Gracy Bee

Scenes

Posted on June 2nd, 2007 by GracyBee.
Categories: Everyday life.

One good thing I like working at the airport, is to meet people from ALL walks of life internationally. From their conversations with them when I can afford the time, I can learn somehow their culture etc. And as it is also part of the transportation industry, we are bound to see people departing and arriving in Singapore, and so we can get to see all kinds of emotions amongst the passengers.

I have seen the tearful emotions of people leaving their loved ones behind just before they enter the departure halls; the excitement of some as they are 1st time travelling etc. When I see that, my heart would just swelled to imagine I’ll be upset if I’m in their shoes or felt excited if I were to visit a new place. On the other hand, I would see joyful expressions when I see families and friends reunited at arrival halls, and I too felt their joyful emotions too.

I came to assist this passenger today whom she has 2 kids travelling with her. Her daughter was proud to tell me that her papa would be there to pick them up. Her mother told me that due to some constraints, they couldn’t stay in one country and thus can’t meet each other for a month or so and so, they decided to meet in Singapore for holidaying. When the daughter and papa met, she was so happy that she ran and gave papa a big hug.

Awww…..I felt happy for them too, to see her family reuniting. I hope they enjoy their time together.

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3 days break

Posted on May 30th, 2007 by GracyBee.
Categories: Everyday life.

Finally I was my turn to experience the 3 days off!! Yiipppeeee!!!!

^^^^^^

As there was a relative’s wedding and so I make the short trip back to Malaysia via coach. Right after work, I rushed back home and after some final packing, I rushed off to take the last coach back home.

As my cousin SY introduces me this company which is a lot cheaper and the tickets bought from Malaysia can be used in Singapore!! That translated nearly 50% savings for me! Thanks SY!!

Trip back was uneventful but because I was working morning shift, I was quite tired and zzzz all the way back. Reached Malaysia 2330, reach home 0030.

^^^^^^

The relative wedding was my mother’s cousin’s son’s (which I also call my cousin, i think but quite long distance). Pity I don’t have my camera with me but you can imagine those conventional chinese wedding that started late and those usual food. We were actually late due to some works undone. We called the groom that we will be late, never did we realise by the time we arrived at 8pm, the dinner haven’t even started!! goosh…..

^^^^^^

Back to Malaysia is not really a relaxing time for me as I still have to go back to the shop to help out bit of everything. (yeah…..’holiday’ huh).

Later at night, B & P and me met up for little gathering and B suggested the Look Out restaurant in Ampang. Ok……we nearly got lost when B realised he got the phone number of that restaurant and called. haha……after going in circles for nearly 45 mins.

The Look out restaurant is on a hill top in Ampang and remind me of a mini gentings. The night scene of KL can be seen here and it is breathtaking, I have to admit. It is Western cuisine restaurant and the ambience was of romantic theme. A nice spot for couples (hint, hint!) But it was a bit crowded though, with groups of families and friends were there too. Nonetheless, still a nice place to relax.

We did have a good time there, after nearly 4 months after we last met each other.

^^^^^^

Nice time. Now gotta back to work

1 comment.

MAXIS SMS scam?!

Posted on May 18th, 2007 by GracyBee.
Categories: Everyday life.

Oh my god, oh my god!!

Courtesy from www.maxis.com.my

After reading this article in Jeff Ooi’s blog, I couldn’t believe my eyes and couldn’t help wondering if my family are affected too! My family has subscribed to Maxis mobile for nearly……puff………..10 years +++ . Got 4 phones lines ok?? Gotta check that when I get back to Malaysia, and gosh not even sure how long this has been going on. Definitely not going to pay that extra something we don’t use and not worth staying with them!

Thanks Jeff for sharing this with us!

0 comments.

No Plastic bags!

Posted on May 5th, 2007 by GracyBee.
Categories: Everyday life.

The ‘No Plastic Bags’ in supermarkets has started here recently. Like what I have read in the Forum in STI today, I agreed that this campaign is long overdue.

Just like what the writer in Forum has experienced in Germany, I experienced the similar in UK for the last 7 years. My 1st year in UK was quite a new experience as I did not know at that time Aldi (a supermarket) don’t provide plastic bags. You find your own way to pack your own groceries, be it your own sch bag, luggage, box. Or you pay to get a good quality bag or normal plastic bags. At that time, I was quite pissed off with such a system.

