An unexpected twist.. November 6, 2009

Sometimes you will never know what you end up doing, which is out of your league. Even though 6 years ago, I did some food and beverage stuff but deep inside I do knew that I am not food and beverage inclide person, however after 6 years later, by fate, I ended up doing food and beverages again!

When I came to Macau, all I thought I will be doing is in the spa, at the reception. I do not mind working late or do something different once a while but little did I expect that I will be hed to Grand Club for several months! This is all because the spa is not ready at the moment and there was a delay in the opening due to the design of the spa that was not up to standard. Well.. it was a totally mess… and all we can do now is do the best that we can.. which means I have to tolerate to be in the F&B!! Sorry nothing against it..  but its just not for me.. the tray is so heavy.. lucky last few days and today I was doing the hosting.. which means I just greet and escort the guest to the table. But I think tomorrow they will switch my place and I have to carry those heavy trays! urgh…which also means from tomorrow onwards my arms going to be paining!

Now I am also helping them to dry those drink glasses and cutleries after they wash it. We have to dry it as soon as its still hot as its much easier, as once it cools, it leave water stains and its hard to remove them! Then we have use hot water to re-wipe them and need more energy..Especially when you wipe the glasses, hands quite painful due to the friction and the heat. Even today one of the staffs broke some glass as one of the server tray fell on the floor as the trayt wasn’t placed on the table properly and she cut her hand while trying to clean up the scattered glass ! This really reminds me to be extra careful with the glasses and the tray.. sigh.that is my biggest worry – that I will drop the entire tray! urgh.. touch wood! hope not…. I remembered I broke my mum’s plates during one of the new year eve dinner, when I slipped while carrying a stack of plates..a total nightmare.. of coz also remembering my mum’s scolding for my carelessness.. I hope the history don’t repeat itself over here..

A total challenge for me and one that I need to handle and cope for the coming months! The first time I got to do a split shift – working at 0700 – 1100 then 1500 – 1900 hours. the middle part I came back to sleep!! haha.. but damn weird feeling.. oh well.. I suppose there will be more to come!

Another new Endeavor.. September 13, 2009

Most people are not so lucky that able to get a job so soon after they left the previous job even with all the various job hunting and I was lucky that I got a job before I left my previous company. I have always wondered what does it feel like to work in city hotel and to work with an international chain hotel.. and my wish came true. I applied, interview and got the job as a team leader for the reception for the spa at Macau with Grand Hyatt! wow!

After 2 weeks at home, I continued by career path to Macau.. The weather here is even more humid than Malaysia/Singapore! The day that I arrived, the humidity is around 80% and the next day is 90% .. seriously.. you do not need to do anything but just stand outside the building and you will start sweating.. hmm.. then I really wonder do they really require sauna or even steam room her since they have a natural one outside..

Upon arrival, I was being picked up by our Spa Manager, Serena Rogers. I never expected the spa manager will come personally to pick up staffs .. I wondered then if she does it for every employee? hmm…. But nevertheless, felt honored too! She brought me to the hotel to do some further registration at the HR. Once I completed everything, I was being brought to the hotel that I will be staying. Prior to my arrival, after checking and I thought that I will be put into the hostel which they provide for all the employee from China, but they arranged for me to stay at a hotel at Taipa area – Hotel Taipa(Best Western) I shared a room with a korean lady, J who is my current housemate. The company actually arranged a half day city tour for all the staff.. very good eh.. So I went around Macau for half a day and after that the orientation and trainings starts.

I managed to catch up with a friend who is working here and through him, I know a property agent who help to find my current house. Its quite centralize, eventhough its not a new apartment but the house is clean and sufficient for 2 ladies. After staying for 2 weeks at the hotel we moved into our home. Its great to finally able to unpack everything! Now its shopping time.. buying things for the house and for the room – comforter, pillows, bedsheets, pillow cases, quilt covers then for the house, kitchen items and bathroom items. Most importantly arranged for my broadband which finally arrived last Saturday! yippee.. and that is also why there is such a long silence!.. :p oh .. some of my house photo as below.

Drift off to another island again.. July 8, 2009

Well.. when people ask me what is my favourite thing to do.. and I will surely say travelling and when people ask me whether you would like to work in different places, without much hesitation, I would readily agreed. Well.. seems like my dream comes true..

This is the first time when I get to work far away from home. Its been 5 months I am at Maldives… How time flies! But within this 5 months, every 2-3 months, I change resorts. However due to this country consist of many islands.. Whenever I change resorts, I need to lug my luggages around to Male then to the next resort either by speedboat or by seaplane previously.

