Year ago today, I landed at Changi airport, for the start of my bigOE.
Though I thought I'll get out for few drinks tonight and celebrate, instead 'I'll just follow the law' and go once again thorough the exam marking... I have to go though all of the 321 exam scripts tonight, cos they did not like how I added up the numbers... I did not show the break down of the mark for the (sequence) diagram part of the question; after few ticks and crosses, I just added the marks in my head... - or actually worse, I added the negative marks then deducted them from the total mark (apparently that's a big no no, cos we 'award marks, we don't take the marks away' - hmmm what is the difference 15-7=8, and 0+8 is still = 8!? isn't it???). One would think that others - cross-checkers and cross-checker-checkers - can do that as well, should anyone of them end up looking at it THAT closely in the 1st place... - though, I must say that after one year, I should not be surprised if they look at it using electronic microscope.
Here's to the next 365 Spora days,
Cheers...!
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Monday, August 13, 2007
Going back home-home for Cousin's Wedding
I asked once, and she said no, so I ask again - who could say no to this one:
Hi Director,
Sorry to disturb you on your off day.
Now that I know my exam time table, here's the situation:
- I am able to clear ALL my teaching responsibilities, so neither would any of my students, nor colleagues be inconvenienced w/ my absence on the Friday (17th) and Monday (20th) of August.
- Just in case, staff has my hand phone number (roaming enabled) and students have my hotmail account (easy to access from any internet point).
- Even though my cousin is not my immediate brother, but rather a son of my mum's sister, I am sure you can appreciate that family ties, and bonds between people in general, at times cannot be quantified by the simple formal definitions. Especially in a particular situation such as our one: this Aunty of mine was never married, and she and her son lived near by my parents place. This meant that as kids my cousin has spent lost of time at our place, playing with my sister and me. This was especially true during the five years of Balkan war, when as kids we didn't go to school, nor played on the playgrounds that much, but spend lots of time in the basement instead. Well the point is that we spend lots of time together. Hence, even though formally he is my cousin, to me he is much more - a brother.
- Also, currently my Mum is visiting over there as well. She landed in Croatia on the 17th of Jul, then she broke her leg on the 20th of Jul. Now she's bed tied w/ a cast on her left leg till the last week of her holiday - 1st week of September. As an added bonus, it would be nice if I could pay her a visit as well.
- As the wedding is on the next weekend (18th -19th), and I need 20 hours of travel time between Zadar (Croatia Cost line) to Spore. I am ok for my exam, on 23rd, though I cannot get back in time for my invigilation on 20th, so I'll need to swap the invigilation duty with my roommate Anand. Needles to say, a fellow ICT-an is happy to help.
As I need to finalise my air-fare ticket as soon as possible, I would like to thank you for your understanding and prompt reply in advance. Should you want to discuss the matter further, please give me a call on these numbers.
Appreciated.
Sincerely,
Z
Hi Director,
Sorry to disturb you on your off day.
Now that I know my exam time table, here's the situation:
- I am able to clear ALL my teaching responsibilities, so neither would any of my students, nor colleagues be inconvenienced w/ my absence on the Friday (17th) and Monday (20th) of August.
- Just in case, staff has my hand phone number (roaming enabled) and students have my hotmail account (easy to access from any internet point).
- Even though my cousin is not my immediate brother, but rather a son of my mum's sister, I am sure you can appreciate that family ties, and bonds between people in general, at times cannot be quantified by the simple formal definitions. Especially in a particular situation such as our one: this Aunty of mine was never married, and she and her son lived near by my parents place. This meant that as kids my cousin has spent lost of time at our place, playing with my sister and me. This was especially true during the five years of Balkan war, when as kids we didn't go to school, nor played on the playgrounds that much, but spend lots of time in the basement instead. Well the point is that we spend lots of time together. Hence, even though formally he is my cousin, to me he is much more - a brother.
