I have stopped blogging for the past 2 years, after my training trip from France. I got bored today and somehow stumbled back to my blog and decided I should start posting something today.
Well, things have changed during these 2 years and I have left Thales Aerospace in May 2009 and joined a local SME in July 2009. I stayed in the SME for about 9 months and I met a few incredible people: Agnes, Desmond, Mervyn just to name a few. Although it was a short stay, I was hired as the Quality Assurance Manager there. It was my first post as a Manager, and I am glad I consider myself doing a reasonably good job there. I think a few of the colleagues I talked to also felt the same thing, and I hope I can perform to at least the same level in my new job.
I left the SME at end of April 2010 and I felt more confident getting a job now than before. Maybe the job market is getting better, and I had attended quite a few interviews during the past 2 months. In fact, as of today, I had 2 job offers, 1 tentative until the business discussion proceed and the investors agreed to start a partnership with a China supplier, and another job offer which is confirmed, which I will meet up with the hiring manager in mid July to view the operations before I sign. The salary package for the 2nd job offer was satisfactory, but not fantastic, as it meets my lowest expectation. A few of my friends told me the salary package was not good and I should re-negotiate or re-consider. Maybe they are correct, but so far, this is the better of the 2 job offers that I have, and the salary offered is better than my last drawn pay. By the way, both job offers are Manager and Assistant Manager job respectively.
I hope things will get better, and I can stay with the company much longer. It will be a big sacrifice for myself and my family, including my parents, but at least it is a start. Hopefully, it will lead to better things later.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Photos From France
Here are some photos taken during my training stint in France.
Hello from the Lourve Museum, Paris (Monna Lisa painting is in the Museum)
LV Shop in Champ-Elysee, Paris
Arc De Triumphe in Paris
Snow in Paris
Hello from Bordeaux
Hello from the Lourve Museum, Paris (Monna Lisa painting is in the Museum)
LV Shop in Champ-Elysee, Paris
Arc De Triumphe in Paris
Snow in Paris
Hello from BordeauxFriday, March 21, 2008
Nice Discovery
Do you believe in fate? Well, I do. Sometimes fate play jokes at me. I had one after I joined my current company, Thales Aerospace, and realised that we are going to qualify my ex-company. Isn't it funny that I got kicked out of my previous company and going back there as customer? This week, I had to accompany my french counterparts and audit my company for the whole week. This is the first time I understudied my french counterpart, Thierry Legault, who is the Supplier Quality Manager, and we worked well together to audit our new supplier's process management. Anyway, the business unit that we audited was the previous Solectron group that were acquired by Flextronics. Oops! I just mentioned my ex-company's name. Heehee.
I had a startling discovery that my french counterpart, Thierry Legault is a famous french amateur astronomer who has taken numerous fantastic photos of the galaxies, skies and the space. He has a website (http://legault.club.fr/index.htm), with many wonderful photos of the planets, stars, moon, etc. Take a look at the website to view the amazing photos he has taken. Here is a photo of Thierry and me.
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By the way, he is admitted in the SBIG Hall of Fame. See link http://www.sbig.com/award/hall_of_fame.htm.
He is also has a asteroid to his name "19458 Legault". He has published a book with all the photos he has taken on astronomy, titled "ASTROPHOTOGRAPHIE" but it is publised in french. I am waiting for the English version to be out and hopefully he will send me a copy with his signature on it (for free, of course).
It is my honour to meet Thierry, and I am amazed with the fantastic photos, and most of all, he is also my teacher and counterpart.
I had a startling discovery that my french counterpart, Thierry Legault is a famous french amateur astronomer who has taken numerous fantastic photos of the galaxies, skies and the space. He has a website (http://legault.club.fr/index.htm), with many wonderful photos of the planets, stars, moon, etc. Take a look at the website to view the amazing photos he has taken. Here is a photo of Thierry and me.
.jpg)
By the way, he is admitted in the SBIG Hall of Fame. See link http://www.sbig.com/award/hall_of_fame.htm.
He is also has a asteroid to his name "19458 Legault". He has published a book with all the photos he has taken on astronomy, titled "ASTROPHOTOGRAPHIE" but it is publised in french. I am waiting for the English version to be out and hopefully he will send me a copy with his signature on it (for free, of course).
