Steve Jobs in his own words

Consumerism : I end up not buying a lot of things, because I find them ridiculous. (29/10/2005)

Excellence : People judge you by your performance, so focus on the outcome. Be a yardstick of quality. Some people aren't used to an environment where excellence is expected. (1987)

Innovation : Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower. (2011)

iPhone : iPhone is five years ahead of what everybody else has got. If we didn't do one more thing we'd be set for five years! (9/1/2007)

Motivation : It's better to be a pirate than to join the Navy. (1987)

Stickiness, on his return to Apple : You don't need to take notes. If it's important, you'll remember it. (2009)

Vision : We're gambling on our vision, and we would rather do that than make 'me, too' products. Let some other companies do that. For us, it's always the next dream. (24/1/1984)

Next big thing : I'm always keeping my eyes open for the next big opportunity, but the way the world is now, it will take enormous resources, both in money and in engineering talent, to make it happen. I don't know what that next big thing might be, but I have a few ideas. (24/1/2000)

Think Different : Here's to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They're not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can't do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.

STAY HUNGRY. STAY FOOLISH.

source: I, Steve (edited by George Beahm)

Steve Jobs's Resignation Letter

August 24, 2011

To the Apple Board of Directors and the Apple Community:

I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple's CEO, I would be the first to let you know. Unfortunately, that day has come.

I hereby resign as CEO of Apple. I would like to serve, if the Board sees fit, as Chairman of the Board, director and Apple employee.

As far as my successor goes, I strongly recommend that we execute our succession plan and name Tim Cook as CEO of Apple.

I believe Apple's brightest and most innovative days are ahead of it. And I look forward to watching and contributing to its success in a new role.

I have made some of the best friends of my life at Apple, and I thank you for all the many years of being able to work alongside you.

Steve


source: I, Steve (edited by George Beahm) www.georgebeahm.com.

Steve Jobs's CV

Objective: I'm looking for a fixer-upper with a solid foundation. Am willing to tear down walls, build bridges, and light fires. I have great experience, lots of energy, a bit of that 'vision thing' and I'm not afraid to start from the beginning.

Skills: that 'vision thing', public speaking, motivating teams, and helping to create really amazing products.

source: Steve Job's Resume, www.me.com.

Sad Story

THEY are well educated young couple. We live together with them by sharing a flat. It is always joyous for first timer parent to know they are in the process of welcoming their first ever baby to their couple life. We were happy to learn that his wife is in pregnancy when I am being told few months ago. They only knew the gender of baby on couple weeks ago. They were visibly happy with the news of baby boy following scan result in KK Women and Children hospital. We all shared their joyous moment as the young parent server flatmates with pizzar dinner. My wife and I don't know why we are also happy to learn their new member of family would be boy. Perhaps most of our friends couple these days are delivering baby girls than boys. Though our culture has no favorable gender, parent are apparent to prefer getting boy. It is unwritten feeling.

For the young couple, lacking male siblings from maternal sides would be one of the reason why they were overjoy by the news. Sadly their good news didn't last long for them. Approximately about couple weeks and it all up side down. My wife and I were shocked to learn that his wife has been miscarriage and 21 weeks old baby boy was prematurely delivered to depth. It is disaster for young couple. We perfectly know how much they have tried their best to figure it out to promote their life style from couple life to family life. He is working as scientist and he did well in family planning. He and his wife approached to medical consultant to check their health status before entering to a process of trying to get baby. It all went quite smooth to the given medical results. It apparent started few months back when a young woman encounters bleeding from his ovary strangely. They continuously consulted with OG and visit very frequently. Once they were needed to admit to hospital for overnight stay to treat her well.

Good news from disaster is that young woman able to deliver conventionally and allowed to discharge on the same day. The 21 weeks old dead baby was left behind following suggestion of OG. We learned that less than 23 weeks baby born dead would not be issued dead certificate. Hence, medical professional advised the young couple not to claim dead body so that they could avoid unnecessary cost. But it is up to parent to decide. My friend couple choose to follow OG's advice and come back home in deadman's walking. In addition, there was one more thing to feel lucky from this disaster. This is that if this incident happened on few weeks later and baby boy is born alive, they'll have to leave the baby in hospital for 200 days compulsory. Of course it won't come free to them who are SPR. The hospital estimates the cost would be approximately at S$200,000.00. Then their saving would have been burn to zero. If they are not lucky enough, the baby would be paralyses person for the whole life and it is going to be a heavy burden to the young couple to shoulder. 

