Reflection

I was told, "Patience is a virtue",
But how long should one bear?

I was told, "Communication is vital",
But how is it possible when the desire is no longer there?

I was told, "Understanding is important",
But I often end up sighing in despair...

I was told, "Selfishness is evil",
But I do not wish to share...

Sigh.... Why do I even care?

-LV-

13 more weeks to go!

6 month's of pupillage down, 3 more to go!

I've been swarmed with work for the past 2 months so to speak, time flies by so quickly that I've not realised half of December is gone! Oh boy!

Picked up some lessons along the way, and realised that I still need to work on calming my nerves when the situation warrants it. The stress of unmet datelines, looming datelines, fixing appointments, research, work and more work so to speak... is just too much for a pupil's tiny mind :P It's a whole new ball game altogether. Thank God I've got my gang of chambee mates to keep me sane, or else I'd have just lost it, some time ago... :) And the ever trustworthy P, my agony aunt who's been there, seen it, done it...

At times, I'd realise that it takes much more trying to keep the discipline of not doing any work at all, of trying to take some time off work, to create personal days-off during the weekends. It takes tremendous effort of avoiding oneself from slipping off the "Oh my God, but I've got work 'pending' " mode. I'm trying hard to do this, to not think of work during my personal time off work. Of course, it's hard, but I've got to try to keep my sanity intact.

Work aside, I've rediscovered my passion for running. I've been indulging in quite a few marathons or runs over the past 6 months; 4 races so to speak. It's strange that I'm doing long distance races nowadays, as I used to be a sprinter back in school. Back then, I chose the 100m, cos it was the shortest, and requires less stamina. I've even refused to do the 200m, though I recall that I won my first athletics gold medal during a 200m race. :P I'm aiming to get my 10km (on the road) timing down to 1 hour, 30 minutes next year. Fingers crossed. But I guess, my biggest hindrance would be the time and effort needed for training. Will I have the time?!?!??!

Booked 2 holidays for March 2010, one to HK-Macau (I just love the 2 places) and another to Singapore. Looking forward to the both of them :) Mel was in Singapore during the week, felt bad that I didn't have the time to visit.

Ok, enough personal 'diary' updates for tonight. Ciao.

"A Whole New World"

A special dedication to myself and dear PT whom I truly believe appreciates the underlying meaning of this song...

We chart our destiny...



-LV-

June 09

It's been a lapse of 1 month since I last blogged, and I hardly realised it. Things have been moving at an insanely fast pace for me! So fast that I hardly have time to sit back and reflect.

June 09, has been a very eventful month. I quit a job, to seek further and better challenges ahead. The supremos tried hard to convince me that I'm doomed to a life of suffering out there, but I have yet to feel it. (As of today...) Yup, work load is heavier, work during weekdays and ocassionally during weekends. But, so far so good. Learnt a whole lot in the span of 3 weeks. It's been great experience so far. And close friends and family did notice the significant change in me. :) Guess it's good to opt out of an 'unhealthy relationship' I guess!!!! But yes, I'm glad I took the leap of faith! :) Hard work, but contented.

One thing I realise from this episode is that, I've realised who I am deep within. I hate being confined and restricted. I love to roam free, to be given the opportunity to grow, and reach for greater heights. Yes, I thrive in environments where I dictate my pace, where I dictate how far I would go, where I dictate how high up the ladder I can climb! Freedom, here I come!!!!

That aside, June has been a month filled with sporting activities as well.

First, I survived an 8 hour hike/trek during the Raleigh IW. Started shortly after lunch, and got back in time for supper. One lesson I learnt from being a co-ordinator during the IW is how to sit back and relax and let the kids run the show. It sounds easier than it actually it! And yes, I survived the entire weekend with only 5 hours of sleep!! :)

And next, I completed the Standard Chartered KL Marathon, yup the whole 42.195km of it. That's like the distance from PJ - Putrajaya or Temoh - Ipoh. Took a total of 8 hours and 15 minutes, and got a horrible sunburn after that. But, it's still worth the experience. At least, I've earned my bragging rights. As JS rightfully put it. :P

And July/August's gonna be an interesting few months for me as well. WS texted me the other day, with an invitation to take up scuba diving licence. Guess what yours truly's gonna be up to next?

-LV-

Life & Its Interesting Turns

Tonight's one of those sleepless nights. And when I fail to fall asleep, my mind wanders. I'm in the midst of switching jobs, hence I've much free time in my hands.

I'm wide awake and was prompted to blog. Hence, the decision to install this blogging software on my phone to allow my creative juices to flow.

