Friday 31 December 2010

hogmanay.2011


As the year draws to a close at midnight, another year begins. A year of hope, dreams and plans to look forward to.

2010 has been a rather eventful year...
...I became an aunt to the lovely Emma and visited the U.S of A for the first time!

...TheOtherHalf bought a new flat and we decorated the place together, which was a huge learning curve in our relationship

...I became more involved with work, learning more and understanding a little more; corporately; globally; CSR-ly (Corporate Social Responsibility) and travelled quite a bit for work

...Corporately, I enjoy my field work with the Environment sector

...Globally, I've travelled around The Netherlands and met many colleagues from our Dutch Operation Companies

...CSR-ly, participated and climbed my first Munro ~ Ben Wyvis raising funds for WaterAid and organised an auction raising over £1,700 for UN-HABITAT

...completed my one year service for the local Cubs group and still going strong, with a recent promotion to Cub Scout Leader

...attended my first Hen Night and Scottish Wedding of Mr & Mrs Stirling and it was a blast!

...spent 15.5 hours in the car, when it is typically a 2.5-3 hours Monday morning commute, with most of the 13 hours parked up on the M80!

...had my family over for Christmas and New Year

In 2011, some of the things I am looking forward to are...

...welcoming a new member to the family ~ a brother in law!

...going home for the happy occasion and seeing family and friends and Emma again

...sit my RICS Final Assessment in Spring 2011 (need to get Critical Analysis started if I really want to do it)

...and so many things to plan for and achieve.

So, as the new year begin with 365 days of potential and possibilities, happy new year and may 2011 be better than 2010!

Wednesday 1 December 2010

snow.snow.snoooooww!

It had started to snow in Glasgow last Friday, but the snow had started a week before in the North East of Scotland.

There is something about the snow that makes me excited. Perhaps not growing up with snow is one of the reasons. The other could be because of the white blanket of snow somehow exudes magic and romance.

Of course the down side of snow is the travel chaos and slushy mess.

There always seem to be such a palaver with snow in the UK. In fact, the UK seemed not to cope with any adverse weather condition: heavy rain, snow, and heat, there is always something happening in these times.

Luckily this year, I don't have to travel across east to the micro-climate of a place call Livingston. I heard parts of the surrounding area there have about a feet of snow, compared to our inches of snow.

If I get paid for playing snow, I would do it. In the meantime, work beckons and bills have to be paid.

I'm looking forward to going up to Aberdeen this weekend as there are so much to do including putting up an IKEA daybed. However, I'll need to pop into IKEA to pick up some items that was missing in the packaging.

Somehow the travel chaos and airport closures bring back memories of December 2009. Last year, after meeting up with my dad and his family in Paris, we were stranded there unable to fly out because of the white stuff.

I just hope that my family who will be visiting in two week's time will not be affected by the snow, other than just enjoying it.

december.already?!

Just this morning, I was wishing my BossManPaul, "Happy December". Time seriously flies.

There is so much to look forward to in December. A lot of things revolve around the festive season and the fact that it is that time of the year where we reflect on the past year and look forward to the coming year.

This week:
~ I'll need to finish as much of my Christmas shopping and wrapping as possible. Need to remember mom’s birthday present too.
~ Dig out and sort out Christmas cards.
~ Dig out Christmas deco, which I doubt much to dig out since I need the space more. No tree in Glasgow this year.
~ Pack my bag and ware for Christmas.
~ Tidy the flat.
~ Plan the Cubs Christmas Party, which I think am almost done with some help from my cousin Lissa.
~ Plan Christmas food shopping.

Next week:
~ More tidying up of the flat, laundry, spares, etc.
~ Finalising of Cubs stuff for the Christmas Party.

The week after next:
~ Pick up my sisters and niece from the airport.
~ Cubs Christmas decoration evening and last minute stuff of Cubs Christmas Party.
~ Enjoy the week with my sisters and niece.

The week before Christmas:
~ Pick up my mom and aunt from the airport.
~ Enjoy the week with them before heading up to Aberdeen.
~ Family photography session.
~ Pack any last minute item for trip up to Aberdeen.

Don't seem like a lot but yet felt like a lot of things to do. Ah yes, have to be careful of that dreaded "procrastination", so to make sure that all goes well and smoothly.

we.miss.you.Bulgie

Our beloved oranda Bulgie went to Goldfish / Oranda heaven yesterday.


