ThatKindSoul.org

Enthusiasm

2011-12-31T00:39:00.002+08:00

Enthusiasm comes from an ancient greek word En-Theos which means inspired by or possessed by God. Let it be said of you, as you shine your light in dark places!

helicopter crash

2011-12-03T15:02:00.000+08:00

Hip hop - dub FX

2011-11-23T01:23:00.001+08:00

Jogging

2011-11-15T22:40:00.011+08:00

Recently i have found a nice jogging route around the neighborhood. Is approximately 6km (Google map distance calculator) which covers some beautiful site, like the Chinese garden, park and tracks. The ideal time for this route is 5pm-6pm before the peak hour, as it would be hard to get through the crowd when passing by the MRT stations. The route starts from a neighborhood jogging track, which leads to the park connector, then the main road into the Chinese garden. Along the way, there are residents fishing on the pond, visitors taking photograph, or jogger enjoying the evening sun. There are a few water points, and toilets which is ideal for spending longer time on the route for a marathon training. There are a bridges and slopes for many other forms of training as well.

Jogging is very beneficial. It's good for your legs and your feet. It's also very good for the ground. It makes it feel needed. ~ Charles Schulz, Peanuts

Brush stroke

2011-11-13T19:04:00.003+08:00

Give attention, not more time

2011-11-10T21:59:00.009+08:00

Attention is a scarce resource, perhaps one of the most limited one. Attention unlike time, could not be earned nor stored for the future. Each day, we have very limited amount in those conscious moment. We could spend it during work, driving a car, playing games or have a conversation with someone. We are doing trade off whenever we choose to spend it on something more valued by us. As much as technology has helped us do more, our amount of attention has not increased.

In my opinion, giving someone our attention takes center stage when it comes to building any relationship. It speaks loudly the value we place in the relationship. It is becoming less evident in our daily conversation. Interruption, rapid changing of topics, speaking before knowing the facts are some symptoms of inattentiveness.

Spending more time not necessarily enhance relationship, it could be averse if we look at it as the only means. One do not need to look far to proof this point when getting together means playing "angry bird" separately. Hence the fundamental building block is the wanting to give attention, to give time its noble place.

Soap

2011-11-09T13:28:00.003+08:00

This is a piece of Soap. Let me know where there is soap of similar type which could be hanged. This item brings back loads of memories from childhood.

Learning about logic

2011-11-09T13:04:00.006+08:00

"My problem with life is not that it is rational, nor that it is irrational...but that it is almost rational"

- G K Chesterton

Arguments consist of premisses and conclusion advanced on the basis of the premisses.

Argument is valid if the conclusion follows from the premisses

A proof is not the same as a valid argument.

这就是功夫！

2011-11-04T00:05:00.001+08:00

Recognizing the maker

2011-11-01T18:48:00.007+08:00

Capturing the beauty of the conversion of the water into wine, the poet Alexander Pope said, "The conscious water saw its Master and blushed." That sublime description could be reworked to explain our daily experiences, in principle more so for a broken body to mend at the command of its maker.

Dempsey

2011-11-01T18:17:00.004+08:00

3 Months working in Dempsey hill.

Everyday was like a dream

I know i am a step closer to

the purpose for

being here

Body language

2011-10-24T23:41:00.006+08:00

You say more than you think

By Janine Driver

This book is one of the best in the market now which talks about mastering the art of reading body language. I have read a few and found that this latest addition published last year gives an practical approach, at the same time demystify many myths around this topic.

The writer, will guide you through her 7 days program to impart skills she used everyday to stay alive during her fifteen years career as a body language expert with the ATF.

One of my favorite topic was the principle of baselining, where she points out that assigning meaning at first impression could lead to potential error in effective body reading. For example, if some one has the natural tendency to touch his or her nose a lot (maybe because they went from wearing glasses to contacts) one can't assume the person is lying. Hence no one gesture should be interpreted in isolation. The baseline could be seen as a "starting point", which have to be obtained in the start of an interaction in order to differentiate any change in behavior. The author share guiding principles to confirm the accuracy of those changes in order to make an accurate judgement.

Unlike other body language books, this one doesn't not give you a list of chart to measure people with. It goes against the common myth that gesture is universal. Large portion of the book covers how we should construct unique individual yardstick for every one we interact with.

The book also covers practical exercises such as, Belly button rule, Naughty bits, Power gesture, Right side rule etc. that will help you achieve confidence and become an expert in human relationship.

Read this book.

Chinese Garden

2011-10-24T23:34:00.003+08:00

This is where i jog in the evening.

诗情画意

An approach to Interior Design

2011-10-23T21:57:00.005+08:00

Time Space Journal; Interior Design

When looking at a poster, a logo, or painting, our attention is focused within a location; space art. When enjoying a piece of music, it takes up a period of time. To re-live this moment of enjoyment, a similar period of time has to be committed; time art.

Spatial planning is a combination of both space and time art. When one walks around to experience a spatial quality, he experiences these elements with the aid of time. Adjectives such as far/near or crowded/spacious, take on their meaning with the passing of time.

Therefore, when designing spaces, users experiences in the many dimensions of time need to be taken into consideration. When we ignore it, spaces are treated with a single dimension - the present.

Spatial experiences are not stagnant. The experience of any space is the result of one’s encounters and attachments in the past. This past influences our interpretation of proximal cues, thereby contributing to the meaning we assign to spaces.

Similar to how one documents his thoughts in a journal, space designing is a process of equal function. I believe that people assign meaning to spaces and it is the designer’s role to understand and create meaningful spatial experiences through systematic consultations with user(s).

I believe the role of a designer is similar to that of a midwife. Individuals know what is ideal based on their experiences, and hence designers facilitate (with knowledge of building code and aesthetic) in the birth from imagination to reality through a series of consolidation and understanding of the "meaning of spaces" assigned by the user.If there is any possibility is creating healing spaces, these identified meaning is critical and essential building block in creating quality environment which has characteristic rooted in user(s) past.

Discouragement

2011-10-23T21:52:00.001+08:00

I suppose there are 2 form of discouragement we need to be aware of. The first is simply in the environment where it bring out the weakness in us. These are the moment where the situation exposes our weakness and inadequacy, making it undesirable to proceed. The next form is subtle, focusing on the reward or intention of actions. And you already might notice the difference between these two; First one being the things we wish to avoid where the other the very driven intention of action.

2011-10-23T21:39:00.001+08:00

I can do it, if i stop trusting in myself

City Hall

2011-10-23T21:28:00.005+08:00

This is one of my favorite place to do reflections.

Airport

2011-10-23T21:25:00.001+08:00

Moleskine notebook. I was at the airport looking out to the gallery of Terminal 2

Staying Curious

2011-10-12T00:58:00.009+08:00

It was 1950, Albert Einstein made a remarkable statement in a speech during the international congress of surgeons in Ohio. To the physicians he said "Specialization in almost all branches of human endeavor has, to be sure, resulted in unprecedented achievements- however, at the expense of narrowing the individual’s field of vision. Thus it is hard nowadays to find anyone to repair, properly, a garment, a piece of furniture, let alone a watch"

We are all paying a social cost when schools produce graduates who are skilled only because of economic agenda. When courses are erected to satisfy cooperation and industry who needed specific skills to operate "machines". The difference in education levels only dictate the level of complexity of operating such machines, and nothing else.

In order to be human, individuals ought to constantly look wide and broad to find beauty in the diverse. To make sense of the relationship which Kant talked about in finding the causality of the universe in order to truly appreciate what we think we know. To be curious, and find all means to remain that way.

The truth is this. What we perceive as wide and broad perspective will become the narrow, not due to negligence, but progression. We then continue the process till we no longer recognize the boundaries of each field of knowledge; because they wasn't there in the first place.

Lion

2011-09-18T00:09:00.005+08:00

The thing about rat race is that, even if you win, you are still a rat.

Run with Lions instead, even if you die, you remain a lion.

