Marrying in Singapore is easy. ROM just require a small fee of less than $30 and you will be legally married with the love of your life (at that time).
However, customary is the one that causes all the headache. Mostly because of the cash involved in it. There are even articles about people incurring debts, just to make their dream wedding come true.
Now there is a distinction between ROM ceremony and wedding. ROM is the time where the couple sign their papers in front of a solemner, where they will become legally married. This used to be a simple thing to do. But recently, couples hold celebrations for such wedding and invite lots of guests. When people are invited, they are expected to give ang bao/ gifts. A lot of older generation don't agree with this. How can the couple ask for gifts/ blessings for their marriage twice?
Anyway, the focus is on marriage here, although its also applicable to ROM.
First thing first. Nothing will happen if you don't have a wedding venue. Of course the choice is yours and you can put it ANYWHERE. The ultimate location would be a posh hotel. St Regis, Capella, Ritz Carlton, these are a few of the most expensive place to hold your wedding. With a deep pocket, you can. I don't know how much is a table there. But looking at the ang bao chart, it should be at least $2.5K per table. This means each of your guest have to give you $250 ang bao, or you will end up making a loss. On the other hand, people who held their wedding in such hotels, either they can afford making a loss or their parents are paying for it. Well, traditional, the groom side parents are supposed to pay for the whole of the wedding banquet. Let's not go into details for that portion.
Ang baos now became payment for your dinner rather than blessing to the couple. If you do not know, traditionally, the ang baos should be kept by parents too. But bride side's parents get to keep them without paying for the tables. Nowadays, because the couple paid for the tables, they keep all the ang baos also.
Apart from posh hotels, other venues includes country clubs, some outdoor alfresco area like garden of hotels, community centres and even void decks. We seldom see void deck chinese weddings now though.
Now that we have the venue, we also need a bridal package. Price starts from three thousand minimum. You get a indoor shoot, outdoor shoot, make up, hair and several gowns. The more you want, the more you pay. They are very flexible, as long as you are flexible with your payment.
In the recent years, maybe due to the increase usage of social media, we see people sharing more about their bridal package experience. We also heard about bridal shop taking all their customer's money and close shop. Even they are open, we also hear about high turnover rate of their staff, resulting in poor coordination and follow ups. Couples need to do most of the job to inform the bridal shop about their appointments.
One of my close friend had so many issues with her bridal shop that she had a really hard time. Appointments not booked for her make up artist, change of her coordinator twice, wrong color of her bouquet. One day before her wedding day, she went to pick up the bouquet, only to realised they provided her with a orange bouquet instead of pink as she requested. Her lawyer relative was so angry that she went down personally to settle this issue for her. And as usual, bridal taiji to florist, florist taiji to bridal's coordinator. After taiji-ing here and there, the lawyer said calmly, "I'm not giving you any trouble, I just want to know who to sue." Almost immediately, there it is, the pink bouquet. So things can be done, just that once they do wrongly, they don't want to correct it because it's extra effort. This is just one part, a lot of brides had difficulties finding makeup artist and booking photographer.
Photographer and videographer... another issue. Usually outsourced by the bridal or the couple can choose to hire their own. This alone could be more expensive than the bridal package. I heard of a couple whose videographer package is more than eight thousand dollars. The videographer came with a crew of four people. Bringing A LOT of equipment! Looks really professional. The couple said they take videos for the local broadcasting station. The result was actually okay. But not worth the amount in my opinion. It's high quality, but I won't spend that kind of money for a video. I believe they charged so much because of their pricey equipment. They are very busy also! Numerous shoots. Singapore got a lot of rich people. People are more willing to spend during their wedding. Once in a lifetime, they say.
Above all are the basics of a chinese wedding. I believe you can do without some of it, and engage your friends and relatives to help. But all relies on whether you have the resources and are you able to accept amateur quality. And all are my humble opinion. :)
Thursday, November 26, 2015
Monday, November 9, 2015
Job Searching
This post is just for me to do some reflection and thinking through my future.