- Also, currently my Mum is visiting over there as well. She landed in Croatia on the 17th of Jul, then she broke her leg on the 20th of Jul. Now she's bed tied w/ a cast on her left leg till the last week of her holiday - 1st week of September. As an added bonus, it would be nice if I could pay her a visit as well.
- As the wedding is on the next weekend (18th -19th), and I need 20 hours of travel time between Zadar (Croatia Cost line) to Spore. I am ok for my exam, on 23rd, though I cannot get back in time for my invigilation on 20th, so I'll need to swap the invigilation duty with my roommate Anand. Needles to say, a fellow ICT-an is happy to help.
As I need to finalise my air-fare ticket as soon as possible, I would like to thank you for your understanding and prompt reply in advance. Should you want to discuss the matter further, please give me a call on these numbers.
Appreciated.
Sincerely,
Z
The Secret
...revealed: "You are a living magnet. What you attract into your life is in harmony with your dominant thoughts." - Brian Tracy
Vesna recommended the DVD, I couldn't find it, but I got the book - ta Yogic. Like she said, it's just your usual positive, hippie stuff. Just the type of BS I like.
Couple more videos that are worth while are: one endorsing it, and funny one against it. Of course, it was on Oprah as well, twice.
The hole story revolves around the law of attraction, and can be summarised by the old saying of be careful what you wish for; you just might get it. So this is hardly anything new. According to this video, these guys have been teaching it for a long while (forum). Tony Robins has been playing the same (MUST-SEE) tune as well. I came across it, for the first time, in the book, originally published in 1930's, Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill. And anyone with any familiarity with any of the religions, would probably say something along the lines of 'tell me something I don't know'.
Through the years, I became big on the positive psychology. Here are the few quotes that I picked up from sources other the 'the secret', and are all in support of it. It would be nice if you can add some more info that is either in support, or even better, against it. In summary, they say that:
Vesna recommended the DVD, I couldn't find it, but I got the book - ta Yogic. Like she said, it's just your usual positive, hippie stuff. Just the type of BS I like.
Couple more videos that are worth while are: one endorsing it, and funny one against it. Of course, it was on Oprah as well, twice.
The hole story revolves around the law of attraction, and can be summarised by the old saying of be careful what you wish for; you just might get it. So this is hardly anything new. According to this video, these guys have been teaching it for a long while (forum). Tony Robins has been playing the same (MUST-SEE) tune as well. I came across it, for the first time, in the book, originally published in 1930's, Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill. And anyone with any familiarity with any of the religions, would probably say something along the lines of 'tell me something I don't know'.
Through the years, I became big on the positive psychology. Here are the few quotes that I picked up from sources other the 'the secret', and are all in support of it. It would be nice if you can add some more info that is either in support, or even better, against it. In summary, they say that:
Whatever you think, that's who you are and how it is.
"Thoughts are energy, and you can make or break your world by thinking." - Susan Taylor
"The belief in a thing makes it happen." - Frank Lloyd Wright
"Whether you think you can or think you can't, you're right." - Henry Ford
"The ancestor of every action is a thought. ... A man is what he thinks about all day long. ... To believe your own thought, to believe that what is true for you in your private heart is true for all men--that is genius." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
"Of the many earnest, and how earnest, people we may observe reading, attending lectures, studying and practicing disciplines, devoting their energies to the attainment of a liberation which is by definition unattainable, how many are not striving via the ego-concept which is itself the only barrier between what they think they are and that which they wish to become but always have been and always will be?" - Why Lazurus Laughed by Wei Wu Wei
"A human being is a part of the whole called by us "Universe," a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings as something separated from the rest- a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty." - Albert Einstein
"If both the past and the external world exist only in the mind, and if the mind itself is controllable – what then?" George Orwell
"Change your thoughts and you change your world." - Norman Vincent Peale
justInCase...!
UPDATED, 24th Nov 08: list of quotes from The Secret.
