Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the latest addition of my blog. Today it rained. And then it rained, and rained...and rained. And then it rained. So much in fact that instead of taking bus 184, I opted for bus 700 in connection with the MRT train service to avoid arriving at worked looking like I had just gone swimming. After two hours of floating to work in the bus (yes it took that long), I finally arrived and began another day of work.
It was the big meeting day for the opening of the research center, ASC Pandan, which will happen next week. The entire crew attended this meeting. Set up, personnel roles, transportation, seating, rain precaution, ceremony aspects and so on were all discussed. What it really meant for me, was that all the planning we have been doing is soon to be tested. We project 200+ people at this point - and hopefully it will be quite a show. Quite a rain free show, otherwise the canal on which this research center sits might wash all of us away.
For me there remains now just under three weeks. Work wise, we have covered a lot of ground from even and booth planning, design, creation, and organization, to the creation of promotional materials, to work on the opening ceremony the science center to working exhibitions for sustainability. It has been a great engaging experience thus far, not only in terms of the various project involvements, but also in terms of learning about office communication, deadlines, budgets, and sometimes how to resolve conflicts.
Today, I started applying for internships/work in the fall. All of the above has in a way helped me to further refine the parameters of the type of job in which I would like to be. As it stands now, I am looking at three crucial components... a job in which there is a creative marketing element - creating, designing, and producing marketing materials, events and campaigns...a job in which there is a management element - planning, organizing, and managing events, campaigns, projects...and of course, an international element in which I can utilize my cultural knowledge and skills in adaptability and serve a global client base.
Beyond that I know now how important communication and office personalities will be. I have also learned to be proactive and the importance being self-confident in offering up proposals and ideas. And perhaps most important, I have learned I can be successful being me. There are still a few weeks to go, and still a few things to learn and experience, of this I am sure. But so far, the learning experience has been pretty sweet - well worth the 4000 miles and time zone flip!
Singapore fun fact day 40: the National University of Singapore was founded in 1905
Thursday, 30 June 2011
Wednesday, 29 June 2011
Tuesday, 28 June 2011
Urban Sustainability R & D Congress
It is my first day post-moustache. Don't worry, I will be alright. In more serious news, this week, we (Henry, Meghan, and myself) are representing the Singapore-Delft Water Alliance at the Urban Sustainablity R & D Conference at Biopolis. The convention is set-up in order to provide a platform for the public sector, industry, and researchers to come together and discuss urban sustainability issues. Of course networking is large part of this event, along with booth exhibits and speakers.
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Our new friend from work Kalyan, was quite fun to work with at this event. He comes from the research and scientific side of the isle and offered us a great deal of insight. Most of our work at this events included representing the organization, distributing pamphlets and information, and directing intersted parties to further information where they requested.
It also happened that a French girl worked a booth across the way, so I even got in a few minutes of French conversation. How convenient. Finally, the fact that the food was on the house, was also I nice perk to this event. As we move forward in the week, we will be working hard to finalize plans for the opening of ASC Pandan, the science center, next week.
Singapore fun fact day 35: August 9th is Singapore's National Day
It also happened that a French girl worked a booth across the way, so I even got in a few minutes of French conversation. How convenient. Finally, the fact that the food was on the house, was also I nice perk to this event. As we move forward in the week, we will be working hard to finalize plans for the opening of ASC Pandan, the science center, next week.
Singapore fun fact day 35: August 9th is Singapore's National Day
Monday, 27 June 2011
BREAKING NEWS: The End of an Era - Goodbye Mr. Moustache
Today, after great deliberation and sadness, I cut off my moustache. It was a difficult decision, yet knowing that networking opportunities and important events await in the near future, I decided to say goodbye to Mr. Moustache. We were together when I first arrived here in Singapore through the hostels phase, through Malaysia, many meetings, and a convention. Through the highs and lonely times alike - there was a moustache. On monkey quests and jungle hikes - there was a moustache. But now, that moustache is no more.
I have always been an unfortunate product of the wrong generation. My fascination with sports, history, and especially music would have been better matched in decades of the prior generations. Not to be missed in the allure of prior generations, is the popularity of the moustache.
It became a presence in my life, attracting all kinds of attention at work by friends, colleagues, and strangers alike. But like all good things, this moustache's days came to an end. The world may never see such a magnificent moustache again, at least not until I turn 35 when it is socially acceptable to adorn one.
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I have always been an unfortunate product of the wrong generation. My fascination with sports, history, and especially music would have been better matched in decades of the prior generations. Not to be missed in the allure of prior generations, is the popularity of the moustache.
It became a presence in my life, attracting all kinds of attention at work by friends, colleagues, and strangers alike. But like all good things, this moustache's days came to an end. The world may never see such a magnificent moustache again, at least not until I turn 35 when it is socially acceptable to adorn one.