I've been on the current job for more than four years now since I graduated with my degree. With a business degree, the available options are slightly more than a specific one. However, i ended up in this customer service job because of it's location. I also thought I could do this first while considering what I want for my future.
Here I am, four years later... Still not sure what I want to do.
I have this thing for marketing and PR. I think I'm that kind of person. Good with meeting people, talking, and selling. But I do not want to be tied down by sales target. If given a chance, I think I can do well in this sector.
People usually think highly of themselves. That's my problem also. I feel that I can achieve much more elsewhere or in another position. Over here, people consider this place as a retirement village. Everyone here is waiting for the "package". I'm the most junior person in my team. Two of which clocked thirteen years. And another was seven. How am I going to fight with them? Colleagues even asked me what am I doing here? So young and capable, I should be outside fighting for my career!
I thought so too... Most of the time...
Frankly speaking, being in here is my comfort zone. I complete my tasks within first hour of the day. After which, I was in charge of routing emails from the generic mailbox. I look for ways to simplify and error proof my work. I think of ideas to make my job easier. Resulting in higher efficiency, end up I complete them even faster than others. End up I'm bored. End up I surf net around 60% of my day. There are some busy days also, but I would say it's very little.
In my opinion, the pay here is way lower than what I can do. But for what I done so far, I would say it's justifiable because I'm free most of the time. I'm not working hard enough. Still have a lot of capacity. But who would tell that to their bosses? I don't tell my boss I'm free, but as and when they assign other jobs to my out of my job scope, I gladly take them. I strongly believe that employees are to help bosses solve problems, not create problems. That's why I hate politics also. I cannot stand them and is strongly against them. I don't like when people gossip and back stab others. I try to walk away and usually do not comment. If I'm close enough with that person, I'll tell them to stop. That's how I roll.
However, tongues will still wag. When people ask me about stuff, I just say I don't know. Even with the closest colleague, I don't want to spread people's issues. There was once my close colleague got angry with me because I told her I didn't know about a scandal in the company. Another colleague told her that she already told me. -.- Anyway, that was over and she got over it after a short while. I just told her that I don't think we should spread such news and it would be better if she didn't know. I hoped I didn't know also.
I told myself that I would start looking for a new job in Decemeber. But here's the problem. What job? If I were to venture into something our of my current experience, I'm sure I would have to accept a pay cut. That's unacceptable. I have a house, a car and family to feed. I cannot accept pay cut and higher work load. Doesn't make sense. I will have to proof to the company that I'm interviewing for that I'm worth it. How many employers can see that? All they want is a worker bee. Hopefully someone without much thoughts. Too much thoughts and comment might end up being a conflict of interest.
First year into my current job, I had lots of thoughts. Why don't they streamline this process. Why won't they invest more and use a better system to manage their orders? Why don't they do this, why don't they do that. From there, I understand reality. What we learnt in textbooks, in schools are not really applicable here. We made assumptions. Cost and benefit analysis were just numbers. In this real world, these are real figures. They have impact. They affect business profitability and company's future. It's not so simple.
Cut cost. Separation and acquisition. I was lucky to have gone through all that here. I would say it's a valuable experience.
Now looking ahead. I need to start thinking for myself. Do I want to sacrifice my comfort and walk out to a bigger environment? Will I be able to succeed? Will I do better than here? Friends around me who walked out seems like they are doing better. But then again, they went back to the same industry. I'm venturing out.
I hope I can meet someone who can help my and value my capability. I also wish to grow. But I can feel that working in this current job is really slowing me down. I used to be an extrovert. Very good in presentation. I thought I could do MUCH BETTER than now. But looking at facebook, all my classmates are at managerial level, while I'm still a customer service representative. It sucked to be filled with envy when I used to perform better than them. I hate this feeling. I need to make a change. I hope my next post will be an update for my new job. Like everyone else, I'm waiting for the year end 13 month and off I go. Wish my luck!
I've been on the current job for more than four years now since I graduated with my degree. With a business degree, the available options are slightly more than a specific one. However, i ended up in this customer service job because of it's location. I also thought I could do this first while considering what I want for my future.
