Monday, December 17, 2007
11:37 PM

Many firsts on this trip.

First time travelling on budget air carrier.
First time travelling alone.
First time having an interview in a foreign land.
First time travelling to Hong Kong.

I left Singapore full of excitement and anticipation of what I was to face in Hong Kong. The first thing that greeted me upon stepping out of the plane was the harsh winter wind on Lantau Island. It came as a shock, but it aroused my excitement even more. My presence in the new land felt so real, albeit I was alone. (It was quite a torture not having anyone to talk to when travelling alone. I was so tempted to chat with my neighbour, but he was this obese, middle-aged and repulsive man who gobbled his fried rice in 8 slurps.)

I decided not to indulge in cab, but took the Airport Express, cuz that had to be the most idiot-proof mode of transport besides the cab. I had the MTR to Central and Central map more or less memorised before I left Singapore, but little did I know that the MTR stations are not merely entrances, platforms and exits. 90% of the MTR station underground were made up of tunnels (which of cuz was filled to the brim with Hongkies who walked at Shenton way pace or faster, even at 10pm).

I finally found my way to Causeway Bay, Times Square and asked my way towards The Charterhouse Hotel. It was interesting that Times Square/ Lane Crawford (the Paragon of HK) was situated right next to a wet market, which I were to pass by a couple more times, before reaching the hotel. It was even more interesting have 2 Hongkies asking me for directions in Cantonese when the roles were supposed to be reversed! For 1, I understood the question and pointed in the right direction. For the other, she spoke so fast I did not understand at all, so I merely muttered, "ngoh mm sekh gong gwung dung wah". wahaha

I was famished by the time I found my way to the hotel, so I roamed around the area for food. The weather was so good I did not even need my jacket. Merely needed a long sleeved cotton t-shirt and put on a scarf for fun. It's so hot putting on a jacket in 21degree celsius, but I guess pple there just think it's cool to wear wool, fur and boots! They'r super fashion-conscious! Stopped at a damn crowded shop that sells steamed egg. So yums, but ex! Passed by Krispy Kremes and bought 2 for my next day's breakfast. By that time, the shops were closing so I decided to head back to my room to wash up and do some preparation for next day's interview.

I found my way to Cheung Kong Centre after walking down Queen's Road Central in the wrong direction for about 100m (the road signs were misleading). My mentality for the interview: no strategy, sincerity and be myself. With 90 pple (so I heard)fighting for 20 places, I was so prepared to fail, and was there to earn the experience. There are 3 Singaporeans (including me), 1 Hongkie and the rest mainland Chinese at the timeslot, all fighting for the Banking Programme. I was a little worried cuz there was to be a case study segment. This requires a bit of ability to provide strategic and financial analyses, and I thot, "die, these Chinese would surely do better than me". After all, I don't have any trainings in analysing these stuff.

Guess what, 80% of what I presented came from my head, rather than from the one-hour preparation I made. I was glad Josephine, my interviewer, asked me probing questions. These questions would help her understand my thought process, so I wouldn't like those qtns if I didn't have an understanding of the case. But, I thought these questions helped me organise my thought process better and I was then better able to present the case with more depth than what I prepared! The girl got a ice princess look, and she put a big cross on the paper, which made me panick a bit.

To confess, during my preparation for case study, I changed my mind twice about the recommendations. I wanted to recommend telco industry, then I thought too risky, so I picked healthcare. After I finished my analysis, I thot the historical performance was too low, so I changed my mind again to telco. Luckily I was in a very good state of mind at that time, so I still felt at ease. I used that to my advantage, cuz the interviewer asked me very in-depth questions about both industries, so I merely told her the truth about my considerations.

For the second stage interview, I expected to be asked me about my weaknesses, but that did not happen, cuz I ownself admit. wahha. When Peter asked whether I think I'm a pple-person, I told him the truth that I'm a task-oriented person. But of cuz I shared personal experiences with him, and how I handled the tense working relationships back in Deloitte.

The whole process took about 4 hours, and I headed back to hotel to get changed before meeting Sophie at Central MTR to head to Mongkok for sightseeing, food and shopping! Gosh, I really needed Sophie cuz she helped me asked for the price and stuff. Got myself a nice pair of black-grey jeans that looked really hip and cost only HKD68, less than S$20! To get such a sort of jeans in Singapore usually cost at least S$70! Shoes were freaking cheap too! If I had another day to shop, I would buy more shoes, clothes, jeans and maybe even a winter hat!

On the other hand, food was more expensive, but yummy. Portions are slightly bigger than in Singapore too. Neither did I miss the 许留山 but ended getting scolded by Sophie for not telling her I was having cough. Who cares, since I was only to be in HK for only 1 day!

Took a bus to Tsim Sha Tsui to look at the lights, and took the Star Ferry to Central before heading to Lan Kwai Fong. Mans, it was fun to see the angmohs dressed up as Santa Claus and pixies, drunk and partying hard. It's an angmohs and SPGs' paradise!

HK was really easy for a Singaporean to fit in. Canto is easy to pick up, just need to get used to it. Love the winter weather because it's aircon everywhere. My makeup doesn't melt like in Singapore, but it can be quite dusty. My throat and eyes got a little irritated tho.

Back in Singapore, I was thrilled to receive good news that I was accepted for the internship! I'm so excited (but I'm also prepared to be worked like a slave next summer!).