It is my honour to meet Thierry, and I am amazed with the fantastic photos, and most of all, he is also my teacher and counterpart.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Singapore Air Show 2008
I was lucky to visit the recent Singapore Air Show 2008 2 weeks ago. It was the first time I visited any air show and I felt very privileged to be there. I was able to visit there during the trade show (not open for public) as my company participated in the Air Show and they have a huge booth in the exhibition hall. You can see a product from our company in the below photo.
The main draw of the show has to be the giant Airbus A380. It is really huge and many people crowded around the plane. My colleague and I did not board the plane, but we took many pictures of it. But I will just show you one here.
You can see the size of the people on the ground and the plane, it is really really BIG. It has 3 levels: first level is for cargo (luggages), second and third levels are for passengers. I hope one of these days, I will be able to fly in Airbus A380. Wouldn't you?
The main draw of the show has to be the giant Airbus A380. It is really huge and many people crowded around the plane. My colleague and I did not board the plane, but we took many pictures of it. But I will just show you one here.
You can see the size of the people on the ground and the plane, it is really really BIG. It has 3 levels: first level is for cargo (luggages), second and third levels are for passengers. I hope one of these days, I will be able to fly in Airbus A380. Wouldn't you?
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Started Work
Happy be-lated Lunar New Year greetings and Valentine's Day greetings. I have already started work on 1 Feb, and it feels good starting work again. I got a new laptop from my company (Dell D430) with a 12 inch monitor. The screen is small and lightweight and I have to wear my reading glasses to read the screen. It is good for those who need to travel frequently. I have been reading the company's procedures and have not started visiting suppliers yet. There are many things to learn and it is a challenge to me as the requirements from the suppliers are high. Luckily, my counterpart in France is arranging weekly video / teleconference to coach me before my trip to France. The training trip has not been firmed yet, and it is still tentatively 2 weeks in March, although they have arranged 16 days training for me there. So, they will have to try to squeeze everything within the 2 weeks. I am looking forward to the training trip and I hope it will help me in understanding the procedures and the company's requirements. And at the same time, visiting those tourist attraction in Paris. There will be about 7-8 of us going for this training, so I will have someone to accompany me there.
Recently, I have been experiencing poor broadband network connection, and I often have intermittent internet connection. I have already contacted SingTel to send their technician to my home, but during the visit, the connection was good. But a few days later, the poor connection return. My colleague also feedback he is facing the same problem with his SingTel broadband connection as well. That is one of the reason why I was not able to update my blog. Another reason was because I was busy with the Lunar New Year and Valentine's Day celebrations. So I am taking the opportunity to update it now since my broadband connection is better. Anyway, my contract with SingTel will expire somewhere in April or May, so I will decide later whether to continue my contract with them. Anyone out there experiencing the same broadband connection problem as I do?
Well, it is a new job and new challenge for me. And once again, many thanks to those who have given your well wishes and support to me during the difficult time. And lastly, I would like to thank my wife, for supporting me all these while, tolerating my temper, encouraging me and never giving up on me. And in the spirit of Valentine's Day,
Recently, I have been experiencing poor broadband network connection, and I often have intermittent internet connection. I have already contacted SingTel to send their technician to my home, but during the visit, the connection was good. But a few days later, the poor connection return. My colleague also feedback he is facing the same problem with his SingTel broadband connection as well. That is one of the reason why I was not able to update my blog. Another reason was because I was busy with the Lunar New Year and Valentine's Day celebrations. So I am taking the opportunity to update it now since my broadband connection is better. Anyway, my contract with SingTel will expire somewhere in April or May, so I will decide later whether to continue my contract with them. Anyone out there experiencing the same broadband connection problem as I do?
Well, it is a new job and new challenge for me. And once again, many thanks to those who have given your well wishes and support to me during the difficult time. And lastly, I would like to thank my wife, for supporting me all these while, tolerating my temper, encouraging me and never giving up on me. And in the spirit of Valentine's Day,
Xiao Ping (my wife), I LOVE YOU!!!
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
The Wait is Over!
It has been a long time since I started visiting my blog. I was busy with my course work: attending classes, working on assignments and preparing for exams. For the past few months, I was involved in preparing my daughter for her Primary 1 education. She has been enrolled to the nearby school, in fact just opposite our block. It is nice to see her in school uniform and looking forward to school everyday. And of course, I have been through many interviews trying to look for a job. The wait is finally over. I have managed to land myself a job and I will be starting work in Febuary.
