Last weekend I've spent about $100 on books alone and got myself 10 new books. Hahaha... It was on special offer - buy 4 books, the cheapest book will be free! Ever since I came to India, I've been reading more and more (partially because there's nothing much I can do here except watch TV and read - TV getting boring as I'm not so keen to watch Tamil/Hindi shows, anime only 1hr every night - Every morning, will just tune to BBC). I realise that I'm spending quite a "good" amount of time "studying". It wasn't as fun when one is forced to read case studies and perform analysis for the sake of getting 15% - In fact, it was horrible - the stress to do well especially when I know that the module is "fun" and "easy".
Now I'm picking up the books again but on my own initiative. There's so many things to learn from the gurus of various disciplines. At the moment, I'm very interested in management books as well as self-help books. It has opened me to think critically about issues relating to my own life, career growth and my company's development - how it is important to be taking initiatives instead of sitting back and waiting for things to happen.
Anyway, shall not dwelve too deep into those topics. Maybe I should write an essay or research paper in the future based on what I've learnt so far and use it for MBA application... Hehehe.. but for now, it is too soon to say what I'll do in the future. I'm just planning for my future. ;)
The immediate plan is tomorrow is final day of work in Chennai and I'll be off to Delhi on Thursday morning - freaking early morning flight (555am IST).
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Strange
On Sunday, my friends and I were on a bus to our usual 'fish place' (a restaurant named Cornucopia aka "Horn of Plenty"). This place serves the best cooked fish that we've had here in Chennai. Anyway, on our way there, we suddenly saw another restaurant. Benny exclaimed that it was the "Sizzler of Chennai" (Anyone heard of Sizzler restaurant at Suntec? I have not... until my these 2 colleagues told me and said that I've been missing out one of the best eating places in Singapore).
Now that we know where that restaurant was located, we decided to go there and try it out some day....... which happened to be yesterday evening. We took a bus along the same route. Got off at a bus stop that's supposedly near to the restaurant and starting walking down the road to look for it. Shockingly, we covered the entire stretch of road (it was a one-way road) and couldn't find it. Feeling a little surprised, we suspected it might have been another road. We took a bus back and started searching the other stretch of road. Again, no sign of it.... by that time we were all very baffled by the situation but too hungry to pursue on (we started our search at 630pm and it was already 8pm). At the end of the day, we settled for Mexican food...... we'll search again another day or maybe just go Sizzler at Suntec.. muahaha
By the way, I'm heading off to Delhi and then to Agra (Taj Mahal) on 30th Mar.... so watch this sapce for more stories soon. Hehehe...
Now that we know where that restaurant was located, we decided to go there and try it out some day....... which happened to be yesterday evening. We took a bus along the same route. Got off at a bus stop that's supposedly near to the restaurant and starting walking down the road to look for it. Shockingly, we covered the entire stretch of road (it was a one-way road) and couldn't find it. Feeling a little surprised, we suspected it might have been another road. We took a bus back and started searching the other stretch of road. Again, no sign of it.... by that time we were all very baffled by the situation but too hungry to pursue on (we started our search at 630pm and it was already 8pm). At the end of the day, we settled for Mexican food...... we'll search again another day or maybe just go Sizzler at Suntec.. muahaha
By the way, I'm heading off to Delhi and then to Agra (Taj Mahal) on 30th Mar.... so watch this sapce for more stories soon. Hehehe...
Thursday, March 16, 2006
Escape to Kerala
Last weekend, my friends and I went to Kochi in another state called Kerala. There are a few main towns/city in this state like Kochi, Calicut (Vasco Da Gama sounds familiar?) and Thiruvanathapuram (Tivandrum). We had a colleague who was kind enough to bring us around Kerala (his hometown). We took the sleeper train for an 11hour ride from Chennai central to Alwaye. This was my first experience being on a 'real train'. The train was freaking long. The toilets in the train are interesting because one can see the tracks....so...what goes down the bowl, goes onto the track. I think I can easily write a long essay on this trip but I shall resist and only note the key events.
Kerala
This is a very beautiful state. Quite untouched by industrial development. Chennai is definitely overcrowded and heavily polluted (although many say is still very much cleaner than Mumbai). In addition to this, the city - Kochi is 'spacious' in the sense that the buildings are properly arranged with spacious sidewalks. Chennai has roads that suddenly 'shrinks' because a building is in the way. Many people don't use the sidewalk in Chennai as well because of obstacles like sh*t (both human and animals), trees, homeless people, etc. Anyway, back to Kerala - full of coconut and palm trees. Roads are very small in the 'ulu' areas but good enough. Air is very fresh (except for a few areas where villagers still pratise open air burning)
Athirapalli Falls
This waterfall is amazing. At the base of the falls, we could feel the force of the water gushing down. No picture could do justice for what we have experienced there. It felt like rain although we were several meters away from the waterfall and the 'wind' generated by it was marvelous. In this picture, you can see me (guy in white shirt getting down the rocks). This picture was taken by our colleague's camera. I took many pictures with my camera as well but as I've mentioned before, I can't upload it to the net....
Oh ya, the visit to this waterfall was tiring because we had to 'climb' down the hill to reach the base and then climb up again. My thighs were sore after this trip but we had many place left to visit.
Elephant Ride
Dumbo? Unfortunately, this elephant does not fly. I never knew elephants are so hairy and that their hairs are super rough. It is quite uncomfortable for me to sit there because I wore shorts. It felt like I was getting my legs scrubbed by the plastic brush.
My friends and I paid about S$8 for a short ride on this elephant. In order to sit on the elephant's back, we had to get up on a ladder similar to the ones that you find at open airports. It was a scary ride. Every time the elephant moved, it felt as if we were going to fall off. (note to mom: I still have no idea why I was crying 15years ago at S'pore zoo on the pony... aih~ paiseh...other people would be so happy to ride on pony)
Fort Kochi
Fort Kochi was actually the Portugese Fort which was then taken over by the Dutch and later by the British. We are actually facing the Arabian Sea and the waters are really deep. We saw a cruise ship setting sail off the port at Fort Kochi - most probably to the Gulf.
Here is a picture of Chinese Fishing Nets with the sunset in the background. Quite a beautiful shot thanks to the 7megapixels of my friend's camera. We had our dinner at Fort Kochi where we could buy fresh fish from the fishermen and get it cooked at the stalls set up next to the beach. However, there was a catch - prices are very high because it is a tourist area. The people who come here are willing to pay for the premium cost to enjoy. We however, tried hard to bargain with them - end up our food was not properly cooked and still have to pay as much. It was quite unfortunate that it had happened but this experience teaches "Be prepared to spend, don't think about the money else suffer the consequence". The other tourist there seem to be quite comfortable as the staffs were super friendly with them.
Oklah, would've loved to write more and post more pictures but I shall stop here. I'll also try to upload pictures from my camera if possible. In the mean time, to know more about Kerala - click here
Kerala
This is a very beautiful state. Quite untouched by industrial development. Chennai is definitely overcrowded and heavily polluted (although many say is still very much cleaner than Mumbai). In addition to this, the city - Kochi is 'spacious' in the sense that the buildings are properly arranged with spacious sidewalks. Chennai has roads that suddenly 'shrinks' because a building is in the way. Many people don't use the sidewalk in Chennai as well because of obstacles like sh*t (both human and animals), trees, homeless people, etc. Anyway, back to Kerala - full of coconut and palm trees. Roads are very small in the 'ulu' areas but good enough. Air is very fresh (except for a few areas where villagers still pratise open air burning)
Athirapalli Falls
This waterfall is amazing. At the base of the falls, we could feel the force of the water gushing down. No picture could do justice for what we have experienced there. It felt like rain although we were several meters away from the waterfall and the 'wind' generated by it was marvelous. In this picture, you can see me (guy in white shirt getting down the rocks). This picture was taken by our colleague's camera. I took many pictures with my camera as well but as I've mentioned before, I can't upload it to the net....Oh ya, the visit to this waterfall was tiring because we had to 'climb' down the hill to reach the base and then climb up again. My thighs were sore after this trip but we had many place left to visit.