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Contract Negotiation
Take it or leave it - that's the summary.
I have no negotiating power; my picture is not on the school posters ala fellow Ozzy's (guess who), and I want to stick around for a while more.
Within the first month here, I found out that some internationals with less (teaching) experience and less (university) qualifications have TWICE as much as I do.
So naturally, a while after they extended an offer to renew the contract - which was back in Feb, just before the Thailand trip - I went to my Reporting Officer with request that was pitched as:
I have no negotiating power; my picture is not on the school posters ala fellow Ozzy's (guess who), and I want to stick around for a while more.
Within the first month here, I found out that some internationals with less (teaching) experience and less (university) qualifications have TWICE as much as I do.
So naturally, a while after they extended an offer to renew the contract - which was back in Feb, just before the Thailand trip - I went to my Reporting Officer with request that was pitched as:
- want more involvement, and thus
- want better renumeration terms.
Someone did say 'watch what u wish for'... as only half of my wish got true.
The quick response from RO was that the school has no Visiting Lecturer openings. The VL is the contractual scheme that I would have to shift to in order to get more money. As this is black and white world - not even a shade of a gray; not to talk bout a rainbow - my current IF-I-was-a-teacher scheme is what it is. In order words the policies are written in stone. And since I am not a PR, the story ends there.
Sure enough, even though everyone told me so, to make sure I had to check that 'yes' the story really does end there, and so I took it to HR... After the informal chat, the process went to the e-mail:
06/11/2007 05:58 PM
Subject: IF new contract
Hi SY,
As discussed earlier:
Thank you for the opportunity to extend my stay at Ngee Ann.
Though, it came to my attention that my experience and qualifications are more aligned with the requirements of a VL position. And as you know, the actual daily responsibilities between a VL and IF are virtually the same, whereas a difference in contract remuneration can be very significant. Taking this into consideration, I am sure, it was no surprise to you that I have acquired about the possible VL openings.
Unfortunately, as there are no current VL positions that I could be considered for, I would like to have the terms of my new contract re-evaluated.
Moreover, I would like to draw to your attention to the couple of things that are making the news. In addition to a standard yearly inflation rate, this year there will be the increase in GST. Also, the banks have proposed the increase of the fees charged to retailers for NETS services - it is feared that this will lead to a further increase of the prices. In light of this, I don't just feel as though I am currently being underpaid, I feel as though I am taking the pay cut for the new contract.
Even though I get the positive feedback from students and colleagues, and I like teaching at Ngee Ann, I would appreciate if you can explore possible avenues that could make me feel more appreciated.
Sincerely,
Z
-----------------------------------
- upon arriving back from Vietnam I had the letter on the desk stating: "We have considered your request very carefully but regret that we are unable to revise our offer. Hence, our offer dated 11 May 07 remains unchanged."
- the day after seeing the latter, I had the meeting with HR Manager.
-----------------------------------
06/27/2007 10:15 AM
Subject: Air Passage
Good Morning Z
We refer to your request for a return air passage (2-way airticket) under your current contract.
We are sorry to inform you that we are unable to accede to your request . However, approval has been granted to allow you to use your flight elgibility for SIN/Croatia/SIN, your original homecountry instead of SIN/MEL/SIN.
Do contact me if you need further clarfications on the above,
Regards
SY
------------------------------------
28/06/2007 09:07 AM
Subject
Re: Air Passage
Good Morning SY,
Thanks for your prompt reply, which - it will be a no surprise to you - I find disappointing, as:
The quick response from RO was that the school has no Visiting Lecturer openings. The VL is the contractual scheme that I would have to shift to in order to get more money. As this is black and white world - not even a shade of a gray; not to talk bout a rainbow - my current IF-I-was-a-teacher scheme is what it is. In order words the policies are written in stone. And since I am not a PR, the story ends there.
