A bit late for this but Happy Thanksgiving to all. Hope that the economy will recover under the leadership of Obama and pick up and the whole world back to normal.
Still can remember how is the feeling like when it is Thanksgiving time in US. Quite a warm and cozy feeling because it is one of the most important festive season for them.
Well, it just make me miss my stay in US again. Hahaha... Ok, take care and have a great holiday. Enjoy.
Friday, November 28, 2008
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Latest Christmas carol for 2008 !!!
Got it from my friend. Have fun. (I just Ian will enjoy it. Haha...)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You'd better watch out
You'd better not cry
You'd better keep cash
I'm telling you why:
Recession is coming to town.
It's hitting you once,
It's hitting you twice
It doesn't care if you've been careful and wise
Recession is coming to town
It's worthless if you've got shares
It's worthless if you've got bonds
It's safe when you've got cash in hand
So keep cash for goodness sake, HEY
You'd better watch out
You'd better not cry
You'd better keep cash
I'm telling you why:
Recession is coming to town!
Finance products are confusing
Finance products are so vague
The banks make you bear the cost of risk
So keep out for goodness sake, OH
You'd better watch out
You'd better not cry
You'd better keep cash
I'm telling you why:
Recession is coming to town.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You'd better watch out
You'd better not cry
You'd better keep cash
I'm telling you why:
Recession is coming to town.
It's hitting you once,
It's hitting you twice
It doesn't care if you've been careful and wise
Recession is coming to town
It's worthless if you've got shares
It's worthless if you've got bonds
It's safe when you've got cash in hand
So keep cash for goodness sake, HEY
You'd better watch out
You'd better not cry
You'd better keep cash
I'm telling you why:
Recession is coming to town!
Finance products are confusing
Finance products are so vague
The banks make you bear the cost of risk
So keep out for goodness sake, OH
You'd better watch out
You'd better not cry
You'd better keep cash
I'm telling you why:
Recession is coming to town.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Love Oneself
Has been long since I wrote any article to share with all. Wanted to write this article for a long time but never find the time to do it except now. The topic that I want to share about is Loving Oneself. This topic came about when EeHua posted this article on her blog and Ian commented on it. I happened to saw it and added my comments. Now, I will shared out my thoughts on this topic.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For some, to love is to give wholeheartedly to the one we loved but before we can learn to love others, we must learn to love ourselves. When I said loving oneself, I don't mean to have that selfish mindset of 'Me' or I' attitude or that we should think too highly of ourselves and become arrogant. Some will say that we cannot possibly love oneself but yet still love another. This is true if we are too focus on loving ourselves, taking care of only our own interests and concern with only on how we feel. For this type of love, it is an extreme thinking of loving oneself, in some sense, this become Narcissus aka The Self-Admirer. Hence, how can one even possible love another when he or she is loving himself or heself more.
In the case of loving oneself, it is more of accepting oneself as who he or she is and not trying to be what others wanted them to be. Loving oneself include accepting ones own weakness and strength, appearance and background. In reality, how many of us are able to accept ourselves as who we are? Don't we usually want to be someone else in life, such as to be taller, to be more handsome, to be fairer and etc. There is totally nothing wrong for wanting to be someone else or wanted more of this or less of that to make oneself more beautiful or handsome. But towards the extend of wanting to be another and start hating oneself with what he or she was given, that is not loving oneself.
The Divine has given and bless us with what we have today, how we looks, our environment and surroundings, our background and our passage of life. If we never learn to love ourselves and accepting what is given to us, then we will always live with sadness and depression and anger. Then in this case, how can we even learn to love others and give to the one we loved.
I used to hate myself in the past. With many things in fact, I used to hate the way I look, the way I talk, how life seems so unfair, why am I thinking like this and so on and so fro... but as I slowly learnt, life is never perfect. So I understand the meaning of life is not so much of changing to suit others but learning to accept and understand ourselves better outside and inside and accepting what is given to us. That is to love oneself, then I can learn to love others. ;)
So think it about.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For some, to love is to give wholeheartedly to the one we loved but before we can learn to love others, we must learn to love ourselves. When I said loving oneself, I don't mean to have that selfish mindset of 'Me' or I' attitude or that we should think too highly of ourselves and become arrogant. Some will say that we cannot possibly love oneself but yet still love another. This is true if we are too focus on loving ourselves, taking care of only our own interests and concern with only on how we feel. For this type of love, it is an extreme thinking of loving oneself, in some sense, this become Narcissus aka The Self-Admirer. Hence, how can one even possible love another when he or she is loving himself or heself more.
