Resolution 2010

Guess I should start a bit of Resolution 2010 with a bit of review from 2009. 2009 has been a challenging year, with many fruitful memories.

In terms of career, I found my graduate job in a place called KEDA, as a System Analyst, where afterwards, I had enough of the boss and started searching for an alternative. In April 13 2009, after a holiday to Japan, I started a new job in a company called E-Mice Solutions (HK) Limited. This company allowed me to expose my technical research and analytical skills to the business level, as well as making a report for the HKSAR Innovation Technology Commission with my team leader, Chris. I learnt a lot about work politics, which is something very devastating, but also essential to bear in mind that such things exist. Nevertheless, I was being put into a situation where I was almost being framed up. This led my team leader to begin working for another senior manager, who is the shareholder of the company. Having said that, I learnt important things from the previous director as well, who can be called a bitch but then her skills in handling people demonstrated the necessity of what a manager should not do in the future.

In terms of church, I have finally taken promise in the Legion of Mary and worked my assignments in the choir as head organist. Having said that I am a head organist, I never like to be one. The fact the disputes carried forward from 2008 forced the choir to be reorganized. A committee team in the Choir was formed and Joe as the chairman. Things come into good practice with procedures established in the committee as well as the choir. Of course, Patricia continues to be the conductor and we have been a good team, helping choir members strengthening their faiths. As for Legion, a few more members joined and this brought more happiness in the team as well as longer meeting times. Fr. Gabriel left for Sydney initially but then he was brought to Mainland to learn Putonghua. Fr. Edward Chau replaced him as SD afterward and his allucutios were always appealing and a good means of refreshing our faith.

Family life has been sustained but work really reduced the time for me to be with my parents. This resulted in multiple trips to Japan during the year (and also twice to Beijing). We had a good time together but slowly as their son you will find that your parents are somewhat getting old and as the only child, you really have to think for them more.

All these lead to my Resolution for 2010:
(1) Read the bible on a regular basis (once a month, to start off)
(2) Continue to lower my temper
(3) Learn to "swallow the grieves" when I am being scolded at work
(4) More time to share with parents and friends
(5) Continue travelling (Next stop: Karuizawa!!!)

Julie and Julia

Had a chance to go for the movies this weekend and my parents have opted to watch the movie on gourmets and cooking. Not knowing what the story is about, I just jumped into the IFC Palace and watched the movie. Now for those of you who may have issues with understanding French, fear not! (despite much French has been spoken and no translation was transalted!) The story covers on the gourmets of French cuisine and how French cuisine can be cooked easily, as taught by Julia Child. Julie Powell hoped that she will attempt Julia's way of cooking the 500-ish dishes in 365 days. You know what? Cooking French cuisine isn't that simple at all! But she made it!

This movie, despite being a Hollywood and involving the multiple Hollywood features inside the film, delivers to me the following messages:
- work hard and you can survive
- life is not just about working in the cubical - there is more out there
- Food is a matter of bread and wine and a means of enchantment, so Bon appetite!

Everyday we should thank God for the challenges and graces he gave us. Everyday we fight with the challenges hoping to just get it done. Everyday we feel something - no matter happy or sad. Yet more importantly, we should treasure who we are with everyday and forgive them for their sins. A cup of wine or a plate of entree will rejoyce to you when you are enjoying life! So again, bon appetite et joyeaux votre vie!

Retreat 2009 31/10~1/11

People in Hong Kong celebrate the 31st October as Halloween, which is also known as the day of the phantom / the change of weather / etc. I have opted this time to learn a bit more about praying. Staying in the Retreat House in Stanley not only allowed me to understand that grieves that I face now is a challenge, and we should face it happily. I recall this was being told in the Sound of Music already but never do I know the importance of facing the challenge in an optimistic mood. Not only should we demonstrate our confidence to complete the task, but also should be smile all the way through. This doubles the power of confidence and is important for me to balance between work and my faith.

This reflection is very useful for my work life and I hope I can smile through all the challenges coming forward...

Practice makes perfect leisure and peace

Current practices with multiple songs gave me the chance to be closer with my home piano, which has been tuned by Tom Lee Music currently. This Yamaha piano is the second home piano I have since birth. The solid and grand sound played allowed one to play songs as if you are in an orchestra but little do I have the chance to play good songs in such mood now. However, thanks to God, playing “For the Beauty of the Earth” and “Beauty and the Beast” allowed me to master my skills. Although I am not keen on playing each note on the piece accurately with flying colours, nor am I looking for the correct played rhythm, the melody I have created from this piano allowed the house to be filled with that hour-practice of dynamic and joy.

Music does allow one to be lifted away from the stress one may encounter in work, in life and from oneself. It is a cure which can have a similar effect to an expensive massage one pay and relieves your mind for that little while.(However, I am not saying one can substitute the massage from playing the piano!). So next time, stressed and painful, perhaps a piece of music played from an instrument is the best drift from the real world…

However, a kind reminder here… music per se is not something that makes you avoid something from happening. It, on the other hand, gives you the strength to handle the problem you are facing. Recall the song Climb Ev’ry Mountain from the Sound of Music, this is how we should face our live till we find our dream!

Booking a ticket for a tour...

Is it wrong to book tickets for your own when are travelling on a tour? How much I wish that I am seated in front of a plane even when I am travelling on tour. Sitting at the back of the tour simply doesn’t feel good. When you are going through air turbulences, you will be affected most. The more front you are seated, the better off I think I am (at least). However, this time, I have a very good experience such that I have opted for a tour that I wanted but then I cannot go totally because I want a ticket that I issue myself. So ladies and gentlemen, to play save, don’t buy an air ticket of your own and join a tour!

