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I have around 2400 pulses now after quite some time due to zero referrals and skipping some of the survey due to lack of time. If you are interested, just sign up by clicking on the image above! Have fun.
My recent post about the Stanford PhD holder driving a taxi in Singapore has been featured in the Straits Times today. Ok, not my post that was featured, but the story of the taxi driver, Dr Cai Ming Jie.
COULD this be Singapore's most well qualified taxi driver?
Dr Cai Ming Jie became an SMRT cabby last November after spending 16 years as a researcher at the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB) of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*Star).
His career switch has become a talking point online after he started a blog earlier this year. Alongside his experiences as a cabby, he takes issue with the circumstances of his departure from IMCB last May.
An SMRT spokesman confirmed that the former researcher is a driver with SMRT Taxis, but Dr Cai declined to add more beyond this: 'All that needs to be said is on the blog online...It should be IMCB that needs to be asked questions, if any.'
The China-born Dr Cai, who became a Singapore citizen, obtained a PhD in molecular biology from Stanford University in 1990. The Straits Times learnt that he did a two-year postdoctoral fellowship after leaving Stanford at the University of Washington, under famed genetist Professor Lee Hartwell, who won a 2001 Nobel Prize in physiology.
He joined IMCB two years later and worked as a principal investigator in the field of cell genetics up till his departure.
A spokesman for A*Star, meanwhile, said renewal of all its researchers' contracts is based on a number of factors, including the time taken to train PhD students, their performance and their contributions to the research institutes and the agency in general.
Dr Cai's work, like that of all A*Star researchers, was assessed by an external Scientific Advisory Board (SAB), which recommended his contract be terminated.
Still, in spite of the submission of countless curriculum vitaes and applications to universities, government agencies and companies since he was told he would be let go in 2007, Dr Cai failed to get a successful response.
The former researcher now drives a four-year -old Toyota Crown. 'At a time like this, the taxi business is probably the only business in Singapore that still actively recruits people,' he said.
Source.
COULD this be Singapore's most well qualified taxi driver?
Dr Cai Ming Jie became an SMRT cabby last November after spending 16 years as a researcher at the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB) of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*Star).
His career switch has become a talking point online after he started a blog earlier this year. Alongside his experiences as a cabby, he takes issue with the circumstances of his departure from IMCB last May.
An SMRT spokesman confirmed that the former researcher is a driver with SMRT Taxis, but Dr Cai declined to add more beyond this: 'All that needs to be said is on the blog online...It should be IMCB that needs to be asked questions, if any.'
The China-born Dr Cai, who became a Singapore citizen, obtained a PhD in molecular biology from Stanford University in 1990. The Straits Times learnt that he did a two-year postdoctoral fellowship after leaving Stanford at the University of Washington, under famed genetist Professor Lee Hartwell, who won a 2001 Nobel Prize in physiology.
He joined IMCB two years later and worked as a principal investigator in the field of cell genetics up till his departure.
A spokesman for A*Star, meanwhile, said renewal of all its researchers' contracts is based on a number of factors, including the time taken to train PhD students, their performance and their contributions to the research institutes and the agency in general.
Dr Cai's work, like that of all A*Star researchers, was assessed by an external Scientific Advisory Board (SAB), which recommended his contract be terminated.
Still, in spite of the submission of countless curriculum vitaes and applications to universities, government agencies and companies since he was told he would be let go in 2007, Dr Cai failed to get a successful response.
The former researcher now drives a four-year -old Toyota Crown. 'At a time like this, the taxi business is probably the only business in Singapore that still actively recruits people,' he said.
Source.
Crazy Kid Does Pull Ups Off Crane - Watch more Funny Videos
Quoted from the Web Site,
Probably the only taxi driver in this world with a PhD from Stanford and a proven track record of scientific accomplishments, I have been forced out of my research job at the height of my scientific career, and unable to find another one, for reasons I can only describe as something "uniquely Singapore". As a result, I am driving taxi to make a living and writing these real life stories just to make the dull job a little more interesting. I hope that these stories are interesting to you too.
Probably the only taxi driver in this world with a PhD from Stanford and a proven track record of scientific accomplishments, I have been forced out of my research job at the height of my scientific career, and unable to find another one, for reasons I can only describe as something "uniquely Singapore". As a result, I am driving taxi to make a living and writing these real life stories just to make the dull job a little more interesting. I hope that these stories are interesting to you too.
Frog Porridge at AMK Central S-11 (NICE!)
An advertisement on one of the MRT train. (click to enlarge)
First attempt at Deep Fried Prawn and Season Bean with Chilli
BONUS PICTURE
Bella at Toy "R" Us
Some cutting that will takes me 30min when he does it in 2 minute or less!
Saturday was a freebie day with Bella because she has 3 freebies to claim while I have 2.
We started the day by a train ride down to Orchard (It only takes us 20min compared to 45min previously from my area due to the Circle Line). Upon reaching Far East Plaza, we grab our breakfast at the nice Claypot Chicken Rice stall which I always bring my Army friends to dine (Wee Hian, Joel and co.). I always tell them its nice but they doubt me after eating (rahhh). Bella had claypot yi mian while I ordered claypot hokkien mee. I still prefer the super nice claypot chicken rice.
Bella went for her girls-appointment for 30min while I laze around surfing the net using her Blackberry Bold.
First destination, SK-II branch. Unfortunately, it was fully redeemed a week ago. Bella was sad.
