4.1 . Question: Is there any difference in career prospects if I am not a scholar?
Answer: There is no difference in terms of career prospects between a scholar and a non-scholar. Career progression in the Civil Service is based on the individual's performance on the job, his potential to take on greater responsibilities, and his character attributes (such as integrity, leadership and commitment).
Being a scholar does not guarantee a faster career progression. Once he is on the job, the officer has to prove himself through his work performance.
4.2 . Question: Is there any difference in career prospects between a Singaporean and a non-Singaporean?
Answer: There is no difference in terms of career prospects between a Singaporean and a non-Singaporean. Career progression in the Civil Service is based on the individual's performance on the job, his potential to take on greater responsibilities, and his character attributes (such as integrity, leadership and commitment).
4.3 . Question: Is it true that career progression in the Singapore Civil Service is based on our academic qualifications?
Answer: Academic qualifications do not guarantee a faster career progression. Once he is on the job, the officer has to prove himself through his work performance. His academic result plays no part when the Civil Service assesses his suitability for promotion.
Career progression in the Civil Service is based on the individual's performance on the job, his potential to take on greater responsibilities, and his character attributes (such as integrity, leadership and commitment).
Well according to one particular civil servant, " that was a diplomatic answer for 4.1. But the whole world knowsbetter".
Will be in Johor, just received news this morning that my Grandma passed away. Will not be blogging or wadsover I guess. Will need to help out with the stuff.
Anyway, the telecast is on. The Stadium is a sea of red. I don't see much white. The decorations, very elaborate, the costumes of the performers and later on the fireworks. Oh well, I shall not talk about the money. The amount of money , if donated to charity, I'm sure many more can benefit.
The SAF uses the organisation of such a huge event a test of the organising ability of it's senior officers. A promotion is almost certain if everything went on smoothly. The rationale behind this? If one can coordinate such a huge event, in times of war, one is capable of of taking command. I shall not go on to debate on the relevance.
Anyway, I remember myself debating about the necessity for such days celebration. Eg, SAF , SPF, SCDF and so on. The amount of money is defintely tax payers' money. And the people in charge are paid huge amount of cash in terms of pay to spend our money, sounds absurb? I think so.
SYF opening is a once every 2 years event. Less elaborate but well, yes, a fair sum of money spent. Lot's of time taken up for rehearsals and so on. Not as if work isn't hectic enough.
Went to SJI Annual Parade. Same sentiments. Nice effort by the Josephians. I dare not think of the mad rush they have to undego during the training phase.
There are many reasons for the justification of such time consuming, finacially consuming events. Showcase the strengths , serve as a deterence, blah blah blah..... I think I heard enough.
But all this is at the expense of our money. Especially when economy's so shitty.
But well... SJI AP proved one thing.
The time , effort invested is defintely a very strong bonding element. You see seniors from God knows how many batches b4. They went back. Full of pride , they sang their school song. Whenever the national anthem is played, I'm defintely very psyched up. I believe many are too. Especially in such a huge arena like the National stadium.
We all have this sense of patrotism in us. It really requires such huge event to trigger it off. Be it getting involved in it in the prep and organising phase or just simply enjoying and soaking into the atmosphere. Yes that's for sure.
Singaporeans, dont' we love our country? Alright a lot of complains. High cost of living, restirctive gahmen, and stressful lifestyle. Ok , we dont' have money to migrate. Throw in the never ending list of complains.
Received this email and would like to share with all of you this National Day. I certainly wish for such a gracious society.
Happy Birthday Singapore
A water bearer in India had two large pots, each
hung on the ends of a pole, which he carried
across his neck. One of the pots had a crack in
it, while the other pot was perfect and always
delivered a full portion of water.
At the end of the long walk from the stream to
the house, the cracked pot arrived only half
full. For a full two years this went on daily,
with the bearer delivering only one and a half
pots full of water to his house.
Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its
accomplishments, perfect for which it was made.
But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own
imperfection, and miserable that it was able to
accomplish only half of what it had been made to
do.
After 2 years of what it perceived to be a
bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one
day by the stream.
