Ippt

Took my 4th IPPT since stop donning my uniform on a regular basis. One more to go before I graduate. Just like any other IPPT, I am stuck at silver. The elusive 234cm is still a few cm ahead of me. What is worrying is that my 2.4 timing is on a continuous upward trend. At this rate, I wouldn't even get silver for my next test.

Venture Era wasted my time

Feeling bored, I googled for part time jobs hoping to earn some extra bucks. Then I came across this post in a forum looking for part timers that only has to work during evenings, nights and weekends. The job scope includes helping business manager setting presentation, and some logistic assistance. Sounds good doesn't it? I sent my contact and someone called me the very next day. He mentioned the job scope once again, the name of his company conveniently shortened to VE and described it as a "marketing company" and eventually told me to go for an interview at 3pm the next day. Although part of me felt like slacking at home, playing CS or watching a movie, I still went all the way to Eunos MRT for the interview. Upon reaching, I received more information from a girl/lady with problem pronouncing "o" (I suppose she has a short tongue or something) on how to get to their office. Why couldn't these dumbos just let me know the exact address so I could save some walking distance. It's not that far but enough to make me perspire under the hot and humid weather of Singapore. Finally arrive at MDIS building, where their "offices" are located, the first thing that greeted me was a signboard, Venture Era Pte Ltd. There were chairs and tables, teenagers dressed up in suits and ties, trying to act professional and plenty of "healthcare" products being on display. If you are like me, who had attended one too many MLM presentation, you should know by now, VE is a MLM company. At that point of time, I was cursing and swearing at them, using such underhand methods to attact young and innocent students to attend their interviews. However, I didn't leave, hoping that they were really hiring temps to help them out with logistic and presentation to lure other people to join them. I had already spent 1 hr traveling there, what's 10 min more to hear what they had to say. Then this young girl with an really old fashion specs, wearing dress that is too mature for her age came.

Ugly specs: (feeble attempts to start some small talk) ....... have you heard of netw_rk marketing
Me: yup, been to one MLM presentation before
Ugly specs: oh, Venture Era (note, it's not VE anymore) is different, it's netw_rk marketing... (went on to explain the difference)
Me: so you want me to join as a member of VE to promote your items?
Ugly: yar

TMD, I haven't really use vulgarity on my blog because I am trying not to be vulgar in cyberspace. This CB company actually made me travel all the way there using deceit. I maintained my composure and told her, let's not waste each other's time. She even suggested a way for me to save some traveling time home. Being me, I said thanks. Being a pissed off me, I added with a smile, "Well, if you had told me that it's a network marketing company in the first place, you could have saved me hours".

It made sense now that they didn't told me the exact address, worrying that I may find out about its identity before reaching there. It also make sense that they use VE since Venture Era is quite infamous for being an MLM (being around for 7 years get you some reputation, albeit negative). What doesn't make sense is why students, the future of our nation, products of on of the supposedly world best education system, actually fall victim to MLM. Who in the right frame of mind would think that Magnetic pillows, overpriced air cleaners and vitamin pills with calciums (without any scientific evidents to substantiate its claims) would be a great hit with the mass market? Young and navive students, thinking that MLM is the way to get rich, do.

Home sweet home

I have always wanted to post about my end of sem trip but my lazy bone seem to always get the better of me, until now. It is one hell of 25 days, where I got to see so many things, meet so many people, try so many types of food and experience so many cultures. All thanks to the people who make the trip special.

First off,

Brandon, Joey, Joel, Gina and Brian for traveling and planing the trip with me, albeit not completing them.

In Rome,
Greg and Shawnie for telling about Cinque Terre. Colin and gf for being the first of the many more singaporeans I bumped into.

In Pisa,
Rasendrum for being the second Singaporeans that we randomly met, which gave us an indication on how many more there will be.

In Florence,
7 or 8 Singapore LSE students for being 7 or 8 out of the many Singaporeans. Australian lady at the jacuzzi who make me realise traveling alone isn't that scary.

In Cinque Terre,
Parestoo, muslim from Iran who migrated to Canada, for helping me take photos with the ultra scenic small towns and cliffs by the sea. Furthermore, make me understand that traveling alone is not scary at all.

In Milan,
Johny, Mabel (who is from my jc junior class, yes the world is small), Korean whose name I don't recall, for bringing us to a wonderful dinner that was rather cheap by european standard. The Italian guy who got trapped in the train carriage with us and his famous quote, "we are like in a fucking cartoon".

In Interlaken,
Baolai, Huiyan, Jialiang, Kendrick, Yanli, and his two friends for injecting so much fun and laughters during the trip, making the trip so much more 热闹.

In Amsterdam,
Crew from Shelter Jordan, namely, Jonathan, Melanie, Frank, Maria, Jens, Renie, Christie and Adam for the company during the 3 quarter finals matches and sharing so much about their religion where I really learn a lot.

In Berlin,
My crazy hostelmates, Rose, Allan, Iraqis lady, American lady, 3 French Candanians dudes, crazy kiwi who ran around the fan mile with a New Zealand all black flag during Germany vs Turkey match, 2 bimbotic norwegian girls and the super loving Finnish couple for making my stay at the hostel so memorable and not to mention the soccer match with crazy cheering.
Junkang, Edwin and Huimin for being the last 3 Sgian I met during the trip and kinda break the solemn atmosphere at the concentration camp.