However after a while, I got used to it, and actually quite enjoyed the experience. Every shopping trip to supermarkets or wet markets I would bring one of my trolley backpack and stuffed all inside the bag. Those poultry has to be packed in plastic bags 1st for obvious reasons. Only those ‘fragile’ food like eggs, bread or etc I would carry on hand in plastic bags.

Garbage collection system there was very new to me too - once a week system. It was only when I started to live in private housing there then I realised the differences. In the beginning, my new housemate told me the garbage day was Monday at that time. I was confused and then she told me we need to bring out our garbage the night before. Ah….. So the very 1st thing you ask when you moved into new house: when is the garbage day and where to deposit those bags.

In UK, we get free strong garbage bags, one black and one green for rubbish and grass respectively (That come with a price though: we paid council taxes, though I’m exempted because I was a student then). Not too bad as a system, but that time I do sometimes missed the convenience of our HDB rubbish chutes.

Some people I heard these are their ways to conserve. Well, I personally think that, other than conserving, it is also practical to their culture. In Europe, though the climate has changed in recent years, it is still a temperate region with mild temperatures. Hence, the rubbish wouldn’t smell really bad if garbage is only collected once a week. Even that, there were not much pests and insects looking happily at their ‘utopia’. Can’t say the same for summer though.

In Asia, the climate don’t allow us to clear bags once a week. Half a day is enough to attract insects and pests into our house. Hence the daily clearance of the bins. Thus the need of bags to tie properly to avoid spillage and pests.

Plastic bags are still important to us but still we need to do our part not to waste plastic bags unnecessary. The recent campaign is good to help do our part. It is heartwarming to know the increasing awareness here.

Oh, one more thing I forgot to mention about the ‘Once a week’ garbage collection. If the garbage collection day happened to be a public holiday, there is NO collection and what happen? Our garbage have to sit in the house for 2 weeks. Yeah, Yarks. Or you can take it to the other side of the road as they have had different collection days, but don’t get caught by the residents! They get angry if they see you taking your garbage to their territory! And if not disposed by two weeks, maggots will come…Ewwwwww.

This is what I don’t like about the system there, where such services are affected by public holidays too, where in Spore, the services remain 24/7 active. And IF there are strikes (so far haven’t met yet LUCKILY in 7 years), you can forget about disposing once a week, and what to do when you have no car? Just wait. And even if have a car, no way I’m going to put the maggot infested bags onto it.

1 comment.

Culture shocks~

Posted on April 26th, 2007 by GracyBee.
Categories: Everyday life.

I’m surprised that I’m writing this because I never dreamt I would face such culture shocks in Singapore. Well, I did, and after a break away from Singapore for 7 years, I realised that I have lost touch with the local culture that I forgot how to handle! This is what happened.

While at work

I was looking at the documents while waiting for the aircraft to arrive. Then I come across in the telex this term C.I.P along with ‘a director of certain company’ at ’seat no.’ This means this person was on the plane. Well, obviously this term means someone important in the business world, but what does CIP actually stands for?

My kaypo trait appeared again, and I happily asked the police what that term means.

Me: eh..what CIP means ah?
Police: eh…..

Before the police can answer, this particular duty manager came.

She: aiyoh…u don’t know what this is? You should know that! Did you go for training? What training have you done? How long have you been here? Who are your trainers? Have you done staff training? Have you done line training? the questions went on….

Me: trying to answer all the questions shooting at me.

She: so what you know about CIP?

Me: well, I would assume Company Important Person.

She walked away.

HEY, YOU HAVEN’T EVEN ANSWER MY QUESTION!!!

Darn it! It is so rude not to answer when I asked a question ok? Esp when I’m new there and might not know such jargons! MOREOVER, we are not trained to handle VIPs and CIPs because it is not part of our job scope. SO go ahead and ask our trainers la….still wanna threaten me somemore. Waste your time only la!

Well, I told myself that the reason she didn’t answer my question is because maybe she don’t even know what CIP is. HAHAHAHA….possible right?