Elephant Ride
Dumbo? Unfortunately, this elephant does not fly. I never knew elephants are so hairy and that their hairs are super rough. It is quite uncomfortable for me to sit there because I wore shorts. It felt like I was getting my legs scrubbed by the plastic brush.My friends and I paid about S$8 for a short ride on this elephant. In order to sit on the elephant's back, we had to get up on a ladder similar to the ones that you find at open airports. It was a scary ride. Every time the elephant moved, it felt as if we were going to fall off. (note to mom: I still have no idea why I was crying 15years ago at S'pore zoo on the pony... aih~ paiseh...other people would be so happy to ride on pony)
Fort Kochi
Fort Kochi was actually the Portugese Fort which was then taken over by the Dutch and later by the British. We are actually facing the Arabian Sea and the waters are really deep. We saw a cruise ship setting sail off the port at Fort Kochi - most probably to the Gulf.Here is a picture of Chinese Fishing Nets with the sunset in the background. Quite a beautiful shot thanks to the 7megapixels of my friend's camera. We had our dinner at Fort Kochi where we could buy fresh fish from the fishermen and get it cooked at the stalls set up next to the beach. However, there was a catch - prices are very high because it is a tourist area. The people who come here are willing to pay for the premium cost to enjoy. We however, tried hard to bargain with them - end up our food was not properly cooked and still have to pay as much. It was quite unfortunate that it had happened but this experience teaches "Be prepared to spend, don't think about the money else suffer the consequence". The other tourist there seem to be quite comfortable as the staffs were super friendly with them.
Oklah, would've loved to write more and post more pictures but I shall stop here. I'll also try to upload pictures from my camera if possible. In the mean time, to know more about Kerala - click here
Sunday, March 05, 2006
Arranged Marriage VS Love Marriage
In modern times, arranged marriage is hardly heard of in Chinese cultures. Although I do not doubt that it might still exist but such occurrences would’ve been rare especially in the city. Interestingly, there is still a large group of people (specifically, parents) practicing this age-old tradition. (Disclaimer – This post is not intended to offend anyone or cause harm. Some of the things described are exaggerated a little (CY’s Style) so please do not take everything as a fact.)
In India, most people will tell you there are 2 types of marriages – Arranged & Love. Some will tell you of the 3rd type of marriage – Hybrid marriage (a cross between Arranged & Love – not an officially recognized term but something I came up with). I’m sure everyone knows what an arranged marriage is. Love Marriage is the opposite where it is the couple’s choice to have the marriage (often, according to my friend, these marriages see the couple running away from homes because their parents do not acknowledge it). Hybrid marriage usually happens like this – after boy meets girl, girl meets boy, fall in love, report it to their parents – parents will then organize a meeting with the opposite party to discuss their terms and conditions. After that, to outsiders, it will look as if the marriage has been arranged. Hybrid is common in the city areas.
Arranged Marriage is a very long and tedious process that “ensures” the couples are fully compatible – caste, astrological compatibility, sun sign, birth sign, family sign, his sign, her sign, all sign. The whole process might take up to 1 month or more. Relatives from both families (but usually is the guy side) will examine the potential candidate. Let’s say a guy is going to get married, his parents will send out “Marriage Invitations – seeking alliances with potential families”. Parents of potential brides or sometimes the bride will send out their CV complete with photos and details of family background and all the signs. The entire family members from parents to uncles, aunties, grandparents will go through each candidate. Potential candidates are then selected from the applications for interviews. Usually it is the uncles and aunts will start drilling the candidate – It makes me wonder if there is a guide book called “Marriage Interviews for Dummies” to help the candidates prepare for the questions.
Like the job market, the matrimonial market also has “hot candidates” which are high in demand. A typical example from the matrimonial section would be – Mr. So&So (B.E. EC), Age:30, occasionally based in US earning 6 figure salary, seeking alliance with slim and fair girl of good family background.
The funny part is that in Singapore, engineers are stereotypically labeled as boring geeks who are not popular with girls. Er… I can feel all the tension and stares from engineers at this comment of mine… but not to worry! (btw, I’m also an engineer – Asst Systems Engineer). To all those engineers who feel so, forget Singapore, come to India! *hint*….. WAH! *SIAM* That flying shoe nearly got me…. =P
Anyway, let me relate two stories regarding arranged marriage of two of my colleagues. The first one is about a guy who is so keen on getting married but his parents want him to wait. This friend of mine is 24years old. His parents think that it is too early for him to get married. So, to “encourage” his parents, each time his friends get married, he would call his mother to report and ask when it would be his turn. Until now, he is still waiting but I think recently his parents agreed to marry him by the end of next year. We’ll see how. His case is the “voluntary” one.
The second case is “half-half” voluntary. Basically, the guy’s parents have decided that it is time for him to get married. His parents issued an ultimatum to him – “Find a girl by the end of November this year or else we will arrange one for you”. To me, this was a totally hilarious issue but I’m sure he does not think so. This guy is now frantically assessing every girl he comes across.
Sunday, February 26, 2006
Queensland Amusement Park
Last Saturday TCS Chennai held it's Annual Day Outing for the RTSC (Retail Travel Solutions Center) office at Queensland Amusement Park. The entrance fee was heavily subsidised for TCS employees. Usually, it would cost Rs.400 per adult entry, for TCS that day, it costs only Rs25!! (with lunch, high tea and transport provided).
The amusement park is located at the outskirts of Chennai. It took us about 1hr to reach by the company bus. Interestingly, I finally understood why Wikipedia reported that Chennai is the Detroit of South Asia. The automakers are all on the outskirts. There were so many trailers carrying newly assembled cars or parts. Also, it was here, I get to see the stereotypical impression of India's roads -> cows everywhere!
Anyway, the amusement park was quite interesting but after awhile, it gets abit disappointing. I now realise how grand Jerudong Park is. The sheer size of the park and the rides available at JP was top class (well... at least it was 8years ago). The interesting/unfortunate thing about this park is that no one really care about safety especially people "customizing" the rides to get the "kick" out of it. One example is the pirate ship ride. There was this guy who slipped out of his chair so that he was standing when the boat rocks. My friends and I were so shocked to see him out of his chair. He supported himself by grabbing the bars behind him. Imagine if he lost hold of his grip, he would have been sent flying.... crazy fellow.
Another case that happened was this "Crazy Horse Ride". On first look, it did not seem dangerous or exciting to ride at all. As the name suggest, it is a "horse ride". Basically you sit on the "horse" and it will rise, shake and spin. When I saw it, I was thinking "Goodness, this kind of ride also considered fun ah? It's more like for kids only". Suddenly, when the "horse" made a 360-spin, a guy flew out of his seat and did a "breakdance" on the floor. He looked a little scratched but no serious injury. After that, I then noticed got a girl holding onto the "horse" so tightly with her eyes closed! LOL....
The biggest disappointment with this park is the famous Vertical Drop. It was my first time trying out that ride. My friends knowing that I have a great fear of height/falling dared me onto the seat. Somehow, on that particular day, I was not feeling that scared at all but I know that I would be screaming when I fall. As I went up the ride with another friend, I could feel cold sweat breaking out of my palms. Suddenly without warning, it just dropped. For the 1st "drop", I was like - "Huh?". In my thoughts were - How come I could feel my butt all throughout the ride? Shouldn't I be screaming? Where is that "fear" I was expecting? Disappointed, I took the 2nd "drop" with full of confidence. Later I checked with my friend and confirmed that the drop was slower than "normal standards". He then recommended me to try out the one in Australia, supposedly powered by gas instead of chains. Well, I think I will go try out JP drop first... =P
At the end of the day, my friends and I were all tired and tanned. Overall, it was a great day.
The amusement park is located at the outskirts of Chennai. It took us about 1hr to reach by the company bus. Interestingly, I finally understood why Wikipedia reported that Chennai is the Detroit of South Asia. The automakers are all on the outskirts. There were so many trailers carrying newly assembled cars or parts. Also, it was here, I get to see the stereotypical impression of India's roads -> cows everywhere!
Anyway, the amusement park was quite interesting but after awhile, it gets abit disappointing. I now realise how grand Jerudong Park is. The sheer size of the park and the rides available at JP was top class (well... at least it was 8years ago). The interesting/unfortunate thing about this park is that no one really care about safety especially people "customizing" the rides to get the "kick" out of it. One example is the pirate ship ride. There was this guy who slipped out of his chair so that he was standing when the boat rocks. My friends and I were so shocked to see him out of his chair. He supported himself by grabbing the bars behind him. Imagine if he lost hold of his grip, he would have been sent flying.... crazy fellow.
Another case that happened was this "Crazy Horse Ride". On first look, it did not seem dangerous or exciting to ride at all. As the name suggest, it is a "horse ride". Basically you sit on the "horse" and it will rise, shake and spin. When I saw it, I was thinking "Goodness, this kind of ride also considered fun ah? It's more like for kids only". Suddenly, when the "horse" made a 360-spin, a guy flew out of his seat and did a "breakdance" on the floor. He looked a little scratched but no serious injury. After that, I then noticed got a girl holding onto the "horse" so tightly with her eyes closed! LOL....
