemarketing job couldn't cover my rental fee. I worked for 3 weeks but earned lesser than S$300? Fuck! someone's cheating me! Should have kept my time-sheet. Shit!
Went to a Thai market twice this week. What was I doing here again?
Boss just told me about a couple who just checked in this afternoon,"You know why they look so tired? Hehehe they've been doing IT since this afternoon.Hehehe..." "Which room are they staying?" I asked.
At Embassy. was told not to work too hard. Funny boss and friendly colleagues I work with. Stayed late in the office for the past few days, but no complaint so far.
Before 52 kg. Now 49 kg! Really have to eat breakfast and dinner from now on.
Work hard and won't be starving. Cheers!
Went to a Thai market twice this week. What was I doing here again?
Boss just told me about a couple who just checked in this afternoon,"You know why they look so tired? Hehehe they've been doing IT since this afternoon.Hehehe..." "Which room are they staying?" I asked.
At Embassy. was told not to work too hard. Funny boss and friendly colleagues I work with. Stayed late in the office for the past few days, but no complaint so far.
Before 52 kg. Now 49 kg! Really have to eat breakfast and dinner from now on.
Work hard and won't be starving. Cheers!
Friday, August 19, 2005
If you work like a slave, you will earn like a slave too.
Met Kelvin for lunch. You know CS Kelvin? Nice and helpful guy. We talked a lot today more than we did during 4 years in school.
CS updated: Mag got married!
Went to MediaCorp to collect a jacket and pants for Gurmit Singh for a Sunday shoot.
Bombarded with Heart-Lander promo video(MUST-SEE TUESDAY) while taking bus to and fro work. So very annoying.
Got a new kid at the cafe. I have to train her. She works a full-time as a sale lady at Cityhall by day and works part-time at a cafe by night. She stays at Bedok. Just FYI.
Haven't told my boss about me wanting to stop working. Still don't know how to start. Stupid me.
Looking forward to this Sunday gathering.
CS updated: Mag got married!
Went to MediaCorp to collect a jacket and pants for Gurmit Singh for a Sunday shoot.
Bombarded with Heart-Lander promo video(MUST-SEE TUESDAY) while taking bus to and fro work. So very annoying.
Got a new kid at the cafe. I have to train her. She works a full-time as a sale lady at Cityhall by day and works part-time at a cafe by night. She stays at Bedok. Just FYI.
Haven't told my boss about me wanting to stop working. Still don't know how to start. Stupid me.
Looking forward to this Sunday gathering.
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
a video editor by day, a cafe boy by night...
I am on probation. Started working today at Embassy Production as a video editor. Holland Village!
Dragged myself to Bugis for a cafe job from Holland Village. Was late for work for the first time since started few months ago.
Was asked by an Embassy boss to stop any part-time job and just focus on video editing. Problem is how am I gonna tell my cafe boss? Been lying to her, to be honest. Told her few weeks ago that I got a full-time job at Bugis as a telemarketer; I was hoping that I could stop working at her cafe. She gave me night shift work instead. It wasn't bad when two part-time jobs were near to each other; I could just walk from a telemarketing company to the cafe. Now I've been offered a real full-time job at Holland Village. How am I gonna tell(lie to) her? One crew just left the cafe today for his NS. Another one is sitting for her exams this week. She's gonna kill me if I tell her that I wanna quit now.
Was upset with my CD player last night. It can't play my pirated-Thai CD anymore.
Haven't talked much to anyone I know this past week. Messaging doesn't count.
Gonna try to sleep early tonight. Gonna have hard time getting up early for a new work. *sigh*
Dragged myself to Bugis for a cafe job from Holland Village. Was late for work for the first time since started few months ago.
Was asked by an Embassy boss to stop any part-time job and just focus on video editing. Problem is how am I gonna tell my cafe boss? Been lying to her, to be honest. Told her few weeks ago that I got a full-time job at Bugis as a telemarketer; I was hoping that I could stop working at her cafe. She gave me night shift work instead. It wasn't bad when two part-time jobs were near to each other; I could just walk from a telemarketing company to the cafe. Now I've been offered a real full-time job at Holland Village. How am I gonna tell(lie to) her? One crew just left the cafe today for his NS. Another one is sitting for her exams this week. She's gonna kill me if I tell her that I wanna quit now.
Was upset with my CD player last night. It can't play my pirated-Thai CD anymore.
Haven't talked much to anyone I know this past week. Messaging doesn't count.
Gonna try to sleep early tonight. Gonna have hard time getting up early for a new work. *sigh*
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
Talk to me nicely and I will kiss your ass.
I don't mind over-working and being under-paid as long as I enjoy the work. I am not shy to say I am hard-working and responsible. But please don't shout at me or use FUCK-FUCKING-FUCKER words when talking to me. Tell me nicely and I'll even kiss your ass.
Sunday, August 14, 2005
Just another day in Singapore
Got my weekly pay and went to Golden Mile Tower to watch The Wayward Cloud. Just wanted to treat myself after a long week work. Was asked if 21 yet when showed the pass. Felt disappointed a bit after the show. Walked out from the theatre last; didnt wanna be perceived as a pervert. Would feel like a film buff though if watch it at the Orchard Cineleisure.
Had a nice dinner at Thai market. Will do this often after work. Bought few CDs and books. Guilty a bit.
Housemate just got back with his girlfriend. Pesistance works wonder this time. Happy for them. Jealous though.
Got my old washing machine replaced. Tried out but later learnt after washed that I had left my tissue in one of my pants. White tissue was all over my cloths. Oh crap.
Had a nice dinner at Thai market. Will do this often after work. Bought few CDs and books. Guilty a bit.
Housemate just got back with his girlfriend. Pesistance works wonder this time. Happy for them. Jealous though.
Got my old washing machine replaced. Tried out but later learnt after washed that I had left my tissue in one of my pants. White tissue was all over my cloths. Oh crap.
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
Happy National Day
Slept more than 12 hours and woke up with no news from two interviews I went to last week.
Turned on TV and National Day song being played again.
Wanted to do laundry but a washing machine didnt work. So had to wash by hand.
Housemate just broke up with girlfriend.
Went to a gathering in NUS. Friends still made fun of my singlehood and kept asking if I was gay.
On the way home, cafe boss called to scold me for breaking a cup the other day. Worse, the phone died while she hadn't finished lecturing.
God Bless Singapore.
Turned on TV and National Day song being played again.
Wanted to do laundry but a washing machine didnt work. So had to wash by hand.
Housemate just broke up with girlfriend.
Went to a gathering in NUS. Friends still made fun of my singlehood and kept asking if I was gay.
On the way home, cafe boss called to scold me for breaking a cup the other day. Worse, the phone died while she hadn't finished lecturing.
God Bless Singapore.
Sunday, August 07, 2005
Sometimes love and sex ain't enough in relationship...
I did everything just to be with you.
I would do anything just to please you.
I will do anything just to please and be with you.
But you said you were not mine to possess.
You said I was too jealous, and you were tired of it.