As usual, on my other sleepless nights, I ponder, not on any serious world peace issues; but rather on myself. It's those rare moments of solitude and self-reflection that I do at times.

Tonight, I just thought of how life had turned out for me, career wise. Never on Earth had I imagined being in the current situation I'm in right now. Had I gone in accordance to my earlier pre-graduation plans, I'd be officially donning my robes in a month or two. I.e. getting my call to the Malaysian Bar.

And had I gone along with my pre-graduation plans, I'd probably be contemplating a career move to the Asian cosmopolitan city of Hong Kong. Work there for a couple of years, then see how and where life takes me.

HOWEVER
As mentioned earlier, life has it's own was of springing it's fair share of surprises.

I landed a job I'd wanted to try and experience all along. I hopped on the ship, and set sail. It's sad that the mast didn't function too well, hence my holidays right now before jumping ship. I guess my 'black robe day' will come 7 months later than expected.

As for the Hong Kong aspirations, I'VE CANNED THEM for I've discovered a far greater joy, hope and dream. Life is about trade-offs and I gladly do that whole-heartedly; without regrets. :)

Life has definitely taken an unexpectedly interesting turn. And I gladly and gratefully embrace it...

-LV-

Today's Breakfast

My daily routine for the past 7 months:

5.45am: Phone rings and I go "ggrrrrrrrrr........ hhhhhhhhhhmmmmm.......... ok........ ahhhhhhh..........huh?????" on the phone with my semi-shut eyes.

5.50am: Alarm goes off. *snooze no. 1*

5.59am: Alarm goes off. *snooze no. 2*

6.08am: Alarm goes off. *snooze no. 3*

6.17am: Alarm goes off. *snooze no. 4*

6.20am: "Okie, time to get outta bed!" *Rolls outta bed, whilst trying to avoid tripping over my pillows and blankets*

6.21am & beyond: Do the whole, bangun pagi, gosok gigi, cuci muka, la la la..... deed, whilst taking of what to have for breakfast.

6.40am: Take a look at the clock. "Oh shit, I'm running late!" Slaps on some compact powder, blusher and prolly some eye shadow if I have the time to.

6.45am: Decide to screw breakfast. Grab a can of Nescafe regular + some biscuits/bread. Dashes out the door.

The above is an illustration of why I enjoyed today's breakfast. Am currently on leave, hence, I have the luxury of time. The perfect opportunity to (as ironic as it sounds) cook instant noodles for breakfast. It was Maggi curry btw.

A temporary life of sheer indolence!

-LV-

Damai Beach; 10th May 2009

Some pictures to share from my recent rendezvous across the South China Sea... :)







Credits to KH, the photographer :P


-LV-

CSR So They Say

Corporate Social Responsibility, a big term corporations use to play Robin Hood once a year. Possibly as an act of penance.

I, for one, am not very keen on embarking on CSRs. I have no objections on companies coming up with long-term CSR plans and CSR projects as evident from the couple of Raleigh CSR partners. No, I'm not saying this because I've built my little yellow Kindergarten as part of my Raleigh expedition under sponsorship from Nestle. But, I'm of the opinion that long term structures such as this would play a role in improving lives of those who need them the most. The kindergarten that I built would now be able to accommodate all 20 pre-schoolers in the Kampung. Laying pipes for a new gravity water feed system, building a micro-electric generator (or something along those lines) serve to improve the lives of the villagers.

In contrast, short-term CSR projects are the ones of which I'm dead set against. They for certain would not bring about the 'noble goals and visions' of a CSR programme.

Organising parties in orphanages, old folks homes and probably in homes for the disabled serves nothing more than to show the philantrophic nature of a certain organisation. The organisers would definitely feel 'overwhelmed' by the sudden gush of attention and adulation 'showered' onto them during the few hours of kindness. It feels good ain't it?

In short, the above CSR contribution can be summed up with the following formula: Lucky pick (i.e. choose the home) --> Buy presents --> Go to location --> Play and Party --> Take a few pictures --> Leave --> Write annual report. What's the point? It's just another thing to tick off the corporate annual check list!

The 'best' CSR suggestion I've come across so far is a proposal which is akin to 'a message in a bottle'. No long term goals, superficial aims/targets, disinterested participants. Need I say more? I shall leave it as such.

To conclude, I'm dead against CSR, especially where they involve other people/community as I hate the Robin Hood (rich man save poor man) scheme of things. Worse still, the unsuspecting ones would be used as commodities(?) or tools in furtherance of the 'philantrophic' goals of an organisation. Notwithstanding the fact that there may be some employees who would genuinely and sincerely participate in the project, more often than not, it's involuntary.

Why make others do something they do not have the heart for?

-LV-