The biggest disappointment with this park is the famous Vertical Drop. It was my first time trying out that ride. My friends knowing that I have a great fear of height/falling dared me onto the seat. Somehow, on that particular day, I was not feeling that scared at all but I know that I would be screaming when I fall. As I went up the ride with another friend, I could feel cold sweat breaking out of my palms. Suddenly without warning, it just dropped. For the 1st "drop", I was like - "Huh?". In my thoughts were - How come I could feel my butt all throughout the ride? Shouldn't I be screaming? Where is that "fear" I was expecting? Disappointed, I took the 2nd "drop" with full of confidence. Later I checked with my friend and confirmed that the drop was slower than "normal standards". He then recommended me to try out the one in Australia, supposedly powered by gas instead of chains. Well, I think I will go try out JP drop first... =P
At the end of the day, my friends and I were all tired and tanned. Overall, it was a great day.
Monday, February 20, 2006
Food for Thought
One day Alice came to a fork in the road and saw a Cheshire cat in a tree.
"Which road do I take?" she asked.
His response was a question: "Where do you want to go?"
"I don't know," Alice answered.
"Then," said the cat, "it doesn't matter."
- Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland
Interesting isn't it? It struck me for awhile. I'm now a little puzzled as well as reflecting abit deeper on what this means.
"Which road do I take?" she asked.
His response was a question: "Where do you want to go?"
"I don't know," Alice answered.
"Then," said the cat, "it doesn't matter."
- Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland
Interesting isn't it? It struck me for awhile. I'm now a little puzzled as well as reflecting abit deeper on what this means.
Friday, February 17, 2006
An Indian Wedding Ceremony I Attended
An Indian Marriage (Engagement Ceremony)
Yesterday my friends and I had the pleasure of being invited to one of our colleague’s wedding ceremony. Actually this particular ceremony I attended was a “compact” wedding ceremony for Indians (of course, length of ceremonies varies depending on their castes). Some castes have the wedding ceremonies for a few days while other castes have it for a day. This particular one I went to was a “compact ceremony”. I did not really attend the real wedding ceremony but instead a betrothal ceremony (aka engagement). Her wedding is held a day after this betrothal reception.
Anyway, somewhat similar to Chinese wedding receptions, the guests will usually bring gifts (money is also included but instead of angpows, it is sealed in a normal envelope) for the bride and bridegroom. On a side note, I just learnt that one (from a movie) should say “Congratulations” to the bridegroom and “Best Wishes” for the bride.
The ceremony was held in a marriage hall on the 4th floor of a building quite far from office and the place I live. It’s situated near Anna International Airport (aka Chennai Airport – 40mins by taxi to where I stay). Initially my friends and I had some expectations of how the ceremony would be like and how the hall will be decorated. This is because there is also a marriage hall at Mylapore (the area where we stay). Here, almost every night this month, people hold grand wedding ceremonies there with beautiful lightings and decorations. There were so many types of food being served – buffet style. This particular ceremony I went to was not as grand but still it was a good new experience. I know the other ceremony would cost a whopping amount of money. Indian marriages are not cheap you know, usually have to spend about Rs.5lakhs if one arranges for a 3day marriage with food, accommodation all provided for friends and relatives. (1lakh = 100,000; Rs5lakh=S$25,000)
I had a colleague (ex-teacher) who was kind enough to share about the Indian culture and tradition. He emphasized a lot that during the reception, it is very important for “ensuring that all guests are well taken care of”. Usually, it is the bride’s family to make sure that all guests have enough food to eat and a comfortable place to sleep. Oh yes – dowries are paid from the bride’s family to the bridegroom’s family unlike Chinese traditions. In Chinese traditions, the groom has to pay dowries to the bride because (I don’t know whether it is true or not but… anyway) it is like paying the parents of the bride for taking good care of his wife before they are married. So, can we say this as a service charge by the bride’s family? =P
On the other hand, traditionally in Indian families, when the bride is married, the family would send money/dowries to her to “ensure she is well and have enough”. (Her husband not good enough to support her? I don’t know….) Basically, it is the parents of the bride concerned for her welfare so they give money to the bride often after marriage. Somehow, this tradition evolved into paying dowries for the marriage. Maybe because of this, most of the Indian men I met here like to spend lots of time in the toilet combing their hair, freshening up unlike in Singapore. There are also a lot more men clothes shops and perfumes being sold here than for women. Indian men who went through college and working in IT firms are hot in the market not only for their skills but their “marriageability”. Anyway, before I digress too much, I’ll return to the main topic – the ceremony I went to.
We arrived at the ceremony relatively early – 720pm when the ceremony was said to start at 730pm on the invitation card. Just like Chinese weddings, many people come late and the event started at only about 830pm. Chairs were laid out in the hall in the usual way facing the stage where a group of people were having “karaoke” session. Initially I thought it was just like Chinese dinner receptions with people having karaoke sessions except without TV. To substitute the TV, there were 3 books of lyrics which they keep swapping and a live band to perform the music. Only later I realized it was hired performers… Hahaha… At the side of the stage, two chairs were set up specially (just like Malay weddings).
When the main event began, there was a group of traditional Indian musicians to play the drums and pipe. It was starting but the bride and groom is still no where to be seen. However, at the place where the two special chairs were, the families of the bride and groom gather on each side of the chair, sitting on the floor. They had some baskets with them which I didn’t really understand what. When the basket was passed from one of the family members to the other, people started to clap. Ceremony suddenly done and we were guided downstairs to the dining hall.
Well, here is where the term – “When in Rome, do what the Romans do” is enforced. My friends and I had to eat with our hands because there are no plates, spoons or fork. Instead, we have a big pandan leaf as plate. In city marriages, food is arranged and served by the caterer onto the pandan leaves. In villages, the relatives of the bride will do the serving although the food is cooked by caterers. Here, we were served by the relatives as well (usually for 2nd servings) – because as stated earlier – very important to ensure guests are well taken care of. In addition, all food served are vegetarian irregardless. There was quite a variety of food and quite tasty also (or was it my fingers?)
After dinner, we went back up to the hall and queue to take pictures with the bride and bridegroom. (When did they get there???) After that, event was over. It felt quite sudden but I suppose it was just a betrothal ceremony. The real wedding ceremony is held the next day but I have work… so can’t attend. Overall, it was an interesting ceremony.
(I know I have written a freaking long essay here... =P ... what to do?)
Yesterday my friends and I had the pleasure of being invited to one of our colleague’s wedding ceremony. Actually this particular ceremony I attended was a “compact” wedding ceremony for Indians (of course, length of ceremonies varies depending on their castes). Some castes have the wedding ceremonies for a few days while other castes have it for a day. This particular one I went to was a “compact ceremony”. I did not really attend the real wedding ceremony but instead a betrothal ceremony (aka engagement). Her wedding is held a day after this betrothal reception.
Anyway, somewhat similar to Chinese wedding receptions, the guests will usually bring gifts (money is also included but instead of angpows, it is sealed in a normal envelope) for the bride and bridegroom. On a side note, I just learnt that one (from a movie) should say “Congratulations” to the bridegroom and “Best Wishes” for the bride.
The ceremony was held in a marriage hall on the 4th floor of a building quite far from office and the place I live. It’s situated near Anna International Airport (aka Chennai Airport – 40mins by taxi to where I stay). Initially my friends and I had some expectations of how the ceremony would be like and how the hall will be decorated. This is because there is also a marriage hall at Mylapore (the area where we stay). Here, almost every night this month, people hold grand wedding ceremonies there with beautiful lightings and decorations. There were so many types of food being served – buffet style. This particular ceremony I went to was not as grand but still it was a good new experience. I know the other ceremony would cost a whopping amount of money. Indian marriages are not cheap you know, usually have to spend about Rs.5lakhs if one arranges for a 3day marriage with food, accommodation all provided for friends and relatives. (1lakh = 100,000; Rs5lakh=S$25,000)
I had a colleague (ex-teacher) who was kind enough to share about the Indian culture and tradition. He emphasized a lot that during the reception, it is very important for “ensuring that all guests are well taken care of”. Usually, it is the bride’s family to make sure that all guests have enough food to eat and a comfortable place to sleep. Oh yes – dowries are paid from the bride’s family to the bridegroom’s family unlike Chinese traditions. In Chinese traditions, the groom has to pay dowries to the bride because (I don’t know whether it is true or not but… anyway) it is like paying the parents of the bride for taking good care of his wife before they are married. So, can we say this as a service charge by the bride’s family? =P
On the other hand, traditionally in Indian families, when the bride is married, the family would send money/dowries to her to “ensure she is well and have enough”. (Her husband not good enough to support her? I don’t know….) Basically, it is the parents of the bride concerned for her welfare so they give money to the bride often after marriage. Somehow, this tradition evolved into paying dowries for the marriage. Maybe because of this, most of the Indian men I met here like to spend lots of time in the toilet combing their hair, freshening up unlike in Singapore. There are also a lot more men clothes shops and perfumes being sold here than for women. Indian men who went through college and working in IT firms are hot in the market not only for their skills but their “marriageability”. Anyway, before I digress too much, I’ll return to the main topic – the ceremony I went to.