With great dissappointment, I was not selected to work with Hilton together with another 3 other spa therapists. However, lucky for me, my GM able to transfer me to another resort, which will also be going to be taken over by the Hilton group under the brand of Waldorf-Astoria which is a much higher brand than Hilton in November or might be sooner. Oh well, since I am not able to be included in Hilton, there is not much hope to be accepted to be in Waldrorf. Therefore I will be here for only during the transition period, after that, seriously no idea. Its either I go home to Malaysia/Singapore or I start looking for another job over here.

Even though its sad to leave the previous resort – Irufushi, but its kind of a blessing in disguise. You can say its a way for me to avoid a messy emotional issue, it may be mean but it would be much better for all parties that I leave that place. Now, I am sure you are wondering what am I talking about..well.. you can keep wondering and guessing.. haha.. that’s the fun part..

When my GM broke the news to me that I was not selected to work under Hilton and I have to go back to my room to pack my stuffs, its such a mix feeling – sad, dissappointed, happy and free. You must be thinking.. crazy woman, how can there be so much feelings at one time.. Sad to leave, dissappointed that not able to work in a brand hotel, happy to escape and free from the stress…

Even after I have packed that night, I have to wait 2 more days which is after much persuasion and nagging at the HR manager to get me a seat for me to leave the island. So I spend about 3 nights in Male in a motel called Maafushige. Its a decent motel, clean sheets with a flat screen tv! Not bad huh?

When I got my flight confirmation for me to go to the new resort – The Beach House at Manafaru Maldives, it never occur to me that I have to take a domestic flight to one island and I have to transfer to the resort by a speedboat! Oh my god.. the journey will take a 45-minute journey by domestic flight by Maldivian Air (photo attached)  then followed by another 45 – 60 minutes of speedboat from the local island, Hanidmadhoo to the resort. So total, about 2 hours journey! Its so far away from Male, and my GM has told me that I will not be able to go to Male unless its for official or emergency matters. Now I am truely isolated, but at least I still have a job, phone and internet access. But the best thing, I have tried all types of transportation in this Island – Dhoni, speedboat, seaplane and now domestic flight and oh of coz international flight!

When my GM told me to come to this resort, the only one thing that came to me is I have to face the resort GM here which came from Irufushi as well.. Somehow or rather whenever he or his fiancee comes to Spa, there is aways problem either with him or his fiancee.. Its like he is the nemesis for me. Well, let’s see if these problems will follow me here. Upon reaching here, I ended up in the spa, which not really ideal as I am in my travelling clothes – Mickey mouse red color T-shirt and a 3/4 pants! What an image! The best of all, the operation manager came and to inform me that there is a journalists and their PR agents are here and would like to start the poolside treatment service and like either myself of the doctor to be there in case the journalist wants to talk to us with regards to the spa, while looking at my appearance. That is extreemly not helpful.

I was like.. Hello.. don’t you know I just arrived like not even an hour ago? Geez.. Don’t they have any consideration or no common sense? I have not even gotten familiar with the spa menu which is so different than the rest of the spas and their prices are different as well. Sigh.. what to do.. Luckily my luggages came. I went to my room which is very very nice, I have a “dressing” area and my bedroom with TV, sound system and a dvd player and the best part – a King Size Bed! It was an ultimately wow! oh I have a fridge as well. of coz they do not have an kettle which i seriously need one. (Photos below)

I brought along with me so many cup noodles and coffee and I have no kettle! again!. In the previous resort, I finally got my kettle and I left the place about 1 week after I receive that kettle. Not sure if that kettle is a jinx or what. Oh to get back to the topic, I went into my room, open my luggages and trying to find a not so crumpled work shirt, where there is none and I ended up with a plain brown T-shirt with a formal pants.. I tell you its a total waste of my time going through all these hussle. I went to the Infinity pool with the doctor (in the mean time got lost trying to find my way to the spa even though the island is indeed very small but being new and do not have the bearings of all the places yet, I have to create a manual bill, as the doctor told me that they do not have these kind of bill when they already have such bill in the computer!  A very good impression that I have on the doctor on my first day!!!) The journalists are all having their lunch and drinks with the GM and the Operation Manager, and did not even bother about us! what a waste of time.

After a short while, I left the area and went for lunch at the staff restaurant, the food here is much better than the previous resorts that I have been. After lunch I went to unpack partially my luggage and rest a while, go for tea break and went to the spa to start familiarize myself with the operations.

