This year's Christmas has been unusually eventful for me. I have all my lunches and dinners filled up from 22nd to X'mas day. Its the first time I had bought so many presents for people and in turn received quite a few as well.
Maybe I might have started to understand the true spirit of giving. Giving is not just about buying something within the stated budget of the party and throw it into the lot for a "lucky draw". The joy of Giving is in fact... the process of finding a gift that you think your intended recipient would need or would be happy to receive and to see the real joy and/or appreciation in their face when they open up the gift.
Then again.. finding THE gift is not that easy...
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Monday, July 14, 2008
Reviews! Reviews!
Yup! Its performance review season again... to be exact, its mid-year review where everyone take stock on how they are on their performance they committed to their boss at the start of the work year.
Not surprisingly mine is pretty off....
No excuses.. but priorities do change with the business climate. What was important early this year now becomes....well... not so important... It will be kind of a lousy feeling when your boss sits down with you for a 1-on-1 and review through the scorecard. Can you say "Boss, your priorities changed and the focus were not what we set out to be?" without giving him or her the wrong idea that you meant he or she has not been ernestly following the objectives set out earlier in the year?? Can you blame the boss for that? If not... then the boss cannot blame you too... right?
Goal setting has been around since day 1 of my working life, but I have yet to see the flexibility of really changing goals when the business priorities changes.... well.. the actual work changed but on paper, the commitment remains as the old one... and by year end, you are stuck with what to fill in on this and that.. and how come other stuff that came along the way were not "measured"???
Should I take it up and challenge or just sit in a corner and suck thumb? I don't know yet....
Not surprisingly mine is pretty off....
No excuses.. but priorities do change with the business climate. What was important early this year now becomes....well... not so important... It will be kind of a lousy feeling when your boss sits down with you for a 1-on-1 and review through the scorecard. Can you say "Boss, your priorities changed and the focus were not what we set out to be?" without giving him or her the wrong idea that you meant he or she has not been ernestly following the objectives set out earlier in the year?? Can you blame the boss for that? If not... then the boss cannot blame you too... right?
Goal setting has been around since day 1 of my working life, but I have yet to see the flexibility of really changing goals when the business priorities changes.... well.. the actual work changed but on paper, the commitment remains as the old one... and by year end, you are stuck with what to fill in on this and that.. and how come other stuff that came along the way were not "measured"???
Should I take it up and challenge or just sit in a corner and suck thumb? I don't know yet....
Monday, May 26, 2008
A brush with Death....
Yea Yea... I might be over exaggerating but last night was pretty bad...
For those who know me.. I have a little medical history and I rely very much on a medicine that will keep me from harms way... well.. that is until last night... I nearly went into overdose and its not WORKING!! So finally I got out of bed and hit the road to the nearby private hospital ALONE...
Upon reaching there.. I was no. 3 and apparently no. 1 has been waiting for quite awhile as the doc was most likely doing his rounds... I hope.... When the doc arrive... no 1 went in follow by no 2... and its within minutes that I reached my turn...
My consultation took only ... say... 3 minutes tops? the young doc has absolute no sense of empathy for his patients.. we were like, to describe at best, part of his production line. And guess what... that 3 minute consultation costs $70!!! and thats before the treatment and meds i got from the duty nurse later....
Kind of pissed by such a attitude ... education system gone wrong again??? I wonder.....
For those who know me.. I have a little medical history and I rely very much on a medicine that will keep me from harms way... well.. that is until last night... I nearly went into overdose and its not WORKING!! So finally I got out of bed and hit the road to the nearby private hospital ALONE...
Upon reaching there.. I was no. 3 and apparently no. 1 has been waiting for quite awhile as the doc was most likely doing his rounds... I hope.... When the doc arrive... no 1 went in follow by no 2... and its within minutes that I reached my turn...
My consultation took only ... say... 3 minutes tops? the young doc has absolute no sense of empathy for his patients.. we were like, to describe at best, part of his production line. And guess what... that 3 minute consultation costs $70!!! and thats before the treatment and meds i got from the duty nurse later....
Kind of pissed by such a attitude ... education system gone wrong again??? I wonder.....
Monday, May 19, 2008
A Little Part of History - Memory of 512
I was part of the world's history today by participating in the 3 mins of silence for the earthquake victims in SiChuan. The sense of belonging lingers........
At the Bund.. got to witness the people's march to cheer the country on.... weird thing is that I feel the teenies are taking it like a game... kind of weird... alternate side to the tears and solemn-ness of mourning.... to cheer everyone in the country on...
At the Bund.. got to witness the people's march to cheer the country on.... weird thing is that I feel the teenies are taking it like a game... kind of weird... alternate side to the tears and solemn-ness of mourning.... to cheer everyone in the country on...
Friday, May 2, 2008
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Courage
A friend shared this with me today.....