^^^^^^

Thinking about it again, I think that it is about the comfort zone (UK in this case) that I’m comfortable with and for the length of 7 years, make such incidents ‘culture shocks’. In fact, that was also the case when I first arrived in the UK, that after being in Spore for 13 years, I’m so used to Asian style that sometimes I can’t handle UK life!

^^^^^^

Facing such incident in UK, the culture there would handle such somehow differently. For once, they don’t shun failure and new trainees when they don’t know anything about the company. Rather, they would encourage and help you whenever they can. It is only when you know about it and yet make serious mistakes then they reprimand you. Generally speaking, the culture is like that. Of course, not all companies are like that. It still depends on the person you worked with. Having worked in 3 different places in UK, only one place are kind enough to help you. The other 2……*eyes roll*, that I still believe is down to what I am because they are all right with their own people.

Even that applied to Malaysia too. I faced more culture shocks in Malaysia than in Singapore, and that is because I’m not used to live such practices and don’t know how to adapt to local cultures.

Hence a simple list to show what I like and don’t like about different countries so far in my life.

UNITED KINGDOM

Likes

-Relaxing lifestyle
-Proper road structures and well organised maps
-Public transport (though many would argue that)
-Generally friendly people who helped, gave way, queued and smiled at people with no questions asked.
-Bank systems to a certain extent
-Good choice of free mobile phone contracts!
-The four seasons climate
-The sales!

Dislikes

-Free healthcare (yuks!)
-Strikes of all kinds: tuition fees, pay etc- can get very annoying at times esp when it affect you.
-Discrimination faced on certain occasions
-Old and dirty at some places
-They need a longer time to do certain things that in Asia can be done in a jiffy.
-Rigid and inflexible at certain ocassions.
-there are certain people who can get rowdy.
-the alcohol drinking culture - too much in pubs!
-The gloomy rainy weather
-Reasoning ideals are different

Singapore

Likes

-Public transportation
-Efficiency in most areas
-Safe
-Clean

Dislikes

-The mobile phones tariff - so stiff and expensive!
-Phone bills: why cannot itemised for free leh? Other countries do it for free and DETAILED.
-KIASU - everything must be listed out NO MATTER WHAT
-People’s mentality afraid to lose not only at work wise but on social level too, for eg…queuing
-Show off for seniority
-Do not accept ‘don’t know what this is’ mentality at work.
-Complains, complains
-The banks: changing personal details can take a week.

Malaysia

Likes

-local Pasar malam
-Food

Dislikes

-the education system
-the high cost of living
-traffic jams
-Public transport
-Poor drainage system
-Litters and rubbish when there are not enough bins!
-Expensive cars and tolls
-There are a lot more!

^^^^^^

Having lived in different countries for some point in life, I’m able to compare things here and there. And my point of view: there is no one really perfect place on earth, hence UK and Spore have their own good and bad points. So in time, I hope to adapt slowly and blend into the local culture whenever possible.

While I’m still musing with that particular ‘woman’, there is something that can cheer up my day. While I was waiting for my company’s bus at the roadside in the wee hours of one morning, this man came towards me.

He: Are you going to the airport?
Me: Yes
He: Do you need a taxi?
Me: No, thank you sir, I have transporatation arranged already.
He: Ah..I see, I thought you are late and need a taxi and thinking to call for you.
Me: surprised!

I really do not expect such to happen, at least from the last time I was in spore. Then, I don’t really count on people to be helpful etc. Now, after I have returned, I have noticed some little changes around. It is really nice to see such changes. The above is one example. I’m also starting to see people giving way at the escalators, MRT stations. More people are smiling these days. Of course, old habits die hard, and still see those kiasu pple la. Nonetheless, that is a good start, and hopefully more will come in the future.

As for the mgr, well, I see that as one of my jokes: something to cheer me up when I’m down at work….hahahaha

^^^^^^

UPDATE: today I met that woman again. Dang, is my officer for the flight. There she started her lecture again. *eyeroll*

And I finally know what CIP stands for. Nope, not from that lady but from other nice senior, who spent extra effort to explain all.

0 comments.

Yet another

Posted on February 6th, 2007 by GracyBee.
Categories: Everyday life.

