The big big shots..

Went to the commencement dinner last fri evening and it was a eye-opener for me..

Who will know that UCC can accomodate so many round tables for this dinner? Before going there, I was still thinking that the dinner was a standing buffet but isn't that weird for the VVIPs? To stand and eat their dinner? When I reached UCC, I was quite surprised by the sight. And I was so happy to know that Ziyang is also going for the dinner and he fetched me to UCC from Sci. So nice of him.. I just went to the dinner without knowing who else are going lor.. don't know whether there are anybody else whom I know going.. I was stitting the chem department profs, Ryan Bettens, Adrian Lee and FST Zhou Wei Biao.. and one more chem students is Rachel, the valedictorian.. who is sitting with the impt ppl.. and the remaining ppl at our table are from the maths, stats and QF departments.. what a mix.. anyway.. i have a great time sitting with them.. not bored at all..
The transformation of UCC..
Ziyang and me at the cocktail reception..

The Chem ppl..
of course the common topic is what I studied.. whether I have found a job.. what job I am looking for.. haha.. it is a good starting point for me to learn how to socialise and networking.. networking is impt.. and to find something to start conversation is impt.. and should be engaging.. the graduate from QF who sat beside me is good in ask good questions.. he is a scholar and he scores 4.9 plus for CAP.. oh my goodness.. I feel so small there.. you must be thinking why am I there.. just becos I am the class rep so I represents the honours student lor.. haha.. quite honoured lah.. something good about being the rep..

and the other side of me sat the NUS high school principal.. and he gave quite an insight to his school.. NUS high school is aiming at being world class.. and their students are all very very intelligent and are able to do well in NUS modules even though they are still in high sch.. there is a question asked whether these students will be going to NUS or they will want to go overseas since their results are so good.. they just had their first batch of diploma graduating students and there are already students being accepted by MIT.. so good lor.. and the topic of NUS vs NTU was raised and I made a comment that NTU is coming up as they are providing new courses similar to NUS.. and some profs are also being poached by NTU but the profs still believe the best are not moved by NTU at all and they stay at NUS.. and the hype about engin in NTU better than NUS is a marketing way.. haha..

We are seated so far from the stage and couldn't see the stage at all so we have to look at the TV screens.. haha.. UCC may not be very good place for grand dinner with so many pillars around and the low ceiling.. sad to say the tv screens don't make you pay attention to the programs on stage.. we will be chatting away most of the time.. and the dinner don't really taste fantastic lah.. compared to my grad dinner.. this is really not good.. and the service staff are from hilton.. does it means the food is also from hilton.. makes me wonder.. the only special dish is the final NUS Commencement Dessert.. It is a chocolate dome with raspberry sauce and alfonso mango sherbert. it is the nicest food that night.. haha..
NUS Commencement Dessert.. yummy..

After the event I went to took photo with the President of NUS.. it will be his last year in NUS.. the ex-Sci dean and current Provost and also the current dean.. never get to take photo with President Nathan.. so sad lor.. only the performers and the NUSSU ppl are lucky..

Photo taken with Prof Shih Choon Fong and Mrs Shih..

With Prof Tan, Ex sci dean..
Current Science dean and life sci prof..

Me and Alvan who is one of the dancers at the dinner..

Early this week.. I went to work part-time for an events company called "The Event Company" haha.. I am serious.. this is its name.. I worked as an usher at the Asean Ministerial Meetings at Shangrila Hotel.. Due to the tight security, it was first time I have the metal sensor body check.. it was actually a great experience.. can see all the Asean foreign ministers and Condoleezza Rice.. US secretary of state.. big shot leh.. haha.. and she even smiled and thanked me for opening the door for her.. haha.. but it was a tiring job.. have to wake up near 5am.. for the 4 days.. and finished work at 7pm.. I had slept early for those days lor.. luckily never fall asleep during work.. and we have to stand throughout the day.. sometimes.. nothing to do at all.. so opening the door is a better job for us than just standing there.. which is so sian.. and the ministers have so many followers and body guards who will direct them and made our job redundant.. the MFA ppl are also there.. and they are always watching us.. making sure that we are not slacking or pinching on their food..

haha.. Shangrila's snack is so delicious lor.. even its cappuccino and cookies are nice.. everyday.. we will "steal" the leftovers.. hee.. so delicately designed lor.. and so ex looking.. and the VIP don't really eat them.. haha.. I finally tasted the famous Macroons.. and even their thosai and mee siam are nice.. yummy yummy.. free food is always nice.. hee.. cheapo..

As part timers there, I always feel that we are watched by the MFA or the Perm staff.. they are sometimes just "jealous" that we looked more slacked and worked less hours than them.. we can't even slack too much during lunch lor.. ppl always complain.. one gal was caught on the first day.. sleeping on the comfortable chair in the toilet.. she slept for half an hour and was found by one of the MFA staff and that staff complained to our head.. and she was fired.. luckily she was still paid for the hours that she had worked..

AMM in short.. The logo looks like rice padi..

hee.. I was holding on the door while taking this photo of Rice secretly.. her bodyguard is just standing next to me.. so scary..
Flags of the ARF members..

The media is really scary.. always rush here and there.. to take photos..

The ushers with our FM George Yeo! He is really friendly and approachable.. he came forward to talk to us so we took the chance to take photo with him.. and he was fascinated by us sharing the photo using bluetooth..

don't ask me what the ministers have discussed becos I am always outside the ballrooms standing.. but they really have a lot of agenda to discuss.. I must thank yihui for introducing this job to me.. really a good chance to see the politics.. and this also spurred my interest in events again.. this company is really big.. much bigger than the one that I have interview with.. and the opportunity to have career advancement will be greater.. and so I want to apply.. and I have discussed with my parents.. they have once again quite discouraging.. due to the low pay and difficulties in the job.. the irregular hours and the lack of rest and sleep.. but I really don't mind.. becos my interest is really in events now.. so I have send in my resume.. hopefully will have interview soon.. but the problem is what if I have a few job offers, do I choose this events job over the rest? even though it is lower pay? and if I reject the civil service job, I can't apply it again in the future right.. so my decision will decide the future of my life.. so frustrating.. why we always have so many decisions to make? and some decisions are really hard to make..