My friend and I were talking about men doing house chores [I am one of them :)] and we were wondering if this has become a pre-requisite for men these days. In the more ancient time, women are (ideally) required to be well-versed in household affairs. In our modern society, women are playing an increasingly important role in the workforce (eg. Ho Ching, Oliver Lum...), men have also been seen picking up the "slack" in performing household chores to maintain the "eco-balance".
At a recent christmas gathering with the boys from my secondary school, the boys were busy at the BBQ pit while the partners were sitting down to chat (and wait for the food). While cooking, we started asking each other who is in charge of washing the toilets in the house. Interestingly, 4 out of 5 said that the husband or husband-to-be will be in-charge.
Its interesting to see how time have changed and the "roles" of men and women have evolved.
Women have become "进得了厨房，出得了厅堂" while men have also embraced the title of "新好男人" by helping out in the house chores and caring for the kids.
Give it another 20 more years and let's see what it will become. Will it be the case whereby more men are house-husband (企鸸爸爸)while women will be in-charge of bringing home the bacon?
Monday, December 28, 2009
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Make it Work!
Make it Work - This is the new catch-phrase that I am hooked on today.
This is also the 祝语 I used for a colleague's wedding today.
You should never underestimate the importance of this phrase as failure to adhere to this principle may result in failure in the task you are working on?
Sound cheem? It is not. Make some effort to understand it. Make it work.
This is also the 祝语 I used for a colleague's wedding today.
You should never underestimate the importance of this phrase as failure to adhere to this principle may result in failure in the task you are working on?
Sound cheem? It is not. Make some effort to understand it. Make it work.
Friday, December 25, 2009
Queuing for Free Newspapers
The liberalization of the print media industry brought about (free) newspaper where the companies recover the cost solely from advertising revenue.
Currently, there are 2 main newspapers that comes without a cost these days, i.e. TODAY and MyPaper. Typically, they are made available near MRT stations so that those in the morning rush hours can pick a copy and read them on the train on the way to work.
The papers will be distributed at approximately 730am each morning. I spotted something interesting last week when I was trying my best to reach office earlier than usual. At around 720am, although the distributor (of the newspaper) is ready with the stack of newspaper behind them, she just stood there and waited with the queue forming up before her.
I can't find the reason why don't she start distributing them since everything is ready? Is there a prescribed time for her to start distributing? If it was me, I would rather start distributing so long everything is ready and go home early after that.
Currently, there are 2 main newspapers that comes without a cost these days, i.e. TODAY and MyPaper. Typically, they are made available near MRT stations so that those in the morning rush hours can pick a copy and read them on the train on the way to work.
The papers will be distributed at approximately 730am each morning. I spotted something interesting last week when I was trying my best to reach office earlier than usual. At around 720am, although the distributor (of the newspaper) is ready with the stack of newspaper behind them, she just stood there and waited with the queue forming up before her.
I can't find the reason why don't she start distributing them since everything is ready? Is there a prescribed time for her to start distributing? If it was me, I would rather start distributing so long everything is ready and go home early after that.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Reflections
I just came back from Irma's wedding dinner a while ago. Her wedding dinner showed us that wedding is an event about the groom and bride, not so much for the family although it is often the case these days. The way the wedding was carried out, the choice of food and colour scheme (black) reminded me of what I wanted to do for my own wedding but gave in due to numerous considerations and constraints.
Most importantly for me however was the speech that Irma and Jason (her husband) made. It touched me. It reminded me of my own wedding dinner a year ago whereby I made a promise to 400 over guests that I will take good care of my wife.
However, stress & emotion seem to have gotten the better of me recently that I nearly forgot the promise I had made. Suddenly I was so ashamed of my behaviour. When I reached home, the first thing I wanted to do was to give her a hug and say sorry. Although she does not know what happened, I think its enough. Enough for me to repent and reflect through how we got together and why we went onto this path together.
I guess one would only cherish the things they took for granted when on the verge of losing them. This is human nature. It is sad but it is true.
Most importantly for me however was the speech that Irma and Jason (her husband) made. It touched me. It reminded me of my own wedding dinner a year ago whereby I made a promise to 400 over guests that I will take good care of my wife.
