extracted this from an article recently.

How to avoid being one of the most annoying coworkers

1. The Limelight Hog. According to this attention hunter, (s)he is the only person who matters and is constantly trying to take full credit for collaborative efforts and make an impact on upper management. There has never been a good idea this person hasn’t tried to claim.
   

   The better route: Instead of working to alienate others, triumph by being a team player. Be sure to thank everyone who helped you when receiving praise.

2. The Wet Blanket. No idea has ever escaped criticism by this objector. Brainstorming sessions, where all ideas are to be contemplated with an open mind, are just a larger forum to immediately scoff at any proposal that challenging the conventional.
   

   The better route: Hold back comments and conclusions, until suitable, as diverse opinions are a great way to find solutions and when delivering criticism or alternative views, be respectful and constructive.

3. The Obsessive Emailer. This “reply all” obsessed worker chokes colleagues' already-overflowing inboxes with superfluous messages, marking even the most pointless missives as "high priority" with huge attachments that crash the unsuspecting addressees’ computers.
   

   The better route: As many exchanges are better suited for quick phone calls or in-person discussions, email should not be used as your default mode of communication. Besides, if you send fewer emails, the less you're likely to receive.

4. The Catchphrase Speaker. (S)he will forgo intelligibility to exhibit clichéd business terms and his/her expansive vocabulary. Jumbling messages is this unproductive talker’s trademark .
   

   The better route: Stick to direct, concrete statements and focus on being clear and diminishing confusion. Rephrase what you’re saying plainly if you get the impression your message is not getting through.

5. The Barger. When not entering your work space to appeal for immediate help, the Barger is noisily typing on a laptop, on a mobile phone, or introducing off-topic side conversations.
   

   The better route: Contending demands and unyielding deadlines shouldn’t trump basic civility so watch your manners so you can build healthy work relationships.

6. The surrogate boss. This is from my personal collection. Like (1) above, this person whom I have encountered shares a similar need for attention/approval and the tendency to discuss issues at lengths or call for meetings, whether with external parties, supporting vendors or subordinates.

The better route: Understand your own deepest needs and desire can help you curb the urge to dominate over meetings, or discussions. Pride and insecurity might be undelying factors too, that might one day become your own undoing. If pride tends to come in the way, hubris may lead to foolhardiness. So, I would advocate that you avoid positions of power/fame if you cannot handle the limelight. So something else meaningful.

Life's quotes from Way of the Peaceful Warrior

Life is a mystery.
Don't bother to understand it, because you never will. Live it.

Humour. Always have fun with yourself. Do not take yourself too seriously.

Change. Change is the only constant in this world. You can do nothing to change the past, and the future will never come exactly as you plan or hope for.

A warrior does not give up what he loves, he finds the love in what he does.

The world is not about perfection, or invulnerability....

Lifetime Leadership Skills

Leadership Resilience – Winning in Challenging Times (www.itdworld.com)

“The great pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do”. According to researchers, normally a person’s life will go through at least two recessions and one economic crisis. Recession, crisis, difficulties … these are all unexpected and inevitable. However, going through these difficult times, seizing the opportunity to shine, and achieving greater success, is the most challenging for any leader.

Defining Your Moments

History has proven, every crisis is a defining moment. As the leader, the choice you make, makes you. In any major crisis throughout this century, many leaders have failed when leading their organization. For example, Richard Fuld, CEO of Lehman Brothers, one of the 5 biggest banks in USA, went bankrupted in 2008. And this drove the economy to the bottom. However, there are other leaders who can lead their organization through challenging times and climb to the top with unimagined success.

Before Steve Jobs took over Apple Inc., it was on the edge of falling apart because there was no clear direction. Under Steve Jobs, Apple became one of the most influential companies in the personal computer and consumer electronic markets. He succeeded because he was not afraid to make changes to adapt to new environment. Most importantly, he learned from other successful leaders and drew from his own experiences.

Africa Children

If you can read this, you know you have been real lucky ... just like me ....

It Is Well With My Soul

(By the Issacs)

My Favorite Psalm

Psalm 5 : Give ear to my words, O Lord

I will be here

We Are The Reason




I will be here

Some Songs in my heart

White as Snow



Family Prayer Song



Make Me A Servant

James 3

Rule with your heart; but don't let let your heart rule over you.

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James 3 (New International Version)

Two Kinds of Wisdom

¹³Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. ¹⁴But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. ¹⁵Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. ¹⁶For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

¹⁷But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. ¹⁸Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.

1 Peter 5:2
²Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; ³not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.

Employment

Someone tried to tell me what my roles and responsibilities are. And cc-ed the email to my boss.
I am not sure why all the fuss and aggression came about.

An AM's role doesn't lie in forming committees and running them. The AM's duty is not just to plan a roster and let people come back him to let them have such and such a duty.

I only believe what my mentor had told me: that the AM's role is a sacred one. And we believe all authorities on earth have been "allowed' from heaven. But each has a certain purpose. Getting any further than this is definitely confusing, under the section: Knowing the will of God.

