Post Shanghai blues.. Part 1(Work)

Its been exactly a month since I've returned from Shanghai (12 July 2010) and now I'm actually beginning to miss China having spent 7 whole months there travelling, studying and working. The experience is indeed priceless and memorable for me, adding something special to my bland university life, having only joined Insinyur and being CCAless for the past 3 years in NTU. I would love to say that I have unknowingly changed and that I'm beginning to understand myself better. I can actually be very independent, confident and brave, and a strong side of me that I have been hidden inside me for the past 22years. But I have also discovered another side of me, the weak and emotional side, which in some way freak myself out.Recalling the 1st few weeks in Shanghai where everything seems so foreign and scary, having to brave through the freaking cold weather (-2 deg cel), huge crowd of rowdy people and trying to navigate our way using road signs written in Chinese. (At work)

My company being strategically located at one of the busiest business distrinct at Golden Bell Plaza ( 大世界，黄埔区)in Shanghai, made my journey to work a tough but fun one, having to squeeze and battle the morning office crowd. Every morning there will be drama on the metro, with people quarrelling, faces being squash ( v funny expression on their faces, as though they are in pain), people being "kiap" by the door and those that still push their way into the train despite it being filled to the brim (China people can be compressed), sometimes its so full that even when the train brakes suddenly you wont even jerk or fall to one side,without even holding on to anything in the first place (defying inertia). Taking a bus 581 to work can be an enjoyable experience also as I can enjoy the nice scenery from the Nanpu bridge, while listening to the songs from my ipod. Whenever I get caught in a traffic jam, I'll have my own personal time when I'll start thinking about alot of stuff, my family, my friends and everything nice in Singapore.

I was given lots of opportunities by my boss as compared to the other local interns in AL. Being able to learn and work with other regional Marcom personnel, participate in global events like the World Expo (Swedish Pavilion) and being involved in the planning of the annual National Meeting for AL was indeed an eye opening experience for me. I have learnt technical stuff like web designing, maintenance, use of other communication and marketing tools, practised public speaking and presentation skills and other important soft skills like teamwork, responsibility etc.

The only disappointed and sad moment that I had in AL was the time when my boss broke to me the news that I had to be stationed in the office alone to provide assistance and oversee other matters, and the excuse given by my boss was that AL had better internet connection which is needed for the duty I was assigned to which is the mass sending of SMS to remind our clients regarding their registered seminar schedule. Felt really devastated and down for the next few days, as I have put in lots of effort and hardwork for this project, since the beginning of this project (attended web training session via video conference during the chinese new year holiday, with only me and Apple left alone in the whole company), followed by me pieceing the whole webcampaign site together, updating it daily with the latest information, to the final lap which ended with long working hours and OT for several nights. I could still recall the times when me and my colleagues admire the breath taking night view with all the buildings lighted up by the colourful LED neon lights, overseeing Shanghai Times Square, Infinite mall, Shanghai concert hall etc. from our desks. Really miss having lunch with my colleagues trying out all the different cuisine in Shanghai, strolling and htht sessions at parks after lunch and shopping at the baazar (level 6 of shanghai times square) having different sales ranging from clothes to imported food items etc.

Really glad and fortunate to have JK and Kas as my housemates, hearing me pour my sorrows and encouraging me during my sad times. My happiest moment in AL was definitely the last day of our event(30 June), where my boss gave me an expo day pass to visit the VIP section of the Swedish pavilion where all our seminars and products are exhibited and even enjoy the Happy hour session at the glass rooftop terrace at night.