Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Micro View
Read so much about the recent financial turmoil in the market. Most of them are talking about the big picture - macro view of how it would affect the whole finance industry. At the end of the day, everyone will be affected by it somehow with such a bad economy. Blah blah blah... But what about those who get affected more? Let's take a look now...Lehman has filed for bankruptcy under Chapter 11. This will affect all the parties who deal with it. There's high risk of being unable to recover the money owed by Lehman, for these banks and corporations. This is at the corporate level. So what about the individuals? - By individuals, I refer to the employees of Lehman Brothers.
I received an email today which had me pondering over it the entire day. It was titled "Employment Opportunities". One of Lehman's employees sent me an email asking whether I'm recruiting and even requested me to circulate his email internally. I have never spoke or liase with him before. He probably thought that I am part of the management who dealt with recruitment. He has also attached his resume in his email. Out of curiosity, I opened it up. He's a VP at Lehman and been there for around 10 years if I remember correctly.
Such desperation can only show how bad it is for the employees out there. I didn't know what to do with his email. I thought of forwarding it to the HR. In the end, I fwd it to my manager who told me to ignore it. We chatted about how sad it is for all these ppl but there's nothing much we can do for them. It's really upsetting to be so up close and personal to them. You know that they need help but you are unable to give a helping hand. *sigh*
I guess it's either you or them in this world. It's a pathetic and selfish world out there :(
++ MarryMango at 8:55 PM.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Shopping, Soccer and Wedding
Finally met Carisse yest. The last time I saw her was during the commencement. Good news - we are both confirming to be perms! And even better news is that both of us just got our pay on Friday. This means shopping spree for us!
Been looking around for a pair of nice-looking sandals at a decent price. Found this black rose one at Far East. Gripz is selling something similar at $50+. I got this at half the price. Great buy! This will come in handy for my overseas trip.
Bought a top and a dress as well. I like the top alot. The pic doesn't do justice to the real color. It's a kinda shimmery and I think the color is really sweet. A pity there is a bit of marker stain on the belt. I didn't really check properly. I have alot of clothings that come with belts these days. Dunno wat I will do with them when the trend changes. Think I will still continue to wear them bah. Dun waste...
Oh I saw a Gucci bag that I like cos it has baby pink handles and tag! I seem to be into pink more and more these days. $730 and I think it is cheap as most Gucci bags are above $1k. But I said before I only allow myself to buy one branded bag per year and I have already gotten 2 this year. Luckily, Carisse stopped me from compulsive buying. When I told DD about the bag, he reminded me that we can get it at the airport or HK this year end. Ok I shall ren...
After shopping in town, I headed to Holland V to find DD. We had dinner at Breko since they were showing the live match for Liverpool Vs Man United. Again, I was damn accurate. I told DD the score will be 2-1 and I am absolutely right. Haha...
DD's Fish & Wedges.
My Chicken Corden Bleu. I think it's quite nice. Bacon and cheese stuffed in the chicken with mash potato and mushroom sauce. The sauce tasted like that of Carbonara pasta. This explains why I like it. Hehe...
Today, went over to my cousin's place cos it was my niece wedding. Yes, my family is that big. My niece is the granddaughter of my eldest aunt. Therefore, my niece is older than me even though we are of a different generation. It was so crowded and super hot at her place.
She did not hold wedding dinner. Just a simple buffet lunch. Wah I think really can save a lot of money lor. 1 table at a hotel usually cost around $1k. This buffet may not even cost $100? Hmmm...
She did not hold wedding dinner. Just a simple buffet lunch. Wah I think really can save a lot of money lor. 1 table at a hotel usually cost around $1k. This buffet may not even cost $100? Hmmm...
Here comes the bride. Come to think of it, she doesn't have to change gowns too. Really save a lot sia! Plus it's more hassle-free.
Leaving for the groom's place...
++ MarryMango at 8:54 PM.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Signed the Papers
Am so pleased today. I can't stop beaming after I got back from the HR. I'm practically glowing. Hahaha... Colls say they can tell I'm all smiles even from far. Yup I have signed the papers for the perm position. Even though it is only official in Nov, I'm still so happy nevertheless. I already look forward to the bonus in Dec and my dental benefits.However, the main thing that is giving me so much happiness is the big fat salary. Not too sure if I mention this before. When I first interviewed for this job, I stated my expected pay as only 2.6k to 2.8k (not knowing it was a contract some more). It offered me a pay higher than my expectation back then. Now the company has exceeded my expectation once again. For perm staffs, it is a full compensation package which is stated in terms of the whole year. Thus, I thought to myself I would be content if I get $42k per annum. Holy cow! The amount that I got is more than that. My colls told me to negotiate before I went to meet HR. When I saw the amount stated on the paper, I seriously don't think there is a need to negotiate already.
Hmmm... Let's just say my pay is around that of someone with a second upper honors. And considering how bad the market is now, I have to be really fortunate. I thank my lucky stars :)
++ MarryMango at 11:09 PM.
Sunday, September 07, 2008
Harlan Coben
I will look for Harlan Coben's books whenever I drop by the library. But I have finished all his books some years back and have been waiting for new ones. Finally, I managed to find 2 of his new books at Westmall's library yesterday. It has been close to 2 years I think. I like his books. They never fail to keep me in suspense and I always can't wait to get my hands back on them. They shall keep me occupied...
++ MarryMango at 11:17 PM.
Saturday, September 06, 2008
Stayed late in Office
Been staying late in office the past 2 days. Not cos of the conversion then more work. But the below:Stupid Fire Drill exercise on Thursday.
Then, there was the collection of mooncakes on Friday. There was a mooncake road show at our office about 2 weeks ago. You pre-order and they deliver yesterday. The collection was from 4pm to 6pm. My colls and I started queueing only around 5.30pm, thinking that there would be fewer ppl as most would have collected by then. Wrong! Queue was still as long and it was moving very slowly. Luckily we took turns to queue and I went up to clear my stuffs first. Went down again around 6.10pm and it was our turn soon.
Mini Snow-skin Champagne Truffle & Ganache from Raffles Hotel. It's a hot favorite. Even managers and custodian/counterparties (other banks) also treated us to this (benefits of being client as we gave them business worth millions or billions). I love it and bought it for my own family. Getting a bit sick of it though, this is my 5th box alr.
Got 2 boxes of those traditional baked mooncakes as well. One with double egg yolks and another with macadmia nuts, pine nuts etc. These are for my God Mom and DD's family. 3 (metal) boxes in total. My arms nearly broke from carrying all these home. Mooncakes these days are so expensive. 1 box like this cost $48. Luckily, I got staff discount of 25%. They still cost me 100 over bucks though. Guess it's gonna be a yearly affair from now on...
++ MarryMango at 11:56 AM.
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
My BIG Day
Finally met the Director today. Got the green light. She said she will speak to the HR to convert me into a perm. Yes, after such a long wait! Increase in pay, benefits, bonus etc! I want I want... Can't wait!++ MarryMango at 10:06 PM.