However, stress & emotion seem to have gotten the better of me recently that I nearly forgot the promise I had made. Suddenly I was so ashamed of my behaviour. When I reached home, the first thing I wanted to do was to give her a hug and say sorry. Although she does not know what happened, I think its enough. Enough for me to repent and reflect through how we got together and why we went onto this path together.
I guess one would only cherish the things they took for granted when on the verge of losing them. This is human nature. It is sad but it is true.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
The Power of Escalation
Quite a number of things to blog this week. Will start with this interesting observation.
As reported in the newspapers, the whole government sector is moving towards a new and common IT platform after having awarded a $1.3bil project to OneMeridian, project codename "SOEasy". Well, it is not exactly easy in our opinion with numerous issue hitting each member of the section who migrated to the new platform. Apparently, ZDNetAsia did point out that it is not going to be an easy project (http://www.zdnetasia.com/news/business/0,39044229,62041019,00.htm).
Ok, I am digressing (again).
Due to different officers using different email platform to send email, there appeared to be some email address/directory issue, resulting in new user of MS Outlook not being able to send email to a particular officer who is still using Lotus Notes. This resulted in significant inconvenience experienced at work. When enough is enough, I sent an email to the head of the team, hoping to seek some resolution. I also kept my bosses in the cc loop (not my style actually).
The following is interesting:
1) Within an hour, we have a technician down to try to troubleshoot the issue.
2) edm forwarded to the MCIO in charge, asking them for a possible solution given the importance of email communication to us.
3) ec also forwarded to the MCIO in charge, asking them to look into it. Well he cc Mrs L (a more senior officer) in the process.
A flurry of emails followed after that, ending with my staff getting her new PC today (as reported). This was unknown to us as I have asked my staff when she will be getting hers. Her reply was that she don't know and it should be later in Jan which prompted me to write that email.
The issue is the same but when surfaced by different people, it drew different responses from different people.
This is the power of escalation. Valuable lesson learnt indeed.
(Afternote: By 2pm today, my staff got a replacement computer and email is back at work. Oh well..... )
As reported in the newspapers, the whole government sector is moving towards a new and common IT platform after having awarded a $1.3bil project to OneMeridian, project codename "SOEasy". Well, it is not exactly easy in our opinion with numerous issue hitting each member of the section who migrated to the new platform. Apparently, ZDNetAsia did point out that it is not going to be an easy project (http://www.zdnetasia.com/news/business/0,39044229,62041019,00.htm).
Ok, I am digressing (again).
Due to different officers using different email platform to send email, there appeared to be some email address/directory issue, resulting in new user of MS Outlook not being able to send email to a particular officer who is still using Lotus Notes. This resulted in significant inconvenience experienced at work. When enough is enough, I sent an email to the head of the team, hoping to seek some resolution. I also kept my bosses in the cc loop (not my style actually).
The following is interesting:
1) Within an hour, we have a technician down to try to troubleshoot the issue.
2) edm forwarded to the MCIO in charge, asking them for a possible solution given the importance of email communication to us.
3) ec also forwarded to the MCIO in charge, asking them to look into it. Well he cc Mrs L (a more senior officer) in the process.
A flurry of emails followed after that, ending with my staff getting her new PC today (as reported). This was unknown to us as I have asked my staff when she will be getting hers. Her reply was that she don't know and it should be later in Jan which prompted me to write that email.
The issue is the same but when surfaced by different people, it drew different responses from different people.
This is the power of escalation. Valuable lesson learnt indeed.
(Afternote: By 2pm today, my staff got a replacement computer and email is back at work. Oh well..... )
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Christmas Shopping
I took 1/2 day leave today to complete my christmas shopping. It is tedious to find something meaningful, purposeful and most importantly, able to bring a smile to the person's face when he/she received the gift.
So near yet so far; when I was left with the only present to search for, it turned out to be the toughest of all. The recipient of this gift is an unassuming person, who probably cares for the environment and does not snack. In any case, I never like to buy food as a gift unless forced to.
I walked from Takashimaya to Orchard Ion and back to Takashimaya again before settling for something.
Orchard Ion is huge and pretty grand. However, I did not have a good impression of the toilet. While the material they used looks good and posh, the toilet cleaner who was around did not ensure that there is sufficient toilet paper in the washroom. He was simply busy with maintaining the basin and mirror.
