Fri (30 March) was SG's day in MAS. It was a day of goodbye's and thank you's.
It was a good 4 years. Beside learning the experience in managing production systems and working in a corporate world, memories of though times are the most treasured, esp with great people in the department. Such as working without a wink for the 1st Business Continuity Planning test (from Sat 8am to Sunday 10am). And struggling over 2-3days with 4 hours sleep in between to solve overseas link problem with colleague (who had to sleep in New York office). These are the treasures that SG can bring away which nobody can take away.
And of cos, the blessing of working in a team with zero politics. Rarely in the marketplace will SG encounter a good buddy who can work shoulder-to-shoulder, not having to worry about who's leading or fight over credit. A large part of credit goes to SG's teammate easy-going, hardworking and humourous personality. 'cos SG's temper is not that good. Will miss the Network Team.
Thanx to all who have helped SG in the 4 years!
Sunday, April 01, 2007
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Japan Trip - Part 6
Today is the end of our tour package. We now embarked on Phase 2 of our trip - free & easy.
After checking into Keio Plaza hotel, we took the JR train to Harajuku (原宿). As it is a weekday, there were less people dressed up in their fanciful & colourful costumes.
After shopping about an hour in Takeshita Dori Street, we headed to Meiji Shrine (10min away), an important Shinto Shrine.
SG in front of the entrance with the largest wooden Torii in Japan.
Main shrine.
Rows of prayer plaques in the garden.
The always busy, packed Tokyo.
A local train crossroad junction, near a cosy neighbourhood.
Next stop is to the Metropolitan Government Office, where we get a great view of Tokyo at night. What a great view! Free some more.....
According to the news, Cherry Blossom arrives in Tokyo that day!! This leads to the next day Great Cherry Blossom Hunt (based on the japan-guide.com info about Popular Cherry Blossom Viewing Spots).
After checking into Keio Plaza hotel, we took the JR train to Harajuku (原宿). As it is a weekday, there were less people dressed up in their fanciful & colourful costumes.
After shopping about an hour in Takeshita Dori Street, we headed to Meiji Shrine (10min away), an important Shinto Shrine.
SG in front of the entrance with the largest wooden Torii in Japan.
Main shrine.
Rows of prayer plaques in the garden.
The always busy, packed Tokyo.
A local train crossroad junction, near a cosy neighbourhood.
Next stop is to the Metropolitan Government Office, where we get a great view of Tokyo at night. What a great view! Free some more.....
According to the news, Cherry Blossom arrives in Tokyo that day!! This leads to the next day Great Cherry Blossom Hunt (based on the japan-guide.com info about Popular Cherry Blossom Viewing Spots).
More photos on Soo Guan's Flickr page.
Japan Trip - Part 5
Today is the day to relive our childhood - a visit to Tokyo Disneysea!
An amazingly colourful parade on water!
Is there a treasure somewhere??
Spot the mermaid(s)!
During the night, our super friendly tour guide, Annie, brought us to Shinjuku, Singapore's equivalent of Orchard Road.
In front of a good ramen store. A bit salty though.
More photos on our Flickr site.
An amazingly colourful parade on water!
Is there a treasure somewhere??
Spot the mermaid(s)!
During the night, our super friendly tour guide, Annie, brought us to Shinjuku, Singapore's equivalent of Orchard Road.
In front of a good ramen store. A bit salty though.
More photos on our Flickr site.
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Japan Trip - Part 4
Today started with a taste of Shinkansen, the famous bullet train which was launched for the Olympics in 1964. That's how we zoomed off towards Tokyo!
Next, a long bus ride to Mount Fuji, the famous mountain in Japan. Do you know you can see her from Tokyo on a clear day (from high ground, of course)?
A quick stop at Owakudani Valley (Boiling Valley), where sulphrous fumes rise from crevices in rocks. Here, the enterprising Japanese sells eggs boiled using the super hot sulphur, so hot that the egg shells turn black!
The eggs that are cooked till the shells turn black!
How can we not include the famous mouth-less cat as icon!
Due to some road closure, we visited Tenjinyama Ski Resort nearby for some photo-taking instead of going to the 5th level of Mt Fuji.
Owakudani Valley is where we spent the night, including our first Onsen (温泉 hot bath). The ladies are pretty shy about going for it while the guys are more 'open' and decide to 'just go'. Karen finds it addictive while SG feels it's way too hot.
A traditional Japanese room...
.. matched with traditional Yukata (浴衣)
... complimented with Nabe (鍋物 steam boat) dinner...
... and a good view of Mt Fuji from our room.
More photos on Soo Guan's Flickr page.
Next, a long bus ride to Mount Fuji, the famous mountain in Japan. Do you know you can see her from Tokyo on a clear day (from high ground, of course)?
A quick stop at Owakudani Valley (Boiling Valley), where sulphrous fumes rise from crevices in rocks. Here, the enterprising Japanese sells eggs boiled using the super hot sulphur, so hot that the egg shells turn black!
The eggs that are cooked till the shells turn black!
How can we not include the famous mouth-less cat as icon!
Due to some road closure, we visited Tenjinyama Ski Resort nearby for some photo-taking instead of going to the 5th level of Mt Fuji.
Owakudani Valley is where we spent the night, including our first Onsen (温泉 hot bath). The ladies are pretty shy about going for it while the guys are more 'open' and decide to 'just go'. Karen finds it addictive while SG feels it's way too hot.
A traditional Japanese room...
.. matched with traditional Yukata (浴衣)
... complimented with Nabe (鍋物 steam boat) dinner...
... and a good view of Mt Fuji from our room.
More photos on Soo Guan's Flickr page.
Japan Trip - Part 3
A day full of long bus rides.
From Osaka, we departed for Kyoto, the old capital of Japan. First stop is Kiyomizudera (Pure Water Temple) Buddhist Temple. Located on a hill top, there's a great view of the surrounding Kyoto.
Karen drinking real spring mineral water.
Some early cherry blossom at the temple.
Next is Nishijin Textile Centre, where there's a simple kimono fashion show. Within the textile centre, we saw an old gentleman at work on a traditional weaving machine!
After lunch, it's to the restored (not original) Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion). Not very interesting though.
Something really cute is the coffee-making machine we encountered along the way. Really have to hand it to the Japanese to think of such a creative idea.
Talking about cute stuff, see if you can figure out what these 2 devices are for...
After dinner, it's shopping at the local supermarket. Yes, some display signages are in digital format instead of paper!
Again, more photos on Soo Guan's Flickr page.
From Osaka, we departed for Kyoto, the old capital of Japan. First stop is Kiyomizudera (Pure Water Temple) Buddhist Temple. Located on a hill top, there's a great view of the surrounding Kyoto.
Karen drinking real spring mineral water.
Some early cherry blossom at the temple.
Next is Nishijin Textile Centre, where there's a simple kimono fashion show. Within the textile centre, we saw an old gentleman at work on a traditional weaving machine!
After lunch, it's to the restored (not original) Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion). Not very interesting though.
Something really cute is the coffee-making machine we encountered along the way. Really have to hand it to the Japanese to think of such a creative idea.
Talking about cute stuff, see if you can figure out what these 2 devices are for...
After dinner, it's shopping at the local supermarket. Yes, some display signages are in digital format instead of paper!
Again, more photos on Soo Guan's Flickr page.
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