Anyway, my friend told me that my role is simple: I only need to ensure that patients' needs and expectations are met, through the hearts and minds of the staff coming together to fulfill this one purpose. But I see some coming together to work to see how much benefit they can get out of joining my hospital. As compared to other hospitals. These create some additional problems for us to manage.

Why ask what the department can do for you? When you have first applied to work here, you have never fully justified why the department should continue to spoon-feed you. Have you asked yourself what you could do for department instead?

This seems to be kind of standard...
That there should only be 1 leader in a pack?

That's the Packs model. It has either an alpha-male (wolves, Chimps) or a matriach (Hyenas, Elephants?). It works pretty well among the wolves and chimps. Just like the way Animal Planet paints it. But in human organisations too, I think it is like the 'expected', or the norm, to snarl, growl, or howl ... and let folks know you're the lead and they are the pack.

Humanly, when someone is first placed into a position of power, he has the tendency to prepare himself mentally to take the blame for anything that has happened, or he may blame his predecessors for the blames he thinks he has to shoulder. On the other hand, you may be different. The type that can't wait for that piece of the action where you can quickly go test out your newly endowed "prowess".

In my dept, I think power seems to lie in the one managing a piece of paper called the "ROSTER". When I was first posted to B1L2, I actually wasn't keen because just a month before that, I had just verbalised my intention to resign to my immediate supervisor. I always have this feeling that I should have been running a little self-operated cafe somewhere along a street in Ho Chi Minh City. (Don't mind even if it is in Australia, or Vienna!)

I had actually gotten a new place of work subsequent to that early notification. But I guess no one was really listening. The other hospital had been very good as to accept me even though I was still tagged with a bond-balance of 6mths.

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Anyway, life has spun a couple more rounds as usual since that day and I am still here in this hospital. But after running a 24/7 place for 6 years, I am now working at a single-shift place. The pace is faster here I guess. But I kinda don't mind this kind of excitement becos time pass very fast. There seems to be a certain kind of routines that a supervisor needs to perform on a daily basis. But managing a place that consists of a few smaller communities seems to be give the one running the "Roster" a certain sense of power. Somehow, I always feel that Roster isn't everything there is in exerting power. My friend had advised me to guard the roster becos of invested powers within that role.

I had worked at a hotel before, under a kitchen portering supervisor. He planned the roster and not only dictated what I had to on a hour-by-hour basis, but he also decided which resturant I was supposed to be attached to for the entire 3 months I was supposed to be there. If I had stayed on, I might have been stuck there for good. His office was rather dark, and cramped. He did not seem happy. I assumed turnover was high. His boss called him once in a while to give new instructions for the day/week. In turn, he assigned us duties on the fly. Like, go polish the rail-guides; go collect 2000 pieces of china spoon from the store. Go collect some brocoli. "Tonight want to do OT or not? As waiter ... Then go housekeeping collect your uniforms!" Hey, power hor?

Anyway, time passed so quickly. I am no more the pre-NS boy who worked at that hotel. Until recently, almost every year, I would go back and take a peep and see how they are doing. Last time I used to look forward to going back to work everyday. I stayed on in the resturant with the aunties who washed plates and cups. Cut fish, cut veg, crabs, prepare chilli etc. People thought I was lonely! But I enjoyed life then. I signed up as permanent (becos I hated school) butboth my sup, the banquet captain, and the Sous-de-Chef were against it and spent some time getting rid of me. I am thankful they did. They seemed to be beating round the bushes back then but now as I recall, they were pointing at the same thing. The captain has a son. His son studied ITE and he also did not encourage his son to work in the hotel industry. So likewise, he wanted me to continue with my studies. The Sous-de-Chef told me that he has another applicant. Late 40s and currently working at the same kitchen as I was. Boy, I disliked that lazy-bum. That man with a squarish koyok perpectually over one side of his temples. Sometimes both sides! He was suffering from migraine and he has been asking for a transfer. So, I being the younger one should not fight with him over the post. That was a blow to me then. I thought the SDC liked me. I cut fish skilfully, and did well and above my job. I was just a kitchen porter, but I was already performing both the duties of a commis-cook as well as a dishwasher. He told me his intention to accept that good-4-nothing and asked me not to apply to become permanent because he would definitely reject me. Anyway ... the sup did not say anything. He seemed ok if I joined and he would just roster me anyway! Basically, he had no career plans for me. Only my duties to assign to me. Or maybe one day, if I do well, I may be posted to work among those banquet porters serving VIP guests and polish their ash-trays? The AM was a cute guy. I liked him a lot. He interviewed me and got me the job. But that was not the reason why I liked him. I actually bumped into him on the bus, without his tie. When I finally cleared the maze and got into hotel admin office, I recognised him while he was just putting on his tie and sitting behind that desk called "Assistant Manager". Quite a big post that time, becos as far I was concerned, he weld the power to decide whether I could bring home the money to show my mum that I could finally earn money. I met him a 3rd time finally, and that was the exit interview. I did not know why need to have so many regulations and procedures. Resign means resign la, still talk so much for what. Anyway, thought no harm meeting him again and say good bye, thanks for giving me the job and 3 months of fun (got shit too). He asked me to reconsider and he could transfer me to another department if I wanted to. Apparently he had heard how I was bullied. But by then, I had already decided I should leave becos Kok Meng also not staying on, so no point. hehe... (youngsters map their flight plans very differently!!) In the end, that was my first official handshake with an AM in a big hotel. An AM actually shook hands with me. The one with the tie. I was just a playful bum in a smelly grey mandarin-collared shirt (and brown pants) at that time. Lsat minute just afew days before my last day of work at the hotel, I was told to go to the hotel admin office to meet the AM. I hurried there but got lost along the way because we were only allowed to use the back lift and I forgot how I got brought down the lift from the office a few months ago. BTW, didn't mention that we tend to smell because part of our jobs was to clear the rubbish from the kitchen 2 times a day. Kitchen wastes smell worse than those collected from the resturants ok? We collected a lot of dead carcasses like fish, prawns and crabs. U can imagine.

