HPB Voices Reloaded
May-June 2006
My Niki Campaign
“Hello!” – my first assignment in Voices is to interview Boon Peen, or Niki, who joined HPB on 24 April 06!
Within 3 seconds after meeting her, I experienced Niki’s warmth and friendliness. Initially she told me her life is pretty boring and there is nothing much to say. But boy, am I surprised to hear of her exciting encounters in her life! Read on!
Niki is our causeway neighbour and she has been in Singapore for the past 2.5 years. Having stayed in different states in Malaysia, she is highly independent and easily adapts to Singapore’s pace and lifestyle. Her previous paymaster was HPB’s neighbour too – the Health Sciences Authority. She was the enforcement officer in the Tobacco Regulation Unit and is now with our National Smoking Control Programme, Adult Health Division.
When I asked about her favourite sport, she told me she that she did not do sports anymore.
“Erm, so did you do any exciting sports before, like achieved black belt in Taekwando?” I asked half jokingly.
“Yes, in fact I got them when I was 15 years old.” And my eyes grew to twice their size!
Following that, I quickly learnt that Niki represented her schools in many things like badminton, high jump, 100 metres, you name it. However in a near-death road accident 5 years ago, she had a metal plate and 12 screws inserted into her left leg. After which her doctor naturally advised her not to engage in any strenuous activity.
“Do you want to feel the screws?” Niki good naturedly offered and I went limp.
After recovering from the multiple shocks I got from Niki, I’ve also come to know that she is quite an experienced photographer. One of her works won her an award in a photography competition in Malaysia, and she occasionally helps out as the wedding photographer on her friends’ Big Day.
During her university days, she also worked as a tutor in the daytime and bartender at night.
“My students dropped their jaws when they saw me at the pub!” laughed Niki.
Besides having an outgoing personality, Niki also enjoys spending some quiet time reading and one of her favourite author is Dan Brown (high five!).
Talk about having multi-talents in HPB, our newbie Niki is definitely one such lady!