In the case of loving oneself, it is more of accepting oneself as who he or she is and not trying to be what others wanted them to be. Loving oneself include accepting ones own weakness and strength, appearance and background. In reality, how many of us are able to accept ourselves as who we are? Don't we usually want to be someone else in life, such as to be taller, to be more handsome, to be fairer and etc. There is totally nothing wrong for wanting to be someone else or wanted more of this or less of that to make oneself more beautiful or handsome. But towards the extend of wanting to be another and start hating oneself with what he or she was given, that is not loving oneself.
The Divine has given and bless us with what we have today, how we looks, our environment and surroundings, our background and our passage of life. If we never learn to love ourselves and accepting what is given to us, then we will always live with sadness and depression and anger. Then in this case, how can we even learn to love others and give to the one we loved.
I used to hate myself in the past. With many things in fact, I used to hate the way I look, the way I talk, how life seems so unfair, why am I thinking like this and so on and so fro... but as I slowly learnt, life is never perfect. So I understand the meaning of life is not so much of changing to suit others but learning to accept and understand ourselves better outside and inside and accepting what is given to us. That is to love oneself, then I can learn to love others. ;)
So think it about.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
No Post, No Photos...
Is this blog still alive?
Yes it is. Just that it has been slow in posting, updating and most of all... No Photo.
Well, I have been really busy. Really sorry about that. Working on my thesis, sending out resumes, yes... I wanted to change job and also bad weather is putting off my plans for photo shoot. Strange enough, I also have been running around attend to wedding receptions, lunch and dinner, not sure why a lot of people getting married during this period of time. Hmm...
Work wise is getting busy. My manager loaded me with years of work which I think it is totally sickening. Can't bring myself to face it everyday... I do hope for a brighter future, but with the poor economy around, chances and hopes are slim...
Do wish me luck for my future prospect. In some sense, maybe I need someone to see the treasure in me and also to bring out the best of me. I hope...
Yes it is. Just that it has been slow in posting, updating and most of all... No Photo.
Well, I have been really busy. Really sorry about that. Working on my thesis, sending out resumes, yes... I wanted to change job and also bad weather is putting off my plans for photo shoot. Strange enough, I also have been running around attend to wedding receptions, lunch and dinner, not sure why a lot of people getting married during this period of time. Hmm...
Work wise is getting busy. My manager loaded me with years of work which I think it is totally sickening. Can't bring myself to face it everyday... I do hope for a brighter future, but with the poor economy around, chances and hopes are slim...
Do wish me luck for my future prospect. In some sense, maybe I need someone to see the treasure in me and also to bring out the best of me. I hope...
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Remembering the 19th of Nov 2004
Time flies and 4 years had passed.
Today is a day that I will always remember. The day that over 20 trainees flow over from Singapore to Illinois for training. The start of a new chapter which changed my life and thinking. To me, it was really a happy and carefree period of my life which I won't forget.
Thinking and remembering it just make me miss those days in Pembrook Club, Gurnee, Libertyville, George Court, Dominicks and so on. I really feel like taking time off to re-live that period of my life again. I really wish...
Today is a day that I will always remember. The day that over 20 trainees flow over from Singapore to Illinois for training. The start of a new chapter which changed my life and thinking. To me, it was really a happy and carefree period of my life which I won't forget.
Thinking and remembering it just make me miss those days in Pembrook Club, Gurnee, Libertyville, George Court, Dominicks and so on. I really feel like taking time off to re-live that period of my life again. I really wish...
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Has Technology Improved Our Life?
Was reading this article which I will like to share with all. It sets me thinking, has technolgy improved our life? Or has it make it worse off? You decide...
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Confronting the IT backlash
While technology can be a timesaving boon, could the increased use of instant messaging and emails in the workplace cause our interpersonal skills to regress? Lee Xieli finds out.
Derek Massie
Human resources director
Acergy Asia and Middle East
Personally, I am an enthusiastic user and supporter of e-communication tools. It has played a significant role in globalisation and in “shrinking the world”. However, I have some concerns that as with all tools, it has its pitfalls.
