Outward Bound Expedition (11-13 Feb 09)

I had spent 3 days at Outward Bound (OBS), Pulau Ubin for the last 3 days, as part of the Young Leader Program course organised by my organisation.

It's a 9 day course, of which the 1st 3 days is a residency programme at OBS.
Frankly, I dreaded the thought of part 1 of the course before I went for it.
Because I know that there will be lots of strenous physical activities and there will be no hot shower. I am not a outdoor person. The only outdoor activities tha I do are nature walking, cycling and jogging.

The OBS programme was planned in such a way that we need to stretch ourselves beyond our comfort zone and back to basics.

It turns out that I learnt whole lot of stuffs and tried out things that I would never... never...have thought I will ever do and will do.

I tried out ...

- outdoor rock climbing... my team chosen the most difficult portion to climb unintentionally... at that point, how i wished i had learnt yoga and body can be super 'elastic' to bend anywhere.

- going into very narrow underground tunnel to find our team's ball. The tunnel is pitch-dark and has some slopes that we somehow have to squeeze ourselves through, whether by sliding backward or forward. I am quite small-built and has already found it tough... it was tougher for the guys. Not to mention that there are crockroaches in the tunnel.

- kayaking for almost 11km-12km for 5 hours (this is the most memorable one).. Its no joke. My biceps and triceps were almost giving way. It's tough when the waves were strong and anti-direction. Of course, I was praying hard that my kayak will not capsize. Yes, I have learnt how to handle capsize during the drill... but that was near to the shore... capsize in open sea is different hor...

- blindfolded to find a tree in the forest.

- cooking outdoor, setting up tents. The second night was supposed to sleep in the tent, but as one of my course mate was not well, I accompanied her to find a more comfortable place to sleep. We found a hut with 6 other guy coursemates and we just camped there lor. The 2 of us only had 2 ponchos..of which one was used as blanket (no use actually). The best part is that we realised that the hut has got big dogs around. Amazing, they did not bark at us. They protected us instead by 'patrolling' around the area at night. It was chilling cold at night. My gal classmate was literally trembling. Good thing that I brought along the windbreaker that Shifu has bought for me from US... if not, i will also be trembling...

- Waking up at 6am everyday and started morning exercise at 6.30am... waking up early is not my forte...

- Overcome showering without warm shower - I was so stinky and sticky that so long there was a shower room, it did not matter whether it was a cold or warm shower.

- No nice food (really simple fares)

- Learnt what is meant by "must eat more for energy"... I usually eat very little... but during the course, I realised that I must really load myself with carbo to have the energy to do the activities.

The only thing that I did not try out is jetty jump... partly because my eyes were very irritated by the saltwater after 5 hours of kayaking (that it was stinging and tearing) and partly because I think there was no need to risk my life with it.... who is going to take care of my family if anything happens to me. Anyway, good thing there were several of us who did not try this.

The whole course is almost like an endurance course.
I have learnt a lot - leadership, teamwork, survival skills, endurance, perservance, precison thinking, thinking decisively during stressed situations, determination (there are a no. of times that I told myself "i can do it" and this works).

At the end of the course, I decided to go souvenir shop to buy something, because i know i will not come back to OBS again.

However, I must say that the last 3 days will form a memorable part of my life. I am amazed how much I can stretch myself and knowing the coursemates whom have survived the endurance course together.

Finally i can have my warm shower back... and I am no longer so urban-pampered.

The Pursuit of Happyness

Have you watch the show "Pursuit of Happyness" by Will Smith before?
It is one of my favourite shows.

It basically tells us to never give up no matter how harsh circumstances can be.

Because there will always be light at the end of the tunnel.

Have faith, dreams and will.
And always counts our blessings.

Perservance

When there is faith, there is hope
When there is a dream, there is hope
When there is a will, there is hope
Never give up on faith, dreams and will

Dilemmas and decisions

I don't remember that I have so many dilemmas when I was younger..

