Choices in life

I've taken a hiatus from updating my blog of late, largely due to my teaching schedule.








Having spent some time in the corporate world, the contrast between that and a teacher's life is quite substantial. That said, specific occupational rigours are expected whether you are a corporate man or a teacher. For example, corporate life can be quite intense during the different cycles in a work year. But once I got used to it, I was energized! When teaching, I underestimated the energy required to conduct public speaking and to explain challenging concepts on the fly. And although contact hours are much less than the time spent at a corporate job, I somehow crash after every lecture and facilitation session.

It is commonly circulated amongst the corporate folk that those in academia tend to be 'out-of-touch' from the 'real world'. There is some truth to this statement, but try and figure out this anecdote --- most patients who get admitted into the Institute of Mental Health are teachers. A friend of mine who happens to be a psychologist at the aforementioned facility could not comment on absolute figures, but concurred that the anecdote is not 'too far from the truth'.

Hmm...

But yes, given that I have a little time now, it is only decent that I update my blog and once again, to all those who are actually reading this entry, an appreciative thank you to you --- but don't you have better things to do?

LOL!

I am blessed to have been able to complete my Masters program last November. Nope, I don't feel any smarter or wiser. In fact, the more I learn, the more I don't know. Someone once insinuated that the reason for his studying an MBA was to obtain a higher level of intelligence. I never knew he wanted to be an alien.

But yes, having made the switch from being a corporate man to becoming an educator, I can say with all my heart that I am loving every minute of it! The past 3 years have also confirmed my calling in life. And thus, the plan to study even more hatched sometime late last year. Yes, this former school dropout applied to doctorate programs earlier this year --- and got accepted into both schools.

*background refrain of obama-esque shouts echoing 'Yes, we can!'*

I thank God for life's journey so far. There was a time that I used to ridicule doctorate students as having irreversible brain trauma. Looks like they are having the last laugh now as I go over to the dark side. One program was based in Spokane, Washington. (Now where the heck is that?) Another is a French program based in China. Yes, the fella who failed his Chinese exam at high school level in Singapore got accepted into a doctoral program in China. Rest assured, the program is conducted in English but the telephone interview was conducted in both English and Mandarin. I guess the professor probably admitted me because he felt that my Mandarin language skills make for good comic relief amongst my mainland Chinese classmates.

*Grin*

When the time came to make a decision on which offer to accept, a thousand and one things ran through my mind. Are we good on the financial situation? Must we sell the car? How about Junior's education? The Wife's job? Where will our new domestic helper go? But the time came and the choice was quite clear.

It helps that both programs allow for me to commute to class over the 4-5 years course duration, but I guess the clincher really boiled down to an issue of how relevant the institution was at a global level. The fact that classes are held in China is a plus point for me. This prodigal son of Hainan Island (China) has never stepped onto the mainland soil yet (if you exclude Hong Kong). Perhaps, one might see me as a Sea Turtle (Hai Gui, a term to describe mainland Chinese who leave home for greener pastures in the West, but return to the mainland eventually), but I do think it is time. The decision making process involved thought, prayer, research, seeking out wisdom from the correct folks, lobbying and of course, waiting.

I am certain this will be a life changing decision, and I am looking forward to the journey ahead! And so all you folks out there, if you happen to be living in Grenoble (France) or Beijing/Guangzhou (China), I shall be knocking on your doors very soon! Come to think of it, I am doubtful I know anyone in these places...

New LG PRADA II mobile phone - $380 neg

Beautiful LG PRADA II (Black) for sale.

Hardly used.

No problems with the phone.

Am selling to finance my wife's new IPhone.

Comes with full warranty. Date on Warranty Card is left empty.

Please contact Paul: 917 852 17

Man, that was fast!

Man stole after casino losses

Feb 17, 2010

By Elena Chong

AN INDONESIAN man who lost all his money at the Resorts World Sentosa casino stole a mobile phone from an undergraduate at Changi Airport.

Paulus Djohar, 49, unemployed, was jailed for four weeks on Wednesday after pleading guilty to stealing a $500 phone from Ms Lim Tse Min at Terminal 1 on Tuesday.

A court heard that he came here from Malaysia last Tuesday with the intention of patronising the newly-opened casino at RWS. As he lost all his money gambling at the casino on Monday, the second day of its opening, he decided to steal from passengers at Changi Airport.

Early on Tuesday morning, Djohar was at the airport when he approached Ms Lim, who was with a group sending a friend off.

One of them in the group saw his suspicious movements and alerted Ms Lim, who discovered the phone gone from the side pocket of her backpack. She and the witness confronted Djohar.

