December
Today marks the start of 16 uninterrupted days of leave for me, after almost 450 days serving the nation. Managed to complete a 4-day OMer course today and that concluded my days in Stagmont Camp. I was expecting to end my army life over there, but somehow like i mentioned earlier, my posting changed and Jurong Camp shall be my second home for the next 9 months. As much as i don't wish to change and blend in to another new environment, there's always an end to a banquet and life goes on.
December has somewhat always been an emotional month for me during the past few years. Not that i'll get overly emotional-engrossed with stuff, just that it has always been a month where it brings me quite a lot of memories. So with the free time i had in hand, i started going through stuff on my laptop and all the scenes just start playing like a old film on the movie screen.
Have you ever experience flashbacks at times when you go to a particular place at some corner of the island or when you stumbled upon a friend whom you have not met for age? I bet everyone does and i'm sure you will spend the next couple of minutes recalling the past, whether it's about a person or a place that meant so much to you.
Maybe if you're slightly blur by nature; you would have the luxury of escaping these wandering thoughts every now and then. Don't get me wrong on this though, for this can be a good thing after all. But somehow for my case, this stuff just keeps coming back to me.
Just last Friday evening, memories and conversations start floating up the bubbles in the air, after meeting up with a couple of friends at this particular cafe. The place was particularly special probably it was meant something for someone. So much for having a pair of elephant brains, the mega memory i had never fails me and so those words and actions remained deeply rooted.
Later in the night, a guy caught the corner of my eye. A familiar build and face yet with a not-so-familiar outfit. A guy whom i known to be happy-go-lucky, a party animal, go to work in shabby look, became a well-groomed male with shirt and pants. He's none other than my Supervisor back in my Levi's days. Been almost 16 months since i left Levi's, and so has he after some months later. I wasn't able to react fast enough to approach him, but i wonder how he's doing now, and of cause i would love to poke fun at him for his smarter outfit.
Despite the very fact that during my work stint with him, he never fails to share with me his flings, his way of partying lifestyle, educating me how to be a bastard whom takes advantage of every situation presented and the endless probes into personal issues, he's also the one who showed me the rope to customer service and handling demanding situations at times. No doubt a player by night, he can be a real worker by day. Hope he's doing ever so great now too.
I was sharing with a Levi's friend of mine who's still currently a part timer, how things have changed. The service you get when you patronize Levi's is no longer the same. I still recalled the good old days of Levi's, when i was chilled during my first week of work for spotting long hair, not forgetting my painted nails which got me quite some stares by the customers as i'm packing up their purchase. Take a good hard look at the service crew in Levi's now, and you tell me how their outlook is now, and also where's the "Welcome to Levi's!"? Good or bad, you be the judge.
On Saturday evening, i had dinner with my family over at Clarke Quay. First and foremost, things have changed tremendously over there. CQ, short note for Clarke Quay has been a meaningful place to me. I spent almost 3 years of my weekends and holidays during my poly life working there, as a waiter for Thanying Thai Restaurant. Don't go around hunting for the restaurant now though, for it has been long gone before the major revamp.
I was sitting across the river, looking over the row of restaurants just last year June on my birthday and a year and a half has passed since then. The faint screams from the G-Max still lingers over the night, and the crowd has picked up since then. Coming fresh out of secondary school, the job as a waiter was quite something for me. It started off working with another 3 buddies, and ended up with just me before the restaurant closed down. I must say i've learnt a lot from F&B service and i'm glad that what my managers and captains demanded from us last time was good take away as to what real service is all about.
And what i meant with that is that, no matter where i go for dining now, the service is never close to what i was taught and practiced back then when i was a waiter myself. I can never forget what they used to tell us that, the place we're working and where the customers had their dinner is known as fine-dining.
Every details were to be observed and that includes making sure the dishes are served hot and straight from the woks, knowing when to serve the steamed rice at the right moment just before the main courses start arriving, napkins are folded back nicely on the table when the guest leaves for washroom, plates to be cleared away the moment it's empty, topping up ice water when it's less than a 3/4 filled at all times, hot towels to be served immediately once the customers are done, and lastly present their bills fast and accurately whenever it's called upon.
Now, how often do you get this kind of service now?
All and all, i know it's not about comparing the past to the present, not to even mention expect the future to be somewhat similar to the current state, but i'm glad i was brought up the way things should be and perhaps ought to be. And to date, i still feel that Thanying offers the best authentic Thai food.
Lately, i have been seeing quite some not-so-pleasant sight of humans. Like how critical and particular we will be when it come to monetary affairs, how fake we can be trying to walk past someone pretending to see through things, how sarcastic we can be trying to tease and make fun of on one another, how pretentious we can be when facing someone we don't like, and the list just goes on and on.
And when i mentioned all these, i'm not playing Saint to say that i'm never guilty of it. I bleed when cut, and i'm sure i have my shortcomings too. But when you pause and think about it, it's kinda freaky ain't it? Because everyone does it to a certain extend, somewhat and somehow, it goes on like part and parcel of life. So as Christmas bells start ringing round the corners, maybe it's a good time to give just a little bit more to others. How and what to do for that, it all depends on each individuals. Just remember to be "less-Singaporean" when doing all the mad rush for Christmas gifts, to show perhaps just a little bit more courteous side of us and i'm sure it would make December a even better festive month to celebrate upon.
Last but not least, to those reading this, take a moment or two and start reminiscing your past, the places of sentimental meanings to you, and thanking the people around you. Because for you never know when's the next time you see them again, or if the place still exists anymore.
So long and good night.
Monday, December 18, 2006
Subscribe to:
Post Comments
(
Atom
)
No comments :
Post a Comment