Parts of tender processing

Quantity Takeoff: After lining up subcontractors and arranging for the bid bond, the next-most important task is to prepare a quantity takeoff for the work to be performed in-house. The quantity takeoff is necessary to prepare material, labor, and equipment costs (unless the vendors are doing the quantity takeoff for their work) for the estimate. If the vendors are preparing quantity takeoffs for their work, the estimator should request a quote from these vendors at the same time he or she requests a quote from subcontractors. Often vendors who prepare a quantity takeoff for contractors do not guarantee that their quantities are accurate, and the estimator should prepare his or her own quantity takeoff to make sure there are sufficient quantities of materials to complete the work. If time allows, the estimator should prepare quantity takeoffs for subcontractor work where there is a concern that he subcontractor bid may not be received in time to complete the bid.

Material Pricing: Estimators often send their quantity takeoffs to vendors and request that the vendors provide pricing for the materials identified in the quantity takeoff. This requires the quantity takeoff to be completed in time to send the list of needed materials to the vendors, have the vendors price the materials, receive a quote from the vendors, and incorporate the pricing into the estimate.

Equipment Pricing: Once the quantity takeoff has been completed, the estimator can determine the equipment needs of the project and determine the cost of the equipment. This may include obtaining rental pricing or pricing company-owned equipment.

Project Overhead: Before the bid day, the estimator should prepare an estimate for project overhead for the project. Project overhead includes all costs that are associated with the project but cannot be identified with a specific component of the project's construction. The markup but should be bid as part of the project costs. The bonding costs, and sometimes the building permit costs, are based on the estimated construction costs, which are not known until the bid is completed. This requires the costs for these items to be calculated near the completion of the bid. Sales tax may be added to the individual material costs or to the material costs of the bid as a whole. When added to the material costs of the bid as a whole, the sales tax is treated as a markup and is incorporated into the bid when the material costs are totaled.

Types of Bonds

BONDS include the bid bond, the payment bond, and the performance bond. Bonds that are issued by sureties are similar to insurance policies.

Bid bonds are provided by the contractor at the time of the bid. The bid bond guarantees that the contractor-should he or she be the low bidder - will sign the contract and provide the payment and performance bonds.

The payment and performance bonds are provided when the contract for the work is signed. The payment bond guarantees that the vendors, subcontractors, and labor will be paid for the work they perform on the project. In the event that the vendors, subcontractors, and labor are not paid on the project, the surety will step in and make the necessary payments.

The performance bond guarantees that the contractor will complete the construction project. In the event that the contractor fails to complete the project, the surety will step in and complete the project. Providing payment and performance bonds can increase the costs of the project by 1% to 2%.

Types of Estimates

THERE ARE three common types of estimates. They are the conceptual estimate, preliminary estimate, and final or detailed estimate.

The conceptual estimate is an estimate prepared while the project is still in a conceptual state. The conceptual estimate is used to study the feasibility of a project or to compare two potential design alternatives (for example, a concrete structure versus a steel structure or three stories versus four stories). These estimates are based on a description of the project or on very limited drawings and as such are the least accurate type of estimate.

The preliminary estimate is an estimate prepared from a partially completed set of drawings. A preliminary estimate is often performed when the drawings are 35% to 50% complete and is used to check to see if the proposed design is on budget and to identify changes to the design that need to be made to meet the budget. Preliminary estimates may be performed any time before the bid. Preliminary estimates are more accurate than conceptual estimates.

Final or detailed estimates are used to prepare bids for construction projects and change orders. They are prepared from a complete or nearly completed set of drawings. Final or detail estimates are the most accurate type of estimate.

A good Estimator

IT IS NOT easy to become professional estimator but we all might have thought it is just a minor part of a construction company. In my country, all engineering graduate or diploma holder will find it easy task due to the nature of my country's construction industry. Then what kind of abilities should does an estimator possess? The following will tell us how hard it is to become a professional estimator. To be a good estimator, a person must possess the following skills:-

• An estimator must have a sound understanding of the construction methods, materials, and the capacities of skilled labor. Because of the great variety of work, it is impossible for an estimator to be versed in all forms of construction. Therefore, an estimator must specialize in one or more areas of construction. An estimator may specialize in a subcontractor trade such as electrical, mechanical, or excavation. An estimator may also specialize in an area of construction such as residential, tenant finish, or highway construction. Because the methods of construction, the preferred materials of construction, and the skill of labor vary from market to market, estimators must also specialize in a specific market area, such as a state or region.
• An estimator must possess the basic skills needed to determine the quantities of materials, labor, and equipment necessary to complete a project. This requires the estimator to read blueprints, understand the design that the architect or engineer has specified, and determine the quantities needed to complete the project. Because much of an estimator's time is spent working with quantities, estimators must have strong mathematical skills.
• An estimator must be a good communicator, both verbally and in written form. Part of an estimator's job is to obtain pricing from vendors and subcontractors. To do this, the estimator must convince vendors and subcontractors to bid on projects, communicate what pricing is needed, and - when the company has won the job - communicate the responsibilities of the vendors and subcontractors in the form of purchase orders and subcontracts to the vendor, subcontractor, superintendent, and so forth. Estimators may also be required to present estimates to owners- which requires good presentation skills - or prepare proposals - which requires good writing skills.
• An estimator must possess strong computer skills. Much of today's estimating is performed using computer software packages, such as Excel. Estimators also need to be able to prepare contracts, proposals, and other documents using a word processing program.
• An estimator must be detailed oriented. Estimators must carefully and accurately determine the costs and quantities needed to complete the project. Simple mistakes - such as forgetting that the drawings are half-scale or not reading the specifications carefully enough quickly turn a successful project into an unprofitable job, and in extreme cases bankrupt a company.
• An estimator must have the confidence to quickly prepare takeoffs and make decisions under pressure. Bid days are hectic. Many vendors and subcontractors wait until the last hour to submit their bids. As the bid closing approaches, the estimator must compare and incorporate new pricing as it is received and fill in missing pricing with limited time and information. Making a bad decision or failing to make a decision under pressure can cause the company to lose the bid or take an unprofitable job.
• Finally an estimator must have a desire for constant improvement. Much of a company's success or failure rides on the abilities of the estimator to obtain profitable work.

Because of the high degree of uncertainty in estimating costs, estimating is more of an art than a science. Like any art, one can only become a good estimator by practicing. One would not expect to become a good pianist after a few lessons. It takes practice. Likewise, becoming a good estimator takes practice. But practice is not enough. Practicing bad estimating skills will only turn a person into a bad estimator. Truly, practice makes permanent. To be a good estimator, a person must practice using good estimating skills; and for a person to practice good estimating skills, he or she must have a sound understanding of the fundamental principles of estimating.