Seems like there are more dilemmas as I get older.
The magnitude and impact of the issues faced are much higher and larger now, whether on personal or professional decisions that need to be made.

Some decisions do not further allow a reverse course of decision, and some require constant monitoring to adjust quickly to the changing circumstances. Some allow win-win outcomes. Most do not allow the best of both worlds and can only have a mutually exclusive outcome.
Some decisions can only be made with scarce critical information. Some decisions can only be made based on gut feel. The constant thing to keep in mind is probably to keep an unbiased perspective. There are also occasions in which adopting the game theory is the best way to solve an issue.

There are decisions that I have made, yet not sure if I have made the right choices and only time will tell. I just hope that my judgements will be for the good for all as far as possible. Nevertheless, there are many things , really many things, that are beyond my control. I can only pray for the best.

I do not know how to appreciate Chinese Tea previously, now I do. I am a Type A person. Chinese Tea certainly helps to calm my nerves and probably helps in decision making too ;)
Thanks to a good friend who has recommended Oolong Tea to me.

I am thankful for what I have now and I have learnt to be contented.
Because life is transient and we do not possess anything in this world.
Yet I believe we can all make a positive difference to this world :)

I am back from New Zealand!

I went for my first holiday trip for the year to New Zealand.

I went to the South Island of New Zealand from 21st Sep – 28th Sep 2008, together with William.

Though it’s a short trip, it was nevertheless a wonderful trip. The Southern Alps is simply awesome with its snow capped mountains. The West Coast has magnificent glaciers, lakes and mountains, and lots of rainfall.

NZ has just turned spring when we reached, nevertheless it was still cold. The temperature could drop to as low as below 5 degree Celsius at night. It was fun experiencing the coldness though I cannot really withstand cold very well.

At Christchurch, the flowers bloom beautifully, especially at Mona Vale and Botanic Garden. They are really beautiful.

I took train for the first time when I took the TranzAlpine Train from Christchurch to Arthur’s Pass National Park. The TrainzAlpine Train route is rated as one of the great train journeys of the world and indeed it was. The train crosses Canterbury Plains and climbed through Alpine foothills and Waimakariri Gorge.

We took a helicopter ride to Fox Glacier. It was my first time taking helicopter. It’s so fun! Due to the weather condition, we almost could not take the helicopter ride. Upon landing on Fox Glacier, I could not wait to get out of the helicopter to see the Fox Glacier! Walking on the beautiful snow covered Fox Glacier is simply breathtaking and awesome…

I saw beautiful rainbows at Thunder Creek Waterfall and Doubtful Sound. The Thunder Creek Waterfall is a 28 metres high waterfall that tumbles into the Haast River. Doubtful Sound is actually a fiond, a sea-filled valley carved by glacier ice (whereas sounds are inlets of the sea formed by rivers). It is the second largest of Fiondland National Park’s 14 sounds. The journey to Doubtful Sound started at 7.10am and we reached there at almost noon. It took us a cruise across the Lake Manapouri and a coach trip across Wilmot Pass to Deep Cove. The underground Manpouri Power Station is impressive. We boarded the Navigator to cruise the Doubtful Sound. The Doubtful Sound gives me a mysterious feeling with its mist-shrouded waterfalls and mountain chains when I first reached. Perhaps the mysterious feeling is amplified with the rainfall. I had wished to be able to catch glimpses of New Zealand Fur Seals and Bottlenose Dolphins, but they have perhaps decided to seek retreat from the heavy downpour.

I saw snow for my first time at Lindis Pass, the main inland link between Otago and the Waitaki Basin. Wow…. the feeling is great! I had fun playing with the snow after lunch at Observation Bay.

Oh I tried out the TSS Earnslaw to reach Walter Peak High Country Farm. The TSS (Twin Screw Steamer) Earnslaw is powered by its original twin 500-hp coal-fired steam engines, with wood and brass interior. It was launched in 1912, and known as ‘the lady of the lake”. At Walter Peak High Country Farm, we had lunch at the Colonel’s Homestead Restaurant and experienced country life such as sheep shearing and sheep dogs in action.

