Maybe can save for a pair of Pedro shoes soon :-)
Wednesday, January 31
Charles and Keith Visit
Decided to post our Charles and Keith's visit photos online. Was quite impressed that they actually finished the showroom on the day of our visit.
Maybe can save for a pair of Pedro shoes soon :-)
Maybe can save for a pair of Pedro shoes soon :-)
Post course Withdrawal Syndrome
Am currently suffering from post-course withdrawal syndrome. It's been three days back at work since my two week course and it has not been easy thus far. All my coursemates have also been suffering from the same syndrome. Work seems to be coming in non-stop :-(
Have to look forward to the weekend and Superbowl on the following Monday. Bears vs. Colts!
Have to look forward to the weekend and Superbowl on the following Monday. Bears vs. Colts!
Saturday, January 27
Charles and Keith
Part of my course was also to learn more about entrepreneurship and how as civil servants we can provide a conducive environment for such people to flourish. Thus our visit to Charles & Keith, a local women's shoes retailer who has done very well internationally.
We actually manage to meet the brothers Charles and Keith. Both of them were young and already so successful. They told us about their story and it was really a rags to riches story. They started by helping their mum at a shop at AMK in the early 90s (incidentally the shop was near the OCBC bank in AMK). They then decided to develop their own brand and started at Amara. Their business multipled exponentially and thus far they have more than 50 shops all ard the world.
What struck me most is their humility. They told us that they did not do well in school and thus had decided to strike out on their own in the business world. They were very sincere about our visit and in fact they rush to finish their showroom at their new HQ for our course.
Their next step is actually to go into the men's market. That is where the brand PEDRO is from. Too bad we did not get any discounts or loyalty cards from them. We did get both Charles and Keith's namecards, so hopefully that will count for something. :p Anyone want to buy new shoes?
We actually manage to meet the brothers Charles and Keith. Both of them were young and already so successful. They told us about their story and it was really a rags to riches story. They started by helping their mum at a shop at AMK in the early 90s (incidentally the shop was near the OCBC bank in AMK). They then decided to develop their own brand and started at Amara. Their business multipled exponentially and thus far they have more than 50 shops all ard the world.
What struck me most is their humility. They told us that they did not do well in school and thus had decided to strike out on their own in the business world. They were very sincere about our visit and in fact they rush to finish their showroom at their new HQ for our course.
Their next step is actually to go into the men's market. That is where the brand PEDRO is from. Too bad we did not get any discounts or loyalty cards from them. We did get both Charles and Keith's namecards, so hopefully that will count for something. :p Anyone want to buy new shoes?
Focus Adventure
Just found some of the photos for the teambuilding adventure that I attended last Monday.
Mousetrap Tower
Group Photo
Mousetrap Tower
Group Photo
Wednesday, January 24
Next President of United States of America
My friends - meet the future of America's Democratic Party - Barack Hussein Obama. Bornt to a mixed marriage, Mr Obama is sweeping America's off their feet.
Mr Obama is young and charismatic and had just declare his interest for the United States Presidency. He is still an unknown as he had only 2 years in the Senate so far but his support is gaining strength.
Just watch this video to see his declaration speech (watch out for the twist at the end)
Enjoy!
Sunday, January 21
2-week break from work
I must say I am quite fortunate. I am currently on a 2-week course called the "Executive Development Course" It brings together various people from the different government agencies to learn more of civil service as a whole and to understand the key challenges facing it in the future.
First day of the course was fun as it was a team-building day at Sentosa. The activities were facilitated by Focus Adventure and they were very good especially the facilitators. Most of the teams were indoors as it was raining quite heavily. One of the more interesting game is confidence building game through mousetrap. Not many people would know how to set up one and it was really quite a painful experience. We were then supposed to build a tower consisting of the "activated" mousetrap. Our team managed to 12 levels!
The next 4 days were mostly lesson-based with some discussions in between. One more week to go before going back to work!
Really must enjoy this week!