_____________
Whatever you do, you need courage.
Whatever course you decide upon,
there is always someone to tell you,
you are wrong.
There are always difficulties arising,
which tempt you to believe that your critics are right.
To map out a course of action and follow it to the end,
requires some of the same courage which a soldier needs.
Peace has its victories, but it takes brave men to win them.
_____________
Whatever course you decide upon,
there is always someone to tell you,
you are wrong.
There are always difficulties arising,
which tempt you to believe that your critics are right.
To map out a course of action and follow it to the end,
requires some of the same courage which a soldier needs.
Peace has its victories, but it takes brave men to win them.
_____________
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Friday, March 21, 2008
Clarence, Your Karmic Alignment is: Optimistic!  |
| Score: 10 In general, you tend to create poitive actions. You have a caring personality which gives you positive Karma. Every now and then you slip up and harvest negative Karma. But, all in all, you follow lines similar to the Monks on their way to enlightenment. |
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Work Trip : Taiwan
Heading to Taipei this coming Monday for a week. This trip will be very much different from the last trip as its not a visit but a trip to negotiate with 3rd party vendors. Its my first such tasks and am filled with lots apprehension and at the same time intrigue.
Going to be dealing with people who are very much more experienced in the field than I am. I wonder how to handle these old birds... especially when people say that Taiwanese are one of the most shrew Chinese businessmen. Hopefully my other 2 team members are more experienced in this field.
加油！！ 加油！！
Going to be dealing with people who are very much more experienced in the field than I am. I wonder how to handle these old birds... especially when people say that Taiwanese are one of the most shrew Chinese businessmen. Hopefully my other 2 team members are more experienced in this field.
加油！！ 加油！！
Monday, February 11, 2008
CNY 08 - Tale of 2 Families
This year's CNY brings out the contrast between the families from my paternal and maternal side.
Reunion dinner was at our place together with my youngest uncle's family only. In the past, it was always at my uncle's place as my grandparents stayed with them. Everyone will gather there for dinner on CNY eve. But with the passing of both my grandparents, 2 families also disappeared....
Day 2 is often the day we visit my mum's side of the family... and this family is HUGE... 9 brothers and sisters and their families.. the elders often make an effort to bring the families together... earlier reunion dinner, tours, special dinners...etc... Picture below was taken this CNY.. and I think its only half the family.. or slightly more...
Reunion dinner was at our place together with my youngest uncle's family only. In the past, it was always at my uncle's place as my grandparents stayed with them. Everyone will gather there for dinner on CNY eve. But with the passing of both my grandparents, 2 families also disappeared....
Day 2 is often the day we visit my mum's side of the family... and this family is HUGE... 9 brothers and sisters and their families.. the elders often make an effort to bring the families together... earlier reunion dinner, tours, special dinners...etc... Picture below was taken this CNY.. and I think its only half the family.. or slightly more...
Saturday, February 9, 2008
God's Fingerprints
This paragraph caught my attention while reading a book I am currently reading.....
"Rabbi Harold Kushner reminds us that everything that God has created it potentially holy. Our task as humans is to find that holiness in what appear to be unholy situations. He suggests that when we can learn to do this, we will have learned to nurture our souls. It's easy to see God's beauty in a beautiful sunrise, a snow-capped mountain, the smile of a healthy child, or in ocean waves crashing on a sandy beach. But can we learn to find holiness in seemingly ugly circumstances - difficult life lessons, a family tragedy or a struggle for life?"
So...... What have you learned today?
"Rabbi Harold Kushner reminds us that everything that God has created it potentially holy. Our task as humans is to find that holiness in what appear to be unholy situations. He suggests that when we can learn to do this, we will have learned to nurture our souls. It's easy to see God's beauty in a beautiful sunrise, a snow-capped mountain, the smile of a healthy child, or in ocean waves crashing on a sandy beach. But can we learn to find holiness in seemingly ugly circumstances - difficult life lessons, a family tragedy or a struggle for life?"
So...... What have you learned today?
CJ7
Its one of the rare occasions that I watched Stephen Chow's movie in the theater. CJ7 or 长江7号 was what I watch this evening.
I was expecting the usual series of wild, exaggerated and yet entertaining jokes, signature of Stephen Chow's comedies, but the jokes and antics in this movie were few. I guess many will give a thumbs down for this movie as it really lacks the comedy punch that Stephen Chow is famous for. I had that opinion while watching it.
But as the story develops, though kind of shallow, one scene strikes me.... and strikes me hard.... Is this the actual theme that Stephen is trying to show us?
The theme of kinship and self-sacrifice.....
I was expecting the usual series of wild, exaggerated and yet entertaining jokes, signature of Stephen Chow's comedies, but the jokes and antics in this movie were few. I guess many will give a thumbs down for this movie as it really lacks the comedy punch that Stephen Chow is famous for. I had that opinion while watching it.