Looking back, by the time I started work, I would have been unemployed for 3 months. It is scary during these long period, as anxiety and fear leads to stress. I can really feel the impact of stress during the past months when I was faced with working on assignments, preparing for exams, looking for jobs and family matters. I began to slim down due to poor appetite, having sleepless nights, could not concentrate in studies, getting aggitated easily, etc. That was how bad the situation was.
But now, the exams are almost over, and I am starting work soon, the pressure is beginning to wear off. I wish I will not go through this ever again!
As for my new job, I will be working as Supplier Quality Engineer, and I will be required to travel frequently, especially in the Asia region. And I will also be attending training in France for about 2-3 weeks. This is discussed during the 3rd interview via video conference with the France's division. This sounds like a good deal right? Anyway, the expectations are very high and I hope I am able to make it there. So wish me luck.
Looking back, by the time I started work, I would have been unemployed for 3 months. It is scary during these long period, as anxiety and fear leads to stress. I can really feel the impact of stress during the past months when I was faced with working on assignments, preparing for exams, looking for jobs and family matters. I began to slim down due to poor appetite, having sleepless nights, could not concentrate in studies, getting aggitated easily, etc. That was how bad the situation was.
But now, the exams are almost over, and I am starting work soon, the pressure is beginning to wear off. I wish I will not go through this ever again!
As for my new job, I will be working as Supplier Quality Engineer, and I will be required to travel frequently, especially in the Asia region. And I will also be attending training in France for about 2-3 weeks. This is discussed during the 3rd interview via video conference with the France's division. This sounds like a good deal right? Anyway, the expectations are very high and I hope I am able to make it there. So wish me luck.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Enjoy the Morning
In our everyday lives, we wake up, take breakfast and rush to work in the morning. We do not have the luxury of enjoying the nature and feel the cool air in the morning. If you slow down and be aware of the surroundings, you will be surprised at what you have missed out. Birds flying and singing in the trees. Sound of insects in the bushes. We only see the daily rush of people boarding and squeezing in the buses, LRT, MRT during the morning rush. People driving cars, horning at others on the road. Lives have become so hectic.
For the past 1 month, I am not in the same lifestyle like most, the only rush I would get was to squeeze in the LRT to send my daughter to her childcare in the morning. After sending her to the childcare, I have all the time to myself. Sometimes, I will shop in the NTUC market in the nearby mall. In the mall, most of the shops are closed, except for a few stalls selling newspaper and magazines, the food stalls and the supermarket. The supermarket opens at 8.30am every morning, and you will see about 2 dozens of people waiting at the entrance. Before the opening, there are crates of boxes lying in the entrance, and the staff are sorting and carrying them into the supermarket everyday. You will also see many uncles and aunties (those in the late 50s) and maids carrying their trolleys waiting to swarm in the supermarket when it opens. A staff of the supermarket will usually start by greeting everyone and hand a green basket to everyone queuing to get in the store. While in the store, you will see more staff rushing to arrange and fill up the merchandise on the racks. A few cashiers will wait patiently at the counters. I get to enjoy the not crowded supermarket and it is surprising the cashiers are more helpful than when they are busy.
Enjoy the morning while you can, as morning is very short. Do slow down and soon you will realise what you have missed out every morning. For me, I am enjoying the slow walk and the nature, and it helps to calm me down and take away some of my pressure. Try it!
For the past 1 month, I am not in the same lifestyle like most, the only rush I would get was to squeeze in the LRT to send my daughter to her childcare in the morning. After sending her to the childcare, I have all the time to myself. Sometimes, I will shop in the NTUC market in the nearby mall. In the mall, most of the shops are closed, except for a few stalls selling newspaper and magazines, the food stalls and the supermarket. The supermarket opens at 8.30am every morning, and you will see about 2 dozens of people waiting at the entrance. Before the opening, there are crates of boxes lying in the entrance, and the staff are sorting and carrying them into the supermarket everyday. You will also see many uncles and aunties (those in the late 50s) and maids carrying their trolleys waiting to swarm in the supermarket when it opens. A staff of the supermarket will usually start by greeting everyone and hand a green basket to everyone queuing to get in the store. While in the store, you will see more staff rushing to arrange and fill up the merchandise on the racks. A few cashiers will wait patiently at the counters. I get to enjoy the not crowded supermarket and it is surprising the cashiers are more helpful than when they are busy.
Enjoy the morning while you can, as morning is very short. Do slow down and soon you will realise what you have missed out every morning. For me, I am enjoying the slow walk and the nature, and it helps to calm me down and take away some of my pressure. Try it!
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