Code of Practice

This was something my former colleague Michael and I printed and displayed on our unit's notice board just to have a laugh at our destiny and to remind ourselves of our creed. Both Michael and I have since moved on from that particular unit; I spent a good seven years there.

Vertical Challenge 2005

Have you signed up?

Rahman & Ayu

Today was my primary school friend Rahman's wedding. When I reached the venue (which incidentally was the block next to my brother Ben's), a ceremony was going on, or so I think. The bride and groom were sitting in a elaborate setup in gold and a "dancer" was going through some moves in front of them. Maybe my malay classmates would care to clarify :)

A few of my primary school classmates also attended the function. Here they are.

We also took a photo with the bride and groom. The twins Azhar and Azhari are the ones sitting down and someone joked they looked like guardians -- both are doctors. Standing from left is Narkoosha who is a lawyer followed by Kalam who works in the police force. On my right (in the photo) is Gary who works in sales and finally Yessir who has recently joined NUS as a lecturer.


The wedding cake.

Wishing Rahman and Ayu a very happy marriage.

Yimin's first born Xuanle

Visited my old friend Yimin and his wife whom have recently become parents. Their baby girl was peacefully asleep throughout my visit. She really is a calm baby. Even when Yimin played with Xuanle's hands and feet whilst she was sleeping, Xuanle did not wake up or cry at all.

The doting and playful father
Sleeping peacefully

Clean & Green Singapore

Finally, the day is here. I mentioned my role for this event was a point-man. If you are wondering what this means, I am one of those people in front of the VVIP entourage who clears the path for the entourage. And there are many people doing this role as I found out subsequently. Besides the four points-men (including me), there were the security command officers (the professionals) and also other crowd control personnel. See the pics below and you will see how many of us were there. The entourage was incredible, the size that is.

Some pictures of the calm before the storm.

The bomb squad performing the bomb sweep. This is quite standard procedure. In fact, in the latter stages of the event, even when PM was touring the exhibits, the bomb squad officers were a few steps ahead of him, looking under chairs and other furniture for any suspicious objects. What was interesting here was the use of a Golden Retriever as a sniffer. This used to be done by spaniels.

The registration counter -- trying to get organised.

Waiting time again. So why not take a photo. Notice I was equipped with a ear-piece linked to a walkie talkie -- enhances the "security" look.

At this time, PM will be arriving soon. The welcome party converges at the car park. You can spot ministers and MPs in the midst.


And then he's arrived and the show begins. Being a point-man for the first time, I was a little lost in the beginning so I took my cue from the security command officer who was walking in front with us. He was very relaxed so I became relaxed as well. Soon, I understood my role. Actually, I did not have to do much clearing of the way, the photographers did that role! You see, they will always be in front of the entourage, and whenever they backed away as the entourage advances, the wave of humans (entourage + photographers) was very effective in clearing the path -- you don't want to be in the way! To get a sense of how many people there were surrounding PM, see the photo below. Can you spot PM?

The photo below shows PM giving his keynote address. PM is a very good and effective public speaker. He has a good voice, good tone and conveys feelings and conviction into the words. Another reason of his effectiveness is that he does not follow his script word for word. He normally has his key points printed out and he fleshes out his speech off the cuff. I noticed that his closing remarks were made all off the cuff as he has folded away the printed script.

PM touring the exhibits -- a good 30 mins. See the huge crowd.

PM meeting the award winners at the reception.

PM meeting his men.

PM's leaving and this cues the end of my work. Off to the reception for my dinner!

Tracy visits

Our former colleague Tracy dropped by for a visit. She had some official business but found time to catch up with us old comrades in paperwork. We were from the same batch of new recruits some seven years ago and attended the same orientation training. Tracy has an analytical mind and can do good powerpoint slides. She was popular among the bosses because she is very hardworking -- thats why she always kena arrowed!

Tracy is now a lecturer in one of the polytechnics. She looks even thinner now, guess life out there is tough, even for a lecturer...haha.

Primary School friend Elfian

Met Elfian at the CGS rehearsal. He was my primary school classmate for five years. I think we sat beside each other in primary 2 and fought a few times! He is now working in the CDC.

This Sunday, my classmates and I will be attending the wedding lunch of one of another one of our malay classmate Rahman. Will post more on that subsequently.

CGS Rehearsal 2

Day 2 of rehearsal.

I think the organisation could have been better -- someone overall in charge giving instructions and following a plan.

It was raining the time we arrived. Not good. The ground was wet and so were the floors within the tentages. I spotted some leakages on the ceilings of the tentages. Hope weather is much better tomorrow.

WET FLOOR Jason trying to use the phone admidst the loud music

WAITING TIMES Taking a photo with JH

NOT EASY Cheerleaders in action

GREEN CAR The Honda Civic Hybrid

Vicious Cycle

Was discussing work with my colleague. She was lamenting that there was a lack of direction from the management. She cited an example. The boss asked her to draft a letter for a particular matter. As the intent of the letter was not very clear, she asked for clearer instructions "What to write huh?". The boss replied "Ya hor, what to write huh...". So she was asked to simply draft something as a first cut.

In systems thinking, the loop probably looks like this.

If the quality of direction/ instruction is not high, it is not unlikely that the quality of work in relation to the intended purpose, would not be high as well. This would lead to the piece of work being not very useful and as such changes are needed. And so on.

C&G Singapore - Rehearsal 1

C&G Singapore is an annual mega event. The GOH is none other than our PM. The C&G this year is held at Bishan Park II over this weekend.

As part of the preparations, two rehearsals have been planned for today and tomorrow.

Collecting the official event shirts

Briefings

My fellow liaision officers. This year, I am a "point man". What's that???

Our tea break

Have heard that CEO is a people's man. Here he is (seated, extreme right) having the same packed dinner as the rest of us. Respect.