I felt sad but I know that Bulgie had put up a brave fight. He had been ill for slightly over a month.

The thing with fancy orandas, they are very susceptible to illness. Bulgie never had the easiest of times.

I remember when we first got him, he was one aggressive fish. We had to quarantine him in a separate net area, which we call "The Cage" (doesn’t sound good I know). We later found out that because of his bulging eyes and the type of fish he was, he could be blind and unable to see his food. The hunger thus made him aggressive. Ever since then, we had to make sure that he gets fed during meal times.

Of recent times, Bulgie developed some balance problem. TheOtherHalf said that he had seen Bulgie being a bit unbalance. We gave the tank fish tonic, and all sorts of medication (where appropriate), including treatment for swimbladder.

Bulgie went through floating perpendicularly to the water surface, to the other way where his head was 90 degrees to the gravel. Of his last weeks, he was floating at a bend. Initially I thought he broke his bone, but actually one side of his belly was inflated compared to the other side.

Some days he was better than other days. I knew it was going to be a long battle but I think the long fight made it easier for me to cope. Although I did had a chat with TheOtherHalf about this last week.

Although I grow up with pets, since my mom used to run a pet shop, I never thought that I would be affected by the lost of a goldfish. When we lost our first black moor, Blackie, I was devastated. It took us a long time before deciding to get a replacement or more fishes.

This time around, I feel about the same, not rushing to get a replacement. Perhaps it could be because I have a clutch of oranda roe to deal with right now.

R.I.P. Bulgie, we'll miss you and your little antics...

Tuesday 30 November 2010

st.andrew’s.day.2010


According to Wikipedia, St. Andrew's Day is the feast day of Saint Andrew and it is celebrated on 30 November.

Scotland.Org: The Official Gateway to Scotland describes St. Andrew's Day is "...Scotland’s national day. There will be parties galore in Scotland..."

Although it was passed by the Scottish Parliament in 2005 as a Bank Holiday, I doubt very much of its impact.

To many of us it is just another at work. Some of the school children had a day off yesterday, and if it wasn't a holiday yesterday, they would've got the day off anyways because many schools were closed due to the snow. (Except for my Cubs who had to go to school, aww poor thing. :P)

Politically, it seemed that this St. Andrew's Day will make a difference with the coalition in London to set agenda with today's publication of its Scotland's Bill.

I am curious to hear what the children at Cubs tonight think of St. Andrew's Day. Somehow I just feel that as significant and symbolic as St. Andrew's Day should be, it just somehow feel it did not serve its purpose.

Hopefully in years to come, the vision and real meaning of St. Andrew's Day for Scotland will materialise. Unfortunately for now, it provides a reason for the English folk across the borders to poke fun of all things Scottish, as heard on the radio on the way to work this morning. Not that there needs to be a day in particular if there are folks who do want ridicule other folks' heritage anyways.

Tuesday 23 November 2010

fallen.off

I’ve fallen off the writing bandwagon again.

All the good plan of blogging again somehow went out of the window.

To blame the tools, I would say the lack of access to Blogger is my main issue. Nonetheless there is always way to get around to that. I just have to do it (blogging).

Somehow at the same time the writing juices don't seem to flow anymore. Recently, I had a chance to look back at some of my earlier musings and noticed the quality of writing seemed better then. Perhaps I had a lot of time in my hands or maybe I had a lot to talk about.

Anyways, it is close to year end so there are a lot of reflections and a lot of catching up on what has happened in the year that I have not blogged about.

Hopefully I will be able to spend a bit more time writing again.

Friday 22 October 2010

auction.step.up

After months and possibly years of contemplation, last night I have finally put not one but two items on eBay.

I'm not sure why I had procrastinated all this while, it could have been I was afraid, not sure how to do it, what is the best way, would it be worthwhile, etcetc, OR just pure procrastination.

Although I had bought stuff on eBay in the past, not very frequent as the last time was more than two years ago, I have never sold anything on eBay before.

I have also looked at the selling guide many times but still haven't had the courage or even possibly the initiative to sell.

But that is now all history.

Last night after my initial fix of Farmville, I jumped onto eBay to get a start.

I had earlier done my research and typed out my description for the two items that I want to sell. First was a fancy dress accessory - Toto the dog from The Wizard of Oz, I bought for a fancy dress party two years ago. I've only used it the once and always intended to get rid of it since I doubt I'll have any use of it in the future. The second item was a pair of red glittery ballerina pumps I bought ages ago. I love the shoes but I didn’t wear it as often as I should, perhaps I didn't have much occasion to wear glitzy shoes like that.

