2009 – The Year In Review

I decided to do my yearly review early this year, as it has been an eventful year with many things and events happening to me in this year. In fact, I would call this a roller coaster year, just like the economy in the Year 2009. I am just afraid that I may not be able to write this on 31 December, as I would be counting down to Year 2010 with my friends. I will not be mentioning some names for some reasons as I write about some things or events as I certainly do not wish to invite nasty comments or unnecessary comments on my blog, although I believe that since it is my blog, I am free to write whatever I want.

ACCA

This was the year where I decided to take a break from my studies as I have not been able to clear my Professional Stage papers since starting the stage about 2 years ago. It has been demoralising to say that I have not been dong as well as I have hoped, despite putting in, what I considered to be my best effort. Some friends have been supportive of me taking this break, as they felt that I needed it, whereas my mum and someone whom I used to consider as a long-time close friend, was not in favour of it. It did not bother me anyway as I felt that I needed to break free from the clutches of ACCA for a while and re-evaluate my priorities.

The break certainly allowed me to explore new ways to restore my low confidence, as my mum suggested that I could take up psychology or counselling courses to allow me to understand people around me better. In fact, my mum took the plunge this year to be a volunteer consuellor. I am glad that I am able to pick up a lot of pointers from her through her learning experience. As her son, I am happy for her that she has come so far in this course as it is certainly a welcome diversion from her job, which had not been smooth sailing in this year.

I also got to find out more about the ACCA marking scheme and the Oxford Brookes Degree that the ACCA is tied up to. The knowledge of the marking scheme and methods have made me wonder if I had made the right choice four years ago to start on this major study investment, as it appears that it is getting harder and harder to pass with the low passing rates hovering at 20% to 30%. The Oxford Brookes Degree will be hard to obtain for me, as I will definitely have problems finding a mentor to conduct interviews about the progress of the project, let alone sign off the project. Anyway, one of my classmates have said that the degree will not be of that much of use as it is not really that recognised.

The thought of switching to CPA Australia did cross my mind, after I heard from a colleague that the passing rate is better. I agreed with his analysis that the fees are on the high side for the ACCA qualification, and you certainly still need to pay for your qualification after your graduation. Maybe this is an option that I could consider should I fail to make it for the coming round, in which I have registered for the Professional Accountant class with my KTV buddy, Jonathan at a new location, SAA City Campus. Who knows, the new environment, a new lecturer with a new teaching method may do wonders to my grades. What’s more, all these are achieved at a lower cost as the fees are about $100 cheaper.

Work

The break from study meant that I could put more attention on my job, which has been great so far. It has been a year filled with added responsibilities and I am glad that I am able to handle it well. Except for a nasty breakdown in communication with 2 colleagues, due to some work-related issues, I thought that I have done reasonably well this year on the work front.

A plan to kickstart a group outing to enhance interaction with my colleagues was met with lukewarm response, but it was certainly a surprise that they actually gave me something on my birthday. Their gesture really touched my heart! J

Interest & Hobbies

This year was the start of my favourite soccer team, Manchester United collectables year. I had wanted to start this some time ago, but I did not have the opportunity or purchasing power to do so. It is good that my colleagues have helped me to kindle this interest.

This is certainly a good way to reward myself for the hard work that I have put in. It is certainly better than lending people money when they are in need, and always having to chase for payment. I certainly do not wish to hang a pig head like a loan shark to chase for payment.

IRAS Volunteer E-filing Exercise

This was my sixth year in this exercise and once again, I had won the Outstanding Volunteer Award for the fifth time. This year’s exercise was marred by computer problems and lack of proper training for some of the volunteers. The good thing was I managed to invite my mum to witness the winning of this award again, and sharing the NTUC Fairprice voucher that I won with her. The sad part was someone whom I was interested in, and had hoped to continue to be friends with, rejected my invitation and subsequently deleted me from Facebook. Till today, I am still deeply hurt by what she did.

I was also invited to share some of my interesting experiences with the new volunteers this year. The next thing I knew that I was going to be interviewed by the community centre’s newsletter, to share my volunteer experiences.

Friends

This is the year, which I feel I had a roller coaster ride in friendship, as I had the joy in meeting new friends. I think they know who they are. I also felt the hurt from the words and the action from some of them. For some of them, I just cannot understand why they chose to hurt me with the way they did. Like what Jas, Qiqi, Jonathan and Andrina had told me to look forward, and not to look back. I guess this should be the right path for me. These friends are best to be forgotten, keep only the good ones in your circle of life.