But as the story develops, though kind of shallow, one scene strikes me.... and strikes me hard.... Is this the actual theme that Stephen is trying to show us?
The theme of kinship and self-sacrifice.....
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Closure?
Finally, I got the closure I have have been waiting for. But is it the way I want things to turn out? I am not sure.... feelings are mixed now.... everything seems so damn familiar.....
Mood: Perplex...
Mood: Perplex...
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Frustrations Creeps In
I really do not understand why things sometimes can turn for the worse over such a short time..... all was well then some how things take a big U turn.... It's really frustrating and agonizing ... especially when one has been through something similar before....
You just refuse to learn... don't you?
Time to seek closure..... AGAIN!!
You just refuse to learn... don't you?
Time to seek closure..... AGAIN!!
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Wrong Move?
Someone close to me said that it was a very wrong move....
I guessed I was too eager to help... let's see how things turn out... wish me luck!
I guessed I was too eager to help... let's see how things turn out... wish me luck!
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
One Hundred / 一百 / Seratus
This being the 100th entry, instead of writing a load of rubbish, I think I would rather dedicate it to a song that I like very much.
_______________________________
曾经爱你,永远爱你 - Sky Wu
等时间过去
等现在的一切变成回忆
在某个夜里
我将站在海边大声喊你
曾有的悲喜
将会温暖也会刺痛我的心
我知道我一定会后悔失去你
就快看不到你的背影
分手就要成定局
我快要不能呼吸
能够相爱并不容易
无法想象没有你
无法想象我没有你
那些洒满阳光日子里
那些眼泪和笑语
你真的已不在意
my love
轻轻的喊着你
曾经爱你
永远爱你
你已含着泪水转身而去
我还抱着盼望停留在原地
一段并不长的距离
爱却跨不过去
天空无语海无情
喔……
对着你的背影轻声说
我爱你
_______________________________
曾经爱你,永远爱你 - Sky Wu
等时间过去
等现在的一切变成回忆
在某个夜里
我将站在海边大声喊你
曾有的悲喜
将会温暖也会刺痛我的心
我知道我一定会后悔失去你
就快看不到你的背影
分手就要成定局
我快要不能呼吸
能够相爱并不容易
无法想象没有你
无法想象我没有你
那些洒满阳光日子里
那些眼泪和笑语
你真的已不在意
my love
轻轻的喊着你
曾经爱你
永远爱你
你已含着泪水转身而去
我还抱着盼望停留在原地
一段并不长的距离
爱却跨不过去
天空无语海无情
喔……
对着你的背影轻声说
我爱你
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Spending My Time - Roxette
What's the time?
Seems its already morning
I see the sky, its so beautiful and blue
The TV's on
But the only thing showing is a picture of you
Oh, I get up and make myself some coffee
I try to read a bit but the story's too thin
Then I thank the Lord above
That you're not there to see me
In this shape I'm in
Spending my time
Watching the days go by
Feeling so small
I stare at the wall
Hoping that you think of me too
I'm spending my time
I try to call but I don't know what to tell you
I leave a kiss on your answering machine
Oh, help me please
Is there someone who can make me
Wake up from this dream?
Spending my time
Watching the days go by
Feeling so small
I stare at the wall
Hoping that you are missing me too
I'm spending my time
Watching the sun go down
I fall asleep to the sound
Of "tears of a clown"
A prayer gone blind
I'm spending my time
My friends keep telling me:
Hey, life will go on
Time will make sure will get over you
This silly game of love you play you win only to lose
Spending my time
Watching the days go by
Feeling so small
I stare at the wall
Hoping that you think me too
I'm spending my time
Watching the sun go down
I fall asleep to the sound
Of "tears of a clown"
A prayer gone blind
Seems its already morning
I see the sky, its so beautiful and blue
The TV's on
But the only thing showing is a picture of you
Oh, I get up and make myself some coffee
I try to read a bit but the story's too thin
Then I thank the Lord above
That you're not there to see me
In this shape I'm in
Spending my time
Watching the days go by
Feeling so small
I stare at the wall
Hoping that you think of me too
I'm spending my time
I try to call but I don't know what to tell you
I leave a kiss on your answering machine
Oh, help me please
Is there someone who can make me
Wake up from this dream?
Spending my time
Watching the days go by
Feeling so small
I stare at the wall
Hoping that you are missing me too
I'm spending my time
Watching the sun go down
I fall asleep to the sound
Of "tears of a clown"
A prayer gone blind
I'm spending my time
My friends keep telling me:
Hey, life will go on
Time will make sure will get over you
This silly game of love you play you win only to lose
Spending my time
Watching the days go by
Feeling so small
I stare at the wall
Hoping that you think me too
I'm spending my time
Watching the sun go down
I fall asleep to the sound
Of "tears of a clown"
A prayer gone blind
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Friday, January 11, 2008
A Tribute to Sir Edmund Hillary
This morning while reading my usual online news.... Sir Edmund Hillary had passed away.