Perhaps I was expecting slightly too much =P.
So near yet so far; when I was left with the only present to search for, it turned out to be the toughest of all. The recipient of this gift is an unassuming person, who probably cares for the environment and does not snack. In any case, I never like to buy food as a gift unless forced to.
I walked from Takashimaya to Orchard Ion and back to Takashimaya again before settling for something.
Orchard Ion is huge and pretty grand. However, I did not have a good impression of the toilet. While the material they used looks good and posh, the toilet cleaner who was around did not ensure that there is sufficient toilet paper in the washroom. He was simply busy with maintaining the basin and mirror.
Perhaps I was expecting slightly too much =P.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
船到桥头自然直
近几个星期过得真不容易。
心情的起起落落，没几个人能够了解。
我很庆幸得到朋友的协助与开导，没有他们的话，我深信这几个星期会更难过。
（你们知道你是谁，真的谢谢你们了。）
Blogging is truly therapeutic as I was told. It is a venue to express your thoughts although I agree with her that some Singaporeans tend to use it as a venue to complain. So typical right. When I started my blog, it was not meant for this purpose although I kind of abused it in recent weeks/months.
When one is emotionally unstable, he/she tends to make irrational decision. I nearly made a bad mistake in such situation, forgetting the big picture and other equally (if not more) important item.
要是有病，一定要根治，不然可能会有病发症。 可是病还是让它自然痊愈比较好，不然可能会有副作用。
有时候也可以尝试吃止痛药，让身体的抗体慢慢把病毒击跨。
嗨，船到桥头自然直，不直就把它撞直吧。
心情的起起落落，没几个人能够了解。
我很庆幸得到朋友的协助与开导，没有他们的话，我深信这几个星期会更难过。
（你们知道你是谁，真的谢谢你们了。）
Blogging is truly therapeutic as I was told. It is a venue to express your thoughts although I agree with her that some Singaporeans tend to use it as a venue to complain. So typical right. When I started my blog, it was not meant for this purpose although I kind of abused it in recent weeks/months.
When one is emotionally unstable, he/she tends to make irrational decision. I nearly made a bad mistake in such situation, forgetting the big picture and other equally (if not more) important item.
要是有病，一定要根治，不然可能会有病发症。 可是病还是让它自然痊愈比较好，不然可能会有副作用。
有时候也可以尝试吃止痛药，让身体的抗体慢慢把病毒击跨。
嗨，船到桥头自然直，不直就把它撞直吧。
Thursday, December 17, 2009
灰
累，我累了。
怕，我害怕这一天的到来。
厌倦，我开始厌倦这样的生活。
担心，我担心自己是否已走到了尽头。
这种两个陌生人共处一室的身活，我不知还能挨多久。
这已经是第四天了。她仍然不肯说话。
我已经不知所挫，不知下一步该怎么走。
等，是我唯一可做的事。
可是我这一等，会等花开结果吗？
我是否还可以继续笑脸迎人来面对其他人？我还能维持多久？
或许梁静茹是对的，爱真的需要勇气。
梁静茹《勇气》
==============
终于做了这个决定
别人怎么说我不理
只要你也一样的肯定
我愿意天涯海角都随你去
我知道一切不容易
我的心一直温习说服自己
最怕你忽然说要放弃
爱真的需要勇气
来面对流言蜚语
只要你一个眼神肯定
我的爱就有意义
我们都需要勇气
去相信会在一起
人潮拥挤我能感觉你
放在我手心里 你的真心
如果我的坚强任性
会不小心伤害了你
你能不能温柔提醒
我虽然心太急
更害怕错过你
爱真的需要勇气
来面对流言蜚语
只要你一个眼神肯定
我的爱就有意义
我们都需要勇气
去相信会在一起
人潮拥挤我能感觉你
放在我手心里 你的真心
怕，我害怕这一天的到来。
厌倦，我开始厌倦这样的生活。
担心，我担心自己是否已走到了尽头。
这种两个陌生人共处一室的身活，我不知还能挨多久。
这已经是第四天了。她仍然不肯说话。
我已经不知所挫，不知下一步该怎么走。
等，是我唯一可做的事。
可是我这一等，会等花开结果吗？
我是否还可以继续笑脸迎人来面对其他人？我还能维持多久？
或许梁静茹是对的，爱真的需要勇气。
梁静茹《勇气》
==============
终于做了这个决定
别人怎么说我不理
只要你也一样的肯定
我愿意天涯海角都随你去
我知道一切不容易
我的心一直温习说服自己
最怕你忽然说要放弃
爱真的需要勇气
来面对流言蜚语
只要你一个眼神肯定
我的爱就有意义
我们都需要勇气
去相信会在一起
人潮拥挤我能感觉你
放在我手心里 你的真心
如果我的坚强任性
会不小心伤害了你
你能不能温柔提醒
我虽然心太急
更害怕错过你
爱真的需要勇气
来面对流言蜚语
只要你一个眼神肯定
我的爱就有意义
我们都需要勇气
去相信会在一起
人潮拥挤我能感觉你
放在我手心里 你的真心
iPhone Bandwagon
The wait is finally over for M1 and Starhub subscribers as they have launched the sale of iPhone in Singapore, breaking the monopoly once held by Singtel.
