Esther. An English Literature major from NTU. Once a part-time lifeguard. Always a public speaker and trainer. Currently an Education consultant cum coach working in an Education solutions company
Loves swimming, running, reading, writing, blogging (More frequently I swear), playing the piano, shopping with friends... An ambitious person, yet someone who is grounded in the word of grace.
Conscious of the free undeserving favours she gets because of Jesus' priceless redemption on the cross... she will always seize the blessings bequeathed to her by DaddyGod. Amen.
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
This is my 3rd time working with V-campus but instead of the usual teaching assistant job with Stanford EPGY (last week was with United College and Singapore American School, conducted at Chinese High), I'm now helping V-campus as an assistant event coordinator for Oracle Instructors Institute course. At first, my boss proposed to pay me only $300 for 5 days, but after learning that one of my tasks is to stand in as emcee for their opening dinner and dance, I did a little bit of bargaining with him and finally got him to up my pay to $350. Yeah... I know it's not much to some of you, but it's better than nothing. I was paid $50 for my emceeing stint at a convocation dinner too.
But wth..... those people-in-charge really milked every bit of the extra $50. For the first time in my life, I realized why people prefer student life to work life because the working world is RUTHLESSSSS!
Initially, I was perfectly fine with being the host of the dinner and dance. My thoughts were, 'Emceeing is a piece of cake. I'm a toastmaster yadda yadda...'
Yeah, you know what Esther.... it's all bullshit.
This is not la-la-toastmaster land. This is real work. And for real work, clients don't give a shit. For those of you who have seen me preparing for speeches, you will know that my rehearsals display the worse of public speaking. Mistakes, hiccups, wrong pronounciations etc etc etc.....
So my worse nightmares came true at yesterday's rehearsal when 2 of the people-in-charge suddenly barge into the room to evaluate my presentation and to 'offer feedback'. F.E.E.D.B.A.C.K. that made me feel smaller than an ant, scathing comments that made me doubt my public speaking abilities, and helpful suggestions that cause me to keep apologising profusely even though it wasn't my fault. To be honest, I nearly broke down in front of those people due to the bitchy atmostphere.
But...... I'm glad after being bombarded for the entire afternoon... I'm happy to say that everything went well during the dinner and dance. Yay..... I succeeded as a host (Prayed fervently in the toilet before everything started... and God came through for me... hallelujah.) It was major for me because all the V.I.Ps and executives from Oracle Corp were seated there. And I'm soooooo happy that they enjoyed themselves. (Sob* sigh.....). As some of the performances were arranged by the Singapore Tourism board, some of the STB executives came as well. And one of them gave me his name card! He told me that I emceed well and that I could always come to him if I ever needed a job or an internship. (YAYAYAYAYAYAY!!!!!!!) All things did abound for my good! Now the worst is over and I can add yesterday's achievements to my resume.
As for the other $300, it comes from my duties; making sure that the buffet meals arrive on time, ensuring that guests are satisfied during their break, a minimal amount of printing sooo far, and the rest comes from me slacking in front of the computer when they are in meetings. =)
(P.S.* I even get to da pao the good food. =P) TATA!
2:25 PM
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
This is my 3rd time working with V-campus but instead of the usual teaching assistant job with Stanford EPGY (last week was with United College and Singapore American School, conducted at Chinese High), I'm now helping V-campus as an assistant event coordinator for Oracle Instructors Institute course. At first, my boss proposed to pay me only $300 for 5 days, but after learning that one of my tasks is to stand in as emcee for their opening dinner and dance, I did a little bit of bargaining with him and finally got him to up my pay to $350. Yeah... I know it's not much to some of you, but it's better than nothing. I was paid $50 for my emceeing stint at a convocation dinner too.
But wth..... those people-in-charge really milked every bit of the extra $50. For the first time in my life, I realized why people prefer student life to work life because the working world is RUTHLESSSSS!
Initially, I was perfectly fine with being the host of the dinner and dance. My thoughts were, 'Emceeing is a piece of cake. I'm a toastmaster yadda yadda...'
Yeah, you know what Esther.... it's all bullshit.
This is not la-la-toastmaster land. This is real work. And for real work, clients don't give a shit. For those of you who have seen me preparing for speeches, you will know that my rehearsals display the worse of public speaking. Mistakes, hiccups, wrong pronounciations etc etc etc.....
So my worse nightmares came true at yesterday's rehearsal when 2 of the people-in-charge suddenly barge into the room to evaluate my presentation and to 'offer feedback'. F.E.E.D.B.A.C.K. that made me feel smaller than an ant, scathing comments that made me doubt my public speaking abilities, and helpful suggestions that cause me to keep apologising profusely even though it wasn't my fault. To be honest, I nearly broke down in front of those people due to the bitchy atmostphere.
But...... I'm glad after being bombarded for the entire afternoon... I'm happy to say that everything went well during the dinner and dance. Yay..... I succeeded as a host (Prayed fervently in the toilet before everything started... and God came through for me... hallelujah.) It was major for me because all the V.I.Ps and executives from Oracle Corp were seated there. And I'm soooooo happy that they enjoyed themselves. (Sob* sigh.....). As some of the performances were arranged by the Singapore Tourism board, some of the STB executives came as well. And one of them gave me his name card! He told me that I emceed well and that I could always come to him if I ever needed a job or an internship. (YAYAYAYAYAYAY!!!!!!!) All things did abound for my good! Now the worst is over and I can add yesterday's achievements to my resume.
As for the other $300, it comes from my duties; making sure that the buffet meals arrive on time, ensuring that guests are satisfied during their break, a minimal amount of printing sooo far, and the rest comes from me slacking in front of the computer when they are in meetings. =)
(P.S.* I even get to da pao the good food. =P) TATA!
2:25 PM
