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XM Family Reunion

Been a while since I updated this blog. Procrastination got the better of me for the past few months, plus there wasn’t any interesting stories to be shared.

August had been a good month – it’s always good when finances are cleared. Can finally heave a sigh of relief! Many people had been telling me that financial planning is important, but I kept ignoring it as instant cash deems more important to me. So two months back, I decided to take the plunge. Now I am finger crossing everything will work out smoothly in the years to come.

And (financial) luck had been good this month too! Been a while since I last striked Toto and 4D. Hehe 🙂

On a random note, if you’ve been a friend of mine for years, you might know the reason why I rejoined XM in 2007. There were several factors of course, but the main factor was that I had such a good time during my short 3 months stint with them in 2003. The culture and the environment XM had was something that I wanted then.

So you can imagine my happiness when the then-CFO initiated an XM Reunion! Initially I was skeptical, for there were many people whom I do not know since I was only there for a short while. I almost “abandoned” the meet-up for a JB-durian trip with the colleagues (which we abandoned the plan because we didn’t have enough sign-ups), and am so glad I didn’t!

It was so good catching up with the ex-XMers after so long! Some of whom I’ve not seen when I left in 2003 (and they had left when I rejoined in 2007).

It is indeed rare for co-workers to have such bonds! I feel so blessed to have been part of it.

So good to see everyone again! I’m now looking forward to the next XM Reunion!

XM Family Reunion 2015
XM Family Reunion 2015
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RIP XM

It’s official.

My previous company, where I stayed for 6 months before I left for further studies in 2003, and 6 years as my first job after graduation in 2007, has been merged with many other agencies worldwide to form a new agency.

I remember being excited when an ex-colleague from iT21 sent me a jobstreet link about an opening at XM Asia Pacific Pte Ltd. Back in 2003, after 2 years being a multimedia programmer, I wanted to move on to doing something related to the internet. Something which I was very interested in as it was an IN thing and I had a Diploma in Internet Computing. So when this job opening came about, I hopped on. After 2 rounds of interview, I finally fulfilled one of my dreams of working in the advertising industry – as a webmaster.

It was a short stint, as I decided to go for further studies (which was in my plan after graduating with a diploma in 2001) when NTU offered me a place. Even as an undergrad, I often went back to do freelance. You can imagine how passionate I was about the internet. And how I love that place – the environment, the culture. Sadly, when school workload increased (plus I had many other commitments), I stopped working freelance for them (partly also because the person I usually liaised with left the company).

Because I had such great memories at XM, I connected with my ex-supervisor few days before my final exams. So I rejoined XM as an Associate Consultant (Technology Solutions).

At the blink of the eye, I spent 5.5 years in XM – including a short 9 months stay at Hong Kong working on an overseas project.

Bittersweet memories I have of XM. Though I was worn out (as early as a few months into the job), I stayed on due to the passion towards it. I love the place. I love the colleagues.

Yesterday, it was officially announced that XM will be merged with many other agencies to form a new network.

Even though I’ve left for 2 years (decided to move on to pursue my other dream of working in the education industry), I still feel connected to XM in a way or another. It’s like once you’re a student of a school and takes part in many activities, you become attached to it. Though I have my grouses about this place, I’m still proud to have been a part of it.

RIP XM. You will be greatly missed. No matter what, you have a special place in my heart.

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XM Away Day 2011

This post was drafted back on 20th July, but took me a while to get the photo out of the camera. Thus publishing it only today Aug 10. Pardon for the laziness 😛

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Back from Bintan, with blue-blacks on the head and the knee. and a $50 voucher as well 🙂

XM Away Day is like our annual retreat. A day where the company is closed for employees to bond. Every year, the management will crack their brains deciding where to go. In my 4 years with XM, I’ve been to Sentosa once ( Rasa-Sentosa ), Johor once ( Pulai Spring ), Bintan twice ( Bintan Lagoon Resort before the renovation, Club Med ).

This year, being my 5th Away Day, we went Bintan Lagoon Resort again, with the renovation 80% completed. The greatest difference I saw, was the rooms. It looks so much more classy now!

Bintan Lagoon - renovated room

Met another TP mate during the trip again! Our last trip with Focus Adventure being our activities organizer 3yrs ago, I caught up with Loon ( my fellow TP-CSC mate ) who was one of the trainers. This year with FC as our activities organizer again, I caught up with fellow ITAS mate John ( whom I got to know from the school’s chat channels )! Just how small can the world be, to be able to meet friends ( especially those you’ve not met since graduation ) overseas?

XM has a history of average-ly young age employees. Possibly the reason why we’re always so energetic when it comes to play. It was raining heavily that day, but we went ahead with the activities. Never have I been under the ( freaking heavy ) rain for such long hours before! Yet it was fun and I got to see how determined we all are when it comes to reaching our goals 🙂

My team was awesome! We managed to get all ( or most ) answers correct and emerged as the winning team :p

We work hard and we play hard too 🙂

Had a great time catching ( bonding ) with some of the fellow colleagues, and I realized we aren’t so dao at all. Maybe I should learn to open myself up more.