So we broke up.
I would do anything just to please you.
I will do anything just to please and be with you.
But you said you were not mine to possess.
You said I was too jealous, and you were tired of it.
So we broke up.
Thursday, August 04, 2005
At Call Center
Case #01
There is a lady with heavy make-up and a heavy American accent who also speaks the loudest of them all in the company I've been working at; when she doesn't answer the phone, she talks about her so-cool-boyfriend. When her friends have a chance to say somthing, her comment is always "THAT'S HOT!"
But that is not an annoying part. The annoying one comes when she answers the phone.
"Goodmorning!Thank you for calling; this is Rachel, how can I help you?......Have a great day, Mam! Bai Bye!" She puts down the phone and turns to her friend, "She's such a bitch! You know, she kept asking the same questions, very annoying!" Then the phone rings.
"Goodmorning! Thank you for calling, this is Rachel,how can I help you?....."
THAT'S HOT!
Case #02
Another lady sitting behind me picks up the phone:
"(With an American accent)Goodmorning! Thank you for calling. This is Joyce. How can I help you?(Pauses a bit, then replies with a heavy Singaporean accent)Like that hah? Is it?...OK we got free gift for you. You can collect your free gift next week because our free gifts are out of stock this week..."
Sometimes I wanna shout,"OK I got it! Stop your free gift already."
Case #03
There is also a Lao guy who can speak Thai, or so he claims, working under the same company as two forementioned ladies. He rehearses saying a Thai name before making every single call.
Lao guy:"(In Thai)Sawaddee Krab! May I speak to Khun Chanthana(he pronounces it as SHANthana), please?"
The other end:"It's Chanthanna(she corrects her name. CHAN should be pronounced as JAN not SHAN)Ka!
SHANthana is associated with a female-factory worker. All thanks to a popular song titled SHANTHANA. The song is about a girl named SHANTHANA who has to work in a factory for a living. Because its popularity, Thai people associate this name, SHANTHANA, with a lady who works in the factory. CHANTHANA, on the other hand, is a name for more high-class people.
The other end:"(continues)May I know which part of Thailand are you from? You don't seem to speak Thai clearly."
Lao guy:"I'm not Thai. I'm Singaporean but have been learning Thai for two years."
The other end:" Wow! Is that so? Your Thai is very good."
Lao guy: "Yeah.Well..."
There is a lady with heavy make-up and a heavy American accent who also speaks the loudest of them all in the company I've been working at; when she doesn't answer the phone, she talks about her so-cool-boyfriend. When her friends have a chance to say somthing, her comment is always "THAT'S HOT!"
But that is not an annoying part. The annoying one comes when she answers the phone.
"Goodmorning!Thank you for calling; this is Rachel, how can I help you?......Have a great day, Mam! Bai Bye!" She puts down the phone and turns to her friend, "She's such a bitch! You know, she kept asking the same questions, very annoying!" Then the phone rings.
"Goodmorning! Thank you for calling, this is Rachel,how can I help you?....."
THAT'S HOT!
Case #02
Another lady sitting behind me picks up the phone:
"(With an American accent)Goodmorning! Thank you for calling. This is Joyce. How can I help you?(Pauses a bit, then replies with a heavy Singaporean accent)Like that hah? Is it?...OK we got free gift for you. You can collect your free gift next week because our free gifts are out of stock this week..."
Sometimes I wanna shout,"OK I got it! Stop your free gift already."
Case #03
There is also a Lao guy who can speak Thai, or so he claims, working under the same company as two forementioned ladies. He rehearses saying a Thai name before making every single call.
Lao guy:"(In Thai)Sawaddee Krab! May I speak to Khun Chanthana(he pronounces it as SHANthana), please?"
The other end:"It's Chanthanna(she corrects her name. CHAN should be pronounced as JAN not SHAN)Ka!
SHANthana is associated with a female-factory worker. All thanks to a popular song titled SHANTHANA. The song is about a girl named SHANTHANA who has to work in a factory for a living. Because its popularity, Thai people associate this name, SHANTHANA, with a lady who works in the factory. CHANTHANA, on the other hand, is a name for more high-class people.
The other end:"(continues)May I know which part of Thailand are you from? You don't seem to speak Thai clearly."
Lao guy:"I'm not Thai. I'm Singaporean but have been learning Thai for two years."
The other end:" Wow! Is that so? Your Thai is very good."
Lao guy: "Yeah.Well..."
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
Call Morris at 96345645 if you ever need a massage.
A guy approaches me at a Holland V bus stop.
A guy: Hi fren. You speak English?
Me: Yeah. Why?
A guy: You wanna get a massage? I do a massage for guys at my place...
Me: Nope.
A guy: My fren, where are you from?
Me: Thailand.
A guy: My name is Morris. If you have friends who wanna get a massage, call me. You wanna take down my phone numbers?...I live alone at Yishun.
A guy: Hi fren. You speak English?
Me: Yeah. Why?
A guy: You wanna get a massage? I do a massage for guys at my place...
Me: Nope.
A guy: My fren, where are you from?
Me: Thailand.
A guy: My name is Morris. If you have friends who wanna get a massage, call me. You wanna take down my phone numbers?...I live alone at Yishun.
Wednesday, July 27, 2005
I can't say THANKs enough.
You have made some people very very happy. Thank you so much:
Adrain
Alvin
Dawn
Dianah
Edwin
Farah
Janet
Kok Kuan
Isabel
Qiyun
Marcel
Lian-Yi
Pan Liang
Rauda
Reza
Samantha
Simon
Soo Hian
Vika
Uma
Wanchurn
Wee Liang
Yasmin
Zhiwei
Pay
Touk
Dong
Mee
Onn
Have I missed out anyone?
I hope I can do the same thing for you, someday, somehow...
Adrain
Alvin
Dawn
Dianah
Edwin
Farah
Janet
Kok Kuan
Isabel
Qiyun
Marcel
Lian-Yi
Pan Liang
Rauda
Reza
Samantha
Simon
Soo Hian
Vika
Uma
Wanchurn
Wee Liang
Yasmin
Zhiwei
Pay
Touk
Dong
Mee
Onn
Have I missed out anyone?
I hope I can do the same thing for you, someday, somehow...
Saturday, July 23, 2005
Security Check my Ass!
My siblings and I were heading home from Sentosa,thanks to TUesday Group, and out of the sudden, we were stopped by two security guards who stationed inside Harbour Front MRT."Sorry sir, could we check your bag," commanded one of them. They were armed with a pen each. "Why you stopped us and not others?" asked me. " It's just a random check, sir," said he. "But why us? Is it because of our appearances?" I was irritated. I wasn't trying to be difficult; I was just a bit embarrassed inside MRT and in front of the crowd rushing home from Sentosa. "No sir, it's just a random check. Please open your bags," he pointed his pen to our bags. My sister looked terrified and embarrassed. Inside her bag there was her wet-cloths. "Please open the plastic bag...Ok. Thank you." We walked away after "security check" and my sister asked me what it was about and why they had to check us. "Maybe they were afraid we're illegal immigrants," said my brother.