Predator

2011-09-17T23:54:00.003+08:00

The eyes of preys are positioned by the sides so as to keep a look out for predators. On the other hand, the eyes of predators are positioned in front of their heads to gauge for distance. We ought to be forward looking instead of reactive to situation in fear like a prey; like a victim. We desire to dominate, and do great exploits if for no other reason, it's simply because we are made in His image.

Johann Sebastian Bach

2011-07-16T23:52:00.006+08:00

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) was a German composer, organist, harpsichordist, violist, and violinist whose sacred and secular works for choir,orchestra and solo instruments drew together the strands of the Baroque period and brought it to its ultimate maturity. At a young age, Bach started to write music for the glory of God, and was committed to produce work of excellence. In the end of most of his scores wrote Soli Deo Gloria, "To God alone be glory" bear witness to his devotion.

Neuroscience has revealed in recent years that average person experiences spatial qualities from "sensing' and "feeling" from any well constructed piece of music. Besides Music, the research also found out that these sensorium could be attained through poems as well. Bach's well written music has the capacity to bring listeners to the edge of what seems like an glimpse of the eternal.

Nurse reveals the top 5 regrets people make on their deathbed

2011-06-03T01:07:00.008+08:00

By Bronnie Ware (who worked for years nursing the dying)

1. I wish I'd had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.

This was the most common regret of all. When people realise that their life is almost over and look back clearly on it, it is easy to see how many dreams have gone unfulfilled. Most people have had not honoured even a half of their dreams and had to die knowing that it was due to choices they had made, or not made.It is very important to try and honour at least some of your dreams along the way. From the moment that you lose your health, it is too late. Health brings a freedom very few realise, until they no longer have it.

2. I wish I didn't work so hard.

This came from every male patient that I nursed. They missed their children's youth and their partner's companionship. Women also spoke of this regret. But as most were from an older generation, many of the female patients had not been breadwinners. All of the men I nursed deeply regretted spending so much of their lives on the treadmill of a work existence. By simplifying your lifestyle and making conscious choices along the way, it is possible to not need the income that you think you do. And by creating more space in your life, you become happier and more open to new opportunities, ones more suited to your new lifestyle.

3. I wish I'd had the courage to express my feelings.

Many people suppressed their feelings in order to keep peace with others. As a result, they settled for a mediocre existence and never became who they were truly capable of becoming. Many developed illnesses relating to the bitterness and resentment they carried as a result. We cannot control the reactions of others. However, although people may initially react when you change the way you are by speaking honestly,in the end it raises the relationship to a whole new and healthier level. Either that or it releases the unhealthy relationship from your life. Either way, you win.

4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.

Often they would not truly realise the full benefits of old friends until their dying weeks and it was not always possible to track them down. Many had become so caught up in their own lives that they had let golden friendships slip by over the years. There were many deep regrets about not giving friendships the time and effort that they deserved.Everyone misses their friends when they are dying. It is common for anyone in a busy lifestyle to let friendships slip.But when you are faced with your approaching death, the physical details of life fall away. People do want to get their financial affairs in order if possible. But it is not money or status that holds the true importance for them. They want to get things in order more for the benefit of those they love. Usually though, they are too ill and weary to ever manage this task. It is all comes down to love and relationships in the end. That is all that remains in the final weeks,love and relationships.

5. I wish that I had let myself be happier.

This is a surprisingly common one. Many did not realise until the end that happiness is a choice. They had stayed stuck in old patterns and habits. The so-called 'comfort' of familiarity overflowed into their emotions, as well as their physical lives. Fear of change had them pretending to others, and to their selves, that they were content. When deep within, they longed to laugh properly and have sillyness in their life again. When you are on your deathbed, what others think of you is a long way from your mind. How wonderful to be able to let go and smile again,long before you are dying.

Link to the post on her website: http://www.inspirationandchai.com/Regrets-of-the-Dying.html

learning to learn

2011-05-04T22:59:00.009+08:00

Remember the personality questionaire where we were told at the end the D I S C type we belong to? I guess you might have the experience of having friends who are obsessed with this model. They are proud of a particular personality trait where they now could be classified under, often demonstrated with the need to compare with others like a form of their hobby. They walk under the impression that being a part of a "group", behaviour are now nothing but the result of a preassigned random act of nature. Learning habits, approaches to problem solving or human interaction become a result of the out working of these assignments. Such that the individuals' revelation of his learning pattern which he/she perceived as ideal, is now guarded as his perfect way of acquring knowledge of any form.

This ideal of learning is only often possible when is self initiated by the individual. Therefore the need to accept the underside of the coin is crucial in being versatile in gaining more in learning. Someone who knows that learning by practical examples, must be honest to accept that learning by theoritical debate is his handicap. He could boost about the efficiency in learning through life examples and neglect his other shortcoming, or recognise his strength also reveals the rest of the weaknesses.

We heard of the statement" your strength is the accident of being in everyone elses weakness", now consider this being a battle of individual having to honestly weight out his weakness whenever his own strength is identified. In doing so, he could choose to increase his learning tool box, not referring to the outcome of increased knowledge, but the methods of acquiring them.

The importance of this issue rest on the biblical principal that For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.

Those who learn how to learn, has abundance to share.

Amygdala

2011-04-22T20:51:00.008+08:00

My friend and i were talking about our strengths on a long home on the MRT. So i recall my keen interest since young on the topic of human interaction and how people could read body language. I think the ability to make people comfortable around me has became my strength. I have developed a fair share in reading body language and at the right moment administer appropriate questions to direct the conversation to a desired outcome. I guess this skill is even highly sort after ever since Daniel Goleman's book on Emotional and social intelligent. In his books he mentioned about the part of the brain that deals with the processing of such information; amygdala. When given the opportunity to exercise this part of the brain, we can all be experts in human relationship.

One way which has helped me to work on this area is by avoiding an individual approach in my observation of emotions. It is vital that what we observed is also discuss with someone experience who will assist your understanding. The issue arises when people develop their own yard sticks and classify others by their subjective measures. It is an unhealthy practice when you assign the observed simply with your emotion. It's like the past, taking ones foot to measure a foot of distance; hardly reliable. Instead, based the observed on the available standard of measure, which objectively allows practitioner room for discussion.

Listen more than talking has always been the underlining of all communication success. It is by allow others to express themselves that we allow them to fulfill what William James would say- a sense of importance.

how to motivate myself?

2011-04-08T12:54:00.014+08:00

you do know that the use of adjective for any task such as "far" or "long" in terms of time reflect not the difficulty of the task, but the condition of our will and desire?

It takes 4 hours to fly to Hong Kong, and only 1 to be in school. Which is further? Hong Kong of course! But when it comes to Holiday, 4 hours is not very far.. where else an hour away to school could be especially far on Monday morning, right ? Whenever these two condition is not in the affirmative, We see that the task is especially hard to come to reality. Any task done wholeheartedly is having the size of desire and the strength of will in lined.

Size of desire, is that which describe how much we want it, the purpose of having/owning. So i recalled the time i really "want" to complete a marathon. The desire was birth thru many episodes of reflection. And finally it matures to the point i made a point to register for it. Having a big desire is not enough! cause having a want, doesn't make it come to reality. We then gear our self towards it, and that act or process of positioning has to do with our will. And the measure of will is evident in the efforts we set aside to get closer. So if one desires to complete the marathon, he will plan each session of training or "do something" to improve himself. Having a big desire, and a strong will for that task, will make a world of difference in fulfilling any task.

The next time you feel a task is too hard to achieve, too far, or too time consuming. One thing is certain, the Size of desire and Strength of will is not in the affirmative.Either find ways to stir that desire or consider ways to align your will to the vision of that complete task. Whether it is worth attaining is another topic on its own.

.. Is it far to go for service ?

how to read minds?

2011-04-07T16:41:00.020+08:00

When i was attached to a psychologist in the Army, an experiment we did was to understand how thinking affects emotional part of the brain that alter servicemen' performance. That experiment taught me to give attention to thinking pattern- that mechanism which forms the channel where the river of thought could flow in. When you have moments where the thought is not going anywhere productive, it has to do with the thinking pattern that wasn't design to serve that situation. So we have to constantly and conciously revaluate if the pattern is sustantial enough to conduct thinking for most life situation.