What are a must for an Estimator

IT IS NOT easy to become professional estimator but we all might have thought it is just a minor part of a construction company. In my country, all engineering graduate or diploma holder will find it easy task due to the nature of my country's construction industry. Then what kind of ability should does estimate possess? The following will tell us how hard it is to become a professional estimator. To be a good estimator, a person must possess the following skills:-

• An estimator must have a sound understanding of the construction methods, materials, and the capacities of skilled labor. Because of the great variety of work, it is impossible for an estimator to be versed in all forms of construction. Therefore, an estimator must specialize in one or more areas of construction. An estimator may specialize in a subcontractor trade such as electrical, mechanical, or excavation. An estimator may also specialize in an area of construction such as residential, tenant finish, or highway construction. Because the methods of construction, the preferred materials of construction, and the skill of labor vary from market to market, estimators must also specialize in a specific market area, such as a state or region.
• An estimator must possess the basic skills needed to determine the quantities of materials, labor, and equipment necessary to complete a project. This requires the estimator to read blueprints, understand the design that the architect or engineer has specified, and determine the quantities needed to complete the project. Because much of an estimator's time is spent working with quantities, estimators must have strong mathematical skills.
• An estimator must be a good communicator, both verbally and in written form. Part of an estimator's job is to obtain pricing from vendors and subcontractors. To do this, the estimator must convince vendors and subcontractors to bid on projects, communicate what pricing is needed, and - when the company has won the job - communicate the responsibilities of the vendors and subcontractors in the form of purchase orders and subcontracts to the vendor, subcontractor, superintendent, and so forth. Estimators may also be required to present estimates to owners- which requires good presentation skills - or prepare proposals - which requires good writing skills.
• An estimator must possess strong computer skills. Much of today's estimating is performed using computer software packages, such as Excel. Estimators also need to be able to prepare contracts, proposals, and other documents using a word processing program.
• An estimator must be detailed oriented. Estimators must carefully and accurately determine the costs and quantities needed to complete the project. Simple mistakes - such as forgetting that the drawings are half-scale or not reading the specifications carefully enough quickly turn a successful project into an unprofitable job, and in extreme cases bankrupt a company.
• An estimator must have the confidence to quickly prepare takeoffs and make decisions under pressure. Bid days are hectic. Many vendors and subcontractors wait until the last hour to submit their bids. As the bid closing approaches, the estimator must compare and incorporate new pricing as it is received and fill in missing pricing with limited time and information. Making a bad decision or failing to make a decision under pressure can cause the company to lose the bid or take an unprofitable job.
• Finally an estimator must have a desire for constant improvement. Much of a company's success or failure rides on the abilities of the estimator to obtain profitable work.

Because of the high degree of uncertainty in estimating costs, estimating is more of an art than a science. Like any art, one can only become a good estimator by practicing. One would not expect to become a good pianist after a few lessons. It takes practice. Likewise, becoming a good estimator takes practice. But practice is not enough. Practicing bad estimating skills will only turn a person into a bad estimator. Truly, practice makes permanent. To be a good estimator, a person must practice using good estimating skills; and for a person to practice good estimating skills, he or she must have a sound understanding of the fundamental principles of estimating.

My unused logo

ONE YEAR ago I received one invitation for logo competition by the association of CGTI, the name of institute where I studied my engineering basic. The group had been successfully organized on 2007 in Singapore and has grown up relatively with increasing members. The firm keep collecting funds through several activities and donate back to mother institute in the purpose of filling gap such as supporting in needy retire lecturers. As the purpose of group is innocent, no wonder the group became bigger by times. As time goes by, more and more engineers from my country arrived in lion city for the search of a better life and experience.

One day, the leading members decided to create a logo of CGTI family (Singapore) by making a logo competition with the coincidence of first ever gathering outside mother land. As a member, I also received an invitation letter and replied the organization committee for my registration. I noticed that the given time was only 2 weeks and it will be tough for all participants to brain storming. But I am pretty sure I can submit at least one logo for our family group and I enquired them if I can compete with more than one logo. The happily replied me yes and I start my discovery for my logo idea through online. I was almost unable to do all other things except this logo. I read a lot of logo designer's workshop and also read more newspaper than ever. I take extra notice on road side announcement and advertisement with the purpose of getting some idea.

I learned how the company logo are drawn as well as public agency's logo. Even I studied upon football club's logo around the world. This time I took advantages of internet and it make me easier compare to my previous traditional search through a small library or own books. I aim as high as possible and paid attention totally for the on time submission. Finally I selected about 12 logos from my drafts and submitted one day before dead line. I was very pleased for on time submission and of course full of excitement for the result. I was looking forward for the result through my email inbox but nothing changed.

Then I asked one leading organizer about the result and their answer made me disappointed. They said me that they received only one participant who is me. What a pity experience? Does it mean they have to select from my submission? I guess people in here are so busy and poor in time to make good things for society. There is no point to blame to any body for that. The following day organizer issues one notice that read there have been extension time for potential participants. The notice was attached my some logos with numbering and they also requested to all membership to select their choice from the given logo even if they can't submit their own.

First extension time wasn't changed and they make another extension time offer. Finally they reached a result on the day of CGTI first gathering day in Singapore's East Coast together with the paying tribute to our retired lecturers who are currently visit to lion city. To be conclude, my proposed designed were not selected from the judges and I was embarrassing amid my fellow institute-mate. So I was curious to see the winning logo and it make me feel upset. The worse thing is explanation of leading judge for their selection. Some logo that come with late submission are a bit copy-cat effort to mine. But the winning one is different from mine as the winner used combination of two items to become his logo.

The winning logo is formed of two parts that the statue of labour leader and pinion of machine. The judge explained the reasons of their selection. First the winning logo include pinion that represent engineer and second the statue of labour leader that represent our institute because our institute was the same as this leader. What a cheap judgement? Why they can't think out of box? Probably they are still using conventional ways despite they are working in oversea. No person outside Burma will consider the pinion is the symbol of engineering. May be they are conservative.

I don't say it for not choosing mine. I would be happy if the winning design is fantastic and beautiful. I drew my logo with some intentional effect behind. The judge never asked me for the creation of mine. Probably they don't understand the meaning of mine or I have failed to catch their attention. Anyway my logos were dumped away and I tried not to look at it again so that I can heal my pain asap. I went and praise the winner for his achievement and my wife was stood by me with sad feeling. Finally we return home with the consolation price that is electric kettle and it became one evidence that can remind me that event.

Hopefully I have gained some good lessons from this sorrowful experience. I share herewith all my logo for your pleasure or judgement. Another thing I am writing this is to record my life experience so that I can share my daughter in future on how life sometime goes on while we have to accept but do nothing. Wish organizer won't read this post in future.

May all my fellow citizen able to think out of box.

Major Logo Lesson

SINCE one of my hobby is drawing and I always enjoy to draw something at one time if I got spare time. I never felt bored to draw when I was a student both in school and college. I take advantage from drawing related subject whenever I come across. At the same time, I won't be hesitate to register if I know any drawing competition in my life. So drawing a logo became one of the competitions that can draw my attention. I have been compete a lot of logo competitions and sometime my creation were selected while rejected on another time. It's quite good to practice one's interest when opportunity arise.

During my first diploma study, I competed two times and one time won. Another time I got a chance to draw a logo was happening while I was studying for my engineering graduate study. That time my effort was again selected without rivals. I wasn't happy to be selected being one participant in the competition. Nevertheless I tried my best and assumed others concern is non of my business. I think I can contribute to my department by brain-storming to get the best logo to represent our civil engineering department. In fact, all departments are trying to get a beautiful and meaningful logo so that they can boast once they are putting it on. Every student want to get a nice logo despite they don't want to put their attempt in getting their desire.