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A few years ago, my society had this big dinner. It was to be hosted at that particular hotel. I went abit early and was quite a pleasant surprise, I met the banquet captain who was addressing his crew. He recognised me tho I had fattened up a bit and introduced me to his crew. He told me the ones who got promoted to this and that and who subsequently got fired... etc etc. The chef was still around, but the aunties and thai chefs had all disappeared, except one. So, Power I realised, was transient. I was grateful to the captain for having talked to me like his son. He understood how I felt at that time when it was really confusing why everybody seemed to disregard what I thought was good work and rejected my application to continue with them. I was glad I went back and met him. He was happy as it affirmed what he did for me was the right thing to do. His son had graduated and started working elsewhere too. The mysterious cute girl (daughter of the F&B director) had never returned to the swimming pool too on Sundays. hehe. As I walked away while he continued briefing his crew, I overheard him telling them to study hard and work hard. "If you want to stay on and remain as waiters and waitresses all your life .... " Not sure if this is the right thing to motivate your staff tho, but looking back, I am thankful to him and also the Sous-de-Chef. The SDC is the highest level of authority where the kitchens are concerned. That hotel has a few kitchens, from Chinese, Thai, Western and staff. He planned all the menu! All the cooks kowtow to him and whenever he entered the kitchen, everyone was super behaving. I believed he retired liao, that time when I returned.

Power is really a transient thing. One year you can have it, the next year it is gone. I feel that real power lies in the power to influence and change lives, the lives of the staff who work under you. Which makes it seem like rostering can do the same for the staff who work in the department. I think roster is but a tool. It merely deploys. The men who rejected my application changed my life more than the one who could change my roster to suit how I wanted to live my life.

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Somehow I really resent facing confrontational folks. ANYWHERE. But in this dept, some people just have the knack for being that painful zit on the butt .. It seems they prefer many things their way and confront their supervisors. My friend told me that this could have been because of my personality as well. I hate confrontation, and so this tendency to give in. Maybe I have been "overly-friendly". "It's too inviting lah." "See, when you are too friendly with the staff, they will surely climb over your head one!"

There had been times when my authority was challenged openly in front of the rest. "You better really put your foot down and don't take this kind of nonsense."

There seems to be a certain pecking order in most places. Sometimes, the one who runs the roster is at the top of the pecking order. Anyone could lead like the alpha-male or matriach as much as he/she likes and dictates you do this or you do that. Just because your staff give that respect to your calls and hoots.

You can do all that in church too, and among all the youth groups. Surely, there will be people who admire you and people who will follow you. But to me, all these super-abilities that the leaders seem to have will only work by the grace of the people who will let you lead.

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I am keen to relinquish my post. I wish I could retire soon to pursue my dreams. But I still need to find the one who knows how to temper power with grace.

If we are not careful, we might all get more embroiled in bitter politickings one day.

Super (Boring) Long Weekend

Sometimes wonder if I have been chasing my tail again. The thoughts in my mind have been spinning round and round. I would really want to be a retail owner.

Anyway, life has been good. But I know it will not last forever. A long weekend has been wasted. I have still many plans to be implemented. Half yet completed tho already started. And I am still spinning around in my head what to do with my future... hihi.

Sometimes, life is an endless puzzle except that finished or not, no one can tell when the time's up to hand in your piece of work or masterpiece.

More choices

Hi, it has been a rather boring afternoon again. Tony came to show me some pictures of his friends. Chatted with Vu, Van and Hanh too as they came online for a moment.
Then let him used my pc to surf and check out air-tickets prices as he chatted with Yen.
While I watched some TV... Slept whole afternoon while mum and sis all went to TM.
Sounds like a pretty boring PH afternoon. Some might be waiting for the Good Friday concerts at church. I just felt very tired... whole week running about in the day, and reading emails and having meetings in the evening. Worked till between 9-10 pm almost everyday. Tuesday was best: 8.30pm. But still, went home finished some minutes taken from previous meetings.

Not sure whether I will be able to adapt to this habit of minutes, meetings, followed by more meetings and then minutes... After a particular meeting which I had, I came back and reported to one of my sup and asked if I could update her. Was told to email to her the details .... but, minutes will come later. Or, was it because she does not trust what I had wanted to update her and fear that I might mislead her with misinformation? Not sure what was the reason.... but anyway, I fully understand. That's management.