For those who do not know who he is... he is one of the first 2 men who reached the summit of Mt Everest, the other person was his Sherpa partner the late Tenzing Norgay. Together, they reached the summit of Everest.
Through the years that follows, much controversies had arise about the climb. Camps from Nepal and England were arguing over who actually reached the summit first .. aka.. who was the FIRST man to reach Mt Everest. The 2 men kept their silence and now the truth has been brought to their graves. I am glad that they took this approach as both of them could not have done it alone. It was a team effort. THEY were the first to reach the summit of Everest.
I am very fortunate to have met this great man 4 years ago during a company trip where he was an invited speaker. We spoke only awhile during breakfast where most of the crowd had gone off. I guess I must be one of the million faces he had seen over the past years, but for me, it was truly memorable. Also, I was fortunate enough to meet Jamling Tenzing Norgay in the same trip. He is the son Tenzing Norgay and he followed his father's footstep and summit Mt Everest while making an IMAX movie...Power!!
Sir Hillary.... May you Rest in Eternal Peace....
Sir Hillary and me in NZ
Jamling Tenzing Norgay
For those who do not know who he is... he is one of the first 2 men who reached the summit of Mt Everest, the other person was his Sherpa partner the late Tenzing Norgay. Together, they reached the summit of Everest.
Through the years that follows, much controversies had arise about the climb. Camps from Nepal and England were arguing over who actually reached the summit first .. aka.. who was the FIRST man to reach Mt Everest. The 2 men kept their silence and now the truth has been brought to their graves. I am glad that they took this approach as both of them could not have done it alone. It was a team effort. THEY were the first to reach the summit of Everest.
I am very fortunate to have met this great man 4 years ago during a company trip where he was an invited speaker. We spoke only awhile during breakfast where most of the crowd had gone off. I guess I must be one of the million faces he had seen over the past years, but for me, it was truly memorable. Also, I was fortunate enough to meet Jamling Tenzing Norgay in the same trip. He is the son Tenzing Norgay and he followed his father's footstep and summit Mt Everest while making an IMAX movie...Power!!
Sir Hillary.... May you Rest in Eternal Peace....
Sir Hillary and me in NZ
Jamling Tenzing NorgayThursday, January 10, 2008
Letting Go
This topic came into my mind today, for whatever reason I have no idea. I guess I will just blog in about these 2 words of "Letting Go".
Why do we keep using this term when things do not turn out the way we wanted it to. Letting go of anger after a heated argument, letting go of a relationship gone south, letting go of the past.... Does letting go actually make us hold on even tighter? Yes and no......
As a child, I have no problem of letting go, physically, of older toys for something newer... but I always have problems coming to terms with defeat..whether in a argument or in a competition...
Is Buddha's teaching of detachment the highest level of letting go? As one can see more clearly when one has no more attachments in worldly things. Then why do the monks of Myanmar went to march on the streets and resulting in much bloodshed to themselves? Are they marching for the common people, for their sufferings? If they are, aren't they being sort of attached to worldly affairs. My shallow Buddhist understandings failed to help me see through the rational of this world shaking event.... I do hope some day I will be able to...
If someone is highly detached from many things around him... does it mean that the person is cold and unfeeling? I doubt it... maybe the person dare not, out of fear, take a step forward and experience what is install for him in front.
So to let go of something, does it mean to be detached from it emotionally? I personally doubt it.. I guess its time that help dilute the effect... or even change the effect to the other direction....
So are you truly able to Let Go of whatever you want to Let Go???
Why do we keep using this term when things do not turn out the way we wanted it to. Letting go of anger after a heated argument, letting go of a relationship gone south, letting go of the past.... Does letting go actually make us hold on even tighter? Yes and no......
As a child, I have no problem of letting go, physically, of older toys for something newer... but I always have problems coming to terms with defeat..whether in a argument or in a competition...
Is Buddha's teaching of detachment the highest level of letting go? As one can see more clearly when one has no more attachments in worldly things. Then why do the monks of Myanmar went to march on the streets and resulting in much bloodshed to themselves? Are they marching for the common people, for their sufferings? If they are, aren't they being sort of attached to worldly affairs. My shallow Buddhist understandings failed to help me see through the rational of this world shaking event.... I do hope some day I will be able to...
If someone is highly detached from many things around him... does it mean that the person is cold and unfeeling? I doubt it... maybe the person dare not, out of fear, take a step forward and experience what is install for him in front.
So to let go of something, does it mean to be detached from it emotionally? I personally doubt it.. I guess its time that help dilute the effect... or even change the effect to the other direction....
So are you truly able to Let Go of whatever you want to Let Go???
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