It's the little things that we share
the love and joy that's in the air
the children's laughter everywhere
and all our favourite things...
Over the years
I've grown accustomed to your ways
and no matter where I be, it warms my heart
To know that you're always here for me...
lyrics from a song from my primary school days... strangely I only remember these 2 stanzas...
suddenly popped into my head... and somehow felt that I had to put this down...
Friday, October 27, 2006
"Famous" Quotes
We just had a great country visit by Ryan, our AP Director, and I can't help following in the footsteps of Mindy in quoting some of the interesting stuff I have heard in the 5 days that Ryan spent in Singapore...
p.s. I don't have that good a memory so this is reconstructed based on what I can remember =)
Ryan on Motivation:
As you move into different roles and take on more responsibilities, it is only right to expect that the highs and lows you experience will grow as well. So many people go into taking more responsibilities with the expectations that things will remain the same, that the lows won't go lower or that the highs won't go higher. But that's not going to happen.
The difference between any normal leader and the outstanding leader is that the outstanding leader is able to channel the energy from the low moments into a drive to aim for a high. Remember the high moments and the excitement and satisfaction you felt. And remember the low moments because that is where the challenge is, to pick ourselves and the people around us up, channel the energy into that fierce drive which will bring us to the high again.
Ryan on diversity of ideas and making decisions:
With so many diverse individuals on the team (not just in nationalities but also opinions, backgrounds, thoughts) it may seem hard to come to a consensus or make a decision that every single person is 100% satisfied with. Which is why we spend so much time getting our fundamentals right. Fundamentals such as the identity, the vision, the AIESEC Experience, the Brand Promise, being what is central to the organisation and what we do. And when we all have a clear consensus and understanding on the fundamentals, there is so much space and flexibility beyond for each individual to contribute. And of course, it takes that level of commitment to making the best decisions and delivering the best for the benefit of the organisation as a whole
Ryan on AIESEC and It's Up to You:
AIESEC is like sitting on a couch and watching television. If you don't like what you are seeing, you just have to make that decision, get out of that couch and make that change.
Ryan on some AIESEC stuff:
It's meant to be a tool, to be used as an indicator. It cannot be taken as a science, because sciences always have their flaws.
Ryan on AIESEC being global (which he quoted from Taco)
You know you're working in a global organisation when you turn on the television and what you watch on the news actually affects your work.
Ryan on Singapore:
(wiping sweat from his brow) Phew it's hot!
I'm looking for a satay stall
Thanks Ryan for all the sharing, the inputs and the advice!! All the best in the rest of your country visits and we look forward to seeing you back in Singapore again!!!
p.s. I don't have that good a memory so this is reconstructed based on what I can remember =)
Ryan on Motivation:
As you move into different roles and take on more responsibilities, it is only right to expect that the highs and lows you experience will grow as well. So many people go into taking more responsibilities with the expectations that things will remain the same, that the lows won't go lower or that the highs won't go higher. But that's not going to happen.
The difference between any normal leader and the outstanding leader is that the outstanding leader is able to channel the energy from the low moments into a drive to aim for a high. Remember the high moments and the excitement and satisfaction you felt. And remember the low moments because that is where the challenge is, to pick ourselves and the people around us up, channel the energy into that fierce drive which will bring us to the high again.
Ryan on diversity of ideas and making decisions:
With so many diverse individuals on the team (not just in nationalities but also opinions, backgrounds, thoughts) it may seem hard to come to a consensus or make a decision that every single person is 100% satisfied with. Which is why we spend so much time getting our fundamentals right. Fundamentals such as the identity, the vision, the AIESEC Experience, the Brand Promise, being what is central to the organisation and what we do. And when we all have a clear consensus and understanding on the fundamentals, there is so much space and flexibility beyond for each individual to contribute. And of course, it takes that level of commitment to making the best decisions and delivering the best for the benefit of the organisation as a whole
Ryan on AIESEC and It's Up to You:
AIESEC is like sitting on a couch and watching television. If you don't like what you are seeing, you just have to make that decision, get out of that couch and make that change.
Ryan on some AIESEC stuff:
It's meant to be a tool, to be used as an indicator. It cannot be taken as a science, because sciences always have their flaws.
Ryan on AIESEC being global (which he quoted from Taco)
You know you're working in a global organisation when you turn on the television and what you watch on the news actually affects your work.
