remind me of a period of time in JC2 and again in the 1st Semester of Uni year 1...
both involve training for wushu competition (either Nationals or Inter-school) which was
- intense to say the least; trainings at least 4 days in a week for a few months
- a real challenge to push oneself to the limit; imagine waking up everyday with muscle aches and trying to finish assignments upon reaching home at 10 plus at night after training
- the one period of time I felt so tired while doing my routine I wanted to scream to keep myself going
- the one time I saw a friend actually crawl off the carpet after finishing her routine (that would be annabelle)
- when I cried at how helpless I felt in being unable to improve to where I wanted to be
Yet it was during that intense period where
- I enjoyed slices of watermelon with the team almost after every single training session
- I actually better understood how much I could push myself
- I looked and felt really fit (yes the training did pay off)
- The team bonded and grew more like a family than anything else
- I saw people grow and improve at a remarkable pace
- I saw how passion and discipline makes things happen
- I understood that sometimes, it's not the final results that matters... it's more of the process and the people that stand out
- I realised that the least I can do is help my junior team mate be as good as she could be, and eventually to be better than me
interestingly, history (or at least the lessons) are repeating themselves in how things move these days...
but anyway, I guess it is clear that to me, Wushu is more than just a sport. It is about values, team spirit, discipline, passion, pushing oneself to the limit.
It is a way of life and I would not be who I am or where I am today if not for it...
Friday, June 23, 2006
Saturday, June 17, 2006
Do you believe in horoscopes?
I never really believed the whole fuss about horoscope.. but I can't deny that at times it is quite funny and interesting...
found this on the net at http://www.astrology-online.com/cancer.htm
The Cancerian character is the least clear-cut of all those associated with the signs of the zodiac. It can range from the timid, dull, shy and withdrawn to the most brilliant, and famous Cancerians are to be found through the whole range of human activity. It is a fundamentally conservative and home-loving nature, appreciating the nest like quality of a secure base to which the male can retire when he needs a respite from the stresses of life, and in which the Cancerian woman can exercise her strong maternal instincts. The latter tends to like and to have a large family. `Nest like' is an appropriate adjective for the Cancerian home, for its inhabitants tend to favor the dark, mysterious but comfortable type of house which has something of the air of a den about it, a place which belongs to the family rather than existing as a showcase to impress visitors. That is not to say that the Cancerian is unsociable, just that for them there is a time to socialize and a time to be solitary, and this is part of the apparent contradiction in their nature. Outwardly they can appear formidable - thick-skinned, unemotional, uncompromising, obstinately tenacious, purposeful, energetic, shrewd, intuitive and wise, sometimes with a philosophical profundity of thought verging on inspiration. Their intimates, however, may see a very different character, one with a sympathetic and kindly sensitivity to other people, especially those they love. They are able to identify with the situations of others because of the keenness of their imaginations. They are often over-imaginative and prone to fantasy, sometimes trying to shape their lives to fit some romantic ideal. They are appreciative of art and literature, and especially of drama, where the spectacle and ebb and flow of action and feeling particularly excite them. They may themselves possess considerable literary, artistic or oratorical talent. Their sharp ears and talent for mimicry can sometimes give them success on the stage, though their tendency to be emotional may make them overact. Interestingly - because they give the impression of being down-to-earth - they are often fascinated by the occult and are more open to psychic influence than the average. If they can reconcile the personal conflict of their urge to be outgoing with the reserve that causes them to withdraw into themselves, then at best they can inspire a generation, especially the youthful part of it, by their idealism. A job in which they can express this, and in which they can do well, would be as a leader in a youth organization.
sounds like me???? hmmmm... food for thought....