Here I am, four years later... Still not sure what I want to do.
I have this thing for marketing and PR. I think I'm that kind of person. Good with meeting people, talking, and selling. But I do not want to be tied down by sales target. If given a chance, I think I can do well in this sector.
People usually think highly of themselves. That's my problem also. I feel that I can achieve much more elsewhere or in another position. Over here, people consider this place as a retirement village. Everyone here is waiting for the "package". I'm the most junior person in my team. Two of which clocked thirteen years. And another was seven. How am I going to fight with them? Colleagues even asked me what am I doing here? So young and capable, I should be outside fighting for my career!
I thought so too... Most of the time...
Frankly speaking, being in here is my comfort zone. I complete my tasks within first hour of the day. After which, I was in charge of routing emails from the generic mailbox. I look for ways to simplify and error proof my work. I think of ideas to make my job easier. Resulting in higher efficiency, end up I complete them even faster than others. End up I'm bored. End up I surf net around 60% of my day. There are some busy days also, but I would say it's very little.
In my opinion, the pay here is way lower than what I can do. But for what I done so far, I would say it's justifiable because I'm free most of the time. I'm not working hard enough. Still have a lot of capacity. But who would tell that to their bosses? I don't tell my boss I'm free, but as and when they assign other jobs to my out of my job scope, I gladly take them. I strongly believe that employees are to help bosses solve problems, not create problems. That's why I hate politics also. I cannot stand them and is strongly against them. I don't like when people gossip and back stab others. I try to walk away and usually do not comment. If I'm close enough with that person, I'll tell them to stop. That's how I roll.
However, tongues will still wag. When people ask me about stuff, I just say I don't know. Even with the closest colleague, I don't want to spread people's issues. There was once my close colleague got angry with me because I told her I didn't know about a scandal in the company. Another colleague told her that she already told me. -.- Anyway, that was over and she got over it after a short while. I just told her that I don't think we should spread such news and it would be better if she didn't know. I hoped I didn't know also.
I told myself that I would start looking for a new job in Decemeber. But here's the problem. What job? If I were to venture into something our of my current experience, I'm sure I would have to accept a pay cut. That's unacceptable. I have a house, a car and family to feed. I cannot accept pay cut and higher work load. Doesn't make sense. I will have to proof to the company that I'm interviewing for that I'm worth it. How many employers can see that? All they want is a worker bee. Hopefully someone without much thoughts. Too much thoughts and comment might end up being a conflict of interest.
First year into my current job, I had lots of thoughts. Why don't they streamline this process. Why won't they invest more and use a better system to manage their orders? Why don't they do this, why don't they do that. From there, I understand reality. What we learnt in textbooks, in schools are not really applicable here. We made assumptions. Cost and benefit analysis were just numbers. In this real world, these are real figures. They have impact. They affect business profitability and company's future. It's not so simple.
Cut cost. Separation and acquisition. I was lucky to have gone through all that here. I would say it's a valuable experience.
Now looking ahead. I need to start thinking for myself. Do I want to sacrifice my comfort and walk out to a bigger environment? Will I be able to succeed? Will I do better than here? Friends around me who walked out seems like they are doing better. But then again, they went back to the same industry. I'm venturing out.
I hope I can meet someone who can help my and value my capability. I also wish to grow. But I can feel that working in this current job is really slowing me down. I used to be an extrovert. Very good in presentation. I thought I could do MUCH BETTER than now. But looking at facebook, all my classmates are at managerial level, while I'm still a customer service representative. It sucked to be filled with envy when I used to perform better than them. I hate this feeling. I need to make a change. I hope my next post will be an update for my new job. Like everyone else, I'm waiting for the year end 13 month and off I go. Wish my luck!
Wednesday, September 23, 2015
Hazy situation
Heard from my colleagues that haze went above 200 PSI this morning. It was quite scary when I came out this morning. I usually drive in the dark. But today, it's obviously hazy unlike other days.
