After more than 3 years in the marketing and communications field, I am sick and tired of it. I joined the field to pursue an interest, a passion, a purpose to make a difference. But my experiences at PA and then now at NHG have really woken me up. There is no passion to be pursued and there is definitely no purpose (if there was, then I have lost it).
What there is, is just work. The only communication you get ironically in this field are instructions and more instructions. Communications is defined as an exchange of information, so that in whatever we do, we connect with the right audience, through the right channels. The sad thing is, not only is there a lack of communication in this field, even instructions are not given clearly by communication specialists! It seems like most people are in this line because, they just need a salary. This has led to all the do-ers who did their best heading marketing and communications teams. To them, getting it done is first and foremost, communications come second, if at all.
Perhaps I am too idealistic in my thinking, but I am disappointed. I can barely tell the difference between my job in communications and that of a cleaner. Both needs things to be done in a certain time. Both requires hands to get dirty and to clear up other people's dirty dishes (albeit in different ways). I really do not see my life continuing like this.
All this while, I have changed jobs, for the sake of getting out of one just to get into another. I think it is time for a proper break, take a step back, clear out my system and mindset, and evaluate what I really want. Then begin afresh, refreshed with a passion and with a purpose to make a difference.
Showing posts with label rants. Show all posts
Showing posts with label rants. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Friday, May 15, 2009
it's all a matter of mindset
rather than talking about my bad back and my extended absence from work due to a malfunctioning immune system..i would like to recall an incident which kind of summarises the things that are still malfunctioning in the gahmen sector...
as my initial profile (see previous entry) was rejected for lacking focus and i fervently rejected the ideas to focus on my 1) poetry writing (because i have not written anything decent in years!) and 2) my knack of wanting things neat and tidy (honestly, it's like boring isn't it?), i settled finally on writing about my collection of over 2000 CDs. even though i was reluctant to write about it initially, i thought i did an ok job of it in the end. i submitted it and my colleague and supervisor liked it. then...
...my supervisor asked me why i was still collecting CDs. i was contemplating between 1) it was a (really bad) habit, 2) CDs come with pretty booklets (which makes my room look impressive..which it does by the way!), 3) i had too much spare cash (which is not true!) or 4) "you might as well ask any girl why does she buy so many pairs of shoes, more than half of which she probably does not wear and has no intention to wear anyway!" in the end i settled on the politically correct answer (or so i thought), which was that i preferred CDs to mp3s for its better sound quality. to which she replied...
..."in that case, why don't you collect records? you know the ones that can play on a gramophone?" i was like "oh my gosh! you dimwitted moron!" (being polite, i did not say it out loud of course..though i hope my facial expression conveyed it clearly enough!) firstly, i said "preferred" in comparison with mp3s (apparently, her english not that powerful for someone working in communications) and secondly, "simi era already, still gramophone, even my grandma watches her dramas on dee wee dee ar!"
well, if the gahmen sector wants to reach out to the new generation but continues to be headed by such "gramophone" thinkers, how do they expect to accomplish it? in my short 2 weeks, i have realised 2 things - the gahmen sector is still headed by lots of people who 1) just "do", don't think so much, just "do" because it is what they (their bosses) want (so they ask you to eat shit you eat shit la?) and 2) are promoted to heads of departments just because "they have been there for quite some time already". the gahmen constantly emphasises the importance of capturing and changing the mindset of the new generation..well i think that maybe the changing of mindset should start first and foremost from within.
as my initial profile (see previous entry) was rejected for lacking focus and i fervently rejected the ideas to focus on my 1) poetry writing (because i have not written anything decent in years!) and 2) my knack of wanting things neat and tidy (honestly, it's like boring isn't it?), i settled finally on writing about my collection of over 2000 CDs. even though i was reluctant to write about it initially, i thought i did an ok job of it in the end. i submitted it and my colleague and supervisor liked it. then...
