Something caught my eye lately. I never been a reader or a techy gadgety guy. I yawn in bookstores and I get pissed off with lines of words whenever I pick up a book. Interestingly, this gadget I heard 2-3 yrs back in a module in class really caught my eye. It is the new amazon kindle dx.
It is really amazing to know that such a thin flatscreen has a new role in one’s life. A “book”, or many “books”, this screen is an e-reader with the ability to capture gbs of books into one. It is pretty much described as one that has a higher burden than it can carry. Retailing at USD 489, I wonder when I will get my first kindle dx. Looking at the kindle, it actually has this reading ability function. It will be great to not read and just listen! What a gadget, maybe I will get one in time to come when it finally ships to Singapore.
My mind is pretty gyrated like the swine flu. So what has been bugging me? Simply, the graduate 1 yr contract programme versus my current job where I am still viewed as a probation kid. The dilemma - giving up a full time job for the upside of another but this is also bogged down by the uncertainties of securing full time employment within that bank. Perhaps, this may seem to be a derisive act to many but my call will be be imperative to my future. Big time banker versus cocoa trader. What to choose?
Yesterday, I went through the most uncomfortable experience of my puny 25 year lifeline. I languished in pain as I had to undergo a haemorrhoid or piles operation. Recalling back the series of events, I had a change of clothes and after hearing the anaesthetic surgeon mentioning some whole load of crap, I woke up to only find myself in a semi conscious state of shock. I was totally knocked out and the drowsiness made me feel dry, and mindless of myself. The feeling of weakness was overwhelming and I could not manage proper footing for a few hours. Other than that, the feeling of constipation with bandages up the butt channel was stifling. Worst still, this feeling of helplessness has casted a net on me and I am still upset about it.
On the other hand, Isabel and my family were great as they had to endure slavery for a patient. Unfortunately, I rather be up and walking as I am creating a symbol of liability. Unless you go through such a path, you will never learn to cherish your health and considering the amount of vegetables and fruits I take, others should be warned. Ironically, this is the lesser of the two evils with the conventional operation requiring a higher tolerance of pain (amazed at how my mum and others went through this).
Now I received 17 days of mc which I cannot fully utilized was given. My jackass one of a kind boss still gave me a ring before my operation chasing me about a spreadsheet I had longed sent the day before through email. The acts of this unsympathetic bastard simply just render the job to be a crap job but unfortunately, I have no other options at the moment. With this retarded recession ongoing and the bears out of their caves, Im simply trapped. The only thing I hope for, let me get out of the woods and find another job.
So SMU commencement is on the 11th July. I am only entitled to a tentative 2 tickets with the option to request for more. That got me thinking how is SMU helping graduates like me. Firstly, they waived off the ALUMNI fee of 50 bucks, which otherwise minority would subscribe to anyway. This excludes the gym usage and swimming pool access which requires another 200 bucks, leaving you with practically a list of nonsense un-usable items at your disposal.
Since I am babbling about this, I just thought of how the industry or players are reacting to the recession that my school practically ignores for graduates. In orchard, a very innovative pasta restaurant has shored up its appeal by listing the most creative killer promotion – ERP Rebates! Yes, eat in town and get a rebate! Well done! Even a small little restaurant is working on this. Yes, I will be given a one year waiver off my tuition fee, (thank lord for this), but where is the discount for SMU graduates. Personally, I am a pretty disgruntled SMU grad. It boils down to how I have not done well in terms of my academia scroll and being left in the cold for internships due to my results. Fortunately, I am a “never-say die” weed who found a job with my own capacity and not being too reliant on a bunch of rude career coaches! Other grumbles include the little sense of belonging without a reputable alumni network and a proper alumni gathering house like NUS – Kent Ridge House in Suntec. I believe that setting up a proper gathering place will connect the missing dots but hey, I am a graduate who is asked to donate to the people who completely banished me.
So what are my brilliant suggestions if a SMU employee is reading this.
1.Kindly push for a good alumni house (I heard too many complaints about the lounge and the stone-cold feel associated with it).
2.Be a gentleman and waive off gown fees. How much can this cohort hurt your pocket? The bleeding is minimal considering the high packages for professors.
3.Give students more tickets upfront. Graduation ceremonies are for families. Yes, nucleated families chalk up a huge proportion but other than parents, most individuals have siblings.
With regards to my job, I am a management trainee in a food processor. I work on logistic flow or shipping documentations for an Asean country, preparing the necessary docs and coordinating the process between hauliers, shipping lines and the factory. Through this, I learn about shipping costs and this is closely linked to the costs incurred in procuring cocoa beans. Having another leg in physical commodity trading, I place orders for futures on the New York and London exchanges as a risk management measure or simply for hedging purposes. Life is gloomy. Nonetheless, I may be posted overseas for exposure and a trip awaits my observation on the crop in mid of the year. This will give me a good view on the overall supply. I believe I will be getting the deadly fruit – Blackberry, which means 24/7 standby and more calls with brokers, suppliers whom I have to unhappily speak to.Boos to the recession and cheers to the recovery!
Today I found mail on my desk. They were nothing special, the as per normal “value sign up reminders by Fortune Magazine” and notification that my pathetic scroll and transcript are ready for collection only during office hours (I graduated right, means I have to work right? How am I able to collect during office hours then?). More interestingly, the one that caught my eye was the SDU membership application and invitation to some aloha party in sentosa. What is the meaning of this?
So, the moment I graduate you want me to find a girlfriend and lay someone? I think at this moment, what is pertinent is managing your expectations for some in the job hunt and some referrals like the government offering some positions. An unemployed graduate would not be enthusiastic getting this nonsensical letter! In the first place, why do people actually set up such a club? It is simply just a waste of funds that can be channeled into more appropriate uses!
