shambolic

I'm very relieved I made the decision to not watch Arsenal game just now that we lost 5-0 to Man City.

The table doesn't lie.

Arteta out ASAP.

Yx being such a doting sister

11.08.21 Wyx5 being such a sweet elder sister:

So wye2 signalled that she needed the loo (which actually turned out to be false) and I placed her on the potty. Yx, who was doing her own thing at one corner, was alerted. She quickly went over with a stool and a book and began to entertain her sister, flipping through the pages. Reason she did this was because she's seen us do this to keep her sister still on the potty. So proud and pleased that yx took it upon herself to do that, to care for her sister. ♥️

Stir fry chicken and button mushroom

One of our favourite comfort dishes since childhood:

Marinate chicken with light soy sauce and tapioca flour. 

Fry ginger in sesame oil with cooking oil. 

Add chicken. Stir fry with ginger till meat turns light brown. Add oyster sauce, light soy sauce, sugar little and dark soy sauce (for colouring). Stir fry till the sauce coated the meat. Add water and button mushroom, simmer till cook.  打芡。Add chinese cooking wine. 

Spring onion just before dish out.

校长好！

校长好！

6 years into my current company and I finally made it to Principal Engineer (Grade 4, was promoted to Grade 3 in 2017). I thought last year was my most productive and that I worked the hardest too, so this promo may have come in timely as just recognition!

Tbh 4 years from grade 3 to 4 is considered quite fast (as compared to peers), so I thought I'd just reflect on my achievements and contribution that could have made the positive difference!

- Double hatting (EM and BMEP) since Jan 2020. So I was supposed to commence my new role at BMEP but my EM replacement tendered within 3 months (in Mar 2020), then Covid hit and headcount froze, so I was required to fulfill two roles at the same time (!). Thus inadvertently bringing me to the next point:

- Led the investigation of FM200 false discharge incident. It's a once in a blue moon (industry ppl might say once in 10 years) incident. Kena incident most ppl will say SUAY LA! I took it positively - While some might think post-management of an incident is additional workload and leaves a huge scratch on one's CV, but (as cliche as this sounds) "危机" means therein lies opportunity in a predicament. Being the officer in charge of the M&E systems at CTower, I led the post-investigation which included engaging a independent forensic investigator (a first for EM Section!), conducting numerous site visits with SCDF, AAR and many other specialists and contractors, assisting AAR in investigation etc... In between there were several updates to Management plus a memorable one to CAG's Safety Board chaired by then Chairman Mr Liew Mun Leong (go ahead to google why this name is now infamous). At the end of the episode, we replaced the system expeditiously, presented the findings and closed the chapter. Many people came to me for answers/clarifications and I was the go-to for anything relating to gas suppression system. To answer the many questions I had to read up and in the process learnt alot more about M&E systems at the same time, too. Nothing beats OJT and experiential learning, just like being thrown into the deep blue sea.

- Achieving major milestones for the SATCC Upgrading project. In my first year I've had to heavily engage and work with consultants, multiple agencies and stakeholders and also the general public! I found the experiences to be particularly interesting and insightful. Being in this project team allowed exposure too - I delivered my first presentation to the Authority (which I was commended for by my Dir) and on another occasion, a MP of East Coast GRC, and a few to Chairman (which was commended for by 3DDG).

In a nutshell, I think my work last year had been "more visible" to the management. I didn't mention as a factor above but I believe part of it was that the organisation was more generous this year, due to the covid affecting staff morale and retention policy. Well, on one hand I am  very happy of my achievements last year and humbled by the recognition; but the promotion came at a less than ideal time tbh, on monetary terms. The increment is miserable and next year I would be getting a meagre bonus package (the default grade after promotion effect).

Brawl Stars

Been so many years, so many nights, so many bus rides that this game accompanied me through. Got to a point where it finally became stale and unexciting... feel abit reluctant but this too shall pass to make way for better things (the same for Clash royale).... :)

Thanks Colt, Shelly, Bull, Rico, Tara and friends! ☺️

(Sold for $100)

I needed this run

Felt really suffocated after 2 weeks of Phase 2HA (the second time) and having wfh for many months now. I tried to internalize the reason why I am feeling the way I am but couldn't quite fathom - you see, I have a fulfilling job, company at home and I see my other family members every other day? Hell, last week we even asked my sis to babysit for a couple of hours while wifey and I took a breather and had an enjoyable chit chat session at lion's house. This period, I found myself putting more hours into work (voluntarily). When I was not in front of the computer, I was either with the kids and after they're asleep, the TV is my company. Gosh, this predictability of every day, mundane lifestyle and unexciting state of limbo really left me unmotivated, restless and impatient. I told my wife that I actually feel good when working because it's what gives me a sense of achievement and makes me feel fulfilled. 

So I went for a jog tonight late night. I was lucky that Jx joined as well. We chatted, laughed, perspired, panted, heart raced and competed. Ended the night by the roadside, drinking coconut water and chit chatted. It was just what I needed.