The year has gone by so quickly. Another year is almost gone. Almost 5 months ago, I embarked on the beginning of a new, long adventure. And as you can tell, there have been no blogs since then. What an adventure it has been. New work, new learnings, new friends, new experiences. Growing up isn't as fun as one would imagine. There are definitely new kinds of fun though. Meeting interesting people, seeing some cool engineering stuff, designing a new plant.
This post is meant to be rather vague.
I still haven't really accepted the fact that I'm really here. It's that denial stage. Who knows what will happen...11 months ago, I decided to come here as a base while I searched for a job. I was hoping to be able to go home. Very quickly my definition of home is changing.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Thursday, June 17, 2010
the imminent tide of voracious ponderences.
this post is long overdue...
In Hong Kong last week, I heard a guy tell me how to give presentations. Unfortunately, the fact that he was wearing a striped shirt where every piece was a different colour slightly diminished his credibility. Besides that, his powerpoint slides were awful. See below:
Terrifying isn't it?
He did, however, mention a few things that I found interesting. He mentioned that when giving a speech, you need to speak in terms of pictures. Don't give me big jargon words - just say it like it is. Turns out I think I'm a Generation Y with a Millenials mindset...See? That doesn't make sense does it? As a member of Generation Y, I welcome feedback. I need it. I thrive on knowing what I did well and where I can improve. Okay, please don't just tell me I suck at life. But I do welcome knowing that maybe next time I shouldn't move around so much while giving a presentation because you find it distracting. Please let me know how I am doing. People have said that us Gen Ys require this type of babying but in my opinion, there's nothing wrong in wanting to know in which areas you can improve.
Why do people have to hold back? Why do I have to hold back? I'm sure there were times where I could have said what I was thinking. I think it was because I didn't want to offend anyone? I don't know about you, but this is something I should work on. This train of thought leads me to "judging" people and it's a whole other path that I don't want to pursue.
In other news, having returned from a mini-trip overseas, I am meeting more of my peers from around the world. The majority of them are AMAZING. Never have I met so many well-spoken, cultured individuals who are just as nerdy as I am! What was also interesting was the clear difference between Asian culture and non-Asian culture. Teams from non-Asia spent most of the "get-to-know-you" time around drinking. We spent times in clubs and bars and got to know people that way. However, we did not see any of the Asian teams out. One of the Brits noted it as the Asian culture does not really revolve around drinking. I wonder what they did to get to know people. On the other hand, maybe they were there to compete hardcore and spent the time practicing? Except only 1 Chinese team made the finals while the rest came from "drinking cultures" like Australia, Canada, UK, Germany and the US. Granted the US team weren't out much but they were from Johns Hopkins so it explains a lot... (kidding. they were nice.)
Then you have countries where East-meets-West like Hong Kong and Singapore. They were out some nights and other nights they weren't. Both were social but also kept to themselves. Funny how that works out. The non-Asian country teams like Canada, Netherlands, USA, and UK were always planning things with each other making sure that they were rarely out on their own. Can we extrapolate this kind of thinking? I'm not sure. What I do know is that I have a better connection with the aforementioned teams because we went out and got to know each other in a social setting instead of just competition.
That's a lot of rambling. Done now.
In Hong Kong last week, I heard a guy tell me how to give presentations. Unfortunately, the fact that he was wearing a striped shirt where every piece was a different colour slightly diminished his credibility. Besides that, his powerpoint slides were awful. See below:
Terrifying isn't it?
He did, however, mention a few things that I found interesting. He mentioned that when giving a speech, you need to speak in terms of pictures. Don't give me big jargon words - just say it like it is. Turns out I think I'm a Generation Y with a Millenials mindset...See? That doesn't make sense does it? As a member of Generation Y, I welcome feedback. I need it. I thrive on knowing what I did well and where I can improve. Okay, please don't just tell me I suck at life. But I do welcome knowing that maybe next time I shouldn't move around so much while giving a presentation because you find it distracting. Please let me know how I am doing. People have said that us Gen Ys require this type of babying but in my opinion, there's nothing wrong in wanting to know in which areas you can improve.
Why do people have to hold back? Why do I have to hold back? I'm sure there were times where I could have said what I was thinking. I think it was because I didn't want to offend anyone? I don't know about you, but this is something I should work on. This train of thought leads me to "judging" people and it's a whole other path that I don't want to pursue.
In other news, having returned from a mini-trip overseas, I am meeting more of my peers from around the world. The majority of them are AMAZING. Never have I met so many well-spoken, cultured individuals who are just as nerdy as I am! What was also interesting was the clear difference between Asian culture and non-Asian culture. Teams from non-Asia spent most of the "get-to-know-you" time around drinking. We spent times in clubs and bars and got to know people that way. However, we did not see any of the Asian teams out. One of the Brits noted it as the Asian culture does not really revolve around drinking. I wonder what they did to get to know people. On the other hand, maybe they were there to compete hardcore and spent the time practicing? Except only 1 Chinese team made the finals while the rest came from "drinking cultures" like Australia, Canada, UK, Germany and the US. Granted the US team weren't out much but they were from Johns Hopkins so it explains a lot... (kidding. they were nice.)