found this on the net at http://www.astrology-online.com/cancer.htm
The Cancerian character is the least clear-cut of all those associated with the signs of the zodiac. It can range from the timid, dull, shy and withdrawn to the most brilliant, and famous Cancerians are to be found through the whole range of human activity. It is a fundamentally conservative and home-loving nature, appreciating the nest like quality of a secure base to which the male can retire when he needs a respite from the stresses of life, and in which the Cancerian woman can exercise her strong maternal instincts. The latter tends to like and to have a large family. `Nest like' is an appropriate adjective for the Cancerian home, for its inhabitants tend to favor the dark, mysterious but comfortable type of house which has something of the air of a den about it, a place which belongs to the family rather than existing as a showcase to impress visitors. That is not to say that the Cancerian is unsociable, just that for them there is a time to socialize and a time to be solitary, and this is part of the apparent contradiction in their nature. Outwardly they can appear formidable - thick-skinned, unemotional, uncompromising, obstinately tenacious, purposeful, energetic, shrewd, intuitive and wise, sometimes with a philosophical profundity of thought verging on inspiration. Their intimates, however, may see a very different character, one with a sympathetic and kindly sensitivity to other people, especially those they love. They are able to identify with the situations of others because of the keenness of their imaginations. They are often over-imaginative and prone to fantasy, sometimes trying to shape their lives to fit some romantic ideal. They are appreciative of art and literature, and especially of drama, where the spectacle and ebb and flow of action and feeling particularly excite them. They may themselves possess considerable literary, artistic or oratorical talent. Their sharp ears and talent for mimicry can sometimes give them success on the stage, though their tendency to be emotional may make them overact. Interestingly - because they give the impression of being down-to-earth - they are often fascinated by the occult and are more open to psychic influence than the average. If they can reconcile the personal conflict of their urge to be outgoing with the reserve that causes them to withdraw into themselves, then at best they can inspire a generation, especially the youthful part of it, by their idealism. A job in which they can express this, and in which they can do well, would be as a leader in a youth organization.
sounds like me???? hmmmm... food for thought....
Thursday, June 15, 2006
Push and Pull....
what I wouldn't give to be able to have a worry-less week, to be able to wake up feeling well-rested, to not be pondering over this and that...
yet... I wouldn't want to miss the chance to work with a team of cool people, to do my best at managing people and an organisation, to build skills and networks I know I definitely can't get outside of this...
push and pull... high tide and low tide... attraction and repulsion... winning and losing...
opposing feelings and thoughts exist to make us appreciate both sides of the situation...
who cares if the glass is half empty or hal full? Enjoy the water while it's there!
yet... I wouldn't want to miss the chance to work with a team of cool people, to do my best at managing people and an organisation, to build skills and networks I know I definitely can't get outside of this...
push and pull... high tide and low tide... attraction and repulsion... winning and losing...
opposing feelings and thoughts exist to make us appreciate both sides of the situation...
who cares if the glass is half empty or hal full? Enjoy the water while it's there!
Monday, June 12, 2006
Leadership is about...
being self-less... a leader has a team to take care of and many times, the team's need comes above that of the leader...
knowing when to be protective... a leader who overly protects the team ends up with team members who aren't exposed to various stuff... the team needs space for them to explore, experience, meet adversity and thus grow... sometimes it "hurts" when they fall or meet set-backs and it is with discipline that a leader can stand by and let them proceed...
a quote from Angels and Demons by Dan Brown:
“So although you have the power to interfere and prevent your child’s pain, you would choose to show your love by letting him learn his own lessons?”
“Of course. Pain is part of growing up. It’s how we learn.”
reading the moods of the team and customising your style to their needs... everyone is different and unique... customised approaches should be better in bringing out the best in each person... (perhaps :))
hmmm... kind of in a reflective mood today....
knowing when to be protective... a leader who overly protects the team ends up with team members who aren't exposed to various stuff... the team needs space for them to explore, experience, meet adversity and thus grow... sometimes it "hurts" when they fall or meet set-backs and it is with discipline that a leader can stand by and let them proceed...
a quote from Angels and Demons by Dan Brown:
“So although you have the power to interfere and prevent your child’s pain, you would choose to show your love by letting him learn his own lessons?”
“Of course. Pain is part of growing up. It’s how we learn.”
reading the moods of the team and customising your style to their needs... everyone is different and unique... customised approaches should be better in bringing out the best in each person... (perhaps :))
hmmm... kind of in a reflective mood today....
Monday, June 05, 2006
Leaping Towards Excellence
Our Commitment to ourselves, what we aim to deliver and to all those around us...
but no leap can be as excellent as the one done with a team of cool fellow MCs...
but no leap can be as excellent as the one done with a team of cool fellow MCs...
* Missing Doreen and Adam in the Picture*
I had a great MC Consolidation Weekend... and I'm looking forward to even greater things in the months to come...
Thursday, May 25, 2006
My Hamster
My pet hamster... I've had him for almost a month (I think)... He doesn't have a name yet... I'm tempted to call him Nemo as he lives in a fish tank (minus the water and the fish of course)
He's cute and smart... I do believe he's starting to plan how he can escape the tank... smart little fellow...
Thursday, May 18, 2006
I'm alive...