Not sure if I should be continuing in management line tho... I am more suited to small retail-like kind of business. Not complicated and huge multi-departmental corporations ... I don't like politics, whether they are white or in any kind of shades .... I just don't feel I could get used to it. Though the stings have left... I will never know whether history will recur. There are choices one makes of course. But certain choices, you can't decide whether your choice had already been pre-determined for you.

It's been quite a long time since I come here and blog ....
Normally I blog whenever I just want to while away my time.
Met some ex-colleagues today. One man seems to be doing very well after quitting his job here. He has a retail chain in Singapore. Can you imaging how much he earns if his rental for just one place is about $17k a month??

Anyway, these few weeks had been rather good and meaningful for me. I had a few nice chats within just these last few days.

Tip for the nocturnal blogging bitch (verb: blitch)

Do not learn from the crabs! Never climb over anyone else's back just to get to the top. Do not brag nor flame anyone else (or any group of people) on your blogs. No matter how "private" you think your blogs are to you. Even if you do not care if anyone reads your blogs, blogs are not private. If it is showmanship, go read xiaxue's or wendy chong's blogs n figure out whether you really want to (even if you can) earn that much money by blogging.

To me, this is a bad disguise for cowardice and actually very moronic too. After all, I wonder how one gets the kick out of getting back at somebody else just by hitting at him/her from everywhere except from his/her front? I think this is being very "small". It's just as sicko as go showing your monkey face at a blind man.

If you really don't like someone, ignore him. If you find him hard to like, then go surround yourself with people who love you. I am sure you will find out that there are more lovable people around you that you could focus yourself on rather than focussing so much on that one person, right? Otherwise, very soon, you will get more sick-in-the-mind than you know.

Or what's the big deal about gloating over anyone else's "stupidity" and sensationalising it on your blog? If it is just to ventilate, why waste a nice quiet night ventilating away when you could be enjoying a nice book in bed?

Moving on...

It's been sometime since I last updated this blog as well as my photography one.

A friend has suddenly decided to leave the department on a totally different career path. I could say "sudden" even tho it wasn't a surprise tho, that she would leave as she had said to me before. But "sudden" because it really was SUDDEN that came with that kind of unique but sweet "grin" of hers. haha... I did not expect that. But anyway ... I learnt something useful.

I really want her to succeed in life. Sometimes, in order to succeed, one has to quit doing the same old thing one is not happy about - completely. It is not environment related. Nor people-related. Those P-factors have been worked out. There have been 8 as far as I can rem.

But she proved she has the courage to go where her heart leads her. Actually, she had suspected that she might not be able to take the plunge, and so in a way, she did something to force herself to make the then-painful decision. And I guess, the rest is history. I really salute her. Something I wish Yen would learn from her too, some day. GUTS! One day, when I look back on this page, it will remind me of another friend who did what she had said she would - eventually.

Recently, something interesting has happened in my family. The crisis that we have gone through last year has strengthened the bond among us greatly. I also saw how united we were with the rest of our relatives. In a way, all things had worked together for good.

Heaven, Home, Health, Heart, Hearth, Head.. cant rem what else tho. It is 2009 now. I really hope everything else will be smooth along the way. To me, HOME is a very very important item and in many things, it comes first.

I have seen that many people have traded their families for what they desire for in their career development. They have placed a lot faith in what would seem like a religion and they readily embrace whatever traditions the predecessors have laid down upon them: Rules and regulations, policies, and whatever seem logical and applicable under the current circumstances.

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Things have changed so much and management gurus have seen Employee and Employers changed their seats of power so many times. During this recession times, we are probably in the employers' market. Employees better sit tight.

Anyway, life goes on. Employers will become employees some day. Employees may become employers themselves.

Day 4

Today is the 4th Day. My new job? Although it was rather hectic, I have an enjoyable day. BTW, if you have not been told yet, my cheese has been moved somewhere else. So, now begins my next leg of my journey - that elusive piece of cheese.

Just remember: while everyone is working for that piece of cheese, there will always be somebody you like to work with. And there will also be somebody you will hate to be even within hearing range. To be frank, in my job, I have come across people I really dont enjoy working with. But thankfully, just 1 or 2 of them so far. At least your reaction seems to be much better than mine. You knew anger, but not hate. That's nice of you but for me, there are times when I feel like rearranging someone's face. Haha... :)

so sleepy now. Will reply the rest soon.

Today is my second day in one of the biggest section of the biggest department. arrggghH!
Isn't something I have wanted to do for the rest of my life altho some people have been trying to convince me that it is part and parcel of "career". Anyway, I think it is hard to work towards work-life balance if we treat career as bigger than life. Usually, when something serious happen back home, or with someone's life, then it is time we realise there are much much bigger than career issues in life. That's just my thought. But I must be mad!

I must be mad. But it isnt a career just becos someone told me this is a career. And start moving my cheese around. Anyway ... I am like a cat chasing its own tail. Sometimes don't even know what I am mumbling.

