Bits of Life at Pengerang

Yosshhh!! 2 more days and it will be a full 3 months of working in Pengerang! Bosses, please acknowledge my efforts and give me a handsome pay raise! Hahaha...

I met some new friends, local Chinese I am referring to. They are... hmmm... interesting. Their lives are simple and full with laughters, stupid jokes! There is even a place now, a restaurant actually, that gives me feelings of warmth and peace. I think I wanted to be there because I like that atmosphere, the food was quite nice though.

My bosses are Japanese, speak fluent Japanese (Of course) but poor English. Their English, or you may call Japlish, are really quite hilarious to listen to. Example, Reto(red) Colour, Speedboato(Speedboat), Ando(and), Ma(anyhow), Pleasu(please), and the list goes on... maybe you are not laughing, wait till you listen to their accents. Am listening to their conversations with each other day to day... just like I used to watch Japanese drama, which I still do now, and it is just damn funny trying to pretend not understand what they were saying. haha... After years of watching Japanese dramas and also the Japanese classes that I have attended during university years, can't help but to understand some of their conversations. (Gome! Ma, I still respect my bosses!) Hahaha...

Okay, now is the month of Ramadhan, Malay colleagues are fasting, workers too. The canteen become quiet, no long queues, just nice. I am liking it. Meanwhile I still hate the fact that I have to fight for nice car park spot every morning, because people still drive while Ramadhan right? Lolz... Lame!

Let you feel my work place, this is what I see everyday.

Signing off...

2 Weeks on The Job

2 weeks have gone and I wouldn't say it was a hard one. The work itself really feels kind of easy to get the hang of it. Now I can really tell what's the difference in productivity between someone who is totally new and someone with experience.

Everything was kind of expected so far. In fact a lot of flashes came back to mind and remind me what is the next step to take and the precautions for potential problems. Construction site always have problems, and solving problems is really what engineers like me have to do. The upside is I can get my job done pretty effectively. The downside is people start to depend on you and harbour high expectations from you.

I'm not genius or different in anyway while compare to others. I just know slightly more than others in terms of marine construction. I would say luck brought me here, to where I am today. I have never planned myself that way. I just followed what was given to me, and I kind of made my way here. I still doubt about my choice of career though. Despite all the upside my job gave me, the downside will always be there and I not sure that is really what I wanted.

Anyway, for the time being, I will just continue to do what I have always been doing, to have great faith in my abilities and to do what I am paid to do.

New Chapter in Life: New Job New Beginning

Well, instead of further study like I mentioned in my Preview of 2012, I changed job. The 23 of April 2012 was the last day of service to my company. 

It was my first company since graduation and I have learned lots to grow to a more mature engineer compare to 2 years ago. I joined this company on 17 May 2010 and gosh time passed so fast. I have since involved in 3 projects which exposed me to the fundamental of marine construction. The experience was awesome! Many thanks to colleagues whom had guide me throughout my time in this company.

About 3 months ago a new opportunity arose and I took it. As a result I will be starting my new job at 2nd of May. I will be working in Malaysia and this involve giving up my employment pass. It had certainly served me well for this past 2 years, enabled me to access Singapore easily. For the record, my passports only got stamped once by Singapore Immigration.

However, working in Malaysia also means a different kind of lifestyle. Not exactly new to me but this time it is more reassuring that I will be staying here far more longer. Hence I have bought my first ever car in my life! More about my car in future posts! ^.^

By the way, for the record as well, I have never bought any laptop in my life until one month ago. I've been using my company laptop LIKE A BOSS all this while haha! I'm changing company and of course the laptop has to go back to the HR, which it already did.

HP Envy 14 Spectre with HP X7000 Wifi Mouse and Beats by Dr. Dre! Also starring are my HTC Desire HD, Nokia Xpress Music 5130, and Samsung Monte.

Yes I did use 3 phones and in fact I have 4 phone numbers! Call me crazy but I really found them handy as I always moving around between JB and Singapore, and also to segregate my calls between personal and work. Don't be surprise if you only have one of my 4 numbers, because no body have all my 4 phone numbers. Mostly got one or two, three is very few! However I'm likely to reduce it to 2 or 3 starting next month.

I pray my new chapter in life will be better than ever if not awesome. 