Thinking pattern is that thing which is build over time to give us an intellectual ability to draw experiences and conclusions when necessary. It is that which school ought to construction in the young mind so as to create independent individuals to have the skill to construction productive thought. Often we are fed with overloading information which student have little time to think and ponder on, let alone build a comprehensive thinking pattern.

Thinking pattern; though is hidden in the mind does menifest itself in the way we move around in the physical environment. Since options is first weigh in the mind, the action which follows gives clue about the structure of those thought processes. Especially when action has little or no practical benefit, such as those done for pleasure, gratification, desire or any other for the want. These wants could have wayward intention which individuals might cover up with a rational intend. For example, a man before reaching home, likes to walk a distance to a quiet park. Strange as it doesn't bring any benefit, but reveals about his thinking pattern.

What do you mean ?

If you can for a moment consider the thought faculty and the body as 2 distinct self. The thought-self operates the body and hence action becomes visible. Underneath the body, the thought-self process certain objectives before execution. I hope the picture aid in this illustration.

In this case, by looking from the action gives suggestion of the thought-self where thinking pattern is constructed. Coming back to the person who prefers to walk to the park instead of taking a shorter distance home. He allowed the construction of node(s) within his thought pattern, a breather if you like. So naturally, the person would bring his body to the posture of getting away from the usual flow of business, into a place of contemplation.

Considers people who doesn't go places unless is driven (when is convenient) what do you think reflect in his thinking pattern? How about a person who always walk fast to fulfill agenda, and devout remaining time to sight seeing? And also consider a person who only go to places only when there is two agenda to be fulfilled.

If you consider this and work along people with a care of their thinking pattern, you can't be very far from a productive teamwork. Edward De Bono's Book on lateral thinking give some indications of the mechanism of our mind which could be trained by exercising where we place out attention with the aid of "attention directors".

all the best

Don't be a Fool

2011-04-06T16:14:00.003+08:00

我同意天下无难事,只怕有心人的说发,因此认为最大的敌人使中是自己. 由其如果我们有骄傲的性格，将会使学习便的困难。唯一战胜的方法就是凡是逾到不明白的事，愿意放下身段，向别人询问。但唯一能够使自己承认知识不必他人不是有趣的事，也非我们这社会所推广的。然而，在古老东方和西方哲学家儿议，愿意承认知识不必他人或自己想象中高上，才是智惠的开始。子曰：“知之为知之,不知为不知,是知也" 大意说的就是对明白以不明白的事故有决定的肯定. 当苏格拉底被问到在他所有知惠里那件是他心里最骄傲时。他答到" 我所明白而又最肯定的就是我都不知到". 当你认为自己很重明又不需要任何人的协助时，那也许就是你最愚蠢的时候。

I agree on the belief that nothing is too tough for the determined. Therefore the greatest obstacle in life is often ourselves . The only way to help yourself is to be willingly and humbling to seek guidance whenever a challenge comes your way. However it is not an enjoyable process to put yourself in the attitude of humility while seeking help, neither does the society promotes. To the ancient philosophers from either the East or the West, admitting your lack in knowledge is the start of wisdom. Confucius once made such comment recorded in his analects and also in the apology of Socrates.People of Athen once asked Socrates concerning what is his greatest wisdom. “..one thing i know that is” he replied, “ i know nothing”. If you for a moment consider yourself wise and require no help from others, you could be sure that it is then your moment of folly.

こんなこといいなできたらいいなこんなこといいなできたらいいなあんなゆめこんなゆめいっぱいあるけどみんなみんなみんなかなえてくれるふしぎなポッケでかなえてくれるそらをじゅうにとびたいなはいタケコプターあんあんあんとってもだいすきドラえもん (I didn't translate into Japanese, this is Doraemon theme song)

An important attribute of success

2011-04-05T22:20:00.014+08:00

In his earlier years, Walt Disney was hired by a newspaper company which later fired him, reason given was his lack of creativity. Did he see it as a mistake and hence a reason to avoid trying?

"Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new"

- Albert Einstein

Set back. It comes in various shape and size. No one could be free from it if sincerely follows the path of Albert Einstein. Two things occur when one faces an obstacle:

He chooses to either have a neutral, or averse attitude.

Neutral attitude

To be Neutral, he simply choose not to take a position after faced with an obstacle or failure. He neither avoids, nor considers a need to improve.

Averse Attitude

There will be two subsets from this category. He will either choose to overcome, or to avoid it totally. Where either a mistake cause him to see the need to be better or he finds a way to not meet the same situation.

So What are the attributes of a successful person?There are many, which i think one important one is this. It is not the rate of minimizing mistakes since mistakes are unavoidable in exploits. Rather, it is the ratio of "Overcoming", over the sum of neutral attitude and avoidance. A high ratio points to a person with an attribute of becoming a successful person.

After Walt Disney founded Disney company, he bought over ABC which owns that newspaper company where he was fired years ago.

Be excellent

2011-04-04T20:39:00.007+08:00

台上一分钟、台下十年功

This is another classic phrase of a Chinese virtue. A minute on the stage requires ten years of effort ( training )

One important figure in the Chinese history was taught in my primary school textbook. It was a man who was asked by his father to master the art of Chinese calligraphy. It was the story of a young boy having to use ten large pot of ink in training for his calligraphy. One of the exercises his father taught him was to draw the shape of an egg; for it was the hardest to master.Such was the commitment Chinese placed in the cultivating of skills. Somehow I believe, it has very little resonant in our lifestyle.

learning is shorten in the name of efficiency. Skills which requires years to perfect are less likely to be picked up. But once a while, when we do come across those who has achieved mastery in a rare form of skill, our spirit became inspired, doesn't it?

We are taught to do those things that we can perform, those things which produces the best attainable result. This negligence in instilling the development of skills has a disastrous consequence. We become task oriented, but hardly sustainable to orientate in the long term.It is evident in course selection when it is geared with job employment in mind, choice of course modules base on producing the A's transcript and finally Jobs hoping becomes a matter of trend. Everyone is like anybody else, and we didn't even know when we became part of the offices' furniture.

It is evident when one has the skills that is developed over a period of soul searching. They differentiate from those that is churn out from merely going through university. It differs in its motivation which such skill as valued to those individuals. Skills developed through such attitude will improve itself till excellence is achieve by the possessor.

No matter which level of management one serves, the skills that is not birth out from a desired attitude will in the matter of time loose its edge; no longer serve its full purpose. With more foreigner workers coming in, we will soon know that what we know is too little, too "flimsy". Worst is when the reason for the pursue of those skills wasn't your own motivated will.

I saw this amazing scene today: group of efficient workers dismantling the steel framed tent. They are very fast, and in the matter of time, the frames are all taken down by a ingenious rope mechanism. Many of us are doing similar kind of ritual each day ( in offices ), doing the one task which is assigned, to stay in the job. Decent job? yes it is. But they are those of you who are reading this who see skills development is not a matter of employment, neither is it about efficiency. you know you just have to perfect and be excellent in THAT which is entrusted, and i am writing to you.

Platonic love

2011-04-03T00:06:00.015+08:00

" The rest of us know that though we can have erotic love and friendship for the same person yet in some ways nothing is less like a friendship than a love affair. Lover are always talking to one another about their love; friends hardly ever about their friendship. Lovers are normally face to face, absorbed in each other; friends, side by side, absorbed in come common interest. "-Four loves; C S Lewis

Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, " what? you too? i thought i was the only one. It is this similarity, or common interest which joins the heart of strangers, into the start of a meaningful relationship; which is absolutely unnecessary.

We have learned of Plato's envision on a type of affectionate relationship without sexual intermacy in his Symposium. The type of love Plato seems to have admired most was that in which one man loved another because of his intelligence or virtue, rather that his physical attraction or for the purpose of production- Eros. Platonic love was chiefly between an older man and a younger, like Socrates and his student Alcibiades.