I tried to console him by highlighting the good points from the merciless disaster. Being Buddhist, we have to believe in karma. Nothing happen to us without reason. Whatever we did in past life, the sequence will follow us in present life. We can't run away and have to accept it. If we do not have necessary understanding of basic principle of Buddha literature, we would be distraught when we suddenly face life's disaster like the young couple is facing now. I'm relief to see them not so grief after I remind them that what most important is the health of wife. I'm convinced that the young couple have enough time to make another healthy baby in near future and he is apparent to agree with me.

May all young parents able to possess a healthy babies at their early family life.

Where is Dignity ?

ONE day, my fellow citizen who is working in local SME yelled angrily after he finds out that Consultants disagree with their variation work claim. It is hard to find project that is free from variation work as Client keep changing mind and ask Consultants to amend original design. It usually come out during construction period because most of Client are unable to fully understand on paper. Hence this lacking ability in advance forced them change mind after they find out the building in physical stage. This process is nothing new to all construction firm and we all go settle under title of variation work.

In view of above, most constructor prefer to use provisional contract rather than lump sum which is widely considered high risk. You change you pay is not problem. But sometime Client wants to change without allowing subcontractor to increase their bills. It is Client who gave basis concept for design and Consultant follow up with the suitable design that suit Client's requirements. As a subcontractor, you got to follow instruction from Consultants as a part of duties. Usually, subcontractors got instructions on site meetings in the form of verbal. As time is always constraint, there is less time to wait for formal instruction in the form of written one. In fact, some consultants deliberately do not issue written instruction, especially when they need to change frequently. The more they change, the more likely to exceed original contract sum. At the end of project, Client will score them for breaking cashflow regardless of who should take responsibility. No wonder Consultants want to make sure project can be done within budget.

It is usual for employees to work multi-function jobs in local SMEs, I mean there is no full structure in small firms. Hence they need to perform from top managerial post to the lower ranks. They need to attend meeting, prepare report, get shop drawings, order materials, liaise with main contractors and consultants as well as subcontractors, etc. It is not easy to perform at optimum level in every angle to the given responsibilities. But most of us need to chew such condition in the work sites. Once Consultants disagree with their variation claim, he is needed by boss to explain on short coming certificate. He told to boss that if Consultants disagree with this, they must not be gentleman. Because we exactly follow their instruction on site. The problem is he has no written form of instruction to be substantiate. At the end of the project, they are at the lose side and nothing to do but upsetting. Upon his explanation, his boss remarked as follow:-

You don't need to be gentleman in doing business. My friend noted in motionless. Can we able to say it is part of qualification to become professional? Sadly, most of Consultants are not willing to take responsibilities for what they have told during construction stage unless you have proper evidence. Believe me, it is true and happening to our daily lives at construction industry.

Family time is quality time

ANOTHER Myanmar new year is in the corner again. There is more than pleasure to welcome new year for us. It is because new year make our family gather and spend a wonderful time here. Last year our daughter first time came visit here to meet us for first time outside Myanmar. As her aunty is free on school holiday only, we have no chance to bring her outside summer holiday. Last year, we spent family holiday not only in lion city but KL as well. We rate it bonding time and want to make as often as possible. Now our daughter approach to 3 years, she become less dependent girl. We hope it will allow us to bring her more often than once a year basis. We only get couple weeks leaves when we return home. Almost half holiday would be eaten by traveling time and we find it less pleasure time. Less together time mean less chance to befriend with our daughter. 

Hence we prefer to bring her than we return home. Because the budget would be the same but the family time would be increased more than double. In addition, we could bring relative to visit here. In Myanmar, it is impossible to go abroad for ordinary people. Hence most people would be happy if they can go visit oversea with sponsor money. Anyway, Myanmar new year which usually fall on mid April every year is on the corner and we start exciting with the plan what we'll do when our little girl is in town. Last year we got KL family trip and we hope this year we will have a chance to go another destination. We are glad to learn that our little daughter amazingly remember last year holiday here. We are sure one year time frame will make her brain enough to remember this year time. By thinking alone, we are already walking on the moon. Won't you?