Ryan on Singapore:
(wiping sweat from his brow) Phew it's hot!
I'm looking for a satay stall
Thanks Ryan for all the sharing, the inputs and the advice!! All the best in the rest of your country visits and we look forward to seeing you back in Singapore again!!!
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Finally...
I finally got down to asking my mom what I have been meaning to ask for the past 3 weeks plus (gosh... has it been that long already?? It's so hard to keep track of time these days).. and the concerns are quite what I expected... so unfortunately, there can be no confirmed answer at this point... just more planning and sourcing for options...
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Divine intervention...
Alas, all good and free things must come to an end...
the owner of the wireless network that I have been leeching from for the past year or so has probably finally figured out why his bitrates aren't that fast as he expected (cos laptop users from the estate are probably using his network)... now it's security enabled and I have to say bye bye to that... Sigh... I will miss the amazingly fast and ever present network called 'Raj'
and it doesn't help that my own router has died so basically I don't get very consistent internet at home anymore. Depends on whether other wireless networks are on (1 or 2 but the connection is really weak) and whether my bro is home (so I can plug in via cable directly to the modem, which is usually connected to the PC in the living room)
But I guess you can call it divine intervention... have so much stuff to clear this week and next, what with the school term coming to an end soon and all... but I've been distracted these days... so much on the mind, so much to do... so much that I no longer know what to think or do...
I feel like 1 confused and distracted individual...
Damn....
the owner of the wireless network that I have been leeching from for the past year or so has probably finally figured out why his bitrates aren't that fast as he expected (cos laptop users from the estate are probably using his network)... now it's security enabled and I have to say bye bye to that... Sigh... I will miss the amazingly fast and ever present network called 'Raj'
and it doesn't help that my own router has died so basically I don't get very consistent internet at home anymore. Depends on whether other wireless networks are on (1 or 2 but the connection is really weak) and whether my bro is home (so I can plug in via cable directly to the modem, which is usually connected to the PC in the living room)
But I guess you can call it divine intervention... have so much stuff to clear this week and next, what with the school term coming to an end soon and all... but I've been distracted these days... so much on the mind, so much to do... so much that I no longer know what to think or do...
I feel like 1 confused and distracted individual...
Damn....
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Taking the time to ask yourself...
It suddenly occurred to me last night... What do I miss in the life I am leading now compared to anytime before this moment? Who are the people I miss? Will they know that I miss them?
It helps to ask such questions once in a while, just so we appreciate what we have, and appreciate what we had but don't have anymore...
It helps to ask such questions once in a while, just so we appreciate what we have, and appreciate what we had but don't have anymore...
Is it just me?
I attended a Round Table Discussion event this evening by Proctor & Gamble. They organise this every year to reach out to graduating students from my university. I wasn't too sure what to expect but the topic "Think Global, Act Local" did look interesting and the line up of speakers was very credible so I figured why not...
It was an ok session... most of the sharing by the speakers followed by panel Q&A was ok... people were mostly asking about P&G's marketing stragegies, surviving as a global company with so many brands and all that... not too bad, but I guess I just wasn't that impressed (considering how we've seen some REAL SUPER speakers at IC)
Anyway, the Q&A was followed by dinner (GOOD FOOD!) cum networking. So they had tables for different functions within P&G and 1 or 2 employees per table to speak with us undergraduates and address our questions... I think I kind of scared the guy at my table cos I was asking quite a lot of questions...
Is this your first job? Why did you leave the previous one for this job? Does your degree matter in what you do? What do you do? Does P&G provide trainings? Is it compulsory or how do they encourage employees to take these up? How diverse is the workforce in P&G? How does P&G get involved with the local communities (CSR)? Are there internal postings outside of Singapore? Are the operations handled by P&G or outsourced (since the guy was in logistics)?
And I wanted to ask the HR people stuff like how they build the learning culture in the company, how they see the youths of today being able to cope with a diverse and team based work environment, how they identify with their values (which are quite similar to those of AIESEC coincidentally).. but yeah the HR people went off before I could bombard them....
But anyhow, what I noticed was really the type of questions I asked VS what some of the other undergrads asked...