...my supervisor asked me why i was still collecting CDs. i was contemplating between 1) it was a (really bad) habit, 2) CDs come with pretty booklets (which makes my room look impressive..which it does by the way!), 3) i had too much spare cash (which is not true!) or 4) "you might as well ask any girl why does she buy so many pairs of shoes, more than half of which she probably does not wear and has no intention to wear anyway!" in the end i settled on the politically correct answer (or so i thought), which was that i preferred CDs to mp3s for its better sound quality. to which she replied...
..."in that case, why don't you collect records? you know the ones that can play on a gramophone?" i was like "oh my gosh! you dimwitted moron!" (being polite, i did not say it out loud of course..though i hope my facial expression conveyed it clearly enough!) firstly, i said "preferred" in comparison with mp3s (apparently, her english not that powerful for someone working in communications) and secondly, "simi era already, still gramophone, even my grandma watches her dramas on dee wee dee ar!"
well, if the gahmen sector wants to reach out to the new generation but continues to be headed by such "gramophone" thinkers, how do they expect to accomplish it? in my short 2 weeks, i have realised 2 things - the gahmen sector is still headed by lots of people who 1) just "do", don't think so much, just "do" because it is what they (their bosses) want (so they ask you to eat shit you eat shit la?) and 2) are promoted to heads of departments just because "they have been there for quite some time already". the gahmen constantly emphasises the importance of capturing and changing the mindset of the new generation..well i think that maybe the changing of mindset should start first and foremost from within.
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
my profile
under the company's new initiatives, new staff are to write up a short profile of themselves. this profile will be posted on the intranet, as an introduction to the rest of the staff. so here is what i wrote for myself...
-----
If you happen to bump into Adrian, chances are you will find him a friendly and chirpy little fellow – always ready with a smile and a helping hand. And if you are lucky, (or unlucky, depending on your taste), you may just get to hear first hand a few of his infamous “really bad jokes”...like really bad!
What most people do not see however, is someone who enjoys his bit of quiet time. During this time, he does all the boring stuff imaginable and unimaginable by humankind – like reading (really bimbotic, himbotic or soapy love novels), arranging and re-arranging (and re-arranging again) his collection of over 2000 CDs, blogging and (when the inspiration comes) writing poems.
Adrian is rather philosophical and likens life experiences to a seriously complex mathematics problem sum, even though he thinks the primary school syllabus these days could possibly be more complex than life itself! Just like a problem sum, life has many “workings” and more than one “solution”. He believes that there is no absolute right or an absolute wrong, it is how one makes sense of it all.
Adrian’s favourite quote - “I may not be humble but at least I am honest” – has not won over many fans but has gotten him quite many friends. So do not ask him how your hair looks like on a bad hair day. But if he tells you that he thinks that he is rather adorable, you better believe it!
-----
apparently it lacks focus so i need to rewrite it..which i am quite upset about cuz i thought that the profile i wrote is just so "me". oh well, think i will now just make up some story about my collection of dresses or something..that should be focused and interesting enough!
-----
If you happen to bump into Adrian, chances are you will find him a friendly and chirpy little fellow – always ready with a smile and a helping hand. And if you are lucky, (or unlucky, depending on your taste), you may just get to hear first hand a few of his infamous “really bad jokes”...like really bad!
What most people do not see however, is someone who enjoys his bit of quiet time. During this time, he does all the boring stuff imaginable and unimaginable by humankind – like reading (really bimbotic, himbotic or soapy love novels), arranging and re-arranging (and re-arranging again) his collection of over 2000 CDs, blogging and (when the inspiration comes) writing poems.
Adrian is rather philosophical and likens life experiences to a seriously complex mathematics problem sum, even though he thinks the primary school syllabus these days could possibly be more complex than life itself! Just like a problem sum, life has many “workings” and more than one “solution”. He believes that there is no absolute right or an absolute wrong, it is how one makes sense of it all.
