Tag: Singapore

Categories
the otnaicus daily

Edition 302 – Singaporean

I just realised that about one month has passed by since I last updated my blog. Getting lazy nowadays. I would have some thoughts in my mind to pen down, but when I sit down in front of the computer to type it all out, somehow I just don’t know how to put it into words.

Some major changes has happened in that one month. If you’ve guessed from the title of my post that it has something to do with my nationality, then you are right. After overcoming some stumbling blocks and waiting for six months after applying, I received my letter of approval. And a month later, after renouncing my Indonesian citizenship, I’m now officially a Singaporean. Yup, pink IC and all.

Along with that, a name change so that I can take up my Chinese name. So from hence forth, I’m known as Teoh Soo Chee, Andrew. In Chinese, that would be 赵树淇, or 趙樹淇. But don’t worry, I still respond to all my old names and ways of calling me. Just thought I’d put this out there so at least when I use my Chinese name, confusion will be limited.

So how does it feel to be a Singaporean? To be honest, I don’t feel much of a difference. Maybe it’s because I’ve stayed in Singapore for so long that I already feel like one long before I obtained citizenship. But I think I’ll definitely enjoy the perks that come with citizenship. High on that list is the ability to travel to many countries without the need of a visa. Now, to save up the money and head to those destinations!!

Definitely more changes are to come in my life. It’s going to move into another chapter very soon. Not going to spoil it by revealing everything right here right now. So do look in from time to time to get some updates. Haha. Said as though I’m a very important person…

Anyway, until the next time, cheers… :Þ

Categories
the otnaicus daily

Edition 258 – Belated Updates

A lot has happened over the past two weeks or so that I have never gotten the chance to write about. And so here goes…

This year’s birthday was once of the best that I’ve had. Started on the midnight of 14 June 2008 where the Father’s Day drama team celebrated my birthday after the rehearsals. I think I spoilt their plans a bit when I came up too early to the control room. But nevertheless, I’m touched and appreciative of their thoughts and actions. Then after ES2, my ES2 team celebrated my birthday. Again, I spoiled the surprise because during debrief, I wanted to go find Karen in the audio room and they walked right out of the same room carrying the birthday cake. The look on the faces of those carrying the cake out was priceless. But again, thank you all for remembering and celebrating.

Of course, the best surprise came from Dear. She gave me an envelope in the cab ride from JW back home. Opened the envelope and I was very delighted and surprised at what I saw. Background story first. When Dear and me went to the Singapore Flyer, I noticed this shop called “Flight Experience”. They sell time for flights in a Boeing 737-800 simulator and they weren’t exactly cheap. I was planning to go back there and try it out one day. And so, my wishes have been fulfilled by Dear. I was so elated and still am. Now just to plan a time to go take that flight.

Last Sunday (22 June 2008), Dear and me went to Forest Adventure to be “monkeys”. Well, it’s a tree-top course that included zip lines (flying fox) and stuff. My body is still aching 3 days after but it was good fun. Sorry, but no pictures. Brought the camera along but just didn’t have the chance to stop and take pictures. Planning on going back there again sometime. Anybody want to join me?

Work has picked up a bit in the last two weeks. Chasing deadlines here and there. No more slacking. Managing a project is not easy, even though it’s just enhancements and change requests. But I’m trying to take it all in my stride. It’s definitely challenging and hard work, but I’m having a bit of fun at it.

This is one long update. Something that I’ve not done in a while. Anyway, got to sign off here and get back to work. Until the next time, cheers… :Þ

Categories
the otnaicus daily

Edition 253 – The "Too Free" Feeling

I’ve been back in Singapore for about two weeks now. The feeling that I get from being able to stay in Singapore for more than one week is fantastic. For now, there are no plans to go back to Taiwan, although I’m sure that the opportunity will come up.

