Presentation at AM

On 29 Oct I presented at the Authority Meeting (AM) for the first time in my current co (after 5++ years).

Our item was initially tabled in the agenda but got withdrawn one week before the meeting. A day before the AM, the mgmt decided to table it up again and we quickly informed the Secretariat to insert the item back in. Presentation slides were done up and reviewed that night itself. Given the last min notice, I only began practising for the presentation around midnight (after putting Ye to sleep). The good thing was, the slides were somewhat similar to an earlier deck tabled for MCM a few weeks ago.

So after a cup of hot tea and some mouth muscle exercises, the AM presentation went by smoothly without much fanfare. Budget was approved!

Checked my phone after walking out of the Conference Room and saw this msg from my Director:

Such recognition adds to the justification of my decision to request for a rotation to my current Section... my previous portfolio had none of this due to the nature of the smaller projects. Although there's more on my plate and the stress level is undoubtedly higher, the exposure to Management and other Gvt Agencies and opportunities are abundant.

Office cubicles

It's nearing the end of October 2020. 

What an unexpected twist of fate we find ourselves in - last year this time, staff were presented several options and were asked to vote the new office layout and theme. Notably, all of the options were open office concepts with smaller cubicles with less walls and compartments. Finally, the results concluded on a minimalistic concept. A sample photo of my current cubicle for your reference:

With privacy and comfort afforded by the luxurious desk space and high partitions, needless to say I wasn't looking forward to the reno. According to plan, the reno would commence in Oct and staff would have to work offsite in the interim until reno completes in Feb.

And here we are, in October, still in our "old" cubicles. Instead of open concept office, we are enjoying an even bigger work area due to alternate team working arrangement. Instead of encouraging mingling, socializing is now limited. 

Due to the lack of (revenue) and funds, it's a no brainer that this project will be halted indefinitely. 

Which is good for me. Haha.

Sensible Yx

It was a Sunday PM and we turned on the TV, just for awhile to occupy the girls while we settle the chores and whatnots. 

Handing Yx a cup of water, I asked her to take a few mouthfuls. After she was done with the cup, she got off from the sofa and intended to rest the cup on the high shelf. Unintentionally, her movement caused some water to be spilt onto the floormat... Her eyes still peeled on the TV, Yx ran to take a piece of tissue and wiped up the water!

What made me feel so proud of her was that Yx did this out of her own conscience and despite being engrossed in the TV, she had the responsibility and initiative to clean up the mess! 

This girl is so easy to love.

Enjoying our tea break of Yan Yan

Funny quip from wyx

Funny quip from wyx5 :

(Randomly) I asked her, "If you have a problem with Math in future, would you look for Papa or Mama?"

Yx smiled and replied, "I will look for the calculator."

🤣

Gadget upgrades! (bye $$$)

 When too much of WFH takes the toll, retail therapy is the way to go! :D

Introducing my purchases on gadgets in the month of Aug 2020 alone:

1) Tablet with sleeve

This is mainly to aid wifey's reading for her post dip studies. This sells for $198 at major retailers but only $180 on Shopee. Furthermore, I utilized vouchers and took opportunity of the NDP promotion and got it cheaper - $188 with sleeve.

2) Home TV

Actually I've always been very satisfied with my TV. It was bought in 2014 from Mega Discount store, a Samsung 46" LED for $880. Basically no complaints la, pic sound display apps all working good all these years.

Until Covid-19 pandemic struck which forced us to spend more time at work. I found myself entertained by Netflix shows and would spend 1-3 hours every night on it. And then eye green green liao lor, noticed how come other ppl's TV got super HD whereas mine looks pale and blurry. So I began to read up on several brands and listed my TV on Carou$ell - was I shocked to receive multiple offers of $250 for a 6-year second hand TV?! I sell my current TV so will need a new one, right? I was THIS close to getting a local-made Prism 55" @ $499, until I read numerous negative reviews on HDZ forum...! 

So fate had it that Busy Roys was working at Samsung and could get electronics at staff prices, I enquired the latest 55" UHD, 2020 model which was retailing at $1,099 at major retailers...

Got it @ $796 inclusive of delivery and tabletop set up!!! How not to get it right...?! Besides the cost, one of the considerations I chose Samsung over Prism was that the former could garner a high 2nd-hand value. In fact, I sold my 46" on Carou$ell for wait-for-it - $280!!!

Totally awed by the ultra clear display, vivid colours and speedy quad-core processor. I joked to RMJ that I feel a status change to "high SES" with this TV... hahahaha. Even wifey, who was initially questioning the need to change TV, was blown away by the significant upgrade. Since we're spending hours on the TV every night, I think this has got to be the best decisions ever!

3) Mobile phone

22 months into my CIS plan. I planned to recontract and get the Huawei P30 Pro, and pass my P20 to wifey to use (since her xiaomi pocophone like quite cui liao). Until I received feedback that the huawei cam isn't the best... Actually there's no 1 phone in the market which I am very gian, and my existing 2yo Huawei P20 Pro is still in brand new condition, so I decided to continue using it, and sell off the sealed Samsung phone for a profit.

Paid $898 for the preorder of Samsung's latest Note 20 Ultra 5G and got it delivered to my doorstep in 2 weeks.

Carou$ell is the best app man!!! While one of the major hp giants Hitec is offering only $1520 for the set and the ear buds, I sold it for $1560 excluding the ear buds! 

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Summary of the cash flow:

Accounts paid: 188 + 796 + 898 = $1,882

Accounts received: 280 + 1560 = $1,840.

Nett = ($42).

Apart from the shiokness of using the new gadgets, I also derived extreme joy knowing I got those items on a steal. Hahaha =D

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Update:

Dug out and sold off our old game consoles PS1, PS2 and Sega game cartridges. Holy moly OLD IS GOLD!!!

Update 2:

In line with the August Gagdet theme, we sold off our preloved Tefal City Space vacuum cleaner for a cordless Karcher! Got a massive massive discount courtesy of my brother who is an employee. Big big wins!

Yx answers what she wants for her birthday

Yx has always been one sensible kid who asks for simple things and one who is quite easily contented - A bus ride, a chocolate treat, a book, simple activities. She asks for only us to play toys with her and that would make her day. For her 4th bday present, she asks for only "a book".

As her 5th bday was round the corner, we asked what was her birthday request.

Yx replied, "A chocolate cake."

Silence followed. Was that all?

"Yes, there will definitely be a cake. Is there something you would like as a present?"

Yx thought hard and relented, "Ok lah, a book on space and solar system."

Such a simple and straightforward request, nothing close to extraordinary like asking for rainbows, mermaids or magic. 

So blessed we are with this cheerful, sensible kid... I'd like to believe that is because we've already been supplying her with all the love she needs. <3

Retirement home goals

 Note for future self

Balcony with unblocked, panaromic view.

Good for coffee, reading, day dreaming, comic reading.