But in modern days, the concept of

platonic love surprisingly takes on the form of friendship of opposite gender. This was unheard of before 18th century when woman and man had very little common in social activities. Woman was not in school, and work was separated between genders.

Could meaningful friendship of opposite gender be possible since they share more social commons?

trains

2011-03-30T23:28:00.006+08:00

Trains.

There is something beautiful about a railway train. When we look at history, major progress came after the invention of the steam engine that contributed to the design of railway trains. It is the interconnected part of gears and mechanism which is its beauty. We could remove all the parts and explain where each part goes to and what is does. That appreciation of parts coming together to make the whole was a celebrated thought r

ight till the early 20th century. Functionalism movement was the last few attempt to draw our attention back to this purpose driven behavior; life.

In our period of computer advancement, the parts, no longer is celebrated. The components of any consumer devices could no longer be explained even when we examine them. You might say that this understanding of technical aspect of technology is the role of engineers, and this part of knowing is to be excluded by common man; that is exactly the point i wish to make.

Because technological parts are no longer easily understood by mere man, the idea of specialization became the safe haven for those who doesn't seek to understand them in the first place. It's become simply someone else's responsibility. Internalized of this attitude, creeps into our social life. Where we willingly accept what is given, and those uncomprehend, we assume it to be under the care of specialized individuals.

In any system, there are parts that make the whole. Whatever your call in life is, we educate ourselves so as to understand those parts which makes up that whole. We must have the end goal in mind to desire to understand thoroughly those contributing components.

How beautiful it is when you see it make sense in the masterplan.

Learning the parts of the whole, and in no time you become the part as well; for a bigger purpose.

Railway Train.

Stock Taking

2011-01-19T00:26:00.008+08:00

In the word of Soren Kierkegaard, we need to look at life backward and live it forward. Hence it is crucial we keep this path clear with constant reminding and if need be, take measures at important intervals. Being in modern world, the obstacle of achieve our destiny is not the lack of resources nor is it knowledge.On the contrary the abundance of these has brought about a different form of obstacles, which could distract an individual from fully fulfilling that destiny of his life. When the doors of opportunities are before us, it is he who is clear of where he's heading, draws out that one intended key.

Loanshark

2010-12-19T20:44:00.017+08:00

Loan Shark

The recent hot-line provided by the agency has proved increased amount of feedback on loanshark activities. This not only underline the effectiveness in communal awareness in illegal money lending campaign, but also brings our attention to an imp

ortant question. When there is an increase in reports on loansharks disturbance in the neighborhood, does it mean more people are now borrowing through this medium?

Isn't in our interest to consider the need for addressing means to help those genuine borrower to get financial aid? If all we do is deter loansharks from lending by higher punishment, while not reducing the demand for borrowing thru illegal means, we could end up having only 2 outcome. Either the demand will drive the interest rate of scarce borrowing higher or the entire illegal money lending system drives out of business. The latter being unlikely in Singapore as history has proven this business has a market which no other is fulfilling.

there are People who need access to fast money

The whole system is driven by economic incentives, right from the investor, the managers, stall owner ( ah Long ), the runners ( school children ) to lenders has only one simple driver, which is to get large access to money fast. Based on the law of supply and demand (which would always triumph over the law of legality), this problem is complex.

Nevertheless behind each of this individuals are stories of need unmet by the society. The society like a person might have need for surgeons, but what we need for the issue of Loansharks are physicians.

Snoopy

2010-04-07T20:04:00.000+08:00

Learning thru association

2010-02-17T00:46:00.004+08:00

Association

The only way we learn

is through Association, the rearrangement of neurons so that the new knowledge with the existing onces hold hands and becomes friends. The Tools we learns from Dale Carnegie to make effective speeches which has lasting effects highlights this fact.The 3 techniques of impression, repetition and association, is simply just one main point - Make them stick with existing information already in the memory bank. Every "new " knowledge won't stand alone in your brain, it will be gone unless it is properly associated in the system.

mice and men

2009-09-05T00:34:00.006+08:00

John Steinbeck - of Mice and Men

This book is highly recommended in major book store, if i am not wrong is

to help promote reading in Singapore.

Do read this book, either buy a copy or loan it from the library like i did.

The story is about 2 man looking for job and how the are driven by their dreams, and in the midst of it, you get to learn about an important concept of social pressure in which it affect the way we behaved. This book is approx 100 pages, if you read it slowly will take you 3 hrs, read it fast about an hr, even faster then that like 5 min if you just want to read the summary. Upon reading the final page, it will get you thinking about, " why the ending like that ?? " sort of question

will cross your mind.

It is a sad thinking book .:)

Go read it

Cook a chinese

2009-08-30T19:49:00.001+08:00

check this out ! i saw this near my neighnourhood. You can cook a Chinese in the Master bedroom if you rent this house !! :)

Erhu Exam

2009-08-30T01:22:00.002+08:00

I finally went on Thursday to register for NAFA Erhu examination. Upon reaching, the visual communication department, my mind in an instance, brought me back to the days of Architecture when time and i were rivals rushing towards deadlines. The sleepless night making models and presentation board, and drafting on black monitors with thousands of intersecting lines often strained my eyes so much that i needed a way out, and that was how Maple story came into my life for a season :). Those days in poly, i hardly had enough sleep(That explains my highblood pressure on the day of Army medical checkup, and hence gotten me a Pec-C status, Praise the Lord), that's why i could understand why those student in NAFA were dressing rather casually even when the campus is situated in the Central of Singapore.

I crossed the road to the other campus upon knowing the actual registeration venue. That campus is where the student of the theater, dance music and where the performance art people is. There is a great difference to their dressing, at one look, the message i get is simply " We are not producing art like those people across the road, we are the Art " and this is the general feel of the atmosphere, every single one i came across, were neat and proper. It was inspiring, i couldn't help but chat with a student there, wondering what is the plan of getting an education in Music. To my dismay, what's next is a degree after completing her diploma, and i do have doubt on the paths she is taking after that.

I think music had and will always has its unique place in our understanding of diverse culture- Is the language of the soul someone said. This November will be my first Erhu Examination, almost less than 100 days to prepare for my bestest" presentation.

Waltz Com

2009-08-30T00:08:00.003+08:00

Waltz competition was a very good exposure for my learning experience. It was a memorable season, and i look forward for future opportunity to excel in standard ballroom dancing. My partner and i didn't win, neither did we lose. We didn't get into the finals, and there we no prior reputation where to mention we had something to lose with. Thank you for your interest in this competition, your comments and advices were all appreciated.

4 weeks had past since the start of the school semester. Lectures were hard to understand, lecturers were even harder. Maths is a struggle due to my limited E maths background, Thanks to Kind Mr Ma who tutor me, and shown me the door of hope and not the door of despair. The lectures in SIM is taking place over a fast learning pace, with a lot of expectation on students learning independence. Like a Chinese saying goes, the start of something is always difficult, after all Architecture has not demanded any much mathematic like Economic does. Let me just look towards the end of it, so i may be encouraged in facing learning obstacles. My believe is that, any knowledge is govern by an order, a pattern which regulate the working of that skill, motion or action, so to learn the "pattern" is more important then the action. We best know a mathematic formula when we know the formation of what symbols means in relationship with each other, rather then faithlessly and repeatedly use of it in much uncertainty , yet i agree most cases the pattern could only be identified in repeated motion before one is enlighten. Sames goes with the skill of erhu playing. Basically i just wasted your time reading my nonsense. . but that's not all :)! I also believe that a skill is best learned in its context- just as one couldn't learning to swim unless in water, so a maths question could only be understood through problem solving.
(haha never thought of that right ... )

i am a much happier person compared to the time i was still an architecture person. Is much more enjoyable day dreaming now after being an economic student. One of my policy when i become the future policy maker is to eliminate the profession of an architect. Why ? that will be save for next time.

update

2009-07-28T23:38:00.000+08:00

Hey who are you people who are coming to my blog ? There is nothing interesting in my life so far to let you know about, just that i am going to start school next week, Bloodbank asking for my blood type to donate urgently and going to Waltz competition this Sat, well that's about it.