Just dropping a note to indicate my presence... =)
been busy the last month with meetings and reports and planning... would have blogged but just got kind of lazy.. don't think the people who read this would be interesting in knowing what exactly I've been up to these days... hahaha... it would have been too technical for some of you...
anyway... have been thinking a bit these days about inner strength and support.... I think every day in our lives, we come across people who really impress us, who exemplify themselves like the role model we have been looking for... and they're like role models because we see in them something that we would like to have but don't quite have yet.. interestingly enough, strength is a quality that usually stands out, be it strength physically, mentally, in terms of discipline etc
Perhaps it is because of this that sometimes we tend to forget that these role models of ours are as human as we are, that they have their fears and worries and down moments... so I think that if we really see them as role models, if they are the people we want to be like, then it would naturally mean so much to us to be able to help or "be useful" to these people...
And the best way to do so is to thank them, to show our appreciation to them for being that model in our lives, for having it in themselves to be who they are today.... So this is a tribute to all the role models out there... if they're playing that crucial role in our lives, let's find our way of playing our role in their lives....
Role modeling is a powerful thing; and so is appreciation... when there is both conscious appreciation and role modeling, only then can we build a culture of excellence and self-improvements...
been busy the last month with meetings and reports and planning... would have blogged but just got kind of lazy.. don't think the people who read this would be interesting in knowing what exactly I've been up to these days... hahaha... it would have been too technical for some of you...
anyway... have been thinking a bit these days about inner strength and support.... I think every day in our lives, we come across people who really impress us, who exemplify themselves like the role model we have been looking for... and they're like role models because we see in them something that we would like to have but don't quite have yet.. interestingly enough, strength is a quality that usually stands out, be it strength physically, mentally, in terms of discipline etc
Perhaps it is because of this that sometimes we tend to forget that these role models of ours are as human as we are, that they have their fears and worries and down moments... so I think that if we really see them as role models, if they are the people we want to be like, then it would naturally mean so much to us to be able to help or "be useful" to these people...
And the best way to do so is to thank them, to show our appreciation to them for being that model in our lives, for having it in themselves to be who they are today.... So this is a tribute to all the role models out there... if they're playing that crucial role in our lives, let's find our way of playing our role in their lives....
Role modeling is a powerful thing; and so is appreciation... when there is both conscious appreciation and role modeling, only then can we build a culture of excellence and self-improvements...
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Sunday, April 16, 2006
I am happy today!
I am happy today because I bought two new books:
blink by Malcolm Gladwell (http://www.gladwell.com/blink/index.html)
The World is Flat by Thomas L. Friedman (http://www.thomaslfriedman.com/worldisflat.htm)
Next on my list will be "The Tipping Point" by Malcolm Gladwell...
cheers to the wonderful books and authors in the world!
blink by Malcolm Gladwell (http://www.gladwell.com/blink/index.html)
The World is Flat by Thomas L. Friedman (http://www.thomaslfriedman.com/worldisflat.htm)
Next on my list will be "The Tipping Point" by Malcolm Gladwell...
cheers to the wonderful books and authors in the world!
Saturday, April 15, 2006
I like the nights...
It is quite enjoyable to work late in the night or early in the morning (depending on how you see it.. some people consider it night at 2am simply because it's still dark)
but yeah it is enjoyable...
1. It's a cool temperature at night
2. It's quiet and peaceful
3. Most people are no longer on MSN to bug you
4. Most people are asleep or don't do phonecalls at such times so you get left alone
5. No DJ is on shift through the night so they play nice songs one after the other without DJs talking and with very few advertisements interupting
only problems are
1. If I get hungry, I can't cook something (cos it'll wake my mom) so there's only biscuits
2. If it rains, it gets freezing (by my standards)
3. I cant get replies to my SMSes and emails very soon when I work at such hours
You win some, You lose some...
but yeah it is enjoyable...
1. It's a cool temperature at night
2. It's quiet and peaceful
3. Most people are no longer on MSN to bug you
4. Most people are asleep or don't do phonecalls at such times so you get left alone
5. No DJ is on shift through the night so they play nice songs one after the other without DJs talking and with very few advertisements interupting
only problems are
1. If I get hungry, I can't cook something (cos it'll wake my mom) so there's only biscuits
2. If it rains, it gets freezing (by my standards)
3. I cant get replies to my SMSes and emails very soon when I work at such hours
You win some, You lose some...
Sunday, April 09, 2006
The Alchemist...
The Alchemist picked up a book that someone in the caravan had brought. Leafing through the pahes, he found a story about Narcissus.
The alchemist knew the legend of Narcissus, a youth who knelt daily beside a lake to contemplate his own beauty. He was so fascinated by himself that, one morning, he fell into the lake and drowned. At the spot where he fell, a flower was born, which was called the narcissus.
But this was not how the author of the book ended the story.
