Career vs Family 29 April, 2011
Posted by dear1dear2 in Dear2, Slice of Life.2 comments
I think I’ve finally decided what I want.
I have been deliberating on my next career move for the longest time. I graduated with a degree in Engineering, and started my first job in the civil service. Disappointed that the career progression is very slow in the civil sector, not enough to satisfy my ambition to want to achieve more, I went on to the financial services sector, and later on, the asset management industry. I am grateful to my current company for the myriad of experiences over these 4 years. Yes, time flies and I have already been with this company for more than 4 years. But things haven’t been looking very good here since the global financial crisis, and with the ttc-ing of Baby #2, I have long been wanting to leave, but cannot leave. At the same time, at 30, I’d also better jump to a firm/ industry that I really want to be in. But, what do I really want?
I thought about this during the year end performance review last year. No conclusions. I constantly think about this question for the past 4 months this year. Hmm… Still thinking…. What do I really want?
When I quitted my first job barely half a year into the job, it was with full of aspirations to want to achieve more. 6 years on, and sad to say, that burning flame is long gone. I still desire a career that can get me excited, have me passionate about. But reality versus dreams, many a times you really don’t do what you like as a job.
And now with Baby1, looking at my precious, adorable baby, I wonder how will she grow up to be like? Will she be obedient and smart, or will she be ruddy and mediocre? For me, being exposed to loads of lessons or skills at the expense of quality bonding between our family – this I will not pursue. I really just want my child to grow up in a happy environment, and that we are able to shower her with lots of our attention and love.
With this, I made my decision. I will seek a job that is so-so. No hours after the usual working hours. As simple as that. I want to be able to knock off on time everyday, and preferably be able to reach home before the sun sets so that I can spend some time with my child(ren) everyday. Look at the typical career-mum. How much time does she have for her kids during weekdays? No wonder their kids prefer the maid to mummy, cos mummy is only home 2 days a week on weekends.
Yes, this is just what I want. For now.
Any lobang anyone?
- Dear2
Facebook 25 April, 2011
Posted by dear1dear2 in Dear2, Internet & Blog.2 comments
I really don’t understand Facebook.
Everyday, I will login to my Facebook account to see what my friends are saying.
I have friends who pen down all their slightest thoughts about themselves – I am bored today, feel like slurping on a sundae. It’s the long weekends and I should go swimming, read a book, watch some movies, and have a nice dinner. Yes, I should.
I have friends who write about their daily/ weekly to do list – I want to finish my work so as to enjoy the weekend; I want to jog at least 2 rounds today in order to slim down.
I have friends whose quote always begin with numbers. They are quoting the bible aloud, because they want to remind themselves of some prayers?
I have friends who are always scolding somebody, could be their hubby, their boss or their colleague, I am not sure cos they never ever mention names.
I have friends who rant about their frustrations taking care of their babies 24/7, and I see their friends consoling them ever so frequently. And these friends, hmm, usually are always the same few.
I have friends who prominently display their support for anti-government, and I have friends of friends who wholeheartedly agree with the PAP’s policies.
I have friends whose quote, I always do not understand cos it’s some IT lingo – some new version of some hardware, some new beta program of something.
I have friends who ever like to check in at the Bird Park, at some shopping mall, at some unknown location, dunno is it local or overseas that I never heard before. And oh, I never knew that there’s so many doggie restaurants in Singapore.
I have friends who post all the photos that they capture on their iPhone, and I have friends who post all the photos that they capture on their cameras, including the ugly, unglam ones.
I do upload photos of Baby1 regularly, and I do occasionally rant a bit on FB, but I never do any of the above that my friends do. I don’t understand Facebook, or rather, I don’t understand what are my friends’ intentions when they post these. Are we becoming more self centered, or are we becoming more distant that we rather talk aloud cos there’s nobody for us to talk to?
And what about myself, this stalker? I ‘stalk’ what my friends are writing about. I see their grouses, I see their predicament. I see their joy, I see their explores. Was I happily gloating away when my baby is less naughty than their terrible little ones? And was I seeking ideas on where to go, what to buy by comparing myself with my friends? Shame to say, I am very probably like that.
Facebook is scary man……
- Dear2
Maybank Promo at Guardian 24 April, 2011
Posted by dear1dear2 in Dear2, Dollars & Cents.add a comment
I know I am a bit too late in writing this, but better late than never right? :p
Maybank is having a promotion at Guardian. 10% rebate when you charge to your Maybank Family and Friends card for the month of April.