Art and appreciation

2009-05-18T21:42:00.004+08:00

We heard of Art, wine, or cultural appreciation books or courses haven't we? I was just wondering, if any practice deem to be appreciated, or have any worth for any individual well being, it need not be taught, it would have already been practiced. The reason why courses like this is conducted, it just to get you overwork with your already busy schedule, which in turn ripe you off the really important things which worth your appreciation. No one needs to tell you, love, family, friendship, education are important. But much effort has been put to direct our attention to elsewhere.

"" The Art of Zen living. ." Men first expressed life through the medium of art, now we are trying to take Art as a guide to the way we live.

Ipoh Trip

2009-05-16T21:52:00.011+08:00

Photos from ipoh

When to a shoe factory"

Located in these houses

Saw frogs and turtle being prepared ..

in the market ..

as we make preparation for my cousin's wedding

Language

2009-05-16T21:02:00.008+08:00

Language is the Vehicle which drives our thinking,

Sometimes we have to switch the mode of transport to get to a destination.

whenever we convey an information to someone else, and even before the word leave our lips, the brain rearranges the information with the help of a medium- Language. It could be a form or either known spoken language, or in the form of a visual,a melody or even something poetic and abstract that the psychologist will need a longer time to prove its validity. Visual Language is being accepted in some areas of therapy, and not long from now, i believe a singing or dancing will be understood enough to be used as a means to decode the thought. Yes, the word is Decode. When we encode and successfully able to be decoded by another person, that will be guideline in formalising it has a language.For example i say to you" I am hungry ", this three English word won't mean a thing unless you know what " i am " is, and hungry is "a need for food" . after you successfully decode this phrase, you through your experience of, my hunger, then react whatever way you want. Now if we can study this process of person A to person B, through a medium X ( what ever language is used ), and reverse the "journey "backward as close as we can, We will understand the sender much more better. The next time you read a good article, try to walk on that medium, meaning rewrite it just like how the author did, you will arrive closer through the sentence structure to the mind of that thinking. This method has been proven effective in the language of Songs. We sing patriotic songs lots of time, and when national is nearing, you sense a pride and the melody harmoniously affirming. Language is that vehicle, ride on it, both to and fro, practising that encoding and decoding to a fruitful thinking mind.

Well, none of what you read above is scientific, is pure imagination. And after i shared it with my brother who had just graduated from Psychology, he closed my door and wanted to paste a note outside written, " psychiatric ward".

parliament

2009-05-02T10:22:00.007+08:00

Parliament Announcement

www.parliament.gov.sg

Parliament has been prorogued. The Second Session of the 11th Parliament will be convened with the President's Address on Monday,

18 May 2009 at 8.30pm.

I will check out for details, will let you know the attire and if this session is open to the public.

Sleep

2009-05-02T09:47:00.006+08:00

Thank you for Visiting runningafterwind

Lately, i was busy at work, was not able to update this blog.

The latest Newsweek has an article on the topic of sleep, which i thought you would benefit from it if you read.

Sleep is good

and if you are right now still awake at late night doing your projects, and is not having much progress, why not sleep on it.

Have a pleasant day

light bulb

2009-04-19T21:24:00.005+08:00

I believe every idea before it is generally excepted by public, do sound philosophical. Could you imagine Thomas Edison, when sharing with his friends when he took on the light bulb.

T: I am thinking of inventing something that will light up the house at night.

F: Nah, that's the candle, what you talking about..

T: You know like we no longer need to burn a candle, something brighter and steadier
F: Thomas ! you can't bring the sun into your room, our house is too small..

T: No No no.. like using electricity and "make it so hot that it burn " something .. like ..

F: .. Like .. a very very big candle? alright we know what you want..

How about the invention of plane, computer, watches or television. It might have sound so crazy and "philosophical" at that time. Besides, everything before it could be proven to be any fact was once group under the study of philosophy, that's in the word of Bertrand Russell. So perhaps the next big thing might sound .. crazy..

Radom Office Photos

2009-04-16T22:23:00.007+08:00

Random Office Photos

Parliament

2009-04-14T21:32:00.003+08:00

During lunch, visited the Parliament house, bought a book to learn the lingo used.

Anyone interested to go for a Parliament sitting? Is once a month.

vespa couple

2009-04-12T22:06:00.000+08:00

Got this last evening during the wedding dinner.

Click poster

2009-04-12T21:31:00.002+08:00

Beginning of this month, i made a purchase of a movie poster in esplanade. Click

Very nice movie, got loads of stuff to reflect.

Is now hanging at my office desk

David

2009-04-07T20:59:00.013+08:00

Have you thought how it will be like if the army of Israel were not fearful when they met Goliath ? David would not be known as the giant slayer!

The stage was set, forty days wasn't long since that giant came down from his camp. And now it is coming up ours. Who will King Saul be sending? no way is me! i am a Pes C, beside i only know how to smile and look confident and i get tired easily. I am sure there will be someone just as big as that giant who will meet him, some one like these guys next to me. Maybe Saul will go, he is king anyhow, i am sure he was preparing for the passed 40 days.

Food, i saw food, that little boy brought lunch for his brother i supposed. His brothers wasn't very happy to see him, " go back to your feeeew sheep you are looking after", "there are 35 of them! i am a specialist you know!" the boy defended. i could see that boy wasn't sure what's going on, as he was taking his time looking for someone to satisfy his curiosity.
:S ... That's right, that boy was walking toward me. i was hungry, and i have been avoiding being selected for the "match", and now i need to babysit this boy? what's worse,he didn't bring any food for me! " yeeees no one is going to fight that monster, if you are asking me" i replied, " that giant over there has a watermelon muscle on his arms, twice the size of my waist, no way anyone will go"

The next thing i remembered, he walked towards the kings tent. I honestly tell you this, i was afraid he was offended by me and is going to volunteer me now.

He was out in a while and i saw him picked up some grasshopper if i wasn't wrong, for it was too far to see as he was now infront of the contingent. But i could still hear what the giant was saying. " are you here to pick a fight or chase a dog! Muahahahah.... " . " you ready? " he replied. In less than a min, the watermelon muscleman was on the ground, like i said i wasn't sure what the boy hit him with. but i was sure that boy walked towards him pause for a second as if he was searching for something, "excuse me May i borrow your sword, i left mine on the other side" he whispered.

After the fight, we know who that boy was, i even asked if he could teach all of us how to swing that thing. Won't it be cool if we the soldier are issued with this.
The "David Sling"

What's the moral of the story? in the midst of mediocrity, that's when a heroic act is remembered. If everyone is like David, David will not be any one special. He was who he is, because he was in contrast with the army. Don't see the situation like the soilder, there are too many people like them, instead think in the contrast, for the stage is always ready and set.

live

2009-04-01T22:39:00.003+08:00

I Simply Live For You - Hillsong

Say the word and I will sing for You

Over oceans deep, I will follow

If each star was a song

And every breath of wind, praise

It would still fail by far to say

All my heart contains

I simply live, I simply live for You

As the glory of Your presence

Now fills this place

In worship,

we will meet You face to face

There is nothing in this world

To which You can be compared

Glory on glory, praise upon praise

You bind the broken hearted

And save all my tears

By Your word,

You set the captives free

There is nothing in this world

That You cannot do

I simply live, I simply live for You

I Simply Live For You - Hillsong

nothingness

2009-04-01T21:23:00.011+08:00

" What are you thinking ? "

" Nothing "

How do we define, nothing.

The absence of a thing, what thing? and is it a being ? it has captivate and interest thinkers for a long time, is almost mean nothing to say nothing, that Aristotle best description of nothing still requires an object.

'nothing' as that which rocks dream about - Aristotle

Existentialist expounded on it and wrote volumes of books just on the subject, nothingness. ( just imagine what they would have wrote if something enters their minds. )

Carl Jung,a psychologist, wrote in one of the article commenting on Joyce's Ulysses, " It is a strange book, which started with nothing, and the ending was like the way it started"It has top the chart in literature, even till present!