To my little daughter

IT has been considerably long time I do not talk with you. I deserve to get your mum's critics for failing to talk with you whenever we give you a call. It doesn't mean I do not love you. I always think of talking you by the meaningful way rather than just father daughter relationship. Your mother used to say me that I am very talkative only when I meet up my friends. I would become opposite manner when it come for daughter and wife. I never defense for accusation as it is partly right unless for 100%. However I never lose of my believe in convincing you when we will have time to live together as a family in near future. I may be your home teacher when you need my help. I am willing to explain on things that make you confuse. I may have something to share with when you reach school age. I may have some lecture to make you a better person through different angles. At the same time, I expect you to become sport awareness as well as an outstanding student at school. Without a single doubt, your mum and I will make sure ourselves to become a good supporter to make your life as high as possible.

We are always disappointing whenever we think of our present family situation that make us separate. We are painfully leaving you there to save some cash so that we could able to provide you a good initiative in your life. Oh dear, without money, we have very little chance to do in our country. We hope you will someday understand it. As our country has no educational insurance for our young child, I decided to open saving account with your name as a part of our loving kindness. We know you may not need it at your age. But we want to assure you that your parent provide you best possible environment within our ability. Your aunty was surprised when I first told her to open bank account. We got our own plan and it is not subject to reveal to everybody. Your mum and I thank you for keeping your health at optimum level. It really make us relax in someway and you deserve our thanks. We hope you will continue to grow as a fit children during your younger days.

Keep good deeds up

MY wife and I thought we are not type of lucky person to the given past experience. Yesterday, we won a lucky draw which come with famous politician MK Naing's painting calendar. The calendar is not expensive but its content invaluable as the paintings printed on calendar were drawn during his prison serving time. To make it more sense, he made auto-sign on the calendar page. When we think a bit, we noticed that this is not first time for us in the one year time frame. It is exactly third time to win though they all are not expensive ones. Anyway, we all appreciate to all items that come free since nothing is free in this world. We sincerely hope the good karma has come and knock at our doors. If there is no effect without reason, there must be something that bring a good karma to our lives. We hope it is nothing but our good deeds and we'll try to keep it up.

My Hesitation

YESTERDAY, I attended Myanmar literature talk show graced by well known artist director U Win Phe and two prominent student leaders. As an artist, U Win Phe has talked about modern art which most of Myanmese misunderstanding nowadays. It was worth listening to his wisdom words. He was opener and tamed us with the flow of art which cover from modern art, literature, painting, etc. It is amazing to see 78 years old artist sang on stage to interact with audience. What a wise man to open his talk by admitting that he also could be wrong in sharing his knowledge though he is in late 70. I'm regret that he seem wasn't given enough time to share his artistic opinion with audience. He however never fail to conclude beautifully by singing both royal age song and American black man's life reflecting song that won people's applauds.

There was less attractive with youngest speaker who is one of student political leader. In the internet age, we are increasingly keep in touch with several literature talk show through online. This make us more quality awareness audience and expect more quality than just above average. He tried to give audience apparent his best. But I am sure audience found it the dull part of the show. Anyway, I have to admit that there were some lesson we got from his sharing prison life experience. I believe that all of audience will not have been prisoner in past time and his sharing of prisoner as a politician tell us on the other way.

The peak, as usual, come latest. He is leader of famous student generation leader. We have familiar with him through media online. But this is first time to see him in person for most of us, if I am not wrong. Since he has spent about half of his life in prison, he has gained ton of harsh experience during his political journey since 1988 famous strike. As expected, he has shared us how it was liked during his difficult time through the artistic angle. He shared it through the angle of humour so that audience could able to laugh rather than sadness. In fact, whatever he shared with us reflect how bad system has killed our young student generation. He not only shared his prison life but current situation in Myanmar. He has made enough home work in native land to collect necessary information through associated arms. People applauded more frequently than previous two speakers as he saying are really reflecting today lives. He has highlighted how Myanmar has been worst and also brings remedy to cure wounded system through civil society organisation. We could able to see his complete honesty in his speeches as well as his willingness to build our country able to breast with other.

