It has been 5 days since I last blogged and the reason was because I just send my 'god-father' on his last journey. His son is my sworn brother since Sec 2 and those were the days when we were still naive and immature and do all sorts of stupid things. Those were the days...
This entry is about how I felt with regard to losing someone.. Be it literally or not.. Humans have a lot of flaws, though we may be the smartest amongst all the other species.. We take things for granted when we had them and we only learn how to appreciate them only when they are gone. And I'm no saint either.. I commit that sin too. In one of my blog entries, I've mentioned that only death is forever and only in death will we know how important is that someone to us. Life goes on. The world will continue spinning. Time will heal the wounds. It is about the take-away from the close one's death that is important and that is to spend time with those close to you especially your parents and grandparents. What I took away was to know what regrets my sworn brother had when god-father passed away. It was simply to spend a bit more time with him. Just a little bit more.. I hope that you will start spending a little bit more time with your parents before it is too late.
Saturday, 30 June 2007
Monday, 25 June 2007
Employment Act Part 1
During vacation period, many undergraduates are working part-time to earn extra income, however, many of them do not know their rights as stated in the employment act. Several incidents happened to people close to me and that prompted me to share my knowledge which was acquired last semester after taking SSB1204 Labour Law in Singapore.
First thing first, since we are talking about employment act, we will have to identify who is an employee and who is an employer with tests. The current test in place will be what I called the '15 factors' test. The following will be example of the factors that are considered in the test.
Assuming A requires service from B.
1) Is payment of salary from A to B? If it is, then it is more likely that B is an employee of A.
2) Can A control over what B do? If A can, then it is more likely that B is an employee of A.
3) If B needs time off from work, do he need to inform A? If he does, then it is more likely that B is an employee of A.
4) Is equipment provided by A? If so, then it is more likely that B is an employee of A.
5) Do B wear the uniform of A's company? If so, it is more likely that B is an employee of A.
6) Does the contract stipulate working hours? If so, it is more likely that B is an employee of A.
7) Does A has the rights to dismiss B? If so, it is more likely that B is an employee of A.
The 7 factors listed above are just examples of the factors considered to establish if one is an employee of A or just an independent contractor who is given a contract for service.
Upon establishing if he is an employee or not, we will be able to see if the Employment Act will be valid. The Employment Act covers everyone except for:
1) Government workers
2) Statutory Board workers
3) Domestic Workers (Gardener, Part-Time house cleaners)
4) Any person employed in managerial, executive or confidential postitions
***IMPT!! If the Employment Act does cover the employee, it does not matter if the employee is FOREIGNER or PART-TIME worker. [Part-Time workers are those who work for less than 30 hours a week as stated in the Employment Act Chapter 91, Part 6A, 66A. Those who work for more than 30 hours a week will be considered as full-time worker.]
To read about what the Employment Act states, log in to http://statutes.agc.gov.sg/ and search for Employment Act.
For the Employment Act, there is a part which covers only specific categories of people and it is Part IV of the Employment Act. It covers only employees who earn less than $1600/mth or manual workers. This part of the Employment Act clearly states the entitlement of those who falls in this category. I will cover in detail what Part IV states in great details in my next Employment Act entry.
Time to sleep. Have a good day pal. =D
First thing first, since we are talking about employment act, we will have to identify who is an employee and who is an employer with tests. The current test in place will be what I called the '15 factors' test. The following will be example of the factors that are considered in the test.
Assuming A requires service from B.
1) Is payment of salary from A to B? If it is, then it is more likely that B is an employee of A.
2) Can A control over what B do? If A can, then it is more likely that B is an employee of A.
3) If B needs time off from work, do he need to inform A? If he does, then it is more likely that B is an employee of A.
4) Is equipment provided by A? If so, then it is more likely that B is an employee of A.
5) Do B wear the uniform of A's company? If so, it is more likely that B is an employee of A.
6) Does the contract stipulate working hours? If so, it is more likely that B is an employee of A.
7) Does A has the rights to dismiss B? If so, it is more likely that B is an employee of A.
The 7 factors listed above are just examples of the factors considered to establish if one is an employee of A or just an independent contractor who is given a contract for service.
