Non-Standard English

Proof that "handphone" is not Standard English. From the Boon Lay library:



But, I would map "Please turn off your mobile phone" to "Off your handphone leh" instead of "lah".

The comma before the "lah" seems quite curious too. In any case, "Off your handphone lah" in proper English would be more along the lines of "In that case, turn off your mobile phone".



Another typical Singlish pharse, which omits the subject. This can be done when the subject of the conversation is obvious, otherwise the response would very well be "What thing what time start?".

On Work

Time really goes faster when you're working long hours, eating late and waking early. I've worked for 2 weeks and 3 days and it feels quite fast. I know that within these two weeks I have done lots of things and learnt lots of things too but still it's gone fast.

I always said that I greatly preferred working to studying cos you ain't thinking about work all the time and during weekends unlike when you are studying and writing all-consuming assignments. I'm not so sure now. I brought work home for the past two weekends in addition to working at least 3 hours past official hours everyday.

Hopefully it's just because of the combination of the facts that I'm new, it's a busy period, I'm still searching for the best ways to do things, I'm still learning about the trade, and I had less than 6 hours understudying my predecessor. For all these I'm blaming William who was supposed to take over but couldn't take the stress and moved next door to the procurement office instead.

Well, I've give myself a few months and see if the situation improves. For the moment, I just want the money.

But I do really find myself changed by my Tasmanian experience. I fell less agitated, more concerned with doing the right thing instead of meeting the target at all costs.

And more socially aware. The operators are almost exclusively Chinese and Indian migrant workers. That is from the People's Republic of China and the Republic of India. With a fair sprinkling of Malaysian Chinese. Two years ago I might have ignored such observation but now I think of the social implications and cannot help but think that it's such a throwback to a hundred years ago.

Like then, many will earn a small fortune and go home, some will leave no richer then when they came and some will stay, in Singapore or in SEA. How would the Singapore society change? Integration problems. How would the second generation identify themselves and how would "native" Singaporeans view them? I'm too busy at work to think more.

Pet peeve for the moment: Why does the Straits Times insist on using the Americanism "cellphone"? What's so wrong with "handphone"? Maybe because handphone is not Standard English.

I Miss Hobart

After workin for 4 days, I'm tired. I hope I get used to work soon. For some reason, I'm missing Hobart today. I miss Hobart.

Happy Birthday to the Republic

Five Stars Arising
There's a new moon arising, out of the stormy sea
Youthful and bright and bearing hope, and tranquil as can be
Reach out for the moon above, savour freedom, truth and love
There's a new moon arising, out of the stormy sea

There are five stars arising, out of the stormy sea
Each is a lamp to guide our way; a lamp for all to see
Reach out for the stars above, savour freedom, truth and love
There are five stars arising, out of the stormy sea

There's a new flag arising, out of the stormy sea
Crimson as the blood of all mankind, yet white and pure and free
Reach out for the flag above, savour freedom, truth and love
There's a new flag arising, happy and proud are we

From: http://www.singsingapore.org.sg/

My favourite Singapore song when I was little. More than 10 years ago. More than 15 years ago. We're still on our way there.

NDP, and everything related to it, may be tacky and corny but I can't imagine 9 August without it.

Of Interviews

After a quiet week without any interviews or appointments for interviews, I had one yesterday and another one tomorrow. Why do these things come in waves?

One thing I noticed is that for all the companies I was interviewed for, all commented that they need new people because they are expanding or that business is improving. So I guess the Singapore economy really must be improving. Granted it's not a very scientific way of judging economic activity, I think such anecdotal indications are valid.

Well, I'm still bored. Will someone please hurry up and hire me?

Graduation ceremony in Hobart is on Friday the 5th. I wonder if they really are going to mention my name in absentia.

Home, Truly

First meal in Singapore: Roti prata, 2 egg, 1 kosong. Kopi-o :)


So, I'm home. Truly home and not going anywhere else for the moment.

I've been back for a week and I'm just about almost used to the temperature and the humidity now. But I'm still not sweating as much as I used to. Probably take me until the end of the month before my body really get used to it all. I went for a short run yesterday, the first one since I'm back. A very short run in fact. Don't want to push it.

It's quite a relief, to be back in Singapore and find that the little things are still familiar, that I still know how to order food from kopitiams, that I am still as swift at tapping the Ezlink card on the readers, that people actually understand me when I say "Neh-my, it's all-kay, don bother".

I'm not missing Tassie as much as I thought I would be too. Maybe it just hasn't hit me yet.

No interviews yet but definitely have one tomorrow.

Bring Me Home

MEL Airport. Qantas B747. 3 Jul. Bring me home:

On My Way Home

On my way home. Finally. I'm sitting at a cafe inside Melbourne Airport's restricted area. Another 2 hours until take-off. Now that I'm here, I just want to get home quick. I'm tired. Waking up at 3.50 for the domestic flight from HBA was tough after not having a good night's sleep in a week.

I spent the last night in Hobart with Tina. Dinner at Maldini's then a last walk along the docks. It'll be a pleasant memory.

I couldn't muster the courage to call Justyna when I reached Melb. I know she'll be awake but I just couldn't do it. I sent her a message instead, just saying that I had nothing left to say. She told me not to think too much and to cheer up. I can't help it; I can't help thinking.

I spent over an hour writing her a letter instead. Ended up crying while trying to finish it. But then there isn't a post office at the airport and so I'll have to bring it back to SIN and post it from there. Take a bloody week to get back to HBA.

I do really miss her, I do really want to always have her around and I really do wish my circumstances were different. I can only wish at this point.

Saying goodbye to everyone over the past two days have been emotionally draining. I'm tired, I don't really want to go back to SIN and work and leave everyone behind. I've never felt this badly about leaving someplace before.

Back to SIN, my mask is going back on.

Conflicted

Yeah, I should be home in 72 hours. I'm...conflicted. I am both sad and happy that I have compleated my degree. I am sad at having to leave this lovely place but I am happy to be going home. At the same time, I wish I could stay and I know I must go.

Comfortable and fun as this may be, it's just not home.

I'm gonna just spend the next two days with Tyna. As much as possible.

Last Run

Just got back from my last run in Hobart. I started later than usual, when it was starting to get dark. The sunset was beautiful. It was a beautiful red but I hope it doesn't mean that it'll rain tomorrow.

Right now, I'm alternating between wanting to go home and wanting to stay because there's so many things I'll miss. It's irrational and I'm going to enjoy being irrational for awhile now.