Having written about my culture shocks in the previous 2 posts, I can’t believe I have more to write about!

1. I’m surprised to find out that the same banks of the different branches are not, hm…how should I say, united? I mean for the current account for eg, I can only take out money from my respective bank branch and not the other of the same bank! OK~~~ That is strange. While overseas, even if I opened a bank account in X, I can still withdrawal/ deposit in branch Y hundred miles away!

2. Some people I noticed, don’t like to queue and would jump whenever possible. What is first come first serve? They don’t seem to understand

3. Some people working in certain companies just can’t be bothered with their work. C’mon, don’t you know that after sales service is just as important? Is not for you to play around. If you wanna play,  go to Disney land.

4.  Some people, I’m afraid, don’t take seriously about what they say. I mean they say it only and DON’T MEAN IT! dung, because of that, my plans are ruined not 1 time BUT 3 times.  Talking about promises? Neh, you need to read their underlying messages. Why make it so complicated?!

5. I’m rather dismayed with the lack of choice of travel guide books. I mean why only 97% Lonely Planet guides books? and they cost nearly whopping RM 95!!  ok la….is about the same if you convert back to £, BUT think about it. For £20, I need to pay £12.50 and able to get some changes. Here for the same RM20, is not even enough that you need to fork out extra RM75! Cheaper eh?

Ok ok…enough of it…ARGH

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I became an ‘Ou Ji Khour’

Posted on February 3rd, 2007 by GracyBee.
Categories: Everyday life.

My ancestors are from Putian City in Fujian province in Southern China. Our language is called Putian Hua, more commonly known as Heng Hua. Well, they were and still are very proud of their dialect that any other Putianan who don know how to speak the dialect are instantly labelled as ‘Ou Ji Khour’. Just like me.

^^^^^^

I have met one of my many distant relatives. As he knows that I’m my father’s daugther, he instantly wanna test on my dialect ability. My hearing didn’t fail me BUT the words coming out from my mouth failed me. MISERABLY.

He: Ah….Ou Ji Khour!
Me: …
He: (speaking in a language I understand. FINALLY) You must learn how to spreak heng hua you know. Not many people know how to speak anymore!
Me: *grinning*

^^^^^^

I know relatively little about my ancestors and dialects. But what I do know is that our dialect belongs to a minority group in Fujian and my grandfather and late great-grandmother are proud of their traditions, family name and language, and needless to say they favour boys more than girls (I’m the exceptional case :)). We all have our generation name, eating Longevity noodles (nope, not the thin types you find in supermarkets and noodle stalls but the thick long and salty type) during CNY etc etc. So if I ever come across someone’s names with our surnames, generation and SPEAK the dialect…I tell you, he/she is 99% related to us. GOSH……MY FAMILY IS HUGE!

^^^^^^

Out of interest, I decide to look for more information online. Ah…our dialect’s roots come from Tang Dynasty! NOW that is interesting! My mother told me that I used to understand Heng hua due to the influence from my greatgrandmother. Since I left for Spore, my interaction with the dialect has diminished. Now I want to relearn the dialect to serve as a communicating tool with my grandparents.

I can say I’m proud to be a Putianan but I need to brush up my Heng hua skills! Aiseh…cannot be NATO (No Action Talk Only) ah!

1 comment.

I found out that…

Posted on January 29th, 2007 by GracyBee.
Categories: Everyday life.

I am fortunate to be able to go different countries to experience their local cultures. However, it is the differences in cultures that is most interesting! Of course, there is no one culture that is superior nor one is inferior. Just differences.

From where I came back from, I have adopted their way of life, but I can’t bring in the same when living here in my hometown. So I’m slowly gaining awareness about the way of life here.

Here’s what: my experiences so far.

•  Driving here and have a car are really a big thing. It can be almost equivalent to earning a prestigious honours degree.

•  Some people I know hate walking. They drive even the distance is less than 100m.

•  Some people I know lost their way while walking to the destination, but they don’t lost their way while driving. Me is otherwise

•  The buying behaviour is different. Here is must be cheap. Quality can be sacrificed. and must have free gifts. (!!)

