Underneath the Stars - Apple & Orange

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Glory Glory Man Utd! / Jobless Chronicles - Day 13

3:45 PM

My 2nd posting in less than a week. Why? Simply because I'm jobless. =(

On a happier note, never have I been so happy that I'm wrong! I mentioned earlier that I don't have a good feeling for Man Utd's match against Wigan, fearing a recurrence of the situation in 1994 (see previous post). Chris Kirkland had an inspiring day in goal for Wigan but perhaps not as inspiring as Ludek Milosko for West Ham in 1994. Goals from Ronaldo and Giggsy ensured that Man Utd claimed their 10th Premiership title (17 league titles in all) and moved closer to Liverpool's all-time record of 18 league titles. It was a day to savour, especially for Giggsy, who not only scored the goal that probably decided it but also equalled the record for number of appearances for Man Utd, which is currently co-held by Sir Bobby Charlton, a legend himself. Actually, if not for Giggsy's troubling hamstring problems in his younger days, this record would have been broken long ago, a fact not lost on Sir Charlton himself. So kudos to Giggsy and what an occasion to break the record in a Champions League final. I hope I'm wrong again (see previous post again) in predicting a trophy each for Man Utd and Chelsea. Go Devils!

It has been 13 days since I left the service and plunge myself into the private sector. People have been asking me why on earth did I quit without finding a job first? In a perfect world, I will gladly do that. But I can't. First, I have to give 3 months notice (yes, not 1, not 2 but 3) to quit the service. Anyone who thinks it is possible for an guy with no relevant working experience to go for an interview and ask the employer to wait for 3 months must be an optimist. Sadly, I'm not one. Second, when I handed in my resignation, I had started to look for jobs from early Mar. Sadly (again), I couldn't find a job before I left.

To date, I have sent out more than 80 applications. And I have been through 3 interviews and 1 phone interview. The first (informal) interview was with a headhunting consultancy firm. They were interested in me but I wasn't interested as it was not something I want to do. A job is a job but what I'm looking for is a career and that's why I believe the first job is very important. Well, maybe that would change if this continues after a month. Anyway second (informal again) interview was interesting and the interviewer exudes a charm that captivated me. Decide to try it out until I realised that it was MLM in disguise on the first day. Did not even bother to show up on the second day, though I did send the interviewer an email to thank him for the opportunity. The phone interview from a training system company lasted 36 minutes and I was asked to sell a product (I chose PSP) to the interviewer so as to assess my sales pitching. I guess he wasn't really interested in me and the feeling was mutual as I seriously do not like to do sales job.

The final interview I went was finally a formal interview at last at an established company. The interview lasted 1 hr-plus and she said this is only the first round of interview and will inform me if I was shortlisted for the 2nd interview. I told Baby that I think I will not be shortlisted because of what she said to me towards the end of the interview. I am disappointed because this job is something that I wanted to kickstart my career. And failed interviews can be quite morale-sapping, not that I have high morale in the first place.

Baby has kept assuring me it's only 10-plus days since I was jobless and some of her friends took months to find a job. I myself know it takes time and have more confidence in myself that a suitable job will come my way soon. 加油加油加油！

Chipmunk

Thursday, May 08, 2008

好久好久。。。

3:21 PM

It has been a long four months since the last post in our blog... So much has happened since...

1. Most importantly, I have left the SAF and is now officially jobless. Many friends have came up to me and said "Shiok right! Missed your pink IC right?!". Well, my answer surprised some of them. When I was in the force, I couldn't wait for my ORD day to come and when it really came, I was less happy than I expected myself to be. Perhaps it's about getting out of my comfort zone. I was comfortable at my office, drawing a nice pay (to me, may not be to others) and life was good. I have started looking for a job since end Mar I think and have went for 2 interviews. Both are not what I want so I rejected them. Going for an interview tomorrow. I hope it's something I want and of course, also hoping I'm the person they want.

2. I finally completed my studies (ok.. I still got one paper in Jul but it's the end of my classes!)! 3 years have passed and I'm glad that it's all over. What pleases me most was my supervisor for my FYP said he will push me up to 1st Class Honours if there is a chance! Though I think it's very impossible (considering my results are now borderline 2nd Upper), I'm just glad that there is at least a chance, albeit a very slim one. Of course, it will also depend on my 2 papers that I took in March and the Jul paper.

3. Man Utd is going into Survival Sunday, level on points with Chelsea. A win against Wigan will seal it, barring a freakish result, i.e. Chelsea 21 Bolton 0. I don't have a good feeling because when was the last time Man Utd had to go into the last game, needing a win to seal the title? Yes... 1994 against West Ham and Blackburn against Liverpool. With Blackburn going to Anfield, Man Utd were favourites for the title. But alas, Man Utd somehow failed to win (and score), with the help of inspired goalkeeping from Ludek Milosko, and even though Blackburn lost to Liverpool, the title was snatched away from Man Utd. This time Man Utd is again favourites to win the title but I just don't feel right about this... I hope I'm wrong... Please, let me be wrong!

4. It sure is a repeat of last season, isn't it? Champions League final sees Man Utd pits against Chelsea, which was the FA Cup final last season. I think the result will be similar. They will share a trophy each so whoever wins the Premier League will be the loser for the final. That's my bet.

5. Saw Yanyang (YY) on TV some time back in the programme, Find Me A Singaporean. It was sure interesting and I had a big smile on my face when YY opened the door for Belinda (host). It's really tough living in a foreign country, not to say foreign language too, by yourself and as what YY said, friends are thus important and I can say that I'm glad that he has found some friends in Argentina, which will make those lonely nights less lonely. He's coming back on 24 Jun (TBC) for a month I think and I cant wait for this day to see an old friend again. This time in person. =)

Chipmunk