We arrived at the ceremony relatively early – 720pm when the ceremony was said to start at 730pm on the invitation card. Just like Chinese weddings, many people come late and the event started at only about 830pm. Chairs were laid out in the hall in the usual way facing the stage where a group of people were having “karaoke” session. Initially I thought it was just like Chinese dinner receptions with people having karaoke sessions except without TV. To substitute the TV, there were 3 books of lyrics which they keep swapping and a live band to perform the music. Only later I realized it was hired performers… Hahaha… At the side of the stage, two chairs were set up specially (just like Malay weddings).
When the main event began, there was a group of traditional Indian musicians to play the drums and pipe. It was starting but the bride and groom is still no where to be seen. However, at the place where the two special chairs were, the families of the bride and groom gather on each side of the chair, sitting on the floor. They had some baskets with them which I didn’t really understand what. When the basket was passed from one of the family members to the other, people started to clap. Ceremony suddenly done and we were guided downstairs to the dining hall.
Well, here is where the term – “When in Rome, do what the Romans do” is enforced. My friends and I had to eat with our hands because there are no plates, spoons or fork. Instead, we have a big pandan leaf as plate. In city marriages, food is arranged and served by the caterer onto the pandan leaves. In villages, the relatives of the bride will do the serving although the food is cooked by caterers. Here, we were served by the relatives as well (usually for 2nd servings) – because as stated earlier – very important to ensure guests are well taken care of. In addition, all food served are vegetarian irregardless. There was quite a variety of food and quite tasty also (or was it my fingers?)
After dinner, we went back up to the hall and queue to take pictures with the bride and bridegroom. (When did they get there???) After that, event was over. It felt quite sudden but I suppose it was just a betrothal ceremony. The real wedding ceremony is held the next day but I have work… so can’t attend. Overall, it was an interesting ceremony.
(I know I have written a freaking long essay here... =P ... what to do?)
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Motorbike & long apparels
The other night on my way to this cyber cafe, I saw the aftermath of an accident. A woman was sitting on the road stuck to her husband's motorbike. She was holding on to a baby. Passerbys quickly went over to help her carry the baby. Her husband tried hard to free her saree from the wheels. Although nothing serious (except for maybe a painful backside), it was shocking for me as well. It could've been a worse event. I told my Indian friend about this and she replied "Yah, it's very common. Very often people die from it".
It is very common to see men driving their bikes with presumably their wifes (rarely girlfriends.. due to the culture here - oh ya, Happy Valentines Day everyone! There are some interesting stories about India's "love police". If I have time, I'll post it right after this... else some other time). The women are usually wearing traditional sarees or salwar khameez. Both are dangerous on the bikes because of the extra long cloth. It gets tangled up easily. Road safety regulations here are not sufficient. People rarely wear helmets. Most prefer to just get the headgear with a screen (to protect from the dust and other particles) rather than a sturdy helmet.
It is also quite rare for women here to dress with "western" clothes. On the streets, it is mainly sarees. At work, most wear the salwar khameez. Anyway, I have digressed... the lady did not look like she suffered much injuries. The baby did not look hurt and was not crying. I was relieved and since they were others helping the couple out, I continued to the cyber cafe.
It is very common to see men driving their bikes with presumably their wifes (rarely girlfriends.. due to the culture here - oh ya, Happy Valentines Day everyone! There are some interesting stories about India's "love police". If I have time, I'll post it right after this... else some other time). The women are usually wearing traditional sarees or salwar khameez. Both are dangerous on the bikes because of the extra long cloth. It gets tangled up easily. Road safety regulations here are not sufficient. People rarely wear helmets. Most prefer to just get the headgear with a screen (to protect from the dust and other particles) rather than a sturdy helmet.
It is also quite rare for women here to dress with "western" clothes. On the streets, it is mainly sarees. At work, most wear the salwar khameez. Anyway, I have digressed... the lady did not look like she suffered much injuries. The baby did not look hurt and was not crying. I was relieved and since they were others helping the couple out, I continued to the cyber cafe.
Sunday, February 05, 2006
Laptop & Handphone dying
I'm having problems with my laptop these days. It won't start properly and sometimes the screen turns "red". All the colors fade into red. Fortunately I have already made a backup of my stuff when I got my external hard disk early this year. Still.... there are some files in my laptop that I want to copy out. My laptop was showing signs of problems late last year when the mouse pointer started to move on its own. When I came back to Chennai, it was totally "dead". The mouse pointer would automatically move to one end of the screen and then stop there. I would have to manually open my programs using shortcut keys and Alt-Tabs. So mafan.... In addition to that, it is quite slow sometimes. And finally...this afternoon it won't boot up (it was still working in the morning although red screen and dead cursor... hai~)
My handphone is also dying. The pixels on some parts of my handphone will be burned onto the screen. It blocks out 3/4 of the screen. Fortunately, the screen returns to normal (sometimes only for a shortwhile) after I switch it off and back on again. Quite annoying but at least still can use. :P
My handphone is also dying. The pixels on some parts of my handphone will be burned onto the screen. It blocks out 3/4 of the screen. Fortunately, the screen returns to normal (sometimes only for a shortwhile) after I switch it off and back on again. Quite annoying but at least still can use. :P
Sunday, January 29, 2006
Happy CNY!
My Chinese New Year this year is even more "un-CNY" than the past 3 CNYs that I had in S'pore. At least when I'm in S'pore, there is still the "qifen". Shops playing CNY songs, Chinatown beautifully decorated with the Chinese Zodiac Animals. Here, it's just like any other day - business as usual (lucky it is a weekend this year! I think if not, we'll be in the office - no point taking leave in a country where we go no place better to go. I'm saving as much leaves as I can then maybe travel to Agra before I leave. But.... it's still an idea, haven't properly planned it yet.. My time here in India will be over very soon.)
Anyway, to create some "qifen", my friends and I went to Chinatown (a Chinese restaurant) near Zara (the Spanish restaurant that we frequent). We ordered - Steamed Pomfret, 5 spice chicken & Mapo Seafood Tofu. It was all below standard. The pomfret is not smooth enough and a little over cooked. The Mapo Tofu, well.. isn't the black mapo that one would usually expect and the 5 spice chicken.... it tastes just like Tandoori Chicken (is it me or does it always taste this way?).
Fortunately, today we had a better meal for lunch. We went to Shangai Club (at Chola Sheraton Hotel) for buffet. The chef is from China and had been in Chennai for about 4months as well. He was delighted to meet us and gave us his name card so that we could special request some food if we wanted to. The buffet was fabulous. We had a wide range of food to choose from -> Chinese - Continental - Indian (I avoided most of them coz easily available elsewhere). I had dumplings, kourou, delicious fried lamb, ham, french bread.... was very filling. Would've taken more if I was not so full. For deserts, there were truffles, cheese cake (this is one of the better cheese cake that I've had here in Chennai), Indian sweets - Mithai (which most of the people I gave to in S'pore hated).. Anyway, the meal was delicious but... for Rs552.... hehe... you won't see me going there often though.
Hmmm....next year CNY, where will I be? :P
Anyway, to create some "qifen", my friends and I went to Chinatown (a Chinese restaurant) near Zara (the Spanish restaurant that we frequent). We ordered - Steamed Pomfret, 5 spice chicken & Mapo Seafood Tofu. It was all below standard. The pomfret is not smooth enough and a little over cooked. The Mapo Tofu, well.. isn't the black mapo that one would usually expect and the 5 spice chicken.... it tastes just like Tandoori Chicken (is it me or does it always taste this way?).