Upon establishing if he is an employee or not, we will be able to see if the Employment Act will be valid. The Employment Act covers everyone except for:
1) Government workers
2) Statutory Board workers
3) Domestic Workers (Gardener, Part-Time house cleaners)
4) Any person employed in managerial, executive or confidential postitions
***IMPT!! If the Employment Act does cover the employee, it does not matter if the employee is FOREIGNER or PART-TIME worker. [Part-Time workers are those who work for less than 30 hours a week as stated in the Employment Act Chapter 91, Part 6A, 66A. Those who work for more than 30 hours a week will be considered as full-time worker.]
To read about what the Employment Act states, log in to http://statutes.agc.gov.sg/ and search for Employment Act.
For the Employment Act, there is a part which covers only specific categories of people and it is Part IV of the Employment Act. It covers only employees who earn less than $1600/mth or manual workers. This part of the Employment Act clearly states the entitlement of those who falls in this category. I will cover in detail what Part IV states in great details in my next Employment Act entry.
Time to sleep. Have a good day pal. =D
Sunday, 24 June 2007
Nice Sunday Outing to SENTOSA!!
We finally had our long-waited sentosa outing to all the various attractions on that sunny island. Our day started with a breakfast at Mac and it was very filling. =D
Nearly took a wrong bus to the MRT station but luckily I realised that early. =D
We took a cable car for the 1st time to go to sentosa and it was a pretty good ride. Look at the following photos and you will see why..
Started our tour with the butterflies and other insects..
Beautiful right? Those are the exhibits and now for those that are in the enclosed garden..
Following that, we went to watch a show in Sentosa 4D Theatre. The experience was terrific.
After the short movie, we went to images of Singapore and had a brief history lesson about our country.
Exiting images of Singapore, we went to the Merlion to its head and its mouth for viewing. There was a coin given to everyone to place into a slot and then redeem some prizes.
Thereafter, we took a skyride to the southern part of the island and went to book our tickets for the musical fountain, 'Songs of the Sea'. After getting our tickets, we went to Underwaterworld for a visit. Amazing!
And now for the stingray feeding..
WOo.. So if you had not realised, we skipped lunch just to go to all the places and hence now it is DINNER TIME!! We ate at SAKAE sushi which SOMEONE told me it was SAKURA.. LOL.. Btw, the air-con was down when we were there.. (-_-!!)
And the last event of the day!! The 'Songs by the Sea' musical. A good closing to our long day.
A very eventful and good day out with Lynn and really enjoyed myself with you. Thanks for a wonderful day wor!! =D
Time for me to sleep le. Stay tuned for more posts as I had a lot to say but a bit too late now to post them. Good night!
Friday, 22 June 2007
FRIDAY!!
Yeah!! It is friday again! Had a run this morning around Bukit Batok for around 6km and then proceed to start work. Nice fresh air before work. =D
Haha.. Managed to tell my boss to release me early today to meet up with Xue Mei and Dawn for a chat. Reached Clementi pretty early as my friend Jeremy send me there. I went to the supermarket and wandered, went to the bookshop and wandered and lastly, sat along a shelter and ate durians while waiting for them. Machiam begger sia.. -_-!
Had a pretty good catch up session with them and we took some photos at the MRT station.. Of all places.. -_- haha.. XM!! U better send me the photos so that I can post them on my blog.. haha..
Tired.. Going to sleep now.. Giving a presentation for admission day tomorrow. =D
Haha.. Managed to tell my boss to release me early today to meet up with Xue Mei and Dawn for a chat. Reached Clementi pretty early as my friend Jeremy send me there. I went to the supermarket and wandered, went to the bookshop and wandered and lastly, sat along a shelter and ate durians while waiting for them. Machiam begger sia.. -_-!
Had a pretty good catch up session with them and we took some photos at the MRT station.. Of all places.. -_- haha.. XM!! U better send me the photos so that I can post them on my blog.. haha..
Tired.. Going to sleep now.. Giving a presentation for admission day tomorrow. =D
Old Sec Sch Mates
Another long day for me today staying till 1900 to do some work for my boss. Hinted him that I got to leave at 1700 but I guess he forgot about it. Well, I am one who will not fight for such stuffs so I didn't voice it out as well.