Tokyo Love

 I came back from Japan about 12 days ago. What else i'm going to talk about if not Japan right?

Tokyo was where i went. A really... really awesome place! Everything just feels better!

The way people dress, the way people talk, the way people eat, the way people behave, etc, it was just awesome! The trains, the food, the architecture, etc, Tokyo was really an eye-opener to me.

Shibuya Scramble Crossing

Shinjuku

Tokyo Tower

Yokohama

Asakusa, background was Tokyo Sky Tree scheduled to open at 22nd May 2012

Meiji Shrine

Sensoji

Some of the stuffs you can't really depict from photos alone. You got to have videos. I have made one with my D7000 as well. Not recorded in the highest quality possible, which was quite sad cause i should have had. Never mind, i am all aspired to take better quality videos next time around.

Across Tokyo feat. Takashi Sorimachi's Forever

How's Life?

A week after i back to Singapore, feels like nothing changed.

The first day i cleaned my room for like 6 hours. I can still remember i was super tired but feel damn comfy sleeping in my bed.

The first day at work was okay. Had some meetings, had a lunch with big boss, which by the way was my first time.

Just wanna say... be cheerful and everything will turn out just fine!

The Tokyo Sky Tree

I'm going there very soon. ^.^

The US Trip Vol. 4

During the 3 days i was there, we went 2 museums. So i think you'll know what to expect. Lolz...

Following photos were from WWI Museum at Liberty Memorial.

From Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art followed.

Museums are actually quite nice if you take your time to understand the exhibits. Some will kept you thinking even after you have left the building.

I was quite surprise i was allowed to take photos in both of the Museum i have visited. Come to think of it, i realised it was a very long time ago since i last visited a museum. It was Muzium Negara i guess? Haha...

The US Trip Vol. 3

Actually this was a business trip. I think i should at least show you some work related photos. To prove that i'm not there just for the fun. :D

Pentair Water Kansas City

Our limo arriving at Pentair Water.

We were there for Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) of 2 nos of 4 stages vertical turbine seawater pump. These pumps eventually will form part of the fire fighting system of the jetty that my company are constructing now.

On the left is the pump while on the right is the test pit that the pump has been fixed on.

The tests were done and the results were acceptable. Hence, the pumps were ready for assembling and shipment to Malaysia by air freight.

In the middle was John, the Hydraulic Analyst. He got 30 over years of experience. Survived through 4 different ownerships in the same company.

Myself, Azizat, Chris, and Richard. Chris was the guy who coordinate our FAT. He is a Professional Engineer and also the International Application Engineering Manager of Pentair Water, brilliant guy.

Coming up next Vol. 4. ^.^

The US Trip Vol. 2

Kansas City is a city which occupies two different states, namely Missouri and Kansas. The Kansas and Missouri river separate the city into Kansas City, Kansas, and Kansas City, Missouri.

Missouri River

Some of the Kansas City attractions are The Plaza, Union Station, Liberty Memorial featuring the World War I Museum, The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, etc.

Liberty Memorial

The Nelson Atkins Museum of Art

The Union Station

Kansas City View from Liberty Memorial

Kansas City Downtown

Kansas City also has a nickname called the City of Fountains. I don't even bother to take any more photos on fountains after a few shots. 

A young woman working on her drawing of the fountain.

The weather of Kansas City during my stay there was nice. There is no snow whatsoever though the locals said they have had one of the highest snow depth last year. I thought i could have observe snow for the first time in my life.

Azizat and myself having lunch in the Rozzelle Court Restaurant.

Stay tuned for Vol. 3. ^.^

The US Trip Vol. 1

I will keep this post short. I am still sorting out the photos. ^.^

My Desire HD main screen

The flights arranged by company actually require me to board a few connecting flights. 

Departure to Kansas City from Singapore, via Tokyo and then San Francisco.

Departure to Singapore from Kansas City, via San Francisco and then Hong Kong.

I arrived at Changi Airport two minutes before the check-in counter closed and was lectured by the counter lady. Lolz... Luckily i still made it!

Hence, i need four different clocks to advise me on the time of my connecting flights. I certainly don't want to miss any of them. Lessons learned.

Getting Insured

Today i met up with a friend whom is an insurance agent. I was to get to know the insurance policies that are offered by the insurance company.