Here’s a brief literary of our NZ trip:

Day 1: Christchurch
- International Antarctic Centre. We tried out the Hagglund Ride to experience Antarctic terrain. You should give this ride a try when you’re there. Be prepared for a thrilling ride!
- Christchurch City (Mona Vale, Canterbury Museum and Botanic Garden)
- Castle (where sign of the Tahake restaurant currently resides)
- Willowbank Wildlife Reserve and experienced Ko Tane (Maori cultural performance)

Day 2: Arthur’s Pass to Fox Glacier
- TransAlpine Scenic Train ride
- Hokitika – Lunch @ Porky Takeaway with a very large and piping hot fish and chips, and visited the glass blowing and jade factory
- Franz Joseh Visitor Centre (took a 10min forest walk to get a faraway view of Franz Josef Glacier and it was drizzling)
- Dinner at Glacier Country Hotel, Fox Glacier (the kiwi dessert is yummy…. )

Day 3: Fox Glacier – Cromwell – Queenstown
- Scenic flight to Fox Glacier
- Arnott Point (was not able to see the fur seals, probably due to the heavy downpour)
- Lunch at Fantail Café, HAAST (the minestrone soup was good when it was so cold)
- Thunder Creek Falls
- Makarora West
- Lake Wanaka
- Lake Hawea
- Gold Fields Mining Centre, Kawarau Gorge, Otago
- Mrs Jones’ Fruit Shop, Cromwell
- Dinner at Lakeside Palace Restaurant, Queenstown

Day 4: Doubtful Sound
- Doubtful Sound (7.10am to 7.15pm)
- Dinner at Memories of Hongkong, Strateen House, Queenstown
- Grocery shopping at City Express (convenience store) and Asia Mart. Bought the tasty Keri Cranberry juice

Day 5: Queenstown
- Arrowtown (Chinese Settlement)
-Gibbston Winery
- Bungy Jump Site (both of us gave our salute to those who tried out the bungy jump)
- Took the TSS Earnslaw to reach Walter Peak High Country Farm
- Tried out the skyline Gondola to catch a view of Queenstown on Bob’s Peak
- Shopping at Queenstown

Day 6: Mount Cook Region – Christchurch
- Lake Dunelin, Cromwell
- Lindis Pass – Both of us saw snow for the first time!!
- Lake Pukaki, next to the tallest mountain of NZ, Mount Cook
- Church of Good Shepherd at Lake Tekapo
- Lunch at Observation Café
- Farmer’s Corner, with a hot latte at a newly renovated café
- Supermarket shopping at Springfield Mall
- Dinner at Pagoda Restaurant, Christchurch

Along the coach journey throughout the trip, I saw many many snow-capped mountains, beautiful sunrise and sunset, and lots of sheeps, cows and Alpaca . New Zealand is a wonderful place with splendid sceneries, friendly folks, and a rich Maori culture.

Just some thoughts

I have not been writing my blog for a while.

There have been a few thoughts on my mind for the last few weeks, that I thought to pen them down.

1. Storerooms within ourselves.

Many a time, we have many things on our mind and keep things in our heart.
Things related to work, family and personal.
Things that we prefer to keep it to ourself.
Things that we choose to keep it aside and revisit later (that can be much much later at times).

It is very tiring to have a cluttered mind and heart.
At times, it may serves well to springclean our mind and heart.
Think through - what is really important? Focus our thought and energy to achieve what we want to do.

2. Importance of health

I am truly a person who will always find things to do. I just cannot keep still.
And I am always trying my best to do what I need to do.
But I think i am pushing myself too hard.
I had a very bad lower abdomen and lower back pain about a month ago.
I was very worried then esp the urine test results show high WBC contents and small amount of RBCs.
Worried that my mum will not be able to take another blow.
Worried that my sis will be extremely burdened.
Worried that I may disappoint my Significant Other (cos' I will not want him to be dragged down).

