Sunday, July 06, 2008

First week at the bank.

Started work at the bank on 1 July. Got to know lotsa fun-loving people at the induction programme. The induction programme was very informative and I got a better idea of what the various departments do. My favourite speaker was Vasu Menon from Wealth Management. His speech was very interesting and all of us had a good laugh. =)

There was a dialogue session with the department heads at The Executive Club on the 33 storey. The view at the club was breathtakingly beautiful and the food was fantastically delicious. It was a rare chance to see all the department heads all in one place at the same time. Was quite worried about the dialogue session initially because I though the heads are serious and terrifying but it turned out that they are actually very interesting and humourous people. All went well and at the end of the day, I was really glad that I have joined this bank. The culture here is totally different from the other local bank I have worked at previously. I feel so fortunate to have made the right decision to leave my previous employment and to join this bank now. =)

Linda, Cecilia, Geraldine and I at The Executive Club.

The 3 days orientation programme started on day two. It was an unforgettable experience. It was the first time I participated in an orientation programme with so many mature new hires and had so much fun with them. Though many of them are already in their thirties and for some, even forties, they are more energetic than young management trainees like us. I must say that I was very impressed with their initiative and enthusiasm.

Attended a grooming course conducted by Shiseido on Saturday morning. Learnt a lot about skincare and make up at the course. We had truck loads of fun experimenting with the cosmetics provided. I didn't look much different from my usual self after the DIY makeover. The only part of my face that looked different was my eyebrows which was drawn for me by the make up artist. Not too satisfied with it though.

Geraldine and I after the grooming course.

We were all given a $10 voucher each to spend at the Shiseido counter in Tangs Orchard so all of us made our way to Tangs after the grooming course ended and ended up buying bagful of Shiseido products. =/

Mrs Chong called me while I was shopping at Tangs. I had previously informed her that I am retiring from the tuition industry and had advised her to get Shermaine a new tutor. She had called to request that I continue to teach her daughter because she has learnt a lot from me. Being a soft-hearted person, I gave in and said OK. =\

Went to meet Joanne at the travel agent after paying for my purchases. She bought a one-way ticket to Perth this time and that means I won't be seeing her for quite a while. =(

We went to Sun Lik to buy some baking ingredients after leaving Ngee Ann City. Joanne parked her car at the basement carpark opposite the shop while we were there. When we left the place, we were shocked by the horrendously expensive parking fee - $5++ for less than half an hour! Better think thrice before you get that dream car of yours.

Joanne is intending to get a new laptop so we went to Funan to check out the prices and technical specifications of the various laptops. After visiting a few shops, she finally found what she wanted. She didn't buy it there and then though.

To avoid expensive parking at Raffles City, we decided to walk there from Funan. Robinsons was having a sale and as usual, we bought lots of lingerie and sleepwear. =P Had our dinner at Cafe Cartel. Took a while to finish my food because of the enormous serving. By the time I finished my food, it was almost 9PM.

Joanne gave me a lift home and I was very grateful to her for that because my feet were sore from all the walking in the day. We had a bit of problem getting to my place though. Both of us were unfamiliar with the roads and almost lost our way. She kept asking me where should she turn and exit but I wasn't too sure as well. Fortunately, we managed to reach my house in the end and she got home safely.

Tomorrow is Monday again. Time to go back to work. I am having Monday blues now though it is a Sunday. I am excited about the new things that I will learn at work but I am still not too used to waking up so early in the morning. SiGh~!