Well I am halfway through my time in Singapore and so far it has definitely been the best experience of my life. When I was going through the application process I never thought I would get this chance but tried my hardest and it paid off. I cant thank Saltire enough for having chosen me to experience a life changing two months of incredible work and adventures!

This week at work I finished the final first stages of my projects and passed my findings on to my team leader. I completed my definitions data analysis which was the first stage in identifying the issues the countries face when exchanging information using two completely different systems. The next stage is going to be to meet with Finance and discuss further how to implement it across Asia so that all the offices are following the one set of definitions for data fields ensuring no more confusion of numbers!

My second project was to conduct a benchmarking study against the current annual salary review software used in one office against those out operating on the market. After more research in our home built system, I drafted up a short report which my team leader will have a look through on his return from leave next week. As the compensations & benefits team are amazingly busy with alot to do I made it a short one so that it covered the basics; background, analysis, conclusions & recommendations. Hopefully if all goes well I may have influenced yet another stage in Asia Pacific's information operations! What other internship lets you say that?!

My third and final main project was to analyse benefit data across the regional office & compare by grade what they receive. It was interesting to do this particular project as it showed me the different variances in what you are entitled to in an organisation. After completing a hellish day of pivot tables and charts it was finally complete so now its just a case of running it by my team leader who will say ok or no-k!

This week I was sitting with Bhupinder the HR Business Partner who was allowing me more insight in to the workings of the recruitment side of HR. I first did some headcount analysis for July using some new data provided by the Malaysia team and comparing it with data of our own to find any unmatching data. After this was conducted I then analysed by gender, department and many more variances, the different status of each employee from leavers to hires, interns to trainee's etc so this was interesting to see how the figures differed. Bhupinder even said I can sit in on a couple of interviews she is conducted for a PA post to one of the Board of Directors. At first she didn't think I would be interested as it is not relating to graduate recruitment so not really relevant to me but I told her I really would love to see what happens before and after the interviewee leaves the room. It will also be extremely beneficial to learn what Bhupinder is looking for in who she meets with and I think this will be one of the most memorable lessons I will have learnt here.

On Monday it was National Day which was amazing in Singapore! There was music playing all over the streets, everyone was dressed in the National colours of white and red and there was such a great atmosphere! My friend Iris and I headed to Boat Quay near where the parade was being held later in the evening to find a troop of military tearing down the blocked off high street! I have never seen so much amunition and guns in my life! They even brought missiles which they attached to the back of a truck to show off their strength as an army. I was told that when the army was being trained, the Head of the Military ordered in Iranian soldiers to lead the training as he wanted 'blood thirsty soldiers who were used to defending a small country.' I think it worked as I certainly feel safe at night knowing those men and machines are protecting us!

As you all know Friday 13th was this week and it struck with a vengeance in the DHL Regional Office. All the systems shut down for the morning due to some error and the air was blue with frustration. Everyone in the Regional Office works incredibly hard and something like this really will ruin their day. The main complaint was the emails as they all knew that when the system was up and running again they would have a back log and that meant longer stressful hours in the office on a Friday so not good. I however thought it was like Christmas! Not in the sense that I was glad they were all suffering, but in the sense that it was great watching how an organisation deals with these day to day problems! I was obviously gutted that it was down as I had plenty to do as well as it was the Ishare monthly submissions from the countries so my email was necessary in order to communicate deadlines etc. The system was back up by lunch time and everyone carried on as normal but the day did go on longer due to the backlog. It was great to see them all pull together though as the office were all upset but the mood was still happy and jokey as they all must have accepted their fate! Unless they were all in denial and secretly crying inside which I think is most likely!

Finally booked my trip to Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia for the weekend in two weeks which should be amazing! I will be travelling by coach which takes roughly 5 hours and staying at a gorgeous hotel with a spa, pool and a location right next to the twin towers which is the must see in Malaysia apparently! I have also been to Little India and China Town today where I got carried away buying gifts for those at home and realised with help from the shop keepers that I have bought nothing for myself yet! That will soon change though as the presents are now complete so its excursion adventure time for me in the form of; Duck Tours, Jurong Bird Park, Night Safari, McRitchie High Rope Walk, Swimming with the Sharks and of course the longest zip slide in Asia!

Natalie