On firefighting...

I don't really like fire-fighting... because in most cases it means that there was no fire-prevention prior to the fire...

It's sad that before the fire, people easily think you are naggy or forget what you have reminded... and then just before a fire starts (or when a fire starts), you're called in... you have no choice but to fight the fire...

but at the same time, you have no choice but to feel disappointed too...

You know what... this means more measures to ensure such things don't happen again in future...

Funny quotes from Bosses

I notice that I always re-read the most number of Tin Tin comics, blog the most entries and watch a bit more television when the exams are near... I have no idea why...

anyway, found this very funny article from Mr Brown's site...

Dilbert quotes contest

A magazine recently ran a "Dilbert quotes" contest. They were looking for people to submit quotes from their real-life dilbert-type managers.

Here are the top ten finalists:

1. "As of tomorrow, employees will only be able to access the building using individual security cards. Pictures will be taken next Wednesday and employees will receive their cards in two weeks."
(This was the winning quote from Fred Dales, Microsoft Corp. in Redmond, WA)

2. "What I need is an exact list of specific unknown problems we might encounter."
(Lykes Lines Shipping)

3. "E-mail is not to be used to pass on information or data. It should be used only for company business."
(Accounting manager, Electric Boat Company)

4. "This project is so important, we can't let things that are more important interfere with it."
(Advertising/Marketing manager, United Parcel Service)

5. "Doing it right is no excuse for not meeting the schedule."
(Plant manager, Delco Corporation)

6. "No one will believe you solved this problem in one day! We've been working on it for months. Now, go act busy for a few weeks and I'll let you know when it's time to tell them."
(R&D supervisor, Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing/3M Corp.)

7. Quote from the Boss: "Teamwork is a lot of people doing what I say."
(Marketing executive, Citrix Corporation)

8. My sister passed away and her funeral was scheduled for Monday. When I told my Boss, he said she died on purpose so that I would have to miss work on the busiest day of the year. He then asked if we could change her burial to Friday. He said, "That would be better for me."
(Shipping executive, FTD Florists)

9. "We know that communication is a problem, but the company is not going to discuss it with the employees."
(Switching supervisor, AT&T Long Lines Division)

10. One day my Boss asked me to submit a status report to him concerning a project I was working on. I asked him if tomorrow would be soon enough. He said, "If I wanted it tomorrow, I would have waited until tomorrow to ask for it!"
(Hallmark Cards Executive)

via rx78ntx who got it via Inderjit Singh SOPS (whoever that is, heh)

Reminds me of my project for Professional Communication module.. We titled it "Boss-olgy - The Art of Handling your Boss"

What Famous Leader Are You?

Found this interesting test link on Alex's blog and gave it a go myself...

So I am....

What Famous Leader Are You?
personality tests by similarminds.com

Interesting stuff... hahaha...

Reminds me of Brodie's speech at Opening Plenary of International Congress 2005 in Agra, India. He was talking about Gandhi and about finding the salt of the earth...

but anyhow, with all due respect for Gandhi, but I don't wish to end up as thin as he is...

Have you listened to what your heart is saying?

It was not easy to do; in earlier times, his heart had always been ready to tell its story, but lately that wasn't true. There had been times when his heart spent hours telling of its sadness, and at other times it became so emotional over the desert sunrise that the boy had to hide his tears. His heart beat fastest when it spoke to the boy of treasure, and more slowly when the boy stared entranced at the endless horizons of the desert. But his heart was never quiet, even when the boy and the alchemist had fallen into silence.

"Why do we have to listen to our hearts?" the boy asked, when they had made camp that day.

"Because, wherever your heart is, that is where you'll find your treasure."

"But my heart is agitated," the boy said. "It has its dreams, it gets emotional, and it's become passionate over a woman of the desert. It asks things of me, and it keeps me from sleeping many nights, when I'm thinking about her."

"Well that's good. Your heart is alive. Keep listening to what it has to say."

______________________________________

"My heart is a traitor," the boy said to the alchemist, when they had paused to rest the horses. "It doesn't want me to go on."

"That makes sense," the alchemist answered. "Naturally it's afraid that in pursuing your dream, you might lose everything you've won."

"Well then, why should I listen to my heart?"

"Because you will never again be able to keep it quiet. Even if you pretend not to have heard what it tells you, it will always be there inside you, repeating to you what you're thinking about life and about the world."

"You mean I should listen, even if it's treasonous?"

"Treason is a blow that comes unexpectedly. If you know your heart well, it will never be able to do that to you. Because you'll know its dreams and wishes, and will know how to deal with them."

"You will never be able to escape from you heart. So it's better to listen to what it has to say. That way, you'll never have to fear an unanticipated blow."

______________________________________

"Why don't people's hearts tell them to continue to follow their dreams?" the boy asked the alchemist.

"Because that's what makes a heart suffer most, and hearts don't like to suffer."

Hurting...

It hurts when you know that the people you care about are hurting... regardless of how much they know how much you care...

and it hurts even more knowing that there is nothing I can do to help...

All I can do is to stand on the sidelines and cheer them on in my head and know that somehow someday they will pull through...

Nice song

I'm not a boy band person... but sometimes one cannot deny that the Backstreet Boys do churn out pretty nice songs...