BGR

It was a quiet year as explained in the paragraph before this. Due to that incident that happened, I am a little fearful to move forward, even though I have met people that I have fancied this year. I guess it will be good to see and observe carefully first, before making my next move. It would be in the best interest for myself and my future partner. Understanding and communicating with your partner in a relationship is important in order for the relationship to develop well. I would rather adopt a wait and see approach than to jump in to the deep end of the pool and getting myself hurt in the process.

My hopes for the Year 2010 will be: -

1. To clear at least 1 of my ACCA papers

2. Hope for another positive year on the work front

I always believe in having a positive outlook for the New Year, so that I can have a good year ahead.

Movie Saturday & Music Sunday

I had a prior movie date with Sis Jas and Bro Jonathan to catch Sherlock Holmes at the Grand Cathay on Saturday. The movie had to be a night one as Jas was working in the day. This meant that I was able to enjoy my dinner with my parents at home. It has been a while since my dad whipped up a storm in the kitchen. The dish of the day was steamed crabs, which I thoroughly enjoyed with the salad that my mum had prepared.

The movie, I felt was quite funny and interesting. Personally, I would give it a 4 out of 5 rating.

Sunday was a hectic but enjoyable day for me. I was out in the morning with my mum for our usual weekly praying session at Tampines Soka Centre, before we headed to Bedok Food Centre for lunch, where I had my all-time favourite mutton soup, before heading to Andrina’s place for a KTV session with Jonathan, David and Lance.

After the session, we headed to Music Dreamer Live Café (爱情海) at Marina Square. I have been wanting to head down to this place since I heard of it some years ago, but always did not have the chance to. Although the food served was not that fantastic, but it is certainly a good place to relax, if you are a person who enjoys music. It was an enjoyable first time experience for me at the café. I would like to thank Andrina for recommending this place and bringing us to the café. I managed to take a photo with the singers after their 3-hour performance. I would like to thank the singers for being so obliging with the photo.

Me, David & Lance with the 5 singers for the night

Here are some of the features of the café.

1. You are required to order a minimum of $12 of food or drinks in the café for each person.

2. You can make a dedication of the song that you wish to hear and the performers will usually oblige if they have the lyrics and if they do know how to sing the requested song.

3. There are 2 special nights in a month, whereby the stage will be open to the patrons of the café. The partons may go up on stage after deciding on the song they wish to sing, and the band will play the song. It is like singing in the KTV, but without the lyrics or it is better known as unplugged version.

Collection of NRIC

I had thought of going to ICA early to get my NRIC today. But when I woke up this morning, it was 10.30am. Therefore, I had little choice but to take a cab down to collect my NRIC after my breakfast as they close at 12.30pm. I was pretty worried that the queue will be long as there will be another long weekend next week.

My worries were unfounded as even though the queue was long, there were 5 counters serving us. The new NRIC has some changes in the features and information displayed. There is a mini hologram showing my photo again on the front of the NRIC, and there is no more blood group information displayed on your NRIC. The best part is after this change, there is no need to change NRIC anymore.

I am sorry that I am not able to display a scanned copy of my NRIC here due to security purposes. I certainly do not want my particulars to be misused for unauthorised purposes.

Needs To Clear Leave

I was informed by my boss that I needed to clear my 2009 remaining leave entitlement by January. I knew that something was amiss since November when my boss said that she wishes to commute part of my leave into pay. It looked like her son had wanted to change the HR policy again. It was also good that I commuted part of my leave into pay as I will have problems clearing them as my manager has a lot of remaining 2009 leave entitlement as well.

Actually, I was thinking to utilise the leave for my exams and maybe a family holiday in the next year, but it seems that I may need to bring forward my holiday plan. I have applied for leave from 13 Jan 2010 to 15 Jan 2010. I am okay with having my parents going with me on the planned trip, which may be Kuching or Chiangmai. But my mum has decided to tag one of her friends along, which I don’t really feel comfortable with. Its a family holiday, remember. If my mum does it this way, I may just tag a friend along as well. I wonder who wishes to join me on such short notice.

Christmas Dinner With Family

昨晚，爸爸邀请了全家人和他的同事们到他的教会举办的圣诞晚宴和庆祝会. 其实，我和弟弟不是很喜欢参与这些活动的.可是，爸爸即然邀约了我们，我们就得去不可.

其实，对昨晚的节目和晚餐，我和弟弟都感到不自在， 而且，食物并不是很好吃，节目也蛮差，因为，这群教会的朋友平时在家是说英语的.他们说的华语，简直是听不下去，语病连连.幸好，爸爸的同事们都是来自中国，所以，还好可以和他们交谈，不会太无聊.