When you say "nothing".

You already said too much !

Let me end with these beautiful words from Mother Teresa

We, the unwilling, led by the unknowing, are doing the impossible for the ungrateful. We have done so much, for so long, with so little, we are now qualified to do anything with nothing.

Have a grateful day!

think for others

2009-03-29T21:45:00.007+08:00

The New york Telephone company made a detailed study of telephone conversation to find out which word is the most frequently used. you have guessed it : it is the personal pronoun "I" " I " "I" ... It was used 3900 times in 500 telephone conversations "I" " I" "I" .. When you see a group photo that you are in, whose picture do you look at first ?

-- Except taken from Dale Carnegie ( how to win friends)

Every effort has been put in since the day this Revelation has gotten into my understanding. Almost 80% thru my own reflection if not more, has been spend thinking about Mine own goal and ambition.I have killed myself more often then i am aware. A few weeks ago, i had a dream, in that dream was me, back to the past, and i saw my young mother and brother and myself while i was just few months old, i picked myself in that dream and took extra careful with it. It was lovely carrying myself and i woke up mins later, with a sense of guilt which was an important lesson i told myself to learn it well. Having to be reminded through a dream like this convinced me of how big i have been placing my own desire.

I guess no one will treat themselves badly, unless clinically diagnose with disorders. So it doesn't need alot of motivation to think for yourself, of cause we are interested with our need. It makes alot of difference when someone bother about

other person's need.

Let me think for your need, you too think for others, just a moment of YOUR time won't kill.

I am guilty

language

2009-03-26T17:32:00.010+08:00

I don’t understand Chinese, I hate Chinese!
( Commenting as if it's something proud to admit )

You heard of people who said that they hated the language and therefore could not understand haven’t you? Have you thought which came first? The language not being understood therefore caused the hatred or otherwise? I trust it's not the later for if that’s the case, he might have hated without a cause.

Supposed is the language which had caused so much misery and therefore made the learner hating it, probably considering other subject could be a way out. The concern would be if the learning in the future becomes tougher, which is definite, he might end up convenient hating more things as an easy way out. That’s why we ended up with more students giving up when learning gets tough.(and they are very proud of it, as if the society owes them a living)

What can be done? (Whack the fellow) Unless when learning affects us psychological ill, no one should choose the easier way out. It is there that we may acquire it, so that you and i could bridge out to know more when knowledge acquiring has need of it. We could not proceed to number 4 if we do not know 3, no one could have anything barbecued unless he knows how to start the fire, even if he desires to smoke his way through!

The worse is to criticise when you know close to nothing about something.

So love it instead

I will try a Chinese entry

wearisome

2009-03-25T21:23:00.013+08:00

Wearisome it is though i hide,

given my attention and away with pride.

For once i ask that you'll let me say,

try not to laugh or joke me away.

I know there are days which seems somehow long,

but hardly the nights had felt this wrong.

In search of a way out in those quiet time,

wondered if there is a reason which i shouldn't mind.

In prayer i bargained for your future ahead,

just so that you might be filled with joy instead.

One thing often added in these prayers of mine,

is that in your sadness i will cross your mind.

So strange as i am writing this,

was just reminded by the answering grace of His.

You must be well and living in caution,

for my phone has long felt its vibrations

Wearisome it is though i hide,

given my attention and away with pride.

Tell me you are safe and sound,

proud of you, wondered if it ever counts.

brudder.

Tap.dancing

2009-03-23T21:06:00.009+08:00

During Poly days, my friends and i hangout often in the school library. We loaned DVDs and read books not related to Architecture, just to skip the tutorial lessons. My friends could testified, there are a few DVDs i had watched a million times. Riverdance, inspiring clip which i just came across in youtube, was the favourite performance i would reply in my Computer while doing my poly projects.

In this clip, i would imagine myself being one of those refined tap dancer in white, shoulder up stomach in, tall and steady my father told me.....

One day, i will learn to tap dance. Not in any near future i think, probably after i have learned Cello, Sign language, cooking, hair-cutting, sky diving, counselling, make a chair, paint a mural, shoot from a sniper, do a real CPR on a real person. . .

mother's cooking

2009-03-21T12:57:00.012+08:00

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               "Woman have to learn how to cook" my mother often tells me, has very much shape the paradigm and reminded me why i would remain a single for quite some time. Borned in Ipoh, all woman has an magical hand to prepare meals for their family. And what does the men from Ipoh magical born with ?  - The man has the ability to make the woman carry on with their belief.

My mother can cook 3 dishes simultaneously, and preparing dinner for 25 person at home is a common scene. 7 dishes and a soup, that's no surprise, and yes desserts normally is served. sweet sour pork, zhu jiao chu, shark fins, sour plum duck, mei cai kou rou, tou fu geng, sea cucumber, handmade noodle, dumplings,cake, mooncake, cookies, ice cream and bread are what i could recall as i am typing this. What my mother couldn't stand is when our guests come with anything but an empty stomach!

To me, she sees her cooking almost liken to a mini concert performance, usually done days ahead to plan for the ingredients and the guest talks about it for the next year when they meet again. Is that serious! and that's why when one of the dishes is hardly touched when the dinner is over, it's sort of makes her consider all the possibility that somewhere was done wrong. And the family has to ( which includes me ) conduct a board meeting to reassure her!

So dear guest,  If you don't like going on stage while people listen to their MP3, make sure you come with an empty stomach to eat !

:D

Plottingwork

2009-03-18T12:43:00.009+08:00

Last week, my work assigned was to print large architectural drawings. 3 long days
was spent printing and arranging prints for an important team meeting afterward. The team consists of 5 senior members whose youngest member is already in his 40s. The drawings were rolled out and carefully went through by the associate director who is the team leader.
This is the story of supercalifragilisticexpialidocious incident.

" come and take a look at these drawings that the people in China did" Said the director,
" the drawings is so clean and there isn't much information to confuse the drawings".

" Is that a mistake the people made in China? it seems to have missing information" one of
the technical staff asked.

" no, that's why i asked Solomon to print out these drawings, so that we can learn from them, besides there are so many issues in our local way of drawing, so many
information in one drawings, let's learn from them " came the reply from the director.

The rest of the team members then agreed there are indeed some good points which they could learn
from it.

" This reminded me of my experience working with the Japanese Architect!" the director continued,
" it was their simple presentation which makes them so efficient! Not like our way of working". The meeting concluded in 2 hours after more awe and agreement and admiration of how things should have been simplified long ago. Praise was also directed to me for the effort
i put in for arranging the drawings and giving them the resources to learn from.

Upon returning to my desk, i opened the drawing files in the computer... and ... discovered that the drawings i printed out has actually all the detail information WHICH i missed out as the layer were switched OFF. Okay now guys, what will you do if you were in this situation? i, as a considerate person, considered all the cause and effects too.

1. The Director had a good time boosting her Ego (why should i spoil it ?)

2. The senior members were amazed how work could be simplified ( Why should i create work?)

3. End of the month i still get my pay ( besides, they might even name this new style after me :P)

so that is how incident like such creates solution for many, i assure you, i gave loads of solution to the company.

key

2009-03-16T13:08:00.000+08:00

Going through life is like fashioning a key, and the interesting part is, we are the key.

One edge at a time we are being fashioned, the extra baggage and distraction of life is slowly being removed, so that when we are done, with our unique combination, we could open doors uniquely ours.

waltz exam

2009-03-15T19:31:00.004+08:00

Augest 2nd 2009 ! Waltz exam, Get ready your dancing shoes. .

I WILL START GOING TO GYM!

Red Cross interview

2009-03-15T15:48:00.005+08:00

Yesterday morning met with 2 Red Cross staff for an interview session to enrol as an instructor. They were about in their 50s and one of the questions asked was how i would grade my command in English. Good i replied, and didn't went any further to avoid any contradiction.

