Paul's Fulfilling Life

I was at my grandma's place in the afternoon with my mum to find out about the needs of my grandma as she is coming over to our place for a short stay in mid Oct as one of my aunties will be away, while the other would be busy marking PSLE scripts. My parents decided to take up the responsibility as they felt that grandma is already in her 80's, therefore we should try to spend more time with her. Like what my aunt said, "Don't wait till grandma is hospitalised and u guys just converge at the hospital to visit her, it may be too late. It is always good to bring her around, when she is able to listen, see and talk to us, therefore take this as a good opportunity." I feel that what she said was quite true and she was heartened that my parents agreed to look after my grandma. At least, we were better than my uncles. Like what I said before, if you don't treat your parents well now, you may suffer the fate of your parents when you have your own children. Its l...

I was woken up by the bright sun shining on my bed today, which was hot, unlike yesterday, which was raining like mad. In fact, the place where I work, Orchard Road was flooded. In my history of working in Orchard area, this is the first time, I heard that the CK Tang underpass was flooded. The stretch of Forum shopping mall was flooded. I guess it was due to the retiling of pavements that caused the poor drainage of the rainwater. My mood was perked up late last night already and it was further perked up today. The reason for this mood will be only known to me. I managed to solve the Mio TV installation issue. I managed to get the choked toilet in my house fixed this morning, which is good as my grandma Was exchanging messages with Darling, glad to hear that her little boy is doing fine. Would like to thank her for her encouragement over some issues. Through this, I knew who my true friends are. Thanks for communicating with me through sms. I guessed we exchanged about 10 of them ...

I finally got my new Singnet modem and the Mio TV set up box on Thursday after the original Monday appointment was postponed by Singnet. The new modem, for my 8MB plan is working well but I am having problems installing the Mio TV as the guy who did the installation at my place just tested and ensured that the set up box was working. (To him, I guess it means if the set up box is able to be powered on after the power is plugged, it works). The fustrating part was I was not on leave to monitor the work done, as I do not want to waste my limited leave unnecessarily. My brother, who is on holiday, is at home, therefore I thought he was capable of doing the task, since he is in ECE. To my disappointment, he did not ensure that it was done. Perhaps he was having the same view as me that Mio setup box installation is the same as Starhub Cable Vision. Anyway I did go through the guide on how to install the set up box. Apparently, one end of the cable goes to the modem, the other end to th...

Was back in office today after my stomach flu recovered well enough to enable me to head for work today. The culture in this company, especially in my department, has made me look forward to work everyday. My manager was surprised to see me today and very well. Today was my payday as well. Besides getting my pay from my boss, my dept got shopping vouchers from my boss for a good job done in clearing the 5 years of backlog in tax computations within 2 weeks, thus the client need not attend court hearing. I was quite surprised by this as in my 5 years working in this line, I do not see CPA firm's partners practising good management and staff welfare to their staff. This is the first time I see this in practice. My boss was saying that I could share the vouchers with my family or the gal I am chasing. ( I suppose she is joking on the second one! :))

Decided to go to work today despite having a slight fever. I had a bout of diahorrea late last night. 2 hrs into my work, my manager was surprised at the state of my face, which was as white as sheet. She quickly told my boss and my boss came out with medicine. The medicine was quite effective as it kept the pain under the control. My manager was telling me that my boss knows  a lot about medicine. Maybe that is learned for the sake of the children.

My manager has asked me to join her and my other senior for this workshop to be held on 30 Sep 2008 at IRAS. It appears that Corporate Tax has to efiled as well, come YA 2009. I have personally tried out the system. It appears that it will be another mind boggling excercise. Was telling my manager that I am foreseeing teething problems ahead and with the shorter deadline in YA 2009, I wonder if we can meet it.

I can't imagine the scenes of the movie Money Not Enough 2 is playing in real life in my extended family now. I just hope that my dad, uncles and aunties can try to resolve this logically and aimcably  before one of my aunties, who is staying with my grandma leaves for her holiday. Looking after your parents is not something that one should push around. It should be a shared responsibility among all the children. Maybe my uncles and aunties should watch Money No Enough 2. 

You are The Hermit Prudence, Caution, Deliberation. The Hermit points to all things hidden, such as knowledge and inspiration,hidden enemies. The illumination is from within, and retirement from participation in current events. The Hermit is a card of introspection, analysis and, well, virginity. You do not desire to socialize; the card indicates, instead, a desire for peace and solitude. You prefer to take the time to think, organize, ruminate, take stock. There may be feelings of frustration and discontent but these feelings eventually lead to enlightenment, illumination, clarity. The Hermit represents a wise, inspirational person, friend, teacher, therapist. This a person who can shine a light on things that were previously mysterious and confusing. What Tarot Card are You? Take the Test to Find Out.