Then you have countries where East-meets-West like Hong Kong and Singapore. They were out some nights and other nights they weren't. Both were social but also kept to themselves. Funny how that works out. The non-Asian country teams like Canada, Netherlands, USA, and UK were always planning things with each other making sure that they were rarely out on their own. Can we extrapolate this kind of thinking? I'm not sure. What I do know is that I have a better connection with the aforementioned teams because we went out and got to know each other in a social setting instead of just competition.
That's a lot of rambling. Done now.
Monday, March 22, 2010
forced reflection.
In this next few weeks of uncertainty, it will be a time of forced reflection mostly because I have nothing much else to do! I finally finished my prayer journal and got a new one whilst in Indonesia. There are so many things to be thankful for it's ridiculous.
Singapore has done me some great good - and it's only been 3 months. I have made some excellent spiritual friendships, I've learned to mix and mingle with the locals, I've worked in an environment that has taught me much about myself and my abilities. I interact with professionals, been given the chance to act on the worship team at church and just try to make a difference. I still don't know what I'm doing with my life, but I'm so encouraged to just keep pushing and trusting the Lord with everything. I've seen the power of prayer and understand the saying that Success = Preparation + Opportunity. The Lord has put me in this country for a reason. I've started seeing glimpses of my potential use here. I don't want to completely detach myself from ADMPS because they were the first people that really gave me a chance. I am forever thankful for that opportunity. I don't know what to expect at this MNC but maybe I can use this opportunity to combine my other passions.
Vague much?
Singapore has done me some great good - and it's only been 3 months. I have made some excellent spiritual friendships, I've learned to mix and mingle with the locals, I've worked in an environment that has taught me much about myself and my abilities. I interact with professionals, been given the chance to act on the worship team at church and just try to make a difference. I still don't know what I'm doing with my life, but I'm so encouraged to just keep pushing and trusting the Lord with everything. I've seen the power of prayer and understand the saying that Success = Preparation + Opportunity. The Lord has put me in this country for a reason. I've started seeing glimpses of my potential use here. I don't want to completely detach myself from ADMPS because they were the first people that really gave me a chance. I am forever thankful for that opportunity. I don't know what to expect at this MNC but maybe I can use this opportunity to combine my other passions.
Vague much?
Monday, March 15, 2010
faithfulness.
I am blown away everyday by God's faithfulness. Looking at my journey in the last year, I can see now how the Lord has helped me grow and develop before throwing me an amazing opportunity to challenge me and see if I can take what I've learned and run ahead. Granted, a lot can happen between now and July but right now, I have a few more months to experience life and make the most of a period before a new chapter in my life. I am excited and want it to come right away but this period of waiting will likely test my faithfulness and patience.
On another note, I ran in my first 5km race yesterday! Thank God for perseverance. I figured if I was going to sign up for it, I'd do my best. This meant that I would have to start training 2 weeks before the event. I didn't do much to tell you the truth. I probably ran/walked 9 days out of 14 and I was able to run about 80% of the course! Next time I'll do better. It was fun because I did it with other people and I'm praying that I will be able to continue these relationships and build them and love on them like Jesus would. Like true Singaporeans, we went for nasi lemak right afterwards..oh the calories. Pictures to come soon I hope..
On yet another note...food. Here's what my grandma cooked for dinner the other day:
On another note, I ran in my first 5km race yesterday! Thank God for perseverance. I figured if I was going to sign up for it, I'd do my best. This meant that I would have to start training 2 weeks before the event. I didn't do much to tell you the truth. I probably ran/walked 9 days out of 14 and I was able to run about 80% of the course! Next time I'll do better. It was fun because I did it with other people and I'm praying that I will be able to continue these relationships and build them and love on them like Jesus would. Like true Singaporeans, we went for nasi lemak right afterwards..oh the calories. Pictures to come soon I hope..
On yet another note...food. Here's what my grandma cooked for dinner the other day:
Friday, March 5, 2010
saul? no, my name is paul.
On the trains in the morning, I have some uninterrupted time to read my Bible. What a blessing it has been. The time I have to get in the Word helps me get through the day. Going through Acts has been fun. I need to study it more, but Paul rocks. God really used him as a mouthpiece for His Word to the Gentiles and I only pray that I can be such a light in my world. Fear is a major roadblock in this trek. Fear that you'll sound stupid and especially fear that your work to be accepted by a group will be "gone to waste" if you say the wrong thing.
In your head, you know that if they cannot accept your views, then they probably weren't your friends anyway. Then there's also the barrier of co-workers and the unspoken social drives in that circle. Is there a way to cross the co-worker/friend/spiritual friend barrier? In your heart, you think to yourself, "it's taken me 2 months to make the progress that I have. It only takes one wrong move to break that down. I can't say what I'm really feeling" ...one can only pray for wisdom, discernment and Lord-given courage.