Well, it turned out quite fruitful and efficient. I called my brother and sister immediately after i was done talking to my friend. They very willingly accepted my proposal to get both my parents insured. We agreed to share the premiums and also the beneficiaries, which are the three of us as well obviously.

First payment is made and the forms are signed after my friend and myself explained to my parents the benefits of getting insured. My parents doubted the necessity of the policies but i believe it is a right choice.

At least today i have achieved a big step in ensuring part of the future of both my parents and among my siblings are taken care of. Medical bills can be quite a bitch!

Amid this CNY mood that are fading as i will be heading back to work soon, i wish everybody a Happy Chinese New Year! ^.^

Favourite picture for this year CNY Celebration!

Japan Visa

There's no interview like the US Visa.

However you need a saving account, or fixed deposit, etc showing a figure more than RM 10k.

You would also need your company certification letter indicating your position, length of service, salary etc, and some other documents to prove your are earning a healthy income and you are not actually going there to steal jobs. Haha..

Also, unless you are travelling to Japan for work purposes, you would probably need to prepare a letter stating your purpose of visit and guarantee of expenses.

Not forgetting a confirmed flight itinerary as well. Meaning to say you can't submit your Visa application unless you have bought your air ticket. Lolz...

And here it is!

My face is freaking dark! WTH?! Never mind. ^.^

Preview of 2012

Hi Everybody! I know it's a little bit late but i will assure you the following stories will not be a waste of time. :)

People usually talks about what happened last year when they stepped into new year i.e. best bits of 2011. However i'm going to skip that and do the opposite. Here's the preview of the year 2012 for me.

1. Moving back to Singapore

Yes. I will be back to Singapore for my third project in Keppel Tuas Shipyard early February. It's a very challenging project and i am quite delighted that i will be a part of it. I've been learning and it's been tough for me thus far. My new year resolution for work is that i must be humble and be willing to take advice. 

2. Going to the US

I have had quite an unusual experience obtaining the US Visa. In short, i will be at Kansas City for Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) for my current project. Out of the 6 days, 2.5 days i will be in planes or airports. 1 day for FAT and 1.5 days free and easy. All are with co-workers of course. It is my first time there and it is work related but it certainly won't be the last since i'm having a 10 years multiple entry Visa. ^.^

3. Going to Japan

My Japan Visa is currently being processed. Like the US one but slightly easier, without interview, and it is free of charge as well. This trip however is not work related. I am going there alone for 7 days. I have a friend there who may able to bring me around. Well... going there anyway with or without anyone. Flights are confirmed. 

4. Buying a house

It is a new condominium located in Subang Jaya expected to complete end of 2014. Down-payment paid, loan approved, and going to sign S&P soon. The entire process is more tedious than i thought it would be. This house most probably is not for own stay. Maybe will sell maybe will rent out. Will see...

5. Just bought a 10-24mm Nikkor DX lens

I bought it for a week but yet to explore its greatness. This lens is a must considering the events that are going to happen this year. Not to mention the oversea trips i'm going to have, i actually have few friends going to tie the knot this year. Do expect some wedding related photos coming up later this year in my Facebook profile, or maybe here blogger. I think i will get a flash soon for proper wedding shoots. :P

6. Considering taking MBA

It is close to 2 years since i graduated from USM. The working life is not exactly broadening my perspective for life. I have not seen enough and i am hunger for more unique experiences. This is still at a very beginning stage, still not sure where to pursue MBA. Most probably i will take it full time and hence money is another issue i need to consider seriously. 

Some of you may have stopped reading the above and jumped to this photo. If you did please tick the "lolzz" below. Then i will know how exactly boring my writing is. Please comment as well if you think i look funny. Hahaha...

Is it a waste of time? Lolz...

US Visa

"Hello how are you?"
"Say again?"

"How are you?"
"Yeah i'm fine."

"Why are you going to the US?"
"I'm an employee of Antara Koh.... .... I'm there to witness the testing."

"Do you have any relatives there?"
"Nope."

"How long would you stay in the US?"
"3 days."

"Your Visa is approved. This is the collection card to pick up your passport at your selected distribution office. Enjoy your trip to the US."

"So it's done?"
"Yeah."

"Thanks!"

