As i take a new path in my journey.....

Last friday (27th April) was yet another important day in my professional life. I step on a different path in my journey. Looking back my 11yrs of professional life... i started off as an chemical engineer (exploring the process, production and commissioning areas ) in a petrochemical plant and continued for nearly 9yrs....then went in to teaching profession as a lecturer for nearly 2yrs ... and now stepped into a specialized area, process controls, in process industries. I am happy that all throughout my career i had picked up skills that allowed me to explore the different functionalities without much difficulty. I am grateful to my parents and teachers who had disciplined and moulded me into what i am now.

First day at Yokogawa was pretty relaxing bcos of two reasons, one it was a friday !! and the other that my boss was on a business trip to Japan!!! Had ample of time to get settled. Gifted to have a wonderful buddy, Ms.Emilen. She is a venezualian, a chemical engineer with experience in safety systems. I think that she used to work in Honeywell's R&D centre prior to this.

Today was my second day. My boss and few of my colleagues were back from their trips. Had good time introducing ourselves and briefing about our section's goal/target and my roles and responsibilities. I would be the process expert in the team and helping to understand the customers need, suggest solutions and prepare specifications for the rest of the team to develope the software package for the customer. Our's is basically the Business Solution Development Centre and it is the only other centre other than the one in japan.

Although the workplace environment seem to ease out for me, the travelling is what that is really killing. I hate the PIE traffic jam in the morning and also in the evening. Friday was being the worst ! i started to drive from Yew Tee at 0735hrs and reached office at 0835hrs. The actual distance is 25kms and doesnt take more than 30mins during normal hours. In the evening i gave up after cannot tolerate the slow traffic anymore, took diversion into the CTE and thought i am clever. I cursed myself for doing so later. CTE jam was much more worse. So today i started at 0720hrs in the morning and reached office at 0755hrs!!!! That was fantastic. You start 10mins earlier and you save 35mins!!! But the fact that you would be at office by 30mins early might be too much.... I REMEMBER THAT THERE WAS NEWS IN ONE OF THE CHANNEL THAT WAS TALKING ABOUT FLOATING CARS WHICH ARE DESIGNED TO RESCUE PEOPLE FROM HIGH RAISED BUILDINGS DURING EMERGENCIES !!! Just wondering when such thing would be available for common man!!!

Happy May Day Wishes to everyone

Farewell Note to all my friends at NYP

Today was a day of mixed feelings.... My last day at NYP ! Having gained the momentum from NYP, now i prepared to take the challenge at Yokogawa, this friday. Since the day i tendered my resignation i feel a bit strange response from both the students and the staffs, probably the same but i felt a change. I spent nearly 2hrs in the morning to draft my "Farewell note" to my friends at NYP. Afternoon i had a good lunch session followed by a surprise tea invitation from Mr.David Soo, Mgr-SEG(M). Wow, i was moved by the down to earth attitude of David. He did everything that would make me feel comfortable. It reminded me of yesterday's tea session with Ms.Chung Yin Wah, Mgr-SEG. They both are terriffic. I was associated with both of them for a brief project and they valued my contribution so much that they decided to spent thier valuable hours with me.

Most of the afternoon was spent by a few quick photo session with the rest of the friends. Felicia, Christina, Bee bee and Hui Leng were at their best. I realise that i didnt communicate what my heart wanted, to a few. Mr.Yow Kum Pang was in a rush but had time to say goodbye.

In all, it was a busy day with lots of hearts exchanging good lucks and wishes. I have extracted my farewell note below...
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Dear all,

Today, as I take a different train and continue with my journey (where it ends? i don't know!), I would like to thank everyone of you sincerely for your noble and selfless guidance. The guidance, that has strengthened my character, my knowledge and certainly widened my experience, all through out the two years of journey together. The guidance, that has helped me to accomplish all my tasks at NYP. I have no doubt that NYP has made an important contribution to the development of true professionals in almost all spheres of Singapore's economic drive and I am also sure that this will continue in the years to come. Good luck.

