SiMpLe Or CoMpLiCaTeD

My first blog post in Singapore. How should I start?

My working life. Working life was very bored for the first (maybe the second also) week. Due to the limited space in the company, I was dumped to the meeting room, alone. Its very comfortable but it is still weird to be alone in a room and knowing people passing by all the time and always looking at me. Work load was not heavy but I didn't know how to start, I felt my life was 'taken-off' because of those taking off and measurements, which I didnt learn much in uni. Wrong...something which was taught but I didnt bother to listen and understand. Most of the time, I REALLY DUNNO WHAT TO DO.

I remember the first time I was asked to call the sub-con to requote, this is so so embarrassing.... I was so well-prepared, I knew what I have to say, I picked up the phone and started dialing....

"Hello good morning, I'm Lai calling from Lum Chang Building Contractors"

"Huh, who's this"

"I'm from Lum Chang Building Contractors"

"I am from Lum Chang Buiding Contractors also"

At that moment, I dunno how on earth I heard "was" instead of "am"

She continued, "Which department are you from"

I replied, "I am a QS"

She replied, "I am also a QS, you called the company's number, whats your name?"

Oh my gosh! This is the silliest thing I've ever done on earth!

The best part is, I was transferred to the department where the lady is few hours after that. Haha...Welcome to the Contracts Department.....

Life is never the same after that...Working in the same department with people which 'at least I knew a little bit' is much much better. Working life is totally different than what I've imagined. High School is about text book, Uni is definitely about facebook, how bout working as a QS? Green Book....hahaha.

Thank God for good guidance from my project QS and my senior of course. They had been teaching me from the very basic I know. I know there's still a long long way to go but I'll continue to do my best-est. Thank God for good friends around.....and my '"senior project manager'" and "'project manager'"...

Life in Singapore is not as scary as what people used to tell me. I believe the best is yet to come. I believe God has a plan for me. I believe opportunity is given by yourself to yourself. Lots of stories about Malaysia here, I heard a lot... I don't wish to comment.

Am I homesick....hehe....I'm nearer to my hometown compared to KL.... just that there's this South China Sea. Waiting for the Singaporeans to re-claim the land all the way to Kuching....

Today is the first day of her working life. I dunno whether she is excited. She told me she 'dunno what the Dr. was talking about'. She just nodded her head. Hey I did the same too for my first week....hahaha...

Life here is much healthier compared to KL. Less of Piccadilly and MCD, no mamak life. Mamak cannot survive here... Oh ya....drinks cannot be refilled in MCD, something which I really feel weird. Life in NUS still not bad. I sleep very early every night to make sure I dont feel 'taken-off' the next day. Had been really lazy nowadays, keep giving excuses for sports, weekdays are spent in Geylang, for food, nothing else...

Staying with a monkey, sitting behind another monkey in office. This is my life - very interesting... =)

Life has been really tough recently. With a lot of assignments (IP4, Professional Practice, Practice 4, Quality Management, Construction Law) and THESIS, they are enough to make my final semester not enjoyable and very very tiring.

Today is the last day of my 22 years old. Just realised my mum actually read my blog. If you see this, just to let you know, my birthday is not about all the celebrations, those are not the true meaning of my birthday, 23 years ago, u worked the hardest to deliver me, so my birthday is a reminder of my appreciation towards you. =)

Just a little bit of update. Will be going to Spore for internship soon, for 3 months. Probably leaving in May 5th. Working with a construction (contractor) company there, Lum Chang Pte. Ltd., somewhere in Dhoby Ghaut, will be staying at Raffles Hall, NUS for the 3 months....hehe... Thank God for all that, the big company, the great pay and the accommodation (still waiting)....

Celebrated my birthday 3 rounds already since 2 days ago. Thanks to my coursemates, my cell group members and also her. Tomorrow I guess there will still be another round with Sean. This year is wonderful, I got a Swiss Polo working bag from cg and zone and DKNY perfume from her, thanks, i love them and you all so much!

Time flies... It's February now, but the feeling is near. Not the feeling of earning $, but the worries of where should I start? Applied for several companies in SG but no good news yet. Even if there is, should I go for it? Not an easy decision to make.

So far I'm already offered by 2 big companies here in KL, Gamuda and Mudajaya. Both are good but I still have not decided. Not very easy for me to confirm with them, I have to make decision based on calculations. They're paying me for RM500 per month only, why not I come back to Kuching, RM20 a day is already more than enough. Don't tell me t get $ from parents, sorry I don't want.

So, is KL the right place to stay?


Or the comfortable Kuching, Sarawak?


Or Singapore?


After considering for so long, I still think that KL is not a good place to stay. Why?

Let me explain.

Lets do a little bit of salary survey.

Fresh graduate of BS, QS or whateva it is:
KL - RM2.2 - 2.5k
Kuching - RM1.8k
SG - SGD2.2-2.4k

KL is slightly higher compared to Kuching. But I wont have to face terrible traffic jam everyday and not necessary for me to get a car so soon. Plus, in Kuching I dont need extra for food, rental, bills and all those 'small-small things'

But in Kuching there's definitely not much opportunity. Not much mega projects here. Not many impressive developement here.

Sinapore is good. The figures in KL and Spore slightly the same. In KL I'll spend RM300 on rental and some bills. In Spore I'll spend SGD300 for rental also. In KL probably a day I'll spend RM15 on food and some other stuff. SG also SGD15 i guess. Transportation is roughly the same I guess. So I'll probably have RM800 for savings if I were to stay in KL and SGD 800 if I were to stay in SG. But wait.... SGD800 x 2.38 = RM1.9k. Hey not bad.... But life in Spore is not easy... Some of my friends and seniors are already there. Not many enjoy life there...

I need to clarify I am not $-minded but I wont deny that $$ is so important at this stage. I need money for a car, a house and....ahem....a wife, I am not desperate btw but have to also ma....hahaha...

Very hard to decide....


Somemore this person say she most probably staying KL, further studies somemore... Issit ok to just dump her in KL? =p

Many people told me its just intern....but I gotta think far also... My decision now will have big influence on my decision after I graduate.

Somebody told me before about this - never compromise your principles... I never knew what it really means until i was tempted so badly...

I believe 50% of my holidays are gone already... Here's a summary of what I did... Haha...