Hey, have you watched the drama "Liu San Jie"?
San Ge Bu Cang You Cou Tuo. (meaning, "if don't sing, more depressing")
The poor build houses for the rich to live in. The famers grow mulberries and the rich wear silk.
Nice scenaries... where people grow tea-plants and fish just in front of the lofty mountains.
Can you imagine?

Hi, just want to update all that I have swapped my place of work with another AM wef 16Feb.
Strange that it happened so coincidentally. But to be frank, I have always been unprepared to work in the new department. Maybe it is a case of being too comfortable at the old place for too long. I have to accept change, as it comes along. Anyway, tho it isn't my choice, I will have to do what I can do. After all, to me, doing a job is but bringing home the butter.

I do not wish to compete. To win in any competition, one will have to excel at exceeding the rest. There are many ways to do that if one really wants to, but to me, I think we have wasted too much from all the internal competition.

Origin of sin in the workplace

One lesson I learn in 2008.

We have all been thinking about that "greener pasture" or that "land overflowing with milk and honey" 2008.
In our hearts, we somehow seem to believe that there was a Garden of Eden - whether at home, or at our workplace, or even at church. But the reality is, the orginal Eden was long gone. The plants and fruits no longer live forever. The soil no longer fertile and pure. Man, from then on, has to till the land with sweat and blood, but the land will never produce enough. (Reminds me of all the endless complaints from patients and staff.)

2008, I had learnt a couple of new skills too, but I will still need to practise even harder in 2009. I have also found a few new friends. Somehow, still cannot shake off the idea of learning Salsa. Yen seemed keen to learn too, when Phillip and I brought her to view (twice) them. Anyway, still must decide carefully. Hmm... I have also managed to make some extra pocket money for Yen but my greatest reward will be the day when Yen is finally able to find teh extra pocket money on her own. Tho it was just a few Ks for the whole year, I still think it is not bad. Better than nothing. The lessons learnt were much more valuable.

2008, a few of my friends have resigned. YJA, DCP and most recently, YYZ too. Can't blame them. I admire them for the courage they have taken to uproot. I believe that they are much happier now, after having tendered their letters. Everyone tends to doubt that "greener pastures" really do exist. Especially when one has been very disillusioned with one's current work situation. Nevertheless, I can feel it, quite strongly, that they are going to do even better outside in their chosen fields. So, my best wishes to them.

Back top Eden. Unfortunately, Eden has been locked up and fiercely guarded by an angel now. Becos it has been corrupted by the thing that first slithered into the presence of Eve, who was at that time the most trusted living partner of Adam. Her thoughts were subsequently polluted, and before long, a murderous and wicked atmosphere permeated the air and stained the land.

2008 has reminded me how potent and well-disguised the human venom can be. 2008 reminded me that it was just a beautiful creature that spoke with Eve. It spoke with an intelligence that opened Eve's mind. It is too clever and cunning. And a single session was enough to bring about the downfall of human character.

So, always be mindful that the very first instance of human politics began in the Garden.

Actually, come to think of it, Lucifer was a very beutiful angel to gaze upon, brightest star among the rest. Something inside it made it fell to the ground and onto its belly. What was it? that fed its own unchecked desire to rise above every other angels and be worshipped instead. Its tendency to ursurp power is basically lust in disguise. This hunger for recognition is still prevalent in our human hearts, tho some stronger than the rest. Fuelling that lust for power can potentially lean towards selflish ambition.

Lucifer fell from grace. From being the most beautiful and powerful angel in the whole of creation. In the end, he became to be noted for being wicked, scheming, contentious and destructive. Likewise, humans can become like this too, if we are not careful to guard our hearts with all diligence. Cain and Saul were examples of children of God who finally fell.

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Philippians 2:3 - "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, ⁴ not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. ⁵ In your relationships with one another, have the same attitude of mind Christ Jesus had ... "

Philippians 4:8 -"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."

1 Thess 4:11 "and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands ..."

^{Micah 6:8} - "He has shown all you people what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."

"Niu" Year 2009

Do I welcome 2009? Well, as compared to 2008, it should be a more optimistic year right?
Pessimism used to fill my 2007 & 2008. 2008 had brought me many pains and challenges; almost drove me to the wall and I almost fought back. But thankfully, things did not turn out that way.

I realise that sometimes, we tend to forget that God might also want to protect the person that you have grown to hate so much. Maybe I had been silly trying to act smarter than I really am.

Anyway, some food for thought:
1. I believe that if you do not succumb under pressure, you will emerge even stronger than before.
2. If you have not changed into a worse person, you are definitely going to be a even better person.
3. Cruising up river, submerged hippos can be more dangerous than basking crocs.

It's been a while since I last logged in to post a few lines or images.

What would you do, if you knew you had to play a game that you do not like?
2009 should mark a year of significant changes to come, mainly on the homefront. After this, I am brave enough to do anything.