An over-reliance on this form of communication can lead to a culture of “I have sent the email” and the sub message “I have done my job”. This is a particular issue in cultures where there is discomfort around confronting openly with tough issues and emails can become an easy answer, but not a solution. In fact, it becomes an issue avoidance tool.
Whilst generation X and Y love electronic media such as emails and social networking sites such as Facebook, I am concerned the overuse may result in less well-developed social skills and relationships. This is a business and a social challenge. Lastly, despite email codes and charters, people still overuse the e-communication tools. They forget that with the absence of more critical message supporters such as body language and tone of voice, email messages can be easily misunderstood.
In summary, electronic communication is a way of life in business, but it is only a tool. Leaders need to emphasise that interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence are what develops relationships and achieves business goals. Companies can encourage their staff to work efficiently without losing the face-to-face communication. For me, the only solution is creating a culture of valuing interpersonal skills – start at recruitment, induction, appraisals and most importantly, via coaching and leadership behaviours.
Maurice Chua
Regional human resource director
AES Asia & Middle East
When you look at this from a wider perspective, face-to-face interactions were already reduced with the advent of the landline telephone. The availability of higher end technology via mobile phones, internet mail and emails simply sped up the pace of interactions. What we have today is a higher frequency of work interactions, so I do not think the increased use of technology has impacted the as-needed face-to-face interactions.
The key word is “as needed”, because face-to-face interaction is, and will continue to be, necessary if a manager wants to build good working relationship with their employees. I enjoy working in companies with a strong advocacy for employee engagement. My current company is one such company. Even though more than 80% of the employees carry a Blackberry, our business leaders continue to hold face-to-face interactions with the employees at every opportunity.
Some may argue that it was technology which increased the pace of the business world and I cannot disagree with that. However, everything is relative and the pace will always be seen as fast whether you are in the era of the landlines or mobile phones. In the future, when newer technology comes along, our current pace will be seen as slow. Everything is relative.
Systemically, it is good for the organisation to ensure the business moves at a pace they want. And when you look at the softer side of people management, it is not technology but the individual that influences the increased or reduced face-to-face interaction.
One side note though – in the interest of better work-life balance, individuals should let technology take a backseat at certain periods of their days and during weekends.
Talleah Teo
HR manager for Asia Pacific & Japan
Hewlett-Packard Asia Pacific
Nothing has actually remained the same since the impact of technology has taken over our lives. After all, when was the last time someone took the pain to circulate memos by hand once technology has presented us with the use of emails? These days, it is a matter of minutes to communicate a memo to the employees and management. While the email system seems to work pretty well, but is it a good or a bad thing?
The pros:
• There are no yucky stamps to lick, no impossible-to-decipher waybills to fill out and no trips in the freezing cold to mailboxes when sending emails.
• No matter where you send your email from, even the most rambling missive takes only seconds or, at most, minutes to reach its destination.
• Outside of our normal online connection charges, email and instant messaging (IM) cost precisely nothing, especially to overseas contacts.
• Because they’re electronic, saving emails are a breeze. It also means we use fewer natural resources.
The cons:
• We’ll be exchanging pleasantries with friends and colleagues, subscribing to mailing lists and online journals, and trading info with complete strangers. Before we know it, you can spend most of your day just reading and responding to the online deluge.
• Anyone with the right amount of technical know-how can easily intercept our emails and snoop through it without us or the recipient knowing. This is where IT security and firewall play very important roles.
• There’s a downside to the easy storage of email messages. A saved copy of our tirade against a boss or colleague could easily resurface and come back to haunt you sometime in the future.
While technology can facilitate our daily lives and workplace effectiveness, we must be more sensitive and carry out face-to-face interactions when necessary.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Confronting the IT backlash
While technology can be a timesaving boon, could the increased use of instant messaging and emails in the workplace cause our interpersonal skills to regress? Lee Xieli finds out.
Derek Massie
Human resources director
Acergy Asia and Middle East
Personally, I am an enthusiastic user and supporter of e-communication tools. It has played a significant role in globalisation and in “shrinking the world”. However, I have some concerns that as with all tools, it has its pitfalls.
An over-reliance on this form of communication can lead to a culture of “I have sent the email” and the sub message “I have done my job”. This is a particular issue in cultures where there is discomfort around confronting openly with tough issues and emails can become an easy answer, but not a solution. In fact, it becomes an issue avoidance tool.