After some fiddling and setting up it finally went live late at night. Apparently statistic shows that the best time to end your auction is on Thursday lunchtime or Sunday evening.

Since I needed to offload Toto and have it sent in time for Halloween (that is the intention), I had to put it on a short auction of three days. This will end just before the end of Sunday night.

Whereas the shoes are suitable for any occasion, I had it on for seven days to end next Thursday night.

Now, I'll just need to get them packaged waiting for the winning bidder and payment to clear so I can send it off on its way.

I'm so nervous and excited about it and have checked my listings a few times since going live. I hope my photos justified the items and will generate a fair amount of interest and attracts some good bids too.

Fingers crossing...

Wednesday 20 October 2010

long.lost.blogger

My aim to start blogging again a few months back has slipped into the blackhole of blogging. So many things have happened since my last post, since my regular postings before that, and so many things that are going to be happening.

I was reading one of my most commented post recently and had a quick skim at some of my posts around that time. Reading them brought back memories of why I blogged and showed I had quite a bit of time in my hands to write down my thoughts. I do hope to get back into the routine of writing again.

A round up of what had been happening...

1. Fund raising for World Habitat Day 2010
2. Holiday in Mallorca
3. Meeting newcomers to Glasgow
4. Working down south (Southeast England)
5. Knowledge Transfer to The Netherlands
6. Enjoying Bingo
7. Water Aid Munro Challenge 2010

There are also many other things that have been on my mind. Once I have collected my thoughts I will put them into a post.

Here’s to blogging again! ^^

Friday 13 August 2010

three.years.on.

Today mark the beginning of my three years working with my present company, although my employment started earlier in the month.

It has been quite an eventful three years of which, I spent two years seconded to Scottish Water Solutions commercial managing a portfolio of infrastructure and capital maintenance works of water and wastewater quality projects.

Whilst seconded, I had wonderful Project Managers who provided me with opportunities travelling around the south west of Scotland visiting many project sites and patient Project Team Members who answer my incessant questions.


The travelling provided me opportunities to get to know my Project Managers better through sharing of life in Glasgow, our individual private lives, technical chats and everything and anything that we can think of. The travelling also provided me opportunities to visit some of the most stunning places around the south west and seeing how treatment plant works. Also, not forgetting the animals that I met along the way.


How can I forget the monthly meet up guys? It was as good as it lasts. Too bad, everyone is away working with their various new employers and locations.

I am currently based in the Glasgow office assisting bids for Pre-Qualification Questionnaires and Invitation to Tender / Negotiation; reorganising our section of the office and document folders; and anything that keeps me out of trouble. Periodically, I assist my colleagues in the Environment sector carrying out environmental monitoring and remediation system maintenance fieldwork in Scotland, which I enjoy immensely.

Recently I was asked what is my best moment or favourite moment at work and I listed the following: participating and completing 2 out of the 3 stages in Construction's Future Leaders 2007 competition; achieving Client Satisfaction score of 97.69%; and being on the Global Knowledge Network. I will soon add going on a week long knowledge transfer programme to The Netherlands to the list too.

I am thankful for the opportunities and the people I meet along the way.

So as a new year begins, I do hope to add more memorable experiences, build better relationships with my colleagues and Clients, and continuously learning from everything I do and everyone I meet.

Thursday 12 August 2010

it's.not.holland


Since I am going to The Netherlands in a few weeks on a transfer programme, I thought I share with you some of my findings taken from The AA Key Guide on Western European Cities which I am currently reading.

Holland Doesn't exist.

The Netherlands is made up of twelve provinces, which include North Holland and South Holland, both in the west of the country on the North Sea coast.

The capital of South Holland is Den Haag, although the largest city is Rotterdam.

The largest city in North Holland is Amsterdam, but the capital is Harlem.

Amsterdam, however, is the capital of the whole country, despite the seat of government being in Den Haag.

It isn't surprising visitors are sometimes confused.

Who would've thought, eh?

Then it goes on with...

About half the land is less than 1m (3ft) above sea level, and much of that is actually below sea level,... A complicated system of sea walls, known as dikes, and pumping stations all help keep the North Sea from flooding in. The very fact that the country exists is a testimony to the determination and ingenuity of the Dutch people.

How ace is that?!