I found out there are many applicants who wish to volunteer as an instructor too. There are a few requirement in order to be selected to be trained as an instructor, to summarise. . they need someone with energy and good looks(in my own words). So an hour passed they tried to know about me and answering my enquiries.

My question asked was " WHY ON EARTH ARE GUYS SO NIAO, SINCE IS VOLUNTARY WORK???" ( that sentence was only in my mind) what spoken was " i was wondering,in comparison to other departments in Red cross, why is there a formal interview conducted?Bla bla bla he went on and on.. . i could only picked up some key words such as image of Red Cross, command respect, able to carry himself, fee... Feee yes and that was when i woke up from the hypnotism, i asked and gotta know that allowance is given when you teach after completion of the course, token of appreciated they said. Didn't asked them how much, even though i am very curious.

So the interview ended with smiles and handshakes and more smiles. We will let you know if you are selected by end the month. ..

Drawing at work

2009-03-14T00:04:00.007+08:00

Wao! There are quite a number of people reading this blog, looking from the counter, (might be one person clicking on the entries so often that the numbers is going up so much). Thanks for your interest whoever you are, well just tag at my guest book. it will be nice

Returned from lunch today, was still early... started to draw random thing on a piece of rough paper. Almost middle of the month, i do hope May will come quicker, so i will get to know if i am accepted in SIM, atleast be sure of it.

I miss being a student.

Was listening to Dale carnegie audio book on - how to influence friend .. There is something interested i heard concerning the topic of disagreement. He said when 2 business partners always agree on anything and the other person doesn't challenge the idea to bring about some sort of disagreement when is given by the other, there is really no reason to keep either one of them. Disagreement could bring about a desirable outcome. Come to think of it, if every time you asked the group to propose a suggestion or any thought on a project, and all you got is agreement and "ok lo" responds, there might be better to replace someone who would challenge the common ideas already being accepted. If really your idea is good enough, why bother involving someone else?

Muahahaha

success

2009-03-05T22:28:00.009+08:00

I once saw this quote somewhere... Is quite crappy yet interesting..

Success in life, is to find someone to blame

in every failure.

Office today

2009-03-05T21:45:00.007+08:00

This photo taken outside the Art house ( old parliament house ). i think is a scupture of a bombastic bean. Took this within a 5 min walk outside my office during lunch today, thought it was pretty interesting. In every bean is a forest eh :D

This is my current seat, got a feeling i would be seating there till i tender my resignation. Look at that screen... it was a technological marvel looong long time ago. My company has 2 floors, 13 and 23 storey. I have a desk at both level. Come to think of it. . i am the only one with 2 desk, so big deal :S.... Wao .... you know what. that sort of gives me an excuse to disappear from work... i could tell my supervisor i am at the other floor, and sneak out to have coffee at 1st floor, and everyone would think i am so busy working somewhere else .. (ofcause is just a thought)

My current supervisor was from Hong Kong, my challenge daily is to tahan when he gives me instructions. Whenever he spoke in Cantonese i thought he's gonna crack a joke, and when he spoke in Chinese i wished i could hold my laughter long enough so i can make my way to the washroom. Well he knows i laughed at him, cause i couldn't explained why my shoulders were shaking whenever he's on the phone. The interesting part is, he doesn't hide the fact that he "does hide lots of slacking..." He would gives most instruction even on his feet WHENEVER someone passed by, and afterward resumes to his neutral "count down to 5:30pm mode". "Is all about being rich... " he told me, "if you are poor, even your laughter needs to be tone down like a whisper".

Reality Show

2009-03-04T00:04:00.003+08:00

Sometime i wondered if dead people could look down from heaven and watch us, it will be reality show to them.

retrenchment day

2009-03-03T23:35:00.007+08:00

Retrenchment Day- 280209

My day started with breakfast on my office's seat, because the previous day we were warned concerning latecoming. The exact message was " Regardless of your service and contribution in the company, if you even late for a min tomorrow, OUT YOU GO !" So no one dare to test if this claim is true, neither was i. My  principle is simple, give your best even if people spit on you, smile, it doesn't pay to be kind. Is not so much of retrenchment which affects me, i was affected by vulnerability of individual whose life is in the hands of "richer people", the reality of life when choices has to be made even with those who has already very little to live on.

41 staffs was asked to leave before lunch time that day, each called in one after another into the conference room to have a debrief with the director or manager of the company explaining their difficulties and compensations. Some left with an extra one month salary, a few comforting words, and a broken dream. Those of us remain were told that 10% of our pay would be reduced, and OT rate cut to 0.5.

I am sure by July when i tender my resignation (or get retrenched which ever comes earlier), i could be sure i have learned a lesson i previously only heard and read about. The reality of recession, how real it is when real people lose their jobs- They were no longer faceless people or numbers on printed pages. Eventhough work should not be brought home or have too much an influence over the way we perceive living, nevertheless very much the way we live is in that 8 over hours spend in the day, if enjoying life is not within that time frame, the proportion would be relatively small.

Work, no body likes waking up to.Yet in the absence of it, one seeks to have it in order to have that sense of time to help regulate the other programs.

60min/hr

2009-03-02T21:04:00.005+08:00

Like it or not, we are all moving at the rate of 60 min/hr towards eternity,

the difference and the concern is the destination we end up in.

U & I

2009-03-02T20:34:00.003+08:00

U and I were meant to be together

Look at your keyboard if you aren't convinced?

Erhu vs Violin

2009-02-25T20:48:00.011+08:00

If playing an erhu to you is about making melody, you might as well learn a violin

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsvzzolvwMo

subj

2009-02-24T13:17:00.004+08:00

When i was younger, it appears to me that making decision is easier. There seems to be a line drawn between the 2 camps; What is desirable and not. Now as i observe my life, this line has became 2 lines instead, making a trash hole which is sandwiched between the 2 camps. What used to be distinct in my judgement as a child, has became a buffer for allowing what i think should be called infinite subjectivism. It will first expand to the size that fits you and i individually, and in no time, we would loose the ability to see this space we first shouldn't have created and the 2 camps would seem never existed. That's when we can no longer tell someone what good really is.

friday come quickly

2009-02-24T12:59:00.001+08:00

Friday come quickly.

Yoghurt

2009-02-22T18:21:00.009+08:00

Have you tried this? Pretty tasty, and it always helps when i got gastric pain, well at least for meee. . :S

It cost less than 3 dollars

Hai ... since when i blog about such stuff

I must be bored :D

Where does boredom came from ? do you think over stimulation has caused us to be easily bored, or perhaps our fallen nature has brought about a desire to keep ourselves busy to shun from solitude. So as to avoid thinking that we can't with our own abilities to provide for ourselves meaningful pleasure?

The yogurt, comes in strawberry flavour too.

Focus

2009-02-21T01:04:00.007+08:00

Eh...... have you seen this illusion before? am i the original designer? Anyone saw this elsewhere?

Drawer

2009-02-21T00:50:00.003+08:00

These few days i was so free in office, packing my stuff preparing for the Judgement day. Realised there were many items in my drawer. Take a look.

By the ways, those books and newsweeks were there since i brought when started work. And it's sort of part of the drawer now. I believe many were tricked by my " i am studious and i am ready to learn" look.

Philosophy

2009-02-21T00:10:00.006+08:00

I went into the MPH as i was walking around Raffles City. My favourite section is Philosophy, follow by Psychology, History and Literature. One of the reason why i enjoy philosophical book is the training it give the mind.Someone says if you cannot draw on three thousand years you are living from hand to mouth'.How sad it is that we dropped deep thought, thinking it will do our mind a favour. Philosophy needs to be learned at least the bad philosophy could be picked up and addressed. Bertrand Russell pointed out that before things could be proven scientific, they were once under the umbrella of Philosophy, Psychology, Astrology even Economics.

Now we learn it as if is the matter of fact.

There is this book, Pretty interesting. BUT is too costly!

That why i prefer going to 2nd hand book store

Brasplaza and Park Lane

Citizenship

2009-02-20T00:17:00.004+08:00

I am getting my Singapore Citizenship this Saturday, along with the Pink IC.