First day of the course was fun as it was a team-building day at Sentosa. The activities were facilitated by Focus Adventure and they were very good especially the facilitators. Most of the teams were indoors as it was raining quite heavily. One of the more interesting game is confidence building game through mousetrap. Not many people would know how to set up one and it was really quite a painful experience. We were then supposed to build a tower consisting of the "activated" mousetrap. Our team managed to 12 levels!
The next 4 days were mostly lesson-based with some discussions in between. One more week to go before going back to work!
Really must enjoy this week!
Wednesday, January 10
Crazy Week at Work
Have been crazy at work since the new year. Bosses returning after their holidays and decided to add more stuff to do.
It has not help that I am bogged down with so much problems as well.
Anyway, not really concerned anymore. Am on course for the next 2 weeks. Looking forward to that.
It has not help that I am bogged down with so much problems as well.
Anyway, not really concerned anymore. Am on course for the next 2 weeks. Looking forward to that.
End of College Football Season
Yup, it's the end of the College Football season in US. Unfortunately, Michigan did not produce the goods and were soundly beaten by USC by a score of 38-18. It was a disappointing end to such a incredible season. Again 2 losses in the final 2 games for the third year in the row. Next year, quite a few of the class will be graduating. Will have to hope that suitable replacements will be found.
On a similar note, Ohio State Buckeyes were thrashed by the Florida Gators (famous for Gatorade). The professional NFL season is coming up to the exciting part...Superbowl in 4th of Feb. Time to apply for leave.
On a similar note, Ohio State Buckeyes were thrashed by the Florida Gators (famous for Gatorade). The professional NFL season is coming up to the exciting part...Superbowl in 4th of Feb. Time to apply for leave.
Sunday, January 7
Botak Jones
Finally went to try the famous Botak Jones over the weekend. Have been hearing so much about it and never had the chance to try it. The good thing is that it is right near my place in AMK. Actually pretty near where my grandmum used to stay at Blk 608 Ang Mo Kio Ave 5. The coffee shop looks pretty ordinary but the fragrance of western food soon overwhelmed you.
I was expecting a long queue and so I went at about 5.30pm. The coffeeshop was already rather crowded and it was not long before the queue started building up. Managed to place our orders before the queue started and we had to wait a staggering 30 to 45 minutes.
For the records, we ordered the botak burgers and the cajun chicken. The burger was rather ordinary and rather tasteless. The cajun chicken was good. Well grilled and tender. The good thing was also the cajun fries and the servings were huge. Thus for about 5 bucks, you get quite a decent serving. May try the other stuff on the menu soon...
PS: Personally there is another western food stall that I like and that is at Crawford Lane (just behind the ICA Building at Lavendar). It's variety are really good and they have some weird serving such as Maryland Chicken, etc. The food is also very cheap. Next to the same western food stall is the famous Hill Street Bak Chor Mee (previously at Marina Square). The queue there is also ridiculous!
I was expecting a long queue and so I went at about 5.30pm. The coffeeshop was already rather crowded and it was not long before the queue started building up. Managed to place our orders before the queue started and we had to wait a staggering 30 to 45 minutes.
For the records, we ordered the botak burgers and the cajun chicken. The burger was rather ordinary and rather tasteless. The cajun chicken was good. Well grilled and tender. The good thing was also the cajun fries and the servings were huge. Thus for about 5 bucks, you get quite a decent serving. May try the other stuff on the menu soon...
PS: Personally there is another western food stall that I like and that is at Crawford Lane (just behind the ICA Building at Lavendar). It's variety are really good and they have some weird serving such as Maryland Chicken, etc. The food is also very cheap. Next to the same western food stall is the famous Hill Street Bak Chor Mee (previously at Marina Square). The queue there is also ridiculous!
Kyushu
Decided not to do a detailed write-up for my Kyushu trip. For detailed breakdown of our trip, you can visit mf's blog: http://gnoofyem.blogspot.com/
I have posted my photos at the following weblink: http://cheewing.multiply.com/photos/album/16?mark_read=cheewing:photos:16
Comments are welcome pls
PS: Yes, I do snore :p
I have posted my photos at the following weblink: http://cheewing.multiply.com/photos/album/16?mark_read=cheewing:photos:16
Comments are welcome pls
PS: Yes, I do snore :p
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