Another reason why students are not interested in the competition is they are struggling with studying and it is not compulsory by department. Also there is no carrot for their effort. I mean no reward for your time and brain once your logo is selected. It's a bit cheap for a designer and not proper way to deal with. To me, I don't care if I am given price or not as long as I can see my creation being used. It's more than reward to see my logo on my fellow classmate's T-shirt. I think all designer would love to see their design on action. In order to get basic idea, I need to go library and read a lot of books and take a note whatever I think is useful and related.

By doing so, I could able to submit my design on time to be judged by teacher. Unfortunately, I have no rivals to compete as no other classmates are submitting their own job. On the day my design was revealed to class with the help of monitor who is selected as a leader of students by department head. As soon as he introduce my design to classmates, they started to comment on it with baseless. I know I should welcome all constructive comments made by peers. But some of them are so pessimist to voice out and even make me feel embarrassed. I cannot keep quiet for a long time and stand up and straight away go toward monitor and pull my logo design sheet. I asked him to go back and listen to me.

I step on the stage and starred at them and challenged by saying as follow:-

Me: Thanks for your all comments now. I made this for the sake of our department, not for my personal business. I even wasted my study time by spending in drawing this. This cannot come out at cheap. I gave time as well as brainstorming.

Classmate: listen and silent

Me: I don't mind if you all don't like this. I have some intentional feeling behind my design. I will tear it down if you all keep voice out negative rather than constructive comments. I explained the secret of my design and let them decide upon it. I also challenge them by stating it do or die. I'll destroy it now and there would be no design to print out. My voice was mixed of anger and louder than usual. Meanwhile one teacher came to room and ask what has happened. I also asked the teacher to let me finish my wording before I explain to her. Probably you may accuse me as a proud man. This is not my first time to against my peers in life. I would not step backward if I think I am right. I may be a proud man of what I have done.

What make me disappointed was why they all are easy to point out other's effort despite they couldn't able to participate in making our dream come true. My country people are mostly like that in every angle I think. I encounter the same manner in job as well as school. I still suffering this after I am out of country. Why are we becoming like that? Are we lacking soft-skill? Have we got a wrong education method? Is it because of our society? Is it due to our life style? Probably these all can be part of answer. I sometime asking myself if my thinking is wrong or incorrect.

For sure is I am still not mature enough and still a lot to learn in life so that I can guide myself in dealing with people.

The Art of Estimating

ESTIMATING plays a key role in the operation of construction companies. Accurate estimates are needed for a company to be successful in the bidding process while maintaining a reasonable profit margin. If the estimates are too high, the company may starve to death because of the lack of work. If the estimates are too low, the company may lose money and go bankrupt. The estimator is constantly walking a fine line between bidding too low and too high.

The Estimator;

The estimator is the person responsible for preparing the cost estimates. Large companies may employ an estimating department with one or more full-time estimators. The estimating department is often changed with preparing all of the company's estimates. In smaller companies, the project managers or company's owner may be responsible for preparing the estimates. Regardless of their job title, employees who are responsible for preparing estimates are estimators. The estimator is responsible for seeing that the estimate accurately incorporates the costs to complete the required scope of work along with a reasonable profit while remaining competitive with other firms in the market. Great skill is required to balance the need to be competitive with the need to be profitable.

Introduction to QS

What is the other names of Quantity Surveyor?

Quantity surveyor is also known as commercial manager, construction cost consultant or contract manager. Some would name them as specialist in the financial & contractual aspects of construction projects.

Some country call this as either estimator or value engineer. The responsibility can be slightly different based on the designated post I think. Anyway the main goal would not be much different and we should have known what is the role of QS.

What are roles of a Quantity Surveyor?

1) Translating drawings into detailed quantities;

2) Preparing information on cost of materials, plant & materials;

3) Advising on choice of materials & construction techniques;

4) Preparing tender & contract documents including bills of quantities;

5) Examining tenders & preparing tender reports;

6) Negotiating rates with contractors;

7) Advising owner/ architect on the contractor to be awarded the contract

8) Managing cost on site

9) Valuing work in progress;

10) Preparing the final account on completion of the contract works;

11) The actual roles of a quantity surveyor depends on the type of organisation he is working with.

What are traits of a Quantity Surveyor?

1) A practical person with logical & methodical approach to problem solving;

2) Possessess IT & good numerical skills;

What is a BQ?

1) A document used in a construction project which gives an itemized list of component parts of the building.

2) Fully describes & accurately represents the quantity & quality of the works to be carried out.

3) Prepared by a 'taking-off' process in which the quantities of materials & labour needed in a construction project are measured from the architectural, structural, mechanical & electrical drawings.

4) The quantities can be presented in various styles - Elemental Bill of Quantities, Trade Bills, Operational Bills, etc.

What is purpose of BQ?

1) Facilitates tender analysis (comparison of contractors prices) on equal basis.

2) Provide a basis for valuation of variations as the unit rates for all items are indicated.

3) Assists the successful contractor in ordering materials and assessing his labor requirements for the contract.

4) Provides a good basis for cost analysis which may be used on cost planning work for future projects.

What are types of Bill?

1) Elemental Bill - items grouped according to their position in the building (Substructure, Floors, External Walls, Internal Walls, Roofs, etc)

2) Sectionalized Trade Bill - items grouped according to trade (concreter, bricklayer, tiler, roofer, etc.)

3) Annotated Bill - items with notes against them that give their locations.

TO BE CONTINUED.

Credit to BCAA, Singapore.

Learning never late

I STUDIED civil engineering course during my campus days and I almost never worked as an engineer since my graduation. Being a civil engineer, we studied one minor subject called estimate during my first ever diploma training and we were introduced how to take off quantity based on given drawings. After graduation, I entered to construction industry world and my talent was judged by my first ever construction company boss as a paper man. One day he asked me to work as a Quantity Surveyor. To be honest, I really didn't know what does QS means and what are the duties and responsibilities for QS. My country's varsity has no department for Quantity Surveying and we are needed to study only minor subject aforesaid.

My boss just return from oversea and established a successful company and he seems willing to work in system among others that are very used to with conventional methods. He briefly explained me what does QS mean and I understood that QS is nothing but estimating project's material requirement and preparing some kind of certs for sub-con. My country's construction industry is not complicated and everybody can handle this post if he/she is trained as an engineer in one local institution. Despite our institution failed to generate relevant professionals for demanding market, most of us learnt from superiors and adapt new situation shortly after being employed. No varsity can make perfect graduate for market in my country.

To be honest, I still don't really understand after 5 years oversea working in two different countries. Luckily I am able to work as QS in oversea despite I don't know all procedure. I am still eligible and useable in their system. At some point, I really don't know what to do next and how to answer upon being asked by somebody else. Another point, I might not know if one duty is really for me as a QS. These all uncertainties enforced me to seek further education in here. I asked myself what is my real intention to choose my career in long term between Engineer and Quantity Surveyor.

If I select first, I will need to press restart button as almost everything I had learned in school had gone so far as I never practice them since I graduate. After taking it into consideration, I name QS should be my career in future as I have gained a lot experience related to QS field both in domestic and international basis. This will boost my career upgrading and help me find a better job. So I tried to find a proper institution here to make further study so that my experience can be endorsed by local authority. Finally I found out one academy to enroll my seat and I am surprised again by their requirement. In fact I am trying to attend specialist diploma in building cost management in that academy and I am engineering degree holder. But according to their rules, I am not eligible to pass entrance as my English language proficiency is needed to be tested. So I went and sit for English screening test and luckily I passed it and now I am already in 2nd semester of course.