Left at 1900, I took NS line to Yishun to change to 39 for the 1st time and it was a bit more comfy to go home this way as I got a seat throughout the journey and managed to steal some sleep. Reached home at 2100 and took a cab to meet my sec sch mates at Clarence's house. Due to the taxi uncle not being able to find the place, he dropped me off at a junction and asked me not to pay him as he felt that it was his fault. He left and as I was looking around, I realised that.. The condo was just one street away. Poor uncle. Felt bad about not paying the fare. **bless you Uncle**
Upon reaching his house, I was greeted by Clarence and a bunch of them, namely Wei Xiang, Wei Chieh, Alfred, Chia, Mingjie, Yuen Fook, Benjamin, Eugene and Wenli. Had a good chat on the good old days when we were young and those childish things that we do. Haha.. Nice catch up with them. It was a all-boys gathering and due to Mingjie leaving for Shanghai for exchange soon and Chia going to Aust for studies soon, we had arranged for another gathering with the ladies included on the 6th of July, one day after FOC. =D Looking forward to this gathering to do more catching up.
And who is the one who I must apologise to for my hectic schedule? My dear GF.. Didn't have a proper talk with her for 2 days le.. Sunday, we'll make up for it ok? =D Thanks for being so understanding. *hUgS*
Alright, it is 0200 now and i got to leave house at 0630 to go for a 8km run. Gtg now. Night!
Left at 1900, I took NS line to Yishun to change to 39 for the 1st time and it was a bit more comfy to go home this way as I got a seat throughout the journey and managed to steal some sleep. Reached home at 2100 and took a cab to meet my sec sch mates at Clarence's house. Due to the taxi uncle not being able to find the place, he dropped me off at a junction and asked me not to pay him as he felt that it was his fault. He left and as I was looking around, I realised that.. The condo was just one street away. Poor uncle. Felt bad about not paying the fare. **bless you Uncle**
Upon reaching his house, I was greeted by Clarence and a bunch of them, namely Wei Xiang, Wei Chieh, Alfred, Chia, Mingjie, Yuen Fook, Benjamin, Eugene and Wenli. Had a good chat on the good old days when we were young and those childish things that we do. Haha.. Nice catch up with them. It was a all-boys gathering and due to Mingjie leaving for Shanghai for exchange soon and Chia going to Aust for studies soon, we had arranged for another gathering with the ladies included on the 6th of July, one day after FOC. =D Looking forward to this gathering to do more catching up.
And who is the one who I must apologise to for my hectic schedule? My dear GF.. Didn't have a proper talk with her for 2 days le.. Sunday, we'll make up for it ok? =D Thanks for being so understanding. *hUgS*
Alright, it is 0200 now and i got to leave house at 0630 to go for a 8km run. Gtg now. Night!
Wednesday, 20 June 2007
Dumpling and Soya Milk
Woo-hoo.. What a way to start my day with 'ai-xin' breakfast from my girlfriend. =D Thanks dear for the effort on my breakfast. Hee..
Had a long day yesterday at work. Ended at 2030hrs and my colleague sent me home. Thanks to Boon.
Pretty pissed cause I was suppose to knock off at 1730 and my bosses seems to like giving me work at 1725 so that I cannot go back home.. (-_-") Haiz.. What to do.. 'Your wish is my command..'
Having 2 gatherings coming up with my Primary School mates and Secondary School mates soon. Primary school one is set on the 21st July and it has been a decade since we left school but we did meet up along this decade but this is really the big time one.. haha.. Secondary school mates organised a gathering and it will be this thursday at Clarence house [the one who will make chinese teachers puke blood and also maths teacher..].. haha.. Though a bit abrupt but luckily I kept this whole week free to do my stuffs like Admission Day PPT, Video and such..
Time to get back to work. =D Adious!
Had a long day yesterday at work. Ended at 2030hrs and my colleague sent me home. Thanks to Boon.
Pretty pissed cause I was suppose to knock off at 1730 and my bosses seems to like giving me work at 1725 so that I cannot go back home.. (-_-") Haiz.. What to do.. 'Your wish is my command..'