I thank God everyday for the seemingly-random things that have taken place in my life to teach me about perseverance, love and being the new kid on the block. I've been learning to ask questions, get out of my comfort zone, and figure out that I'm not that smart.. The people I spend my days with have bounds of wisdom to share and are so willing to do so - another blessing.
Being the baby in the group wasn't so bad until they found out.. =)
Things are just a matter of asking questions in rounds to decrease the frequency of questions asked to the same person and thus increasing the you're-not-a-total-pain-in-the-rear feeling. The thing about teachers is that they are always in "teacher-mode"...which means if you love to learn, they love to teach. Luckily, I'm eager to learn.
What a load of random babble...sorry. Next time there will be some sort of point.
In your head, you know that if they cannot accept your views, then they probably weren't your friends anyway. Then there's also the barrier of co-workers and the unspoken social drives in that circle. Is there a way to cross the co-worker/friend/spiritual friend barrier? In your heart, you think to yourself, "it's taken me 2 months to make the progress that I have. It only takes one wrong move to break that down. I can't say what I'm really feeling" ...one can only pray for wisdom, discernment and Lord-given courage.
I thank God everyday for the seemingly-random things that have taken place in my life to teach me about perseverance, love and being the new kid on the block. I've been learning to ask questions, get out of my comfort zone, and figure out that I'm not that smart.. The people I spend my days with have bounds of wisdom to share and are so willing to do so - another blessing.
Being the baby in the group wasn't so bad until they found out.. =)
Things are just a matter of asking questions in rounds to decrease the frequency of questions asked to the same person and thus increasing the you're-not-a-total-pain-in-the-rear feeling. The thing about teachers is that they are always in "teacher-mode"...which means if you love to learn, they love to teach. Luckily, I'm eager to learn.
What a load of random babble...sorry. Next time there will be some sort of point.
tears from the sky
Let's talk about the weather...
A vicious cycle of heat, humidity, rain, humidity, heat, humidity, etc.
You don't have to be doing anything, just standing there. The sweat will seep out your pores, the air is so heavy with moisture that it's hard to breathe. Your clothes stick to your skin and you long for the dry coolness of the air-conditioning. And then you look over, you see a young girl, walking around in 35/85 degree heat bundled up in a black sweater and pants without so much as a glimmer of perspiration on her forehead. Oh the envy. You wish your makeup wouldn't run but there's no choice because you can feel the heat within 5 minutes of walking outside.
The air is thick with moisture, you see the grey clouds starting to come together and blanket the sky above you. The sky turns orange in the afternoon, the winds pick up. Without warning, you feel a small drop. And then a larger one, and then an even bigger one. The motorcyclists take refuge under bridges to put on their rain gear while the folks on the street reveal an umbrella without which they don't leave home. In a blink of an eye, the sky darkens overhead and the rain falls faster and faster with the storm drains quickly rising. You run for cover without getting your feet too wet. The umbrella seems virtually useless with the wind whipping around and you struggle to maintain control of the only thing keeping you remotely dry.
Just as soon quickly as it begins, the rain eases and the clouds part as the sun comes streaming through, heating up the ground and you feel the water evaporating as your surroundings start to dry.
But such is life. This is what happens a few degrees north of the Equator. You adapt and take more showers. The people are used to it.
A vicious cycle of heat, humidity, rain, humidity, heat, humidity, etc.
You don't have to be doing anything, just standing there. The sweat will seep out your pores, the air is so heavy with moisture that it's hard to breathe. Your clothes stick to your skin and you long for the dry coolness of the air-conditioning. And then you look over, you see a young girl, walking around in 35/85 degree heat bundled up in a black sweater and pants without so much as a glimmer of perspiration on her forehead. Oh the envy. You wish your makeup wouldn't run but there's no choice because you can feel the heat within 5 minutes of walking outside.
The air is thick with moisture, you see the grey clouds starting to come together and blanket the sky above you. The sky turns orange in the afternoon, the winds pick up. Without warning, you feel a small drop. And then a larger one, and then an even bigger one. The motorcyclists take refuge under bridges to put on their rain gear while the folks on the street reveal an umbrella without which they don't leave home. In a blink of an eye, the sky darkens overhead and the rain falls faster and faster with the storm drains quickly rising. You run for cover without getting your feet too wet. The umbrella seems virtually useless with the wind whipping around and you struggle to maintain control of the only thing keeping you remotely dry.
Just as soon quickly as it begins, the rain eases and the clouds part as the sun comes streaming through, heating up the ground and you feel the water evaporating as your surroundings start to dry.
But such is life. This is what happens a few degrees north of the Equator. You adapt and take more showers. The people are used to it.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
the pursuit of suffering
Acts 5:41 ...is our goal to be "counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name [of Jesus Christ]"? The Apostles performed miracles among the people and then persecuted for their beliefs. The Lord was with them as they only received a flogging at the orders of the Sanhedrin. They rejoiced as they left because they were considered worthy of suffering for the name of Jesus Christ.
Are we living life boldly enough to say that we were considered worthy of the suffering?
Are we living life boldly enough to say that we were considered worthy of the suffering?
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