I gained some significant knowledges that I can't find in my workplace and I intended to share my knowledge with my fellow citizen through my blog. Because I know almost one third of my fellow citizen who came to work in lion city are working as a QS. So my sharing would help those who needs some basic knowledge to improve their workdone and avoid their simple mistake in accordance with local authorities's rule and regulation. I myself am not perfect and I have to say I know slightly better than before I attend this course. I wish I can help some ways to my society by this way. Some people will say that English written book are in place if people want to understand them as I am using medium with English. If I am not wrong, it will take you a lot time and also not possible to hit your target exactly if we are supposed to make self-study. I do believe some of my sharing would be ABC for those who are well experience and I meant it for those who are fresher in this field. I would love to read your constructive comments upon my project.

Thanks for your time.

Have a nice day.

Flood Lesson

IT IS OBVIOUS the earth is not healthy these days. It's looking like our earth acting back to us angrily. We read different tragedy due to adverse weather. Decades ago, we don't have this kinds of problem in this beautiful world. Then what had happened to our planet? Is it because of people's unthinking actions such as deforesting, extremely carbon omission, etc..? In our history, we, people could able to find solution for any problem encountered. But this time, people seems hopeless and big states like G-8 also failed to reach an effective blue print to save our world.

Regardless of rich or poor state, country are wrongdoing by someways. Rich state probably will save their own forest but they keep importing forest products from a poorer developing countries. Does it wise enough to do so? As a unique world, we all are much alike same family as the world come back to us as a whole unit. So we are suffering that penalties equally by the time our planet come back to attack us in the form of volcano eruption, cyclone, flood, forest fire, severe drought, etc. Moreover rich countries are relying on high tech products and they are not perfect on making in the factories. The main source of carbon emission are from the factories of those countries I think.

On the other hand, developing countries are making money from their natural resources without making necessary conservation. As a result, forest are losing by time and the weather changed affectively. People suffer from that and government are pointing their fingers at others. In fact, it's easier to convince poor and uneducated people in telling lie compare to rich and educated people. Being Buddhist country, our people would accuse their karma rather than the actual offender in sight. They won't have a proper brain that can able to oversee their future affect. Just simply suffer it and deal them by themselves. People keep voice out about human right but they even cannot be ideal.

We make it individually and when all individual activities combine, it become huge and our earth is at the stake. We can't deny that. Our population keep growing and our land become less fertile compare to past time. Our scientist always tried to produce enough foods for people through technologies and it can sometime have side effects, for instance, using much fertilizer in planting and using insecticide in controlling worms. We should have realized why these days people's life expectancy become shorter than our old generation despite what they say is so modernized in almost everything. We have no choice but to buy and eat from supermarket and fast foods shop. They say is safe foods but no guarantee in real life.

I am currently working in a developed country that well maintain its natural resources and everything I see here is in order. The law is governing and people are not dare to commit in any offence. The government is smart in civilizing and urbanlization for its people and always try to upgrade and maintain its resources. Being a rich island state, it is good for their territory but they are not escape from severe weather and natural disaster. What I am trying to say is we may suffer something if we don't care something as a team. This country is doing well but they are suffering adverse weather probably due to other countries wrongdoing. Does it mean showing us to unite in doing some area together? Yes I think so to my tiny brain.

These days Singapore is suffering flood due to heavy rainfall. I see Singapore's infrastructure is world standard but it's not good enough to maintain order when the rain fall beyond 100mm within one hour time. Some area would be severely flooded if the rain hit with that rate. I don't know how they designed their drain. Singaporean are demanding to improve their drainage system and government is doing their part in respect of people's life comfort. I am reading these kind of news daily in the paper and surprise to learn that because it's unusual in my home country.

We will have to tackle it out once we encounter natural disaster in life in my country. We can't complain for that and we also don't know it is one chapter that government is suppose to do properly in order to prevent its people's interest. Meanwhile I consider what if our people come out to complain such problem in my country. But our people seem don't bother it and they are very used to bad things to handle. They know how to survive in the broken time. Probably they are stronger than those who are from rich countries. For sure is their resistance is better than those from richer countries. They can stay without electricity, proper foods, suitable dresses, education, works, money, etc. But they are happy to pass their daily life. What a strange thing for a person from rich country? But it is really happening in poor countries I believe.

I very much respect in the way lion city govt solved out the problems and reply on people's enquiry. They never ignore the voice of its people. They tried to answer amap and of course these days hot topic is about flooding. Insurance companies are trying to up its premium fees regarding to flood especially in flood-prone area. Yesterday MM Lee say some area are beyond the engineering. He explained they have limited ground to run off the drain. Also they can't dig so deep as there are some underground work such as MRT. He highlighted that Singaporean are always demanding the best and he accepted that. But he point out that people must accept in some items that are beyond control. Natural disaster is act of God, not created by its govt. So accept it and try to survive. What a meaningful words is it? No wonder he is still a successful politician in the world. What a great luck for Singaporean to have such a great leader? I believe everybody will love to have such leader for their own country.

A thing that people don't bother in somewhere might be a serious case for some people from other place, I took this lesson from this. I am grateful to this govt for allowing me to stay and work here. I can learn from whatever I can hear/ read and see around me. Everything is a good lesson for us if we see it properly. Hopefully Singapore can find a proper method to handle this temporary problem under the guidance of smart leaders.

Card Lesson

PROBABLY everybody makes mistake in life regardless of small or big. I also have made a lot mistakes in my past life and most recently I have committed one mistake that can cost me a very good and sympathetic friend. I more value the important of a good friend after I have been working in oversea. Experience told me how difficult it is to find a good friend in life. Due to my poor inter-personal skill, I don't have much friends like other does. I have been very few friends in life and they all are supposed to be my life-long friend who are worthy of discussing in both good and bad things by the time I am falling into troubles and problems.

I don't want to make a friend easily as my mind is not easy to accept somebody without knowing much about his/her background. People might judge me on the first sight or first short period that I am so proud with hollow qualification. I can't ignore their judging on me as it really doesn't bother me. I never felt loneliness when I am staying alone or spending time alone. My life is quite complete if I have something to read or to study. I don't need much friends to talk non-sense. I need friends who dare to critize me openly. I would love to fight upon one matter in respect of finding a solution.

In view of above, all of my current friends mean a lot to me and I value their parts in my life. I will never hesitate to help my friends as long as their needs are within my reach. I even help their friends who are not my direct friend once I got chance to help. But things will never go as we like. Occasionally it goes against our desire. It's obvious to understand this if you are grown up person. I would accept if a student tell me he don't understand this concept.

I am working to save money and money can't buy a good friend. I saved money for not worshiping. I saved it to use in wherever and whenever I need something else. It's my attitude and I can't level it to all as everybody has different standard in the way to value things. The month of July, 2010 is a special month for me as my daughter came to this world on 14th this month. By the time she arrived this earth, I am an ocean away from the hospital my wife is being taken operation. So I felt guilty as a undutiful man and felt ashamed to tell people despite a ton of excuses to tell them. I stay away from people and I spent a lot of my time in my work and study to forget about this.