Sure enough, even though everyone told me so, to make sure I had to check that 'yes' the story really does end there, and so I took it to HR... After the informal chat, the process went to the e-mail:
06/11/2007 05:58 PM
Subject: IF new contract
Hi SY,
As discussed earlier:
Thank you for the opportunity to extend my stay at Ngee Ann.
Though, it came to my attention that my experience and qualifications are more aligned with the requirements of a VL position. And as you know, the actual daily responsibilities between a VL and IF are virtually the same, whereas a difference in contract remuneration can be very significant. Taking this into consideration, I am sure, it was no surprise to you that I have acquired about the possible VL openings.
Unfortunately, as there are no current VL positions that I could be considered for, I would like to have the terms of my new contract re-evaluated.
Moreover, I would like to draw to your attention to the couple of things that are making the news. In addition to a standard yearly inflation rate, this year there will be the increase in GST. Also, the banks have proposed the increase of the fees charged to retailers for NETS services - it is feared that this will lead to a further increase of the prices. In light of this, I don't just feel as though I am currently being underpaid, I feel as though I am taking the pay cut for the new contract.
Even though I get the positive feedback from students and colleagues, and I like teaching at Ngee Ann, I would appreciate if you can explore possible avenues that could make me feel more appreciated.
Sincerely,
Z
-----------------------------------
- upon arriving back from Vietnam I had the letter on the desk stating: "We have considered your request very carefully but regret that we are unable to revise our offer. Hence, our offer dated 11 May 07 remains unchanged."
- the day after seeing the latter, I had the meeting with HR Manager.
-----------------------------------
06/27/2007 10:15 AM
Subject: Air Passage
Good Morning Z
We refer to your request for a return air passage (2-way airticket) under your current contract.
We are sorry to inform you that we are unable to accede to your request . However, approval has been granted to allow you to use your flight elgibility for SIN/Croatia/SIN, your original homecountry instead of SIN/MEL/SIN.
Do contact me if you need further clarfications on the above,
Regards
SY
------------------------------------
28/06/2007 09:07 AM
Subject
Re: Air Passage
Good Morning SY,
Thanks for your prompt reply, which - it will be a no surprise to you - I find disappointing, as:
- When flying to Europe/Australia from Singapore, the difference in air fare ticket price between one way and two way is within $300 range.
- Therefore, if Ngee Ann Poly was to reimburse the two return tickets, instead of the two one way tickets, the total extra cost incurred would probably not exceed $600 mark.
- Though I appreciate the opportunity to go and visit my family and friends in Croatia, that now comes at the expense of not being able to visit my imitate family back in Melbourne until October 08 (i.e year and a half since the last visit).
The extra cost that Ngee Ann would incur by paying $600 on top of the value of my expiring contact would:
- Counteract the 2% GST increase (i.e 2% of 30K is 600)
- Would represent, circa, $1500 overall increase of the contract package (i.e. the expense that I would have to pay to get a return ticket to Melbourne). Additionally, this could be viewed as the 5% increase of the current contract's value (i.e. 5% of 30K is 1500 - not taking into consideration the loss due to the GST)
- Moreover, it would show me that Ngee Ann Poly values their staff, and is willing to compromise in the wake of the unusual circumstance (i.e. postgraduate degree and subsequent 5 years of teaching at the well recongised university prior joining the Poly as an IF)
- Might help make one teacher happier, and I'm sure you are familiar with the saying that goes round here: happy teachers, happy students.
Also as discussed, I hope that it will be possible to have my 30yr old bed mattress with depleted support and stains all-over replaced.
After understanding circumstances of the organisational hierarchy and unavailability of the relevant VL openings, from my perspective, these are very humble things that I'm asking in return - on one side, whereas on the other - I feel like I am providing quality value though continuously dedicated effort of exemplifying teaching (where the first priority is the best interest of students) that is second to none, for a bargain price.
I will keep anticipating means to be found towards a compromise where things can be perceived as more 'fair' and a bit closer to a 'win win' situation.