Having 2 gatherings coming up with my Primary School mates and Secondary School mates soon. Primary school one is set on the 21st July and it has been a decade since we left school but we did meet up along this decade but this is really the big time one.. haha.. Secondary school mates organised a gathering and it will be this thursday at Clarence house [the one who will make chinese teachers puke blood and also maths teacher..].. haha.. Though a bit abrupt but luckily I kept this whole week free to do my stuffs like Admission Day PPT, Video and such..
Time to get back to work. =D Adious!
Monday, 18 June 2007
Where's thy childhood???
A few conversations that I was engaged today led to this entry. Where's thy childhood?
How was your childhood like? If you were my age, you'd be talking about life in the early 1990s when the most interesting thing to have and the most high tech gaming device was SEGA. You will reminiscence about playing ZERO-POINT, hopscotch, chapteh, han-tam bola, marble etc at any part of school.
It has been a decade and things had evolved in the schools with students playing with handphones, PSP and any other hand-held devices than those that we did in the scorching sun last time. School starts at the age of 4 for those who are rich enough to afford it for nursery and thereafter K1 and K2 at 5 and 6. Yet, parents today sent their child for lessons at the age of.. er.. 6 months? Haha.. That was the conversation that I had with my superiors today over lunch and it seems to be the upcoming trend. They were deciding about the place to send them for lessons be it MindsChamp or what not. They are very very willing to spend the money for their kids and sees it as part of their investment in their child.
I am not against the idea of them investing in their kids [cause I bet if I have a child and I have the capabilities to do so, I'll do so too] but on the hindsight, what are the kids losing? Their childhood? Their time to enjoy their innocence? Their time to have fun and not worry about anything? I dunno. I have not been in both shoes but looking at Dawn's niece, I think her parents must be very proud to have a very smart and inquisitive daughter but that will be at the expense of what?
I guess our future generations will be having a more and more stressful life with more work and less play. I hope that I am wrong about it as it will be very depressing to know that one lives just to work and not to appreciate life. Personally, I started studying when I was 5 and it will most probably end when I am 26. That is a whooping 21 years of studying. Following that, it will be work till 62 and that will account for another 36 years of my life. So am I going to rest after 62? I wonder. but that's the way it is. Time to time, we will have to reflect upon our lives and enjoy along the way.
Things to ponder about..
'When we were young we yearn to grow up to have more freedom. yet when we grew older, we wanted to be young once again for those innocence that we once had.'
'When we were young we raised our hands even before our teachers asked for volunteers to answer questions and yet when we grew older, our hands seems to get heavier and weighed more than a ton.'
My take for this entry is this.. Grow older and be more mature but bring with you the good qualities of a child. =D
How was your childhood like? If you were my age, you'd be talking about life in the early 1990s when the most interesting thing to have and the most high tech gaming device was SEGA. You will reminiscence about playing ZERO-POINT, hopscotch, chapteh, han-tam bola, marble etc at any part of school.
It has been a decade and things had evolved in the schools with students playing with handphones, PSP and any other hand-held devices than those that we did in the scorching sun last time. School starts at the age of 4 for those who are rich enough to afford it for nursery and thereafter K1 and K2 at 5 and 6. Yet, parents today sent their child for lessons at the age of.. er.. 6 months? Haha.. That was the conversation that I had with my superiors today over lunch and it seems to be the upcoming trend. They were deciding about the place to send them for lessons be it MindsChamp or what not. They are very very willing to spend the money for their kids and sees it as part of their investment in their child.
I am not against the idea of them investing in their kids [cause I bet if I have a child and I have the capabilities to do so, I'll do so too] but on the hindsight, what are the kids losing? Their childhood? Their time to enjoy their innocence? Their time to have fun and not worry about anything? I dunno. I have not been in both shoes but looking at Dawn's niece, I think her parents must be very proud to have a very smart and inquisitive daughter but that will be at the expense of what?
I guess our future generations will be having a more and more stressful life with more work and less play. I hope that I am wrong about it as it will be very depressing to know that one lives just to work and not to appreciate life. Personally, I started studying when I was 5 and it will most probably end when I am 26. That is a whooping 21 years of studying. Following that, it will be work till 62 and that will account for another 36 years of my life. So am I going to rest after 62? I wonder. but that's the way it is. Time to time, we will have to reflect upon our lives and enjoy along the way.
Things to ponder about..
