Moat, Restroom & Electronic Lalang

Moat 1 - except that it's not built in the waters

Wonder how they will look like in the night amidst a gentle evening breeze?

I really like this structure of a toilet building - classy!

Punggol Promenade Riverside Walk

Went to this latest jaunt together with SS yesterday.  It was a hot hot afternoon but very quiet and blissful.

Reasons to Go Punggol Promenade Riverside Walk

For Families!

I like the al fresco setting.  The chilli crab is so so tempting!



Great place for Happy Hours!

Forgot to take a picture of this other all-important eatery beside Xian and the pub...
popeyes! 

This will be the KEY REASON for enticing the nephew and nieces to take a 30-station ride from Boon Lay to Riveria LRT!

The Art of Giving Feedback

Today was hectic.

Performance appraisals when done positively, can edify and motivate. However if it's done without that face-to-face or close working relationship, can lead to disgruntlement.

I had a curt SMS from a staff who asked me why I rated her lower than her direct supervisor.

Another appraisal was done in person. Had a fairly long chat with my indirect report. Not easy to manage her expectations. How does one convey shortcomings without demoralizing or frustrating staff? Or is my assessment truly based on objective facts? Will my assessment matter anyway?

Decided to start the session by focusing on her core areas (eg her role in working with her direct reports)and functional areas. Had to remind her about the balance in all areas of work that have been assigned, more so if she has decided to take a back seat to allow the juniors to shine.

It wasn't easy - how to tell the staff that she has taken work done by others as her own becos she thought that she has guided and given them inputs to execute. But she did not realize that perception is otherwise. Likewise, when she proudly said that she has allowed one of the team members complete control of a project; little did she realize that others saw that as a lack of active leadership.

It's really tough to tell someone so senior that she is not as good with her interpersonal or leadership skills as she thought. How to let her know that her report card contains info on collective achievements but her individual value add is not apparent. Hints were thrown and evidence were sought to prove her contributions.

In retrospect, this may be better than telling someone the brutal truth, no matter how sincere we may be. Then again, it may not have been a good session cos it was not outright praise.

Half a Gap

Vacation = Leave of Absence

It can mean a sabbatical or a career break or, for the fresh grads, a gap year. My 6-month NPL can be considered as "half a gap" year. So what does one do during such a phase?

Today I attended yet another farewell lunch - this time for the Big Boss.  She came by our table mid-way through the lunch to yak with us.  The first question she posed to me threw me off guard.

She asked, "What did you do differently this week now that you are on leave?"  It took me quite a while before I muttered, "Long walks. I took several long walks over the last few days". 

Well, this is quite true, if I factored in my two mornings' worth of brisk/dog walks; the walk to the MRT station/Jurong Point; climbing the overhead bridge each morning to get my breakfast and walking to Hong Lim Complex (from the very near Chinatown MRT station) to book air tickets...

But then again, the question was rather revealing about people's expectations.  We are always expected to be doing something, even when we are on leave. 

I should have said, "What was different was I wasn't doing anything planned or on my to-do list.  I was going by the weather of the day, my mood as well as any possible adventure of serendipity: like chancing upon a Tea Shop and sitting down to an impromptu tea-tasting session."

It's strange that I almost had this guilt feeling and hence refrained from saying, "I did nothing.  Just rest, relax and enjoy personal, free, quiet time with myself as well as my dogs."

Today is Day 4 of the Long Vacation.  I am really savouring each moment of it.  

All we need is to set aside time to Play or Chat

 

Airfare-booking & The Art of Chinese Tea Drinking

First time on board SQ A380

Today was spent on:

1. Clearing report cards (6 of them) in the morning
2. Met PL to discuss alternative airfare booking plans
3. Headed to Hong Lim Complex - MISA Travel to enquire about cheaper airfare

I was delighted by the patient and informative service provided by the travel consultant, May.  She went through all my homework and took pains to answer questions like "do I have to check out & re-check in my luggage at each transit point", "is there adequate transit time for me to catch the next connecting flight" and of course, "which is the most affordable airfare for the best possible itinerary".  I must say, she seems knowledgeable and understanding.  Excellent customer service.  If everything works out fine with this trip, MISA travel will have me as a repeat customer for sure!

