Don't compare with others, compare with yesterday

人的一生取決於努力多少、方向正確與否。不是和別人比，而是和昨天的自己比.前進一步就是勝利。-- 池田先生
This wise guidance was by Ikeda Sensei. I felt it today. I could feel that I am better than yesterday, and I see improvement everyday. I'm talking about my work.

After a long hiatus from Toastmaster, I was back last night. I took on the role of a project evaluator. Even though it was not the best evaluation, it was my best thus far. Even I was surprised. The mentality helps alot. I used to worry about not being able to deliver a proper evaluation, and true enough, I did not. I focused too much on myself. Last night, I changed my mindset to one that is more concerned of the speaker himself. I wanted to help the speaker to improve. That enables me to evaluate in a more objective way. So my public speaking skills have improved as well.

A table topic yesterday gave me an inspiration to write this : "If you could grow one thing, what would that be?"
It's not money, Financial planner could do that. It's not time, because time is meant to be managed, to do the most in the shortest time, to give people a sense of urgency. If I could grow one thing, that would be wisdom. When we have wisdom, we could make sound decisions. That saves time and money. When we have wisdom, we could earn favour in the workplace and make ourselves a more valuable employee.When we have wisdom, it could help us to work smarter, not harder. When we have wisdom, we are more secure about ourselves, and we tend to sleep better.

Unfortunately, wisdom cannot be grown just like that. It takes time and life experiences to accumulate and grow it. Even more unfortunate for some, no matter how old they are, they never become the wise old men.

傻人也许有傻福，但不能傻得太糊涂

Kovan is a hidden gem

Thanks to a friend who recommended a Thai restaurant for my birthday treat -- Nakhon Kitchen. That's when I realised I don't need to go too far to have great food because its all in the vicinity of Hougang! More reasons to ask all my NEL-ians out for gathering.


I googled 'Kovan Thai food' and realised many people have good reviews about this little secret place. Well, I guess its not so secret afterall. Another place worth mentioning -- ice edge cafe. Their ice cream reminds me of Udders. Yums.


What can I say, Kovan is really a hidden gem.

He denies

Mr Mysterious send flowers again -- for my birthday. I emailed him, he denies.I believe him.

This mysterious act is freaking me out.

Happy Birthday to myself

Dear Lani,

Happy Birthday to you, time really flies. Before you realised it, you have already celebrated 27 birthdays since the day you were born. Of course, I'll save the typical birthday wishes, like stay young and pretty forever, may you find your prince charming and etc. Instead, I hope you grow wiser each day and always be better than yesterday. May you achieve your dreams as soon as possible.

Sincerely,
Your identical twin

Tertiary Education merits or the soft skills?

I've got a burning question, does the "brand" of your bachelor's degree really matters so much when it comes to career advancement?

I've asked this question to many of the seniors in this industry around me. So far, I've gotten mixed replies.

In my opinion, if I'm not going to work for the government sector, then it doesn't really matter. I choose to believe that my interpersonal skills and the positive attitude has an edge over someone whose merits are purely based on academic results. Technical skills would improve over time.

It just takes a smart employer to discover a gem like me.

I guess I can conclude now.

Exhasted

We worked on the project for 12 straight hours on Sunday, from 10.30am to 10.30pm. I worked like a machine gun at work on Monday and Tuesday. It was non-stop, except I didn't OT because I had to go to school. Where did those energy came from? I wonder.

I am squeezing the last bit of it now and giving all my best so that the project can be submitted tomorrow.

Impending exams in April... I have to slog for 2 more months.

I am so looking forward to May.

I can't believe a quarter of the year flashed past just like that??!

Appraisal is coming soon, please let all the hard work be recognised. Please reward me with a more deserving salary.

I am so exhausted that my sentences are short.

Snip snip snip

I made the stupidest decision yesterday by deciding to go for a haircut. It is too short!!!!!!
Ahhhhhhh!!!!!!! My beautiful hair's gone!!!!!!!!! Ahhhhh!!!!!!!! Ahhhh!!!!!!!!

Please let my hair grow an inch by a day, pleaseeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!! Hurry up grow!!!!

If you see me in my silly short hair, please don't laugh... just be mesmerised by how i look. Just fool me with all your compliments please. PLEASE.

Oh.... i hate the mirror now.

Bye.... I have to go finish reading up one whole textbook. I have no idea how to complete this assignment and I just hope my brain is good enough to figure out after I gobbled up the whole textbook.

Sobs.... i just want to cry, nothing's going right. T.T