Since 2006, I see myself heading in a different direction from where the department wants to lead me to. I feel thankful that I had not because I have learnt not to trust the visible hand(s) too much. There are 22 tired players and some are happily paid till they break their legs. There are 22,000 spectators watching, and cheering. But most of the time, they will be shouting, cursing, swearing and spitting. So, whether you hear the cheering or swearing, you are there because there is a game to play and while you will help some make their millions, your winning might possibly make others lose their money. You might have told yourself, you play your game, they play theirs. It makes a simple game more complicated right?

hehe ... :)

Nikon D90

Friday before Saturday

Time really flies so fast. Today marks the beginning of the next year for me. Just a few hours more and it is light. But it is only Friday and I am really sleepless.

Just don't quite understand why coop yourself up in a small cubicle during the day when all your colleagues are around and then come out and play when everyone is going home.

Freddie Aguilar - Magdalena (Tagalog ver.)

Child

Child -Freddie Aguilar


Anak (Original Version in Tagalog, I think)

My Oldies

If You Are Going To San Francisco



Under The Boardwalk


You Light Up My Life


Both Sides Now

This morning, Helen went to visit Yen. Interestingly, I think she has been the only one who calls Yen by her other name - Elaine. Not sure why, but possibly, I could have also. But it does need some getting used to, because I think it sounds "distant", and unoriginal.

Lately, someone in another department has been jesting with me - I wonder why. MOS said that these are side-issues I shouldn't be overly concerned with. There are more pressing matters actually. For one thing, the deadlines for the 2 major assignments given to me are now just the corner. PT had advised me that whether I agree or not with the idea, my job was just to carry out writing the documents the way it has always been. Actually, I have always felt that something must have been wrong with me. Don't know why I always tend to be out-of-synch with everyone else. khong hieu .. :(

Heard Julie is getting a new Home Theatre System. Which explains why we have just inherited 2 large speakers now residing in our living room. Lydia will be fixing them up.

SENS & KIRORO

Like the Wind - SENS


Kiroro - nagaiaida

For Victory - Trans Fixion


Olympics Theme Song

My Wishes 2009

Qi Dao


Mian Tian Hue Gen Hao

Seagull

Seagull (Hai Ou) -
Theme song of a story about a terminally-ill girl who devoted her last days to take care of some orphans in a province.

My Tribute to Leslie

Sometimes I wonder what's the point of all these struggling and those in-fighting.
What can be more important than you?
I believe that Leslie might not have suspected how his end would be. 5 years later, he died - sad and alone. He said those words as if they would be his last...

Hasten Down The Wind


The Circle Game

Grease vs High School Musical

Wow....

You Raise Me Up


By Westlife


Love Theme


St. Elmo's Fire (1985) - Love Theme music video


Flashdance


Footloose

LONGER - Dan Fogelberg

Jackie Cheong

張學友 - 每天愛你多一些



一路上有你

Heart of a Drifter - Security Unlimited

Joi - Theme song from She's a Man He's a Woman (Leslie Cheong)

IF WE HOLD ON TOGETHER

LAND BEFORE TIME


DINOSAUR

Tory & Gabriella (High Schơl Musical)

WHEN THERE WAS ME AND YOU


WHAT I'VE BÊN LƠKING FOR (REPRISE)


START OF SOMETHING NEW

Evonne sings "Somewhere Out There" - theme from An American Tale

Wishes - Le Couple (Theme from Living Under The Same Roof)

I Believe (Theme from My Sassy Girl) - with English translation

Endless Love (Theme from The Myth) by Jackie Chan & Kim Hee Sun

The Way I Care - Guang Huai Fang Shi

Cat Steven - Father and Son

Cat Steven


Boyzone


Karaoke

Rest Your Love on Me (Olivia newton-John & Andy Gibb)

Lyrics

Best of Me - Olivia Newton-John & David Foster

I Will Be Here, baxa

Steven Curtis Chapman - I WILL BE HERE


Tomorrow morning if you wake up, and the sun does not appear
I will be here
If in the dark we lose sight of love, hold my hand and have no fear
Cause I will be here

I will be here, when you feel like being quiet,
When you need to speak your mind, I will listen
I will be here when the laughter turns to crying
Through the winning, losing & trying
We'll be together
Cause I will be here

Tomorrow morning if you wake up and the future isnt' clear
I will be here
As sure as seasons are made for change
Our lifetimes are made for years
So I, I will be here

I will be here
You can cry on my shoulder
When the mirror tells us we're older
I will hold you
And I will be here
to watch you grow in beauty
And tell you all the things you are to me
I will be here

I will be true
To the promise I have made
To you and to the One who gave you to me

(bridge) I will be here
And just as sure as seasons are made for change
Our lifetimes are made for years,
So I, I will be here
We'll be together
I will be here

Kiss - Because I'm A Girl

KISS - Because I am a girl

SHADOWS

MOONLIGHT SHADOWS


APACHE

Ha Kieu Anh - Tinh Lam Lo (featuring Ms Saigon)

KISS - BECAUSE I'M A GIRL

BOA

WAITING


VALENTI


NO.1

Vanessa Mae

Vanessa Mae - Toccata & Fugue by J S Bach



Theme from Caravans

Paul Mauriat - I Like C

I LIKE CHOPIN

Trumpets!!