Some colleagues came with mask. Must be really bad for them to take public transport on such a day. Singaporeans do not have the habit of wearing mask. I believe it's due to the humidity and heat. During the SARS period, more and more Singaporeans started wearing masks. It went out of stock for a period of time. Subsequently, it seems like we can accept wearing mask a little better. But still, it's quite uncomfortable.
The haze situation is a yearly affair for us. Some years it's slightly better, I there was once we had it over 300, which is really unhealthy. We always blame it to our neighbouring country for this. But why would they want to care of people of other countries? Selfish human nature...
In comparison, I believe we are more lucky. I saw a post that Kalimantan is experiencing 2000 PSI. I can't imagine that. Must be still difficult to breathe even when you are indoors. The filter must be super power.
So far this hasn't been affecting me too much. Apart from two cancelled outdoor exercise class. The cancel once it's above 100. It was quite disappointing, but since it's at the park, I can still walk around a bit. And there's still a lot of people in the park. I believe this hasn't affect them too much either.
Colleague talked to her boss, if it gets above 130, we'll lunch in and order delivery. Not sure if it's gonna be approved. But I don't really mind going out. But if I do, I'm sure a lot of people will ask me to pack food for them. Which I am lazy to do.
Please let the wind blow in another direction and bring clear air to our clean and green Singapore.
Some colleagues came with mask. Must be really bad for them to take public transport on such a day. Singaporeans do not have the habit of wearing mask. I believe it's due to the humidity and heat. During the SARS period, more and more Singaporeans started wearing masks. It went out of stock for a period of time. Subsequently, it seems like we can accept wearing mask a little better. But still, it's quite uncomfortable.
The haze situation is a yearly affair for us. Some years it's slightly better, I there was once we had it over 300, which is really unhealthy. We always blame it to our neighbouring country for this. But why would they want to care of people of other countries? Selfish human nature...
In comparison, I believe we are more lucky. I saw a post that Kalimantan is experiencing 2000 PSI. I can't imagine that. Must be still difficult to breathe even when you are indoors. The filter must be super power.
So far this hasn't been affecting me too much. Apart from two cancelled outdoor exercise class. The cancel once it's above 100. It was quite disappointing, but since it's at the park, I can still walk around a bit. And there's still a lot of people in the park. I believe this hasn't affect them too much either.
Colleague talked to her boss, if it gets above 130, we'll lunch in and order delivery. Not sure if it's gonna be approved. But I don't really mind going out. But if I do, I'm sure a lot of people will ask me to pack food for them. Which I am lazy to do.
Please let the wind blow in another direction and bring clear air to our clean and green Singapore.
Thursday, September 10, 2015
Polling Day
Today is a very special day. September 11 has another meaning to it this year. It's polling day. Singaporeans will cast their votes to decide the future of our HOME.
A lot of people say that Singapore is not really a democratic country even though Singaporeans cast their own vote to choose their own government.
I don't have a lot of thoughts about politics and certainly do not wish to be involved too much.
However, I care for my country and believe that the people we choose to rule and run our country will impact me to a great extent.
Currently, PAP takes up the majority seats in our government and frankly speaking, they've done a pretty good job in keeping Singapore healthy. Of course they are not 100% perfect, people make mistakes.. Intelligent people make mistakes too. The PAP is made up of the elites of Singapore. Academically sound, established and successful people. Singaporeans tend to trust them more on being able to do a good job.
When problems occur, they scold PAP. Blame the government. I did that myself. Guilty.
This year, it's the first time in history that every constituency need to vote. Means every single Singaporean living in Singapore will need to vote. (Unless valid reasons were provided). 8am to 8pm, Singaporeans will need to cast their votes in the designated location.
We've heard a lot through the rallies. PAP and opposition parties. Some make sense, some are plain garbage. Some are very impromptu (nicely said). Actually they are unprepared. It's public speaking! I would expect some kind of quality. Some are quite disappointing. It's somehow an obvious choice.
But then again, I haven't really decided. Of course I want a good future for Singapore as a fellow Singaporean.... Let me think...
