What’s more in my mind beyond a whole day of work? More work! I guess that’s the price I have to pay for doing the extra mile in a corporate marathon. This was what I started envisioning when I first got this job. This was what I asked for… more challenges… more responsibilties… more WORK!
The only difference I noticed between my co-workers and myself is that while many draw their motivation from monetary rewards, I fuel my drive from the sense of achievement. What does this make me? An easy prey for labor exploitation! How so? Think about this…
What would you tell your subordinates to get them to work harder? Work hard to show the results this year, and we will all meet the target and go home with big fat bonuses.
Now, does this help me spend more hours in the office or agree to take more projects? Not really. What makes me willing to push the tank for an extra mile is simple. Only two words: Well Done.
This will only tell me at the end of the day that I will only find myself easily satisfied by the 2 simple words and stretching the hours I’m willing to fork per day on work… for what? Two words that can sound like a billion dollars worth yet can worth so little it can practically be FOC. No material binding. No gold tagging. Management Course 101: Motivate your employee with encouraging words. My manager can save his/her tuition fees and stop the course at this.
All this brought forth the idealist principles I call the Logic of Greed.
The less I make, the less I’d desire.
The less I desire, the less I’d own.
The less I own, the less I’d spend.
The less I spend, the less I’d owe.
In reality, the first line is subjective. I can desire even when I don’t make, when my discipline is loose. While the second line is logically true and realistic, one can sometimes still spend more, depending on what they own. Alas, the final line alone reflects the modern spending habits. Spending power these days can easily be virtualized larger than reality, by the future spending ability of the credit cards.
So do I really want to minimize what I owe by downsizing what I make? The real world doesn’t work this way. The more one owes, the more a person would hope he/she can make.
So much for a logic…
[4:45pm] I feel the rush of excitement. I just finished with an hour long review with two of the most difficult supervisors. One has a keen eye for details and picks up little flaws very easily. The other is an indifferent perfectionist who would hardly let any review go smoothly. Both had just expressed approval to my performance. I am excited not because I heard the magic words, but because I know I have conquered the hardest rocks to crack on the floor.
My baby sister, the other one, youngest among us 4 sibblings, is growing up. Not only is she growing biologically, she’s also developing a character. Not that she didn’t have one. EVERYBODY has one at a time or another. She is transitioning from being the lil baby we first knew her as into someone who thinks deeply.
A few years ago, when I first introduced “Sophie’s World” to her as part of her recreational adolescent reading, she seemed too innocent to understand the depth of context for philosophical thoughts. However, over these couple of years, I’ve noticed the changed in her. Instead of asking all the “why’s”, she was starting to use her other senses to observe and learn by herself. Then she also moved from age of shy silence into a more open member of the family who can look at you and show that she understands what adult language you’re speaking. No, she’s not exactly an adult yet, but she has gotten a liking for dwelling into deeper thoughts that is easily shown through her eyes.
Now, the next chapter she should be writing in her book now is learning that when a life is created by copulation, the transition in a life is taught to the individual before that individual make what his/her own life would be. Annie is coming close to the middle of that educational part, while at the same time she is exploring her inner self, through literature, music and art. This is good. She has explored the beauty of poetry. She has aspired to produce works of art. All these with the collation of personality and feelings.
There is a danger, though. Individuals who think too much or expressed too deeply from their emotions can get entangled in their own web of mixed sentiments. Kurt Cobain did not kill himself for his stomach pain. His understanding of the angst of life simply caused him the abdominal pain and subsequently the mental torment. Vincent Van Gogh cut his ear off not for the pain, but for the sweet reminder that he is still sane and feeling. Exploration of depth into the human mind can be a dangerous path to take. Knowledge can be an asset for the mind, but knowledge without adequate wisdom can be dire to one’s sanity.
Learn well, my dear sister. You have a potential path towards finding your own wisdom. Learn your fundamental knowledge well and more importantly learn how to use it. There is more than what’s in the skull one has to develop. The heart will need a balance to see the knowledge that the world has to offer.
