New Kid on the Blog: October 2007

Monday, October 15, 2007

ORIS watch overhaul

I sent in my Oris BC3 watch for overhaul, guess how much it cost?
I have to send in to the watch shop for "overhaul" due to:
1. Watch is not accurate enough, the time difference after a few days is unacceptable.
2. Watch strap need to be replace, may be is because I was too close to the BBQ fire last time and it start to deform the rubber strap.
3. Water can go into the watch due to the crown is broken
4. Luminous on the needle has totally worn off

So I ask the watch dealer to give me a quote, here is what they gave me:
1. Watch Service (RM380)
2. Strap (RM280)
3. Crown (RM150)
4. Watch needle (RM 50)
Altogether it comes to RM860, and the watch I bought it for only RM1050 last time, I bought 3, sold 2, make some profit to cover my watch, and that bring the cost down to RM850, now servicing the watch is more than my cost, after some consideration, I decided to write off the watch, not going to repair it.

Meeting up with my new director

Flew to Singapore on Thursday to meet up with my new boss. Found out she is not that mean as she looks during the interview, she is quite nice to me, around 33-34 in age. Not sure if she is married though, saw a diamond ring on her middle finger, she is tall and skinny type (healthy skinny looking type). I started to accept some work from her since Thursday. Currently I am helping her to review contracts, analyse it and point out the risk and then feedback to her. One good thing is she leave the company at 630pm, at least not as "workaholic" as I thought, she asked me "don't work too hard" when she leave.... hahahha.
That day I was really damn tired, cuz I woke up at 530am to catch the morning flight.

First week at E///

Last week was my first week at my new company, basically I think it was not bad, the only complain will be the distance, I have to drive to work everyday and that increase my operation cost, other than that, there are a lot of good things about moving to this new company. Colleagues are nice and friendly, working environment is good, got in house travel agency, HP on site technicians, gym room, sport facility, etc...
Good things about E///
1. Basic salary increased
2. Business trip allowance increased 50% (for Singapore case), other countries remain uknown
3. Hotel Accomodation from 3 stars to 5 stars.
If is the permanent staff:
1. You get 18 days of paid leave, HW got 15 days, which I think very good already.
2. RM1500 cell phone subsidiary on every two years
3. Wife give birth medical bill FOC.
4. Winter clothing is claimable if one day they send me to Sweden.
5. Transport allowance for manager level is Rm1k (not sure if this is still available, confirmed later there is no such thing anymore!)
6. etc...
I guess it is still a right move. :)

Singapore Check In Counter and Aviation Rule

One thing I really hate about Singapore check in counter, I wonder who passed this stupid aviation rules, which does not allowed liquid or gel that is more than 100ml to be hand carry to the cabin. The first time I flew to Singapore, I have to dumped my unopened mineral water, due to it is over 100ml (half a glass of water), the bottle is transparent and I really don't see it will post any harm if I bring that to the plane. If the crew can offer me plenty of water, why the hell do I bother to carry such heavy bottle together with me? Isn't that stupid?! So far Singapore is the only airport that you will have some issue if you bring water to the plane. Those people in check in counter also very rigid minded, they will make sure you throw away the bottle before you proceed, I told them in their face that I hate Singapore Airport!
This time, I tried not to bring body shower gel and shampoo with me, since I know that I will have to deal with these stupid rule again when I get into Singapore airport. I brought my hair gel which is going to finish soon, I think I still can use it for 2-3 weeks. And I am very sure it is LESS THAN 100ml.
This time, they make me throw my Loreal hair gel away, the reason? They said because the container is bigger than 100ml, I gave her a "WTF?!-Look". Then later on I also heard a 50 yrs old complained that her cream or something was forced to throw away even though it is almost finish. I think this aviation rule is really stupid, I wonder does it apply to other country, or just that Singapore is more strict on it... really stupid?! Like I am going to make a bomb with my hair gel! What the hell la!? These people really drives me crazy!