I've got nothing against this so-called security check;I just feel irritated and insulted by the fact that people still stereotype or classify other people by their appearances and races. Only dark-skinned people commit a crime? Only average or below-average-looking people do evil things?
Oh how naive are you! If I were a bomber, I wouldn't carry my bag around looking suspicious.
I've got nothing against this so-called security check;I just feel irritated and insulted by the fact that people still stereotype or classify other people by their appearances and races. Only dark-skinned people commit a crime? Only average or below-average-looking people do evil things?
Oh how naive are you! If I were a bomber, I wouldn't carry my bag around looking suspicious.
Tuesday, July 19, 2005
Monday, July 18, 2005
I hate the first day at work.
Frustrated and lousy! That's how I feel every time I start the first day at work.
Today I started working at Teleperfomance; I had to call Thai customers in Thailand. Although I can speak Thai reasonably well, I haven't spoken for ages. And the opposite me was a native-Thai lady; I was nervous like hell. I mixed Lao with Thai words from time to time. Luckily no one around me understood Thai, except the Thai lady opposite me. Damnit.
Today I started working at Teleperfomance; I had to call Thai customers in Thailand. Although I can speak Thai reasonably well, I haven't spoken for ages. And the opposite me was a native-Thai lady; I was nervous like hell. I mixed Lao with Thai words from time to time. Luckily no one around me understood Thai, except the Thai lady opposite me. Damnit.
Sunday, July 17, 2005
My family portrait
We never hug each other. And we never utter love to each other. But we know we love and care for each other. Poverty tears us apart physically. But we know we'll always be together. And I am glad I have a family to call my own. One day I hope we will all live under one roof once again.
Last night I dreamt about you again.
How many of you dream about someone or something constantly? I've been dreaming about my parents almost every single night for the past 10 years or so. My mom passed away on Feburary 2nd, 1992, and my dad, July 1998.
And two years ago, I lost my friend who was very dear to me. Since then I've been dreaming about him.
These three persons appear in my dreams again and again. They come and go; I smile and cry, in my dreams.
Love and miss you so much.
And two years ago, I lost my friend who was very dear to me. Since then I've been dreaming about him.
These three persons appear in my dreams again and again. They come and go; I smile and cry, in my dreams.
Love and miss you so much.
Thursday, July 07, 2005
A house is not a home if there is no one there.
I've just moved into my new house! The coolest house ever, literally. Owned by one of MPs in Ang Mo Kio, the shophouse, where I'm living now, is located in the heart of Ang Mo Kio. It's surrounded by the police station, market, food stalls, ATM, 7-Eleven, swimming pool, Bishan Park...How cool is that?
Although the house is still messy, we have more and less all stuff that we need; we bought and some people donated to us.
But the sad thing is I always come home late at night, wake up late in the afternoon, and go to work until late at night. And repeat. My housemate goes to work early in the morning and goes to bed pretty early in the evening. So we haven't seen each other at all since we've moved in. Our mode of communication? Via written notes, FOOD IN THE KITCHEN, posted on the door, and phone messages. Our new house is simply a place for resting for now.
Shit! It's been almost a week and my room is still messy.
Although the house is still messy, we have more and less all stuff that we need; we bought and some people donated to us.
But the sad thing is I always come home late at night, wake up late in the afternoon, and go to work until late at night. And repeat. My housemate goes to work early in the morning and goes to bed pretty early in the evening. So we haven't seen each other at all since we've moved in. Our mode of communication? Via written notes, FOOD IN THE KITCHEN, posted on the door, and phone messages. Our new house is simply a place for resting for now.
Shit! It's been almost a week and my room is still messy.
Friday, July 01, 2005
Lao movie? Really?
New Lao movie to release in July
Khonesavanh Latsaphao
The Lao National Film Archive and Video Centre held a press conference yesterday in Vientiane to say it will screen a new Lao movie next month after its filming was completed.
The film has been made to welcome the Second Party Congress of the Ministry of Information and Culture and the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting scheduled for July 24-29.
“This movie will not be free to the general public because movie producers are raising funds for future productions,” said the archive's Director, Mr Bounchao Phichit.
The movie titled Leum Tua will play for three days at 8:00 pm , July 16-18, at the National Culture Hall; tickets are priced at 10,000 kip for adults and 5,000 kip for children.
“The movie is about a man named Kienphet, who participated in the Lao national fight for liberation, but has forgotten everything that he did,” said Bounchao.
In the movie, the Lao government appoints Mr Kienphet, after the Lao liberation, to an important directorial position at the Lao Construction Enterprise in Vientiane . But he doesn't do any work, instead spending his time drinking beer and wooing the girls of Vientiane .
“We spent 18 days producing this movie which we started filming at the end of 2003. The movie was delayed as many actors in the film are Ministry of Information and Culture officials and were very busy,” said Mr Bounchao.
The movie's production costs totalled 35 million kip; all the actors in the movie are veterans.
The producers admit that Lao people would have preferred to see new actors in the movie, but because of budget limitations, they were not able to afford them.
“I want Lao people to watch this movie, so that we can earn money to produce more movies,” said Mr Bounchao.
Only six Lao movies have so far been produced, although there is a demand for them. Lack of funds have proved the deterrent factor.
Source: http://www.vientianetimes.org.la/ (01-July-2005)
Khonesavanh Latsaphao
The Lao National Film Archive and Video Centre held a press conference yesterday in Vientiane to say it will screen a new Lao movie next month after its filming was completed.
The film has been made to welcome the Second Party Congress of the Ministry of Information and Culture and the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting scheduled for July 24-29.
“This movie will not be free to the general public because movie producers are raising funds for future productions,” said the archive's Director, Mr Bounchao Phichit.
The movie titled Leum Tua will play for three days at 8:00 pm , July 16-18, at the National Culture Hall; tickets are priced at 10,000 kip for adults and 5,000 kip for children.
“The movie is about a man named Kienphet, who participated in the Lao national fight for liberation, but has forgotten everything that he did,” said Bounchao.
In the movie, the Lao government appoints Mr Kienphet, after the Lao liberation, to an important directorial position at the Lao Construction Enterprise in Vientiane . But he doesn't do any work, instead spending his time drinking beer and wooing the girls of Vientiane .
“We spent 18 days producing this movie which we started filming at the end of 2003. The movie was delayed as many actors in the film are Ministry of Information and Culture officials and were very busy,” said Mr Bounchao.
The movie's production costs totalled 35 million kip; all the actors in the movie are veterans.
The producers admit that Lao people would have preferred to see new actors in the movie, but because of budget limitations, they were not able to afford them.
“I want Lao people to watch this movie, so that we can earn money to produce more movies,” said Mr Bounchao.
Only six Lao movies have so far been produced, although there is a demand for them. Lack of funds have proved the deterrent factor.
Source: http://www.vientianetimes.org.la/ (01-July-2005)
Thursday, June 30, 2005
It's too much.