Adrian’s favourite quote - “I may not be humble but at least I am honest” – has not won over many fans but has gotten him quite many friends. So do not ask him how your hair looks like on a bad hair day. But if he tells you that he thinks that he is rather adorable, you better believe it!
-----
apparently it lacks focus so i need to rewrite it..which i am quite upset about cuz i thought that the profile i wrote is just so "me". oh well, think i will now just make up some story about my collection of dresses or something..that should be focused and interesting enough!
Monday, May 04, 2009
aaaww..
just received my parking fine today for an illegal parking. nothing amusing about that except that the letter does not have the word "fine" or "summon" or any words to that effect attached to that $70 fine i have to pay. rather, they make it sound like they are offering you a chance not to pay - "you are being offered an opportunity to have the offence(s) compounded for $70." (yep, effect completed with the underline too!) so don't say gahmen not fair, they give you chance wan k! so nice of them rite? but then if you don't pay, "a Notice to Attend Court may be issued to you in due course". not "will be issued to you" but "may" only..still giving you chance hor! so don't complain..you don't have to pay if you really really don't want to. if you don't compound the offense, at most just see judge only lor and they will compound you instead (your misery that is!).
ps: addy is taking it that he is making a really meaningful $70 contribution to his own year-end bonus.
ps: addy is taking it that he is making a really meaningful $70 contribution to his own year-end bonus.
Monday, December 01, 2008
vigilance
in the aftermath of the mumbai terrorist attacks and hearing our dear government officials boasting about how singapore is so secure, our police force and military are so capable and that such terrorism will never happen in singapore, i just have one question...
where is mas selamat?
yup, talking about that partially disabled j.i. member who somehow limped out of a "highly secured" police area and have eluded our "world class" police and military forces until today! and who has been incidentally (and conveniently), been totally forgotten...
we may think mumbai is far away but there are mad people closer to home than you think..we just have not seen them yet..let us hope and pray that when these crazy people do appear, our police and military forces can really show just how "capable" and "world class" they really are!
yup, talking about that partially disabled j.i. member who somehow limped out of a "highly secured" police area and have eluded our "world class" police and military forces until today! and who has been incidentally (and conveniently), been totally forgotten...
we may think mumbai is far away but there are mad people closer to home than you think..we just have not seen them yet..let us hope and pray that when these crazy people do appear, our police and military forces can really show just how "capable" and "world class" they really are!
Sunday, November 16, 2008
losing heat?
i have always prided myself on being a rather sporty person and it was common for me to pack my whole weekends with sporting activities. these days however, i limit myself to the number of activities and even during the activities. or maybe it is just the phobia accumulated from the various injuries over the years that is protesting. last time, when my body was much (MUCH) more injury-resistant and healing takes a much (MUCH) shorter time, little aches and sprains did not matter as much. but after injuries to the knees, back and ribs and a surgery to the heart..i tend to be more conscious of the consequences. warm-up sessions before any sports have become a must and take a longer time (as more parts need to be warmed up!), more magic deep heat is applied and exertion is kept to the bare minimum (until adrenalin and a refusal-to-lose spirit takes over).
but complaining aside, i am grateful to God that i am still able bodied and doing the sports i love.
and lest you think age is an issue..then i warmly invite you down to your neighbourhood badminton courts to take on any uncle you see. you may run more and hit your shots harder but chances are, all you have to show for your effort is your perspiration.
but complaining aside, i am grateful to God that i am still able bodied and doing the sports i love.
and lest you think age is an issue..then i warmly invite you down to your neighbourhood badminton courts to take on any uncle you see. you may run more and hit your shots harder but chances are, all you have to show for your effort is your perspiration.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
sellout!
i absolutely hate civil servants..i hate their cockiness (though most of them have nothing to be cocky about)..i hate their smarts (though most of them have bigger memories than brains)..i hate their taiji skills (though most of them cannot really do the sport)..seriously, i've had the (unfortunate) chance to deal with not 1, not 2 but 4 government bodies or related associations over the past 2 weeks..and not a single one has proven me wrong! yes, including that goon who cannot even pronounce my name correctly! how someone is able to read my name as TON yong SENG is really (light years) beyond me! sure i don't have the prettiest handwriting, it is at least legible yeah? some say my handwriting is like a primary school handwriting exercise (you know the ones where you write the letters within the block?)..but for goodness, it was a screen shot from the web! i'm not even going to mention what happened with the other 3 but since you are curious (i assume of course..you are free to skip the following and proceed to the bottom of the post), i shall entertain you a little!