What’s more, I find that Cathay Pacific does not really help passengers that much – particularly when it goes to money. I guess this is the corporate style. Even for myself, working in a corporate, I do have that attitude while facing my clients (or even internal staff!). The monetary world has driven us to the state where we only pay attention to that. Yet, my own consciousness has reminded me that I have to thank the world for what it is given already. And most of all, money isn’t everything! It limits your spending power, which is related to the utility, but with enough money, you live, and you can enjoy your surroundings. The eagerness to jump around and explore is the consequence of money and technological development of cars and planes yet mankind simply cannot get away from the attraction (particularly myself!). So, we are doomed to be in the viscous cycle of getting money and getting utility. How many days should we just sit down and enjoy the sun and mountains? How many days do we want our cell phone to be shut down so that no one calls in to disturb our communication with God? (or for non-religions – nature).

Perhaps I should calm down and rethink the importance of life but how can I do so? Or should I just “go with the flow”?...

Counting down

Yes I know I shouldn't be writing but I really want some sort of relaxation. Day by day you get into the office and work your butt off and at the end of the day, endless work continue. To do it in the western way, I would have taken a break off right away but the thing is you have to work when you are in Asia. Worst still, not to recall how bad Mainlander's etiquette can be, I would really want to escape to somewhere where Chinese will not really touch. The best choice - Japan! Here are the reasons:

(1) Japanese are very good with language, such that they only speak in Japanese and not English. Due to globalization, this is dying down but they are still striving to live purely on Japanese.
(2) Chinese only go shopping and visit "the most important" attractions. We, as Hong Kongers, visit places which are important but also of true meanings. Of course I am not saying that going to very famous places are not good, my arguement here lies in the appreciation ability.
(3) Good food! Well, Japanese food are not that fatty.
(4) Clean! Well, this is something even Hong Kong should learn. They never spit, they never litter but they don't have litter bins on the streets! Reason for this: ethical citizens!

Although the Japs did kill a lot of Chinese, we, as Chinese are acting as brutal as the Japs did to us many years ago. Chinese in foreign states are, mostly, quite misbehaved. Moreover, many Mainlanders think that they are "all that" and so they think money is the key. Note here I am not saying that money is not important but it definitely isn't the most.

Come on Chinese - let's all be a little bit humble as the Confucius thoughts always say that we are...

Still, counting down to my Japanese trip and really looking forward to flying with Cathay Pacific again. (no marketing means here!) :)

A Reflection on Chinese on board Air China

By coincidence I got a chance to fly a non-Cathay Pacific flight to Beijing and fortunately or unfortunately I was able to experience the flight was an Air-China flight operated by Air Macau. Experiences during this 3-hour flight was really fruitful. Here are my thoughts:

- Seats size for Economy class is almost universal. Being in Asia doesn’t mean your Economy seats are bigger or smaller. However, people keep on complaining about the size of their seats. To be honest, Chinese aren’t that big in size but their mouths just keep on shouting and complaining! Reflection on this: What about those big guys from the western world?

- Not disturbing others on board is an etiquette where something where all flight that all should maintain their etiquette. This includes not pushing, not kicking, and not verbally disturbing. On board this Air China flight exposes me to the breaking of such etiquette! I was seated in a row, next to two ladies and behind them was a “kind of crazy” woman stabbing around saying that she can’t sleep on board. The thing is: (a) it is a short haul 3-hour flight. How much sleep can you get?; (b) every Chinese is of similar size, how can you make such a fuss? She isn’t really that fat. Just a normal sized middle-aged lady; (c) she shouted and laughed so loudly

- On board I was unfortunately seated closed to a person suffering from fever. Passengers on board all moaned of this. Now, one thing for sure. If you are suffering from fever, don’t fly! Second, if he is on board then for your health, stay onboard!

- Food served on the flight was either Fried Rice or Fried Noodles. If for whatever reason one is flying Air China again, please opt for Special Meals. I did that and I was lucky to escape from the horrible rice and noodles!

And still the old saying goes. The flight may differ by a few hundred. But for a better passengers, better services, and above all, better hygiene on board, fly the two Swire-operated airlines!

October addition: Thanks to Jess, this is another proof that Air China is not a suitable flight to fly on (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6e7HSeq3OY&feature=player_embedded#)

Objectivity vs. subjectivity

Seeing people coming and going should be something that I have grown accustomed to. However, to be emotional is something that embeds in every single human being. No matter it is I myself leaving a place or someone leaving, sadness do arouse.

Nevertheless, God has always keep us passionate by amusing us by the changes in our surrounding(s). Some may seem joyful while others may sound baffling. Sensation of mankind simply overides the subjectivity of the situation without a trace. What baffles in your mind seems to overflow like an eruption from an uncontrolled volcano. Not that I am being philosophic here but truly this is what we are facing in our society. We forget the importance of subjectivity or worse to say, based the so-called "subjectivity" on monetary terms. What is given by nature and what our society is founded on (the nature) is forgotten or even too much taken for granted.

So, what should we do then? Stand there and be the servant of papers with digits printed or start screaming to the society that everything is wrong? Or should we escalate to the position of equilibrium and maintain what we are granted from both our nature and society?

Trip to Singapore 2009

Haven't been to Singapore for two years but I still remember how Fandy, a good friend from University, took me and Molly around Singapore in 2007. I went through the old pictures and found that I was in the same flight heading towards Singapore two years ago. Sad thing this time is a lonely flight but lucky thing is I get to meet Singapore expatriates from Europe [well, mostly Spanish and French], whom I get to meet and talk with them.

From Singapore 2009

From Singapore 2009

Visited a few good places - Sentosa, Merlion, City Center, Orchid Garden and most of all took a good rest. I was thinking a bit too much during this trip but I guess it's all eagerness and my dreams and thoughts just kept flushing out of my storage (brain) and things got a bit tangled up. No matter how, I am who I am so nothing much I can really change here. However, my friend was right - I don't admit it at all. I recall another American friend of mine saying the same to me. Gosh, that really suck- it seems that I haven't grown! Or maybe I have grown but the same mentality remains...

From Singapore 2009

Night view of Singapore

From Singapore 2009

From Singapore 2009

Rehearsal of National Day with fireworks afterward

My spirituality was somehow maintained through going to a Sunday mass and linking "Busy" to "Leave everything to God". These two may seem contrasting points for one to balance and truly to strive an equilibrium is definitely hard. Anyhow, to love life and enjoy it is to be in the first and make sure the latter has been applied. Funny isn't it but a simple Bible reading derives this complexed thought.