Now that I’m based back here in Singapore, I’ve suddenly developed the “I’m-too-free” feeling. Problem is that I’m not free. There are things to do and deadlines to meet. I’m doing them and I’ll be able to meet deadlines, but the mad rush feeling is gone. Kinda makes me feel very laid back and void of any motivation. Guess I just have to tune my body back to the Singapore work habit. No more rushing about like when I was in Taipei. Don’t know if this is a good thing or a bad thing. Does it mean that I’ve been stretched or does it just mean that I’m lazy? Haha. Well, what ever it is, I pray that this feeling doesn’t hang around for too long.

The office is very empty nowadays (hmmm, I wonder if this contributes to the “too free” feeling). A lot of staff are on-site at the customer’s place, including the team that was in Taiwan together with me. Feels like I’m “left behind”. Miss those days when there were people in the office and out of a sudden, a conversation that is not work-related will burst forth and everybody will jump in to contribute. Guess that’s one thing I like about this company I’m in now. Everybody is cool with everybody else. And best of all, minimal politicking.

On another topic, I recently purchased a water filter thingamajig from Brita. And after drinking water from that filter, all other water now tastes weird to me. Even the water from my office’s water cooler, which is filtered, tastes weird. Okay, this part is way off-topic and random.

Gotta get back to work now. Until the next time, cheers… :Þ

Categories
the otnaicus daily

Edition 239 – Home!

Feels great to be back. Touched down yesterday afternoon at around 11.45am and was home by around 1pm. Got a haircut to get ready for Chinese New Year, spent some time with Debbie and came home to, wait for it, WORK! Thought I could get some rest in but made the mistake of powering up my work laptop and checking the email. Ended up with a tonne of email that required my attention.

I’m looking forward to Chinese New Year. Headed back to Penang for about a week to spend time with my family and to get away from work for a while. Taiwan has their CNY holiday from 6 Feb till 11 Feb. So at least for those days, emails should be kept to a minimum. Work or no work, emails or no emails, I am determined get some rest in and to just relax in Penang.

If you’re wondering why I’m up so early in the morning blogging, trust me, I would rather be still sleeping at the moment, or be on my way to Expo for the rehearsal for a drama that’s happening this weekend. I’m up early trying to get some work in, to show our “commitment” (as my PM put it) and try to get problems solved. But here’s the catch. I have no clue as to what else I can do and I need to communicate with some engineers in Taiwan, whom might have a clue to what is happening, but we’re doing it via email which can get frustrating. Want to call them, but they don’t seem to want to give me a phone number. But to be fair, maybe I did send out the email yesterday night a tad late. Nevertheless, I shall wait around for a bit till around 1pm. Then I’ll just report back to my PM and go off to church. Hence I’m playing the waiting game.

I’m going to stop here for now. If I don’t blog again before Chinese New Year, here’s wishing everybody a Happy and Prosperous Chinese New Year!! Until the next time, cheers… :Þ

Categories
the otnaicus daily

Edition 228 – Back In Singapore

Well, almost a week has passed by since I got back to Singapore. It has been a busy weekend and a pretty busy week here so far. But all is good. I’m enjoying life back here in Singapore. And I have more than one week to enjoy.

Work’s good and busy. Somehow, I feel that I’m more productive here in Singapore than in Taipei. So far, I’ve stayed back in the office late for two days. In Singapore, late means staying at least 7.30pm. And in Singapore, I start work earlier than in Taipei. So doesn’t that make me more productive? There are some work that can be more conveniently done over in Taipei as compared to here. But I’m not complaining. I’m just enjoying life in Singapore.

Christmas is rolling in pretty quickly. I had a rude awakening yesterday. Why rude? Because the late nights are going to start this Thursday. Late nights? Yup.. As usual, for the Christmas Drama production. Two rehearsals this week, two next week and we’re into the Christmas weekend. Is it going to be tiring? Definitely. But is it worth it? That’s for sure. I’m just thankful that I get to be back here in Singapore for Christmas and being able to serve and help out.

I guess that’s about it for now. Going to relax a bit, maybe read, before I retire for the night. Until the next time, cheers… :Þ