晚宴后， 我和弟弟搭巴士到转换站，去咖啡店再吃了罗卜糕，才回家去.

Paul The Santa Claus

Even though it was raining heavily this Christmas Eve, it certainly did not dampen my spirit to spread the Christmas cheer and the spirit of giving to my colleagues. Some of you would have known that the firm that I am working in now is quite a big office with close to 50 people. Therefore, you can’t blame me for being a cheapo by giving them each a Ferraro Rocher Chocolate each.

Anyway it is also my way of thanking my colleagues, especially those who have given me presents for my birthday last week. For the rest of them, it is to thank them for helping me in one way or another when I needed help at work in the past year.

The happy day was filled with happy stuffs as my following colleagues celebrated their birthdays in advance and the birth of their child today.

Amy, my manager – will be turning a year wiser on 27 Dec 2009

Annie, my secretarial dept colleague -will be turning a year wiser on 28 Dec 2009

Bee Hui, my audit dept supervisor – had given birth to her son today morning

On this note, I just want to wish everyone who is reading this blog post, no matter whether you are my relative, friend or just a passer by, A Merry Christmas. May good tidings be with you throughout the year!!!

ACCA or CPA Australia

I have been asking myself this question since I heard from my new colleague, Wee Yong that CPA Australia has a much higher pass rate than ACCA. I am quite tempted to make the switch as my ACCA Level 2 qualification is recognised in as part of the qualification.

Seeing how my friend got her CPA Australia certificate in 4 years, while I am still struggling with my ACCA after 4 years, after discounting my one year break as of now, makes me wonder if I had made the right choice to take ACCA as my degree in the first place. It took me 3 years to get through the Level 2 hurdle and I certainly do not want to keep not clearing again, despite putting in the effort. Maybe I should give it a try should I flunked the Professional stage  again. The facilities of CPA Aussie is definitely better than ACCA.

Went down to Kaplan City Campus just now, hoping to sign up for P1 class. I didn’t know that Roy Goh does not teach P1 anymore, but shares P2 with Mr Sami now. I wanted to try out Roy’s class as I feel that the previous lecturer I took (his name is mentioned on the tagboard of my blog) is not that good. Looks like Philip Woo of SAA is the only choice now.

Shop, Eat Shop, Eat

I went to collect my phone from PS Samsung yesterday. The queue was horrendous as I waited an hour to collect my phone. I thought I could be there early to meet Qiqi, Jonathan, Jas & CK for dinner early. Ended up I was late. Sorry pals!!! But I guessed it was only right for me to give you guys a treat after you all bought me cakes & dinner on several occassions before my birthday.

Before that, went to get a new camera as my old one had crashed. I was smart that I didn’t make a hasty purchase as the price quoted by Best Denki was cheaper than the shop at my office building. Anyway, my new camera is much much better than the old one. The Olympus FE 4000 12 megapixel camera

Dinner was at Swensens PS. I certainly enjoyed the dinner and the company I had. We had a long chat about 2 people in the KTV group who caused some big hoo ha over what they did or said. One of them certainly left me disappointed, while the other, I must say, lucky I am not that close to her.

Today was my bonus day. I was quite happy with what was given, which was about the same as last year. I hope to strive harder and achieve better results next year!!!

Shopping Day

This was the last weekend before Christmas and mum had reminded me to utilise the BHG Shopping Vouchers given by Xinhui and Yvonne for my birthday before it expired. I was also reminded by my boss to utilise her Istean vouchers soon. I guessed she had wanted me to take advantage of the Private Sale that happened at Istean Scotts on my birthday. But I didn’t go as the queue was horrendously long. Will maybe pop by on Tuesday.

Went to BHG with mum and bought 2 sets of working pants and working shirt. Mum got two pairs of shoes at $9.90 each, while I topped up about $30 for my purchase.

After that bought a pair of shoes before heading to visit my granny at the old folks home. My aunt and cousin were there too. Glad that she looks better now.

Samsung Jet In Hospital

I decided to check my Samsung Jet into the service centre after it hangs intermittently and the keypad is insensitive. This is the 2nd time in a month that I have sent the phone for service for the same problem. Decided to get a standby 3G phone for myself and my family since my dad, brother & myself are using the 3G SIM Cards. The Customer Service said that the phone has to be in the service centre for 3 days at least. Lucky they have home delivery service for serviced phones. Even if there is no such service, I am ok with it as my office is not too far from the service centre.

Decided on getting the Samsung S5503 by just paying $100 to Singtel and extending my contract for another 2 years. Anyway it is just a standby phone, so there was no need to get a sophiscated phone.