From Singapore 2009

From Singapore 2009

Very beautiful Orchids!

Flight back was ok but as anyone will always want - more holidays. I am looking forward to more holidays and hopefully a good one will come soon!

From Singapore 2009

From Singapore 2009

Conrad's Blog Update

(1) Background changed making it a bit more fancy - but nothing too fancy though!

(2) A new blog separating my thoughts from normal life and working life. This new blog includes laughters and grieves and above all... pictures from work. Happy reading

http://conradatwork.blogspot.com/

Sleep, work and eat - that's life?

This week I came across the need to accept the fact that "normal life" is just working around the perspective of "sleep", "work", and "eat". However, this truth is undeniable - any sort of parties, gatherings, reunions or extra activities are all add-on. The core cycle of Homo-sapiens to live surrounds around these three aspects. But the thing is how you improvise from each and every one of it. Take "work" as an example. Of course, work is not just working in an office - it can be working on things that you are interested in and thing that interest you. Note that, the three core values are inter-linked. Never can one be independent of each other. This is a cycle where even the strongest link have to abide to.

Miserable as this may seem, the basis of life is formed and therefore kicking off to a life in which one will enjoy is also based on this mechanism. You can gather with friends after "work" and "eat" (or drink which is correlated to eating) and enjoy the time with them. However, the preparation and post-activity work always fall into "sleep", no matter how little you stick with your bed.

Therefore, to all those who are in seek of a job - your "work" now is to "work hard" and find a job and carry on "working" and to prepare for it, you need the two important modules - "sleep" and "eat" to stay alive. To those who are working (including myself) - you have to "work" and carry on enjoying and keep on the interest with the "work". It's hard in this economy but it will come - no matter how much the boss is getting fussy about things; afterall, it is a learning experience (at least, in the cases of people in my age range). Perceptions developped all belongs to use but never forget the graces you are given... so, enjoy life and praise the almighty!

Current enthusiasm to track my log in aviation drives me to dig in every single possibility of tracking my flight experiences. The more you search, the more you find how much have you forgotten. Man brain performs well in short-term but when it comes to back-tracing memory, even a 23-year old like me will say "I am getting old!"

This is my incentive for my next trip to Singapore to jot down as most as I can all that I will see and feel. I will, at the same time, start the reading procedure that I have long wanted. Work simply doesn't make you read!

I found that I have 70+ flights flew in my life... let's try hunting for more!

Life @ Work 1: Changing version and changing thoughts

A bunch of passages lying in front of you but little differences can you see in them - the only desire you have is to stop seeing them and get them sent out asap. The ability of one to review similar wordings again and again will drive you no where but fatigue and the desire to get the file(s) close. Proceeding is the ability to define versions. The fatigue in which one have come up will drive even the most delicate person to confusion and hence the upcoming of wrong versions to be sent out. Result could be misleading and devastating!

The good news is that human brain will mostly recognize their wrong-doings in time. However, what shall be done then? Apologize is definitely a must but more importantly is to minimize the amount of complaints that come unto you from the highest reign of the institution (or whomever is controlling the situation). Over here, I found the importance to admit your wrong-doings and drive a step further to make sure that you have rectified the situation. Little do I consider the above thought in University and how much I boast I can handle it with flying colours due to my capacity in handling stress in previous projects. I was wrong. This will be the experiences that I should learn and the attitude I should hold in my career.

However, dreams are not to be lost for the absence of a dream or an objective will begin another grieve – dryness of life…

Standard formulae to tough work days

A challenging work can make you depressed, angry and above all, emotional. However, the ability to control this emotion is a way to increase your capacity to treatment of your life as a whole. The ability to stop, think then react spontaneously and immediately is controversial yet applicable in our world. Current experiences that I have seen has always been spontaneous, challenging yet emotional. But the essence to drive it through immediately has always been tough. However, always 24 years of life and my solution is below:

(1) Put down your personal thoughts when that issue come but maintain your objective mind - in other words, put down your subjective thoughts

(2) Stop gossiping and start working. Get the team work (if you are in a team) going and maintain the relationship for madness and yelling is not the solution.

(3) Cruise it along effectively and efficiently (but this is very hard when you have no clue what you are doing... so, learn quickly and pick it up!)and look forward to the point of completion but admiration is not enough. The ability to think logically at that point comes back

(4) Subjective thoughts and emotions should arise when delicacy is needed, but also when there is a demand for it - never go into the details. Frame is the key- perhaps, this is subject to verification

(5) Adopt the good old religious thought - Try your best and God will do the rest but most of all, praise Him when it is done and don't forget your minimum daily prayers, whether it is a Rosary that you are saying or a simple prayer...

These are the five rules that I have learnt in the past two weeks. More is yet to come and I suppose this list will expand. Thought are welcome!

Best practices

Currently, my work has driven me to learn more about best practices in the computer industry, focusing on the coding perspective. Long have I forgotten the languages in the programming world due to my grieves to the languages but little have I found the importance of developing my career based on the programming languages that we are so accustomed to in life.

Systems continue to become a critical tool in our society, with the focus on having user-friendly interfaces and bug-free environment. But little do we find that all these ease-of-use systems are equipped with man who puts in so much time into development of systems and are screamed at by the boss saying how bad the system was. The critical point to success in a system is no different than the success factor of human kind – time, people and place. The place changed from a physical point to the Internet but seemingly the fact that a physical point has never changed.

The dependence on systems leads to the question of human laziness and human lack of attention to innovation. True, it may be so but it is also down to the inventors who will change the world. But will human being be willing to forfeit the usage of computers and return to the age of using pen and paper for all the things? Will we forfeit sending emails to people across the ocean, who we cannot see for sure but at least it works like a written letter? Is the flaws of the computer world outweighed by our utility gained from using the computer? Still, no matter how, human differs from computer. Our mind works with an intellectual brain while computer works with a mathematical brain. Therefore, it is still men who determine the best practice of a program.