This has brought about a drop in the price of data plans as M1 and Starhub tried to gain as much market share as possible. The reaction of the competition was interesting to view from the sideline (with popcorn and coke).
Starhub was the first to announce their price plan last week. On the same day, M1 announced their price plan in the afternoon. On seeing M1’s impressive data bundle package, Starhub increased its 3G SmartSurf plans’ data bundle from 1 GB to 12 GB. The next day, Singtel adjusted its data bundle to be comparable with M1 and Starhub. At steady state, M1 made another refinement to their data bundle.
In a quick glance, all 3 competitors have broadly similar price plans (pl do the comparison yourself to see the difference) which was fair more attractive than what Singtel started a year ago.
This has also led to many iPhone wannabes to hop onto the bandwagon. 2 days ago, I also saw one of my colleague joining the bandwagon although she thinks iPhone does not like her as she had problem using it.
I had considered joining the bandwagon too but with so many people on board already, do I really want to hold a phone that is the same as others? The telcos have responded, its about time the phone manufacturers respond to the competition brought about by iPhone.
I will be waiting at the sidelines, hoping to benefit from it. =)
This has brought about a drop in the price of data plans as M1 and Starhub tried to gain as much market share as possible. The reaction of the competition was interesting to view from the sideline (with popcorn and coke).
Starhub was the first to announce their price plan last week. On the same day, M1 announced their price plan in the afternoon. On seeing M1’s impressive data bundle package, Starhub increased its 3G SmartSurf plans’ data bundle from 1 GB to 12 GB. The next day, Singtel adjusted its data bundle to be comparable with M1 and Starhub. At steady state, M1 made another refinement to their data bundle.
In a quick glance, all 3 competitors have broadly similar price plans (pl do the comparison yourself to see the difference) which was fair more attractive than what Singtel started a year ago.
This has also led to many iPhone wannabes to hop onto the bandwagon. 2 days ago, I also saw one of my colleague joining the bandwagon although she thinks iPhone does not like her as she had problem using it.
I had considered joining the bandwagon too but with so many people on board already, do I really want to hold a phone that is the same as others? The telcos have responded, its about time the phone manufacturers respond to the competition brought about by iPhone.
I will be waiting at the sidelines, hoping to benefit from it. =)
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Invisible?
Today, my division welcomed 2 'new' officers. Why the word "new" comes with inverted commas is because these 2 officers are not exactly new, one of them transferred from another research and statistics unit while the other joined us on secondment to help out with the Census Project.
As part of the newcomers' "ritual", they will be brought around the office to tell existing officers that these are the new kids on the block. Today was no exception.
However, as the HR officer approached my cubicle with the 2 new officers, I heard her saying "Tze Chow is not around today, we will go to the next cubicle instead.". I was astonished when I heard that. What makes you think I am not in office today?
This is not the first time anyway. In the past when I enjoyed the luxury of a office (with no windows though), the HR officer always missed my room as well. Reason being that the room used to be a library and along the same alley, there were no officers around the area.
Perhaps this is a gentle reminder that I am not longer considered part of the office and its time to go. =)
As part of the newcomers' "ritual", they will be brought around the office to tell existing officers that these are the new kids on the block. Today was no exception.