It’s much till that night that I went back to my room and call it a night. Now I am able to enjoy the plasma TV and due to ignorance, I tolerated a few days of cold shower, unknowing that they have to turn to the left for the hot water… haha.. Yes.. blur me..Now is just settling down to the momentum, and I am sure once I get familiarize with everything and everyone, its time to go again. Its seems that I shift resorts every 2 months.. how cool can this be, when I say I like travelling, this sure is! but to travel everytime with my 50kg luggages?..ops.. mum, I did not buy anything ok.. except for flip flops which is much needed and oh.. yeah.. I did buy a lot of food.. hehe.. instant noodles and coffee! sigh.. Well, we will see what the future holds for me. Regardless, I better enjoy these facilities that I am having now while it last! It seems I only have 1 month to enjoy as the news came that they will be taking over the spa beginning of 01 August.. sigh.. here I go again.. to home to somewhere else..?

Scary management… June 22, 2009

I think in my previous post, I did indicate that I wish to stay with Hilton for the next 2 years. Even now its much so but when you start seeing and hearing how they send people back, its not just scary but its terrifying! When they took over the resort from the 01 May, even on the first day, they sent back 50 people who are all contractors. Gradually they start sending people home, one by one even for the management / executive staffs.

Some even one day before they went on leave for their annual vacation, they just inform them that their services are not required and they were given their air ticket, an advance 1 month salary and need not come back anymore.. wow! Now that they have prepared new contracts for all the employees however before they are being asked to sign, they are being sent home!They were just given 1 hour notice for them to pack and their boat or plane leave in 1 hour time! How cruel can these people be..

Its pretty sad to see these newly made friends go and have to restart making new friends and wondering when is my turn? Who knows mine will be on the next batch! Luckily, I am kind of safe till end of this month and then just hope for the best! If not for the brand and the standards, I don’t think I would want to work with them with this kind of working ethics… Now most of us has the same thought, we should pack our things half way, in case they just give you 1 hour to pack and ask you to go.. then at least you will be more prepared!.. scary scary scary~!

Blessing.. January 1, 2009

No matter how old we are, what we have become, for all the decision we make in life, we always need our parents’ acceptance and support. Even though you know that you had made a correct decision for your life and most of your friends and family members supported you, just one of them disapprove is quite upsetting

Well.. now that the decision is made and can only hope that my mum will be able to accept my decision soon… as I will be leaving the country end of the month. Now in the midst of arranging everything ready, change of address and the one that I am dreading was resignation from my current employment and to pack my stuff.

Well, hope everything will be done and settled as planned.

Depressing… December 8, 2008

Now the world economy is tumbling down due to the US crisis. Many countries has been affected and going into recession. So being in a such small country, Singapore is not able to escape for its fate..Being a country that depend a lot on other countries for resources, it goes without saying that the economy here were hit badly.

Everyday when we hear the news or read the papers, you hear the news of companies retrenching staff and cutting staff pays for those major companies. During our schooling time, our parents will always say go into banking is good.. good salary, solid company will not go bankrupt.. and now we hear this bank going burst and following by another. Seeing rescue mission from the various government trying to stabilizing the world economy. As thought that is not chaotic enough.. the terrorist come out to play, and they are the one that started the entire crisis started with Sept 11. Then now Bangkok with the political upheaval will rise

Gives us thought that things are not up to you to predict, not up to you to control and the best thing you can do now is just do whatever things you feel right, what you feel safe for you and you decide on your own. Last weekend, I had a surprise phone call from one of my ex-colleague after 5 years without any contacts.

To my surprise when I met up with her yesterday she gave me an offer to work in overseas – Maldives as assistant spa manager. Its a great opportunity for me and I know that this type of opportunity will not knock on your door twice. Even thought the pay is not that fantastic but i know that with this kind of exposure will surely help me in my future. It will increase the my “price” in the job market but it will also mean that I will be in the spa industry and not in the hotel anymore.. but then does it matter?

Aside that, eventhough it is a beautiful country but for staff when we are expose to the back office, it will not be as beautiful that was painted in the travel guide for the tourist! My friend already prewarn me that it will be a tough life over there as I will have to set up a system for the spa and the service levels.

But now, I have decided to take up this challenge and to push myself further. Now my biggest worry is my aunt when I leave Singapore, where will she stay? Then the logistics of bill payments, my bro shares dividend and many others, where to mail to and who will settle these stuff.. ? I think that’s the headache.. sigh.. well I suppose I will think of something by then..

busy … August 22, 2008

Has been busy attending classes, trainings for my RE. It has been stagnaned for some time, however this time round, every tuesday we will have training and in this training there are a lot of role play.. Sigh… I hate this part.