Too bad, I don't think I will be able to go to the coast to see these dikes and pumping stations.

So that is a little insight of The Netherlands for now. When I get there I will see what else I can see and let you know.

Wednesday 11 August 2010

not.doing.justice.

Recently I said to TheOtherHalf...

ennazus: Please bear with me and hear me out.

He raised one of his eyebrows.

ennazus: If ever one day we end up having an Aston Martin...

He sniggers and then went on about how and when we will never own an Aston Martin.

I went on with however and whatever way we will own an Aston Martin and just for discussion sake.

He continues to look at me with raised eyebrows.

ennazus: Anyways, when we do have an Aston Martin, what do you think if we go out in the car wearing our 'Sunday Best' t-shirt and shorts?

TheOtherHalf: What do you mean by 'Sunday Best'?

ennazus: You know that comfy t-shirt with the hole and shorts you wear at home kind.

TheOtherHalf: (In disbelief) How can you do that to the Aston? It is so unfair. You are not doing the car justice.

ennazus: (Laughs) I know! Just something I thought about earlier when I was going to pick you up.

TheOtherHalf: I do wonder sometimes what goes on in your head.

ennazus: Yeah, I wonder myself too...

Thursday 5 August 2010

the.sowing.and.being.sowed.

Last weekend, TheOtherHalf and I caught the latest movie Inception.


I’m sure if you Googled Inception, there will be many blogs, articles, reviews and comments about this movie. For certain, I find this a very good movie, this year by far.

To me a good movie is one that you walk out of the cinema or after watching it, thinking, questioning, reasoning and discussing about it. Whether or not you agree with what was in the movie, or the person you are having this discussion with, be it your own mind or another person; it doesn’t really matter.

Inception was one of those movies.


And Inception without a doubt is one of those movies you’ll prolly have to watch another time or more to truly understand it. This is because we will still continue to question and reason what the story is, what the character represents or what the outcome is or should be.

Yes, the special effects were amazing and the accompanying music selection was complementary. And who would doubt the concept of the movie? Just amazing isn’t it?!


Also, don't you think that the part where Cobb and Ariadne sits at the sidewalk cafe and it started 'bursting' is so Sony paint advert? (Which by the way was real and made in Glasgow, the flats has since been torn down.)

If you argue it from the point of view that ‘it’s all in the mind’, yes, I would agree that a lot of quotes regarding the mind reminds us of it.

If you argue that the dream is more real in the dream than after you wake up, that rings true if you like chasing dreams in your sleep.


There are so many interpretation on the movie and I am not here to summarise it all, for each their own after all.

Recently I read a review by film critic, Devin Faraci, Never Wake Up: The Meaning and Secret of Inception. It was a well written and interesting analysis on the film. Whether or not how true it is all about director-writer Christopher Nolan’s perception of film making, a lot of things in the movie does seem to explain what Devin thinks. And as far as my theory of a good movie is, a review with almost 500 feedbacks and increasing proves that this is a good movie.

Of course, would anyone ever thought that Inception was just a story that Christopher Nolan conceived, without really thinking about any hidden meaning; but one that he wanted to leave viewers providing a variety of opinion and interpretation on it?


On this note, perhps we should just enjoy reliving Inception with this well created video clip featuring Edith Piaf's mesmerising voice on Non, Je ne regrette rien.



All pictures from Inception website.

Wednesday 4 August 2010

fuel.price.rant

Through observation, I always felt that Aberdeen has the cheapest fuel. However, after observing for a few weeks, I did notice that Aberdeen no longer has the cheapest fuel.

Last weekend’s diesel price per litre was Glasgow 115.9p, Dundee 114.9p and Aberdeen 116.9p.

You do wonder really. Guess I’ll just have to refuel in Dundee from now on. For the distance I do, luckily currently I only refuel every two weeks and get about 62 mpg!

Of course the issue of fuel prices will always be there. So what are we going to do about it? The fuel companies know that they can get away with it. Like it or not people still need fuel. Even if you don’t drive, but take the public transport, that fuel cost will be transfer to you and reach you some ways. And there is only so much walking and bicycling that you can do.

So I guess, as much as it pains me to say this (maybe just a light pinch), guess we just go to live with the high fuel price and pray that it will one miracle day will come down...

Thursday 22 July 2010

the.proper.birthday.post

Right. Yesterday’s post was rubbish, if I say so myself.

It was unfair to just plonk in a post just for the sake of it when my brain was a mush from doing cost plans all day.