We are finally back! Literally knocked ourselves out from all the walking and freezing our mutts off, but overall the trip in Perth was enjoyable and relaxing. Many thanks to my dear sista, Jerri!
No, we did not forget that the main purpose of the trip was to be there for Jerrica’s graduation. She’s finally done with her Master of Science degree. Congrats, Sis!
We did a morning treasure hunt at Harbour Town, screening through the warehouse sales of various brands (and no-brands). Some were worth the time but others were simply too big to get a needle out of the haysacks. We finally gave up by 2pm when Jerri came to pick us up to head for…
SUBIACO
Welcome to the Dark Side… This place is the EVIL of all evils. It’s a shopping district that can drive all women frenzy!
Fortunately, my dear wifey wasn’t keen on shopping around this end of the galaxy.
The only SIN I could relate to at Subiaco is… CHOCOLATE! Ran around throwing arms in the air in a frenzy fit after a bite
After the official 5pm city shut-down time has passed, we made our way to the next destination. It’s a place unlike most of other parts of Perth on Fridays. It was a place that never closes… until 9PM, that is. It’s the…
PERTH INNER-CITY (a.k.a. Hay Street & Murray Street)
The old post-office built in Victorian style. Sunsun was wondering why they built such a huge post office in the middle of the city shopping district…
‘Australian Idol’??!? We should stop this already! The ‘DIY-ego-trip-for-stardom-with-take-my-shit’ reality show phenomenon has taken its toil in our society. Our kids are running away from school to try for this scam… oh no, it’s the MOTHERS. They’re making their kids disappear from school to be a star!
Ooooh… An old English street. Looks like a scene from a Harry Porter story…
... and another, with Adidas old-skool blending into the old street…
... and another, with two young girls looking out of place.
By this time, we were hungry and our feet were tired. Not wanting another western meal of pasta or kebab, Jerri suggested a vietnamese cuisine. We agreed without hesitation.
The vietnamese restaurant was fantastic! The crowd was noisy and it reminded me of home. This place was particularly popular with students and PR from various parts of Southeast Asia. The atmostphere and conversations with people made us feel just like home (except with this nosy Asian couple who couldn’t stop rambling about their memories of Singapore food… “You remember what Chendol is, right? I bet you miss Singapore satay…” Hello~ Didn’t I just mentioned I’m from Singapore visiting my sis? For gawd’s sake, can’t we just enjoy a nice bowl of vietnamese beef noodles without in peace?).
After food, the only choices where we could still go at that hour weren’t many, so Jerri decided to bring us to a nice residential neighborhood (which she has been aspired to reside in the future)...
East Perth
The night is getting cool. The river side looked serene and quiet…
Nice place to chill-out.
Did I say ‘chill’? Seemed like a persuasive word for these two girls.
Yes… I think this confirms my assumption. ‘Chilling-out’ was probably not a popular word at a time like this when we were standing out in the cold night gusts along the river side.
Come on, it’s not really that cold. See? I’m not complaining…
Ok, I’m getting the gust… I mean ‘gist’... ‘drift’... nevermind.
This district is really nice at night. I’m really enjoyed the view of the street.
These Australian really know how to light up their residences…
It’s not old… nor new… The style is almost of some neo-victorian style.
Ok. The girls were feeling too cold for their comfort. One last stop before retiring for the night…
King’s Park
PeekaBRRRRR… The wind chill was freezing my bones…
Ok. Now it’s looking really bad. My wife and sister were cuddling up at a corner of a stone structure hiding from the wind.
See, Sweetiee Jaa… It’s not that cold. Enjoy the view. It’s beautiful tonight (and stop squinting your eyes for the camera).
My brave sister, who’d decided to brave through this cold for years to come…
The war monument…
Come come, Sweetiee Jaa… One last pic and we can go…
And that concluded our excursion for the night…
And also for our visit to Perth. We left the next morning for a noon flight home. We bid our dear sister goodbye and returned to the humidity-around-the-year tropical island we call home. Take care, sista. Fare-Thee-Well. We shall meet again next CNY.
Before sending Dad to the airport, we visited a park by Swan River.
Dad kept warning us not to get too close to the edge, so he’s demonstrating the yellow line…
We were here to look for some black swans, but found none at first… until we met this family.