Feel So Good - Chuck Mangione



Tijuana Brass Medley - Herb Alpert


Herb Alpert & Tijuana Brass - Spanish Flea

Carmina Burana

Carmina Burana - CARL ORFF

James Last Plays ABBA

SUPERDUPER-MAMMA MIA



GIMME GIMME

James Last - Funkytown

My Valentine - Martina Mcbride (lyrics)

Maria - Korean

Maria

Korean MTV

Sad...



Song HyeKyo

KISS - Because I'm a girl (Korean)

Love is ...





This is in Korean

Đuong nhu ta da - My Tam

cho em

Here's the Lyrics. (Pls help translate)

xin loi, Mp4 not very clear.

My Tam - Uoc Gi

My favourite Vietnamese song... :)




Another version

Tôi co biet dau :))

She is funny

A Vietnamese Song

If I had listened to my own heart that time, perhaps I could have achieved even far greater things. The problem is that I feared that I might regret. There was this wish inside me not to get sucked into the corporate tooth and claw arena. Even as bystander, it wasn't fun witnessing casualties of political war - written off as "natural attrition" due to "change". How lame. But how wicked the human heart that deviced the invisible knife.

So, I had told myself to stay away - a couple of times. But, as people begin to throw in the towel and share with me why they wanted to leave, I could only cheer them on to find their own happiness, for their loved ones' sake. I had learnt a lot from them. In life, there is always something someone else - regardless of age, gender or nationality - can actually teach us how to become a even better person.

However, that being said, on the pretext of offering sound advices and/or constructive feedback, there are also those who badly need to be right (all the time) as well as those who possess all the right advices. In actualy fact, they do need attention by through giving advices - solicited or uninvited - they seem to have an innate fear of being "below the 'average' line" so much so that they would naturally climb over your head and/or your backs.

This is a character flaw and it will bear fruits in adulthood. If your child has learnt this, nib it in the bud. Otherwise, you will never know whether your kid will become a person with good moral character or one who is conniving and scheming.

If a child is gullible like Eve, it is one thing
If a child has grown to become jealous and muder his own brother out of spite, that's quite another. Handled too late, a human weakness can develop into wickedness.

But if a child has learn

The Goal

A corporate executive on holiday in a small Greek seacoast village was strolling by the docks and drinking in the local color. He complimented one fisherman on the quality of his catch.
“How long did it take you to get all those fish?” he wondered.
“Not very long,” answered the Greek. “An hour or two.”
“Then why didn’t you stay out longer to catch more?”
Shrugging, the Greek explained that his catch was sufficient to meet his needs and those of his family.
The executive asked, “But what do you do with the rest of your time?”
I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, and take a nap with my wife. In the evening, I go to the village to see my friends, dance a little, play the bouzouki, and sing songs. I have a full life.”
The executive said, “I have an MBA from Harvard. I can help you. You should start by fishing longer every day. You’ll catch extra fish that you can sell. With the revenue, you can buy a bigger boat. With the extra money the larger boat will bring you, you can buy a second boat and a third one, and so on, until you have an entire fleet of trawlers. Instead of selling your fish to a middleman, you can then negotiate directly with the processing plants and maybe even open your own plant. You can ship fish to markets all around the world. In time, you can then move to New York City to direct your huge enterprise.”
“How long would that take?” asked the Greek.
“Twenty, perhaps twenty-five years,” replied the executive.
“And after that?”
“When your business gets really big, you can sell stock and make millions!” exclaimed the executive with zeal.
“Millions? Really? And after that?”
“After that you’ll be able to retire, live in a small village near the coast, sleep late, play with your grandchildren, catch a few fish, take a nap with your wife, and spend your evenings singing, dancing, and playing the bouzouki with your friends.”

Focus on the Way, not the end.

(source: Zen in the Martial Arts by Joe Hyams)

A young boy traveled across Japan to the school of a famous martial artist. When he arrived at the dojo he was given an audience by the sensei.
“What do you wish from me?” the master asked.
“I wish to be your student and be the finest karateka in the land,” the boy replied. “How long must I study?”
“Ten years at least,” the master answered.
“Ten years is a long time,” said the boy. “What if I studied twice as hard as all your other students?”
“Twenty years,” replied the master.
“Twenty years! What if I practice day and night with all my effort?”
“Thirty years,” was the master’s reply.
“How is it that each time I say I will work harder, you tell me that it will take longer?” the boy asked.
“The answer is clear. When one eye is fixed upon your destination, there is only one eye left with which to find the Way.”

Know Your Worth

A woman approached Picasso in a restaurant, asked him to scribble something on a napkin, and said she would be happy to pay whatever he felt it was worth. Picasso complied and then said, “That will be $10,000.”
“But you did that in thirty seconds,” the astonished woman replied.
“No,” Picasso said. “It has taken me forty years to do that.”

Source: What They Don’t Teach You at Harvard Business School by Mark H. McCormack

Think out of the box

Got this from somewhere. It's meaningful, tho.

You are driving along in your car on a wild, stormy night, it’s raining heavily, when suddenly you pass by a bus stop, and you see three people waiting for a bus:

An old lady who looks as if she is about to die.
1. An old friend who once saved your life.
2. The perfect partner you have been dreaming about.
3. Which one would you choose to offer a ride to, knowing very well that there could only be one passenger in your car?