However, as the HR officer approached my cubicle with the 2 new officers, I heard her saying "Tze Chow is not around today, we will go to the next cubicle instead.". I was astonished when I heard that. What makes you think I am not in office today?
This is not the first time anyway. In the past when I enjoyed the luxury of a office (with no windows though), the HR officer always missed my room as well. Reason being that the room used to be a library and along the same alley, there were no officers around the area.
Perhaps this is a gentle reminder that I am not longer considered part of the office and its time to go. =)
Monday, December 14, 2009
Communication
According to the Marriam-Webster Dictionary, communication can be defined as one of the following:
1 an act or instance of transmitting
2 a: information communicated b : a verbal or written message
3 a: a process by which information is exchanged between individuals through a common system of symbols, signs, or behavior (the function of pheromones in insect communication); also : exchange of information b : personal rapport (a lack of communication between old and young persons)
If you have been following my earlier post, you would have noticed that I seem to have been plagued with the communication virus, resulting in me not being able to communicate with some key people in my personal and working life.
Since they did not specify, will it be considered too much to make them communicate in a manner I will prefer then?
Not sure how to get things moving forward since they all did not tell me what is the best platform/manner to communicate in.
If you have any suggestion, feel free to let me know.
I am at all ears since communication is a 2-way interactive process.
1 an act or instance of transmitting
2 a: information communicated b : a verbal or written message
3 a: a process by which information is exchanged between individuals through a common system of symbols, signs, or behavior (the function of pheromones in insect communication); also : exchange of information b : personal rapport (a lack of communication between old and young persons)
If you have been following my earlier post, you would have noticed that I seem to have been plagued with the communication virus, resulting in me not being able to communicate with some key people in my personal and working life.
Since they did not specify, will it be considered too much to make them communicate in a manner I will prefer then?
Not sure how to get things moving forward since they all did not tell me what is the best platform/manner to communicate in.
If you have any suggestion, feel free to let me know.
I am at all ears since communication is a 2-way interactive process.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Interesting day in Office
T: Are you ok? Your eyes look wet.
S: I am ok.
T: All right (He looked down at the paper and starting "sobbing", trying to imitate S).
Suddenly, T felt that someone had slapped his right arm. He looked up in shock, only to see S in shock too. lol.
T is ok to let S slap him, if it makes her feel better. He won't take offence of such things.
In return, S said that T can slap her if he is in a bad mood. However, S also said that "Please don't hit my face."
S: I am ok.
T: All right (He looked down at the paper and starting "sobbing", trying to imitate S).
Suddenly, T felt that someone had slapped his right arm. He looked up in shock, only to see S in shock too. lol.
T is ok to let S slap him, if it makes her feel better. He won't take offence of such things.
In return, S said that T can slap her if he is in a bad mood. However, S also said that "Please don't hit my face."
Friday, December 4, 2009
Toughest Week Ever...
Its been a long and tough week, one of the toughest in fact.
Never had I gone through so much emotional struggle and thought in such a short span of time. When one is unable to think through clearly, he will make strange decisions and behave irrationally. I think this was what happened to me in the past week.
For a while, it seems that everyone is at fault except myself. In fact, it all boils down to communication.
There is a saying: ASSUME = Making an ASS out of U and ME. This is totally true. If one has communicated what he meant to another person, the other person need not guess and assume and create all the "misunderstanding".
Through this episode, I also saw how difficult was it to build trust and relationship and how easy was it to destroy it over one incident. Will I be able to rebuild the whole thing all over again? Will the crack be mended forever?
Only time will tell.
Never had I gone through so much emotional struggle and thought in such a short span of time. When one is unable to think through clearly, he will make strange decisions and behave irrationally. I think this was what happened to me in the past week.
For a while, it seems that everyone is at fault except myself. In fact, it all boils down to communication.
There is a saying: ASSUME = Making an ASS out of U and ME. This is totally true. If one has communicated what he meant to another person, the other person need not guess and assume and create all the "misunderstanding".
Through this episode, I also saw how difficult was it to build trust and relationship and how easy was it to destroy it over one incident. Will I be able to rebuild the whole thing all over again? Will the crack be mended forever?
Only time will tell.
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