I feel again regret to think of why our system ignored such talented young man by putting in prison for just to make their seat stable. I am also sure he is not only one guy who has suffered of wrong system. If it is not for few thousand, I think there would be few hundred of able students being treated unlawfully by former Junta. In politic, I think without honesty, we will not get long term solution. In past to present, our government staffs are too self-centered and covered to protect their interest rather than people's. He at one point highlighted what had happened to Myanmar's educated people in country. He reiterated that Myanmar educated government staffs are too afraid to tell truth that paralyses any form of research to uncover actual condition. He continues it is not only government staffs but private firm's staffs. It is because most of bosses from private firms strongly believe that their sustainable growth must come and realistic only if they are ensure non-politic. This perspective made them sure their employees are not permitted to involve in political activities. What a sad story is it? He however finds resort in unexpected grass root people who are free from both government and private service. They are in fact non-educated lowest layer of Myanmar society. They include taxi drivers, street vendors, tricycle drivers, etc. 

He purely expected educated people to become awareness of politic. It is crystal clear that only middle class educated people can move the system forward effectively. We however sadly those people are trapped in fear of losing jobs and being arrested. Despite recent openness, people's mindset remain unchanged and seem need to take time to get back on track. In order to shrink time, NGO and CSO are acting an important roles in Myanmar nowadays. Without them, our young people will find it difficult to integrate in social welfare movement. When people find a place to gather and make good deeds together, they'll cooperate and persuade their surround people to get involve. He has enlighten some dark cloud over our heads. Despite time is relatively short, he has tried his best to cover all cases that matter most to us today. Unfortunately, he wasn't totally free in the show in order to fulfill the condition of permit. He was able to manage to avoid such famous words and tamed audience to keep focus on the matter he intended to share.

In return home, I am not sorry for him personally. First of all, he was invited to speak in wrong place as he cannot speak specific political terms. It was made worse when organizer announced how hardship they have encountered by this show in term of fund. Repeated announced probably annoyed visiting speakers to aware their plight. It proof right because the famous speaker revealed his feeling when his turn arrive. Of course, it is talked by laughter but we all feel that it wasn't right by MC to say so. It may be some problem for them, but they have to understand that this is not fund-raising show as they claim. If their group's main objective is to share knowledge among fellow citizen, they also have to prepare for non-profiting event if they are about to succeed in the long run. I am sure we audience also feel it wrong as soon as they yearn it on stage. I could imagine how difficult will it take to them as there was some political steak inside. I am regret for the above and this all generally could be labelled my hesitation which is close translated to Burmese "Arr Nar Lite Tar".

Exclusive Interview with Mr Peter Chou (HTC CEO)

Save Clean Atmosphere

CHINA is seeing extraordinary haze blanking on their skies now. Some said it is cost of development process. Anyway, it is unwanted things for all residents. This week, Beijing has seen severe haze experience and the authority has admitted first ever time in public for existing problem. Capital residents have relied on the data released by US embassy to judge the degree of danger from straying haze. The thick smokey sky had made Beijing skyline very hard to see in naked eyes. The authority has urged people to stay at home as well as asked school to skip outdoor program such as flag-raising ceremony at morning. The US embassy has declared that the haze has gone off-chart, i.e unmeasurable and extremely dangerous level.

What this news make me think is that China has to repay for their undisciplined development now. People have become victim of careless master plan. Their government has put extra effort to square off incoming troublesome associated with environment pollution which are mostly due to industrializing. Part of effort is to move manufacturing zone away from populous cities and ban outdated technologies which are not friendly with green environment. I am just worry for if China send their outdated factories to our land as our authority are hungrily looking for FDI to create badly need jobs for our people. There is less chance to resist when such FDI come introduce us nowadays I think. Because we need to develop our nation at fast pace and deeply corruption manner among government officials will make such non-environmental friendly factories get much room to stay. We have already faced environmental problems with China invested big projects now and public anger have been increasingly up against Chinese investment. We could easily see anti-China movement across the country. Only thing that make Chinese firms resort in our land is our uniform changed officials who are widely considered brain washed and corrupted.

If we really love our country, we should not betray toward making decision that will affect our people in long term. New government has been tasted some side effect of their predecessor now and they should take lesson from the existing cases. Last time, we have only China to accept. Now is much different outlook and our official have much list to be selected from across the world. We have to be long-sighted enough if we want to build sustainable economy that will generate a prosperous nation. May our authority able to block risk industrial project that are most likely to come in from our north-eastern neighbor. We should take lesson from China's mistake rather than inherit ate their shit on our own yard. The world is extremely unhealthy and we should do our part by saving our natural resource which is irreplaceable.