Anyways, my 30th birthday was better than envisaged, which IMHO is always good. Life's little bonuses, I would like to think of it as.


My birthday started with the arrival of cards and abundance of wishes on Facebook. My two Aberdonian men gave me pop up cards which I love to bits.

My BFF Ryan made an appearance by travelling over to visit me plus treating me to dinner at Sarti the night before.

For my birthday, I baked some banana split cupcakes inspired by Cupcake Project, after doing a test batch. My earlier desire to have black forest cupcakes, which is one of my favourite cakes and thus become the birthday cake of tradition if it is not blueberry cake, turned out to be disappointing during the test batch and I also quickly realise that not everyone like cherries. I still have to try baking it again one of these days.

My colleagues at work sprung a surprise and presented me with a chocolate tray bake with candle, birthday banners, two birthday songs, and a birthday card. Oh and how can I forget about the balloons!

My close friend Chuah and his mate Chee Meng provided excellent company to Japanese food at Nanakusa on Sauchiehall Street.

Then I went home to a lovely bottle of cherry beer.

Although I had greater plans months ago about a potential picnic, a dinner night out at the swanky Living Room on St. Vincent Street, and even a World Cup themed BBQ at one point, didn't turn out as plan; my birthday yesterday was one of the better ones I had for a long time.

I wished that TheOtherHalf was around to celebrate it with me (hopefully in the near future when we are not living apart) and my friends. And somehow I felt a bit nostalgic thinking about my family and missing them - my grandparents, parents plus stepmom, my sisters, my half brother and my wee niece; you may even say that I had a wee bit of homesickness (not something that happens often).

Still, I am thankful for the abundance of well wishes and love showered to me. It reminds me of how blessed I am.

Wednesday 21 July 2010

happy.birthday.me


Banana Split Cupcakes inspired by Cupcake Project

So another birthday has arrived.

I'm very thankful for the birthday wishes and cards received from loved ones, family and friends. But I do miss TheOtherHalf and wished my family was around to celebrate.

Oh wells, ces't la vie. Hopefully it won't be too long until I see them. At least, I'll see TheOtherHalf in less than 48 hours time...

p.s.: I have lots on my mind to blog about. I'll just need to find the time and energy to do it. Hopefully not too long a wait...

Wednesday 30 June 2010

it.could.just.as.well.be.a.full.moon

You know, I never believe in the whole hullaballoo about full moon and weird people. But some how if it was really a full moon, then hell, it was a night full of weirdos - well maybe two. Even so...

Weirdo #1

I was at Catford Bridge station trying to catch the train back to London Charing Cross.

There, at the far end of the platform was a guy speaking to himself or at least to his imaginary foe telling off this foe of his about how mad it is to put the cat in the microwave (oven); and that this foe of his should know better not to put the cat in the microwave.

He repeated his story again and again; facing the tracks and then turning his back and facing the wall. Repeating the story over and over again.

It was the longest 15 mins wait on the platform.

I.Was.Rather.Freaked.Out.

Weirdo #2

After I got away from Weirdo #1 and got onto the train, I thought I was smart enough to choose a carriage that was rather busy - about seven of us including another girl, for that time of the night about 1030pm.

Then this guy who was a few rows down and opposite me asked across the aisle to another guy who was few rows down from me, if he liked this country.

Guy few rows down from me didn't answer the guy across the aisle from him.

Guy across the aisle from guy few rows down from me then looked outwards of the window into the dark.

Later guy across the aisle who looked out the window got up to say something foreign to guy few rows down from me.

Guy few rows down from me said ‘huh?’.

Guy who was across the aisle but had got up then said goodbye to guy few rows down from me and then got off the train.

OMG such a freaky night!

I.Was.Further.Freaked.Out.And.I.Still.Had.To.Take.The.Tube.And.Walk.Back.To.My.Hotel.

Luckily the rest of the trip was not as freaky and even the walk back to the hotel slowly ease my tenseness.

*Sigh of relief*

Tuesday 29 June 2010

only.at.GLA


Only at Glasgow International Airport...

...Whisky tasting starts at 5am.

...If you forget to put on your face in the morning you can get it here.

...But then, why not just come at 7am to get skin care consultation before beauty make overs to look fab and start the day with dutch courage of whisky!

random.airport.rants

They changed the pick up / drop off Point in Glasgow International Airport!