My lifestyle has changed a lot. I am no longer drinking coffee or at most 1 cup a day!! It just happens naturally. I am also drinking at least 1.5 litres of water each day. Might just as well.
I am also drinking and eating lots of cranberries, barley water (thanks to advice from friends, esp. Leonard).

The pain still comes back occasionally especially when I feel stress.
When it happens, I know it is time to take a neutral gear and breathe in and out.

During the last 4 weeks, i could not carry heavy things, overwork or not drinking enough water.
I have learnt the importance of health personally.

3. Our blindspots
Sometimes we have grown so acustomed to how we do our things and how we expect people to do things. Accept it or not, we will always have blindspots. Listen to others, and outcomes may be better with more than one brainy.

4. Attitude
Attitude is indeed linked to motivation.
Good attitude is something that all of us expect at the minimum.
It serves well to remember that good attitude is the thing that help to stand out amongst peers at work.

5. Elderly at work
I used to feel that elderly collecting dishes at foodcourt or at work are very pitiful.
I have a different perspective about it now.
It may be a good thing to work when old. It keeps the mind active and widens the social circle, though socioeconomic factors will somehow force most of us to be on this track.
Well, just keep a positive mindset and really slow down our pace when we are on this track.

Alright, going to sleep now...
A busy week ahead but its ok, I will breathe in and out along the way and I look forward to my NZ trip from 21st to 28th Sep!

Cheers :)

My Beloved Dad

It has been 2.5 months since the passing on of my beloved father.
Dad is constantly on my mind and that of my Mum and Sis.

A recent ad with a storyboard of a single father mending the heels of his one and only teenage daughter reminded me of my Dad mending the heels of both myself and my sis. I couldn't help it, my tears just rolled.

My Dad is not a cobbler. It is an interest that Dad has picked up in recent years.

I have kept all the heels that he has mended for me in the shoes rack. I can't bear to wear them.
Seeing the heels is like seeing Dad trying to mend our heels and happily telling us that "Your heels are fixed!" when we reached home.

I have finally completed my Masters with flying colours. Doing a Master has always being a dream of mine that Dad, Mum and Sis are aware and I have finally graduated. How I wish that Dad is around to see me receiving the certificate though he is aware that I have completed the course.

Whatever it is, I will continue to put the knowledge acquired to good use at work to benefit the patients in whatever small ways I can, and hopefully to pursue my dream of being a social entepreneur! I will 'jia you'! When there's a will, there's a way. This may sound cliche but I believe in it. I believe that Dad will know what I am doing too, and will lend me his support, as always.

Thinker vs clutter mind

Have you ever tried to do a random count of things that are on your mind, for the last one year, one month, one day, and a minute ago?

Is one considered a thinker by having things on mind every now and then (except sleeping time of course)?

My personal opinion is NO. A wiser thinker will allow time-off from thinking that will help one to have better clarity of thoughts.

What's your thought?

Cheers.

What is Leadership?

A good leader leads and inspires followers.

Unfortunately I do not see assumed leadership at work. There is a lack of strategic thinking, pettiness, power hunger fights, and scrambling to impress the bosses.

Deadlines are always last minute, internally imposed without long term strategic planning.

It’s disappointing.

Whatever it is, I maintain my professionalism.

Hopefully what I am doing truly will benefit patients seeking healthcare needs and some comforting moments.

Speedy recovery to my Dad

This CNY holds special significance for myself, sis and Mum.

Because my Dad is ill with end stage lung cancer. This is a very cruel news to my mum, sis and close family members when we knew about it about 3 weeks ago.