Fortunately, today we had a better meal for lunch. We went to Shangai Club (at Chola Sheraton Hotel) for buffet. The chef is from China and had been in Chennai for about 4months as well. He was delighted to meet us and gave us his name card so that we could special request some food if we wanted to. The buffet was fabulous. We had a wide range of food to choose from -> Chinese - Continental - Indian (I avoided most of them coz easily available elsewhere). I had dumplings, kourou, delicious fried lamb, ham, french bread.... was very filling. Would've taken more if I was not so full. For deserts, there were truffles, cheese cake (this is one of the better cheese cake that I've had here in Chennai), Indian sweets - Mithai (which most of the people I gave to in S'pore hated).. Anyway, the meal was delicious but... for Rs552.... hehe... you won't see me going there often though.
Hmmm....next year CNY, where will I be? :P
Sunday, January 22, 2006
The "bad" part of Chennai
Being back here in Chennai for 2 weeks, I have yet to see a drop of rain from the sky. Although the weather is still cool in the morning but there was never a moment of doubt that it will never rain the whole day. It is good..... but for now.... I've heard horror stories of the hot weather here in Chennai (Mar to May especially) which many people died from the heat wave. At the moment, people are freezing to death in North India. Although I'm in the South but the temperatures here are also quite low (relative to S'pore's) in the morning. However, afternoon, it's a whole different story - best to stay indoors.
These days I've not been able to have a good night sleep. Every morning I'll be woken up by mosquito bites. Before January, it was nearly impossible to find any mosquito especially at the place where we stayed. I was very surprised as I would expect lots of mosquitoes because of the environment. However, honeymoon period over, every morning I wake up with mosquito bites on my wrists, feets and sometimes my face (I wear sweater and long pants so only these are the "vulnerable" areas). Two nights ago, I started my "exercise routine" before I go to sleep. Been on a mosquito killing spree... I smacked at least 10 of those blood sucking pests before I sleep. BUT... every morning I wake up, I can still kill another 5 or 6 (before I open my room door). There's gotta be a more efficient way of getting rid of these pests... They've been bothering me for about a week now and I don't think they'll stop. I suspect the cause was the heavy rains in Chennai before January. Water logging is still a problem although it has not rained for weeks. The river which was swollen before is now very dry.
People Below Poverty Line (BPL)
After being in Chennai for quite some time, I am now able to recognise the usual beggars on the street. The way they beg for money differs. One beggar with her son (or maybe most probably her grandson, he looks to be about 2 to 3yrs old) begs near where I live. Every time I pass by her, she'll drag the poor kid from whatever he was doing and cradle him in her arms. Then she'll make her way towards me and call out "Baby... baby" signalling that the baby needs to eat. As usual, I avoided her...... I know I've said it a few times but I don't know what to do for her. I can't give her money as there are other beggars around as well. If I do give to one, the rest will come running. (I've seen someone gave money to another beggar and this old woman quickly again grab the kid and beg).
There's another beggar near where I work. I see this woman .... (I just realised something... most of the beggars I've met are women, rarely men).... Anyway, this woman beggar is slightly different from the rest. Mainly because of the way she begs. Usually beggars will present themselves "humbly" (in a "kelian" way) but not her. She'll be liked in a pissed off mood and demand money from you shaking her metal cup with some rupee coins inside.
It is quite sad and makes me feel guilty when I can easily spend Rs200 on a meal while they struggle to get Rs10 of food. Whenever I spend a lot on "expensive" food here in Chennai, I would donate some amount of money into Oxfam and other food aid organizations. I also don't know how much this will help them as well because even charities are corrupted. It is very saddening to learn that an organization such as NKF S'pore under T.T. Durai would lavishly spend it on unnecessary expenses. Over here, I'm not sure of the organizations here but I hope they are better as most are managed by international NGOs. There are so many people in the "Below Poverty Line" (BPL) catergory here in India. They depend on the food aid provided by government but not always receive it due to corruption.
Pollution
As it has not rained recently, the amount of dust here in Chennai is quite bad. But, most people still consider Chennai as very clean. They say that Mumbai and Delhi are more polluted. I don't know since I've never been there. My nose is always clogged up.
On a happier note
Since training is over, now I have Saturdays free!! Wheee!! No longer paid like Mc Donald's counter staff..... But then ar.... what to do on a free day? :S ... With this new found freedom, suddenly like nothing to do..... No need to study for exam..... no need to go for lessons.... sleep all day?? :P
These days I've not been able to have a good night sleep. Every morning I'll be woken up by mosquito bites. Before January, it was nearly impossible to find any mosquito especially at the place where we stayed. I was very surprised as I would expect lots of mosquitoes because of the environment. However, honeymoon period over, every morning I wake up with mosquito bites on my wrists, feets and sometimes my face (I wear sweater and long pants so only these are the "vulnerable" areas). Two nights ago, I started my "exercise routine" before I go to sleep. Been on a mosquito killing spree... I smacked at least 10 of those blood sucking pests before I sleep. BUT... every morning I wake up, I can still kill another 5 or 6 (before I open my room door). There's gotta be a more efficient way of getting rid of these pests... They've been bothering me for about a week now and I don't think they'll stop. I suspect the cause was the heavy rains in Chennai before January. Water logging is still a problem although it has not rained for weeks. The river which was swollen before is now very dry.
People Below Poverty Line (BPL)
After being in Chennai for quite some time, I am now able to recognise the usual beggars on the street. The way they beg for money differs. One beggar with her son (or maybe most probably her grandson, he looks to be about 2 to 3yrs old) begs near where I live. Every time I pass by her, she'll drag the poor kid from whatever he was doing and cradle him in her arms. Then she'll make her way towards me and call out "Baby... baby" signalling that the baby needs to eat. As usual, I avoided her...... I know I've said it a few times but I don't know what to do for her. I can't give her money as there are other beggars around as well. If I do give to one, the rest will come running. (I've seen someone gave money to another beggar and this old woman quickly again grab the kid and beg).
There's another beggar near where I work. I see this woman .... (I just realised something... most of the beggars I've met are women, rarely men).... Anyway, this woman beggar is slightly different from the rest. Mainly because of the way she begs. Usually beggars will present themselves "humbly" (in a "kelian" way) but not her. She'll be liked in a pissed off mood and demand money from you shaking her metal cup with some rupee coins inside.
It is quite sad and makes me feel guilty when I can easily spend Rs200 on a meal while they struggle to get Rs10 of food. Whenever I spend a lot on "expensive" food here in Chennai, I would donate some amount of money into Oxfam and other food aid organizations. I also don't know how much this will help them as well because even charities are corrupted. It is very saddening to learn that an organization such as NKF S'pore under T.T. Durai would lavishly spend it on unnecessary expenses. Over here, I'm not sure of the organizations here but I hope they are better as most are managed by international NGOs. There are so many people in the "Below Poverty Line" (BPL) catergory here in India. They depend on the food aid provided by government but not always receive it due to corruption.
Pollution
As it has not rained recently, the amount of dust here in Chennai is quite bad. But, most people still consider Chennai as very clean. They say that Mumbai and Delhi are more polluted. I don't know since I've never been there. My nose is always clogged up.
On a happier note
Since training is over, now I have Saturdays free!! Wheee!! No longer paid like Mc Donald's counter staff..... But then ar.... what to do on a free day? :S ... With this new found freedom, suddenly like nothing to do..... No need to study for exam..... no need to go for lessons.... sleep all day?? :P
Thursday, January 19, 2006
... and so the project allocation is done
From the 24 of us studying TPF at ASDC (a wholy owned subsidiary of TCS), only 4 of us (from sg) were retained to work in ASDC; specifically the SIA project. Yesterday the rest of the 20 went back to TCS to report to the HR there for project allocation. It took them until today before they knew which project they were allocated. 11 have been allocated to Worldspan (a global Centralised Reservations System for airline industry), 3 assigned back to ASDC for SIA and 5 others who are still waiting (most probably get SITA - the "internet" for airline industry).
Anyway, I have been assigned to do AMS (Application Maintenance and Systems) under airline reservations department. Basically my role is more of enhancement and support to the current existing programs. At the moment, my project manager does not have much for me to do except that he expects me to finish reading modules on reservations domain. I never realised that booking a ticket is so complex. I never bothered what a PNR (Passenger Name Record) is. Just let the travel agent settle everything (which shows how complex details are encapsulated from the customer so that customer just buy and fly with comfort).
For the moment, I still don't have an idea when exactly I'll be returning to S'pore as it depends on how fast I can absorb the skills to move on. It seems that I(the four of us) might have to request for more than we are assigned to do. This is to be able to grow faster due to different expectations of us from the rest.