What are working hours like, what is the dress code to work, what is the salary range, how much do the grades matter, will there be training if we go into a function not related to our degree... And the "best" questions of the night came from this guy to the HR hiring manager for Product Supply: Some of the people gave us some tips about the application process. Does it really help if we look at the Purpose, Vision and Principles of the company? What do you look for in a resume? Should we answer the online test according to who we are or really aligned to the values which the company are looking for? Like do it just for the sake of impressing the company? (I suspect this was why the HR manager wanted to go off before I could ask her questions... If I were doing HR and someone asked me questions like this, I would be so not impressed...)
but anyhow, yeah the experience definitely got me thinking... what I ask and seek to find out does seem different... the rest or you even probably think I'm quite silly to not ask about salary and what experiences they look for in recruiting...
but anyhow, I think after this bit of reflecting, I realise that perhaps it is simply because I look for that diverse, dynamic, challenging learning environment more than the material perks a job can offer... and I think that well.. I am happy with what I am looking for =)
It was an ok session... most of the sharing by the speakers followed by panel Q&A was ok... people were mostly asking about P&G's marketing stragegies, surviving as a global company with so many brands and all that... not too bad, but I guess I just wasn't that impressed (considering how we've seen some REAL SUPER speakers at IC)
Anyway, the Q&A was followed by dinner (GOOD FOOD!) cum networking. So they had tables for different functions within P&G and 1 or 2 employees per table to speak with us undergraduates and address our questions... I think I kind of scared the guy at my table cos I was asking quite a lot of questions...
Is this your first job? Why did you leave the previous one for this job? Does your degree matter in what you do? What do you do? Does P&G provide trainings? Is it compulsory or how do they encourage employees to take these up? How diverse is the workforce in P&G? How does P&G get involved with the local communities (CSR)? Are there internal postings outside of Singapore? Are the operations handled by P&G or outsourced (since the guy was in logistics)?
And I wanted to ask the HR people stuff like how they build the learning culture in the company, how they see the youths of today being able to cope with a diverse and team based work environment, how they identify with their values (which are quite similar to those of AIESEC coincidentally).. but yeah the HR people went off before I could bombard them....
But anyhow, what I noticed was really the type of questions I asked VS what some of the other undergrads asked...
What are working hours like, what is the dress code to work, what is the salary range, how much do the grades matter, will there be training if we go into a function not related to our degree... And the "best" questions of the night came from this guy to the HR hiring manager for Product Supply: Some of the people gave us some tips about the application process. Does it really help if we look at the Purpose, Vision and Principles of the company? What do you look for in a resume? Should we answer the online test according to who we are or really aligned to the values which the company are looking for? Like do it just for the sake of impressing the company? (I suspect this was why the HR manager wanted to go off before I could ask her questions... If I were doing HR and someone asked me questions like this, I would be so not impressed...)
but anyhow, yeah the experience definitely got me thinking... what I ask and seek to find out does seem different... the rest or you even probably think I'm quite silly to not ask about salary and what experiences they look for in recruiting...
but anyhow, I think after this bit of reflecting, I realise that perhaps it is simply because I look for that diverse, dynamic, challenging learning environment more than the material perks a job can offer... and I think that well.. I am happy with what I am looking for =)
Monday, October 09, 2006
I will get there
This is a very meaningful song by Boyz II Men... for all those out there searching for answers, searching for a path, searching for direction... we'll find it... we will get there in the end...