1. addy needs a map screenshot and being a law abiding citizen, decides to get permission from government agency.
g.a.: please call this other party
other party: they everything also refer to us la..it is under them!
(back to g.a.)
g.a.: let me refer you to my officer
g.a. officer: please call this other party (the exact same "other party"..AFTER i have told this person that i had already called that "other party")
-exasperated-
2. addy attends a meeting with government agency.
g.a.: basically pr has two arms, one advertising and the other pr
addy: -thinks to himself- HUH?! two arms? she means P and R si bo?
(for the benefit of non-marketers, advertising does not fall under public relations)
g.a.: so..how are you going to pitch your advertisement?
addy: -thinks to himself- PITCH? advertisement?!
(again for the benefit of non-marketers, "pitch" sounds very glam and all important but..it is a term usually used for pr..no one pitches an advertisement!)
for the record, i was in the meeting with two other project mates, one from events and the other from the press and we were all very very impressed at her "smarts"...
-amused-
3. addy enquires about the status of his car from a government agency.
first call: g.a. promises to check and call back
(no call back)
second call: g.a. starts with "you have called once before" and goes on to keep me on hold until the line went dead!
third call: g.a. starts with "you have called once before" but before she can go further i told her "of course i have called more than once before..because this is my third call!" i wanted to add that i could count but thought that that would be rather mean so i did not...
-can die-
ok, now for the bummer part -ahemz- i have been shortlisted for a job in a government agency and really enthusiastic about it! i know i know..absolutely, spineless sellout! but i will be a rare breed in there..and they need people like me so that we can serve you better!
glad you could see it my way! :D
someone sent this to me some time back...
time together brings two ppl closer
time apart may cause eventual drifts
time heals wounds
time lost can never be retrieved
time is something you cannot buy even if you had all the riches of the world
if you think that it is stating what is quite the obvious, it actually is la! :P but sometimes, it is the obvious which we do not see..and for a moment of time i did not either...
i do now :)
ps: i know the sentence structure is quite bad..but people say copyright leh..cannot anyhow change wor!
1. addy needs a map screenshot and being a law abiding citizen, decides to get permission from government agency.
g.a.: please call this other party
other party: they everything also refer to us la..it is under them!
(back to g.a.)
g.a.: let me refer you to my officer
g.a. officer: please call this other party (the exact same "other party"..AFTER i have told this person that i had already called that "other party")
-exasperated-
2. addy attends a meeting with government agency.
g.a.: basically pr has two arms, one advertising and the other pr
addy: -thinks to himself- HUH?! two arms? she means P and R si bo?
(for the benefit of non-marketers, advertising does not fall under public relations)
g.a.: so..how are you going to pitch your advertisement?
addy: -thinks to himself- PITCH? advertisement?!
(again for the benefit of non-marketers, "pitch" sounds very glam and all important but..it is a term usually used for pr..no one pitches an advertisement!)
for the record, i was in the meeting with two other project mates, one from events and the other from the press and we were all very very impressed at her "smarts"...
-amused-
3. addy enquires about the status of his car from a government agency.
first call: g.a. promises to check and call back
(no call back)
second call: g.a. starts with "you have called once before" and goes on to keep me on hold until the line went dead!
third call: g.a. starts with "you have called once before" but before she can go further i told her "of course i have called more than once before..because this is my third call!" i wanted to add that i could count but thought that that would be rather mean so i did not...