So, next time you see a best practice document popping up, perhaps try and think how I can make the system better. This not only opens your views to more challenges, but also a continuation to human prosperity…

Language and to think...

etudiant? jamais "the end" pour quel qu'un dans notre année... mais le chose que un etudiant naive crois sera terminer! but c'est la vie!

student? never an end for someone born in our years but the things that a naive student think will finish (or terminate)... but this is life...

What an earth does this mean? Let's start with "Experimentez-vous"!

Experienced those days when the innocent little minded you go to school with the smile and laughters? Remember how you chase around the school with your friends for a simple "hide and seek"? Those days where you argued with your friends / teachers / family on all those?

Experiencing the present when the mature carefully-spoken minded you go to work with the smart-smile and paraphrased words? Remember how you chase around the office with your colleagues for a task that you desire? The other day where you know your colleague was wrong but you kept silence?

Now, I am not saying that my work is bad at all! It is just what many observation I found in our society wanted - a matured and a man knowing how to talk. But another lens come into my mind. What about thinking it as a way to explore the wonders inside language? Of course your work will be filled with people saying different things requiring multiple thoughts, but start appreciating the language used, perhaps it will explore you to another level of that word.

This week will be a lot of presentations and PowerPoints... let's hope I am using the correct language!

Capturing a religious sharing from Fr. Gabriel of SMC... He is the mediator but the mediator was given birth from the virgin Mary. Our Lady carried Christ, whom turned himself to man to save the world. How can we deviate Mary from Christ then? Christ is definitely the mediator to our world but Mary is the Mother of Him and therefore we shall learn from her. Now notice with the language here... never are Catholics "worshipping" Mary. We are learning the model that Mary has established on serving God. Again... experience the language that the Bible may deliver!

Intellect thought of the day: After reading the Prophet, I think I have to re-organize myself to what love really means... let's see how it goes...

The essence of travel

To travel is a means to enjoy life. But let's start with the flower which can derives many wonders from our life.

Flowers give the following appreciation :

- scent

- colour

But a flower itself simply doesn’t give you the taste of what it really can blossom. The combination of light, surrounding environment and above all, your sense to appreciate gives you maximum appre

ciation.

This was taken in Nagoya, Japan. A lot of people asked me lately why I always opt the choices to travel when I can. Well, making one of the most important things constant first – an earning for a living, travelling can assist one to revitalize, learn new things and appreciate life, hence derive my theory of enjoying life.

Revitalize: the ability for one to rethink of life or what he/she has forgotten, whether it is life issues, family issues, values in life, etc. The travelling experience revitalize one’s thought. A little point to move forward is simply to make your experience an unforgettable one. Making funny faces or making fun of the one taking the same picture as you. This can enhance relationship and move away the tension from life.

Learn new things: no better can the Japanese be the best example in my case. Every time landing into a Japanese airport, you will find new things flying into your ears. Besides, getting into another culture explores yourself to the differences in your own culture and makes you understand why things must not be done “your way” but echoes to what “balance in life / yin yang” is deriving.

Appreciate life: the ability to appreciate is daunting if negative impacts from your walk around are present. Now, the ability to do this is really to sit and read. Long have I misunderstood the meaning to read. But now I slowly understand its importance to life. The appreciation of life can purely come from a book. But what is better is you can learn to appreciate life when you read.

So next time, when you see this Boeing 747-400 cockpit or any flights of any model, try not to rush into the gate and get onto the flight. As the flight hostress always say, "we wish you a pleasant journey". This means "your traveling experience starts here and so, make good use of it to enjoy life". Start exploring life from the moment you step on to this flight! I am trying to, are you?

Language appreciation

Learning curve comes from the point where one decides the strength of a word. However, the British education differs from that of the one in Hong Kong in terms of the usage of vague words to cover the range of perception. On one side, the critque goes to the Hong Kong layman who are absolutely illiterate but reads English as a second language. No offense here - but this is the fact. The other side goes to the point of seeking absolute truth through deriving facts. Now, my point here is not to derive any positive or negative points from the above, but more so to express the fact in our society. The adoption of languages in Hong Kong goes by three - Traditional Chinese in Hong Kong context, English language (more so à la Britrish) and Simplified Chinese à la Chinese (i.e. in the Chinese context). Hong Kong people are very smart in this sense in which they know three ways of language from deriving two neutral languages. However, this also brings us to the point to rethink what language is all about! Is language based on culture or is culture based on language? (or simply is this a question of chicken and the egg?)

One thing I know for sure is that one way to learn foreign culture from language and the experiences from exchanging with foreign culture will bring our language to another point of appreciation to the language. This is how I study French till date.

So, that brings an end to the intellectual writing of the week. Thunderstorm I saw today is coming today. A time to sleep, but a time to rethink of how appreciation to literature should be. Long have I rejected the notion of accepting literature due to past education limitation. But past is gone and present it is, I guess I should start reading again.

My dear friends, how much do you like your language? And how much are you into its literature, give me your thoughts and how you are enjoying it!

"Stop talking and start working" and intellectual writing 1

Perhaps life always goes to the time when people have to think what they are talking about. I recall an old colleague who always say that "If you say it and it's wrong, then it's wrong! Forget about it!". I realised how difficult it is to forget what you've done wrong... a simple slip of mouth or hand can cause a long-lasting pain in front of you. But as the good old Chinese saying goes, "the ginger gets better when it gets old". I hope I can be more matured and experienced soon.

But never should I forget this...
- Memorize the surnames of people well! Chinese surname is always: Chau, Au, Chan, Lee, Wong, Ho, Cheung, Leung... at least memorize these first... it should be better
- Improvise in the planning process! Follow the book when you are following a procedure.
- Shut the bluffing mouth up and try to contribute from work (easy to say but hard for talkable people like me to do so... it's the way to enhance an intellectual mind)

Intellectual writing of the day:
A novel may just a pile of sheets but when it comes to a novel given with passion and livelihood, the eagerness to read is something you will never forget. The friendship from whom has given this book is never forgotten. Yet when that time comes to expressing a thanks or gratitude, don't forget that it is the lessons learnt from all these that you should be thankful for, not simply the novel. Thanks to you my dear friend!

