Leaders & Managers

I once read an article that points out the differences between a leader and a manager which I find rather apt. A manager is one who maintains a system that has already been put in place and ensures its smooth running(think factory). His main role is only to ensure the smooth running of the system and could only solve minor problems that could have arise. A leader on the other hand would most probably be the one who came up with that system and deals with any major problems that can pop up.

From my opinion a leader should be one who do not have to be the best in everything within the team, his role is to be able to bring the whole team together and utilize every members' talents and abilities to bring out the full potential of the team. Of course the leader himself must know a basic minimum of everything in order to be able to communicate with the rest of the team and come up with a plan/strategy. He should also be one who solves problems met by the team by either from his own experience/thinking or by tapping on the expertise of the other members. At no point can he push the blame to the other members, rather he should be the one who accepts all responsibilities on behalf of the team. The leader must not micro-manage but should always supervise the progress of the team. As the link between the various members in the team, he should also be the one who mediate any conflicts and be willing to accept all ideas. Only then can he command the respect of the team in order to lead them.

Actually I'm just venting some steam from a recent encounter where a 'leader' enforces others to his idea, giving out instructions to all. When problems started coming up, he simply start to show his attitude and pushes the blame to others for not listening and supporting him where in fact everyone were acting on his instructions. The now-mellow CX would most definitely avoid confrontation at all cost for the sake of peace and harmony, but should I be on a bad mood that day, I would most definitely flame his ass and throw him out. Leader? MY ASS!

Botak Jones + Katong HK Cafe

Went to Botak Jones Clementi last nite to try it out, first impression is that its probably the main draw of the coffee shop. Staff are all youngsters, bringing a breath of fresh air into the coffeeshop culture here. They set up a nice counter at the entrance, probably to prevent long queue from forming inside which may disrupt the biz of other stalls. The counter has a sample of some of their dishes, probably the more famous ones and also provide with numerous copies of the menu for waiting customers to read. Service wise is considered superb if you're comparing within the coffeeshop culture, polite and prompt. Price wise I find it to be rather reasonable considering the serving. Taste wise I've only tried the Botak Burger with Cheese. Initial bite was rather delicious with succulent and juicy patty but after a while the thick patty starts to get on your nerves a little as it gets more and more messy as u eat. Coleslaw was bad, rather tasteless, one of the worst I've eaten so far. Fries were normal though they said it was topped with their own mix of spices but its probably just the common cajun spice.

Overall I would say its value for money in terms of service, taste and serving though they compare their taste to those of restaurants, which I feel based on the burger set is so-so only but I would go try its other dishes for a more well-rounded opinion.

Botak Burger set at $7, plus $1 for cheese

Tried the HK cafe at Katong, located just behind ROXY Sq which in turn is opp Parkway Parade. Ambience wise is not bad with lotsa old HK singers posters like Jacky Cheung and god knows who. Service was prompt and staff was rather polite. Price wise was reasonable as well and the menu has pictures for many of the items which is good for people who have no idea wad they're ordering. Food was rather tasty and most importantly all are served piping hot.

Sorry no pics for that, too hungry to remember to take them. But ordered a dry noodles in X.O sauce, curry noodles, guo tie(pan-fried dumpling) and siew mai. The dim sum were really good, esp the siew mai, its like eating prawns la, pretty fresh as well, guo tie was alright. They serve steamboat alfresco style and the traditional HK CNY dish, Peng Cai(literally vegetables in a basin) but its more than just vegetables, there's meat like cured meat and roast meat in there as well. I saw a nice looking roasted duck drumbstick.

Birthdays surprises

During the tough military trainings, the only occasion worth celebrating(at all) would be people's birthdays. It provides us with a chance to experience life, normal life in the harsh conditions in camp trainings. So normally these goes out in a bang.


