Why make things so difficult.

Looks like Steven Tan is bent on cramping down on me. I have to take his hats off. He even get Jonathan Hung to speak to me on that. Looks like no stocks and games for me for the next 2 weeks.

Char Keow Teow - Project Analogy

Requirements - You want a plate of Char Keow Teow.
Engineering Process - How u fry the char Keow Teow? -No need block diagram & prototype. Just need to draw out the scenario.

Getting extra resources - How about getting TP students? -Won't work as TP will keep their best students.

Financing - When customer is ready to commit $5 million to the project, we can hire more resources.

Can fail? - Cannot but must show something by June in ready for World City Show in July.

This is not a school project and CAE is not all about trade show.

Rewards for my hardwork

I would have to think all these years my perserverance to work very hard and learn all these technical things have paid off. I am landed with a job that allows me to excel and work on these areas. People may have their own opinion but I stick with my principles. Nothing comes easy in this world. Just yesterday, I sit down and explain the software architecure with YH. Guess what, I enjoyed every minute of it and immediately I know I should do something I will enjoy in my next endeavour.

People ask me how I manage to have 2 private houses and 1 continental car. I told them my wife and I don't earn alot. In fact, we can't even meet the minimum household income in order to buy an EC. I told them I work very hard, nothing comes easy. I teach extra night classes and I save alot during my ITE days despite the long distance home which lasts about 1-1.5 hours. These were the days when I don't have any car on my own.

I also take risks. I remember I only have $2500 in my bank 3 years ago when me and my wife dump all savings onto our first private. We surrender all our life insurance policy in order to make the shortfall. We move in to my inlaws after renting out our HDB flat. Everything happened in a wink of an eye. In fact, after finishing 3 years of rent, we reluctantly sold our HDB and has completed the transaction just this month. It is never a good feeling to sell your property but life have to go on.

Immediately after we sold our HDB, we bought another private despite people telling us that property prices will be down due to europe woes and various economical problems. Even before taking the HDB option fee, we manage to mussle $90k to book the Treeline. We have gone through some saga when we are getting both the Treeline's loan and Ambra's refinancing. As part of risk management, we changed both loans to fixed interest rate. As a result, we are paying alittle bit more but it enables us to sleep peacefully. Ultimately, property is the safest investment in singapore and overtime it will appreciate in value over time.

2 years ago, I joined CAE from ITE which is a lucky break for me. I was attached to it during my holidays, I impressed Brian and was proached from ITE to join as Team Lead. It was a struggle in the first period, I have to fought off critics and refuse to join in the gossiping. I worked very hard and finished SMRT and NMSC. I was intending to work there for 2 years to gain exposure. After Adrian & Brian left, I tried franctically to find a job but to no avail. Thoughts of joining the wrong company comes into my mind. Just when things looks doom, I have 3 jobs offer. The one I will be joining is a promotion for all the hard works I have inputed these 2 years. It was a lucky break, the agency shortlist me for software engineer but hiring manager wants me as technical manager. What I have to say is when things don't happen, just dig in and prepare for the next oppportunity. People gave up too easily and are ever ready to accept the mediocre life they are stuck with. I am ambitious, I want to achieve! Guess now is the time I put some colors into my career, if I ever have. It may sounds weird, I have chosen a job that pays lower than the initial one because of JOB SCOPE and STABILITY. After all, age is catching up with me, I can't do programming when I am 40s and I need that job security to finance my properties. The only regret is I willput Brian in a spot if I reject his company's offer.

My next aim for the year is to find new job for Fiona and firming up Ambra's will.

Meanwhile, I am looking forward to holidays in Genting and Taiwan before I start my next job. I have succeeded in all areas except the stock market. I think I just take a long break and enjoy my holidays.

When everything seems calm, suddenly..

Today Treeline tenant called Stephen that he is terminating the contract with effect from end April. We were shocked and have consulted the lawyer on how to do it. We have 2 options: a) Sue the tenant b) Forfeit the deposit and find new tenant. But sueing the tenant will involve a lot of technicalities and may even complicate things if tenant choose to flee from Singapore. Hopefully, everything falls into places before 1st June. It may well turn out to be a blessing in disguise, as I will be forfeiting the 2 months deposit and may get higher rent instead.

Its not right to play game & stock when u have already resigned?

What you expect me to do when I have already tendered my resignation? Do my work when there are no projects?

I was threatened by Steven what someone suggested gathering everyone in meeting room and sack me in front but according to him, he had played the good guy by talking to me privately. I told Steven that I have done my best for CAE and not there to make friends and gossip. The more I think of it, I more I think is Steven who made up the story and pretend to be the good guy. The same thing happens when I didn't text him when I was seeing doctor. He scolded me and then pretend to help me claim the medical costs. That is call trying to be a good & bad guy at the same time.

I was fed-up with this 52 years old with a mentally of a kid. How can a engineering director know noops about the technicality of the projects and didn't even want to put in effort to understand the past projects.

Probably it reinforced my decision to leave the sinking ship. I don't will to align myself with actors and gossipers. Sometimes, I wish I would have stay in 5th floor doing SMRT/NMSC project with Desmond, arguably the most hardworking engineer I have ever seen. It was free from all these distractions.

What another interview request!!

Apparently, more & more people ask me. Another airline company that can pay up to 6k meaning if I reject GE, I can still get this kind of pay elsewhere!!

Its seems that the mass exodus of students to the supposedly greener pasture in banking & finance is leaving gaps to be filled in the Engineering field.

Technical Manager or Engineer?

Yesterday STE call me to offer me a pay that is much lower than what I will be getting in GE. My mind says accept GE's offer while my heart says accept STE. It is something that I love to do and I think it will pave the way for jobs like like this to come along:

My wife would give me a bashing if I reject GE. After all it is one of the best companies around and it offers one of best benefits.

This is ironical. In GE, I will demoted but getting much higher pay. In STE, I will be promoted but getting lower pay.

Resignation Saga

I received an email from this NEC's agent saying what I am released from CAE on 9th March 2012. Suddenly, I was enlightened. It was him that ask Steven for a testimonial in order to sabotage me! I decided to ignore this email for it doesn't matter anymore also.

Little wonder that Steven give me a hostile attitude when I first gave him the resignation letter. It was after much explanation that Steven changed his attitude and accepted my decision. I have came to a conclusion that Steven is a bit petty and earlight. That's doesn't matters also. I have accepted a better job and waiting for another offer to come back.

Thanks CAE!

Unconventional Resignation Method

Finally, I submitted my resignation to CAE. Ironically is not by traditional way but by emailing my boss because he is not around. I will submit my letter to him on monday.

Think I need a rest

Eversince the start of year, it has being hectic. Milestone events to date:
a) Prepare HDB for sale.
b) HDB Sold
c) Prepare money to buy Treeline
d) Loan acquiring
e) Refinance Ambra
f) Being through multiple interviews
g) Got a new Job.

Will you buy a 5rm HDB for 900k?

This may sound ridiculous but it has happened. Like it or not, cheap resale HDB is close to none now. We may be edging towards our first million HDB.

If HDB is 1 million, EC should be priced close to this & Private should be at least 1.5 million.

Choice is self made

I wrote an email to this agency to reject the NEC's offer. Expectedly, he called to use my words to argue against me, I was so frustrated that I hang the phone. I think I make the right decision in rejecting him given what has unfolded.

Another door opens for me, when STE's manager tries to meet me near my workplace. It seems that they are desperate for people. Now waiting for them to arrange to meet the CTO.