I had a hard time thinking about what to give my long time blogger friend, Darling, who became a new mum last week. In the end, I got to thank one of my new friends, Evelyn for giving me an idea what to give. The fortunate thing was I had the new Noel catalogue delivered to me, so I just clicked on the webby and Noel did the rest. Glad that she found the gift useful. Hopefully, little Master Tan likes the little soft toy on the hamper.

Just want to wish my cousin, fellow blogger, Jolene a happy 27th birthday today. May what she wishes for come true for her.

Chuan Shuo I was encouraged by my mum to go for this KTV session organised the Libraboys Group of Facebook after I was invited the organiser, Keith, who saw my the event profile of the singing session that I am organising for the Singing @ K group on 4 Oct. I must admire his power of organising KTV. He was able to gather 30 people to join us within 3 weeks of the announcement was made. As a result of this, he had to book 5 KTV rooms for us at Lucky Chinatown KBox branch and he managed to convince the manager at KBox to give us an additional 2 hours of singing at no charge. If not for the 7 people who flew the plane and didn't turn up, I guess the crowd will be bigger. Met one of my Singing @ K friends, Connie at the session, but I was at the biggest room with 5 people who were there for the 1st time too. Had a good time singing with Joanathan, Jasmin, Sze Hui, Christine, John & Keith. I had a chance to try out this song too. Didn't really like the lunch, Soya Chic...

Just wanna wish my pal a happy birthday tomorrow. Hope what he wishes for come true for him. Hope that his marriage will be a happy & blissful one.

My tax partner spoke to me & my colleague today about learning to file financial statements using the ACRA software XBRL. She wants us to pick up a new skill besides learning taxation, which I think is good. She did mention that it will be done during the off peak tax filing period. But at the same time, I am afraid that I may be loaded with this duty after mastering the skill, and not being able to learn more stuff at my pet area in tax. Learning is a lifelong process. One should be happy that they are given a chance to learn. I am willing to learn, so I just hope my boss don't take advantage of me.

I am not sure if I should share this as the person may be too busy handling her baby boy now. I got an sms from Darling that she had given birth to a baby boy last Thu afternoon. I may have missed her sms due to my recent busy schedule, or the lousy network coverage of either of our handphone service providers. Anyway, just to wish her baby have a healthy & fulfilling life, & Mrs Tan to take good care of her health.

Just saw Wendy's comment in my cbox that my life has become more happening recently. I guess this is something that even my mum is happy about. Although, every now & then, she still nags that I should get attached soon. I guess this is because I don't work on Sat nowadays and I'm on a break for my studies till later part of the year. It gives me more time and opportunity to know new people. The next question that people may ask is whether Paul has met any gals he fancies from these activities. Nowadays, I prefer to take things slowly and let nature runs its course. You guys should be able to know if I am in that stage of my life. In the meantime, I am organising a KTV session for the Singing @ K on 4 Oct 2008 (Sat). Those who are interested can join us.

My additional room in my house is available for rent again. This after my ex-tenant was not allowed to return to Singapore to retake the exam that he failed at SIM. I am surprised by the inflexibility of the school as to why they did not allow him to complete the paper that he failed. He was asked to register in a private institution in China. This means that Paul & his family are starting to look for a new tenant, preferably a student who does not mind to stay in Serangoon. Maybe u guys may have friends to recommend?

Have to thank Michelle & Lennard for compiling the photos for us.   Paul with Joanathan Paul with the organiser, Michelle A group pic for the memories. Alvin, Lennard, Joanathan, Paul, Teck Kiang. Jean , Karen, Veronica, Joyce, Michelle, Carmen , Sharon

I was shouted at as I was going to have my dinner at home today. At first, I thought it was some salesman who was selling SCV packages or ice-creams. Little did I realise that this person was trying to ask people to donate to a charity organisation that I have not heard before. I was pretty pissed by the way he shouted at me in the first place, so do you think I still wish to donate to this organisation, or let this person take my donation? Secondly, the charity seems dubious. Ever since the Ren Ci & NKF incidents, I have since stopped giving to charities, except for NCSS, which I started during my NS days. I just feel that there are more needy people around us, especially friends and relatives who may need help in one way or another. I wonder if u agree with me on this?