•  People keep telling me things are a lot cheaper here. So why I do have to take out more money than usual to pay for the same things I have paid for in other countries? (for eg, talking about local terms: I paid 0.50p to pay for a loaf of bread. Here, for the same thing I have to fork out RM 2.20.)

•  The quality of the goods no matter what is deteoriating. Those quality goods I usually pay rather cheaply in the past has become premium goods at premium prices. Those inferior goods have become normal goods. AH?? why like that?? Like that mong teng teng my cost increased!

• Kiasuism is quite evident here though they don’t wanna admit it.

•  Some people can be quite impatient that ‘wait’ is not in their dictionary. (alas…no wonder the pace of life is fast here cos anything else cannot wait one. MUST BE FAST).

• Time keeping is really bad here. Some cannot be punctual for anything: meetings, dinners etc. Some are not too bad: 15 - 30 min late. The rest: at least 1hr late. Alas…cos of them, the functions have to be delayed. Hey, did you know how much can be done during the time? Time to go back to sch!

•  Some particular people ask like draggers when they ask you about (1) got bf/gf? (2)when getting married? (3)don’t got car or not? (4)which country u go to study? (5) drive already?

•  People loves to look into rubbish bins. Fine if you want to look for precious stuffs like the cardboard or metal (they are not there anyway) BUT PLSSSSSSS tie back the bag properly and don’t throw the rubbish all over the place!! Can’t believe you can be so unhygienic! So bo-chap attitudes!

•  Some people think I reply solely on my grandfather for my 20 years expenses, holidaying and all. OEI…Mr. XXX and YYY, PLS DON forget I was overseas to STUDY not to play, ok? And do you know that for 15 years my parents slogged hard to earn that money, and for the remaining 5 years I faced financial difficulties at some point that I have to hold 2 jobs to survive?!! PLEASE GET ALL YOUR FACTS RIGHT!

•  Some people tell me, no need to work and can rely on inheritance to survive, to get a rich husband stay at home and enjoy life like a tai tai. ALAMAK, what era are we in now? I hate that kind of life: so bored! Plus I have to work to earn my worth what…BUT in the future, if circumstances allow, I would stay at home to look after my future children. OK?

Hmmmmm…..But I can’t help thinking though: why you like that leh? Culture shocks?!

0 comments.

Manglish

Posted on January 20th, 2007 by GracyBee.
Categories: Everyday life.

Ever since I have returned 4 months ago, I realised that in my hometown, the ‘official’ languages used are (according to ranks; as so I experienced): Manglish, Hokkien, Malay, Cantonese, Mandarin and English. YUP, Manglish….

Manglish is fun. Though the usage of it has made many frowned, I like to use it when I’m communicating informally with my friends. This is also the very language that I used to identify Malaysians/ Singaporeans when I was in the UK! There is a sense of closeness. Of course, I’m not encouraging everyone to use it, but to use it informally should be all right. For business and formal occasions, of course a proper respective language is needed.

^^^^^^

Manglish, as I have experienced right here in my hometown is more from my grandparent’s generation, mainly hokkien - English to go about understanding different things in their context. It can get pretty interesting. For example,

#1: Tan Guan Sir: It actually means Town Council
#2: Rocket Man: This refers to the astronaut in NASA. haha…that is what i 1st thought but no…actually means the Opposition Party in Malaysia. (Derived from the logo.forget the name)
#3: Teng Miah Hor (long life rain): means the monsoon rain
#4: liao lai zho ayam (lost money become chicken): typically means lost money. (why the chicken?!)
There are still many others I believe I will come across, and in due time, I think I can compile them into my own dictionary of hokkien-english. haha

1 comment.

Life in transition

Posted on January 2nd, 2007 by GracyBee.
Categories: Everyday life.

It has 3 months since I have returned to Malaysia. I don’t consider Malaysia my home as yet, but rather another new place for me to explore, just like how l lead my life in Spore and England.

I only come back to Malaysia during school holidays for the last 20 years, and that would be around 3 mths in total in Malaysia per year, translated to 5 years in 20. Whenever I was in Malaysia, life was pretty routine, went to the same places, with people ferrying you around and such. Such a boring life that I admit, I was happy to leave when the holidays end.

^^^^^^

(more…)

1 comment.

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