If you're a fan of reading and would like to save the hassle and $ of purchasing books, bringing them wherever you go, try reading them as ebooks/pdf formats! 

Recently, I have been trying to cultivate the habit of reading, to improve my English standard as well as to widen my knowledge and improve my vocab! Of course, many would advise you to try throwing yourself into the habit of classics. But as you might already know, it's just kinda boring for average people like you and me. Although I've read Literature almost all my life in my educational years (Secondary + JC days), reading another classic just doesn't flood me with positive memories. Didn't enjoy reading classics back then and might not now as well, I guess it all depends but I'm willing to give them a shot, again.

The gist of this post is actually to introduce to you guys this rather awesome website for free downloads of ebooks. To me, it doesn't matter whether they have the 'ebook format' meaning which you can flip through the pages horizontally, I'm equally fine with pdf formats as well, as long as I get to read them. 

The website is http://www.obooko.com ! You can find many awesome stories with myriads of categories, satisfying your interests :)

And if you are interested to find out what exciting books others are reading, you can register with Goodreads and connect with your friends or the public, read reviews and be recommended to awesome books! It's more like a social media for avid readers :) 

Currently on my next book : After Life by Simon Funk

Hope it's a good read. :D

Enjoy reading and have a great weekend ahead! <3
 
Extracted from ChannelNewsAsia.com :

SINGAPORE: A JobStreet.com survey recently conducted with 480 fresh graduates and 150 employers suggests that the top concerns raised by fresh graduates on job search are uncalled for. 

Insufficient qualifications, often the top concern amongst graduates, was not listed as the top three hiring decisions from an employer's standpoint. 

Instead, employers acknowledged the value of good interpersonal and communication skills as well as a good command of the English language above qualifications when hiring fresh graduates. 

JobStreet.com added that among the fresh graduates who were hired, 40 per cent took between one to six months to secure a job whilst 32 per cent required more than six months to get employed. (not very encouraging IMO)

- CNA/ck 


2 issues popped into my head after reading this news article online.

Insufficient qualifications and good interpersonal and communication skills as well as a good command of the English language above qualifications.

Let's deal each point accordingly.

Insufficient qualifications

What does this mean? The first thing that came into my mind was, 'What then amounts to sufficient qualifications' ? 

We all know how the story unfolds, that Singapore is so tiny, that we have scarce natural resources, that we have only human resources to rely mainly on, that we are focusing on 2nd tier (manufacturing) and 3rd tier (tertiary) industries, that we are a knowledge-based economy no matter what. It is difficult to move away from this demographics of labour force. Thus, we need brains. Brains that will help boost the economy as a whole. Brains that can assist in research and development. Brains that can bring back more dough. Brains. Brains that work right. 

The intense competition in Singapore has never been so stiff compared to the past. It's either you have it or you don't. It's either you are in or out (maybe out of Singapore soon altogether). 

Degrees are now merely a fundamental requirement that one should possess when looking for jobs. It is now compulsory. It is now the norm. 

Perhaps job application forms may do away the 'everything up to Bachelor' option in the 'Highest Qualifications' section. No more O Levels, A Levels and Bachelors. Only postgraduate studies (Masters - how many? Doctorates - how many?)

Yes, I may agree with this news article to some extent, that qualifications aren't everything. Recall the IQ vs EQ inverse relationship, though no absolute.

Fresh graduates would mean 'graduated with a degree and insufficient qualifications would mean 'course of discipline/classification of honours/awards)

Take for example, public service jobs. Most applicants are required to have a degree on hand and life is made even more difficult when it states, 'At least a 2nd Upper Honours', 'Must be from NUS/NTU/SMU' or worse still, 'Only 1st Class Honours' need apply. The rest of the crops (perhaps rotten in their eyes - sorry but you are just not good enough) need not apply. 

'Insufficient qualifications' not their main focus when deciding which applicant to shortlist, hmm really?

Good interpersonal and communication skills as well as a good command of the English language above qualifications.

Of course, from the employer's perspective, having great interpersonal and communication skills as well as good command of English makes life easier when you are hired and when working together, no doubt. But in my opinion, I think it's time we come clean about qualifications. 

You are judged by your highest qualifications even before you turn up for the interviews and during the shortlisting period. Try printing this new article and attach it with your resume and certs, and see how many employers would actually shortlist you for an interview. 

Don't you think it is rather difficult to judge if one has great interpersonal skills (Definition : Interpersonal skills include not only how we communicate with others, but also our confidence and our ability to listen and understand. Problem solving, decision making and personal stress management are also considered interpersonal skills). 

How do you judge this based on qualifications and activities when hiring fresh graduates

How about communication skills? Notice it is inter-linked with interpersonal skills. Does it mean to say that students who major in communication studies are skillful in communications? How about joining the debate team? How about getting caught for talking in class causing distractions? :D

Good command of English language? Well, blatantly goes back to grades. 

This article deals with situations 'when hiring fresh graduates', so, my question again, how do you determine these 3 set of values even before you meet them one on one for an interview?  