'When we were young we yearn to grow up to have more freedom. yet when we grew older, we wanted to be young once again for those innocence that we once had.'
'When we were young we raised our hands even before our teachers asked for volunteers to answer questions and yet when we grew older, our hands seems to get heavier and weighed more than a ton.'
My take for this entry is this.. Grow older and be more mature but bring with you the good qualities of a child. =D
Finally..
Finally.. Finally I am starting a blog. Didn't have time to catch up with a lot of my friends and I guess this will be a good place to update my friends about how I am doing and the things that happened in my life.
And most importantly, what goes on in my brain.. The thoughts on certain issues, the sharing of knowledge that I have and also sharing of experiences. As time goes by, I guess I'll relate things that happens day to day to what I had experienced over the last 22 years of my life. Those close to me will know that I am very UNCLE and I am pretty much philosophical but well, that's me and that's my style. =D
Since the start of the vacation, I've been back for attachment while most of my friends were looking for a part-time job and some luckier ones who were borned with a silver spoon in their mouth were travelling to countries like Las Vegas, Hong Kong and even planning to go Dubai. Well.. Do I envy those who can enjoy their vacation while I'm working? Do I envy those who can travel all they want now while they are young?
And most importantly, what goes on in my brain.. The thoughts on certain issues, the sharing of knowledge that I have and also sharing of experiences. As time goes by, I guess I'll relate things that happens day to day to what I had experienced over the last 22 years of my life. Those close to me will know that I am very UNCLE and I am pretty much philosophical but well, that's me and that's my style. =D
Since the start of the vacation, I've been back for attachment while most of my friends were looking for a part-time job and some luckier ones who were borned with a silver spoon in their mouth were travelling to countries like Las Vegas, Hong Kong and even planning to go Dubai. Well.. Do I envy those who can enjoy their vacation while I'm working? Do I envy those who can travel all they want now while they are young?
Frankly, I envy freedom but at the same time, too much freedom may not be really good. A few of them could not travel cause they do not have money and it is worse when they can't find a job. And the worst of all is to have no money to travel, cannot find a job and do not have activities to be engaged in. Those will just nuah and slack and if I were in their shoes, Lynn will have a big headache as I will think about everything under the sun and swings my mood frequently. LOL.. =X
As for those who are borned with a silver spoon, I am happy for them but I am happier for myself as I am not borned with a silver spoon. I am happy that I am borned poor. With just hundreds of dollars per month to feed 6 mouths, (Dad, Mum, 2 Elder Bro, Myself and Granny), those times when I was young was pretty tough. But through that, we learnt how to appreciate things and see things in a different light. Though I do not have a lot of toys, I had a lot of unconditional love from mum. The three sons of hers is a big headache but she gave us her undivided attention and love. We had a shelter over our heads, food on the table for all three meals, new clothes for at least once a year (chinese new year) and that was enough. And perhaps it is my upbringing that led me to who I am today and how I think. I never had to spend on handphones, wallet nor watches. Everything was passed down from dad to me. Those wallets had earned the roll of honours from many of my friends that the wallets looked UNCLE and old-fashioned and not-something-that-someone-your-age will carry.. Haha.. but does it matter? Does the brand matters? or is it the function of it and how the user uses the wallet? In the 1st place, is there any other usage of the wallet other than to keep our cards, our money and our coins? I wonder what went on in the brain of those who spend hundreds of dollars on wallets.. Perhaps those wallets have some electronic sensors or money printing capabilities.. LOL.. Perhaps a good phone can do a lot more like MP3 and taking photos etc. That will be more justifiable than watches and wallets.. =D Call me a practical person.. and YeS I am!
A lot of times, we are so engaged in chasing brands and higher social status that we lost ourselves in the midst of it. Ask yourself if you are happy with what you have now. Ask yourself if you had time for yourself and your loved-ones. Ask yourself if money is able to replace a lost r/s or someone who is lost. You and I know the answer to it yet it seems that money and material needs is one of those loved-ones in our hearts. That's the only 'logical' reason why we care so much about these non-living things than those living ones.
What is the only thing that is forever in this world??
Sad to say.. The only thing that is forever is death.. Death is forever..
Enough for today. A lot to share but perhaps along the way, I'll share more. =D Night!
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