Here ducky ducky… oops… should be “swany swany”.
Dad… I know you’re keen about these baby swans and thinking what great delicacy they can be, but please don’t get too close.
And that was that for our little morning excursion before driving Dad to the airport to catch his flight.
Say what??!?!!? Dad just told us when we arrived at the airport that he mistook his flight 2 hours too early! So we accompanied him at the airport until he checked in.
Next stop… Caversham Wildlife Park
Now what’s this? Feathered creatures… with eggs.
Aaah… A lovey-dovey family of owls. Both parents protecting their offsprings… from us
The Lil’ Friendly Bird… it kept following us as we moved from side to side of the cage. (Note: Video file may take a few minutes to load)
The ugliest bird in the park… looks like a bird with a dino-head existing in the wrong evoluntionary age.
There they are! The KANGAROOS! (Sunsun’s first encounter with a kangaroo in real life).
Good boy… eat… (after this fella got up from his nap and scratched his nuts)...
... and boy is he hungry. Even eats with his eyes closed at all time.
Another kangaroo… albino… showing off his nuts.
Eh… So ya gonna eat or not?
Here kitty kitty… aiks! I’m getting the wrong animal again. Here kangy kangy…
There… good boy…
Oh, this lil one is super friendly. Grabs my hand for his food…
... and he’s not stopping yet.
Sunsun’s PawPaw trick… She really good at this! Did it with Cobie in a week and now she’s done it with this lil one within a minute! (Note: Video file may take a few minutes to load)
Hey what’s that in the pouch? A BABY KANG! It’s moving inside too!
Ahhh… The kangaroo haven. They eat, copulate, chillout …
... and even poop… all while lying down ERRKS!
Nice pic of a peacock on a fence…
... and after waiting for a good 5 minutes, we finally got this one to face us.
Sunsun with the 45kgs wombat. It PEED and POOPED while Sunsun was struggling to keep the giant critter from sliding off her grip.
DAMN! She’s really heavy! No wonder Sunsun was complaining…
Ok… I’m going to feed you… so don’t spit at me ar….
Good boy! Runs before it spits
Arrgh! This goat jumps on me when it noticed I had food!
Ok! I’m done… no more food… shoo! Get off me!
Good koala… nice fur… hmmm… evil thoughts
Hey you! Yes you! Look this way!
Arrggh! He looked away again…
Wakey wakey!
Why are they always sleepy? Frown
Shuddup will ya! I’m trying to sleep… Talk to my hand… erm, my foot
The flight was 5 hours. Surprisingly, the immigration and customs processes were quick. The trick was to declare the mooncakes we brought for Jerri and obscurely deny any other food we had in our luggages
Got to the hotel at Burswood to meet up with Dad and had a light dinner before Jerri came to pick us up for the ceremony.
At the Ceremony
My dear sista and me…
Dad & Jerri…
Sunsun with Ben & Jerri…
... and enuff of Jerri already! Just Sunsun and me
Alright alright… another one for Ben & Jerri (Choc Chip Cookie Dough, anyone?)
While waiting for the ceremony to start in the hall… and waiting… and waiting…
The Chancellor spoke… and then the announcements “Chancellor, we present to you…” went on… and on… and on…
... and finally after an hour passed, it was Jerri’s turn for her 15-seconds-of-fame.
... and this is the REASON for the evening of ceremony!
By the end of the ceremony… zzzzz…
Time to go to bed. Grabbed some supper before knocking out on bed back at hotel…
Perth isn’t exactly the most exciting city in Australia, but at my dad’s request (and sponsorship) Sunsun and I will be joining him for a trip to the city for my sister, Jerrica’s graduation. September 21st to 24th.
So in case if anyone wonders about my prolonged MIA next week, I’m actually flying my sensory tools away from any convenience to keep an update of my thoughts/observations on blogs.
I will be showing Sunsun around. She had never been able to obtain a visitor visa to Australia (due to constraints of her citizenship) so she will be excited to see the city.
Here are the shops I intend to look for in Perth. In case anybody has further recommendations, please contribute. Thanx!