Oh…oh…ah…
Hey…
Yeah… I've been wanderin' 'round in the dark
Been lost somewhere where no light could shine on my heart
I have known a pain so deep
But I know my faith will free me [Get there]
And I'll get through this [Get there]
I'll find my way again
So don't tell me that it's over
'Cause each step just gets me closer
(I will get there) I will get there
(I will get there) I will get there somehow
Cross that river (Cross that river)
Nothing's stoppin' me now
I will get through the night (Oh, yes, I will)
And make it through to the other side
(Get there) Get there
(Get there) Get there
I've been in these chains for so long
I'll break free and I'll be there where I belong
Hold my head up high, I'll stand tall
And I swear this time I won't fall [Get there]
I will do this [Get there]
No matter what it takes
'Cause I know no limitations
And I'll reach my destination, I will get there
I will get there (I will get there)
I will get there (Ooh) somehow (Somehow)
Cross that river (Cross that river)
Nothing's stoppin' me now
I will get through the night
And make it through to the other side (Ooh, get there)
Get there (Get there) Get there
Well, the night is cold and dark
But somewhere the sun is shining
And I'll feel it shine on me
I'll keep on tryin', I'll keep on tryin'
I will get there (I will get there)
I will get there somehow
Cross that river (Cross that river)
Nothing's stoppin' me now
I will get through the night
And make it through to the other side
Get there, get there
I will get there (I will get there)
I will get there somehow (Somehow)
Cross that river (I'll cross that river for you)
Nothing's stoppin' me now (Oh…whoa…I)
I will get through (Through) the night
And make it through to the other side (Oh…ho…oh…ho…)
(Get there) Get there
(Ooh, get there) Get there (Whoa…oh…)
I will get there (I will get there)
I will get there somehow (Somehow)
Cross that river (I'll cross it for your love)
Nothing's stoppin' me now (No matter what)
I will get through the night (I will get through the night)
And make it through to the other side
(Get there) Get there
(Ooh, get there) Get there Get there Oh…ho…oh…
I'll get there
Oh…oh…ah…
Hey…
Yeah… I've been wanderin' 'round in the dark
Been lost somewhere where no light could shine on my heart
I have known a pain so deep
But I know my faith will free me [Get there]
And I'll get through this [Get there]
I'll find my way again
So don't tell me that it's over
'Cause each step just gets me closer
(I will get there) I will get there
(I will get there) I will get there somehow
Cross that river (Cross that river)
Nothing's stoppin' me now
I will get through the night (Oh, yes, I will)
And make it through to the other side
(Get there) Get there
(Get there) Get there
I've been in these chains for so long
I'll break free and I'll be there where I belong
Hold my head up high, I'll stand tall
And I swear this time I won't fall [Get there]
I will do this [Get there]
No matter what it takes
'Cause I know no limitations
And I'll reach my destination, I will get there
I will get there (I will get there)
I will get there (Ooh) somehow (Somehow)
Cross that river (Cross that river)
Nothing's stoppin' me now
I will get through the night
And make it through to the other side (Ooh, get there)
Get there (Get there) Get there
Well, the night is cold and dark
But somewhere the sun is shining
And I'll feel it shine on me
I'll keep on tryin', I'll keep on tryin'
I will get there (I will get there)
I will get there somehow
Cross that river (Cross that river)
Nothing's stoppin' me now
I will get through the night
And make it through to the other side
Get there, get there
I will get there (I will get there)
I will get there somehow (Somehow)
Cross that river (I'll cross that river for you)
Nothing's stoppin' me now (Oh…whoa…I)
I will get through (Through) the night
And make it through to the other side (Oh…ho…oh…ho…)
(Get there) Get there
(Ooh, get there) Get there (Whoa…oh…)
I will get there (I will get there)
I will get there somehow (Somehow)
Cross that river (I'll cross it for your love)
Nothing's stoppin' me now (No matter what)
I will get through the night (I will get through the night)
And make it through to the other side
(Get there) Get there
(Ooh, get there) Get there Get there Oh…ho…oh…
I'll get there
Sunday, October 08, 2006
Emails...
After letting the emails in my outlook inbox accummulate past the 2000 figure (and this is just in the main inbox... it excludes all the rest within my sub-folders), I decided that a virtual spring cleaning was very much needed...
So I just spent the last hour or so clearing emails.. for now, I only have 1190 emails in the main inbox after much sorting and deleting... I will have to go through my sub-folders after this (since some emails I transferred from main to sub for classification sake)
anyway, in the midst of clearing the emails, I of course have to open some of these emails to see what the content is (email subject titles aren't that descriptive after all) and it was interesting to see how things and people have changed and moved along with time...
from emails congratulating the team on our appointment as MC 0607; to emails from the 0506 team discussing how to do transition to the 0607 team; to emails from the 0607 then-elects to each other (some of these emails start with "Dear LCP elects" hehe) asking about plans and ideas; to excited emails about the selection of our international MC; to excited emails of incoming trainees or successful events or meetings; to emails that sound so charged with emotion as people fight for what they believe in; to emails where the MC 0607 makes decisions after being updated on all possible scenarios; to crappy emails with content that you just can't help but smile at....
Looking back, it has been 9 months of journeying together as a team and what a remarkable 9 months it has been... what an amazing story it would be if we put down all that we have gone through in these 9 months...