Mr. Moustache RIP
May 23 2011 - June 27 2011
Sunday, 26 June 2011
Singapore: from Third World to First World
From third world to first world in 50 years. That is the drastic and impressive feat of Singapore. I spent the afternoon on Saturday back at my favorite Singapore museum, the National Museum of Singapore, and was there specifically for the temporary exhibit all about the economic development of Singapore. And referencing my previous blogs praising the city for free to the public events, this too was on the house.
So just how did Singapore rise to where it is today? It was a combination of government's push to industrialize, promote for investors, and of course the workers themselves, to produce a diversified and competitively global economy. At first the country was welcoming in any and every type of production including musquito coils and hair wigs. But as time moved on more advanced production began to occur. Precision engineering - watches, TVs, electronics, cameras and so forth are all examples. The government of course added making Singapore a welcoming and attractive place for foreign investors. Texas Instruments is credited as the first big name to come over.
Eventually it became less about preforming labor, and more about learning skills, abroad in many cases through government sponsored programs and bringing knowledge back to Singapore to further develop. Service was eventually emphasized and today the economy is capital, labor, and innovation driven. One specific example of this transition in Singapore is the pharmaceutical industry here. Singapore first established the trust and ability to be a regional producer and manufacturer of drugs in Southeast Asia. Eventually R & D came to be and research in the Biopolis Research Park is now a major role player along with hospital service.
I came away from the experience with a new appreciation of how government and smart and organized economical and development planning can shape a country. Couple this with the work the government has done towards revitalizing neighborhoods, and waterways such as Marina Bay and the Singapore river, and one can begin to appreciate the magnificent transition that is Singapore - from third world to first world in 50 years.
Singapore fun fact day 34: the GDP per capita in Singapore in 1960 was SGD 980, today it is almost SGD 60k!
So just how did Singapore rise to where it is today? It was a combination of government's push to industrialize, promote for investors, and of course the workers themselves, to produce a diversified and competitively global economy. At first the country was welcoming in any and every type of production including musquito coils and hair wigs. But as time moved on more advanced production began to occur. Precision engineering - watches, TVs, electronics, cameras and so forth are all examples. The government of course added making Singapore a welcoming and attractive place for foreign investors. Texas Instruments is credited as the first big name to come over.
Eventually it became less about preforming labor, and more about learning skills, abroad in many cases through government sponsored programs and bringing knowledge back to Singapore to further develop. Service was eventually emphasized and today the economy is capital, labor, and innovation driven. One specific example of this transition in Singapore is the pharmaceutical industry here. Singapore first established the trust and ability to be a regional producer and manufacturer of drugs in Southeast Asia. Eventually R & D came to be and research in the Biopolis Research Park is now a major role player along with hospital service.
I came away from the experience with a new appreciation of how government and smart and organized economical and development planning can shape a country. Couple this with the work the government has done towards revitalizing neighborhoods, and waterways such as Marina Bay and the Singapore river, and one can begin to appreciate the magnificent transition that is Singapore - from third world to first world in 50 years.
Singapore fun fact day 34: the GDP per capita in Singapore in 1960 was SGD 980, today it is almost SGD 60k!
Elvis Concert
I had such a great time at the National Museum of Singapore on Friday, that I went back for more on Saturday night to watch Elvis in "Elvis: That's the Way it Was" - a rockumentary about the preparation and first shows in Las Vegas in 1970. They cranked up the sound - it was awesome. Take a look...
Saturday, 25 June 2011
Outdoor Movie at the Museum
Somedays not everything goes well. One of our projects have proven especially difficult to get in motion. Today, even after a media meeting, meeting with the event production company, and a meeting with the director we are still struggling with a particular element for the opening. So it is a good thing it was Friday.
Singapore can be an expensive city. It can also be done cheaply and offers many options of the latter to the public. I have done Marina Bay lazer/light, opera at the Botanic Gardens, heck I even heard a band at Marina Bay at a free concert last week that I heard on the radio yesterday. Friday night, I learned the National Museum of Singapore was doing an outdoor movie presentation, part of there interntional and classic movies exhibit. They we showing Viva Las Vegas with Elvis. What a cool combination - old films, outdoor films, musuems, and Elvis. It definately lived up to the billing, and I had a great time.
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Singapore can be an expensive city. It can also be done cheaply and offers many options of the latter to the public. I have done Marina Bay lazer/light, opera at the Botanic Gardens, heck I even heard a band at Marina Bay at a free concert last week that I heard on the radio yesterday. Friday night, I learned the National Museum of Singapore was doing an outdoor movie presentation, part of there interntional and classic movies exhibit. They we showing Viva Las Vegas with Elvis. What a cool combination - old films, outdoor films, musuems, and Elvis. It definately lived up to the billing, and I had a great time.
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