You guys are thinking of sponsoring my brother and sister's trip to Singapore? You must be out of your mind!
Of course, I've always wanted them to attend my Convocation. And I wish I could do that myself(read: my own money). It's very moving, and I'm speechless and delighted to learn that you guys want to help. I'm happy not because of what you do for me(want to bring my siblings here), but because of what you could and would do for me. I'm really thankful for it.
As much as I like to see my brothers and sisters attending my Convocation, I don't want to cause any more trouble. I've already owed you all so much.
Really appreciate for all you've done for me. Thank you and thank you.
Of course, I've always wanted them to attend my Convocation. And I wish I could do that myself(read: my own money). It's very moving, and I'm speechless and delighted to learn that you guys want to help. I'm happy not because of what you do for me(want to bring my siblings here), but because of what you could and would do for me. I'm really thankful for it.
As much as I like to see my brothers and sisters attending my Convocation, I don't want to cause any more trouble. I've already owed you all so much.
Really appreciate for all you've done for me. Thank you and thank you.
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
I'm really touched.
Imagine you live overseas with no job, money and relatives. You have bills to pay--housing rental fee, phonebill,etc... You don't want go home because it would take ages to pay your loan, if you are to work there. So you've decided to keep on struggling.
I've been doing just that. But friends of mine have been so kind to me; they offer me without me asking, money, cloths, food, and even accommodation. I've been so lucky having you all as my friends. I really want to thank all of you for your caring thoughts and helping hands. Without you guys, I don't think I could cope with rather difficult time in my life. I couldn't ask for more. Thank you.
I've been doing just that. But friends of mine have been so kind to me; they offer me without me asking, money, cloths, food, and even accommodation. I've been so lucky having you all as my friends. I really want to thank all of you for your caring thoughts and helping hands. Without you guys, I don't think I could cope with rather difficult time in my life. I couldn't ask for more. Thank you.
Monday, June 27, 2005
Fuck! I'm still in deep shit!
I'm moving out this Saturday to Ang Mo Kio. Excited I may be, but I start to worry more than ever. I still work in a small cafe at Bugis which I earn 30-40 bucks per day; I pay 4 plus dollars a day for transport, and 8 plus dollars, for food and drink. If I were still under scholarship, I wouldn't worry so much. I've done some calculation: if I work 5-6 days a week and 6-8 hours a day, I'll earn about 600-700 plus a month. Then s$80 plus is for transport, and 200 plus for meal. So s$700 minutes 300=s$400. My phonebill is about 40 plus and my rental fee, 450. So plus and minute, I still have s$200 of bills left unpaid. Shit!
Don't ask or tell me "Have you tried to apply for this and that...? or Don't just limit yourself to media-related jobs..." I've applied for all kinds of shit but can't even get any reply. Yeah I'm desperate and frustrated. Having graduated from Mass Communication and being a foreigner in Singapore just suck.
Don't ask or tell me "Have you tried to apply for this and that...? or Don't just limit yourself to media-related jobs..." I've applied for all kinds of shit but can't even get any reply. Yeah I'm desperate and frustrated. Having graduated from Mass Communication and being a foreigner in Singapore just suck.
Saturday, June 25, 2005
You don't know my name, do you?
It's a shame that we'd been studying in the same course and same school for 4 years and we didn't even talk to each other or know the names of each other. What's wrong with you?
Some of my classmates, whom I call hi-bye friends 4 years a go, are now still hi-bye friends. Maybe I shouldn't call "friends", it's too privilege, "known people" would be a proper term to use. But then again, I don't really know them. I shall just call them "classmates" then.
I was in university in Laos for less than 2 years but I know all my classmates. And I mean "know". I know their names, to say the least. We talked to each other and became very close. Until these days, many of us still keep in touch via letters, emails and online chat.
In Singapore, to be honest, I doubt if I can name 30 people out of my 100-plus classmates. Blame myself? Yeah probably. My friend once told me, " You're not here to make a friend. Just focus on what you're doing..."
Just give you some idea. My friends don't want to go for a gathering organized by the school every Thursday, 1st week of each month. " It won't be fun because people will just hang around with their own clique," said my friends. That's exactly what happened during our school days; people grouped themselves with their own friends. People just didn't mingle. They said 'Hi' and 'Bye' when they couldn't avoid each other at the corridor or at the lift. I remember someone wanted to organize an after-graduated party, but it didn't pull off because only few people were interested.
I'm sure my school mates are nice people, especially Tuesday Group people, of course. I just don't get a chance to get to know many of them. It's a pity.
Some of my classmates, whom I call hi-bye friends 4 years a go, are now still hi-bye friends. Maybe I shouldn't call "friends", it's too privilege, "known people" would be a proper term to use. But then again, I don't really know them. I shall just call them "classmates" then.
I was in university in Laos for less than 2 years but I know all my classmates. And I mean "know". I know their names, to say the least. We talked to each other and became very close. Until these days, many of us still keep in touch via letters, emails and online chat.
In Singapore, to be honest, I doubt if I can name 30 people out of my 100-plus classmates. Blame myself? Yeah probably. My friend once told me, " You're not here to make a friend. Just focus on what you're doing..."
Just give you some idea. My friends don't want to go for a gathering organized by the school every Thursday, 1st week of each month. " It won't be fun because people will just hang around with their own clique," said my friends. That's exactly what happened during our school days; people grouped themselves with their own friends. People just didn't mingle. They said 'Hi' and 'Bye' when they couldn't avoid each other at the corridor or at the lift. I remember someone wanted to organize an after-graduated party, but it didn't pull off because only few people were interested.
I'm sure my school mates are nice people, especially Tuesday Group people, of course. I just don't get a chance to get to know many of them. It's a pity.
Thursday, June 23, 2005
Oh how I wish you could be here.
I wish I got a high paid job so I could save enough money before my Convocation...so I could buy a pair of tickets for my brother and sister to come and attend my Convocation.
I wish I were rich so I could buy a pair of tickets for my brother and sister to come and attend my Convocation.
Oh how I wish I could buy a pair of tickets for my brother and sister to come and attend my Convocation.
I wish I were rich so I could buy a pair of tickets for my brother and sister to come and attend my Convocation.
Oh how I wish I could buy a pair of tickets for my brother and sister to come and attend my Convocation.
Monday, June 20, 2005
Wish you were here again
Lao students in Singapore :(Clock-wise,L-R, Tou, Lui,Yon,Tik,Kheg,Pay,Khone,Nong,Bro Khone,Hat,Xai,Seang,Pack,No-no,Ting ,Toung,Pha,and Bro Sin).
I tried
LSIS: I tried to create a homepage for Lao students in Singapore but couldnt complete. Laziness always gets the best of me.