-can die-
ok, now for the bummer part -ahemz- i have been shortlisted for a job in a government agency and really enthusiastic about it! i know i know..absolutely, spineless sellout! but i will be a rare breed in there..and they need people like me so that we can serve you better!
glad you could see it my way! :D
someone sent this to me some time back...
time together brings two ppl closer
time apart may cause eventual drifts
time heals wounds
time lost can never be retrieved
time is something you cannot buy even if you had all the riches of the world
if you think that it is stating what is quite the obvious, it actually is la! :P but sometimes, it is the obvious which we do not see..and for a moment of time i did not either...
i do now :)
ps: i know the sentence structure is quite bad..but people say copyright leh..cannot anyhow change wor!
Friday, June 13, 2008
confronting my demons
there are certain things which i have successfully avoided for the last few months because simply, i just cannot bear to..at times, it is to the extent that it may seem unnecessary behaviour and selfish but when i am in that state, i do not really care. some of these occasions i absolutely refuse to turn up for are baby showers and weddings..really happy and blissful stuff which i had once not long ago, foreseen myself partaking in rather than being a spectator. and then there is that thing which i love but have since avoided like the plague..ktv. sounds trivial eh? but it is especially hard when she has been your regular ktv companion for the past few years and every song you sing has bits and pieces of her in them..her reaction to the song, her expression, her singing along..it kills me.
no more.
why should i allow someone who has chosen to walk out on me maintain control over me?
she does not deserve it.
no more.
why should i allow someone who has chosen to walk out on me maintain control over me?
she does not deserve it.
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
transition...
how do you blog about events which have messed up your life on what was seemingly a smooth sailing journey without sounding too childish and bitter? you cannot, really..though it is all about perspective and the side you are taking...and since you are reading my blog, i take it that you are on my side..right? but i shall not dwell into details here because, much as i love to whine, it has been a while and i'd rather let things pass..it has not been easy and it still is tough but i am pulling through..surely.
on the work front, i am in between jobs at the moment (which is a nicer way to say that i quit my job and cannot find another yet!). on the other hand, i have been kept busy with some freelance copywriting which i am grateful to bryan for and working with another friend on a major national project..which i am currently unable to divulge further details on. these are really exciting times ahead but the fact remains, i am unemployed..and there is only that long my optimism (or funds for that matter) can last me.
on a lighter note, i applied for a deferment from my reservist to aid in my job hunt..and mindef (being the all important civil service it is), sent me a sms asking me to send in supporting documents before they can process my deferment. like, what "supporting documents" can i produce? maybe i'll just write them a letter..
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am really really really unemployed..REALLY! As evidence of my unemployment, I have attached 5 pictures of me 1) at home sending out resumes, 2) eating instant noodles (at home of course) and 3) wandering the streets aimlessly (near my home of course) for each weekday of the week.
For your kind consideration.
Best regards,
Adrian
PS: I have also taken the liberty to cc: you on every single job application I am sending henceforth.
on the work front, i am in between jobs at the moment (which is a nicer way to say that i quit my job and cannot find another yet!). on the other hand, i have been kept busy with some freelance copywriting which i am grateful to bryan for and working with another friend on a major national project..which i am currently unable to divulge further details on. these are really exciting times ahead but the fact remains, i am unemployed..and there is only that long my optimism (or funds for that matter) can last me.
on a lighter note, i applied for a deferment from my reservist to aid in my job hunt..and mindef (being the all important civil service it is), sent me a sms asking me to send in supporting documents before they can process my deferment. like, what "supporting documents" can i produce? maybe i'll just write them a letter..
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am really really really unemployed..REALLY! As evidence of my unemployment, I have attached 5 pictures of me 1) at home sending out resumes, 2) eating instant noodles (at home of course) and 3) wandering the streets aimlessly (near my home of course) for each weekday of the week.
For your kind consideration.
Best regards,
Adrian
PS: I have also taken the liberty to cc: you on every single job application I am sending henceforth.
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