I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize
to you. I have been able to deliver only half my
load because this crack in my side causes water
to leak out all the way back to your house.
Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this
work, and you don't get full value from your
efforts, the pot said.
The bearer said to the pot, "Did you notice
that there were flowers only on your side of the
path, but not on the other pot's side?
That's because I have always known about
your flaw, and I planted
flower seeds on your side of the path, and every
day while we walk back, you've watered them.
For two years I have been able to pick these
beautiful flowers to decorate the table. Without
you being just the way you are, there would not
be this beauty to grace the house."
Moral: Each of us has our own unique flaws.
We're all cracked pots. But it's the cracks and
flaws we each have that make our lives together
so very interesting and rewarding.
You've just got to take each person for what
they are, and look for the good in them.
Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be
bent out of shape. Remember to appreciate all
the different people in your life.
1. Be realistic about each other.Don't try to turn ur partner into something he or she is not. Let's faceit, guys-there's only 1 Pamela Anderson in the world, and even she has had her implants removed! Give ur gal a break and understand that her physical appearance is NOT going to change overnite with the help of a few facials or treat ments. And ladies, Brad Pitt has already been taken, so u're gonna have to do with what ur guy is like! Chill out, love each other for what u are. There is more to ur partner than what meets the eye.
2. Always talk things out.Now guys, I know this is not ur fave pastime or mode of resolving issues, but u know what? This works with the gals. Don't make assumptions about each other's feelings. Learn to xpress urself better so that ur partner undrstands what u're angry about, or hurt about, or e ven happy about! When u stop talking to each other from the heart, it's the beginning of the end.
3. Do stuff together.Make an effort to do things together. Do some sports or involve urselves in some shared activities; something both of u enjoy or are interested in. It could be as simple as watching movies together, or jus strolling hand-in-hand down Orchard Road. Watch soccor with him once in a while though the green patch on TV puts u to sleep in 3 seconds. And guys, do give in if ur gal asks for another day at window-shopping, rather than suggest that she go out with her girlfriends for "that sort of activities" instead. If u're spending more time with ur friends rather than with ur partner, it's a warning sign that u're drifting apart!!!
4. Meet each other halfway.If he agrees to throw out that rotten T-shirt with the "The_Rock" print, u shouldn't kick up much of a fuss if he asks u to keep ur room tidy or wants to buy some stuff he likes, like guitar or drum-set. There's gotta be a little giving and taking in a relationship, so learn to meet each other halfway. Even more touching, ish to support him with discernment in everything.
5.Show ur loveBuy her flowers or candy or perfume everynow and then, even if u have been together for 5years. It's wonderful to continue showing someone that u care for him or her. Cook him a special meal, paint him a Valentine's Day card. Knit him mini-socks he can't wear ( like for decoration purposes => ), buy him a packet of milk for breakfast, or pack his wardrobe for him...so he knows u can still be romantic and loving despite having been together for quite a while.
6. Respect each other.Stop making jokes about her hair or skin, or whatever it is u love to laugh at. Ask urself if she thinks if its funny. And if he has an inferioritycomplex about his height, stop ogling at tall guys and make him feel worse! Love is about respecting each other's feelings and being sensitive to each other at all times.
7. Bury the past.Stop bringing up the past. Gals..don't bring up the happy things about u and ur ex to ur guy, it would jus make him jealous or unhappy. And guys, don't talk about the happy times that u had with ur ex or mention about her in ur every other sentence as it would make ur gal feel un-happy and she might think that u saying all this b'cos u are gonna get back with ur ex or notinterested in her anymore.
8. Sit on ur jealousy.All of us go thru' spells of insecurity at the beginning of therelationship, but don't translate that insecurity into jealousy. (Jealousy is a sin, isn't it? ;) ) If u're gonna go through ur partner's mail and cupboard, and eavesdropping onconversations, u know something is wrong - with u!!! Jealousy is like a poison that slowly spreads thru' the relationship before finally killing it.Trust ur partner; love has to have trust in it. (Faith may be a stronger word ;) )
9. Keep ur commitments to each other.If ur partner is standing u up all the time and cancelling dates andbreaking promises, u need to talk! If u're in a relationship, make ur partner ur priority and don't disappoint them if u can help it. It's really terrible when someone promises to take u to dinner, and then calls to cancel it. Don't make promises u can't keep. If ur partner starts to feel that he/she is not important enough to u, u may jus lose him/her.