Wednesday, June 01, 2005
Mysterious job
Having been rejected and broke, I decided to look for a part-time job. I checked Classified and went for three interviews in one day, all waitering jobs. I was rejected immediately for the first job after I told them I wasnt Singaporean nor PR. I was told to wait for a call for a second interview if I were selected, for the second job. After learning that I was a foreigner, a manager of restaurant, the third job, said honestly that he couldn't or wouldn't want to hire me. I insisted that I could work under my Student Pass. He then asked to see my Pass; he examined it thoroughly and read out loud, "You are not allowed to engage in any form of employment." Oops!
The next day, I got a call from someone whom I barely remembered I've applied for a job with; she asked me to come for an interview the same day she called. I learnt later that she wanted to meet me because the other person who was supposed to come for the interview backed out. I have no idea why she wanted to meet me at Cityhall instead of at her "Bugis Cafe". But I didnt dare to ask. Throughout the interview, she kept asking about my situation and how she could help while refusing to answer when asked about her "Bugis Cafe". She described it as a small and cosy cafe. "Our cafe is different from normal cafe like Starbuck cuz you are not only expected to serve a coffee but also to interact with customers," she emphasised. Interact with customers? Hmm what kind of a cafe is that? I thought to myself.
I went back to my school without any expectation for this job because I was too excited about the next week interview with MediaCorp. And then at 10 plus, the lady called to ask if I was still interested to work for the cafe. " Just come and work for 4 hours tomorrow. We'll see after that if we could work together,'' she said. "Sure. Do you provide a uniform?" I asked. " Nope we dont have a univerform. You can wear shorts, you know, beach wear with sandals cuz our cafe has no air-con," replied she. "Oh cool! May I know the name of your cafe," asked me. "Hmm...We dont have a name, you know, it's just a small cafe. But dont worry, you can find us easily. Look for a cafe with green wall and wooden chairs," she said. Then she gave me a direction how to get to the cafe. Up to this point, I started to suspect something didnt seem right. Why is she so secretive about the place? Does Cafe do an illegal business? The job ads on Classified dint give much information about this place either. It ran like this "Bugis Cafe looking for fun staff, full/part-time, email....@yahoo.com". A little suspecious and scary but I wanted to know so I agreed to go and work the next day.
I told few friends of mine, "Could you call me tomorrow after 6 pm to check if I am O.K." Then I gave all details about the lady and her contact no so if anything were to happen to me, my friends could report to the police. My friends laughed about this and said I was over-reacting. Yeah better be safe than sorry, right?
The next day, I got a call from someone whom I barely remembered I've applied for a job with; she asked me to come for an interview the same day she called. I learnt later that she wanted to meet me because the other person who was supposed to come for the interview backed out. I have no idea why she wanted to meet me at Cityhall instead of at her "Bugis Cafe". But I didnt dare to ask. Throughout the interview, she kept asking about my situation and how she could help while refusing to answer when asked about her "Bugis Cafe". She described it as a small and cosy cafe. "Our cafe is different from normal cafe like Starbuck cuz you are not only expected to serve a coffee but also to interact with customers," she emphasised. Interact with customers? Hmm what kind of a cafe is that? I thought to myself.
I went back to my school without any expectation for this job because I was too excited about the next week interview with MediaCorp. And then at 10 plus, the lady called to ask if I was still interested to work for the cafe. " Just come and work for 4 hours tomorrow. We'll see after that if we could work together,'' she said. "Sure. Do you provide a uniform?" I asked. " Nope we dont have a univerform. You can wear shorts, you know, beach wear with sandals cuz our cafe has no air-con," replied she. "Oh cool! May I know the name of your cafe," asked me. "Hmm...We dont have a name, you know, it's just a small cafe. But dont worry, you can find us easily. Look for a cafe with green wall and wooden chairs," she said. Then she gave me a direction how to get to the cafe. Up to this point, I started to suspect something didnt seem right. Why is she so secretive about the place? Does Cafe do an illegal business? The job ads on Classified dint give much information about this place either. It ran like this "Bugis Cafe looking for fun staff, full/part-time, email....@yahoo.com". A little suspecious and scary but I wanted to know so I agreed to go and work the next day.
I told few friends of mine, "Could you call me tomorrow after 6 pm to check if I am O.K." Then I gave all details about the lady and her contact no so if anything were to happen to me, my friends could report to the police. My friends laughed about this and said I was over-reacting. Yeah better be safe than sorry, right?
Wednesday, May 25, 2005
I don't belong here anymore.
I went to school today. There was a feeling that I don't belong to this place anymore. I didnt see any familiar faces around anymore, for one thing. Those hanging around at benches must be year-one or year-two students cuz now all year-three students have been on their attachment. And the other thing, all the rooms that I used to have a privilege to access, I now can no longer open and use them. I had to ask someone who was inside a lab to open the door for me today. I guess I'm finished here.
Tuesday, May 24, 2005
Another rejection
I've been feeling very lousy since this afternoon. I went for two job interviews today but a chance to get a job seems pretty slim.
The first job interview: I had very high hope to get a job at Oak3 Films. The company did a project on Laos before and a boss seemed to like Lao a lot, according to my friends who used to work there. I emailed Jason, a manager, my particular which I included the fact that I am Lao, and he still called me to go for an interview( I thought the company would hire a foreigner like me). So I went today with some expectation. I reached Outram Park(where the company is located) two hours prior to the interview as always; I couldnt sleep well the night before, as always,too. Jason told me that currently his company has reached a quota for hiring foreigners. He's already employed German and Malaysian. So there ain't a place for any foreign employee. However, he would contact me to do freelance if there is any job available in the future...
The second job interview: I headed to Earthtree for another job interview. As I was approaching the company, my eyes caught the sign "Corncorde Hotel". Immediately I recalled about two weeks ago, someone called me to come for the interview for "Online Editor" job and "Opposite Corncorde(the location of the company which I thought it was Concourse, and of course, I couldnt find the place)". This was it, the same job I had applied two weeks ago and was called for the interview but failed to come. I was scared that they would remember me(by my particular). Fortunatedly, no one ever cared. I talked to Mark, he must be a producer, and showed him my FYP video. He didnt seem impressed because the cut was too simple for him, he said. And he has one problem with me, I am not a PR. " I will let you know next week," he said. But I guess that is just a polite way of saying, " Forget it! You ain't hired here".
The first job interview: I had very high hope to get a job at Oak3 Films. The company did a project on Laos before and a boss seemed to like Lao a lot, according to my friends who used to work there. I emailed Jason, a manager, my particular which I included the fact that I am Lao, and he still called me to go for an interview( I thought the company would hire a foreigner like me). So I went today with some expectation. I reached Outram Park(where the company is located) two hours prior to the interview as always; I couldnt sleep well the night before, as always,too. Jason told me that currently his company has reached a quota for hiring foreigners. He's already employed German and Malaysian. So there ain't a place for any foreign employee. However, he would contact me to do freelance if there is any job available in the future...