I never was a public speaker. Whenever I have to present, even though I know everyone but my leg still wobbles and shaking inside. Geez.. you would have thought that I was in sales I would have gotten use to this.. But most of my sales are 1 to 1. So its so much different in coming to the front and do a presentation.

In this class we have to learn how to overcome objections, haven’t master it, so there will be more of such role play. Realing dreading for this, but when I think bout it, such lessons are very good. Will learn a lot from all these sessions.

Now till end of September, I have a target of 6k gross commission really wonder, how to reach that.. well.. looks like I have to try my best to achieve it! So anyone looking to buy/sell/rent their place (in Singapore, I mean)?

Commitment.. August 12, 2008

This week I have a series of training to go, however today lesson will determine if we are to continue with the rest of the training session. But then, from the lesson that I had, I am not sure if I am qualified to continue.

From November till now, my zero has not been broken as yet. But then, I have to admit that I did not really put much effort on it. I think it is about time I really put the commitment in and to really go into the industry.

There a lot of things that I need to do and to learn. If I had then the lesson earlier will not be like a drilling session or more into a buttering session.. But it is something that I have to learn how to overcome and had learn quite a bit from that short session.

Opportunity is for us to look for it and not just waiting for them to come knocking on your door. Oh man.. it is going to be tough ahead and I really have to start reading news and to really understand how the property works and not just on the procedures of both buying and selling.

Start Up.. January 9, 2008

The beginning of a new challenge is always the hardest to cope.. The changes of your normal routine, less time for yourself, less relax is sometimes a challenge by itself.

 When I chose to come into this brand new field, I have predicted of these changes. Even though there were only 5 days has passed since I had advertised my first ads last Saturday; it has been a hectic days. The process of calling, arranging the suitable time for viewing and checking on the availability of the units and the travelling is something that I have to do but not something that I enjoy doing… ok I heard someone saying.. who does?

But the stage where we meet the client, talking to them, bringing them to view the units and able to see other people units are ones that I enjoy – so far.. up till I meet some nasty ones! Hope not so soon, but it is predicted to happen, can’t expect everyone to be nice person, can we?

Even though after just a short period, I get to experience in dealing with all types of agents, some secrative ones, some helpful ones and slowly picking up the rules of the game. With my director’s coaching, hopefully I am able to pick up fast. One thing that I have learnt.. I have to be Ka poh, and keep probbing and asking till I get the answers either from the Client or agent, which I had a hard time trying to.. coz I am not a busybody person and I do not try to press people for answers by nature and I have to be both. Realize there are a lot of areas I need to improve of!

Hope over time I will be able to be better.. Even though now I am kind of a little regret of choosing Toa Payoh as my first case study coz now almost everyday I have to bring clients there to view flats and I stay in Ang Mo Kio. Lucky was it was quite near but it is still tire me out…trying to balance my full time and my part time job.

 Now all that I can do is… GAMBATTE!

Newbee.. January 5, 2008

In order to win the war, well preparation has to be done. With that and with plenty of practices, it will help to win the battle. In one’s life there will always be some days that we will remember. The day when we go for a “battle” and how we deal and fair at the end of the day will always be the one most memorable.

Today is a day where I will always remember. This is because today is day I went for battle, my first step out from my comfort zone, into a brand new area. Even though I had attended the classes and training to prepare for THIS day, but when it comes to the time where I really have to put it into practice is a different matter all together.

When I had called the newspaper to advertise a “dummy” act to find buyers to serve last friday, still have not felt the urgency. Up till this morning, when the ad is publicize. Even though I had prepared some materials with my director’s coaching, I still find that what I know is insufficient and still lack of confident. Before 9am, my phone starts to ring to enquire about the flat that I had advertise. Wow!

It was lucky my director gave me a prep talk the night before on how to handle the phone calls.. So manage to stay cool and handle the calls quite well. The entire morning, I received numerous of calls either from direct buyers and agents. Finally one buyer responded and wanted to view the other units that I had prepared.

Suddenly the panic mode sets in, questions floats in my head: What should I say? How to present? How to start? When I meet up with her what should I say/do? What if they ask questions, and I do not know how to answer?

As the time approaches, the more I get nervous, frogs starts to jump and butterfly starts to take off in my stumoch. Nearer to the appointment time, I receive a sms that brought me such a huge relief! Was really really thankful that my director able to make it and join me for the viewings. Whew! What a relief! I observed how he does the presentation and explain the entire process up till we meet up with the other agent that brought us up to see the flat. At least for the next appointment, I might be able to handle with lesser panic.. hopefully..

Well, now for tomorrow I will be meeting another buyer to view one of the flat that I had shown earlier.. Hopefully I am able to handle the viewing without much hiccups! Wish me luck!