My First NP Staff Retreat at Batam

It was the first time I had staff retreat away from Singapore. It was quite horrifying when I first knew about it, as I had just joined NP not long ago. And I don't really know my colleagues well.

In fact, all along I did not like the idea of staff retreat, because, to me, the definition of retreat is to move away. Hence, to me, company staff retreat means to move away from work. However, in my previous work place, staff retreat is to go back to work place and do more work. So, it's more like staff 'rework', than staff 'retreat'.

Moreover, the thought of leaving Chu Chu for 2 days and 1 night for some work related matter really sadden me. So, I didn't have a positive attitude towards this staff retreat. Nonetheless, I still have to go because it's my new job, and I did not have any valid reason for not going.

However, after spending some time with my colleagues on the first day, the feeling got better, and my attitude became more positive. This is because most of my colleagues carried very positive attitude and they are basically a group of fun loving people. We did alot of chit-chatting and games. Besides the many fun time that we had, we also got work done. Mmm... I should say, this is one of the best retreat I have ever attended.

These photos show how happy we are at the retreat:

Briefing given by the tour guide before the trip:

Pier at Singapore, getting ready to set off to Batam:

Scenery during the ferry journey to Batam:

Work time, gotta be serious:

Gotta makan, in order to have strength to work:

Though work is done, we had fun too:

This is the resort where we stayed in during the retreat:

'Standard' group photo:

Pier at Batam, getting ready to go home:

Journey home:

These are my rewards from Batam:

Hahaha.... These Polo Ts cost me more than a million dollars... But... it's in Rupiah la...

"Part of the happiness of life consists not in fighting battles, but in avoiding them. A masterly retreat is in itself a victory." -- Norman Vincent Peale

New job at NP

I started work at Ngee Ann Poly this week. It's a nice environment, with warm colleauges and understanding superiors. It seems to be a nice place to work in. :-)

My new office, a comfortable and cosy corner:

Though it's a nice corner, I heard we'll be moving office very soon, in about 4 to 6 months time, and we are moving into a smaller office, which means the cubicles will be smaller too.

As I am new to the job, I am having induction every day. Every task is new to me. Every moment I'm learning.

But I am very certain I am happier working here. At least for the moment.

However, I am not happy about the travelling time. During my poly days, I don't remember I took so long to travel to NP. It's completely out of my expectation for the long travelling time. Long and I really mean LLLLLOOOOOOONNNNNNGGGGG!!! Argh... Actually I realised the long travelling time is due to the long waiting time and the traffic jam. Sigh... SBS and SMRT got to do something about the long waiting time lah... Actually travelling on the road during peak hours is always at disadvantage... Nowadays SOOOOOOOOOOOO many people own cars... How I wish there is an MRT station nearby NP...



"Never continue in a job you don't enjoy. If you're happy in what you're doing, you'll like yourself, you'll have inner peace. And if you have that, along with physical health, you will have had more success than you could possibly have imagined." -- Johnny Carson