NYP has been a place which taught me quite a lot of things and had sharpened me intellectually. The campus is such a vibrant place that it would even transform a dumb into powerful orator. I'd ever be indebted to this organization and each one of you with whom I interacted in at various times. Although an Hindu, I was encouraged by a verse in the book of Philippians (Chapter 2, verse 3) which said 'Consider others better than yourself.' Every person I interacted with in NYP has strengthened this paradigm and enabled me to appreciate the beauty of God's creation - the brain of man. Truly this is an organization powered by intellect and driven by values. Working with the organization would remain one of the most memorable phases of my life.

OK, I don't want to bother you all anymore. I'm sure you guys have tonnes of other better things to do rather than read this pathetic email. If you are still reading this at this point I thank you for your time and effort. I appreciate it...really. Feel free to leave me a note at shanshu75@hotmail.com or message me at (65)81576147 but kindly ignore comments about my horrendous grammar and spelling!

With no regrets about my contributions but regrets about leaving NYP, a wonderful place that has given me an opportunity to associate with u all, I continue with my journey.....

I will go on.....

S A N K A R. S
Lecturer - Process Instrumentation & Control
School of Chemical & Life Sciences (Chemical)
Nanyang Polytechnic. Singapore - 569830.

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Rows of Celebrations and Farewell Lunches !

During the last weekend and early of this week we had lots of lunch-out and dinner-out sessions. It was a kind of farewell hosted by several groups of my NYP friends.

Taken during NYPs 15 B'day celebrations at Swiss Stamford Convention Hall at Raffles Centre. Sitting from left: Sze Ern, Chian Hwey Miin, Adeline Ler, Alvin Chee and Dennis Lim. Standing from left: Felicia, Quek Chin Joo, Myself, E Cherng Ming and Ng Wai Hong.

Taken during NYPs 15 B'day celebrations at Swiss Stamford Convention Hall at Raffles Centre. Sitting from left: Charlie Tan and his wife, SEG(M) staff, Kallen Chong, Myself and Hui Leng

Felicia, Myself and Christina

Farewell Lunch at Apollo Banana Leaf Restaurant, Serangoon on 10th April. From Left: Hui Leng, Chirstof Luda, Myself, Chua Hui Mei and Christina

Farewell lunch at a Chinese Restaurant at Lower Pierce Reservoir on 11th April. These are my Secondary Pharma Project mates. From Left: Mr.Cheok, Mr.Wong Poh Seng, Kallen, Myself, Eric Siew and Charlie.

The new cub in the Tiger's Den!

On 3rd April'07 yet another member was added to our family ! A Honda Civic ESI 1.6M. The 1991 Honda model still looked in a pretty good condition. Since then i bought the second hand car from a dealer, i had to travel back to him for few minor problems. Otherwise the new tiger is doing well. Haven't started to actually check on the fuel consumption but looks like the cub is bit thirsty. Oops... need to tame it soon !!

Tejas was particularly excited about the new toy. When called back india, he loaded me with hell a lot of questions. Mostly centered around to confirm that he no need to take MRT or BUS or TAXI rides anymore!!! (My God... seems that i need to look for a better paying job soon !!!). Chitra was equally excited. Neeraj seems to have misunderstood or the mother never gave him a clear picture. He thought that it was an actual toy and kept asking me whether i would share the toy with him to play !!!

Hope and Pray that this new member would bring us good luck and happiness.

Farewell Lunch at Riverwalk - Bye Bye Sankar & Sze Ern

Last Friday's lunch happened to be a memorable one for me and Sze Ern. All our friends at NYP took a break from the normal office life and drove us for a farewell lunch at RIVERWALK TANDOORI RESTAURANT, Boat Quay. Had a nice lunch and a stroll by the singapore river. My Special thanks to Mr.Yow Kum Pang (DD, SCL), Mr.Tan Beng San (Mgr-SCL) and Mr.Wong Poh Seng (Mgr-SCL) for honouring us with thier presence. The best part about these guys is that they dont make u feel, at any point of time, that they are your bosses. Never ever, they move around as a person among you and i really salute them for bonding and guiding the team-scl. I have trust in them that they would guide the team to newer heights.

On our way back, Quek took me, sze ern, chian hwey miin and adeline to an italian pastry shop by the river side. We had another round of cakes, pastries and coffee. Thanks Chin Joo and that was so nice of you. I respect Chin Joo for his commitment and dedication towards his work. He keeps his team members on board and shares important management decisions with them.

Thanks to you, all my friends, for your time.