The second job interview: I headed to Earthtree for another job interview. As I was approaching the company, my eyes caught the sign "Corncorde Hotel". Immediately I recalled about two weeks ago, someone called me to come for the interview for "Online Editor" job and "Opposite Corncorde(the location of the company which I thought it was Concourse, and of course, I couldnt find the place)". This was it, the same job I had applied two weeks ago and was called for the interview but failed to come. I was scared that they would remember me(by my particular). Fortunatedly, no one ever cared. I talked to Mark, he must be a producer, and showed him my FYP video. He didnt seem impressed because the cut was too simple for him, he said. And he has one problem with me, I am not a PR. " I will let you know next week," he said. But I guess that is just a polite way of saying, " Forget it! You ain't hired here".
Sunday, May 22, 2005
Thank you for being my friend always.
Things change but I still hope our friendship will remain the same.
Friday, May 20, 2005
Forget Me Not
I went for the shoot the other day for a convocation video. Nah I wasn't chosen by a producer; I volunteered myself. I just wanted to take an opportunity to thank my FYP mates and supervisor because I wasn't sure I would be attending Convocation Ceremony. I was asked what I would miss or remember the most when I left NTU. I had long paused...Hmm My friends. Yeah my friends. I would miss them the most.
I left the shoot and kept wondering myself; what about me? What my friends would remember about me?
I guess, most of people in my school know who I am. I am the only foreigner guy in my batch. All technicians know me, not to mention professors. Although sometimes they still mistake me for Malay. I am famous(to be precise, rather infamous) in my school.
A trouble-maker, I was named.
I once did a quiz on behalf of my so-called friend then got caught.
I once played volleyball in school while leaving editing facilities running; I was barred from using an editing suit for 2 weeks.
I was once dragged out of the class by a lecturer because he thought I was making noise while a class presentation was being conducted...
A porn-director wanna be, I was accused.
The incidence took place during my second year. My friends and I wanted to do something "wild". So we decided to do project on "a history of pornography" without even informing our lecturer. He is from Canada; he should be O.K with the topic, or so we thought. Come a presentation day, I was in his class early. So I told him what we would be presenting and SHOWING. His face turned red. "Go to my office now," he commanded. I went with him and showed him the video. "No! No! You cannot show that in my class. You have two choices, either you change the topic and present it next week or you present today without showing any video or graphics," he added. On the way back to the class, he popped the question,"Do you wanna be a porn director?". I thought he was just joking. " Yeah I do," said me. " If you wanna be a porn director, you don't have to study all the way to university," said he. Whoa! Whoa! easy man, I thought.
We decided to go ahead with the presentation without any graphics. My voice and hands were shaking. The whole class was silent and tensed. Our lecturer's face was still red. We ended our presentation without any comment from him or classmates. We knew we were doing terribly bad. But we thought that would be the end of story after that class.
Few months later, I bumped into one of my lecturers who just got out from a school annual meeting. He told me that the Canadian lecturer told the whole meeting about me being a trouble-maker and a porn-director wanna be. What a jerk! I mean me, of course.
A dark and small guy who looks like Malay, I am.
I am always mistaken as Malay. People speaking to me in Malay is not uncommon anymore. I sometimes joke when food sellers ask me if I can eat pok. "Yeah today is Friday(depends on what day I am asked this question) so I can eat pok."
I attended my first-day Malay class, my classmates were staring at me and one person sitting next to me asked, "Why are you taking Malay?" " I am Malay but I was raised overseas so I can speak Malay for nut!" said me.
All in all, I never regret what I have done during my 5-year study and living in Singapore. I only regret what I haven't done.
I left the shoot and kept wondering myself; what about me? What my friends would remember about me?
I guess, most of people in my school know who I am. I am the only foreigner guy in my batch. All technicians know me, not to mention professors. Although sometimes they still mistake me for Malay. I am famous(to be precise, rather infamous) in my school.
A trouble-maker, I was named.
I once did a quiz on behalf of my so-called friend then got caught.
I once played volleyball in school while leaving editing facilities running; I was barred from using an editing suit for 2 weeks.
I was once dragged out of the class by a lecturer because he thought I was making noise while a class presentation was being conducted...
A porn-director wanna be, I was accused.
The incidence took place during my second year. My friends and I wanted to do something "wild". So we decided to do project on "a history of pornography" without even informing our lecturer. He is from Canada; he should be O.K with the topic, or so we thought. Come a presentation day, I was in his class early. So I told him what we would be presenting and SHOWING. His face turned red. "Go to my office now," he commanded. I went with him and showed him the video. "No! No! You cannot show that in my class. You have two choices, either you change the topic and present it next week or you present today without showing any video or graphics," he added. On the way back to the class, he popped the question,"Do you wanna be a porn director?". I thought he was just joking. " Yeah I do," said me. " If you wanna be a porn director, you don't have to study all the way to university," said he. Whoa! Whoa! easy man, I thought.
We decided to go ahead with the presentation without any graphics. My voice and hands were shaking. The whole class was silent and tensed. Our lecturer's face was still red. We ended our presentation without any comment from him or classmates. We knew we were doing terribly bad. But we thought that would be the end of story after that class.
Few months later, I bumped into one of my lecturers who just got out from a school annual meeting. He told me that the Canadian lecturer told the whole meeting about me being a trouble-maker and a porn-director wanna be. What a jerk! I mean me, of course.
A dark and small guy who looks like Malay, I am.
I am always mistaken as Malay. People speaking to me in Malay is not uncommon anymore. I sometimes joke when food sellers ask me if I can eat pok. "Yeah today is Friday(depends on what day I am asked this question) so I can eat pok."
I attended my first-day Malay class, my classmates were staring at me and one person sitting next to me asked, "Why are you taking Malay?" " I am Malay but I was raised overseas so I can speak Malay for nut!" said me.
All in all, I never regret what I have done during my 5-year study and living in Singapore. I only regret what I haven't done.
Thursday, May 19, 2005
Judgement day
I can't change anything now. I will have to accept whatever happens today.
There were two events I had been most anticipating. One was my final year exam results, and the other, American Idol results.
All I wated for my results was PASS. I couldn't sleep well last night. I was anticipating what could be my results and what I would do if they didn't turn out the way I was hoping for. I came straight to a computer room without even washing up myself. The temptation of wanting to find out was so great. So I decided to check. Username: XXXXX, Pin no:XXXXX and OK. HEY! I passed all! Eh I got only a B for my FYP!
All I wanted for American Idol was for Vonzell to move on to a final. Now it's time to find out American Idol results. This week was a semi-final stage of competition; 3 contestants(Bo Bice, Carrie Underwood and Vonzell Solomon) remained on the show. But today one had to go home. I certainly hoped that one person was not Vonzell. I like her since I first saw her in the audition(on TV, of course). Sitting in front of TV screen, I caught myself clapping and smiling when she was performing the song"Chain of Fools" and when a video clip showing her returning home. Ryan(the host) called each contestant to step forward. I was more excited at that moment than I was about to check my exam results. " Vonzie, you are leaving us tonight," Ryan announced. It must have broken her heart; she started to cry. Oh No that broke my heart too.
There were two events I had been most anticipating. One was my final year exam results, and the other, American Idol results.