I treasure every moments with Dad, so do my sis and Mum.
It pains us deeply whenever we see him in pain or has poor appetite.
During reunion dinner yesterday, Dad could just eat a bit. When my mum said that we could have finished the food if Dad has eaten more, I said, "Ya lar, one of our football players is not well today". At the bottom of my heart, I am wishing that I wanna see Dad returns to the football field, all ready to conquer the feast, at next and subsequent years of reunion dinner.

Just before writing this blog, i was browsing through the photo album that we took together during our family trip to Taiwan last year around this time. I am glad that we have gone on the trip together. My parents are very simple folks. They do not spend money on frills. I wish that I can bring Dad for another (and many more) family trips.

Mum, sis and myself will be strong in front of Dad. We will try our best to help Dad to recover in whatever we can, regardless of how slim the chance is. Dad, be strong. We are all behind you!!!

My sincere thanks to my friends, colleagues, aunts and uncles and family friends for the help, concern and advice given. Thanks very much.

Speedy recovery to my Dad.

Some thoughts

I have just completed my strategy management paper today.
Today also marks the end of my second last sem. Finally, one more sem to go.

Just realised today that it is already end Dec.
Time really flies.
I asked myself what i have done for Yr 2007 and what i have not done. Well i shall sum it up at the end of the yr.

There are many things that i have not done, especially towards my parents. They have been very supportive of my decisions and pursurance, always giving me their support and encouragement in their own unique ways. Yet i am almost always in my 'own space' on my work, studies and maybe some personal life though i know i should give them more attention. I feel apologetic towards my folks.

My dear sister has been a daring all this while. Thanks sis! :)

My special thanks to shifu too, who always nag at me to take care of myself and even sent me an sms from germany to wish me good luck for my exam. Thanks a lot, Shifu.

I know that i have to make a major decision very soon. I am not sure if i will be sad, but sometimes reality does not permit us to live in dreamland... or maybe can blame it on myself being a capricon who feels more at ease with clearer direction.

X'mas season is here. It's a season of joy and giving. Let's not forget the close ones around us. Celebrate this joyous seasons with them and all yr around :)

Strategic Management

It is 2.10am now.

I am in the midst of preparing for an exam on next thurs.

The amount of prep required is quite a fair bit. Haha, frankly, i am not too sure if i can complete all the prescribed readings.

This module is not easy but it is interesting in its own ways. The reading materials are good.

The module is on strategic management. Well... i shall strategise my study plan to make sure i complete my prep in time!! Studying should be fun, not stress!! It is the process that matters at the end. Agree?

Cheers.

Yeah!

I can finally take a break! Can slow down pace of life slightly for the next few days.... :)

This sem is a particular tough one....
The capstone module is indeed a demanding module.

Haha, for once, i could not pin it down straightaway on how i want to do the projects.
One of the projects require development of a case study followed by analysis. The industry that my team has chosen is aircraft manufacturer industry ie. Boeing and Airbus. Interesting right esp with the recent launch of A380...

I am actually losing sleep for the projects...!! Gosh...

Anyway, i just hope that work can start to wind down a bit so that i can have some time to do my projects...

Good luck to me!

Countdown

Haven't been writing blog for a long time. This sem has been a busy one with 2 modules, and group projects were pretty demanding... i am glad it is going to be over soon.

I am looking forward to the end of the course..... can feel the strain these days.

I was actually quite light-hearted initially today as i am on leave and i could finally have some time for myself... yet i am disappointed by someone... i guess time will tell me what i am supposed to do. Hope i can see the rainbow soon.

"Chicken Soup for the Soul"

It is 1am now. My tummy is filled with chicken soup from my mom who woke up especially to scoop up the steaming hot chicken soup for my supper. Though i don't really take supper, i really appreciate the kind thoughts from my dear mom, and of course i drank the soup.

This is the moment that I truly understand "chicken soup for the soul". Mom prepared the chicken soup for dinner cos' she saw that i have been having late nights... thanks a lot, Mom!

15 Aug 2007 @ 1.20am

The butterfly story...