Ever since the terrorist who tried to bomb Glasgow airport incident in 2007, the initial pick up / drop off point was then changed to beyond Car Park 2 building, opposite the terminal. You'll need to walk through the car park to get to the terminal. It wasn't too bad considering you are most likely walking in a straight line to the terminal. Unless you are official airport taxi, you won't be able to stop right at the front of the terminal, right near the entrance.

Then BAA, who managed the airport, changed the drop off point closer to the terminal and within Car Park 2. It was of course much better, even though you need to get out of the car park within 10 mins or you risk to pay a very expensive parking fee for pick up / drop off. The trick was to get out, go around the building and come back in again.

When I was last here at the end of May, there was rumours that the pick up / drop off point was going to change but nobody knew where it would be.

This morning, I was dropped off at the far end of the terminal, just as the start of the terminal. I guess it must've been so hush hush that work is still being done around the area. Now, my only gripe is that it seems so far away a walk to take. Especially if you are walking towards Terminal 2.

Okie, it is not such a big deal, at least you don't have to worry about your times are up.

On a separate note, it was about 5.10am when I first arrived at the airport this morning and you see loads of people coming out of the arrival hall looking as if they were just back from their sunny holidays. I had quick glance and it looked like flights from Alicante. My goodness, I wonder what time they were up and depart from their departure airport.

Still, I'm sure they had a lovely holiday.

And to close, I had a seriously close call this morning with check in. Although I had only hand luggage, I forgotten that I can't check in the usual way using the check in kiosk and the BA check in desk queue was snaking away.

Of all morning! And check in was closing at about 20-30 mins time!

Luckily, a lovely lady from BA came along to speak to a family before me, got them checked in but they still need to go down the queue because they had luggage to check in, and then the lovely BA Lady came to speak to me and got me check in and my boarding pass printed.

That was a seriously close one this morning...

OMG. Can you believe it is almost three years since the airport incident on 30 June 2007???

jumbled.up

I have so many things on my mind to blog but am having a mind block right now.

Perhaps it is still too early. I would normally still be in my bed right now waiting for the alarm to go off to morning music before the Breakfast Show.

Thursday 24 June 2010

what.a.freak!


Just as well TheOtherHalf didn't buy the flat opposite...

Mystery surrounds 'horse-boy' on Google Street View

You can see 'Horse-boy' on Google Maps here.

duh

Took the train to work this morning.

When the train arrived at my destination I was waiting for the door to open.

Then only to realise that you need to push the (doors) 'open' button.

It's been a long time since I last took the train.

The last train I took was the Underground / DLR and the doors open automatically.

How silly.

Especially when there were other rush hour commuters standing behind you waiting to get out

Saturday 19 June 2010

first.attempt

My first attempt in baking and decorating a strawberry cream cake.


It was a birthday present to a good friend, who always in his best effort try to get people together for various events and generously does the cooking as well.

Friday 18 June 2010

roasting


You've got to be kidding...

Glasgow 17th June 2010

Monday 7 June 2010

the.holy.grail.of.apc

In preparation for my long overdue Counsellor meeting this week, I found a draft post that I prepared exactly two months ago. I will share my thoughts on my latest Supervisor and Counsellor meetings in due time.

7th April 2010

This is begining of Month 31.

At Month 31, I finally had a good look at the QS Pathway Guide, in particular 'Section 1: Profile of a Newly Qualified Chartered Surveyor' and 'Section 3: Study Checklist'.

You think that when you first embark on your APC Training, the one thing that everyone worry to no end is the diary. But honestly, until you look at Section 1 & 3 of the pathway guide, you go 'how am I going to do all that in 3, 6 or 9 months time?' (depending on when you plan to sit for your Final Assessment).

*So note to you, if you have just started on your APC training, find that copy of your pathway guide and know everything you need to do for your training.*

However, all is not lost. Perhaps a lot of sacrifice to your evenings and weekends should help the progress. Otherwise, we have up until five years to qualify, that is, if you still have the motivation to last that long.

Speaking of which, my recent discussion with theotherhalf on articulation spurred me to push myself to get this APC started again and moving. Now that I know more than before, motiviation level is slowly depleting.

But no, keep focus! I need to finish this. I need to do this!

So if you are unsure where to start on your studying or how to write your diary, have a look at your pathway guide. After the RICS APC website (if you can find where everything are, searching what you want utilising the 'search function' will speed things up), and the easier to access APC Centre (both for reference and guidance), you MUST have a copy of YOUR relevant pathway guide at hand (a printed copy by your side is most useful).