First thing first, please

I am appalling to read a news of current parliament section yesterday online. The root of news began on one online article entitled "is parliament above the law?" by Dr Sate Phwar who is most likely to be alien name. Nowadays, people can easily access internet and express their feelings or opinion freely online through social media website like Facebook. Amid a lot unsettled problems existing, one MP pointed out said incident and urged fellow MPs to consider as an important matter to be solved out by setting a commission to claw the author out. It became bad to worse when most of MP agreed with his proposal and continue to proceed as the voting result showed green light. I see it nothing but wasting time.

Time is limited and we are already far behind other countries following few decade military rules. Understandable baby stage democratic government will make inevitably some mistakes as they are lacking necessary experience in debating matters that affect people and country. As a layman, I can imagine there are ton of cases that matter most to our people and nation. MP are supposed to highlight people's plight and draw attention from authority for necessary action. As a republic, people are really powerful to set up government and if MP continue to ignore their wills, they need not compete in next general election. I am sure holding parliament will consume a lot public funds because it need a lot preparation to make meeting smooth. It come heavy cost by the expense of tax payers. As such, they shouldn't waste time in parliament as it is expensive. It is understandable if a handful of MP are ineffective. But yesterday one is upsetting because most of MP agreed with proposal which is very minor. It show lack of human capacity within ruling party and people will make sure not to repeat same mistake by voting them in next election. 

May our MP able to spend precious time meaningfully by debating things that matter most to our people.

Wet Market Lesson

ONE fine Saturday, I went to nearby wet market to buy some groceries and meat. After getting wanted vegetables, I finally approached to a meat stall that sell fresh pork. I queue in and waiting for my turn while looking at display meats. While thinking what part of pork should I buy, the seller asked me what I want to buy saying "do you want to take belly?". I said by pointing at some meat, "give me this one, please". He reiterated by saying "ya lah, this is called belly mah". I just tell him, give me two pieces and turn silent in ashamed.

I really didn't know how to call it properly. What a pity I am. The vendor taught me a lesson not to stay carelessly around. We are usually take care of things we really need to know in daily life. Some seem less important to us and we easily ignore them. In fact, the most fundamental things in life are the basis thing to survive in daily life. In other words, my English is not healthy enough. Since that incident, I carefully see the label of meats on shelf whenever I visit to NTUC outlets. I notice that there are a lot food related items I don't know in English name. But they are really familiar to our daily cookery. Today, I read one NTUC advertisement on newspaper for CNY promotion sale. It remind me recent incident that make me ashamed and again I try to memorize some sort of pork. I counted at one after another:-

Belly

Lean

Ribs

Minced

So long as we are conscious, everywhere is classroom. I am taking these vocabulary on the way to office on board train. I am hopeful that I will go wet market and order in confident next time. Life itself is a school and we all are enrolled at this school for ever.

CNY plight

CNY holiday is in the pipeline and less than a month away now. As we plan not to go back homeland this year, we wish to spend our long holidays out of lion city. But it is easier said to find a budget holiday destination than getting one worth for our dollars. Everyday my colleagues and I tell about holiday plan, changing one place after another but ending the day with nothing. As CNY holidays are peak time for world's travellers and it is going to be busy week for transport companies as well as agent, there is no longer promotion offer for both flight tickets and hotel rooms. This effectively make our plan swayed from original intention.

My friends and I want to find an economical place within region. It is mission impossible for those who are not early birds. In fact, it is boring to spend week long holiday in the HDB room and I am still hopeful of finding a place. This experience make me learn a lesson to prepare in advance for any travelling plan. As my sisters and daughter will come visit in coming April, we intend to go somewhere for family holiday. I will have to book flight ticket and hotel rooms as early as possible if I am about to find cheap. Otherwise it would be disappointing again within few month frame. As form of rewarding ourselves, my wife and I wish to travel before we return homeland for permanent basis. As time ticking forward always, our chance to enjoy travelling moment are pushed away by time. Hopefully I will find a suitable place to go in upcoming CNY holiday soonest possible.