Anyway, I have been assigned to do AMS (Application Maintenance and Systems) under airline reservations department. Basically my role is more of enhancement and support to the current existing programs. At the moment, my project manager does not have much for me to do except that he expects me to finish reading modules on reservations domain. I never realised that booking a ticket is so complex. I never bothered what a PNR (Passenger Name Record) is. Just let the travel agent settle everything (which shows how complex details are encapsulated from the customer so that customer just buy and fly with comfort).
For the moment, I still don't have an idea when exactly I'll be returning to S'pore as it depends on how fast I can absorb the skills to move on. It seems that I(the four of us) might have to request for more than we are assigned to do. This is to be able to grow faster due to different expectations of us from the rest.
Saturday, January 14, 2006
Ponggal Holiday
Happy Ponggal! After a long time, I finally get a Saturday off (not counting the time in Singapore). Today is a public holiday but mainly for South India. According to my colleagues, Ponggal is the day farmers celebrate their harvest. The canteen in Tidel Park is decorated with leaves and shoots (It looked like bamboo but not sure if it is). In addition to the decorations, they had invited people dressed up in their traditional farmer clothes performing some sort of dance to celebrate the event. Quite a cultural experience but something is still lacking. I think is because Ponggal is more of a "village event" rather than for the city.
All my colleagues who come from parts of India have gone home. For those who aren't, they are heading over to Pondicherry (the French colony I spoke of previously). I think Ponggal is more like Chinese New Year when family members gather to have dinner... speaking of which, I have missed tuan nian fan for 3 years now..... ^__^ .....
Anyway, next Tuesday my batch mates and I are finally taking the exit test! Instead of feeling stress and pressure, I'm excited and filled with joy because I can't wait to take the test and get on with projects. Mainly because I'm still full of motivation to drive myself up the corporate ladder quickly. But..... of course, I'll still be spending the rest of today, tomorrow and monday to study especially on the sections I missed because I was in Singapore on "extended" holidays.
On a side note.. my new year resolutions... only able to keep to one - read more. Oh ya, I think I'll buy the book again (the one which I gave to SL). I think it is really good. For the moment, I've just started reading 8th Habit which I borrowed from my friend. This is also a good book on self improvement.
All my colleagues who come from parts of India have gone home. For those who aren't, they are heading over to Pondicherry (the French colony I spoke of previously). I think Ponggal is more like Chinese New Year when family members gather to have dinner... speaking of which, I have missed tuan nian fan for 3 years now..... ^__^ .....
Anyway, next Tuesday my batch mates and I are finally taking the exit test! Instead of feeling stress and pressure, I'm excited and filled with joy because I can't wait to take the test and get on with projects. Mainly because I'm still full of motivation to drive myself up the corporate ladder quickly. But..... of course, I'll still be spending the rest of today, tomorrow and monday to study especially on the sections I missed because I was in Singapore on "extended" holidays.
On a side note.. my new year resolutions... only able to keep to one - read more. Oh ya, I think I'll buy the book again (the one which I gave to SL). I think it is really good. For the moment, I've just started reading 8th Habit which I borrowed from my friend. This is also a good book on self improvement.
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Chennai.... again....
Am back in Chennai again. Well, Chennai isn't all that bad. Since this is the second time I'm coming to Chennai, the atmosphere feels different. When I got off at the airport, I don't find it messy/dirty/not-habitable anymore. Instead, I felt that it was a nice place to be in and much better than many parts of Chennai. Anyway, maybe it is just a sign that I'm adapting well to the environment here. Abuthen har.. I still HATE the stinking smell along the roads. If you ever see the walking path wet on a sunny day, one can only guess that someone has used it as a public toilet. Just two days ago, I saw a group of people, some who were driving cars, stopped just to pee next to the railway station. There seems to be an unwritten notice that states "Pee Here Only"
Hmmm.. something wrong with Blogger, I can't do any settings on my fonts. This cybercafe is too smart for its own good. The computers are too secure that I can't connect external storage devices such as thumb-drives to copy stuff..and now Blogger restriction...grrrr.....
Anyway, I was just about to tell the story of me & a moped (sounds like "mo-pet"). Yesterday night, Rashi (the Indian girl from S'pore) borrowed the moped from our guest house caretaker so that we could ride it to the nearby TCS office to collect our allowance. It was quite funny because of a container at the side of the moped, I was forced to take the "lady seat" (so far, I've only seen the Indian wifes carrying their stuff or babies sitting like that on the motorcycle/moped while their husband drive them). The caretaker and some of the other servants who saw me was laughing for the same reason I just mentioned I think. There are some things that I would like to comment on this blog about the "moped adventure" but to play safe, I shall not comment on them here. Tell you all next time. :P
Hmmm.. something wrong with Blogger, I can't do any settings on my fonts. This cybercafe is too smart for its own good. The computers are too secure that I can't connect external storage devices such as thumb-drives to copy stuff..and now Blogger restriction...grrrr.....
Anyway, I was just about to tell the story of me & a moped (sounds like "mo-pet"). Yesterday night, Rashi (the Indian girl from S'pore) borrowed the moped from our guest house caretaker so that we could ride it to the nearby TCS office to collect our allowance. It was quite funny because of a container at the side of the moped, I was forced to take the "lady seat" (so far, I've only seen the Indian wifes carrying their stuff or babies sitting like that on the motorcycle/moped while their husband drive them). The caretaker and some of the other servants who saw me was laughing for the same reason I just mentioned I think. There are some things that I would like to comment on this blog about the "moped adventure" but to play safe, I shall not comment on them here. Tell you all next time. :P
Sunday, January 01, 2006
Welcome to 2006!
2006 is here!
This is the first year that I am finally no longer a student of formal education. However, I have extended my education to informal education. New Year is here so I must make some resolutions. Abuthen ar....every year, I am only able to follow the resolutions for 1 to 2 months at most. This is mainly due to unrealistic and absurd resolutions that I set for myself to follow. Therefore, this year I shall have some simple resolutions to work with. My 3 simple resolutions for the New Year:
1. Eat healthier - search for green vegetables and fruits in Chennai. Less of prata, dosa, vada and especially all the kababs with thick gravy. (Note that I put "Chennai" because for the moment, I am indulging myself with all the Char Kuay Tiau and Katong Laksa with thick santan :P)
2. Exercise regularly - well, I've started this when I was in Chennai by doing some simple stretches, pushups and situps every morning I wake up. Now just have to extend it to the weekends and go jog at the beach more often or at least play football.
3. Continue learning - Now that I'm out of NUS, I have just automatically enrolled myself in the University of Life where EQ matters more than IQ. After 2 months of my working experience, I have seen cases where academically smart people don't know how to handle situations maturely or sensitively. At the same time, I have met people who are superb in defusing tension and don't seem to crack under pressure. I will invest some of my time and money to learn the necessary skills to do well.
With this 3 resolutions, I hope to live a healthier and happier life. In addition - A wish for World Peace. Cheesy as it may sound but like what the editors of the magazines I've been reading said - we don't need any more of terrorism and wars to cause havoc with so much natural disasters and deadly diseases to trouble with. Anyway, have a Happy New Year and may all of you be healthy and happy everyday.
This is the first year that I am finally no longer a student of formal education. However, I have extended my education to informal education. New Year is here so I must make some resolutions. Abuthen ar....every year, I am only able to follow the resolutions for 1 to 2 months at most. This is mainly due to unrealistic and absurd resolutions that I set for myself to follow. Therefore, this year I shall have some simple resolutions to work with. My 3 simple resolutions for the New Year:
1. Eat healthier - search for green vegetables and fruits in Chennai. Less of prata, dosa, vada and especially all the kababs with thick gravy. (Note that I put "Chennai" because for the moment, I am indulging myself with all the Char Kuay Tiau and Katong Laksa with thick santan :P)
2. Exercise regularly - well, I've started this when I was in Chennai by doing some simple stretches, pushups and situps every morning I wake up. Now just have to extend it to the weekends and go jog at the beach more often or at least play football.
3. Continue learning - Now that I'm out of NUS, I have just automatically enrolled myself in the University of Life where EQ matters more than IQ. After 2 months of my working experience, I have seen cases where academically smart people don't know how to handle situations maturely or sensitively. At the same time, I have met people who are superb in defusing tension and don't seem to crack under pressure. I will invest some of my time and money to learn the necessary skills to do well.
With this 3 resolutions, I hope to live a healthier and happier life. In addition - A wish for World Peace. Cheesy as it may sound but like what the editors of the magazines I've been reading said - we don't need any more of terrorism and wars to cause havoc with so much natural disasters and deadly diseases to trouble with. Anyway, have a Happy New Year and may all of you be healthy and happy everyday.