But it's strange that the more I try to forget; the fact is the more I am remembering my newly born daughter and poor wife. My wife is giving her very first child without her husband (myself) and mother. What a pitiful woman to experience such traffic occasion? So I tried to call and console her through telephone so that she can feel I am always taking care her and baby. Since my country is the most expensive state to call in the world, I am needed to buy a lot of phone-cards so that I can call my family once I feel homesick. You may want to ask me why I am telling this around. I have to tell this as this is probably the source of mistake I have recently made.

One day, one of my friend asked me if I have any phone card extra during working time. In fact, I have only one card left when she made enquiry. In my mind, I don't want to borrow, but I am not comfort to tell lie. So I gave her my last card and intended to buy new shortly. Unfortunately I bought a few cards and they are not enough for the whole week for certain reasons. Luckily I got back card from my friend after my new cards were gone. 2 days later, I tried to call my wife, as appointment day arrived, and the number was invalid. I was desperate to call my family but failed to do so. My room-mate has no extra card and I have no idea. I can't sleep as I know my wife won't sleep until I gave her a call successful. I don't want her to feel annoyed. But I tried to sleep as I can do nothing in the middle of night.

The next day I asked myself should I ask my very good friend about this matter. I answered so many time alternatively "yes" and "no". Finally I decided to write a letter because I don't have enough courage to call and speak to her as this is very small matter compare to her contribution to me in past. I can't understand myself for that also. I should have forgotten this case it cost me only S$8.30 and I can easily afford that. But my mind is a bit strange and I can't cope it to calm down. So I wrote a letter if she still has a card after giving me number. My thinking was she may have made a typo and can retrieve a true number if the card remained with somewhere else.

Few minute later, I received a reply letter with explanation that read she also bought this number through a charity service. So it means she can't get a physical card and I included not to bother about this if card have been thrown away. I realized the situation as soon as I received the reply letter that my act had been wrong. But I can't withdraw my letter and words and I am pretty sure she have been downgrading despite she gave me a very good reason. The same evening, I received one sms that mention phone card no and I was fully regret to see it but I can do nothing about my past. It's not belong to me at all. It has been my history and it would be very expensive mistake if I have to lose one sisterhood friend for this tiny matter. To be honest I am not dare to move first in respect of giving explanation. That's why I am writing this post and hopefully my friend read this post and forgive my childish mistake.

A friend in need is a friend in deed. All my friends are my soul-mates who can understand my difficulties and always ready to back me. I can't live without them and of course I can't be what I am today without them. I wish all my friend understand me especially this time as my mind is quite windy due to my newly born biological daughter. I have made mistakes on easy work in job. I really need to take extra care on job as my job is related to money and I can't afford to lose my job for any reason as I already became a captain of my own family. Thanks for all my existing friends being there as my friend.

Good Night.

10:33pm

July 24, 2010

Singapore.

A stay-away dad's feeling

I BELIEVE EVERYBODY has come across their own emotional moment in their past life. It may probably be different story to different people. Since I am also human being and of course I had come across a lot emotional events regarding to my education, health, work, religious, political and surviving in a new place, etc. Among all of above, the moment that can touch me so much was coincidence with the arrival of my biological daughter. She is tiny in size but can influence on her parent's feeling.

Unfortunately I am out of my country by the time my wife gave birth to our very first child in my home town private hospital. But circumstance required me to stay away from that breaking event that can convert my couple life to family life. My wife delivered 8 days earlier than designated date set by our consultant doctor. Luckily, my eldest sister could able to cope with the unexpected changes to maintain everything is in order. My sister had taken care me not only an elder sister but a mother. So she loved me unconditionally and treated my wife and daughter as her daughter-in-law and grand daughter-in-law as our parent passed away since I was a school boy.

I was needed to call and ask my sister to know updated information by time. I was of course wanted to see my daughter but no point to do so as the infant is not suitable to be taken photo at the early stage. 3 days after delivery, as usual, I called to my wife at night and I heard the sound of my daughter. I was so emotion to hear the voice of my daughter through hand phone. I felt nervous and enjoy to learn this is my child's sound. She was crying by the time I call my wife. Previous day she is always sleeping when I call. As the child consultant suggest, all infant must sleep 20 hours a day and I'm relax to know that my baby is sleeping soundly.

At one occasion, my wife even tried to make my daughter to cry so that I can hear the sound. But I didn't agree to do so and cancel her attempt. 3 days later I luckily able to hear the sound of my daughter. What a great feeling is it to a dad to hear his baby's sound first time from oversea? I lost my words to describe how does it mean. But I am very sure it means so much. 5 days after born, I could able to see my daughter's photo through email attachment. My niece help me to see my princess's photos. I was very glad to view these photos and immediately I share these photos with my friends as well as my wife's friends who are working in Singapore. I was almost crying while I view my daughter's photo first time. I don't know why I suddenly felt so sad. Probably it's usual for all emotional new father and mother.

I wanted to fly back to see my princess immediately if I can. But life is not that easy in real life especially for poor who can't do what they'ld like to in life. Some of my friends come out with suggestion to go back and see for a while. I welcomed their advices but I know about my situation better than they knew about me. This time I don't want to give them any reason for failing myself to present/ welcome my baby. Life goes itself and we try to adapt life to suit with what we have. At the end of the day, we may have to follow what should we do rather than what we would like to. We can't favour our desire every time because there are some things that we cannot overcome in life. We have to swallow our greediness, loving kindness, anger, hate, etc if we really want to make a successful family life.

What I want to get this time most is the forgiveness of my princess by the time she understand her father is not nearby when she was delivered. If there might be some bad suffering due to being apart between two or more persons, it's not only one side, both side would be affected. I will explain my daughter when she understand the meaning of words. I don't want her to waste her time in hating people by thinking useless past time. Hopefully my faith will favor me in trying to reunion my family soonest possible. At the moment, I bet ToTo to make my dream come true. Nothing else can help me with immediate effect. I hope you may also agree with me here.

To My Missing Princess

IT WAS WEDNESDAY MID OF JULY, exactly 14th July 2010, she landed to this earth to meet her beloving parent and peers. I am surprised to know that she arrived to our world 8 days earlier than designated date we set previously based on astrologer and our consultant OG. I knew that my wife wasn't feeling well on Tuesday afternoon and she felt she's going to deliver shortly. Unfortunately our OG was still in Yangon and we can only able to contact her through her mobile. My family member alerted and get ready for the emergency delivery for my wife and follow all instructions of our appointed OG through handphone.

We initially expected to give birth on July 22 (Thursday) and our baby didn't seem to fulfill our plan. Anyway we see it positive as both baby and her mum can escape 8 days earlier from a heavy burden of daily routine. The rest inconvenience things can be settled easily without consuming much time. Luckily I have big family members in my home town and already booked to private hospital room to welcome my princess on the very first day of her on this planet. On penultimate night, I called my wife and talked to her about how does she feeling. She replied me she's fine but can't say sure for earlier operation. It all will depend on our OG's decision who will be arriving on Wednesday early morning from Yangon by bus. So I assumed that the possibility of operation would be 50% only. I made another phone appointment on next day myanmar standard time 8:00am to confirm latest news.