Whilst generation X and Y love electronic media such as emails and social networking sites such as Facebook, I am concerned the overuse may result in less well-developed social skills and relationships. This is a business and a social challenge. Lastly, despite email codes and charters, people still overuse the e-communication tools. They forget that with the absence of more critical message supporters such as body language and tone of voice, email messages can be easily misunderstood.
In summary, electronic communication is a way of life in business, but it is only a tool. Leaders need to emphasise that interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence are what develops relationships and achieves business goals. Companies can encourage their staff to work efficiently without losing the face-to-face communication. For me, the only solution is creating a culture of valuing interpersonal skills – start at recruitment, induction, appraisals and most importantly, via coaching and leadership behaviours.
Maurice Chua
Regional human resource director
AES Asia & Middle East
When you look at this from a wider perspective, face-to-face interactions were already reduced with the advent of the landline telephone. The availability of higher end technology via mobile phones, internet mail and emails simply sped up the pace of interactions. What we have today is a higher frequency of work interactions, so I do not think the increased use of technology has impacted the as-needed face-to-face interactions.
The key word is “as needed”, because face-to-face interaction is, and will continue to be, necessary if a manager wants to build good working relationship with their employees. I enjoy working in companies with a strong advocacy for employee engagement. My current company is one such company. Even though more than 80% of the employees carry a Blackberry, our business leaders continue to hold face-to-face interactions with the employees at every opportunity.
Some may argue that it was technology which increased the pace of the business world and I cannot disagree with that. However, everything is relative and the pace will always be seen as fast whether you are in the era of the landlines or mobile phones. In the future, when newer technology comes along, our current pace will be seen as slow. Everything is relative.
Systemically, it is good for the organisation to ensure the business moves at a pace they want. And when you look at the softer side of people management, it is not technology but the individual that influences the increased or reduced face-to-face interaction.
One side note though – in the interest of better work-life balance, individuals should let technology take a backseat at certain periods of their days and during weekends.
Talleah Teo
HR manager for Asia Pacific & Japan
Hewlett-Packard Asia Pacific
Nothing has actually remained the same since the impact of technology has taken over our lives. After all, when was the last time someone took the pain to circulate memos by hand once technology has presented us with the use of emails? These days, it is a matter of minutes to communicate a memo to the employees and management. While the email system seems to work pretty well, but is it a good or a bad thing?
The pros:
• There are no yucky stamps to lick, no impossible-to-decipher waybills to fill out and no trips in the freezing cold to mailboxes when sending emails.
• No matter where you send your email from, even the most rambling missive takes only seconds or, at most, minutes to reach its destination.
• Outside of our normal online connection charges, email and instant messaging (IM) cost precisely nothing, especially to overseas contacts.
• Because they’re electronic, saving emails are a breeze. It also means we use fewer natural resources.
The cons:
• We’ll be exchanging pleasantries with friends and colleagues, subscribing to mailing lists and online journals, and trading info with complete strangers. Before we know it, you can spend most of your day just reading and responding to the online deluge.
• Anyone with the right amount of technical know-how can easily intercept our emails and snoop through it without us or the recipient knowing. This is where IT security and firewall play very important roles.
• There’s a downside to the easy storage of email messages. A saved copy of our tirade against a boss or colleague could easily resurface and come back to haunt you sometime in the future.
While technology can facilitate our daily lives and workplace effectiveness, we must be more sensitive and carry out face-to-face interactions when necessary.
Thursday, November 06, 2008
Ways of Life
Got this from an email which I find it quite meaningful and will like to share with my readers. Take some time to read through them.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ONE. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.
TWO. Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, their conversational skills will be as important as any other.
THREE. Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want.
FOUR. When you say, 'I love you,' mean it.
FIVE. When you say, 'I'm sorry,' look the person in the eye.
SIX. Be engaged at least six months before you get married.
SEVEN. Believe in love at first sight.
EIGHT. Never laugh at anyone's dreams. People who don't have dreams don't have much.
NINE. Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it's the only way to live life completely.
TEN. In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling.
ELEVEN. Don't judge people by their relatives.
TWELVE. Talk slowly but think quickly.
THIRTEEN. When someone asks you a question you don't want to answer, smile and ask, 'Why do you want to know?'
FOURTEEN. Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
FIFTEEN. Say 'bless you' when you hear someone sneeze.
SIXTEEN. When you lose, don't lose the lesson.
SEVENTEEN. Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for others; and Responsibility for all your actions.
EIGHTEEN. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.