A lot of people say that Singapore is not really a democratic country even though Singaporeans cast their own vote to choose their own government.
I don't have a lot of thoughts about politics and certainly do not wish to be involved too much.
However, I care for my country and believe that the people we choose to rule and run our country will impact me to a great extent.
Currently, PAP takes up the majority seats in our government and frankly speaking, they've done a pretty good job in keeping Singapore healthy. Of course they are not 100% perfect, people make mistakes.. Intelligent people make mistakes too. The PAP is made up of the elites of Singapore. Academically sound, established and successful people. Singaporeans tend to trust them more on being able to do a good job.
When problems occur, they scold PAP. Blame the government. I did that myself. Guilty.
This year, it's the first time in history that every constituency need to vote. Means every single Singaporean living in Singapore will need to vote. (Unless valid reasons were provided). 8am to 8pm, Singaporeans will need to cast their votes in the designated location.
We've heard a lot through the rallies. PAP and opposition parties. Some make sense, some are plain garbage. Some are very impromptu (nicely said). Actually they are unprepared. It's public speaking! I would expect some kind of quality. Some are quite disappointing. It's somehow an obvious choice.
But then again, I haven't really decided. Of course I want a good future for Singapore as a fellow Singaporean.... Let me think...
Sunday, March 29, 2015
Passing of our founding father
The pass week had been a difficult time for a lot of Singaporeans. Although I did not in-depth about Singapore's history, I know Him. At a ripen age of 91, this man helped to build Singapore with the assistance provided by his team.
He is dominating, and damn smart. He had great plans for Singapore, although a lot may disagree. Some may say the pass week had been an intensive propaganda brainwash session for all available media channels, I would say just keep your mouth shut during this period. People are mourning for goodness sake.
The reason for Singapore and Malaysia split was due to the fact that Singapore had too many Chinese. We take up around 75% of the population. He could've simple appeal just to the Chinese. But he took up the more noble approach - to let everyone have the same identity; Singaporean.
We learnt that in school since young. Racial Harmony. We might have our differences, but we still try to mingle around, learn a few words of the different language, learn their culture. I'm sure all Singaporeans will have at least one or two friends from the other racial group. We had a common language. We can understand each other. Some countries envy that Singaporeans are multilingual. I grew up this way, I don't see myself as more superior. When I was younger, I thought every country learned at least two languages.
I'm not sure how will Singapore's future be. Anything can happen... But I sure hope Singaporeans can remember his work and stay united for a long time!
R.I.P Mr Lee.
He is dominating, and damn smart. He had great plans for Singapore, although a lot may disagree. Some may say the pass week had been an intensive propaganda brainwash session for all available media channels, I would say just keep your mouth shut during this period. People are mourning for goodness sake.
The reason for Singapore and Malaysia split was due to the fact that Singapore had too many Chinese. We take up around 75% of the population. He could've simple appeal just to the Chinese. But he took up the more noble approach - to let everyone have the same identity; Singaporean.
We learnt that in school since young. Racial Harmony. We might have our differences, but we still try to mingle around, learn a few words of the different language, learn their culture. I'm sure all Singaporeans will have at least one or two friends from the other racial group. We had a common language. We can understand each other. Some countries envy that Singaporeans are multilingual. I grew up this way, I don't see myself as more superior. When I was younger, I thought every country learned at least two languages.
I'm not sure how will Singapore's future be. Anything can happen... But I sure hope Singaporeans can remember his work and stay united for a long time!
R.I.P Mr Lee.
Thursday, February 26, 2015
Jubilee package and SG50
Singapore is going to be 50 years old this year. Government has released a lot of news regarding the additional effort that they will be putting in to make Singapore a better place.
Last year, they mentioned about the Jubilee package, where Singaporeans will get when they give birth. Beginning of this year, full month cakes packaging came with the SG50 logo. It's not cheaper but just a little more special. I heard that the birth cert will be slightly different or came with a frame? Don't know exactly what but I won't be considering.