Finally got a deal that is cheaper than the one quoted by the Office.  Definitely much better timing - will not miss the connecting flight unlike the one given by Pricebreaker via the Office.

I can't wait to confirm the booking and make my payment quickly.  The next important tasks are:

• Settle ESTA visa for sis and myself
• Confirm booking of extra nights of accomodation at JW Marriot
• Enquire about the multi-day, mult-park passes in Orlando

Can't wait to confirm the holiday plans.  So exciting!

After settling the airfare booking, as I was heading towards Chinatown MRT station, I chanced upon this Chinese tea shop, Wang San Yang at Blk 531 Upper Cross Street #01-61 (Hong Lim Complex). 

I am second time lucky today.  Not only did I meet a helpful and knowledgeable travel consultant, I also met this young lady at the tea shop who did not hard sell any stuff to me but also, patiently & knowledgeably, explained and recommended stuff to me.

I was treated to sampling of two types of Oolong teas (Tie Guan Ying & Da Hong Pao) and was given an instantaneous quick 101 to the art of Chinese tea brewing and drinking.  I ended up buying:

1. Two boxes (50g each) of both teas.  The Da Hong Pao costs almost 4 times that of the Tie Guan Ying.  It was $95!  Honestly, at this point, I couldn't tell why it costs so much more but will attempt to find out and appreciate why.
2. 1 nice white porcelain tea strainer mug that costs about $14.40 (after 20% discount).  I was debating whether I should just get a plain white porcelain mug ($13) but thought that the rabbit zodiac sign on the mug was pretty so decided to buy the originally priced $18 mug instead.
3. 1 set of lid cup (for brewing tea), strainer, tea pitcher or fair cup (for even mixing of the tea), and tea cup (for sipping)

The total purchase set me back by almost $150 but I was happy.  I think it was really value for money.  I just can't wait to try out the tea leaves and to enjoy some quiet moments of tea drinking.

The brief tea sampling experience once again reminded me of the need to slow down the pace and learn to appreciate the wonders of stilling of one's mind and appreciation of the fragrance & beauty of Chinese tea brewing and drinking.

Day 2: Jurong Lake

Today was a cloudy day.  Almost canceled my plans to walk the dogs and to head out to Lakeside.

Then I saw this - sun peeking through the heavy clouds.  It seemed like a promising start.

I took Twink and Hap out for a much shorter jaunt - to the big playground.  It was a more manageable pace for both dogs and this hopelessly unfit person.

I took the train to Lakeside MRT and began my walk towards the right side of the lake, along Yuan Ching Road, the road that I have been commuting almost daily to work.

It was surprisingly breezy although a little humid.  It was a decision to take a walk after all.    Discovered a couple of new things:

Lakeside Boardwalk

(A) A new boardwalk for fishing - yay, at long last, a decent boardwalk in the Western part of Singapore!

It was an interesting mix of plants and flowers - looked a little weird till I read of their purpose and use.


I thought the flowers were stunning on the floating wetlands!



Floating Wetlands






Floating Wetlands with the purpose of absorbing pollutants and improving the quality of water in the lake as well as serve as a breeding ground for dragonflies

 

Next, I chanced upon the PA Water Venture - a place for canoeing and other water sports.  It was unfortunately closed for some community sports event.  Must check this out for possible family bonding activities. 

Along the way, I saw retirees sitting along the benches - one was quietly playing Sudoku.  A big group of senior adults (distinguishable by the colorful scarves they tied to their necks) were having an outing by the lake.  It is what I called - Active Ageing!  I think Singapore is beautiful - all we need is time and space to enjoy what we call as our Enduring Home.

Again I saw the sun shining through the rather gloomy clouds, thought it was a beautiful sight.  Took more pictures along the way...

Spider Lilies!

I thought the tree trunks look interesting - like mangroves on the ground.

Had to snap this picture of the tree.  It has such a strong burst of colors -lovely!