R.I.F.

It's not R.I.P. (Rest In Peace) but it's not too far from it...

R.I.F = Reduce In Force
Layman term will be retrenchment...

My company just announced another round of retrenchment yesterday. 10% of the force will be reduced. To date, near to 25% in total.

Not that I survived again, just that our Singapore office is going to execute the "cut" in a later date. Well... maybe in a week or two. That could be just before or during my Korea trip in mid April. Hmmm... Hack it anyway. I'm well-prepared for the extra "bonus" (or retrenchment package). Am I??

When my company announced last quarter on the need to go for forced leaves this coming quarter, my first reaction was "Wow... things are really bad". The forced leaves effectively reduced our working days to 4 days per week. But later I realized that I'm actually looking forward for such breaks. The willingness to go for an oversea trip when my wife suggested was a good indication.

I'm looking forward to do some of the things I did not got the chances to do now.
Like go swimming and sun-tanning at off-peak hours... play computer games... do some exercise to lose some weight... play soccer! Well... some of these stuffs could have been done at the current situation, but perhaps I need more spare times before I get my butt off to do so... :p

If I'm been retrenched, I could even turn "full-time" for a while. Hmmm... not too bad of an idea provided I can get a job few months down the road.

Buying car is still part of my plan during such situation (too risky?).
I gave a thought earlier and came out with 3 reasons for getting a car...

1) Quality of Life
Working so hard to earn $$$ but leaving the $$$ in the bank. Issn't work all about making life better?!?

2) Family Bond
I found that after selling off my old car, I spent less time with my family. I travelled less to my bro's place to see my niece. I found travelling to my in-laws place more tiring. These negative impacts do not help in enhancing my family bondings...

3) Work Requirement
My work requires me to visit customers at times. Without a car, I had became less keen to visit my customers which is rather unhealthy.

So... if I'm retrenched, only Factor#3 will be eliminated while Factor #1 and #2 still form the basic reasons why I want to get a car. Reasonable?

Picture will be clearer in the next 1~2 weeks... or 1~2 years?!??

台灣游 (Taiwan Trip) Part IV - Food

Some of the food we tried in Taiwan...


Steamboat! Similar to what we have in Singapore, just that the container is different and they used liquid fuse (instead of gas) to keep the soup hot.

Nice scenery while having a bowl of desserts... :)

Betel nuts! Have to try it when in Taiwan, right! Only sad thing was I did not have the chance to purchase them from 檳榔西施... :(

After taste... errr... I dun think I will try this again... -_-'''

Fear Factor 1?!? Actually taste alright. :p

Bamboo rice... Tried this at HuaLian.

Super tall ice-cream for just NT$10?!

Fear Factor 2?! This I did not try though... Different degree of spicy. Dare?

Fear Factor 3?! Sausage anyone?

Go Fly Kite!

How would you react when people tell you "Go fly kite!" ??

Ha... bet you will feel a bit pissed off? Ha...

You shouldn't if you are been told at Riverside, Singapore.

I was in Clarke Quay on Friday when I came across the "GoFlyKite" shop. The shop sells remote controlled kites and also provides training, services and storage. I had previously seen people playing this "kite" before. I have to say that it's pretty cool especially during night!!

A nice surprise for me was that I just realized this product is actually originated from Singapore!

I had a chat with the owner of the shop. Very friendly guy and very willing to help and share.

If you are looking for a new hobby, you can definitiely check this out!

You can find out more and get to see what is it all about in their website! Cool!

http://www.goflykite.com/

Go! Go fly some kites!! ;p

台灣游 (Taiwan Trip) Part III - Scenic Photos

Photos taken during January Taiwan trip...

We went to Yang Ming Shan on our own... My wife and I were freezing given the clothing we were wearing. Ha... we underestimated (or rather not prepared for) the cold weather. It was near to zero degree there the day before we went. Mountainous and strong winds... just imagine that... -_-'''

Someone actually asked me "You are just wearing this to come here?!?"


We were at SiaoYouKeng (some volcanic area with lot of steam and sulfur)
Scene from pavilion on top of a hill. Rays of "hope"? ha...
CingTiangGang, another part of YangMingShan. We had to take a bus ride to reach there. The view from the open plain area was so relaxing... but it was the most windy and of course coldest! If not for the weather I would probably take a nap there on the grass patches! :p
Endless mountain track...
Nice sunset view with reflection on the river... Initially I thought that was lava?!!
We took a 1-day tour to HuaLian where we went Taroko National Park.
How Man looked so insignificant in the eye of Nature...?
Looks familiar?? Indiana Jones...??
Road is created by Man... If there is a will, there will be a way... ;)
Back in Taipei. Visited DanShui. Hmmm... Wife booked a Korea trip for next month, so hopeful have more nice photos coming up...

2nd oversea in the space of 4 months?!? Downturn?!? What downturn?!!?! :(
Hole in my pocket... :(

5 Year Award

Time flies...

I just received my 5 year service award from my new boss last week.
Well... I wouldn't say it was like "yesterday" kind of stuff, cos it does feel like it has been a while.

I remembered when I just joined this company, I said "I will be in this company for at least 5 years. And eventually if I leave, it might not be up to me (retrench?)" Which looks very real today. Good predict huh. :p

My previous job, I foresee I will stay for 2 years. I left in 1.5 years which is not too far off as well.

In recent time, I seem to gain back a bit of momentum to work as compared to 1~2 months ago when I felt totally restless. Suddenly realized I will have problem in getting a new job in current situation?? Or never seem to kana lottery?? Or I suddenly love my semicon job again?? Need $$$ to buy car?? Or because of new boss?? Or.......??

Could be a bit of all. Need to give further thoughts about it and... perhaps for the next 5 year plan as well...

10 year service award?!?! :(

League Cup Final Defeat...

Winner of last year League Cup... but it is agonizing this season...

Spurs lost to Man Utd in a tight Cup final.

0-0 at full time...

Went to penalty shootout when score remains 0-0 after extra time.

Spurs lost 1-4 in the shootout... :(