It’s a really cool promotion. 10% off as long as you charge to your Maybank Family and Friends card. Applicable even for discounted items. Applicable for the whole month of April. And it’s instant cashback on your credit card bill. Cool!!
We stocked up on 1.8kg Stage 3 Gain Formula for Baby1. Currently there’s a discount going for $58+. Usual price from supermarkets is $66+, sometimes on offer at $62+, right now is $58+. Good bargain ah!! We have 3 large tins at home now, I’m wondering if I should grab 1 or 2 more tins. Hmm….
Today is 24 April, so by the time you read this, there’s still 1 more week till the end of April. Hurry leisurely down to any Guardian now. Yeah, this is so much more generous unlike those Watsons or Carrefour storewide discount with the POSB Everyday Card. 3% on normal days, extra 3% on 3 days promo for Watsons, and extra 5% only for 2 days of 1 weekend for Carrefour. It was usually CHIONG!!!!!!!!!!! down to the stores during those pathetic few days for most people, resulting in super duper long queues……… Savings earned, but time wasted queuing? Duh.
Yes, the best thing about the Maybank card is, it’s instant cashback on your credit card bill. No need to deduct the points from your next purchase, and no need to wait until 3 months later to see the savings. Ching Ching Ching $$$.
I like Guardian, and I like the Maybank Family and Friends card, more so especially during the month of April. :)
- Dear2
Bad Bad IRAS 23 April, 2011
Posted by dear1dear2 in Dear2, Dollars & Cents, Slice of Life.add a comment
I hate IRAS.
First, they sent me a letter saying that I am not eligible for some relief which I submitted for the year of Assessment 2009 and demanded that I pay up the tax shortfall. Mind you, Year of Assessment 2009 means for the income and expenses earned/ spent in 2008. So that means this is for tax at least 3 years old. Notwithstanding me being a busy working mum with loads of other things on my mind, how in the hell do I remember what I filed so long ago!!
Fine. They say, you pay up first, and resubmit your claim. If your claim is successful, they will refund you with a cheque. So they automatically put me on a 3 month Giro installment, automatically because I DID NOT AUTHORIZE THIS GIRO LINKAGE. It was linked up because I applied for Giro for tax paid last year, so THEY HAVE ALL THE AUTHORITY TO LINK ME UP FOR A NEW INSTALLMENT PLAN. What f***! Can like that one meh!?
Fine. I called back IRAS and confirm that I will proceed with the Giro deduction while I submit the claim. Mind you, we are still talking about the tax filed for Year of Assessment 2009 up till now.
Then a few days later, I received another letter saying that THEY HAVE LINKED UP GIRO TO DEDUCT MY TAX FOR YEAR OF ASSESSMENT 2011 for a 12 months Giro installment plan FOR MY TAX. At that point in time, we were a few days short of the 15 April deadline for filing tax, and I WAS JUST IN THE MIDST OF DOING MY E-FILING. So meaning to say, I HAVE NOT SUBMITTED MY TAX FORM YET, BUT THEY ALREADY FORESEEN HOW MUCH TAX I NEED TO PAY THIS YEAR AND HAVE DECIDED TO AUTOMATICALLY LINKED UP FOR ME A MONTHLY INSTALLMENT PLAN. The best thing is, the Giro deduction will be made the next day (it was a 8th that day and the deduction will be the next day).
Of course I blew my top and called up IRAS. Needless to say, they cancelled the Giro plan for May. April will still have to proceed cos it cannot be cancelled already (too late). Fine, I will pay up for the original amount owed but not this PRE-ASSUMED TAX! Who in the world will agree to pay when you have not even submitted the tax form, much less, the tax payable be calculated already!! Duh.
With this exchange, I thot that the case is settled, only to receive a RED NOTICE a few days later. Apparently the Giro for Case (1) failed, so now they impose a penalty on me. I really have half the mind to demand that they retrieve the telephone recording of the Customer Service and tell me, I THOT YOU SAID THAT THE GIRO WILL PROCEED FOR APRIL!? Now you are telling me that the whole Giro deduction is cancelled!? What the f*** are you doing!?
Enough is enough, I don’t want to call them and seek explanation liao. I’ll just pay up NOW, ok!?
Check account to make sure that no deduction has been made to IRAS at all, and I was down to make payment.
If IRAS’s intention is to irritate me so that I will make payment without questions, they have succeeded. But they will only earn a really bad review here in my blog.
- Dear2