=FIASCO=
Underground, Carillon City
Murray Street Mall
+61 8 9486 7020
=ATLAS CLOTHING=
121 Oxford St
Leederville
+61 8 9242 5880
A week ago, I had a chat with a friend (let’s just call him Sam) and the conversation led to a series of personal beliefs and insights on things around us. We chatted on serious topics from human nature to religions, and also found out that we share the same set of principles we lead our lives by. It wasn’t until we listed the attributes we have realized about ourselves that we discovered we are both Aquarians.
Now, I am not a close follower of the zodiac (western or chinese) and I do not read monthly horoscope, but this observation somehow confirms the connection between the star sign we share and our similarities. Here are some of the attributes and beliefs we share:
We are both addicted to being unique. Naturally non-conformists, we refuse to accede to the norms commonly practiced by our peers. We do things on purpose to be shock people. This addiction always give us the drives and urges to create something extraordinary or do things the way others least expect us to. It simply gives us the thrill when we get the reactions. Because of this, people around us may find us ‘artistic’.
We are both super sensitive creatures. Our daily moods, for work or for play, depend on elements and people around us. We can easily relate to the atmosphere of the room when we feel someone isn’t at his upbeat mood. We both get affected easily by reactions of people we encounter. I was even branded a SNAG before.
We can get eccentric often. Already proven by the inconsistency of my blogging habits, the reason behind this is no different from Sam’s inconsistency of likes/dislikes. Though sometimes predictable, the fluctuations of our behavior can kill us even if it doesn’t kill our peers first. But we just like it. It keeps us alive by experiencing old things in new manners all the time.
We have patience but not when it comes to our urges. Due to this, we have both experienced the craziest acts on the in-prompt-to basis, such as meeting up at 3am in the morning after one calls the other at 2:30am. This is the same when it comes to shopping. When we see something we really like, we will spend on it no matter how others might not understand the worth. If we want something that only exists in our minds, we will actualize it through either creation or modification.
We are hopelessly stubborn. We seldom listen to advices or suggestions. We simply do things the way we want when we want to, even when it makes no sense to others.
We realize that only Aquarians can truly understand Aquarians, in thoughts and in words. Between Sam and me, we sometimes talk a lot about things nobody who’s listening can understand, and sometimes do things in conjunction to each other’s instincts without even saying a word.
We get upset easily but the temper is always short-lived. We dislike carrying disagreement for too long and we don’t hold grudge. We simply realize we are unhappy and we do not like to stay unhappy for long.
There are more to the list but that’s all I can think of or remember right now. It just suddenly daunted to us in that conversation why we get along so well, despite coming from totally different family backgrounds and are in completely different lines of work. Like mentioned earlier, I’m not a believer of horoscope, this observation simply puts me into philosophical questioning on the mysterious ways how two people born during the same month can have such similar personality traits.
Have you met and spoken to someone who’s birthday falls close to yours? Let’s share such experience and see if the zodiac star signs do contribute to such similarities or are they mere concidence.
Now this is what I call TRUE INNOVATION. Not only is it practical for outdoor sports, it can be a revolutionary culture symbol of the era, very much like iPods and mobile phones.
Nike MaxSight is developed in collaboration with Bausch & Lomb as a new way of sun glare reduction and UV filtering. What? Sunglasses? No, it’s not just another sunglasses and shades like those designed for sports purposes with the likes of Oakley.
What we are talking about here is tinted soft contact lens that behave like sunglasses. Unlike sunglasses, these soft lens rest directly on the cornea of the eyes hence no distortion of the usual shades that don’t protect the sides of our sights (not even with the face hugging designs of Oakley famous Frame series of shades). To cut my excitement for this innovation short, just think of the comforts you get from contact lens as compared to sunglasses (framed or frameless).
These is already available in the US market in August 2005. Read more about it here at innovation & inspire in nikebiz.com. Ready for some kewl and practical colored contact lens, instead of those cosmetic ones most Asians use to get Caucasian looking eyes? Wink in amber sparkle
Why a culture symbol? Just see how radical your eyes will look with these lens on…