Monday, December 26, 2005
.....And The Chicken Rice Wish Has Been Fulfilled....
... By Loy Kee Chicken Rice. Hahahaha..... The chicken was delicious and the texture was very "hua4". The sauce was not only sweet but also salty enough to soothe my yearning for delicious food. In addition, I had GREEN VEGETABLES (Xiao kailan) ! This is really a luxury to be having green vegetables after 2 long months.
Today I went on a shopping spree spending more than Rs.3000. The stuff that I bought are mainly health care products for me to bring back to India. I need all these health care products like eye wash to keep my eyes healthy (thick dusts on the streets and poor lighting in office), supplements (need to watch out my diet... everyone is really complaining that I've become skinnier.. gulp), iPod Nano to clean my ears (again.. same reason - too dusty....kidding!). I didn't buy iPod Nano.... yet.... still in the process of looking for a good mp3 player. Recommendations is that I get iPod Nano. Any one care to comment on this? Greenlamb (since you own one :P)?
On a side note: I'm very scared to go into bookshops here in Singapore. Every book I see in MPH/Kino is at least 2 times of the price in India. What I'm doing at the moment is, enter the bookshop, see their recommendations then maybe buy it in India. I'm looking forward to get a few books on management and self-improvement.
Today I went on a shopping spree spending more than Rs.3000. The stuff that I bought are mainly health care products for me to bring back to India. I need all these health care products like eye wash to keep my eyes healthy (thick dusts on the streets and poor lighting in office), supplements (need to watch out my diet... everyone is really complaining that I've become skinnier.. gulp), iPod Nano to clean my ears (again.. same reason - too dusty....kidding!). I didn't buy iPod Nano.... yet.... still in the process of looking for a good mp3 player. Recommendations is that I get iPod Nano. Any one care to comment on this? Greenlamb (since you own one :P)?
On a side note: I'm very scared to go into bookshops here in Singapore. Every book I see in MPH/Kino is at least 2 times of the price in India. What I'm doing at the moment is, enter the bookshop, see their recommendations then maybe buy it in India. I'm looking forward to get a few books on management and self-improvement.
Sunday, December 25, 2005
Chennai Week 10 Ended with Chicken Rice Driven Code!
Finally I'm back in S'pore....... home (at least for now)..... The feeling is very nice. Suddenly I can breathe properly again and not worry about the thick dusts on the roads. On reaching West Mall in Bt. Batok, I was overwhelmed to see "familiar sights" of spacious shopping arcades and "crowded" (the crowd in West Mall can't compare with weekends at Spencer plaza, although Orchard might). Christmas shopping crowd, young children running around the mall doing their own shopping with their "wah laos" and "lai dat meh?". I just realised that I've never seen a bunch of kids hang out together as a group in shopping centers without their parents.
Everything looks so clean and so organized here. It is very comfortable to be back here after the "stressful" lifestyle in India. The night before and the day before that I was still rushing to complete my lab assignment. I managed to finish the code in record time. It shocked myself and everyone in class as we were suppose to program 5 options. I completed all 5 while the rest are still working on the 1st option. I scare myself...... Like what I told my friends, this is the power of chicken rice. I was very motivated to complete my codes by yesterday evening because I know I would not be able to go back on Monday to work on it and submit. In my mind was just the wonderful Singapore Chicken Rice, Char Kway Tiau, Bak Kut Teh and all the various delicious non-spicy Chinese food. I have had enough of spicy Indian food especially the non-vegetarian ones. Prata and Chicken curry, Chicken Tikka, Chicken Briyani..... ugh... the week I knew I am coming back to S'pore, I had problems eating the food there in India. I lost all my appetite. According to my friend, Loon - "我瘦了"... Must be because of the diarrhea last week. It seems that a lot of other people are also having diarrhea in Chennai because of the water pollution. Newspaper initially reported that the cause is unknown but yesterday it was reported that the disease is cholera. So.. I think I might've been affected by cholera without knowing it. Good thing nothing bad happened. It seems that a few people died from dehydration due to excess loss of fluids from diarrhea. Some had to be injected with fluids as oral intake is vomitted out. My friend Benny was vommitting that day. I'm not sure if related or not.
Anyway, now that I'm back here in Singapore, I suppose it is time for me to do some shopping! My New Year Shopping list is just being compiled.... Hahahaha... :D
Everything looks so clean and so organized here. It is very comfortable to be back here after the "stressful" lifestyle in India. The night before and the day before that I was still rushing to complete my lab assignment. I managed to finish the code in record time. It shocked myself and everyone in class as we were suppose to program 5 options. I completed all 5 while the rest are still working on the 1st option. I scare myself...... Like what I told my friends, this is the power of chicken rice. I was very motivated to complete my codes by yesterday evening because I know I would not be able to go back on Monday to work on it and submit. In my mind was just the wonderful Singapore Chicken Rice, Char Kway Tiau, Bak Kut Teh and all the various delicious non-spicy Chinese food. I have had enough of spicy Indian food especially the non-vegetarian ones. Prata and Chicken curry, Chicken Tikka, Chicken Briyani..... ugh... the week I knew I am coming back to S'pore, I had problems eating the food there in India. I lost all my appetite. According to my friend, Loon - "我瘦了"... Must be because of the diarrhea last week. It seems that a lot of other people are also having diarrhea in Chennai because of the water pollution. Newspaper initially reported that the cause is unknown but yesterday it was reported that the disease is cholera. So.. I think I might've been affected by cholera without knowing it. Good thing nothing bad happened. It seems that a few people died from dehydration due to excess loss of fluids from diarrhea. Some had to be injected with fluids as oral intake is vomitted out. My friend Benny was vommitting that day. I'm not sure if related or not.
Anyway, now that I'm back here in Singapore, I suppose it is time for me to do some shopping! My New Year Shopping list is just being compiled.... Hahahaha... :D
Sunday, December 18, 2005
My Updates for End of ..... which week is it? 9?
Since yesterday morning, the weather here in Chennai is very cold. This is the coldest recorded temperature ever according to the news report. Temperatures have fallen below 5deg Celcius and snows will fall soon.... wait.. That's J&K (Jammu & Kashmir) and PoK (Pakistan Occupied Kashmir)... Anyway, Chennai is supposedly the hottest city in India (last year temperatures were up to 40degC and many people died of heat wave around March, April). Presently, a new weather system is just about to hit 500km South of here. Yesterday, it was drizzling the whole day and this morning, heavy showers. I like the weather when it is just drizzling, it just feels nice and cool. However, I hate the heavy rains though.
Despite the "nice weather", my friends and I are falling sick - vomitting & diarrhea. Benny had a bad day yesterday as everything that he ate in the morning is vomitted out within minutes. We were trying to figure out what was wrong with him as we had the same food but did not suffer the same fate. We suspected it was the insect repellant that he turned on while he was sleeping. The effect of the poison has caused him to be sick and nauseous. So, warning to all - don't use the chemical insect repellant in a poorly ventilated room. As for myself, I was and am still having diarrhea since last night. I have no idea why or what happened.
My Cinema Experience in Chennai
Anyway, last week I had my first cinema going experience in Sathyam Cinema, Chennai watching Harry Potter! I'll have to say that I am quite surprised by the cinema. The outside of the cinema is covered with huge billboards of Tamil movies such that I could not tell that it is a building. The lobby was dirty and rundown. I was starting to feel disappointed at the "best cinema" in Chennai. BUT my impressions were changed once we entered the cinema. It started to feel more like Golden Village in Tiong Bahru. THEN.... I started to have a bad feeling again when the show started. As soon as the WB logo was screened, people in the hall started to cheer, clap, whistle and making so much sound that I feared my movie experience would be spoilt. It became silent when the first screen of some old caretaker walked up the stairs. I felt relieved BUT as soon as Harry Potter appeared, people were cheering, whistling and clapping again. The same goes for the other 2 main characters. After that, it was silent again. It felt as if we were watching a live drama instead of a movie. The experience was amazing especially when the Quidditch World Cup was being screened. People in the hall were all reacting just as the same as the characters in the movie. At the end of the show, again, the audience gave a round of applause as our heroes go home waiting for the next semester.
The most expensive food that I have paid for so far in Chennai...
Last Wednesday, we went to Asakasa Restaurant to have our dinner. We found the restaurant through an advertisement they placed in the newspaper. This is the first Japanese restaurant that we found here in Chennai. It is located in such a secluded place that none of us would've thought that there would be such a high class restaurant in there. Inside the restaurants, it feels as if we have left India and arrived in Japan. Everything about the place was Japanese - Japanese Ocha, Japanese Okiasama, Japanese Businessmen, Japanese Sake, .... you get the picture...