Yesterday during lunch, we were chatting about the new budget. Government will be spending money to help lower educated people to keep up. Decrease maid levy and increase number of COEs. Last month COE dropped drastically. Which is a good sign. My boss was happy that she got her car much cheaper for just waiting two more weeks. I can now consider hiring a maid with the decreased maid levy. Hmm...
I think I'll need to go check out what exactly is the government providing..
Last year, they mentioned about the Jubilee package, where Singaporeans will get when they give birth. Beginning of this year, full month cakes packaging came with the SG50 logo. It's not cheaper but just a little more special. I heard that the birth cert will be slightly different or came with a frame? Don't know exactly what but I won't be considering.
Yesterday during lunch, we were chatting about the new budget. Government will be spending money to help lower educated people to keep up. Decrease maid levy and increase number of COEs. Last month COE dropped drastically. Which is a good sign. My boss was happy that she got her car much cheaper for just waiting two more weeks. I can now consider hiring a maid with the decreased maid levy. Hmm...
I think I'll need to go check out what exactly is the government providing..
Thursday, January 1, 2015
Gift exchanges
This is the season to care and share. Giving without expecting return.
How many of us are able to do this? I'm sure there are people who can. But honestly, I can't.
So this year we had this "Guardian Angel" (GA) gift exchange program in our office for Christmas. You are supposed to write down your wish on a slip of paper and the GA who picked it shall purchase it for you. From there, I see the nastiness of human. People writing down specifically what item them want. Up to the brand, type, variant. It could be seen as making things easier for the one buying. But then again, I felt that it lacks sincerity.
So mine, I tried to be as general as possible so that my GA don't have to purposely make a trip to certain places to get what I want. Mine was a microwavable bowl. I did not event specify the material etc. End up, my GA did NOT get my present before the celebration. The organisers printed a piece of paper, saying that my present is on it's way. And have it wrapped up. The rest of the people thought that I asked for vouchers or something.
I was pissed for a few occasions when I thought about it. This actually happened a few days before Christmas. I was thinking, whether I was so bad to people that they didn't want to get anything for me. Reflecting. My colleagues and friends assured me that it wasn't me. It's just that guy. My colleagues bought me pricey presents that I appreciate.
So this year. Le hubby bought a lot of presents. He gave out more than me. And only got back 2. I understand that he was quite disappointed. Maybe I should get him something nice to cheer him up. The thing is I don't know what to get. hai! Bad wife!
I really wish to make him happy. Felt a bit sorry for him. Especially when his the kind who expect return. Even though I tried hard to change his mindset on that. I wasn't successful. He had some values that he held tight in his life due to his growing up years.
How many of us are able to do this? I'm sure there are people who can. But honestly, I can't.
So this year we had this "Guardian Angel" (GA) gift exchange program in our office for Christmas. You are supposed to write down your wish on a slip of paper and the GA who picked it shall purchase it for you. From there, I see the nastiness of human. People writing down specifically what item them want. Up to the brand, type, variant. It could be seen as making things easier for the one buying. But then again, I felt that it lacks sincerity.
So mine, I tried to be as general as possible so that my GA don't have to purposely make a trip to certain places to get what I want. Mine was a microwavable bowl. I did not event specify the material etc. End up, my GA did NOT get my present before the celebration. The organisers printed a piece of paper, saying that my present is on it's way. And have it wrapped up. The rest of the people thought that I asked for vouchers or something.
I was pissed for a few occasions when I thought about it. This actually happened a few days before Christmas. I was thinking, whether I was so bad to people that they didn't want to get anything for me. Reflecting. My colleagues and friends assured me that it wasn't me. It's just that guy. My colleagues bought me pricey presents that I appreciate.
So this year. Le hubby bought a lot of presents. He gave out more than me. And only got back 2. I understand that he was quite disappointed. Maybe I should get him something nice to cheer him up. The thing is I don't know what to get. hai! Bad wife!
I really wish to make him happy. Felt a bit sorry for him. Especially when his the kind who expect return. Even though I tried hard to change his mindset on that. I wasn't successful. He had some values that he held tight in his life due to his growing up years.
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