This Philippines trip has so far been anything but short of a surprise. Nothing seems to be going according to plan, not as if it ever has. The 3 systems that I am suppose to perform a filament change on are all DOWN!
The 1st system that I had worked on is experiencing a minor leak. It can still pump down just that it cannot attain the required vacuum status. Now this is what I hate most because troubleshooting a leak takes a long time. There are many things to try & the worst of it is that you have to wait for it to pump for a certain period of time before you can conclude something.
The 2nd system that I touched on is having a major leak now! I've requested my manager to send some parts over since Monday but until now it is still somewhere out there. It is already nearing the end of the week, so I am left with exactly 6 more days to create a miracle. I don't think that is possible but I do hope to at least kick start 1 of their systems. Having 3 systems & yet none working is not a consolation. This is reflecting very badly on me. It makes me look downright incompetent. Sigh...
By the way, the 3rd system is down too because of a failed power supply. Now this should be easy to rectify right? Just change a power supply. Right. Except that this is a Pentium 1 & the power supply box is not the same as what we use on a P2 to P4. There are 4 more cables extending out of the power supply box to connect to a ON/OFF switch. Without this, the customized motherboards in our old system will not work. Such wonderful technology this is.
This is a real bad trip...
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Saturday, September 06, 2008
Decomposition
I had intended to visit the gym to sweat it out followed by a swim in the hotel pool today. But as always, nothing ever goes according to planned. Other than walking around in my hotel room, the only exercise I got was lighting up cigarettes.
I believe this is the kind of life many people wished for. Doing nothing just rotting away in a hotel with room service, laundry & make-up room services. You'd think it was great until you have a taste of it. It is absolutely downright BORING!
Thankfully there is still internet & PSP! Somehow or rather, I feel connected to the rest of the world whenever I turn on my MSN. Even though nobody is online, the feeling is still there.
Anyway, I had a late breakfast today as I intended to skip lunch. Doing nothing is already bad enough. Having 3 full meals a day will only make it worse!
I had initially intended to take dinner in the hotel but thought otherwise after I woke up from my evening nap. Was wondering what to have & hey! Why not have some burgers for a change? Mac Donalds isn't exactly that far away. Perhaps some 200 or 300m only.
I ordered 2 Fish Fillets & a 6pc McNugget. Does it sound too much? I thought not but I was wrong. I could only manage to finish the nuggets & 1 burger. Guess I'm leaving the other burger for late night supper.
Now that my stomach has been filled, it is time to carry on rotting away...
I believe this is the kind of life many people wished for. Doing nothing just rotting away in a hotel with room service, laundry & make-up room services. You'd think it was great until you have a taste of it. It is absolutely downright BORING!
Thankfully there is still internet & PSP! Somehow or rather, I feel connected to the rest of the world whenever I turn on my MSN. Even though nobody is online, the feeling is still there.
Anyway, I had a late breakfast today as I intended to skip lunch. Doing nothing is already bad enough. Having 3 full meals a day will only make it worse!
I had initially intended to take dinner in the hotel but thought otherwise after I woke up from my evening nap. Was wondering what to have & hey! Why not have some burgers for a change? Mac Donalds isn't exactly that far away. Perhaps some 200 or 300m only.
I ordered 2 Fish Fillets & a 6pc McNugget. Does it sound too much? I thought not but I was wrong. I could only manage to finish the nuggets & 1 burger. Guess I'm leaving the other burger for late night supper.
Now that my stomach has been filled, it is time to carry on rotting away...
Friday, September 05, 2008
Day 3 in Manila, Philippines
I had the usual breakfast in the hotel cafe before proceeding to the customer site. I made sure to eat my full as I intend to skip lunch there.
I started working on the 1st system as soon as I arrived & in less than an hour I was done. The engineers there seemed pretty shocked that it was all over in such a short time. Perhaps to them, dealing with such an expensive equipment requires many hours of delicate work. Not that I am being sloppish or unprofessional, but things move pretty fast once you get the hang of it.
I had also checked on the 2nd system & replaced 2 faulty parts. But the main work will only commence after the 1st system is officially up & running, that will be Tuesday according to schedule.
Thus I was done before lunch time & I checked with the engineers there whether is there any thing they would like me to check on before I made my way back to the hotel. Since they can't think of any so back to hotel I went!
It is a Friday night & I had nothing better to do. So after dinner & 3 bottles of San Miguel, I made my way to the massage parlour located in the basement of the hotel. It is a rather small place just before the entrance to the casino. No one was at the counter when I pushed through the glass door & I noticed there were a few ladies playing cards in a small room adjacent to the counter. 1 of them saw me & came out to entertain me. I made an appointment for the massage & retreat back to my room.
The counter lady called my room at the appointed time to confirm my booking & to inform that the masseuese is on her way up. I was feeling rather jumpy about this whole thing as it is my 1st time experiencing massage.
I skipped all the massage sessions the past few trips overseas with my delicate half. Maybe because the thought of having foreign hands touching me sends chills down my spine. But some things I have got to try to find out otherwise so here I am!