Visit to my secondary school

A return to my secondary school gives me a feeling of loneliness and warmth. Yes, the framework of this school has not changed, teachers I know allow me to chat with them, but many inside seems to have changed. The beautifully decorated entrance to the school, the new teachers you have come across to (in which they are even more scared talking to you because they have no clue who you are...), the extraordinary behaviour of the kids sticking the finger at the security guard. We used to be very behaved students... where did all these go? But thinking forward, we are sometimes naughty and so, let's forgive them for now...

Yet, 7 years of my life in Hong Kong is in this school and never shall I forget the days when I eat lunch with my school's friends from the McDonald's (it cost only HKD 20 then for a meal!!), how I talked with the teachers so naively and in such a bossy mode, the leads I have taken in so and so societies, and how I played the Kawaii piano or the Yamaha Grand during special events of the school. My memories are there and hopefully people won't forget my presence in all those floors @ Hong Kong Tang King Po College shall never be forgotten because this is my Almar Mater and I shall bring honour to thy name!

ITC Meeting tomorrow and how to enjoy life via writing

Don't know how it goes but I am meeting the government for the very first time on behalf of this company... scared but let's just see how it goes...

Thy shall stay calm and adopt the "flow theory" (simple meaning: don't think what shall be done... go with the flow!)... shall I?

A little bit more from today's inspiration... as I was eating under the sunlight at Science Park, I started to ask my senior if I was writing badly and he was staying that I should stick to the format of the government. Now implication from that shall not be delivered but I started to understand that the way to write things in order to live is totally different to those for intellectual appreciation. However, IT DOES NOT MEAN that one should choose, but rather learn both ways. You can't live to write in your own way. You won't have your bread. But you can't write only via formatted rules. This will lead to devastation and madness, which lead to lost of intellectual property. So, to stay "healthy" in writing, how about a balanced one? Applying the Yin Yang perception of the Chinese, I guess the differentiation is clear cut but don't forget the appreciation of life can come from both sorts of writing...

Enjoy life via traveling!

Little do I talk about trips in my blog because I have this embedded theory that “travel = getting out of Hong Kong + sightseeing + eating +leisure”. However, the more you grow up, the less chances you travel. Recalling the days that I studied in Nice, the South of France, every week is a holiday – from Paris to London, from Rome to Venice, or simply an aller-retour around Monte Carlo or Cannes – all those seemed so far away from me now. So, as I always say to my friends who are still studying – make the most of traveling when you study!

Working in a room, surrounded by a spectacular view of buildings (well, it’s the Science Park already so I am not complaining at all), the desire of “sortir” (literal translation to English is “exit” but “exit” simply completes the conveying message…) is high. Not only am I doing the traveling for the sake of getting miles and renewing membership, which is a fact for me and another excuse for another trip asap after the Swine Flu, but also is it an experience to relax and reach that “perception change” in a different environment which will revitalize and relax yourself.

Right, so this trip – Beijing. Sight-seeing was the theme this time because my dad had never been there and mum has not been in the place since the 70s. But this time it was a dead Citroen taxi that I want to share with you. We were at the top of Mu Ting Yuan, Great Wall – spectacular views of the Great Wall with green trees… but as we were hoping to descend and get back to the city, the internal electronics of the car system crashed and we were strained for 4 hours up in the mountain (from 2pm to 6pm). Lost is the time and the chance to view the night-time view Olympic stadium due to pre-appointments, but more do we see the beautiful sights of our great nature that we must not have been able to see and feel if we were to leave according to schedule. Lesson we learnt? Stop doing “check-point” visitation and admire what nature is trying to show you. C'est la vie!

Life in the Science Park... moving forward

Previous posts I have been writing is all about engaging one to think from the perception of psychology or an expression to the grieves I have in whatever means... I guess it is time to write about this new life I am experiencing in the Science Park.

Well, to be honest, as my good old friend use to say "Nothing is new under the sun". Yet, I want to push this concept aside and move the angle a little further. Indeed, nothing is new under the sun but a new angle of life is experienced when you change. It's just like eating rice with soy sauce. If you had it for too long, you will get bored or even hate it. Yet, getting away from it and having spaghetti with tomato sauces will introduce your taste bud to something new. Same with work life. The time barriers involved in work are barring us from exploring, but some suggest that the development of the Internet world expose us to an exposed environment of information. Indeed, this is exactly what I am into now. Everyone in Hong Kong knows the presence of e-Certs but who will ever want to dig into it? I would say if I don't get into this business, I will not drill down on this concept. But seriously, how much one is engaged to e-Cert is a question mark for myself, at least. So what is new in the sun? The typical answer is "nothing". Try thinking of it this way: "What is new for you?" Is it still "nothing"?

OK... enough of this philosophic thought... back to comment about this work...
Good thing about this job is that I am learning a lot
Bad thing is I am working long and it takes 1.5 hours to get from home to work

But who cares? Happiness is embedded and value is found... what else does thy wants? Well, nothing? Seems like this is not an answer... perhaps I should go forward to find a new value in life... let's see how it goes... enjoy life!

Oh and one more thing... this blog is one year old... happy birthday to my blog and thanks for your time in reading my blog!

Treasure for you never know when changes come

Perhaps there has been too much going on within these few weeks... you never know how packed my schedule in Hong Kong can be. Morning-wise, as in the good old school days, I am working in the new company for a governmental project, which involves reading both Hong Kong and the Chinese legal system. The only difference is that now you are working in a working desk compared to a study table. Fruitful life it is, but a lot of things to think and work. I suppose this was what I always desire so I am extremely grateful of what I am going through.

So, gone are the days of a developer and upcoming a life as a Business Analyst. Still studying French, playing the organ, teaching kids and organizing stuff... this is my life in Hong Kong. As far as holiday is concerned, I would really want to fly. Guess my bonding with Cathay Pacific is going to go on for a bit of time. Let's just hope my frequent flyer tier will keep on the same. I still have 5620 miles to fulfill it (have to squeeze time to get it!)