All I wated for my results was PASS. I couldn't sleep well last night. I was anticipating what could be my results and what I would do if they didn't turn out the way I was hoping for. I came straight to a computer room without even washing up myself. The temptation of wanting to find out was so great. So I decided to check. Username: XXXXX, Pin no:XXXXX and OK. HEY! I passed all! Eh I got only a B for my FYP!
All I wanted for American Idol was for Vonzell to move on to a final. Now it's time to find out American Idol results. This week was a semi-final stage of competition; 3 contestants(Bo Bice, Carrie Underwood and Vonzell Solomon) remained on the show. But today one had to go home. I certainly hoped that one person was not Vonzell. I like her since I first saw her in the audition(on TV, of course). Sitting in front of TV screen, I caught myself clapping and smiling when she was performing the song"Chain of Fools" and when a video clip showing her returning home. Ryan(the host) called each contestant to step forward. I was more excited at that moment than I was about to check my exam results. " Vonzie, you are leaving us tonight," Ryan announced. It must have broken her heart; she started to cry. Oh No that broke my heart too.
Wednesday, May 18, 2005
What If...
I am scared, worried, excited...what if I failed my final exam?
I remember a story about a student who wasn't happy with his exam results; he got an A+ for one of his modules. So he appealed to a school to recheck his paper; he was hoping for an A distinction! One of my classmates made a big fuzz about her exam paper when she learnt that she didn't answer some part of a question. It's a big deal for these people to get an A for all the subjects they take. For me? Passing all the subjects is already a big deal and I am satisfied.
But what if I failed?
I would blame a professor? I would blame myself and do something silly to myself? I would jump down from HDB rooftop? What would I say to my family and friends? Would I be sent home? Would it spell the end for me? What would I do?
What if...?
I remember a story about a student who wasn't happy with his exam results; he got an A+ for one of his modules. So he appealed to a school to recheck his paper; he was hoping for an A distinction! One of my classmates made a big fuzz about her exam paper when she learnt that she didn't answer some part of a question. It's a big deal for these people to get an A for all the subjects they take. For me? Passing all the subjects is already a big deal and I am satisfied.
But what if I failed?
I would blame a professor? I would blame myself and do something silly to myself? I would jump down from HDB rooftop? What would I say to my family and friends? Would I be sent home? Would it spell the end for me? What would I do?
What if...?
Monday, May 16, 2005
Call me strange, if you like...
I don't know about you, when I ask someone to hang out with it means I just wanna spend time with that particular person and don't expect others to come along.
It pisses me off sometimes when I ask someone to meet up and the person says "Can I ask A,B,C, and D to come along? You don't mind, right?" Or "Why don't you ask ABCD to go with you?" Come on, I mean, if I wanna hang out with ABCD I would have asked myself.
It feels like:
1. The person I asked doesn't want to be seen alone with me(afraid to be mistaken for a couple?);
2. The person doesn't feel comfortable being alone with me(nothing much to talk about?);
3. I am too boring to hang out with(that's why there is a need for other company?);
4. And all of above.
Hey I an't anti-social; I love being with a group of people. But there is a time when I just wanna be with someone ALONE. So next time if you happen to be asked by me, just say NO(of course, politely) if one of the above is true.
It pisses me off sometimes when I ask someone to meet up and the person says "Can I ask A,B,C, and D to come along? You don't mind, right?" Or "Why don't you ask ABCD to go with you?" Come on, I mean, if I wanna hang out with ABCD I would have asked myself.
It feels like:
1. The person I asked doesn't want to be seen alone with me(afraid to be mistaken for a couple?);
2. The person doesn't feel comfortable being alone with me(nothing much to talk about?);
3. I am too boring to hang out with(that's why there is a need for other company?);
4. And all of above.
Hey I an't anti-social; I love being with a group of people. But there is a time when I just wanna be with someone ALONE. So next time if you happen to be asked by me, just say NO(of course, politely) if one of the above is true.
Sunday, May 15, 2005
Eat, Sleep, Eat, Sleep and repeat..
It's been almost a month since I stepped out of a final examination hall. I am still jobless, aimless, hopeless and soon cashless and homeless.
I am not doing enough to get a job? Maybe...
My friends keep asking me how I have been and how I will survive without a job and money. My ancle called me the other night and asked if I was doing fine. Of course I told him and my friends, I would be O.K.
I spend my waking time(but most of the time, I sleep) first reading ST(Life!), watch TV, go for lunch, swim, take a nap, dine, read books or magazines, surf the net(apply jobs online), watch TV, shower, and sleep. And repeat. Everyday is the same to me. Sometimes I can't drag myself out of a bed because I dont know what I should wake up for. What I'm waiting for everyweek is American Idol.
Damnit! I need to get a life.
I am not doing enough to get a job? Maybe...
My friends keep asking me how I have been and how I will survive without a job and money. My ancle called me the other night and asked if I was doing fine. Of course I told him and my friends, I would be O.K.
I spend my waking time(but most of the time, I sleep) first reading ST(Life!), watch TV, go for lunch, swim, take a nap, dine, read books or magazines, surf the net(apply jobs online), watch TV, shower, and sleep. And repeat. Everyday is the same to me. Sometimes I can't drag myself out of a bed because I dont know what I should wake up for. What I'm waiting for everyweek is American Idol.
Damnit! I need to get a life.
Friday, May 13, 2005
One Routine Day
Maybe it's because I'm forgetful or simply careless.
I couldn't wait to submit material to school for film festivals. I've been busy preparing it when I should have been looking for a job. After a long process of selecting festivals to submit, I created the list, submitted online entries, and prepared stills and some paper works.
I wanted to do the printing all press kits and entry forms in school because it's free. But before I printed, I wanted to replace the old picture(in the press kit) with the new one that I have extracted from FCP project. I soon realized that all PC stations in my school don't have Photoshop intalled. Only Macintoch have photoshop installed(It's abit ironic because my school is a media school.) but not all Macintoch have zip-drive reader. The ones with zip-drive readers are Multi-Media Lab(MML) and Spectrum room which in order to access the rooms, I need to get permission first. And this week MML has been occupied for a training; a Spectrum room(which is inside a studio) has been closed because technicians have to attend the training. So I decided to use a very dark picture for the press kit.
Press kit prolem solved. It's time I printed. I thought I had enough papers but I didnt. I had to go all the way to Library 1 to print. To print any document, I need to pay the fee by Cash card. The problem was I didnt have any money in my card. I approached a librarian to top up but was told that I couldn't top up the card with cash(only Net is accepted). But I didnt have money in my Net. Yeah this time of the year, I'll be always broke. Luckily the library has a service whereby you can print and pay by cash; it's abit more expensive though as opposed to paying by Cash card. Printing in colour cost 60 cents/piece!
I went back to my school delightedly with printed press kits and forms in hand. I arranged the papers nicely together and reached out for a stapler; I pressed it, "Krak!" Eh! No staple in it...
I couldn't wait to submit material to school for film festivals. I've been busy preparing it when I should have been looking for a job. After a long process of selecting festivals to submit, I created the list, submitted online entries, and prepared stills and some paper works.