The interview took me less than 2 minutes (maybe because i have the invitation letter from the US manufacturer) but the queue took me 2 hours!

The application itself is a lengthy and tedious process. Pay up the application fees at Standard Charted Bank, filling up the online application form, schedule the interview, get ready the US Visa format photos, attend the interview at the US embassy, and finally collect the Visa.

And here it is!

I was never informed of the validity of the Visa but i was granted 10 years! I thought it would be like perhaps a month? That is so cool!

An August not to forget

The month of August 2011 is going to end in about 40 minutes time. Hope that i can finish this post before September come.

August was a happening month. I moved to Pasir Gudang at 10th of August. A day after i enjoyed a day off at 9th of August, National Day of Singapore. Settling down at this very industrialised town is okay. The first few days was awful. No transport, no internet, etc...

Things get better after that, company given me one old, rusted Iswara but who cares, as long as its wheels are rolling. Few days after that i registered Celcom broadband 3.5mbps speed with 6GB for monthly usage. Pretty smooth and hustle free. Nice. I can claim from the company as well because it is for work purposes too.

Ever since i came to Pasir Gudang, i went back to Singapore every weekends. Partly due to there is no entertainment around Pasir Gudang. Plus the fact that i'm not really familiar with Johor roads, is better to go back to some where i can take public transports to wherever i want to go and meet my friends.

This month is also special because LGM came down to NTU for the final round of FYSK-17. Although we didn't win but it was fun and it was great to be able to meet them and listen to them playing again.

This month going to end really nicely. With the last few days of the month being holidays, and the fact that i enjoyed off days and celebrated the National Day for both Singapore and Malaysia together at this month makes it even special.

LitleGras life is always the best! Wish this could last forever and ever.

Work... Again.

Well... more than a month has gone since i back to the main office. I can totally feel i am a site people. Being limited to work around walls does not feel great at all. It stresses me out for nothing.

Anyway, i know i am gonna off to Pasir Gudang very soon. The project has to kick off eventually. It is a very tight-scheduled one though. Feel so tension being given such a responsibility. Although i know this is my chance to shine and get noticed. Only if i managed to complete the project in time of course.

Just in case you didn't see me in the next CNY, i might be still working, struggling to get things done. It so happens that the handover date is a day before the first day of CNY! Why if the project couldn't finish in time?
lalalala.....

现在的我

After a year working in Singapore, i will be backed to Malaysia again. Not for good but at least for 6 months, which is the period of the new project i am going to involve in.

The site is located in Pasir Gudang, not sure how is it though, never been there. Judging from my current scope of work, i can say i have move forward in my career. I have been learning new things on a on-going basis. It is quite satisfying, knowing i am on the right track.

However, sometimes, i still miss my life being a student, or rather i should say the life when i indulged myself in the sea of music, playing in a band, drumming. Such a great life it is.

I am thinking whether i should stop working for a year or two, then just join some band and play music. You know i can't really let go of the paycheck i am receiving every fortnightly, but then again what is the money for when you can't do something you want to do. For whom for what we want to be rich?

Having able to buy stuffs that you want, be it a car, a house, a branded watch or other any other expensive stuffs, does not really help in making you happy and contended for life. It is always a temporary effect, where you only enjoyed for a brief moment when your materialistic-ism being fulfilled. After the hormones disappeared, your happiness also vanished.

I need a reason for me to continue working on my career goals. Please give me one.



王力宏 - 需要人陪

I started working exactly a year ago today

 Today is May 17th! It is a public holiday in Singapore, Vesak Day. Well, today is also the day where i started working after completing my studies a year ago. A welcomed coincidence isn't it?

Generally i find myself love to work in marine environment. It offers some kind of thrill out of the routine boredom from time to time. What kind of thrill am i talking about? It is the thrill of unforeseen circumstances.

Myself about a year ago!

You know in construction line, schedule is of utmost importance. Basically a major determinant of whether a construction firm going to grasp a profit from a particular project. And for most of the construction projects on land, in my opinion, are quite predictable. However, it is not so in the marine construction.

Why do i said so? One of the factors that influence schedule are tidal change. The level of permanent structure is not going to change regardless of the tide. Therefore sometimes, for a particular work, there is only 3 to 4 workable hours in a day as the seawater level rises or falls. Hence, planning is an everyday job because tide levels are different in each and every hour everyday. Of course there are works that do not depend on tide levels, this is where the other hours in a day are used for.