Marching through life with all the busy stuff, I finally understand the importance of leisure and the flying procedure. Having a passion to aircraft is one thing but enjoying the procedure from taking the taxi to HKG to taking the taxi back home after the trip is an essence to recharge yourself. I guess I am grateful for all that is given. But as you grow up, one thing we have to bear in mind is to treasure! Treasure your parents, family, friends and those around you. I recall a good friend of mine from Bloomberg told me that "We can go to (a place) once, we will never have the chance to go together anymore." I thought he was a bit too realistic then, but now I think it is more than a fact, it derives to our life of treasuring time with others.

Another thing I have re-learnt is not to demand for what you want. Life gets frustrated so easily if you want things to go "your way". Go with the flow and perhaps something will come up. An example: My French class for Saturday clashed with my new work coz I have to work on Saturday AM too but then the class stopped and the decision was made to make me a Friday PM French student. Now, this brings to my second thought of continuous learning in life. Such life is hard but it is a necessity because our world is changing too much. Upon completion of my French Superiour Degree, my next aim is the Asian language of Japanese and the European language of German. This will take another 5 years or so but hopefully I will master these languages soon. Again, these moments have to be treasured and it is quite tough but prayers from you all is a necessity.

To all those in CX who is suffering from no-pay leaves and to all those who are in the devastation of not having jobs or being fired: my prayers to you and may the Holy Spirit guide you through in choosing the right things and finding a right way to your career accordingly.

Enjoy life...

Easter 2009

In preparation for Lent, I am one of those bad Catholics who allowed myself to drift away from the Church during he 4 days of holiday. But a note to all Catholics - Easter is more important than Christmas. If anyone of you still hold the perception that Christmas is more important than Easter. Try asking the priests in the Church and they will explain why. A simple reason is that we, as Catholics, should understand not only that the birth of Christ is for driving away sins on Earth but the whole process goes all the way to His death. We as Catholics should walk with Him...

Bad as I am, there are still two things to remember in Lent even if you are not going to Church during the Easter break period:
(1) Think about the role of Mary (the mother of Jesus)
(2) Don't forget that our weaknesses can be a strength and that humbleness is always a must. The worldwide education institution's notion of demonstrating yourself is not always a must!

Change will happen after Easter... let's see how it goes...

Awaiting

Awaiting for many things to come... but the question to its arrival lies in the appropriate time... appreciate what is now is what I should learn today...

Awaiting

The reason for swearing?

The necessity of one using foul language to express their grieves is understandable. However, the present society that I am situated in is full of those who are using this language as a standard language. Now that is an issue that not only our society, in general, should take into consideration, but also each and every individual should think. The general speculation to my argument is that the language involves everything they want to express they want to express from their bottom of the heart. However, is that really the case when one is using those words in each and every sentence that they are saying? These words (Chinese in particular) are words which stimulates one to think to things which are not in one's normal thinking. Such devastation will lead to more grieves or even horrible acts that one will not even want to imagine. Is our society pathing her way to this? Or are people simply out of words to describe their feelings? Is the community of the digital age getting intellectual or, rather heading back to the age of the apes?

Think community! Swear less! Speak more!

A failure

Well, I was not expecting to write this but seemingly I am not an appropriate candidate for the Cadet Programme... may I wish all the others who have the dream to fly to prosper their dreams. However, I guess I am still a good customer of the company and hopefully my passion to that company will continue.

I can fly

OK... so the challenge goes... I was being invited to a Cadet Pilot Programme for Cathay Pacific last week and man, was it an invitation that I was so longing for. Yet, having a business background and having no clue what the program is, my hands moved quickly to the Firefox and my exploration to the program, the interviews involved, the 120 aircrafts in Cathay etc . started.

Devastation from work, which include my late realization to the unsuitability in the field of pure Asian Information Systems and hateable foul languages flying around the office, which again causes madness, causes my desire to find a better job. And so, my journey to Cathay's Cadet Pilot Programme started.

Realising the numerous tests and interviews involved, fears to my success is unknown. However, I do hope that my dream to reach the sky and to share the dream of "I can fly" through acting as a bridge between Hong Kong and the world in an international airline will succeed. Prayers are appreciated.

For now, I shall hope for nothing and put it to God's hands. However, my serious research and study to CX will begin.

And before this blog entry ends, as a vote of thanks, Mr. Lai CH, Ms. Lai HH and Mr. Chak KF, who has been the first of my friends giving me a helping hand to my road will therefore mark my words to receive one journey (HKG-???-HKG) on my account to the destination where they desire once I become an SO.

May almighty God bless all Cathay Pilots-candidates to succeed according to his wills.
In Christ,
Conrad

Week of celebration and examination

This week is a week to celebrate and a week to exam my skills... will reveal by the end of the week...

This is something that Tim Chu used to write... but I guess I should do so... keep a log of what they heck happened in my work...

A day at work
9:00 Arrival at Quarry Bay Station and meeting colleague to go to Sommerset House
9:28 Checking emails
9:45 Asked colleague what exactly is my task for the day
9:53 Start writing this
9:55 Start working
10:32 check FB and then HSBC
11:25 toilet
11:55 Learnt Block Leave Status
12:12 LUNCH!
13:12 Return from lunch and stick up Cats brochure... really wanted to drink a cup of something but then found out that my wallet is filled with everything but cash!!!
14:06 Type an e-mail to France
15:00 Found out a complicated jbo but colleague knows
15:35 Extremely Sleepy
15:40 Slept for a while
15:48 Wook up because boss is around
15:58 Had a short discussion with Doris, PM of the bank

16:48 Feel sleepy again
18:08 Planning to leave office but not leave yet!
18:10 Received a reply from France and replied to France.
18:15 Running SQL in preparation for tomorrow's work
18:21 Finished listening to the boss talking with a colleague. The colleague laughed and seemingly the boss is speaking of nothing but a bunch of garbage - what a boss!
18:47 Looking at clothes website (Takeo Kikuchi and CK Jeans)
19:06 Leave Office

Weekends

Perhaps a week's life in Hong Kong is so fruitful that it's hard to believe that the weekend can go just so quickly. Once you start working, all the appointments go either to post-19:30 or weekends. Indeed it was 2 fascinating weeks already and I don't even have a chance to sleep for more than 8 hours, as with most people should... And voila, today, I was supposed to grant myself 9 hours of sleep but then, here i go waking up 7:45am in the morning, rather than 9! What the heck! Mum says it is a good maintenance of my psychological clock... I guess it is... but not on Sundays please!