I wanted to do the printing all press kits and entry forms in school because it's free. But before I printed, I wanted to replace the old picture(in the press kit) with the new one that I have extracted from FCP project. I soon realized that all PC stations in my school don't have Photoshop intalled. Only Macintoch have photoshop installed(It's abit ironic because my school is a media school.) but not all Macintoch have zip-drive reader. The ones with zip-drive readers are Multi-Media Lab(MML) and Spectrum room which in order to access the rooms, I need to get permission first. And this week MML has been occupied for a training; a Spectrum room(which is inside a studio) has been closed because technicians have to attend the training. So I decided to use a very dark picture for the press kit.
Press kit prolem solved. It's time I printed. I thought I had enough papers but I didnt. I had to go all the way to Library 1 to print. To print any document, I need to pay the fee by Cash card. The problem was I didnt have any money in my card. I approached a librarian to top up but was told that I couldn't top up the card with cash(only Net is accepted). But I didnt have money in my Net. Yeah this time of the year, I'll be always broke. Luckily the library has a service whereby you can print and pay by cash; it's abit more expensive though as opposed to paying by Cash card. Printing in colour cost 60 cents/piece!
I went back to my school delightedly with printed press kits and forms in hand. I arranged the papers nicely together and reached out for a stapler; I pressed it, "Krak!" Eh! No staple in it...
Monday, May 09, 2005
a series of unfortunate events
I got called from a lady regarding my job application. She asked me to go for a job interview. I couldn't remember which one it was because I've applied for so many jobs that I lost counts. I asked her for a company address. "Opposite Concourse," she said, or so I thought. " I know that place, " said me. "Anyway, I've sent you an email for more detail," she added. So I didn't ask her more. I was so excited that I din't even bother to ask her name or the company address.
I went to check all my emails(yahoo, hotmail and school email) but there wasn't any from the person. I delivered the news to my friends. They congrated me. I rechecked my emails but still didn't receive any. I decided I would call the person to ask. Before I made a phone call, I wanted to save her number first. I pressed a phone button while I was busy talking to my friends; I didnt pay much attention on what I was pressing until "Deleted" message appeared on the phone screen. I deleted the number while attempting to save it. So I couldn't call to ask for the address. All I could do was waiting for the email.
I kept checking emails every few minutes. Then I recalled what a lady on the phone told me about the job,"Online Editor". I went through all the jobs I've applied for and started to look for details of the companies. The next thing I could recall was "Opposite Concourse". I checked a street directory. There isn't any media company located opposite or nearby Concourse as far as I know. I called several companies that I've applied jobs with to check if they called anyone to come for a job interview. All said NO.
Hopelessly, I decided to just go to Concourse hoping that the person would call me, somehow. I went there early to check around Concourse. But there wasn't any sign of media companies that I know of. So I just waited, waited and waited some more. No one ever called.
I met my friend for dinner after that and told him about my miserable fate. "Are you sure it is Concourse? Maybe it is Concorde, which is at Suntec," said my friend. Hmm..Yeah maybe.
I went to check all my emails(yahoo, hotmail and school email) but there wasn't any from the person. I delivered the news to my friends. They congrated me. I rechecked my emails but still didn't receive any. I decided I would call the person to ask. Before I made a phone call, I wanted to save her number first. I pressed a phone button while I was busy talking to my friends; I didnt pay much attention on what I was pressing until "Deleted" message appeared on the phone screen. I deleted the number while attempting to save it. So I couldn't call to ask for the address. All I could do was waiting for the email.
I kept checking emails every few minutes. Then I recalled what a lady on the phone told me about the job,"Online Editor". I went through all the jobs I've applied for and started to look for details of the companies. The next thing I could recall was "Opposite Concourse". I checked a street directory. There isn't any media company located opposite or nearby Concourse as far as I know. I called several companies that I've applied jobs with to check if they called anyone to come for a job interview. All said NO.
Hopelessly, I decided to just go to Concourse hoping that the person would call me, somehow. I went there early to check around Concourse. But there wasn't any sign of media companies that I know of. So I just waited, waited and waited some more. No one ever called.
I met my friend for dinner after that and told him about my miserable fate. "Are you sure it is Concourse? Maybe it is Concorde, which is at Suntec," said my friend. Hmm..Yeah maybe.
Saturday, May 07, 2005
My First Interview
Final Year Project was submitted; exam, wrapped; resume, created and countless job-online- applications, sent. But my first job interview wasn't from online applications. I learnt about it from my friend. Mega Media was looking for an editor and a cameraman to work on a new show for ArtCentral.
Previously, I had applied to intern at Mega Media; it was my favourite choice back then. I was selected for an interview but wasn't offered the job(two ladies from my school were selected. Previous batch too ladies were selected...).
Here I was again sitting in a Mega Media office(the new office which is situated next to Bugis MRT). An interviewer is my friend from the same scholarship and the same batch too. So it was more like a chat.
I was pretty confident that I would get the job(production assistant). Yeah eveyone could do the job. My friend said she would show my showreel to her boss(the very same guy who interviewed me years ago) and also persuade him to pay more than 1500 for the job I've applied for.
The next day, she called me with the news; the company couldn't hire me because I dint have a work permit.
Technically, the company could employ and apply for work permit for me. But I guess, it is too troublesome for them to do so. I can't apply it myself. Only employers can apply for their employees. However, very few companies are willing to do that because there are lots of responsibilies they have to bear. So lots of companies want to employ only those who have already prossessed the work permit.
So for now, I have to look for those very few companies who are willing to apply for the work permit for me.
Previously, I had applied to intern at Mega Media; it was my favourite choice back then. I was selected for an interview but wasn't offered the job(two ladies from my school were selected. Previous batch too ladies were selected...).
Here I was again sitting in a Mega Media office(the new office which is situated next to Bugis MRT). An interviewer is my friend from the same scholarship and the same batch too. So it was more like a chat.
I was pretty confident that I would get the job(production assistant). Yeah eveyone could do the job. My friend said she would show my showreel to her boss(the very same guy who interviewed me years ago) and also persuade him to pay more than 1500 for the job I've applied for.
The next day, she called me with the news; the company couldn't hire me because I dint have a work permit.
Technically, the company could employ and apply for work permit for me. But I guess, it is too troublesome for them to do so. I can't apply it myself. Only employers can apply for their employees. However, very few companies are willing to do that because there are lots of responsibilies they have to bear. So lots of companies want to employ only those who have already prossessed the work permit.
So for now, I have to look for those very few companies who are willing to apply for the work permit for me.
Friday, May 06, 2005
Waiting for the results
I finished my very last exam in April. I had to sit for three papers this semester. I did pretty well for the first two papers, Eco-tourism in Singapore and Malay. But I did terribly for the last one cuz I couldn't answer all the questions. I've been worried since I stepped out of an exam hall that day;I m worried I would fail. I don't wanna think too much for now. Just hope that my lecturer would be kind enough to let me pass his subject.
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