Working in Shangri-la

The annual Shangri-la Dialogue (IISS) is back agn. This time round, the preparation for this event was a rush. The foreign guests kept changing and some countries could not confirm the Rep for the event - even ONE day before the event.

I guess it was all because of Vesak day. Having a PH just before a big event is just not so right! Actually, it was not a PH for those who were involved in this event. Everyone was running around working even on Vesak Day! Anyway, when is the next PH? *heh*

Rise & Shine! I woke up @ 8am on Friday, prepare bread for Mavis and sent her to school @ 0900 hrs. Thereafter, I went home, cooked a pkt of Tom Yam instant noodles *Yummy* for breakfast. I already suspected that I would not have time to eat later in the day and I was right!

I left for Shang @ 1030 hrs. Took a cab down. The security screen was quite smooth. LTC Ma, my incoming MA, reached there about the same time as I. Upon reaching there, I started doing the setting up - Advance Party mah! *heh*

While waiting for boss' arrival, his Body-guard arrived. Spoked to me in a damn cocky tone! *Split saliva* Ignored him! *hehe*

My duties for this round was different as last year. I was busy helping to prepare more invitation cards, envelopes & placards. At the same time, I had to ensure that boss' SGEMS was working -- however, I encountered many problems with his SGEMS *Sweat* My IT pple told me that it was becos of Shang's firewall but when I called Shang's IT staff, they took more than 1/2 hr to understand what I want and only to inform me that they do not have any firewall!!!

In the end, I have to use Dial-up to access SGEMS! Anyway, my experience with the IT pple in Shang were so unhelpful!!! Disliked them! *sigh* I thought their service should be excellence! Anyway, now we know... ...

Unlike in MFU, I don't have much opportunity to talk to MA other than work issues. We usually only chat when we were in his car - rushing from one venue to another. Lately, when I took his car, there were bound to have other colleagues in there as well. Hence, our conversations were mainly general topics.

While we were standing in front of boss' room to wait for him to get ready for the dinner with PM, MA asked if I have gotten my annual bonus & increment. He then said that it is more compared to last year as he had fought to rank me on the top. He further added that I have been doing very well in my job but tend to be careless @ times -- which I told him that I agree because I am really very careless *hehee* I am happy that he give me feedback (be it good or bad) on my work - at least I know how I have been performing. :) Apity that he will be leaving for studies soon and I will have to start working with a new officer all over agn.

I worked till 10.30pm or so that night! *heh* Very late compared to last year. Last year I only worked till 5 plus. *haha* Nonetheless, it is okay. I'm always fine to stay back when there's really work to do :)