This good weekend commenced with my French lesson on French literature (bff!). Then comes Curia Mater Dei presenting their annual report with me chasing the mic and giving the little ones a few comments before I run to catch up Mr and Mrs. Betbeze for a little tour around Hong Kong. Apologies to the madam in the Curia though for I am in such a rude manner to comment in the first hand... silly me just snapped the mic and say "Sorry, I gotta leave, so I will say something first"... I should be slapped on the face indeed! Nevertheless, the day went on with visitation to a place I haven't been to in, I guess, 10 years..., the Museum of Arts. Indeed I get to revise my Chinese History lessons there through the observation of monuments and plates... of course the Cultural Centre, The Peninsula and the Avenue of Stars + the view of Hong Kong Island in the fog was made... Star Ferry was surely the best activity among European tourist (even before the peak!!) ... Then comes the gloomy part where I found my parents were in a dispute but dinner went on well with the the Beetbeze and my parents so it ended up ok (around midnight!!!).

Sunday was a little bit more eased with tutorials in the morning and then off to lunch with my family... fun indeed... loads of discussions but I was absolutely tired. Grocery shopping in Sogo follows with the end in SMC's choir. The commencement of the choir was a very friendly and thorough discussion on the preparation of various activities in the choir but then the wife of the President was smashing things around the room and delivering her grieves to what the conductor has been doing to the choir and luckily, everyone didn't care. I guess we really have to leave it to God to take care of the whole situation as well as those who are about to baptised... but still, what a woman indeed! Man, if you don't like the choir, get the heck out of here! And poor husband as well, man he almost got his hands cut from his wife! Bffffff!!! Dinner of dumplings ended up my day.

And so, here we are... done with a busy weekend. More busy ones are yet to come and not to mention weekdays... man, this is my life in Hong Kong... love it, but really tiring!

Adaptation

The life of a student is prepared - you are prepared to take scheduled lectures, tutorials, mid-terms, final exams, projects... nothing really get away from the framework of "going to school". Work-wise, the framework changed to "office". While the varieties increase, hence driving to more surprises from work, the amount of uncertainty embedded in these varieties increase. The exercises in time management learnt from university is finally examined in your work and in the society. The emotional times one learnt or partially theoretically experienced in University is finally a full-delivery from your boss / colleague hence leading to the real test of emotions.

Perhaps I am one of those who really were protected too much... but I will strongly argue on this for I know more who are more protected and haven't been in the moments where one is being questioned of wealth or have been forced to understand the theories embedded in monetary spending during their childhood. I wasn't one of those whom shall say "Mum / Dad, I want that" and it shall be granted. Never has this happen to me. Yet one thing for sure, I was the lucky one to get more than what should be given from a couple should give to their child. Moments should be treasured and tempers within them should be minimal. Guess my dream is a simple one "Get them on a romantic holiday soon..." but with the amount of money earned, I guess working hard is a necessity.

In balancing life, I recall the necessity to exit Hong Kong. Again I recall someone telling me that taking CX from HKG --> ??? is not a good thought. But with my passion and affiliation to this company which focus delivering services from the heart, I guess such thought should not deserve the comments accordingly. The concept of travelling commences from the airport and being a Hong Kong person, such delivery must be delivered from a service sector which uses Hong Kong as a starting point. Not only am I supporting my home travelling company, but also am I using the best currency to get the best service. I suppose HKG-KIX, HKG-NRT, HKG-PVG, HKG-PEK or HKG-SIN is temporarily my goals. Yet the costs involve may vary and therefore I should really wait and see how things go...

Enjoy life!

Reflection from Gospel and TV

Guess it is time to share two very important concepts that I learnt in life... even though I am in office!!!

(1) One should not go for the expressway for the expressway might not be the best way to get to your destination, not even the most efficient.
(2) One's prayer should be asked in the correct way and remember prayers are not always ego to self.

Words to explain these two concepts may be difficult but simple as it may, it will open your life to a new world through that, it may might as well make you sit back and think for a little while. Some say I might have been under the greenhouse protection from my parents too much, while some other claimed that I am simply rich. Neither do I consider my characteristics as both because I was in the devastation as well during the 1997 when our family came back to Hong Kong and my days were not always luxurious. I am one of those who dreamt to have a luxurious house, and not one who have a luxurious house. The only extent I will consider myself and my mentality. The average plus...

What I am learning from life is always a reflexive tour. I guess Herman was right in terms that I needa find that soon. It will enhance my life and deliver myself away from depression. But at the same time, I do think it is time to rethink my position in the IT sector. To take it the academic way, the ways imposed in the IT sector is rejected by my notion of enjoying life. The solution to this matter is to have myself exit from this sector or to find the meaning of it in life. I guess it is really time to evaluate myself. Or is it that I have found my career objective right but not my current job? Hmm... reflet!!

Regain

Returning to Hong Kong is a tradeoff...

I came back during the time when the economy is worst in my 23+ years of life, I am admitted to a company in Quarry Bay rather than what was expected in Central or the HKG airport, plus the fact that my life of flying freely in the skies with my CX will come to an end.

Just at the point you are getting used to the life back home, the feeling of being barred in this Special Administrative Region comes again. The sky is out there but you never know how high you can reach again. Fun thing is you never find the fun while you are taking the flight. As a passenger, all you gotta do isto (1) sit (2) enjoy the Inflight Services Entertainment through a screen by Toshiba / Panasonic and (3) wait for the plane to land. The enjoyment or the devastation you can find in airports - checking in with 20+kg of luggage and getting a penalty, getting through security and finding you still have a bottle >100ml, getting through immigration and saying "hello" and "goodbye" in the language of the country, running (or walking) with my hand-luggage and back-pack (or laptop bag) to the gate and boarding CX/BA ??? to ???... all these seem to have stopped. Yet I cannot stop clicking on to the CX web looking for cheap tickets to exit HKG again... what kinda life is this? Am I suppose to stop clicking? Why am I so unhappy in Hong Kong?????