Amazingly, by the time I call my wife on the next day, my eldest sister pick up phone and told me that my princess is already in her hands. I was fully surprised and feeling some senses once I am told like that. I immediately asked my sister if my baby was fine or not. She instantly reply me yes she's fine. Consequently I asked how about my wife? This time she can't answer my question as my wife still in the operation theater and haven't come out of that room yet. So I turned to my princess and asked again to my sister that how much baby is weighted. My sister said she weigh 5lb and 4oz, slightly smaller than normal. But I could able to sight because I know she seems healthy. Then I made another phone appointment on afternoon at the same day so that I can speak with my beloving wife personally. I was excitingly waiting for this noon and pray for my wife's safety.

Once the clock strike to 12:00, I called again and met my wife who is feeling very painful and find it very hard to talk me through hand phone. So I let her take relax and skip to continue to call. But I can relief to know that her operation was successful and now everything goes right with her and baby as well. I asked to my younger sister about my princess. She told me a lot about my baby and I try to image her through imagination because I am an ocean away from the hospital my wife was admittance. Thanks to all who helped my wife and baby getting smooth operation. Being a father, I felt guilty for unable to stay beside my wife despite my wife fully understand me. I pity her as she is giving birth amid my relatives. Even her biological mother is not around for some reasons and of course me, her husband, is out of country. Hopefully my wife and my infant baby girl will forgive me for this failure.

What I can do for now is just keep calling them to console and make sure they are taken care by me who is performed not only a husband to my wife but a father to my infant. I can't imagine myself not to around by my parent once I was young. But I am now committing myself to things I don't want in past to my own daughter. Life is a bit cruel this time to my own family members especially to newly born my princess. But coincidently I am middle of my course that don't allow me to go away from class and my work also put me the same degree. Being a dad, financial supporting to his family is a cole duty in our traditional rule. In view of that, I wish my princess will forgive me by the time she is grown up and understand her dad wasn't around when she was born. Hopefully my princess is determined to be a good person who always understand her parent since we both treat our own families as a good son and daughter. I believe in good karma will follow us as long as my wife and I are doing good things in past.

At the moment, I'll be counting days to reunion with my own family oneday back in Myanmar. I don't want to accuse for this sad story but myself. What I can say now to my princess is I'll try my best to support her life being a dutiful and kind dad. I beg your mercy for this specific moment, my princess. See you one day personally. But I see you everynight through my dream,my dear. I'm sure you'll also miss me dearly. Lets hope a day of family union to come as fast as possible. Have a perfect health, my princess.

your dad
singapore
15072010

Melamine-tainted milk lesson

BEING AN EXPECTANT DAD, I always upset to learn some bad news related to infant-care products. Today yahoo news stated that Melamine-tainted milk are resurfaced in China again. I am very much concern this news because this time the products were seized at the nothernwest state of China where is close to my country's boarder. Two year back, there have been head news for the same problem and the whole world was shocked by these deliberate effort. Why people become cruel like that for money? Is it worthy to kill innocent children all over the world? Nowadays China is the hub of all daily products for the whole world and it's obvious all the countries will concern any bad news regarding to their export items.

They may probably found out few percentage of actual bad products and I am pretty sure that there would be so many products that are not yet to seize. More concern is where do they go when other developed countries strict on the safety rules and take extra care on Chinese products. Of course definitely it'll go to poorer countries like my native land. Worse for my country people, we don't have a relevant authority to check all importing materials on whether they are suitable to be consume and used in our domestic market. It make foreign exporter get a chance to make money freely. On the other hand, our traders are likely don't have enough education and experience in checking on the products they purchase in favour of quality.

Since our people are poor, they don't have a chance to choose so many product and they'll definitely buy on cheap things rather than a quality ones. In fact, cheap things never good and good things never come cheap. Sometime our rich people even might find very less items to choose from as my country is sanctioned by international community. It's quite pity for our people as they can see only cheap materials from neighbouring countries in the market. I suspect that our government staff will take necessary actions if they found products go wrong in favour of people's health and safety. I don't think they'll do it effectively because there might be two reasons. First thing is they have no technology to trace unseenable problems and second things is they are very much used to corruption. Both are realistic in actual world and they enforce to black market traders. At the end of the days, who will suffer from that? Definitely our people including those who take bribe.

Singapore has AVA to protect its people from illegal things entering Singapore market. Do we have a similar authority to AVA? Probably yes, but I'm sure not effective. Last week Singapore also found out some counterfeit medicine in its market and no wonder if there are so much illegal faith things in our domestic market. Because I have noticed a lot sex-toys vendor on the platform in the centre of financial city. I don't know if the common law allow them to do so in my country. But I think is these product are exposing to weather and become less quality even they are real. Due to market demand, traders will like to import the cheap products and it'll lead to unqualified things around in the market.

I am thinking about my unborn baby on how to feed her a real product as we have to leave her as young as 3 months. So she'll need to rely on formula milk rather than breast-feeding. We have no choice if we want to get money by working in oversea. On d other hand, it's impossible to bring our baby to the country we are working because we are not permanent residents. Hopefully I can buy a good product of milk in Singapore and deliver them to my home town for feeding our biological child. But it would be ideal if the government take necessary action to protect our babies from these bloody melamine-tainted milk powder because our babies are our future. We are obliged to ensure they are save and give all our best. Otherwise those babies become burden of the country. Wish my country find a proper way in favour of our innocent babies and people.

my drawing foundation

I LOVE DRAWING and enjoy to draw something when I have spare time. I think I got this talent from my father's gene as my father is good at painting. He taught me how to draw pictures since I was only able to draw a circle,i.e. the foundation of writing skill for nursery level boy. I understood how to draw a human being by using circles and lines with the courtesy of my father's guidance.

As a result, I did well in all subject related with drawings during my academic time. Unfortunately, my country's school curriculum has no room for drawing section. Luckily on the other hand I have a father who can teach me how to draw. I remember my younger days I asked my dad to drawing my heroes figure at the front doors of our house. My house is relatively big and the wall are made of teak wood. These woods became a suitable place to draw for us. My dad usually drew some national heroes for me such as Maha Bandoola, Kyan Sit Ther, all are great warriors of our country in history. I was likening to see these bravery heroes in our front doors and always boasting to my friends by showing them.

Meanwhile I tried to copy this kind of drawing in my book and practice it so that I can later draw by myself. I dramatically became a story teller at the school by drawing. Once I was telling a story through my stone (a sheet of stone designed to write for kindergarten childs). I don't think childrens from developed countries will know this kind of experience through their younger school days. Being a child from a third world country, we have no choice but to use this. It is economical but easy to broken. The teachers used to give marks by using chalk stick. By this way my interesting in the drawing were born and grown up by time.

My secret plan

IT IS QUITE bad not to know what I am doing in detail. I am trained and studied as a civil engineer and working as a Quantity Surveyor now. In fact, I worked as a QS since I graduated my first diploma in 1997. Then I keep working as an estimator both in domestic contractors and oversea specialist firms. By chance, I am still able to work as QS despite I wasn't trained to do this position. So question is do I eligible to work as qualified QS and can I have a better future by continuing this job. For sure, I forgot everything about engineering related design or the likes. On the other hand I have compiled a certain amount of quantity surveying field through my past years.