Even the emails tell a story... and what a wonderful story it tells... it is a story about growth... growth of individuals, growth of the team, growth of our own legacy...
and I cannot wait to start clearing my email inbox again 6 months from now when the term 0607 is over... for then our story will be pretty much over...
then again, I think we will realise by then that it isn't that much of a story... well maybe a story for us... but all in all it's just another chapter in the book titled "AIESEC in Singapore"
So I just spent the last hour or so clearing emails.. for now, I only have 1190 emails in the main inbox after much sorting and deleting... I will have to go through my sub-folders after this (since some emails I transferred from main to sub for classification sake)
anyway, in the midst of clearing the emails, I of course have to open some of these emails to see what the content is (email subject titles aren't that descriptive after all) and it was interesting to see how things and people have changed and moved along with time...
from emails congratulating the team on our appointment as MC 0607; to emails from the 0506 team discussing how to do transition to the 0607 team; to emails from the 0607 then-elects to each other (some of these emails start with "Dear LCP elects" hehe) asking about plans and ideas; to excited emails about the selection of our international MC; to excited emails of incoming trainees or successful events or meetings; to emails that sound so charged with emotion as people fight for what they believe in; to emails where the MC 0607 makes decisions after being updated on all possible scenarios; to crappy emails with content that you just can't help but smile at....
Looking back, it has been 9 months of journeying together as a team and what a remarkable 9 months it has been... what an amazing story it would be if we put down all that we have gone through in these 9 months...
Even the emails tell a story... and what a wonderful story it tells... it is a story about growth... growth of individuals, growth of the team, growth of our own legacy...
and I cannot wait to start clearing my email inbox again 6 months from now when the term 0607 is over... for then our story will be pretty much over...
then again, I think we will realise by then that it isn't that much of a story... well maybe a story for us... but all in all it's just another chapter in the book titled "AIESEC in Singapore"
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Meaningful words...
I found Dey's blog and found these really meaningful extracts, which Dey found from someone else's blog...
so... enjoy :)
_________________________________________________________________________
You can`t make someone love you, all you can do is be someone who can be loved, the rest is up to the person to realize your worth. We spend too much time looking for the right person to love or finding fault with those we already love, when instead we should be perfecting the love we give.
There`s a purpose to life`s events, to teach you how to laugh more or not to cry too loud.
Extracts from a poem by Heinz Shalloff.
so... enjoy :)
_________________________________________________________________________
You can`t make someone love you, all you can do is be someone who can be loved, the rest is up to the person to realize your worth. We spend too much time looking for the right person to love or finding fault with those we already love, when instead we should be perfecting the love we give.
Free your heart from hatret;
Free your mind from worries;
Live simply.
Give more.
Expect less.
My hope for you is that you will finally discover the happiness within you.
When you feel down because you didn`t get what you want, just sit tight and be happy, because I thought of something better to give you.
My friendship.
It is like wine, it gets better as it grows older.
There`s a purpose to life`s events, to teach you how to laugh more or not to cry too loud.
Extracts from a poem by Heinz Shalloff.
Monday, October 02, 2006
Have you ever...
have you ever closed your eyes after working on the laptop or reading your notes and tutorials for a long time, and felt literally the waves of tiredness wash over you?
I have, and I am always surprised when it happens...
have you ever lay down on your bed after a long day of meetings and work and felt the waves of tiredness wash over you?
I have, and sometimes I find that liberating...
have you ever closed your eyes and felt the wind blow in your face, and feel the waves of relaxation wash over you?
I have, and I love that feeling...
have you ever felt the wind blow away the waves of tiredness?
I have, and I remind myself to give thanks for the moment...
Life is made up of little moments...
Have you ever noticed?
I have, and I am always surprised when it happens...
have you ever lay down on your bed after a long day of meetings and work and felt the waves of tiredness wash over you?
I have, and sometimes I find that liberating...
have you ever closed your eyes and felt the wind blow in your face, and feel the waves of relaxation wash over you?
I have, and I love that feeling...
have you ever felt the wind blow away the waves of tiredness?
I have, and I remind myself to give thanks for the moment...
Life is made up of little moments...
Have you ever noticed?
You Raise Me Up...
"You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders
You raise me up... to more than I can be."
You Raise Me Up by Josh Groban
Be thankful if you have found that someone who has that effect and impact on you in your life...
Be proud of yourself if you are that someone in another person's life...
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders
You raise me up... to more than I can be."
You Raise Me Up by Josh Groban
Be thankful if you have found that someone who has that effect and impact on you in your life...
Be proud of yourself if you are that someone in another person's life...
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