10. Be honest.Honesty is not scowling at how awful she looks first thing in the morning, (shudn't it be all the time?! Everyone's a creation of God) or telling him that he has the biceps of a fly ~! When we say "be honest", we mean expressing ur feelings clearly, not being bitingly cruel. When u're hurt, say so, and when u're angry, tell him/her, w/o getting hysterical. If u can't be honest with ur partner, who can u be honest with? Love is also about honesty, and a relationship where no honesty exists probably isn't worth it!
Ok ....I only managed to post a single post for the month of July and that wasn't exactly a post. Oh well, frankly speaking, life's been pretty much the same I guess. Go to work and home. Surely life in the office doesn't really have that much of variation. Did some proposal and presented to the Ops Manager today. I guess it was still ok. Though not completed yet.
Currently surfing through some talkingcock stuff waiting to knock off.
I just love this article.
NDP Logo Designers Struggle Over How to Spend Their $1Posted on Sunday, July 18, 2004
Topic:Local News
by Pak Cham Kai
The three NSmen who submitted the winning logo and publicity designs for this year’s National Day Parade are grappling over how to spend the $1 they were awarded in recognition of their efforts.
“Maybe we can buy a drink to celebrate,” said LTA (NS) Heng Chik Kor, who received $1 for the six weeks he spent designing the logo.“Wah, with $1, can buy a small bottle of mineral water to share between us,” noted CPL (NS) Wan Lor Ler, who together with LCP (NS) Mohd Satu bin Ringgit, were also given $1 in recognition of the additional 2 months after NS which they spent on the project.LCP Satu added, “But if you add the $1 we got, then maybe can buy a 1.5 litre bottle of Coke!”“I know! I know,” LTA Heng piped in brightly. “Can buy one prata kosong and one teh tarik! Depending on where you go, may even have some left over for half an hour parking!”All three nodded their heads enthusiastically, saying, “Hwah!” and “Solid!”“Or maybe we should invest it in our future,” ventured LTA Heng tentatively.“With $2?” asked CPL Wan. “Invest what? Buy 1 big 1 small in this week’s 4D?”“Can buy land,” said LCP Satu. “Remember? Gahmen bought 2000 square feet of land belonging to Faith Assembly of God for $1.”CPL Wan rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Yah, hor. Quite a good deal. Donno why so many people think landed property here so espensive. Gahmen regularly manages to find very tok kong bargains, one.”“One being the operative number,” said LTA Heng, a little darkly.“$1 for a design package, $1 for land… macam Great Singapore Sale, only whole year round if you’re the Gahmen,” said LCP Satu, adding, “Actually how come we charge them so cheap, ah?”Said LTA Heng, “According to the papers, it was because we did it out of passion for the country, not money, but the Army was kind enough to give us one dollar as a token of recognition.”LCP Satu nodded. “Considering our defence budget, they could have given us a few hundred dollars and still be considered kind.”“So in claiming millions of dollars in salary, can we say our Ministers have no passion for their country?’ asked CPL Wan.“Some people would think saying that is unkind,” replied LTA Heng.“The same people who would give some lowly-paid NSFs $1 for professional standard design work?” said LCP Satu, with one eyebrow raised.“Aiyah, they all one kind, lah!” exclaimed CPL Wan.In other news, the One99 Shop is said to be considering suing the three designers for spoiling the market.
Oh well... This is Singapore? Cheapskate? On one hand we are trying to be creative, encourage intellectual property rights and so on. We clamp down on piracy, try to tell the world that we value the rights of designer. But when it comes to designs for the government, I guess it's all " for the love of the nation" and " you should be proud of it and not complaining of the amount of money".
Oh well, NSF always like that. Kenna eaten.
You do the same job as a regular, but paid peanuts. This is because, you are rendering your service to the nation.