The door bell rang & I was greeted by a lady about 40+ of age. She was polite & the session commenced without any delay. Not that I know how to define a good massage but the initial feeling was rather soothing. Halfway through the session I even fell asleep! I was awaken by her & she popped the golden question. "Sir, you want special?" Huh? NOOOOO!!! I have no intention to be further molested by this foreign lady! It would be like asking my mother to masturbate me! Damn! I wasted no time in paying her & watch her leave the room.
This was 1 hell of an experience for me...
I started working on the 1st system as soon as I arrived & in less than an hour I was done. The engineers there seemed pretty shocked that it was all over in such a short time. Perhaps to them, dealing with such an expensive equipment requires many hours of delicate work. Not that I am being sloppish or unprofessional, but things move pretty fast once you get the hang of it.
I had also checked on the 2nd system & replaced 2 faulty parts. But the main work will only commence after the 1st system is officially up & running, that will be Tuesday according to schedule.
Thus I was done before lunch time & I checked with the engineers there whether is there any thing they would like me to check on before I made my way back to the hotel. Since they can't think of any so back to hotel I went!
It is a Friday night & I had nothing better to do. So after dinner & 3 bottles of San Miguel, I made my way to the massage parlour located in the basement of the hotel. It is a rather small place just before the entrance to the casino. No one was at the counter when I pushed through the glass door & I noticed there were a few ladies playing cards in a small room adjacent to the counter. 1 of them saw me & came out to entertain me. I made an appointment for the massage & retreat back to my room.
The counter lady called my room at the appointed time to confirm my booking & to inform that the masseuese is on her way up. I was feeling rather jumpy about this whole thing as it is my 1st time experiencing massage.
I skipped all the massage sessions the past few trips overseas with my delicate half. Maybe because the thought of having foreign hands touching me sends chills down my spine. But some things I have got to try to find out otherwise so here I am!
The door bell rang & I was greeted by a lady about 40+ of age. She was polite & the session commenced without any delay. Not that I know how to define a good massage but the initial feeling was rather soothing. Halfway through the session I even fell asleep! I was awaken by her & she popped the golden question. "Sir, you want special?" Huh? NOOOOO!!! I have no intention to be further molested by this foreign lady! It would be like asking my mother to masturbate me! Damn! I wasted no time in paying her & watch her leave the room.
This was 1 hell of an experience for me...
Thursday, September 04, 2008
The 1st meeting
Officially I am suppose to start work only on Friday, 5th Sept but I've made arrangements to visit the customer site today to check on the 3 systems & the couriered spares.
This site isn't exactly near to where I am staying & there isn't any taxis going in either. I had to book the hotel transport to bring me to & fro & that cost a whopping $6,000 peso. Not that I am paying for it. Everything will be charged to the hotel under my company's account.
The journey there was uneventful but it did take me about 1-1/2 to get there. Upon arrival, the security requested that I remove my ear rings. WTH? I did not do so as he could not really speak english & it was like a chicken & duck conversation. Anyway I managed to get in & met up with the local staff for a brief meeting on what is to be accomplished on this trip & of course an introduction of myself as well.
The 7 ladies were extremely warm & welcoming. They were also concerned that I might not be comfortable working with an all female team. Not that I am bothered, I am looking forward more to seeing the 3 systems that I'll be working on.
I double checked on the spares that were sent over & did a thorough inspection of the 3 systems. Generally speaking, 2 of them were rather old but from the looks of it, I shouldn't have any problem with them unless some other problem pops up.
In fact, I also had another mission on hand. But that is considered confidential & that it is not possible for me to divulge it at the present moment. I hope I am able to dig out that information of which my company so desires.
This site isn't exactly near to where I am staying & there isn't any taxis going in either. I had to book the hotel transport to bring me to & fro & that cost a whopping $6,000 peso. Not that I am paying for it. Everything will be charged to the hotel under my company's account.
The journey there was uneventful but it did take me about 1-1/2 to get there. Upon arrival, the security requested that I remove my ear rings. WTH? I did not do so as he could not really speak english & it was like a chicken & duck conversation. Anyway I managed to get in & met up with the local staff for a brief meeting on what is to be accomplished on this trip & of course an introduction of myself as well.
The 7 ladies were extremely warm & welcoming. They were also concerned that I might not be comfortable working with an all female team. Not that I am bothered, I am looking forward more to seeing the 3 systems that I'll be working on.
I double checked on the spares that were sent over & did a thorough inspection of the 3 systems. Generally speaking, 2 of them were rather old but from the looks of it, I shouldn't have any problem with them unless some other problem pops up.
In fact, I also had another mission on hand. But that is considered confidential & that it is not possible for me to divulge it at the present moment. I hope I am able to dig out that information of which my company so desires.
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
Manila, Philippines
Today I'm visiting Manila, Philippines on a business trip for 21 days. I guess it is going to be something like BMT during NS but the only difference being I will be the only 1 here for that long.
Reservations have been made at The Heritage Hotel. I had earlier stayed in this hotel about 3 years ago. Not bad at all. They even have a casino of their own, just that I am not a gambler.
Even though I'll be staying here alone but I guess it beats staying Singapore. At least I will only be putting full focus on 1 customer here.
Reservations have been made at The Heritage Hotel. I had earlier stayed in this hotel about 3 years ago. Not bad at all. They even have a casino of their own, just that I am not a gambler.
Even though I'll be staying here alone but I guess it beats staying Singapore. At least I will only be putting full focus on 1 customer here.
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