Overrunner Thought

THE time has come for QS to do over runner report to senior management. Over runner mean those projects which cannot be done in the time frame of preceding year and we have to estimate the balance amount to be done in following year. This is part of year end report from the series of several form of reports. First in my 5 years service, I have seen very less number of projects have been estimated for over runner report for year 2013. It is not good sign for a company to see less projects in running list. It can destroy the hope of employees to get year end bonus indeed. Understandable that how do we expect to get bonus while business is not doing well.

Some site workers are allowed to take unpaid leaves as an attempt of offsetting headcount. Fortunately, QS are usually busy when we have less project by chasing tenders. As a sole QS who does tender calculation, I have some relief from being retrenched. Meanwhile, less service junior my fellow citizen QS feel some kind of heat with the less jobs. Given turnover, our company is big enough to run about 15 projects simultaneously. However, this new year had seen a handful of projects only that worry us considerably. As a result, some PM and PE are being deployed to the same project to keep them alive. The global economy trend is not so good as well and it affect republic's economy for sure. The government is trying to save industries by introducing several big government projects, at least for a short term. But it is not easy task for a tiny island like Singapore if they cannot find a sustainable solution.

We came to work and doing less things this time. We sometime feel betrayed as we pretend working in front of computer with standby mode only. In fact, everybody is in the same condition and understand each other. I luckily able to involve in tender team which is the busiest department during difficult time. We used to drag and complain when we got busy time. I think, busying at job is better than nothing to do at work because it can build up our esteem and hard working earn other respect. More importantly we could able to feel that our jobs are more secured when the company is doing well. Since we are paid for work, we may not fulfill our obligation when jobs are fly away from us. Let us hope the jobs will come us sooner than later in this new year 2013. 

Another 24 months to dig

TODAY, my application for work pass renewal has been approved in principle through online check. Amidst of foreign worker related news, there were certain degree of anxiety during process time. Despite we keep saying how bad some locals people are towards foreign workers, we are visibly unable to overturn reliant on this tiny island. In other words, I am allowed to work in this metropolitan city. To be pessimist, my island arrest has been extended to another 24 months. Alternatively, returning home is moved to another two years time. Anyway, I have to admit that I cannot return at the moment and wanted to continue work in the most developed country of ASEAN region.

I think, I am not getting ready to return home. We tentatively set time to go home for when our daughter reach school age which is 5 years in our nation. As my daughter is 2.5 years now, perhaps I could able to return home in another couple years time. We have to save amap and try to fulfill our dream come true. Hopefully our country will be quite different in another two years time to the given reform minded situation. And looking forward there would be enough jobs to be given out when we return home. It would be another zero setting by the time we go back homeland. As we have compiled considerable working experience and some saving, perhaps we may opt to establish private business to the area of our excel. It is always our dream to run private business regardless of small or medium. In the same time, we'll try to pursue a possible partner to start a business when we get back home. For the time being, I have to devote my time for my current employer to move forward. 

Wish the year 2013 & 2014 will bring some prosperity for my company and colleagues.

Aesthetic of Freedom

THE first moment I see advertisement for this literature talk show, I can't stop my mind to attend the show as leading speaker is one of my admired artist from Myanmar. I used to familiar with him through famous radio program of BBC. I never seen him before but I can sense his wisdom. He aired through BBC program to share his knowledge to younger generation. His topic are very wide range. But all of them able to think me of worth to listen. He is artist, director, musician and came from a artist family background. Unfortunately, he became exile to our outgoing Junta. He recently came back to mother land from US following ease of blacklist by newly civilian government. I just simply cannot understand why our old government think of his as their enemy. It is much lose to our nation. He was once a principal to Myanmar's famous artistic school in upper Burmese. The advertisement pasted my eyes to happy understanding he is finally come to lion city in person to share his definition of freedom.

Look beautiful title of upcoming literature talk show. I am sure this title come by his initiative. The other speakers are also well known student leaders from 88 generation. One of them is quite well known back home land. Also first time opportunity to see him in person. I don't see expensive to attend the show. I am always disappointing to learn that some of my friends see this S$15/20 per head expensive. We should not value their life-time experience through wisdom lens. I think most of those who said expensive will happily buy S$50 adult for copycat Myanmar heavy rock band. I try to persuade them what should be valued and what should not be valued in life. Some claimed that they can watch online free after literature talk show almost instantly. I ask them to imagine if everybody think that way, there would be no organizer to make such show happen in lion city. If no organizer, we have no chance to listen such remarkable person's knowledge sharing. In fact, literature talk show is one of our custom that we should appreciate. In other countries in the region, they have no such thing to share knowledge within their society. What a grand society is it to show that we are such people that come from knowledge emphasis society. By this way, we can pull back our country's hidden profile amid international communities. 