  I just finished watching the entire drama online a while ago. The drama, which stars Yoyo Mung, Chermaine Sheh, Bobby Auyeong & Frankie Lam is about a group of police officers who work with the forensic department to solve crimes. In the course of the drama, friendship & BGR is formed. I found the drama is not bad, considering the number of A listers in there.   法證部高級化驗師高彥博為人博學、冷靜、機智，貫徹「毋枉毋縱」的法證精神，帶領法證部與警方合作偵破無數案件，不過罪犯手法愈趨高智慧、狡猾，法證部亦要不斷精進，務求更科學化、更巧妙、更有效率地找出案件真相，所以法證人員的工作也見日益繁重。 非常法醫古澤琛，亦是著名推理小說家，曾經因應其小說而牽引出幾件曲折離奇的案件。他藉著解剖屍體和活體取證，為死者或受害人說話，把罪案的真相呈現眼前... 澤琛和法證部政府化驗所技術員林汀汀共同經歷了一段起伏的感情路，終於開花結果。身邊所有人都為他倆而高興、祝福。然而，正當澤琛和汀汀籌備婚禮之際，另一邊廂的彥博和西九龍重案組督察梁小柔的一段感情，卻因為彥博的理性而顯得平淡，小柔其實亦羨慕澤琛和汀汀的浪漫和激情，雖然知道彥博是用情專一的男人，但也不禁有患得患失之感。 一宗牽涉國際毒販的兇殺案，把毒品調查科高級督察馬幗英介入彥博、澤琛和小柔的合作關係當中。 幗英領導毒品調查科兩年，是警隊中出色的破案高手。小柔辦案勇猛過人，每每身先士卒，幗英卻屬於智慧型審訊高手，每逢審問疑犯前，均會先掌握案情關鍵，再逼問犯人，令其供出真相。幗英審問手法靈活多變，更會親自模擬兇案現場環境，以求勾起受害者的記憶，從中找出破案線索。 兩幫毒販為了利益而互相廝殺，甚至以炸彈來對付仇家，在一次手榴彈襲擊事件中，幸得澤琛少年時代的好友楊逸昇的偶然出現，化解了一場危機。...

I went for this event organised by Michelle of Facebook Singles Group just now. I didn't know there was this place in Marina Square that allows people to have a good chat over some light refreshments & drinks. Once again, have to thank Michelle for organising the event for us and getting the mooncake for us. I was surprised to see my KTV group mate, Joanathan Teo joining us for the 1st time. He said it was lucky that I was around, otherwise he had to remember 13 names. Since this was my 4th gathering with the group, it has become comfortable, and I also met some new people, like Sharon, Carmen & Alvin. Have to thank Lennard for giving me the ride home.

I was telling 2 of my friends that I knew from the Singing @ K group that we may need a big room for the coming session that I am organising for them on 4 Oct 2008. This is because it may exceed all our previous sessions' attendance. It has come as a surprise to me as I have put the date way in advance. Maybe like what my friend, Joanathan said, I have put up the date in advance so it allows people to plan ahead. Hopefully, it will be a successful session.   http://www.new.facebook.com/editevent.php?picture&eid=76078150182&new&m=1#/event.php?eid=76078150182&ref=mf

My manager decided to give me a try to phrase an invoice today as I have followed the job from start to end. It was a good exprience phrasing an invoice. She is quite pleased with the way I phrased the invoice. I was quite relived as this was my first time in my 5 years working in an audit firm. In about 2 months time, the deadline for submission for corporate tax returns will arrive. Received news from my manager that we will need to stay behind when the need arises. Fortunately, I am relieved to hear that we have managed to clear about 80% of the cases already. The rest are not complete as there are delay of accounting books by clients or are held up by payment.

I was at the 7th Storey Hotel with the Facebook Singles members. Once again, we have to thank Michelle for organising the event, which was a steamboat dinner at the Hainan restaurant in the hotel. The food is so-so only, but I had a good time knowing new friends, like Esther, Roy, Irene, Quincy and Melvin Was supposed to catch the lantern display at the Singapore River, but the sudden downpour after our dinner made us have a change of plans. We went to the Settler's cafe at Clarke Quay instead. The service was bad.VERY BAD. Can you imagine our finger food that was included in the package never arrived after we told the waiter to serve us later. We had pressed the bell constantly for an hour, & had to repeat the same story over and over again. The waiter had the cheek to ask us what we ordered, three times!!! So much has been said about the customer service in Singapore. I think this was the worst of the lot. We were somehow disturbed by this at the end of the event. Alre...

Had a busy week at work this week, but did found some time to meet up with a long-time net friend, Kathleen for the first time after knowing her for 3 years. I had a good time sharing with her some financial planning tips and had a nice chat over various topics. Would like to thank her for the dinner treat too. I hope she finds the tips useful. Had a surprise at the start of the week. I had not expected a response after an email request was sent out, but since the answer, things are progressing well. Hope it stays this way. I shall not reveal what the surprise is, until I am sure of the progress myself. In the meantime, have a good time guessing. Work has been progressing well, as manager has started to let me handle more tough cases. The senior seems emotionally charged today, maybe due to my partner's comment that I am a capable assistant to my manager yesterday. I have told my manager that I have fears of doing my senior's cases as she seems a rigid person that wants things...