He said that when Narcissus died, the goddesses of the forest appeared and found the lake, which had been fresh water, transformed into a lake of salty tears.
"Why do you weep?" the goddesses asked.
"I weep for Narcissus," the lake replied.
"Ah, it is no surprise that you weep for Narcissus," they said, "for though we always pursued him in the forest, you alone could contemplate his beauty close at hand."
"But... was Narcissus beautiful?" the lake asked.
"Who better than you to know that?" the goddesses said in wonder. "After all, it was by your banks that he knelt each day to contemplate himself!"
The lake was silent for some time. Finally, it said:
"I weep for Narcissus, but I never noticed that Narcissus was beautiful. I weep because, each time he knelt beside my bank, I could see, in the depths of his eyes, my own beauty reflected."
The prologue from "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho, a book I have read many times and will never tire of reading again...
The alchemist knew the legend of Narcissus, a youth who knelt daily beside a lake to contemplate his own beauty. He was so fascinated by himself that, one morning, he fell into the lake and drowned. At the spot where he fell, a flower was born, which was called the narcissus.
But this was not how the author of the book ended the story.
He said that when Narcissus died, the goddesses of the forest appeared and found the lake, which had been fresh water, transformed into a lake of salty tears.
"Why do you weep?" the goddesses asked.
"I weep for Narcissus," the lake replied.
"Ah, it is no surprise that you weep for Narcissus," they said, "for though we always pursued him in the forest, you alone could contemplate his beauty close at hand."
"But... was Narcissus beautiful?" the lake asked.
"Who better than you to know that?" the goddesses said in wonder. "After all, it was by your banks that he knelt each day to contemplate himself!"
The lake was silent for some time. Finally, it said:
"I weep for Narcissus, but I never noticed that Narcissus was beautiful. I weep because, each time he knelt beside my bank, I could see, in the depths of his eyes, my own beauty reflected."
The prologue from "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho, a book I have read many times and will never tire of reading again...
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
Tribute to the Master
Today's picture shall be a tribute to one of the greatest martial art masters the world has ever seen...
Sunday, April 02, 2006
Photo of today
I have decided to try and post a photo everyday. It really is a refreshing break to look through all the past photos that I have taken or been in..
so here is today's post: taken in the Netherlands. Thanks to Shamnoon for being the photographer!
so here is today's post: taken in the Netherlands. Thanks to Shamnoon for being the photographer!
Saturday, April 01, 2006
When will it be?
When will be the day when the sun comes out from behind that big piece of cloud?
I know the sun is there, but for now the shadow is still overhanging...
When will it go beyond that slight sunlight peeking just over the edge of the cloud?
Someday... but when?
Friday, March 10, 2006
IPM 2006 in the Netherlands
If I were to describe all that happened, it will probably be enough to publish a book. So since pictures speak a thousand words, here are some to share!
Seeing Snow for the 1st time and enjoying it...
The official gala dinner for IPM 2006
The AIESEC Network...
Thursday, January 26, 2006
Before Chinese New Year
Since I have been absent from the blogging scene for quite a long while... more than 3 weeks to be exact... I figured I might as well do a quick update before Chinese New Year...
so yeah.. wat has happened?
Industrial Attachment
I started my 6 months attachment on 16th Jan 2006 in an engineering MNC and I am now known as a Product Design Trainee. (haha) So what I have been doing so far is to familiarise myself with ANOTHER graphics software (this is the 3rd one after ProE and SolidWorks), learning as much as I can about how a company on such a large scale functions (from design to manufacturing to sales and marketing!)
People are nice, the work is ok for now... not too challenging and much yet but I'm not really complaining about that... most important is that people there are keen and open to answering my questions, having me bug them, and offering their small tips and advice...
AIESEC
Super busy with AIESEC stuff... now I feel like an engineer during office hours, and an AIESECer the rest of the remaining time... Lots to do for my current role as VP Learning, lots to do also for my future role as President... Speaking of which, I really want to thank everyone who's given their support in any small way possible... It's really helped!
Taichi
Yup I am still taking Taichi classes, though I haven't attended the training in a while... It's been raining a fair bit this month resulting in class being cancelled... but yeah... still looking at how to move things a bit forward from here...
Doesn't seem like much has happened right? Just 3 categories, simple as that.. but enough to render late nights and exercise for brain cells...
speaking of that, it's time to get back to work...
Happy Chinese New Year!! :)
so yeah.. wat has happened?
Industrial Attachment
I started my 6 months attachment on 16th Jan 2006 in an engineering MNC and I am now known as a Product Design Trainee. (haha) So what I have been doing so far is to familiarise myself with ANOTHER graphics software (this is the 3rd one after ProE and SolidWorks), learning as much as I can about how a company on such a large scale functions (from design to manufacturing to sales and marketing!)