I Still (Backstreet Boys)

Who are you now
Are you still the same
Oe did you change somehow
What do you do
At this very moment when I think of you

And when I'm looking back
How we were young and stupid
Do you remember that

No matter how I fight it, can't deny it
Just can't let you go

I still need you
I still care about you
Though everything's been said and done
I still feel you like I'm right beside you
But still no word from you

Now look at me
Instead of moving on, not refuse to see
That I keep coming back
yeah, I'm stuck in a moment
That wasn't meant to last

I've tried to fight it, can't deny it
You don't even know that

I still need you
I still care about you
Though everything's been said and done
I still feel you like I'm right beside you
But still no word from you

No, No...
I wish I could find you
Just like you found me, that I
Would never let you go

(need you, care about you)
Though everything's been said and done, yeah
I still feel you (I still feel you)
like I'm right beside you (Like I'm right here beside you)

But still no word from you

Interesting Singaporean Blogs

I have a few URLs in my Favourites folder which are blogs by locals that provide a very local perspective on things in Singapore mainly...

So here they are:

Rude Singaporeans (http://www.rudesingaporeans.blogspot.com/)
This blog showcases acts and photos of rudeness, ranging from inconsiderate drivers, selfish carparking, inconsiderate passengers on the MRT etc etc...
All postings are sent in by the average Singaporean on his/her travels in daily life...

Mr Wang Bakes Good Karma (http://commentarysingapore.blogspot.com/)
Mr Wang is a Singaporean lawyer who writes about current issues and his views on them. Definitely an interesting read... even comes with excerpts from The Straits Times...

Yawning Bread (http://www.yawningbread.org/)
Yawning Bread is a blog by a local guy who is gay and a gay activist. His articles range from expressing his thoughts on gay issues to his coverage of gay events to anything else not pertaining to the gay community as well.
He also includes things like interviews, historical references and educational materials on homosexuality, on the discrimination and fears they experience, on support groups in Singapore for gays and lesbians etc etc

So there you are... recommendations of the day...

Gives you a lot more insight on what Singaporeans see, think, act and feel like...

Cheers to the simple and good things in life...

Essence of the night

It is now 2.30 am and I am still up...

Doing what you may wonder? Nothing work related that's for sure...

Enjoying the quiet of the night... have you ever noticed how noisy cars and vehicles are in the day? Compared to the night, we live in utter noisiness and loudness in the day...

Enjoying the music on the radio... no DJs, no advertisements... just music.. and very nice songs at that...

Enjoying observing my hamster... just disengaged his exercise wheel (gets a bit noisy and disturbs my mom) so I'm watching as he entertains himself and tries to find out why the wheel doesn't run anymore...

Enjoying time for myself.. just disengaging myself from work.. from studies.. from the feelings and the rush that flood over me in the day at times...

Did you ever read Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom? Morrie mentioned something about recognising the feelings and emotions by experiencing them fully... so that when it starts approaching again, you recognise it and then can disengage yourself from it... does that make sense to you? Go read the book if you want a better description than what I just offered.. =)

I like the nights.. especially when I am not yet so tired to be able to think and reflect and reminisce on some stuff...

but somethings... can't help but wonder if it will be even more enjoyable if there was someone to share this moment with... hahhaha

ponder ponder...

When you need a break...

Taking a break from work now and followed the link from a friend's blog to do this test... interesting... hahaha

You Are a Seeker Soul

You are on a quest for knowledge and life challenges. You love to be curious and ask a ton of questions. Since you know so much, you make for an interesting conversationalist. Mentally alert, you can outwit almost anyone (and have fun doing it!). Very introspective, you can be silently critical of others. And your quiet nature makes it difficult for people to get to know you. You see yourself as a philosopher, and you take everything philosophically. Your main talent is expressing and communicating ideas. Souls you are most compatible with: Hunter Soul and Visionary Soul

What Kind of Soul Are You?

I feel so philosophical now... hahaha... hmmmm

Funny stuff I have heard

"Is that a reservoir?"
- quoted from someone who was standing at the beach and looking at the Straits of Johor

Person A (in all seriousness): "Have you ever thought about dying?"
Person B (in equal seriousness): "My hair? It doesn't look nice like this?"

"One of the groups chose to conclude their presentation with the phrase 'I hope we have enlightened you...'
Does that mean we have been living in darkness until you presented your points?"
- quoted from my Professional Communications tutor

"Did you hear the story about the 3 wells? No? Well... well... well..."
- quoted from an LC NUS EB member

Girl A: I'm going on holiday this coming December. We're going skiiing!
Girl B: Wow that's so cool! Where are you going?
Girl A: I'm not too sure... I think it's North Korea...
Girl B: (thinks for a while) Isn't that the place with some weird president? Shouldn't it be South Korea?
Girl A: aiya something like that la... I know we're going skiing that's for sure
(This is part of the conversation I overheard in the canteen one day)

"I have to run now. I just got a call from a farmer. His sheep just fell into the lake and is shrinking at an alarming rate"
- quoted from Mathew Perry's character in Serving Sarah who was trying to get away before people realised he wasn't a real vet

ahhh.. ignorance.. it's interesting how it's so linked to humour...

The Little Things

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...

"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!!!

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...

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....

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...

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 =)

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

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"

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.

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.

When something happens to you, good or bad, consider what it means.
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.