Djohar, who said he regretted what he had done, could have been jailed for up to three years and/or fined.

www.straitstimes.com

This one's for you, my boy....

Find Your Wings
Mark Harris

It's only for a moment you are mine to hold
The plans that heaven has for you
Will all too soon unfold
So many different prayers I'll pray
For all that you might do
But most of all I'll want to know
You're walking in the truth
And if I never told you
I want you to know
As I watch you grow

I pray that God would fill your heart with dreams
And that faith gives you the courage
To dare to do great things
I'm here for you whatever this life brings
So let my love give you roots
And help you find your wings

May passion be the wind
That leads you through your days
And may conviction keep you strong
Guide you on your way
May there be many moments
That make your life so sweet
Oh, but more than memories

I pray that God will fill your heart with dreams
And that faith gives you the courage
To dare to do great things
I'm here for you whatever this life brings
So let my love give you roots
And help you find your wings

It's not living if you don't reach for the sky
I'll have tears as you take off
But I'll cheer as you fly

I pray that God would fill your heart with dreams
And that faith gives you the courage
To dare to do great things
I'm here for you whatever this life brings
So let my love give you roots
And help you find your wings

A short respite...

Entering the year 2010, it has indeed been a busy time for me so far.

Teaching assignments; the endless amounts of grading my students within a short timeline; conducting leadership training sessions; and heading off for 2 weeks of army reservist training. I foresee breathing space during the month of Ferbuary...I hope =)

Thankfully, today is a very much needed respite from my work and responsibilities. To give you an idea of how tight my back to back schedule is, I am only able to fit in certain appointments on the way from the toilet to the carpark --- talk as we walk. Arrive at the car, meeting over. Job done.

But yes, today, as part of the institution's performance indicators for its staff, I am required to sit in, observe and report on one of my colleagues in their presentation of the lesson. Such an exercise can be rather intimidating for both Observer and Observee. If you can imagine the potential level of blackmail that might take place, you will know what I mean. Thankfully, my colleague, J, is an easy going free spirit. She does a good job anyway, so it's a straightforward exercise for the both of us.

That means, I get a chance to breathe!

Actually, it sounds worse than it actually is. I remember the days in Advertising that left me with heart palpitations and breathlessness --- an exciting industry indeed. Not to mention high levels of stress! That was a different ball game altogther --- with the potential for many to burnout.

But the work I am doing now, though busy, I am actually quite enjoying it.

Still, a man needs to rest.

Rest has been understated, especially amongst the Generation X-ers and, especially Y-ers. We think that if our mind is able to push us to multi-task between office work, family responsibilities and fitness training for that triathlon coming up next month. But the reality is this --- our mind can make us achieve heights physically we are not able to attain, but only for a limited period only. Everything comes at a cost, and while you have achieved a greater height, the toll on your body can be irreversible.

It could even kill you.

I have friends and acquaintances who hold top positions in their corporations. They work till late and then go for late night jogs, swims (think 12am). They sleep at 2am and then get up at 6am. They are quite proud of their ability to balance such a lifestyle.

I shudder.

Research has proven that with little sleep, people die earlier; are not able to concentrate for long periods; and are prone to make wrong decisions.

To be fair, I was one of these individuals who thought that nothing could stand in my way. But I have learnt my lesson, and I have to make time to rest.

Yes, one has to make time to rest, especially if you are the go-getter type of person.

And so, on this day of respite, I have planned to visit the mall nearby to get a pair of tennis shoes (so that I can keep the tennis date planned in February). I will also head to the gym for a short run and pump some iron. And then there is more grading for tonight.

Hmm...I've learnt my lesson, eh?

Awww...

I attended the Lea Salonga concert with the wife last week.

Ok, I admit that I was dragged there by the wife. I mean, I like Lea Salonga, but I did not really think much of going. My living room couch was beckoning me towards itself irresistibly. But since I loved the Wife, I relented.

And I did not regret. What a lovely voice this lass has...and at a live performance too!

Here's one of our favourite songs. After she sang this song, you could hear half the concert hall blowing their noses with tissue. Ladies mostly, I think. It was dark, you see.

The title of the song is called 'Two Words'. It was written by 2 of her closest friends for her to sing to her husband at the altar. Watch the video of her sing to her husband and you would see him just melt in a helpless heap.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji3bEFoBYtA&feature=related


*Sob*

So sweet...how come my wife never sang to me like that???!!!!

All I want for X'mas....

Nice to have...but I guess it'll have to be put on hold for now =)