In view of above mentioned, I easily find a QS post when I was seeking a suitable job in Singapore. To be honest, I am quite relax to be QS compare to an engineering job because at least I might have something to do as a QS in any company as long as I am given a proper drawings. As an Engineer from Myanmar, we have no chance in choosing what we want to do in oversea because our certificates are not recognized by foreign countries. So we need to rely on what we can do actually in work based on our own working experience. No matter what level and kind of certificates you possess, it all totally depend on how much you have knowledge about the job and how independently you can work the job you are supposed to do. Above all, English language skill is compulsory.

We, Myanmarese, are generally poor at English proficiency and Computer skill. But those who intend to go oversea and find a job always made their best effort in preparation. These comprise attending various training classes for the purpose of marketable in job market. Usually these kind of short classes can give just a basic knowledge and we can't use it effectively in work when we apply them. As practice makes perfect, we are going to improve by time through our jobs. But we might have a chance to keep a job till we are expert of something. We, Myanmarese, are well known for its hardworking and honest among other counterparts from different countries. As a result, there are always some firms that favour and like Myanmar technician and we are taking some advantages from that.

From my own experience, I don't know all the sequence of QS's responsibilities despite I am working as a QS. Luckily my company is doing only foundation work and it's not so much complicated like superstructure works. So I can adapt some situation to able work without problems. But I have come across some corners that are not reachable within my knowledge and I was so upset not to find somebody else to ask around me. That's one cole reason why I enrolled building cost management in BCA Academy. Through lectures, I gained some knowledge and felt a bit more confident in work as I have been enlightened clearly by my lecturer at school. I suppose to all my fellow citizen to upgrade their skills if they intend to work continuously in oversea.

I will try to share my knowledge gained through my blog and hopefully it can help some in some ways unless it's not successful. As long as my intention is pure, I hope I can give back my society by some means. At the same time, I can get back some suggestions through discussion and of course some good friends. Hopefully I can start my secret project soonest possible. See you then. Have a nice day.

To my precious baby girl

MY dear baby, as usual before your dad was so busy to talk with you so far. I miss the days I talking to you from a skin away since I return Singapore on June 5. Hope you also missing my voice at the same time. On behalf of me, your mum will take extra care for both of us. Being a child, I understand that you will love to be surrounded by your biological parent once you are coming to this world.

But in real life, we can't make things the way we want to be, my baby. It's too early to explain you why your dad say like that. You'll realize my words fully by the time you grown up. I am kind of dad who wants my baby gain the best. In order to fulfill my dream, I also need to be a dutiful father and I'll willingly try to become such kind of man. I'm currently can't stop thinking about where do I let you study once your time come to school. It's my first priority now and in my mind it's not early to be prepared, my baby. You may laugh at me for my worried mind for you. I know about my country situation more than you, baby. The more I know about my home land, the more worry come to me.

Education, Health-care, Culture, Business, History, Life-style, etc are all going down compare to our time. Nowadays we can't afford to find a world-class education domestically. So can't quality health-care. When we knew that you are already in your mum's womb, our journey started to ensure you are handled by a professional hands. We don't just believe in an even ordinary doctor. Generally, you parent are quite stingy but we both amazingly changed this manner when you arrive our world. We have no objection to each other when we are talking about your care. We always consider your comfort and safety regardless of it is expensive or cheap. As you might have known, quality care never come cheap, baby. But we are happy once we able to see you are safe and healthy girl.

I remember one day our OG told us that you are slightly smaller than normal after she made necessary measurement through her scanning machine. We were of course feel sorry and I noticed that you mum was tearful and also no dinning. I consoled her as much as I can and encourage her to eat more balance than currently she eats. From that day onwards, you mum drink 2 milk cups meaning 100% up from original instruction by manufacturer. But we were happy once we heard that our country's OG said the baby is quite normal. So we relaxed ourselves by assuming that foreign OG misjudge you compare to her fellow citizen. Probably the ways we going through in daily life can be different and it might effect our structure including our baby. No wonder our citizens become smaller due to under-diet.

I see a lot school-age children around here eating burger at Mc Donald and KFC. The can eat as much as one adult eat. Since then I cleared my confusion on small size of my country man. Hopefully I can able to feed you like that as I want you to compete them in future. This is one example of so many things. If I am given a chance to choose one thing to hand over you in life, it would be a world-class education. I don't want to give you so much money as my heir because it's just an object for one, no guarantee to one's life. I'ld love to see you an independent woman before I depart this planet for another. That's why I am crazy with surveying about your education. I keep asking some of my friends here who have school-child in here. I collect some information from them as well as their advices. I don't know the nature of child-education here and it is a must to ask superior if I really want to avoid some wrongdoings. I don't want you going wrong path in life. To make sure this, my survey must be effective. I won't afford to underestimate in every single data. I look forward you will like to study here rather than our mother land.

First thing first, as they said, please come to our world as a healthy baby so that we can enjoy our family life to its eternal. Please forgive me for failing to stay beside you once you are getting our world. Our world is sometime cruel like this, my baby. So I expect you to be a tough person once you get some unpredictable problems in life. It doesn't mean I don't love you by staying away from you and your mum. I am studying and working here to support you and family to the best. I must swallow some bitter experiences to maintain my dream alive. My dream? I want to stay together with my own family in here and give you world-class education. Nothing is free in this world, baby. So I have to take some unwanted things if I want something special. That's why I am staying one ocean from you now and let me beg your forgiveness for my absent on the very first day of you in this lonely planet.

See you end of this year, baby. I'll keep call you until I can see you personally. Expect to see you two week time through internet and to hear your sound through mobile phone. Have a good health and kind family for you. Wish you may free from hate and problems.

Your daddy.
Immigrant worker (Singapore)

Hostel lesson

SINCE SINGAPORE is among most expensive cities to live for expats, I am not of course exceptional. We, all immigrant workers, find it hard to get a suitable place with a reasonable price. Then you might want to know what's reasonable price to be rent a room. There is no standard range for room rental fees but base on some fundamental factors. These comprise the location; prime or outskirt, how far/near from MRT, available to use air-con, allowed to cook, etc. It's fair to pay relatively expensive if the place can give occupants satisfactory. But you may find it difficult to get if you have been in Singapore and come across some personal experiences regarding to seeking a room. On the other hand, there would be some factors to accept if somebody wants to rent the whole flat and sublet to others. Some people might have thought they can avoid the above mentioned difficulties by renting whole flat and being the leader of flat. It's easier said than done.

Being migrant workers, we already have certain pressures at work and of course we don't want to stay at a room that has some different pressures due to either landlord or room-mates or flat-mates. Generally, we all come here to work and safe money amap and remind ourselves not to lose our primary target. As a result, we try to patient not only at work but also other places including hostel. We change places with the hope of a better and relax place and finally we end up with exhausted. This is one kind of things we need to handle in daily life.