Please support the literature talk show by buying a ticket. By doing so, at least you are doing your obligation to keep alive such good initiative. Because knowledge is only the way that can narrow the gap between first and third world countries. Hope you agree with me.

Office Harmony

AS a quantity surveyor, it is inseparable between account and qs work. QS prepared claims and certificates to subcon, account staffs have to follow up with tax invoice or paying cheques to subcon. At the same time, account department is receiving tax invoices from our clients or main contractors for some form of contra and work relative debit notes. They will straight forward to QS to countercheck the invoice amount before we make necessary payment. As a part of QS duties, we have to check all incoming bills and response accordingly. Account will stamp on incoming invoice before passing to QS so that QS & other person involved able to sign to acknowledge for charges. The problem come there. I used to return account after checking invoice and sign on it. 

But lazy account claimed us to get PM's signature before passing back to them. I straight away reply them that there is no guideline requiring QS to get PM signature. If account want to get all superior signature, they can pursue them within premise of the office, I think. There is no technical term involved in getting signature. Mostly, PM easily sign if respective QS has signed to show their approval. I personal think that those contra bills which are concrete and rebar supply should be checked by account. They are the ones who keep original DOs during work in progress. Once I enquired why account keep them, one of them answered that they need to match incoming invoice with original DO as a part of account's staff duty. But they want to make their work easy at the expense of QS. 

They know QS are the most vulnerable within the ranks and we are always victims of their abusive manner. I am only one QS that always fight back by email for justice. Account head will turn to our head if she cannot continue to say and eventually we are always at the lose end. Because our head seem do not want to go against her. Unfortunately, all QS are Myanmese and the locals thinks they are always superiors regardless of situation. When I fight back, I would be rated as not obedient guy. Nonetheless, I keep distracting them by email reply to all superiors. Sometime, I feel that we are easily bullied by them. We have a lot things to be done which is suppose to be done on time. What make me upset is our head never stand by us. He'll easily issue instruction to follow account's people's will. What can I do then? Nothing but follow. There is one sentence our head always refer to, "for office harmony". I am helpless but smiling at words.

Sick Week

LAST week, my wife was unwell for a few days. After taking one day mc, she hesitated to take two continuous days mc to the the given busy schedule at work. On Wednesday, she collapsed on underground train on the way to office. This is not first time for her to experience such experience. On unwell days, I got to standby with my mobile not to make any miscall in the event she needs my help emergency. I need to call her frequently to check her condition especially on such sick days. As her sick got extended days, it appear to infect me later thought it is not serious. I tried to take kitchen duties while she is sick. In oversea, we got to take care each other while one in need. Later days in last week, I became more serious then her. She again look after me. However, I keep going to work despite my wife told me to rest. My own discipline is that I won't take mc if I can wake up on the morning.

Knowing what kind of medicine the Singapore doctors are going to give me when I visit them on sick, I take extra tablets myself and keep working. It was my turn that extend my sicken days with usual medicine. It seem relief on the morning and sick on the evening after work. The whole day I need to wear jacket at work to keep my body warm under chilly office temperature. I sometime disappointing myself for too soft. I am not a smoker nor teetotaler. But I think I am not as fit as those who do all those stuffs. Let it be. I can't choose with what the God give us individually. I have to customize myself to maintain my health at optimum. Given situation, yesterday flat headache make me unable to sleep over night. I am feeling weak but going to work. I feel some pain at brain but no muscle-ache considerably. I am sick and tired of taking medicine and skip off taking them despite not fully recover. Sometime, I take at night before I go to bed only. I can't afford to ignore my health I have responsibility to look after our daughter. I remind myself very often especially when I went down.

May all being able to free from sicken days.

Flat Headache

IT has been existing in my mind to rent the whole flat since a year ago. Our little daughter visit us in every summer and we intended to provide her a spacious and free playground at home. It is our desire. In reality, renting a flat is easier said than done. There are a lot responsibility attached with it. It is inevitable and we got to solve it out. My wife sometime will blame me for continuous failing to fulfill my verbal promise. Sometime I could able to convince her through financial lens while I failed on the occasion when she is aggressive.