Piling Barge

My company specializes in marine foundation works. Our works are highly dependent on machineries, as most of the machineries are huge. To name a few, piling barge, crane barge, material barge, jack-up barge, drilling machine, anchor boat et cetera. When there are so many plants and machineries around, breakdown of machineries is inevitable. This is the second factor that influence the schedule, in fact, a lot.

Many construction companies overlooked the importance of workers, thinking they could be replaced with another one anytime, causing their welfare poorly taken care of.  Perhaps it is because they are afford to lose their workers, but it is not so in my company, workers are rather important. Due to the fact that we got so many kinds of machinery, we need operators/workers to operate them. Project managers or engineers are not going to operate them, hence workers and their respective supervisors know best. They are in fact real skillful personnel, an important assets to the company. Some of the operators and supervisors actually earning a salary higher than engineers, and maybe project manager too.

DTH Hammer

Tackling the unforeseen circumstances, analyses the problems, thinking of a solution, planning the works, are everyday chores. I was very helpless at first, but now i started to get the hang of it. Under the guidance of my manager and fellow colleagues, operators and even workers. I am feeling quite good doing my job everyday. 

914.4mm OD Steel Pipe Piles with length from 32m to 45m

In my company, everyone has different expertise to offer, and i try to learn from everyone of them. I looking forward to gain an all round knowledge, and become a complete, highly capable personnel for the company. In return, hopefully, fulfilled my ambition and satisfaction in life by gaining a highly rewarding career.

Work

Just a few months ago i was complaining on how my working life sucks. Anyway, things get better now. 

I have not working for more than 5 Sundays consecutively.

I have not staying back until 10pm for more than 4 weeks.

My colleagues started to take leaves. From leaves that last for few days to 3 months. Even my PM is taking a week leave.

Company revised staffs' salary and i was one of them. It is pretty handsome too.

I think maybe the previous complaints of mine are heard. Perhaps this is just temporary but i really hope it is not. Once in a while if required to work until 10pm or mid night if there's casting that is alright. But please don't make me stay because i need to standby for don't know what the hell unexpected circumstances or situation that most probably wouldn't happen.

Pre-Holiday shoutout!

Well... Holiday officially started! I'm still in Singapore though. Bus depart tonight at 9pm.

You know i thought i was quite committed to my job already. Willing to work like no day or night for my company. I really thought i'm doing good enough. But as time passed by, apparently it wasn't enough. When you willing to commit more, the more they going to give. It will never stops. 

My superior actually expects me to do more. I mean WTH? You want more? I'm a human you know. I need rest and i need time for my own activity. Wonder why the culture of my company is like that. Why there isn't anything about Work Life Balance? A company can't strive if it provides its employees more time at home? I don't feel i rewarded fairly. It makes me less motivated. I mean who is going to appreciate your efforts? Who sees it? What is the point of working damn f'ing hard?

I really love spending time listening to music, watching Youtube videos and stuffs. Be it a music videos, a cover, or a review or know-how. It makes my day pleasant. Song heals man!! Listen to Tyler Ward. He's Great!

Light bulb on my ceiling

I took my E pass yesterday, which is great! Not that because i want to become a Singapore PR but because i feel i deserve it. Actually it will not affect me very much but still it just feels better.

2010 will come to end about 24 hours later. Thought i should at least write something to end this year entries. So probably you will find reading this post direction-less. 

One great thing for me is i will not be working during 1st and 2nd January. I gonna really have to think and plan carefully how am i going to spend these 2 days. My tripod has been hiding in its bag most of the time. Only brought it out twice for some try-outs. Nothing significant products yet. Think i will be doing something with my tripod this weekends.

My parents were having a hard time getting bus ticket for me. CNY tickets are being sold at an incredibly high price. Almost 3 times of normal selling price.

FYI i passed my BTT too. The next step is to go to Malaysia's JPJ and cut my Malaysia driving license, then go back to Singapore and convert my driving license. I will then free to drive on Singapore roads.

Gosh... I feel this post is damn pathetic and boring. That's all for today. By the way, Bleeding Love by New Heights is just awesome!!