So far the benefit that has come my way is the GST rebate. And for a moment i thought the government pretty good what ... Whaha. AND THAT IS PRECISELY WHAT THEY WANT YOU TO THINK ! how much does it cost them to make me feel good about them? $770 + $200 coming this March. I guess those scholars might have brainstorm " what is the amount enough to make them feel good" the answer - you already know.

Ok i am pretty pro-government, (Do you think they are seeing this right now ? :P)Because i think Compare to where i was born, er kind of appreciate more than YOU PEOPLE. Someday i think i will be in politics, but first i have to write and speak proper English. But who knows, i might secure more votes during election if i crack a few jokes with mixture of Singlish.

I think people who has higher education, seems to complain frequently. Perhaps their demand is higher has they have "experience " more in school. Vanity of vanities, what is contentment not taught first in school?

2009-02-20T00:01:00.002+08:00

Why Niecey Tuesday and Wednesday so bad? for Wednesday, it's because is a Wednesday, and Wednesday, was not suppose to jog :) , is a dancing turn chill-out day. Should have be having sashimi and shopping.

Red cross

2009-02-18T21:32:00.005+08:00

So Red Cross Singapore had called me for an interview on 14 March. After hearing there are so many rules and commitment, i was wondering if they will pay me for it :P you should have heard the guy who spoke to me, he sound as if i was applying for a full time job. bla bla bla... went on and on... so anyone knows whether i would be paid ? By the way, i volunteered to be a First Aid Instructor. you know why ? Because i am a Medic !

Seek !Save! Serve!

Medic !

flower

2009-02-18T19:48:00.000+08:00

This was taken with my mobile phone Nokia E71

Retrechment

2009-02-18T19:37:00.002+08:00

Today we got a news in the company:D there will be retrenchment next Friday :D 3 group of people will be targeted

1. New Staff

2. Underperformed staff

3. Those that Cao keng and take alot of MCs staff

I know is coming my way:D i just wish the reason is plainly because i am new addition to the company :P

Purpose

2009-02-17T22:42:00.003+08:00

Every Conscious act is driven by a purpose.

Every purpose has an expiring date.

Either one has a purpose driven plan, or a task induce purpose.

Rocky

2009-02-17T22:15:00.002+08:00

My Poly Buddy, Rocky should be by now in Sydney. He has went to pursuit his dream. All best to you dude. Be the best Architect!

CYN dinner

2009-02-17T22:07:00.002+08:00

Photo Taken during Company CYN dinner

I like this photo! cause one of the ladie looks like Pinky and the brain cartoon, i won't tell you who .... :P

Love

2009-02-16T22:04:00.005+08:00

Love.

The attribute of love is sacrificial, one which would consider the well being of others a priority. The word Love is self explained as unconditional, without any contract which tagged along. To phrase my love to so and so is unconditional would be like saying "i will buy u lunch", and adds " i will pay for it too ". To love with a condition is like enjoying walking but not with the feet,a contradiction.There is no such thing as an unconditional, neither is there a conditional love.

Love is unconditional.

Conditional love, is no love at all, it is an egoistic Selfish behavior

24 is my age

2009-02-15T22:47:00.003+08:00

at 24, i finally understood the practicality of qualification.

If you study very hard in school, you will never have to understand what i meant by " i finally understood.." understand ?

Basket of Soft toys

2009-02-15T18:39:00.003+08:00

Awwwww So cute. ya , they are mine! my mother "help me" exhibit them in a basket. Sometime my mother do make me feel embarrass when people come my house :S

Sashimi

2009-02-15T18:30:00.005+08:00

Sushi Tel sashimi is very good :D

With Sake.. You will be like me, thinking of it at work

On most morning, i have Noodle and Kopi O Xiu Dai. I have to eat Warm food. IF not my mood will be affected..

I managed to complete the Marathon

2009-02-15T17:54:00.005+08:00

Sooo 2 months ago was the Standard Chartered marathon, i managed to complete it in 5 hour 40 min. It's pretty challenging, 40 % of the race i was walking :D I stopped at every water point and Banana station just to ensure i can cross the finishing line, Vertically. The max i had ran during training was 15km, was i kan jiong ? Very ! because i told so many friends and family member i am taking part, all this became undesirable pressure during the week before the race day.

The night before the race i had spaghetti, and tried my best to sleep. Reached city hall around 5am by cab waited for my pacer who came late 1 hour after the race started. So we started with a clear street because everyone had left earlier. The best part was, my pacer left me behind even before we reached half way point of the race! and i waited for him earlier !!!! if i didn't i might have came in after the Kenyan... Well i am still after the Kenyan, just the matter of when.

Okey okey, all in all, it was an experience worth experiencing. If you have a pair of legs which can move you from place to place, Do consider for once taking part in a long run. Is worth taking MC for 2 days afterward.

This is what i tell my boss at work :D

2008-11-25T16:41:00.003+08:00

This is what i tell my boss at work :D ... of cause not is just something i did for fun to give my friends at work a laugh

2008-10-27T15:56:00.001+08:00

Hakuna Matata :D

Training to Run

2008-10-24T15:00:00.004+08:00

i have been training hard on the coming marathon. Is really a struggle to train! my body split apart every time and reunite again with whatever remains a week later

-_-

Studying

2008-10-19T20:53:00.011+08:00

Studying could be frustrating especially when one places his pursuit of knowledge as a means to finding truth. Truth, i believe do exists on a category in itself. It is constant where epistemological pursuit could move towards perfection, where Plato in republic described to us liken it as a man escaping from the dark cave, freely moving about looking at the surrounding with his naked eyes. when one moves towards knowledge, thinking that it will lead to the truth, 2 results i believe occurs. He thought that by his own strength he could obtained all agenda. Or, he left as a disappointed person.

The formal is visible in the multiple philosophical thinking, each period produces different ways to live life. Some more refined than the other, nevertheless, overthrown by the generation that came after. convincing, yet is like a stopped and damaged clock, showing only 2 separate minutes of honest time each day. And people rather choose to build their lives on those moment in time while they are offered more. The latter is common feeling of lost, for with much wisdom is much grief and increased knowing of things around us shows more emptiness within. Why then do we study? Studying allow us to remove the unnecessary obstacle to question the real meaning of living

The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.
Without the Lord, there is no knowledge to begin with.

Avocado Part-2

2008-10-12T22:22:00.005+08:00

remember this plant?

few months ago . .

now !

There is a forest in every seed my friend :D

230708- ?Puton/Takeoff

2008-07-23T17:46:00.003+08:00

2008-07-21T16:30:00.003+08:00

Ballroom class will be on every Wednesday, in CityHall ! if you have not found out. . I have ORDed ! Call me MR Solomon Muahahaha

ORDing

2008-05-08T19:04:00.002+08:00

Hi all, i am ORDing this July 18th. thank you very much. would very likely resume my job as a draftperson for the next 1 year before going back to study.

E Motion

2008-04-02T13:38:00.000+08:00

If there is something which could contribute to mankind, it would be to understand, Emotion. Psychology and scientist up to this point has no single definition on what emotion is, if you look up in the dictionary the best which it could provide is

Emotion -an affective state of consciousness in which joy, sorrow, fear, hate, or the like, is experienced, as distinguished from cognitive and volitional states of consciousness.

In Daniel Coleman's book ( Emotional Intelligence ), he wrote that Psychologist at a time was trying to find the "primary emotion" which other complex emotions derived, just like the all other colors are mixed and matched from the 3 primary colors. Though there are many argument on this principle, nevertheless, it could be possible.

Emotion need to be understood, so that we would know what we are feeling. The problem we are now experiencing is an uncertainty of how we should be feeling.
This not only cause us to be "unsure" in the way we should behaved but also form barrier between people

Avocado plant

2008-02-21T22:44:00.000+08:00

Now 2 months old , i planted this Avocado in Alexandra hospital in December 2007. With abit of attention, there would be fruit in 10 years (according to the Hospital Head Gardener). Anyone of you has a big garden to adopt this tree? :D