A year seem so fast to us. Now another summer is in the corner and the fever of renting flat come again in us. This year seem more urgent to us for additional two reasons. First, our flat-leading couple has been in their first pregnant which is due on coming April. Second is more important that my mother-in-law will come visit us together with our daughter. As our daughter need to be accompanied by her familiar aunty who perfectly knows about her to look after full time. Plus, one of my elder sister is determined to visit us this year and we don't want to postpone her dream to fly abroad this time. Hence, the scenario become group of visitor will come this summer. Together this fact urged us to hire entire flat to smooth their visit here.

First thing first. When it come to mind to rent a flat, need to try to persuade possible close friends to stay at our newly rented flat. Because we don't want to risk paying more money for emptied rooms, of which we rented. Initially, some of my friends encouraged us to go ahead but it is not as active as we are. As they know renting entire flat will lead them paying some more money in lieu of a bit more freedom. In fact, I cannot say of more freedom because as I said before, there are attached responsibilities. Further, every year need to find a new nest if the landloard terminate contract or we can't pay increase rate. Following cancellation of my parent-in-law's visit, we slowed down our plan to rent entired flat. My wife apparent to listen this time because she knows we can easily survive in current room with our daughter + sisters. Definitely it will save us few hundreds dollars every month.

Yesterday, one of our close friend informed us a news of good opportunity to rent a flat. She sms us a contact number of landlord and I gave a call to owner to question some. Following smooth chatting, my wife and I went her flat to check physical condition. In short, we loved condition of flat as well as negotiated rent fees at the end of visit. Make appointment for tomorrow to formally apply to authority for temporary occupier. After return from flat visit, I talked with my friends who have shown their interest to stay with us only to understand they are not willing to. However, there are existing occupiers in the common rooms who are willing to continue if we want. I tentatively agreed with owner to continue with some increased rate. But there is indeed some uncomfortable things in my mind which make my already weak body deteriorate. I am a type of person who easily worry. My wife seem happy with the matter by talking her friends through mobile. For me keep thinking of possible challenges not only finding the right occupier but other numerous associated things. These all unnecessary worrisome make me unsleepable d whole night.

At morning, my wife complained of cannot sleep well. Asking if it is because of flat, she said no immediately. I told her the same but for flat awareness. She consoled me that we yet to pay deposit and signed nothing. Why should I worry while we could step back. Yes, she is absolutely right but I feel ashamed for not able to handle the things which is a good deal. I asked myself if I dislike to take responsibilities almost the whole night. I know exactly that my major concern is have to spend more for triple digit dollar sum per month. We could save them and spend in more meaningful ways. Do we really need to have spacious master-bed room to comfort our life, I asked myself again. Answer is "No", to me. Just before my wife go out for office, I asked her if she really wanted to live in that new flat. She replied me as usual, "up to you", I am okay with any option. Hmmmm, I knew she will say that way to relax me. 

I can't get rid of thinking about this flat whether release or grab opportunity. I consulted with respective friend about the matter. He said, there are certain risks in renting a flat but my deal seem good to his personal experience. He highlighted some do and don't when I go through contract procedure as well as hunting a flatmates. I really appreciated his advice and hang up. At office, I told the matter to my colleagues and all are encouraging me to continue. Again, it is easier to encourage somebody than taking full responsibilities. I am suppose to go to flat owner this evening. She will definitely ask me deposit tonight. I have little time to consider the matter. At 10:00am, I called her and cancelled today appointment for certain reason which is acceptable to her. Definitely I lied her but it is white lie. I thanks her for understanding me while requesting me to pass the message to my friends if there is some interest. I again promised her to distribute the message amidst my social cycle. Almost immediately, I write a note on my Facebook wall to advertise her flat to increase the chance. I feel friendly with them within a relatively time. I know they gave me a rental rate which is lower than market price. What the matter is I don't want to take extra responsibilities which is presumed unnecessary for immigrant workers who come work for saving money. Anyway, some of you might have the last laugh for my defending. I'll delightfully accept your critic regardless of positive or negative.

May all of my compatriots able to find a place that is temporarily called home with reasonable price while they are working abroad.