Second destination, Ngee Ann City's Watson outlet to collect some Loreal hamper. Same outcome argh. Apparently, it seems that they made used of freebie to do free promotion or advertising sort (imagine how magical would it be for a company to send 1000 notices for people to collect free hamper while it only has 10 in stocks, all in the name of getting the people down). Bella and I were sad. She was sadder.
Bella decided to make a visit to the Starhub centre at Cuppage to upgrade her blackberry firmware. We were told that the nearest customer service center to perform the service is at Plaza Singapura. Bella, needless to say, was sadder than sadder before.
We walked over to Plaza Sing to send her phone in and were suggested to return in an hour time to collect it. Our last destination was a MRT stop away at Stamford House.
Our last destination was at Stamford House. The outlet is call Fr3b; a company that gives out free samples. We waited for about 20min in the queue only to realise that we were in for a good bargain. Each of us was allowed to choose any 8 sample products from their stores free of charge. Bella, having forgotten all her sadness previously, was jumping with joy.
After the dinner, we collected Bella's berry before heading home. But, knowing that there was a wine fair, how could Bella miss it?
Playing with her newly bought wine
We started the day by a train ride down to Orchard (It only takes us 20min compared to 45min previously from my area due to the Circle Line). Upon reaching Far East Plaza, we grab our breakfast at the nice Claypot Chicken Rice stall which I always bring my Army friends to dine (Wee Hian, Joel and co.). I always tell them its nice but they doubt me after eating (rahhh). Bella had claypot yi mian while I ordered claypot hokkien mee. I still prefer the super nice claypot chicken rice.
Bella went for her girls-appointment for 30min while I laze around surfing the net using her Blackberry Bold.
First destination, SK-II branch. Unfortunately, it was fully redeemed a week ago. Bella was sad.
Second destination, Ngee Ann City's Watson outlet to collect some Loreal hamper. Same outcome argh. Apparently, it seems that they made used of freebie to do free promotion or advertising sort (imagine how magical would it be for a company to send 1000 notices for people to collect free hamper while it only has 10 in stocks, all in the name of getting the people down). Bella and I were sad. She was sadder.
Bella decided to make a visit to the Starhub centre at Cuppage to upgrade her blackberry firmware. We were told that the nearest customer service center to perform the service is at Plaza Singapura. Bella, needless to say, was sadder than sadder before.
We walked over to Plaza Sing to send her phone in and were suggested to return in an hour time to collect it. Our last destination was a MRT stop away at Stamford House.
Our last destination was at Stamford House. The outlet is call Fr3b; a company that gives out free samples. We waited for about 20min in the queue only to realise that we were in for a good bargain. Each of us was allowed to choose any 8 sample products from their stores free of charge. Bella, having forgotten all her sadness previously, was jumping with joy.
The Fr3b store at Stamford House
Our bag of freebies
Having passed 2 hours, we went back to collect the lonely berry. The CSO (Customer Service Officer) told us the loading was only half way through and were advised to return 30min later. We went to Xin Wang for our dinner after a long day of walk.
Happy Bella checking her stuff
The Wine Fair at Plaza Singapura by Carrefoure
Playing with her newly bought wine
All her stuff :*(
Met up with Bella on Thursday after her work to head down to The Wine Glass with vouchers courtesy from Joel Lau Chun Hee.
We first proceed to the Harbourfront hawker centre for our early dinner at around 6pm. We love the oyster omelet at the far end of the hawker. We also love the simple $2 Singapore dishes. The results...
Top: $3 Oyster Omelet, $2 Fried Kway Tiao
Bottom: $2 Fried Carrot Cake, $2 Fried Hokkien Mee
After the nice dinner, we walked around Vivocity to digest our food for the wine later. The only transport to the Keppel Island is taxi or foot. I chose the latter because the person said it was only a 10mins walk from Harbourfront. I think her walking pace was 20km/hr because it took us about 20mins.
And so, we walked along the Bay Drive with cruise on one side, yacht on the other in the night. Taking some photos along the way, it looks pretty late but it was only 8pm.
Upon nearing the building of cafes and restaurants, we did a quick AOP (Area of Appreciation) before heading for our destination which is located on the 2nd floor. I was praying the bartender did not mistaken my reservation as booking the whole place down because we were the only customer there.
Entrance to The Wine Glass
Left: Me with Stella Artois
Right: Bella with dunno what Red Wine
Right: Bella with dunno what Red Wine
We have a cool $50 vouchers. Bella started with her favorite red wine while me, the usual icy cold beer. After some photos snapping, we (or rather mostly Bella) did some PR with the bartenders there and managed to strike out some good deals and information such as discount, membership info and wine tasting session etc.
Model: Collin Yeo
Model: Bella aka Wendy Sim
Taken using a simple P&S Digital Camera
Left: Bella's shooting skills (Notice my mouth was chopped by the glass)
Right: Nicer?
Right: Nicer?
Last round saw Bella drinking a free white wine (due to her PR skills) while I tried the Caiprinha, a kind of cocktail with lime, brown sugar etc.
Caipirinha
Satisfied Us
It was approaching 1115pm when we decided to call it a night and bid farewell to The Wine Glass. We walked out to hitch a cab. Luckily the cool looking black taxi did not see us while we flagged for it. Upon conversation with the eventual taxi Uncle, it was revealed that the monster has a flag down fare of $5, the most expensive in Singapore. This is due to the higher monthly rental of about $4000, twice the amount of standard taxi.
Chrysler 300C
BONUS PICTURE
Bella always complain my bonus picture was an ugly portray picture of her. This time round its me!!!
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