Beats me, either.
 
^5 Lynn Tan, I do express the same perspectives as you. 

All these while, I have always been habouring the thoughts where a common misconception that 'nerds/geeks' must look goofy and thought to myself, but who says so?

To have a high IQ and still look gorgeous is a bonus, but to inject high EQ into the equation is a blessing. These 3 variables usually have an inverse relationship and the reason is unknown. 

If you'd like, click on this direct link and you'll see that her statement is not very well-liked. The mood meter falls in between 'bochup' and 'ewww'. The usual senseless comments in stomp.

With only approx 2 decades of experience in breathing, I try to understand the society and culture better, especially in Singapore. 

Most ladies as we know, are vain. It is a characteristic that is innate. We want to look good in front of others, especially in the presence of men. And that is simply normal, although FYI, in the animal kingdom (excluding humans), it is the males who tend to possess a more feminine touch. Lioness are the ones who take care of the kids and hunt for food. Lions, well, merely just 'nua' the whole day long, waiting for food to be brought back. Male peacocks are the ones with the psychedelic feathers whilst the females have dull-looking feathers. 

But polluted by ancient history, dolling up = vain = cheap = low dignity. Can I say that? 
So, being vain = buay tak cek (incapable of good academic grades). Is it because spending too much time on beauty products will cause one to fail their exams? Or trying to look good would distract oneself as well as the others (men?) and perhaps attract unwanted attention?

Honestly, I am of the opinion that if you are the 'study material' (lent from the slang of 'boyfriend/girlfriend material'), you would excel in your academic, no matter what your other interests are. You can excel in sports and yet still do well in school. You can be a make up guru and yet still top your class/school. And lastly, you can fall deeply in love, get attached and still please your parents with your grades. I got to know my bf before Uni started and still managed to snag an honours for my Bachelor of Laws degree? I'm pursuing my postgrad studies in Masters of Laws and still managed to score extremely well for my 1st 4 mods (struggling with the other 12 now HAHA), whilst juggling with work and r/s and other interests. Not boasting here, but all I wish to say is that nothing can and will stop you if you have decided that you want to score well academically. The ultimate question is how well can you manage your time? How do you allocate time and priority to each and every interests you have? You need to know that while Steve Jobs, Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg all left school, but being born/living in Singapore, we have involuntarily signed up for the paper chase and rat race and thus leaving school can never an option. And part-time studies is never easy. 

Because nobody said Life itself was gonna be easy. 
Got this from Facebook.
So, in conclusion, I've got to agree with Lynn Tan on her proposition, but to refine it further and tweak a little, that not all beauty queens are dumb = not all academically-inclined people are only good at academics, they can excel in other areas as well, in this case, being beautiful (of course, with the help of make up).  

What say you?
 
The reason behind the title is due to a recent event that occurred to my dear friend lately. 

She has been hospitalised for 2 weeks and counting now, and recently had to undergo a life-threatening emergency operation, which the success rate was extremely low. It was all too sudden as she was actually recovering the day before she had to undergo the emergency operation. 

It was just all too sudden and it breaks our hearts to see her in this state. 

We are all rooting and praying for her to get well....

All I want to say is that life is indeed really short. We might have experiences with death of loved ones, critical health conditions of others or ourselves, accidents etc or we chanced upon some touching moment/stories that pushes us to reflect on our lives. But the thing is, after awhile, we revert back to our old selves. Taking things for granted, chasing time and trying all means and ways to achieve our own goals... And then we slowly tend to forget whatever touched our hearts. It is only a handful of us who will allow such drastic events to change our lives. Until another extremity, we continue to lead life the way it was. 

Anything and everything is easier said than done. Yes and nobody is perfect. 

But why not try taking a step back from your current position that offers only a myopic view and look at the bigger painting of life instead?
Credits : www.Dreamthisday.com
Create the difference. Make a difference. Live the difference. :)
 
 
 
Hello! If you have been reading my blog for the past 2 weeks, you would have noticed that this is a new category besides beauty, food, health etc...

I thought that if this is going to be a blog, why not personalise it further? I don't mean an opportunity to showcase my private life but just to share with you my thoughts on certain issues, which cannot be categorised in the other sections. Work, friends, relationships, family, play etc.. would be some of the issues I will be touching upon. 

You may have your own perspectives and would or wouldn't agree with mine, but that's besides the point. I do welcome comments based on your perspectives except for rude remarks which I believe as civilised and ethical human beings wouldn't do so. Or hope that you guys wouldn't do so :P

I am quite an opinionated person and usually have my own way of thinking (different from the rest) and this might be good or bad. So since perspectives as we know are subjective, don't get upset over my posts, alright? :)

Hope you enjoy your stay here and looking forward to your comments! :D

    Author

    Hello there! Welcome to my blog where reviews on Beauty, Fashion and Lifestyle can be found! 

    Please note that reviews are based on my personal experience and sole perspectives. I am not paid to advertise unless stated otherwise :) 

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    Love,
    Jean 

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