The answer probably lies in the following:
(1) I didn't get the job I was supposed to get
(2) The culture that I am expecting is far from what I am expecting (but still, colleagues were good)
(3) The boss is EXTREMELY Chinese, which means he never says what he want and never appreciate people at all!
(4) I am situated at Quarry Bay, rather than Central or the airport
(5) Life in Hong Kong is running too quickly (but I am brought up in such a way already so this is contradicting each other)

Thanks to the Chak's couple... bringing me into Intercontinental for the nigh drink after the dining in Kaya, I finally understood that I should stand up and make my way through to Central / the airport. It takes a bit of time... I know... but let's just say it's a transition... and my aim is half a year... the earlier it is, the better! I am on my way!

Hong Kong, love it? hate it? Not an issue anymore but one thing for sure... there are hesitations to the present job due to the development of the career. But let's just say Hong Kong is still my base and I shall not give this up. Central, I will come back! Flying to the skies will come again...

An interesting life at Taikoo Place

Now before I start anything, please note that Taikoo Place, Quarry Bay is not equal to Pacific Place in Admiralty!

The commencement of my life as an associate consultant is definitely "interesting". Now whenever I used double quotes, the meaning should definitely be re-interpreted. However, I shall leave the world determine what this double quotes mean cautiously. First the colleagues. Very nice indeed and most of all, very helpful. Now comes DF, also known as "DA", "your (good/best) friend", "the boss", "the PK", "the MK (similar to PK, not Mong Kok), the office culture is full of his gossips. Now to say that this is a healthy office environment. I can only admit it to a certain extent because it links all colleagues together but the griefs go to one person, DA. The problem, however, lies in the fact that :

(1) Our dearest boss doesn't know what we are doing but he plans everything;
(2) He talks softly;
(3) Logic-wise, he doesn't link things together and think that one work day is 24 hours dedication and one working week is Saturday and Sunday inclusive;
(4) Gesture-wise, he has too much but this gets worst with hiks soft voices; and
(5) He couldn't create a good team spirit.

The above five points make up the five common errors of a boss. And fortunately or unfortunately, our boss made them all. Perhaps it is time for him and myself to re-think whether this is suitable or not. May our almighty God bless me to make the right choice...

Recalling one who say "Do your best and God will do the rest.", what a stubborn and naive little one I was who thought I have fully interpret these words well enough. An extremely ego person I am, and a spiritual executive in the Catholic Society of the school, so what! My religious spirituality was absolutely not in shape... still, thanks to many who have been re-enforcing that "things will come when He thinks you can" and four months of struggling to stay Hong Kong (which I now clearly declare as my base), I finally knew that my strong ego thoughts are no longer necessary.

Many thanks to those who have been supporting me and guiding me through. Too many names to write down. Sometimes you may not even know that you helped but you did! I will start Monday the 12th and I will work hard. May I ask all those who hold my or have similar faith to continue to pray for me and those who does not to continue to wish me good luck.

May my spirituality continue and may God's blessing to all of us continues. God bless you and enjoy life!

The amazing part of languages and the usage of them together

The elements of setting up a new life in a new era requires the appropriteness, innovation, and networking or what the Chinese say "time, place, people". Now, one thing that the Chinese explained this better than what I have defined in the English context is "people".

"People", somewhat close to establishing "guanxi", is somewhat different than what people defined "networking". Indeed, many have already linked "guanxi" and "networking" as identical words. However, the implication embedded in these two words, or would I say the perception and hence the implication derived from these two words are different. One interesting thing is, since man's language are never perfect, the understanding and the implication of these words in the way our culture desired it to be conveyed is strongly embedded.

Take the Japanese as an example. Well known as a culture brought over from the Chinese, the perceived way of "learning"and the way they practice culture is overwhelmingly different than that of the Chinese. Weddings are the greatest example. The usage of black and white colour in the Chinese culture is strictly prohibited because these colour are used in death. However, red was not used as much in the Japanese society as well.

Perhaps at this point of time, we should put down our strong culture and/or personal thoughts and start appreciating, or to make it a start - understanding, others and hence introduce our life with a whole new world of perception.

Surprise 2009!

A joyous new year to all and may the blessings of the Lord be always with you.

Who knows what will happen in the next second? For those who think this positively, probably great things are on their way. The other way round - the pessimist, well, they are worrying. Guess what, I am one of those who usually "doesn't care". What is yet to come unto me, He shall deliver it accordingly. How correct is this? Well, justification is, to my perception, unnecessary but is something crucially (if this word exist) embedded in one's mind.

Story goes... a year start should always be joyous and deviated from unhappy thoughts. I tried. Yet, unknowingly, knowing French may put you into a position where you can evaluate one's intention and underlying thought of someone who might be harming one of your beloved members of the family. Thanks to my French, which is not profound but better than those, I suppose. I truly hope God will assist me on this and I will try to maintain my EQ as much as I can. What a gossip to start 2009 indeed! But also, I guess I am old enough to sound and make a judgment in the family table, as I did.

Resolution for 2009:
(1) Find a job (I don't think it is a resolution but let's just put it here and evaluate when 2010 comes)
(2) Hopefully that the one I am thinking of will understand that my presence means something more than just "that". I am looking forward to a better "Walk hand in hand" with her
(3) A better family bonding - 2004-2008 is a period of saying good byes and hugs. I hope that family-wise I can keep a better bonding with them as well as finding the balance in life.
(4) Friendship building - well, to keep myself an optimistic person requires a bunch of great friends. Names shall not be told here but yes, you guys are truly great!
(5) SPORTS! A must. Swimming, cycling, whatever! I need to do some sports!

Enjoy life! :)