NINETEEN. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
TWENTY. Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in your voice.
TWENTY- ONE. Spend some time alone.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ONE. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.
TWO. Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, their conversational skills will be as important as any other.
THREE. Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want.
FOUR. When you say, 'I love you,' mean it.
FIVE. When you say, 'I'm sorry,' look the person in the eye.
SIX. Be engaged at least six months before you get married.
SEVEN. Believe in love at first sight.
EIGHT. Never laugh at anyone's dreams. People who don't have dreams don't have much.
NINE. Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it's the only way to live life completely.
TEN. In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling.
ELEVEN. Don't judge people by their relatives.
TWELVE. Talk slowly but think quickly.
THIRTEEN. When someone asks you a question you don't want to answer, smile and ask, 'Why do you want to know?'
FOURTEEN. Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
FIFTEEN. Say 'bless you' when you hear someone sneeze.
SIXTEEN. When you lose, don't lose the lesson.
SEVENTEEN. Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for others; and Responsibility for all your actions.
EIGHTEEN. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.
NINETEEN. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
TWENTY. Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in your voice.
TWENTY- ONE. Spend some time alone.
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Obama wins US election, to become first black president
WASHINGTON, (AFP) - Americans elected Democrat Barack Obama as their first black president, handing him an historic victory over Republican John McCain, television networks projected.
Obama, 47, will be inaugurated the 44th US president on January 20, 2009, and inherit an economy mired in the worst financial crisis since the 1930s, two wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and a nuclear showdown with Iran.
Television networks projected his victory over Republican John McCain after Senator Obama solidified traditional Democratic states and cut deep into the Republican territory which his rival needed to control to win the White House.
Obama's historic inauguration will complete a stunning ascent to the pinnacle of US and global politics from national obscurity just four years ago and close an eight year era of turbulence under President George W. Bush.
Obama, 47, will be inaugurated the 44th US president on January 20, 2009, and inherit an economy mired in the worst financial crisis since the 1930s, two wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and a nuclear showdown with Iran.
Television networks projected his victory over Republican John McCain after Senator Obama solidified traditional Democratic states and cut deep into the Republican territory which his rival needed to control to win the White House.
Obama's historic inauguration will complete a stunning ascent to the pinnacle of US and global politics from national obscurity just four years ago and close an eight year era of turbulence under President George W. Bush.
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
What a Week… Glad it was over…
Finally have some time to update this blog. Sorry to be out of action for so long but it has been a hectic week for me last week. Starting from the day I touch down in Singapore from Taiwan. Maybe just to share my schedule with all.
26th Oct – Touch down in Singapore from Taiwan. BBQ session with my primary and secondary friends
27th Oct – Deepavali. Went back to my parent’s house.
28th Oct – Back to work again
29th Oct – Supplier audit at Batam (Whole day)
30th Oct – Type Audit Report
31st Oct – Ben and Charlotte’s wedding, helping out as Ben’s brother and coordinator
1st Nov – Back to NTU to do experiment for Master thesis report
2nd Nov – Prepare slides for First Year Report presentation on 3rd Nov at 3:30pm
3rd Nov – Prepare speech for presentation in the morning, Presentation to Chairman of Examination Panel, Reviewer and Supervisor
Thankfully, my First Year Report presentation got through. Life is slowly getting back to normal. Well, my next step is to correct my Master thesis report, include the next experimental results and submit it by the end of the year. Wish me luck.
Don’t worry. I will continue to blog. Cheerz. :)
26th Oct – Touch down in Singapore from Taiwan. BBQ session with my primary and secondary friends
27th Oct – Deepavali. Went back to my parent’s house.
28th Oct – Back to work again
29th Oct – Supplier audit at Batam (Whole day)
30th Oct – Type Audit Report
31st Oct – Ben and Charlotte’s wedding, helping out as Ben’s brother and coordinator
1st Nov – Back to NTU to do experiment for Master thesis report
2nd Nov – Prepare slides for First Year Report presentation on 3rd Nov at 3:30pm
3rd Nov – Prepare speech for presentation in the morning, Presentation to Chairman of Examination Panel, Reviewer and Supervisor
Thankfully, my First Year Report presentation got through. Life is slowly getting back to normal. Well, my next step is to correct my Master thesis report, include the next experimental results and submit it by the end of the year. Wish me luck.
Don’t worry. I will continue to blog. Cheerz. :)