This is a dilemma that was once used as part of a job application.
You could pick up the old lady, because she is going to die, and thus youshould save her first;
* or you could take the old friend because he once saved your life, and thiswould be the perfect chance to ! pay him back. However, you may never be able to find your perfect mate again.

The candidate who was hired had no trouble coming up with his answer. Guess what was his answer? He simply answered:
“I would give the car keys to my Old friend and let him take the lady to the hospital. I would stay behind and wait for the bus with the partner of my dreams.”

Sometimes, we gain more if we are able to give up our stubborn thought limitations.

River drying up, P2

There was a river drying up.... and a new king has just taken over (through some ugly unscrupulous means, of course). There was an uproar among the subjects and everyone wondered who did this terrible thing - letting the river dry up. Straightaway, they found a fish at the bottom of the river... and straightaway, the king of the jungle pointed an accusing finger at the fish. "It must be you!!!" "What have you done to the river?!?!"

Look, just like us and everyone else in this jungle, they have to drink and eat also, right? There must have been too many of them now that they have destroyed our river. So, everyone blamed the fish for drying up the river. I don't know the poor fish died of fright or heartbreak.

After a few more days, the water did not return to the river and the surrounding soil around the river was starting to crack and dust filled the air. There were no more fishes to blame. The angry king started to look for the next likely creature.

"You!" He pointed his claw at the flamingoes. "It might have been you! I have seen you waddling in the pool among the fishes before it all happened!" The poor birds were thus banished from the river. This went on and on and soon, nobody dared to go near the river for fear of being blamed. Everyone was afraid of being in the sight of the lion and his royal subjects. The witch-hunt had begun and most others who had thought otherwise, were also ostracised so badly they found that they had better leave too. So, soon after the birds had left, the antelopes and the deers followed. And the beautiful gazelles, the chimps and mousedeers.

A few hundred kilometers up-river, there was a beautiful lake. In it, there were fishes, plants and colourful rocks. There was a dam which had been built by a family of beavers. This dam had trapped the water going down river.There used to be heavier rainfall and the water flew over the dam in good times. But over the last few years, there had been lesser and lesser rainfall. Soon, the little that trickled down the river were very quickly dried up.

Evolutionary Management

In management, just as in life, there is this natural part of evolutionary management. A friend, who had seen the past and who had given me a glimpse of the future, his secret is actually rather simple. "History remembers its footprints".

In other words, we have cycles in life and in management. When there is plenty, there will be lack. When there is want, there will be plenty. And so, we try to correct from the past, and in the process, we evolve. When we get back to a semblance of what we used to be, we call it "retro".

Evolution goes around in spirals. When it fails to get itself lifted, it keeps going around in circles. Until it dries itself up. The new beginning in my department happens in a new season, for a new generation. Those who try to hold on to the past may become part of the casualty of change. It has happened so often. Change is a definite thing. Just as we will age, and weaken in strength.

So, my friend, the new world belongs to you. Just know that more changes will come, and they will change the way we work. Many new people who experience the change for the first time, and will probably be changed in the process. There will also be natural attrition in the process. Affecting those who less adaptable. They will be seen as counter-productive.

Alone in Bangkok

Hi everyone, I am now in Bangkok, like I was a few years ago. Same as before except that I did not lose my hp. I got stuck here basically becos of a miscommunication. Supposed to have come on Thursday morning, depart back to Sgp on Fri.

Anyhow, got into some misunderstanding with Yen also - I think. She seemed displeased because I failed to pick up her call when she called. Sigh.... I have a terrible time alone in Bangkok because I can hardly understand what people are all talking about. But Thai sounds like a very beautiful language tho. "Sawathee Khar...", "mai Peng Rai Khrap" .. hehe. Reminds me of my friend Ronnie. He speaks Thai. He looks like a Thai Chinese.

The consolation I have when I am alone in Bangkok now is that I am able to move around freely on my own, anywhere I want to go. I did a lot of IT-shopping at Pantip. Great place for looking around, for things like CDs, notebook bags, etc. I got myself a rain-jacket for my D200, and a copycat version (I think) of Gary Fong's soft diffuser for my SB600. With the exchange rate, I only paid $33 for it. Not bad huh?

Walking around in Bangkok, shopping like a treasure-hunter. And taking pictures (my only pastime). What else you expect an old man like me to do ?? Last time when I was here, I went to the grand temple and took some shots. But the initial experience in Bangkok back then was a still rather "fresh". Nowadays, I don't have to take so many shots of temple idols, sculptures etc. I have since moved to portraitures and people going about their ordinary lives.

Anyway, wished I had brought my D200 also. So I could venture into the more exotic places and palaces to snap. Didn't want to waste time with a compact.

Ok, gota go. Chatuchak! BTW, another reason why I am here blogging is .... hehe.. I am using the USB ports to charge up my hp!! It's only 66% but guess I shan't stay too long like this. Waste of time when I have no ready pictures to upload yet!

My Favourite featuring HyeKyo

Isabella

HapKiDo - Dun play play

Cute Mongolian Song

God Will Make A Way