Each of your comeptencies will be described in detail on what you need to know, thus, when you want to record your day-to-day expereince, you will also know which competency it should be in and what is expected of you.

Now, get moving!

Links:
QS Pathway Guide
All Pathway Guides (Click on your relevant Professional Group and then browse through the pages until you come to '...Pathway Guide')
RICS APC website
APC Centre

Saturday 5 June 2010

mid.year

I thought of starting this post with a cliché-y 'time' quote. But heck, why not start it with another cliché-y opening instead.

It is now that time of the year, the halfway point of year 2010 where everyone evaluates what has been happening in the past six months.

Are the New Year's resolutions still there?

How many to do things on the list has been completed?

I didn't start the year with any resolutions, maybe because looking back at my draft post I mentioned 'I don’t really do 'resolutions' but I had some 2010 aspirations...'

1. Further improve my work performance.
2. Complete my RICS APC training and obtain chartership.
3. Keep in better touch with my family / friends.
4. Lose some weight / tone up.
5. Learn new skills.

So halfway point:

1. My work performance ~ I would say improved a lot. Although I'm doing a mish-mash of many tasks at the same time, I do feel more motivated compared to say, seven eight months ago. I'm also very happy that my partner, I'm currently working a lot with my Senior Project Manager, has been very good at sharing responsibilities, providing me with many opportunities to step up and be part of decision making.

2. RICS APC Training ~ I admit I'm struggling with this. Time management is the key word in this task. Hopefully I will have something done, so watch out for updates and posts on this.

3. Keep in better touch ~ I'm not sure about this. When I wrote down the above aspirations on 5th January, there were some improvements. Perhaps my aspiration then was fuelled by after my dad's visit at that point, and other family matters. Then after that, all had been quiet at the family communication front. But then again, I would say that there had been some communication with my bestest buddy back home lately. So I would summarise as a rollercoaster. There's still room for improvement.

4. Lose weight ~ Ah, that age of resolution. Have I? I doubt so. Enough said. (Perhaps not putting on weight is as good. I'll need to check to make sure).

5. Learn new skills ~ hmmm... have I? To be fair, I have a few things I would love to do so I better get it moving in the next six months! Less thinking, just do it!

Keeping this short, I guess I'm at 45-60% achievement. There are lots of room, and I mean loooots of room for improvement. So let's hope that I will put in enough effort to make it better!

Sunday 30 May 2010

lazy.chatty.morning


Breakfast in bed 30.05.10

Crumbs or love?

Love or crumbs?

Love crumbs?

I’m torn between the love from breakfast in bed to the crumbs that are potentially (and highly plausibly) left in bed.

Luckily we don’t live in a country with (too many) creepy crawlies; otherwise we’ll have more than humans in bed!

For now, I’ll stick with lurve...

We’ll deal with the crumbs later.

Monday 24 May 2010

RICS.now.closer.to.home

RICS has recently announced the official registration of RICS Singapore.

This will no doubt be useful for not only CPD (continue professional development) programmes for Singaporean and Malaysian surveyors but also provide networking opportunities.

I’m hoping that once established, RICS will look into RICS Matrics and anyone doing their RICS APC training in either Malaysia or Singapore should look into being active in Matrics, even if it is just attending Matrics events.

Sunday 23 May 2010

tingling.skin

The glorious sunshine over the weekend has been amazing!

We had about 25c averaged temperature daily over the weekend. Although the weekend have been busy and hectic, my weekend companions and I still managed to find time to bask in the glorious sun and heat.

Perhaps it was too hot to do anything.

I just hope I didn't get sunburnt...

Friday 21 May 2010

making.a.come.back

It’s been one year since I’ve last put in a post into the blog.

Obviously so many things had happened in the past year. So many thoughts ran through my mind that I want to put it down in writing. But at the same time so many excuses and reasons that this did not happen.

I have a few drafts written out in the past year but it is not good enough if I don’t publish it.

Truth is, I also don’t really know how many people do read about my thoughts or even bothered. However, it is not an excuse why I haven’t been writing.

I have to admit that it all boils down to time management.

I’ve also been thinking of how I want to improve the blog and my writings. I’m open for suggestions, so drop a line and let me know your thoughts.

Improvement is progression!

In the meantime, thanks for your patience and I will start writing again. Now and again, you’ll see a backdated post of my thoughts.