According to my personal experience, we want to hire a cheap place with the reasonable expectations. As you know, cheap things never good and good things never cheap. So we probably find mostly some form of problems at hostel. Within 3 years in Singapore, I have been forced to change more than 7 places due to different reasons. Each place has different story to be learned. I am upset to move out and resettle in new place. Within this 7 times, I have stayed both foreigner landlord and fellow citizen. Likewise, I have shared a room/flat together with both foreigners and fellow citizens. I encountered different place got different problem. Probably I am not lucky man in getting a place to live in. But I tried to cope them with minimum complains and sometime it's necessary to ignore neighbours or room-mates. Otherwise we may need to be handle some sort of stress in different places and it'll never stop until we sleep soundly.

While I was working in Malaysia, I always thought that people who are working in Singapore will be discipline and never make any messy things. Because most people who are working in Malaysia are less educated people compare to its counterparts of Singapore. In fact, I found it wrong as I have come across a lot place and people keep making me annoyed. Regardless of gender, I find low standard despite we all are staying and working in one of cleanest cities in the world. What's the morale among working adults? Pay oneself and don't need to respect around? If we think so, what's different between ranker and educated? I myself is not perfect but at least I know how to respect others who are nearby.

At some point, I was surprised to see fellow citizen student's life style. I might have thought the students who are studying in Singapore will be hard working in their studies. Again my prediction was almost wrong. I agree with some for failing to hard study as they need to find tuition fees by doing some part-time works. Meanwhile some students who don't need to works for the same purpose are wrongdoing that can lead them derail. What a pity of their parents who are trying to send out foreign currency for their generation? May be it's non of my business, but some behavior and attitude of them affect to their flat-mates. It's obvious to sense what kind of problems is it if you have been the same experience with me in oversea country.

Sometime I asking myself if my thinking are going wrong ways. Why we shouldn't stay without disturbing other's privacy? Is it because we didn't learn from our school? Is it because our background are chaos. Is is due to lack of proper teaching by our own parent as well as teachers? I partly agree that people's mind can be dominant by its surrounding. I believe on the other hand most of fellow citizen who are staying in Singapore are from superior background in term of rich or high-profile background families. But their activities are not matched with the words they are talking about. To be honest, I have come across some adorable person who are very smart, honest and naive. I'm always proud to read some good news regarding to my fellow citizens in any media in oversea but it happened very rarely. Anyway I hope we can together show our standard by being an considerate person. We can't make a good image of our country with the behavior of gypsy. I believe that we each person are important in building our own country's image among other citizen especially while we are staying and working in oversea.

(to be continued)

Record breaking state?

SINGAPORE is always boasting for their world-class achievements and so do her people I think. I am happy to see Singapore is crossing new lines at all time and of course S'pore become my second home after my native land. Since I came from a mess country, everything in S'pore is super to my eyes. No wonder sometime I read some citizens from big countries such as China, India and regional heavy-weight countries like Thailand, Malaysia are surrendering their own citizenship for a island state. I always surprise to read their world-class prone advertisement everywhere. No matter it is, it can be found from a small cab to double-decker bus as well as SMRT.

I noticed one news recently that Singapore is ranked 11th most costly place to live for expats in the world; one spot dropped from previous year rank. But still ahead of so many world's cities and they seem proud to announce that. At the same time they were selected world's third most liveable city in the world behind Geneva and Zurich. Meaning island state is first in Asia. The survey took 64 cities including 36 from Asia. In term of costly cities, Singapore tailed to Tokyo, Osaka and Hong Kong in Asia. What make me surprise was New York's position this year. NYC fell from eight place last year to 27th. What a mess is it? According to analysts, it might become due to weak dollar in recent months.

I don't know where is our cities stand. But happy to see my temporary city stand tall but need to expect to spend for more. Nowadays S'pore already has its own casino and tend to attract gambling-addict tourist as well as curious travellers. S'pore aimed to become hubs of almost all things regionally as well as globally in specific things. Then what make S'pore so successful? I think is they have a group of talented leaders who are tirelessly work for their country. I don't think S'poreans are workaholic based on my best knowledge. But they luckily have a good government and they can enjoy highly rated life-style. Their life probably quite rush compare to their regional counterparts. But they seems happy to be their citizen except small percentage of its population I think.

I'm trying to learn on why they can be successful without natural resources as much as possible during my stay and work in lion city. I just want to share my experience to my younger generation one day and hopefully it can help me leading some juniors by the time I got a chance to do so. Hopefully we can keep our jobs until the right time come by in my country. I don't know exactly how long will it take to me. I am grateful to S'pore government & its people for allowing me to work here peacefully. Look forward I can give back something to this island by some ways unless it is significant.

Long awaiting day

BEING EXPECTANT DAD, I have been awaiting one day to welcome our first biological child since we knew my wife was pregnant. We have tried all the way to protect and save our baby by asking our seniors and relatives with fully excitement. Time seem slowly gone to my eager mind because I just want to see baby physically soonest possible. Unfortunately I can't afford to take care my pregnant wife as I need to work oversea. Finally the much awaiting day is at the corner and of course we, couple, are so exciting to cross that special day.

After considering several factors, we decided to give birth by mean of under knife rather than natural birth. Nowaday most of expectant mum choose this way for certain advantages I think. If they afford surgery fees then mostly will go this way in order to avoid hell-like pain during final days. My wife and I were confused ourselves in deciding which method should we adapt. Finally we approached medical doctor especially OG and consult with them so that we can get the flawless result. I hope my wife will go operation theatre room bravely for the sake of her baby.

Meanwhile I wouldn't be on the hospital where she'll give birth due to my oversea exam and lack of leaves at my work. You might have blamed for my irresponsible manner by staying away from family. I don't think I'll need to explain if you are working in oversea. At some point, we can't do what we like. We may have to swallow all incoming desire to suit our life-balance as well as maintain our bread-feeding job. I try to forget about that as I suffer by the time I think about it. I think no father would love to stay away from his very first child's delivery room. Last time I watch such manner from the movie and could feel that sense by common sense. Now I can come across for my own with a different story. Anyway I try to convince myself to calm down when my wild desire come up.

Compilation of days become weeks and weeks become months and finally we are approaching the final hurdle of our baby. What should we do for our baby in advance being a young parent? The more consider the more items come out I think. We, ourselves, were born in Myanmar's rural area where there was no hospital, doctors even nurses. But we tried to reach the position today we enjoyed. So I hope my baby would forgive me for not presenting at the very first day of her world in this planet. I may be a bit crazy to seek some forgiveness from my infant. But she may sense the smell of her biological father because the blood flowed inside her articles will tell her by means of sense.

Last week, my wife told me on the wire that our OG let us choose the delivery day between July 19 & 26. So my eldest sister and wife discussed with some famous astrologer and relative to decide the specific day & date. Finally we initially chose July 22 (Thursday) for our first baby. Consequently we began to think the name of her. I proposed my wife to include my first two name in my daughter's name and she had no objection with my tender. What a pleasant life to have own family for a person? I think all young family will understand what I'm trying to say. Anyway I'll try to become a good father to my beloved child in future. She might be my world or my future. She might be my strength. She might be my driving force in work. She might be my relax when I feel tired after job. She might be my favourite singer when I want to listen music. She might be my chef when I am hungry at home. She might be my mentor when I am old. She might be my guiding star when I am disable. What a wonderful life to able to think like that being a person? I will never forget the important of my wife and child in my life. Hopefully I can build a comprehensive family life sooner or later.

May my wife be free from painful and give birth successfully.