People are nice, the work is ok for now... not too challenging and much yet but I'm not really complaining about that... most important is that people there are keen and open to answering my questions, having me bug them, and offering their small tips and advice...
AIESEC
Super busy with AIESEC stuff... now I feel like an engineer during office hours, and an AIESECer the rest of the remaining time... Lots to do for my current role as VP Learning, lots to do also for my future role as President... Speaking of which, I really want to thank everyone who's given their support in any small way possible... It's really helped!
Taichi
Yup I am still taking Taichi classes, though I haven't attended the training in a while... It's been raining a fair bit this month resulting in class being cancelled... but yeah... still looking at how to move things a bit forward from here...
Doesn't seem like much has happened right? Just 3 categories, simple as that.. but enough to render late nights and exercise for brain cells...
speaking of that, it's time to get back to work...
Happy Chinese New Year!! :)
Saturday, December 31, 2005
Monday, December 19, 2005
NLDS Singapore 2005 - "Discovering Passion, Unleashing Potential"
It's been a while since the last posting cos things have been moving soo soo fast since my last entry...
One of the greatest highlight of my term so far: NLDS Singapore 2005
The conference was from 8th to 11th Dec, with the facilitator pre meeting from 6th to 7th Dec 2005. So from 2nd Dec onwards, everything was just crazy with so much to prepare.. didn't help that I fell quite sick even before the conference... must be a curse of NLDS... I think I have been sick almost every NLDS since my 1st year in AIESEC :)
Anyway, the delegates this time were really cool people... the turnout was quite small but the people were really enthusiastic and eager to learn... they really made all the difference to the entire atmosphere of the conference...
The facils had a great time as well, especially with our guests from overseas, Bomi from AIESEC Hong Kong and Jasmine from AIESEC Malaysia... I'm glad they enjoyed themselves so much here also and I'm thankful for the help and perspectives offered by them... =)
I didn't bring my camera but there were delegates taking photos all over the place so stay tuned while we consolidate all the photos...
All in all, it was a great experience... all the months of hard work really paid off in the end, with NLDS ending with a bang and all leaving with fond memories, new knowledge, rediscovered passion and a chance to look at their potential... =)
One of the greatest highlight of my term so far: NLDS Singapore 2005
The conference was from 8th to 11th Dec, with the facilitator pre meeting from 6th to 7th Dec 2005. So from 2nd Dec onwards, everything was just crazy with so much to prepare.. didn't help that I fell quite sick even before the conference... must be a curse of NLDS... I think I have been sick almost every NLDS since my 1st year in AIESEC :)
Anyway, the delegates this time were really cool people... the turnout was quite small but the people were really enthusiastic and eager to learn... they really made all the difference to the entire atmosphere of the conference...
The facils had a great time as well, especially with our guests from overseas, Bomi from AIESEC Hong Kong and Jasmine from AIESEC Malaysia... I'm glad they enjoyed themselves so much here also and I'm thankful for the help and perspectives offered by them... =)
I didn't bring my camera but there were delegates taking photos all over the place so stay tuned while we consolidate all the photos...
All in all, it was a great experience... all the months of hard work really paid off in the end, with NLDS ending with a bang and all leaving with fond memories, new knowledge, rediscovered passion and a chance to look at their potential... =)
Friday, December 02, 2005
Visitor in the house...
My house had a visitor in the night...
I walked past my brother's room this morning to find something hanging from his light...
A bat!! and quite a small bat too... hanging there, sleeping peacefully (at least I assumed it was sleeping)...
Never seen one this close up before... most of the time I just see them swoop past the glare of the street lights at night, the kind where you can just vaguely make out the shadowly profile of the bat...
but here... wow... it's quite cute really....
my mom tried to prod it to fly away but it just hung there swaying as my mom prodded it, looking around the room... must be quite disoriented...
oh well.. we'll just have to see if it flies away this evening... :)
I walked past my brother's room this morning to find something hanging from his light...
A bat!! and quite a small bat too... hanging there, sleeping peacefully (at least I assumed it was sleeping)...
Never seen one this close up before... most of the time I just see them swoop past the glare of the street lights at night, the kind where you can just vaguely make out the shadowly profile of the bat...
but here... wow... it's quite cute really....
my mom tried to prod it to fly away but it just hung there swaying as my mom prodded it, looking around the room... must be quite disoriented...
oh well.. we'll just have to see if it flies away this evening... :)
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