Birthday Surprise 1
Victim: LTA(NS) Yap Weihao aka Mr 13
Location: Somewhere in Taiwan

The Plan:
This surprise was hatched almost the moment we reached camp in Taiwan, his best pal Nat had already informed everyone about the plan. Everyone were roped in, including the instructors. It happened the night before the live firing were to commence. Instructors who went back to camp to bathe drop by to purchase nice food for the party, stuff like Chicken Cutlets, spicy tofu and a big birthday cake. Then as everyone gathered to rehearse the sequence for live firing(dangerous leh) everyone surrounded weihao as the food stuff and cake were unloaded. There wasn't a need actually since he was already in a daze with lack of sleep. Seeing this, LTA Heng our instructor saw an opportunity and started scolding him for not paying attention(you shld look at weihao's face) then all of a sudden 'Happy Birthday to You'..... To be honest most of us were already feeling low morale at that time, cold weather, lousy food, lack of sleep, daily rantings. That party boosted our morale tremendously.

Birthday Boy Yap on the left
Food courtesy of Yap's Bday.

Birthday Surprise 2
Victim: LTA(NS) Chua Hanxiang
Location: Somewhere in Singapore

The Plan:
Someone noticed hanxiang's Bday from his 11B(military IC), so planned this really impromptu surprise for him. The chance came when he went to bathe, alone. The entire room jumped into action, removing everything from his cupboard(refer to pic below) including his bedsheets and pillow case. Then someone went to call him to fall in, meaning to gather while he's bathing. He quickly came out and went to his cupboard shocked to find everything gone. That's when everyone started bursting out in laughter. For the record, we didn't help him put his stuff back, haha.

Moving out

All clear

Birthday Surprise 3
Victim: 2LT(NS) Wang Changxiong (Yes, its me, I fell for it too!)
Location: Somewhere in Singapore

The Plan:
Ok, from what I've gathered is that, someone saw my D.O.B from my 11B. But it was already over at that time so they had a belated one for me. I completely had no idea they planned something behind my back. We went to our sand model room for debriefing for the day, reading the routine orders for the day. It was a really weird routine order, it said something about a thief stealing something on this particular day(my birthday) and it was something really serious. Then they faked a call and told me my Commanding officer wants to see me and another person now(at 10pm). So we went out with me totally muddled with what's going on. My friend was all-smiles already(I didn't know why at that time). Then before we even went up the stairs, they called me back. When I entered the room, it was pitch black with candles on chocolate cup cakes. That's all they could get in camp, but it was real sweet of them to do this. No photos for this one.


I was reminded of this becoz of a surprise party someone is throwing this sat and I'm invited to be part of it. I shan't say who, in case this person is reading this, though I think that is 99.9% impossible but just in case!

Lighthouse Family - High

New Yr Eve steamboat grill

Had a steamboat grill at Sheila's for this New Yr Eve, super duper impromptu with most ingredients acquired at NTUC before heading to her house to prepare them. The feast was proudly presented by Chef Wang, Sous Chef Elson, Kitchen Helper Kian and Sheila the maid. I must say the meat for Shabu Shabu(jap steamboat) tastes way better after grilling it, my 'magic sauce' played a major role in that as well. I personally like the prawns(shelled by the 3), the shabu meat and the crab leg meat best. The steamboat grill set, magic sauce(special jap grill sauce) and vodka provided by myself. I left for home before they set up the mahjong den. I think we can do more of this.

The 2 Chefs hard at work

Sous Chef elson trying to be funny behind

The spread we prepared

Sous Chef elson, Chef Wang, kitchen helper kian and sheila the maid

Chef Wang as part time photographer

Now you see 1
Then 2

Lastly 3 (we need someone to take the photo ya?)

The blurriness is what makes this special

More on Berkelah

Clara and me

The lousy food at Stonegrill City Sq

The tired Colin

Campsite before leaving (committe is last as usual)

Our 'tent-mates'

One part of the treacherous rapid

Happy new year to all

I had a good start so far ;)