Regards,
Z
------------------------------------
07/03/2007 11:36 AM
Subject
Re: Air Passage
Dear Z,
We spoke at length on the reasons for not adjusting the International Fellow package and appreciate your understanding on our position. As explained by SY, we are prepared to accede to allow you the use of your flight eligibility for SIN/CROATIA/SIN instead of SIN/MEL/SIN, although this is not our usual practice. You would also appreciate that there is a need for us to maintain internal equity when determining the remuneration package institution wide. We encourage you to consider the other positive aspects of our offer such as the 42 days of annual leave, our work environment, the training opportunities available and the excitement of nurturing our students. Please do let us have your decision by 9 July 2007, Monday.
I have spoken to my colleague, JL from the Estates Management Office with regard to your request for a change of your mattress. She would be in touch with you directly. Thanks.
CT
-----------------------------------
After understanding circumstances of the organisational hierarchy and unavailability of the relevant VL openings, from my perspective, these are very humble things that I'm asking in return - on one side, whereas on the other - I feel like I am providing quality value though continuously dedicated effort of exemplifying teaching (where the first priority is the best interest of students) that is second to none, for a bargain price.
I will keep anticipating means to be found towards a compromise where things can be perceived as more 'fair' and a bit closer to a 'win win' situation.
Regards,
Z
------------------------------------
07/03/2007 11:36 AM
Subject
Re: Air Passage
Dear Z,
We spoke at length on the reasons for not adjusting the International Fellow package and appreciate your understanding on our position. As explained by SY, we are prepared to accede to allow you the use of your flight eligibility for SIN/CROATIA/SIN instead of SIN/MEL/SIN, although this is not our usual practice. You would also appreciate that there is a need for us to maintain internal equity when determining the remuneration package institution wide. We encourage you to consider the other positive aspects of our offer such as the 42 days of annual leave, our work environment, the training opportunities available and the excitement of nurturing our students. Please do let us have your decision by 9 July 2007, Monday.
I have spoken to my colleague, JL from the Estates Management Office with regard to your request for a change of your mattress. She would be in touch with you directly. Thanks.
CT
-----------------------------------
Hopefully I'll get SY to allow me to purchase a return tickets by paying for the difference between two-way and one way tickets on my own, as she did for my Melbourne visit. But I doubt it...!
Ps: not being fairly rewarded at work is, unsurprisingly, a common thing.
sicVitaEst...!
Ps: not being fairly rewarded at work is, unsurprisingly, a common thing.
sicVitaEst...!
Monday, July 02, 2007
Bad seeds persist
On todays date, 11 yeas ago I left the roots. The main cause that lead my parents to pick up my sister and me, together with a suit case for each, was the civil war that was ranging through the country during the 1st 5 years of the 90s. When I first got to NZ, since the news about the war were still very fresh in everyones' memory, the common question was: 'why did you have the war?' My common answer was, and still is: 'cos people are stupid'. It is sad, though not surprising, to now see the same seeds that were cosing the havoc in the region for so long, still be so strong.
But it doesn't stop there; it's not just that we act stupid at our home-home, we like to do it anywhere else where we (attempt to) make a home for ourselves. To make things even worse, that nice phrase Ray use to say to me a lot - just a human - seemingly applies here as well. The fact that we act/are stupid does not makes us special at all.
Just a human - maybe; just sad - definitely...!
Ps: Talk bout sad: Mujo n Haso turned bank robbers; disguised as Muslim women.
But it doesn't stop there; it's not just that we act stupid at our home-home, we like to do it anywhere else where we (attempt to) make a home for ourselves. To make things even worse, that nice phrase Ray use to say to me a lot - just a human - seemingly applies here as well. The fact that we act/are stupid does not makes us special at all.
Just a human - maybe; just sad - definitely...!
Ps: Talk bout sad: Mujo n Haso turned bank robbers; disguised as Muslim women.
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