While running a hospital wide campaign today, a well-respected professor shared this with a team of us while doing his judging for one of the category prizes of the campaign...

He gave an anology between butterflies and happiness..."Happiness is like butterflies. It will arrive when it decides to settle on you"

I guess how one interprets this statement will depend on how you define happiness and what is your expectation of happiness.

So what's your thoughts?

"Whatever"

Met up with my two uni classmates today at Chinatown. Hee, you must be wondering what's available at Chinatown besides doing annual shopping during CNY.

Well... i had a pleasant surprise. We had dinner at an 'old-style' coffeeshop at Keong Saik Road. The kopi was really thick... and i mean it. I forgot the name of the coffeeshop, but i can bring you there if you like "gao" kopi without the need to shout "kopi gao". After dinner, we went to a nearby lifestyle cafe "Whatever" along the same road. Hey, it's a really nice place with nice ambience. It is a new age cafe, bookstore and healing centre.. You will just unwind the tense muscles after a busy workday when you step in there. I had 'organic root beer'. If you are wondering how is this place like and how does an organic root beer taste like... Check it out http://www.whatever.com.sg/!

While walking back home, the 3 of us were debating if meritocracy is still needed in this capitalistic society. What do you think? Would you choose to stay in a socialist or a captalistic society? Hee, i leave the answer to you.

Cheers!

Happy?

I have been asking myself if i am happy in my current job. Well... it has its pros and cons.

I know how to excel within the organisation. It depends on whether i want to pursue the corporate ladder. If i can do something meaningful by being at the top of the ladder, I will be happy to do so. However i think this is difficult especially in a large organisation. On the other hand, I don't really want to be one of those who spends half the time playing or guarding against politics. Absolute waste of time. To some extent, i think i am watching a football match within the organisation!

Perhaps i can really only do meaningful and real work by starting out my own business (aka selling ice kachang :p)

As one gets older, one also asks more questions isn't it?

Heya, I am back to my blogging

It is almost two months since I have updated my blog. So sorry to all my friends whom haven't heard from me for a long time.

I am just done with my exams for this semester on last Thurs. Exam preparation this time round was minimal and the accounting paper was a tough but good paper. This term was pretty packed with assignments and quizzes. Coupled with the shuttling between 2 workplaces in the month of May and the settling into the new workplace, practically everyday for the last 1 month especially were just schoolwork and work (does not seem interesing at all isn't it?).

So am I surviving??? Yes, I did!! Many thanks to my dear dad, mom, sis and good friends who always give me their constant encouragement, support and well wishes despite their busy schedule. Joyce roomie, thanks a lot for explaining to me on the fine line between creative accounting and earning management. It's one of the questions asked in a indirect way :p

A few more months to go for my postgrad. I am looking forward to it and a good long overseas trip after that.

Hope this 2 week break (which is so much better than the last round of 4 days break) can allow me to have more time with family and catch up with my good friends. Jinjie, will arrange for a skype call with you soon to see you and Clement online! Hope Erwan will be around as well :)

I will also take the chance to go for my greens (i mean my nature walks)!! Hopefully I can get some good buys at GSS too :p

Though exam is over, I am worried about my dear sunshine sis... it's a difficult time for her now. Hope to see her sunshine shinning brightly soon again. Sis, you can do it. Jia you!

Learning cooking from my mum too. I wonder why can i fix a proper dinner? Hee, shall try till i make it! I have moderated my expectations for lot of things, but maybe not for this. Simply because I still feel homecooked food is the best. Well, it's a survival skill too.

A good friend shared with me on the unpredictability of life recently. Life is indeed unpredictable. Treasure the loved ones around us. If you have someone on your mind that you like, let him/her know. Pursue your happiness regardless of what may be the outcome :) And to all of us who exercise for zero time a week (including myself), do something about it (before the extra calories get deposited... u know where lah).

All right, shall end my lengthy blog here. Hope you are still awake after reading this blog :))

24th Jun 2007, 1.30am