However, my heart suddenly sank when we got the menu. The prices were freaking expensive. Two Salmon sushi (the standard rich & raw salmon) costs Rs250 which is like S$10!!! I had a Katsudon meal set for Rs500.... Although the food was delicious but it is definitely not worth to go there often. It is only when I started working, I realise that saving money is not an easy task. I need to start planning my finances ......
Singapore next week
I have confirmed my booking for the Jet Airways flight back to Singapore on Dec 25th, Christmas day. I'll be arriving in Singapore at 5pm, I think. Unfortunately because I am skipping class on Monday 26th, I have to make up on 2nd January to finish up my labs as trainings have been extended.
Despite the "nice weather", my friends and I are falling sick - vomitting & diarrhea. Benny had a bad day yesterday as everything that he ate in the morning is vomitted out within minutes. We were trying to figure out what was wrong with him as we had the same food but did not suffer the same fate. We suspected it was the insect repellant that he turned on while he was sleeping. The effect of the poison has caused him to be sick and nauseous. So, warning to all - don't use the chemical insect repellant in a poorly ventilated room. As for myself, I was and am still having diarrhea since last night. I have no idea why or what happened.
My Cinema Experience in Chennai
Anyway, last week I had my first cinema going experience in Sathyam Cinema, Chennai watching Harry Potter! I'll have to say that I am quite surprised by the cinema. The outside of the cinema is covered with huge billboards of Tamil movies such that I could not tell that it is a building. The lobby was dirty and rundown. I was starting to feel disappointed at the "best cinema" in Chennai. BUT my impressions were changed once we entered the cinema. It started to feel more like Golden Village in Tiong Bahru. THEN.... I started to have a bad feeling again when the show started. As soon as the WB logo was screened, people in the hall started to cheer, clap, whistle and making so much sound that I feared my movie experience would be spoilt. It became silent when the first screen of some old caretaker walked up the stairs. I felt relieved BUT as soon as Harry Potter appeared, people were cheering, whistling and clapping again. The same goes for the other 2 main characters. After that, it was silent again. It felt as if we were watching a live drama instead of a movie. The experience was amazing especially when the Quidditch World Cup was being screened. People in the hall were all reacting just as the same as the characters in the movie. At the end of the show, again, the audience gave a round of applause as our heroes go home waiting for the next semester.
The most expensive food that I have paid for so far in Chennai...
Last Wednesday, we went to Asakasa Restaurant to have our dinner. We found the restaurant through an advertisement they placed in the newspaper. This is the first Japanese restaurant that we found here in Chennai. It is located in such a secluded place that none of us would've thought that there would be such a high class restaurant in there. Inside the restaurants, it feels as if we have left India and arrived in Japan. Everything about the place was Japanese - Japanese Ocha, Japanese Okiasama, Japanese Businessmen, Japanese Sake, .... you get the picture...
However, my heart suddenly sank when we got the menu. The prices were freaking expensive. Two Salmon sushi (the standard rich & raw salmon) costs Rs250 which is like S$10!!! I had a Katsudon meal set for Rs500.... Although the food was delicious but it is definitely not worth to go there often. It is only when I started working, I realise that saving money is not an easy task. I need to start planning my finances ......
Singapore next week
I have confirmed my booking for the Jet Airways flight back to Singapore on Dec 25th, Christmas day. I'll be arriving in Singapore at 5pm, I think. Unfortunately because I am skipping class on Monday 26th, I have to make up on 2nd January to finish up my labs as trainings have been extended.
Saturday, December 17, 2005
1 min blog updates
I'm taking out time from lunch to check my mails and blog this very very short update. Maybe I'll expand it later when I get the time but I have only 5mins on my card left so can't blog for long. 1min-Updates for the past week:
1. Cyclone never came (phew) but new cyclone approaching.
2. Watched Harry Potter & Goblet of Fire (I have a lot to say about the cinema going audiences here)
3. Exams postponed, training has been extended (don't ask why)
4. Celebrated two of my Singapore colleagues' B'day in the past week.
5. Booked my flight back to Singapore on Dec 25th (reach at 5pm) and leaving S'pore on 1st Jan by Jet Airways. (The hole in my pocket suddenly feels so deep :( )
6. Had the most expensive food that I paid for - Japanese set meal (Katsu Don) in Chennai ... scary... this is even more expensive than what I had paid for in Billy Bombers. Rs500... pocket really burning hot now...
1. Cyclone never came (phew) but new cyclone approaching.
2. Watched Harry Potter & Goblet of Fire (I have a lot to say about the cinema going audiences here)
3. Exams postponed, training has been extended (don't ask why)
4. Celebrated two of my Singapore colleagues' B'day in the past week.
5. Booked my flight back to Singapore on Dec 25th (reach at 5pm) and leaving S'pore on 1st Jan by Jet Airways. (The hole in my pocket suddenly feels so deep :( )
6. Had the most expensive food that I paid for - Japanese set meal (Katsu Don) in Chennai ... scary... this is even more expensive than what I had paid for in Billy Bombers. Rs500... pocket really burning hot now...
Saturday, December 10, 2005
Exams & Cyclones coming soon
It has already been 8 weeks since I arrived in Chennai?!? Time really flies...... There's a little more than 2 weeks before this intensive training program ends. The main part of TPF theory has ended, we're only left with the labs as well as the final section - TPFDF (whatever that means :S)
There'll be a final exit test on Dec 26th. I suppose my Christmas this year will be spent in my room studying instead of enjoying Christmas TV shows back home in Brunei. Good news is that after training ends, we only need to report back to the main company on January 3rd 2006. This means that I have 7 days off!! Wooohoo!! At the moment am now trying to arrange for my flight to go back to Singapore on 26th Dec midnight. If it is settled then I'll arrive in Singapore on Dec 27th 7am.... but this is not confirmed yet. Don't know if there is still available seats or not. I can only go and arrange for this on Monday. After going back to Singapore, I'll have to reapply visa to return to India as my Visa is single entry.... so mafan. Seem like I will need to set out a plan & lists of to-dos when I get back to Singapore.
Well, putting the good news aside, Chennai is about to be hit by another cyclone - Cyclone Fanooz. *yawn*.... This is getting very very tiring and irritating.... Suddenly out of nowhere a new cyclone just forms and threatens to hit Tamil Nadu. It is becoming like a routine and I'm already expecting certain things to happen when it hits. No surprise that plenty of areas will suffer water logging problems especially near my office. My clothes won't be dry after washing.... Not only that previously, in all the cyclone attacks, at least 2 or 3 people would die from electric shock. The most recent case reported by the newspaper was because of water logging, people dig the roads to let the water flow. They dig it too deep that they hit the power cables below. No problem initially but as cars drive pass it, it damage the cables further. Just so happen a 60yr old man with his grand daughter walk by .... got electrocuted by it. His son saw him fall so he rushed to try and help but ended up he was also killed. It was tragical.
There'll be a final exit test on Dec 26th. I suppose my Christmas this year will be spent in my room studying instead of enjoying Christmas TV shows back home in Brunei. Good news is that after training ends, we only need to report back to the main company on January 3rd 2006. This means that I have 7 days off!! Wooohoo!! At the moment am now trying to arrange for my flight to go back to Singapore on 26th Dec midnight. If it is settled then I'll arrive in Singapore on Dec 27th 7am.... but this is not confirmed yet. Don't know if there is still available seats or not. I can only go and arrange for this on Monday. After going back to Singapore, I'll have to reapply visa to return to India as my Visa is single entry.... so mafan. Seem like I will need to set out a plan & lists of to-dos when I get back to Singapore.
Well, putting the good news aside, Chennai is about to be hit by another cyclone - Cyclone Fanooz. *yawn*.... This is getting very very tiring and irritating.... Suddenly out of nowhere a new cyclone just forms and threatens to hit Tamil Nadu. It is becoming like a routine and I'm already expecting certain things to happen when it hits. No surprise that plenty of areas will suffer water logging problems especially near my office. My clothes won't be dry after washing.... Not only that previously, in all the cyclone attacks, at least 2 or 3 people would die from electric shock. The most recent case reported by the newspaper was because of water logging, people dig the roads to let the water flow. They dig it too deep that they hit the power cables below. No problem initially but as cars drive pass it, it damage the cables further. Just so happen a 60yr old man with his grand daughter walk by .... got electrocuted by it. His son saw him fall so he rushed to try and help but ended up he was also killed. It was tragical.
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