Chatterbox

My colleagues and I went to Chatterbox as Shelly from Taiwan wanted to eat the Hainanese Chicken Rice. The price is now at $19.90. I had prawn laska as I wanted to try something different. The food was good. The decor is different with red, shiny plastic tables. We had good conversation and after dinner, the girls went for shopping while I send my two Indian colleagues to their hotel.

Long meetings and talking is can be tiring. This is day 3 of sitting, eating, talking, more sitting, more eating and talk, talk, talk. This is hard work. It also good fun to build relationship with colleagues and office. I change from no social life in the office to maximum. This change is quite drastic and dramatic. I am still getting used to it.

Greek Culture at Chijmes

My first meal at the Chijmes. I remember CHIJ girls in their pinafore holding hands with ang mos and boys from St. Joseph Institution. This school also has the notorious reputation of highest unwanted pregnancies. I guess it should not be an issue anymore with sex education.

I saw Hog's Breath nearby. I do not pay attention to the resturant's name as usual. It is Greek food. The garlic bread and salads was heavenly. We have grilled meats and fish after. The meat is good but not the best I have eaten. I like Greek food. It is quite delicious and healthy. The dessert was tiramisu. Although, I was stuffed and could hardly finished my main course, I love the tiramisu. It is one of the best I tasted. The meal is a little expensive. It comes up to $890 for nine.

We had good conversations. First meeting with my new boss. Lots of talk about family in different culture. We have two Indians from India, a Shanghainess, a Taiwanese and three Australians, my boss and two marketing managers. So there was lot of learning about each other. Our group has all married men and the two girls are single with one getting married in September this year.

We adjourn to Long Bar after. Everyone has a Singapore Sling. The music was good a tat too loud. It was a long day we end at a 11pm and I send some of my team members back to the hotel before going home.

Staff Meeting

Have my first staff meeting with my boss and all his direct reports. Long day just to get to know each other and presentations, presentations and more presentations.

I like short and sharp. So my timing was good. I am not sure if it was well received. I think my style is "let's cut to the chase".

We had dinner at Crystal Jade. I am glad the group like the food. We had Beijing duck, deep fried prawns, ginseng chicken soup, pork ribs and yangzhou fried rice. Yummy! Our vegetarian cooeagues has vegetarian fried rice, deep fried toufu skin, and lo han hotpot.

It is late, so goodnite...zzzzZZZZ

What Peak Performers Do.

Research on Peak Performers are aplenty. What is Peak Performance? Peak Performance is the maximum and best work.

Peak performers come from all walks of life. People doing their best work in the context of their jobs.

- I love it...peak performers like what they are doing and enjoys their work thoroughly. They does because they feel rewarded by the work itself.

- Missions that motivate...peak performers may be doing a small part of a big job. This story should be familiar with some of you. Long ago during the Roman empire, a wise man approach 3 bricklayers building a church. He asks the first bricklayer "what are you doing?". "Can you see, I am laying bricks" he replied. He goes to the second bricklayer "what are you doing?" "I am earning a living and providing for my family" he replied. He was to the last bricklayer and asks "what are you doing?". "I am building the world greatest cathedral" he replied. Guess, I need not tell you which of the three has the highest productivity and quality.

- Results in Real-time...peak performer get immediate feedback. Tiger Woods, the legendary golfer does not socialise after every game. He will go to bed early and wake up early. While having his breakfast, he will watch a replay of his previous day's game. Hence, feedback is the breakfast of Champions.

- Invest in yourself...peak performers never stop training themselves to improve their game or competencies. Peter Drucker, the management guru, contravene conventional wisdom by recommending that you train yourself on areas you are strong in and NOT where you are weak. Training yourself on what you are good mean learning is fun and enjoyable. Best of all, benefits are huge.

Success Intelligence

I bought this book today at Kino. The author does research on Happiness. I kind of agree that happiness is more important than money or power or sex. I have another book titled Successful Intelligence. The "ful" make a big difference. Success Intelligence is like IQ or EQ, it is a series of articles that tell you how to define success. Whereas Successful Intelligence discuss how intelligent people becomes successful.

I like one quote from Success Intelligence "Madness is doing something over and over again and expecting different results."

High-end Property expect to rise by 20%

DBS Vickers held a talk on investment at SMU today. I cannot remember what the stock analyst presented. I like the property forecast. The only problem is high end property is out of my reach. It is expected to rise by another 20% this year. High-end properties are those in the news recently. Properties that are selling for S$2,000 per square feet or more.

The other interesting fact is HDB resale flat price is expected to go up with the increase in CPF. The 2% increase translate to $50,000 more in load servicing. So let hope for the CPF increase. I like to see house prices going up.

Sex, money and power

This is formula for bestseller. It is also the formula for blog stickiness and blog popularity. The website on stories of cabin crew have the number of visitors drop the moment juicy stories stops. My blog has no visitors because there is no story with the 3 important ingredients. Since sex and power is not up in my alley, I may have to work on money piece. Next will be business cookbook style or recipe.

Let see if I can start to be more creative.

Jerry McGuire

Tom Cruise and Renee Zellweger acted in this movie about Free Agent. Tom Cruise was a very successful sport agent and make lots of money. One night, he was inspired to write up a plan on how Sport Agency should be run. His secretary type and make copies for his presentation to the senior management. Guess what! He was fired. He tried to retain his clients but his backstabbing peer moved faster than him. He is left with one black football player.

He was broke and his secretary lost her job too. He went to look for her one night as he had nothing to do and no place to go. After one beer, she told him "I care about the job. But mostly I want to be inspired." With that they started the business together.

My boss in Canada, Barbara Leavitt told me Jerry McGuire is one of her favourite movie.

Malaise since China trip

Getting sick during travel is business as usual. However, getting sick for three weeks is unusual. I feel weak in the afternoons and my bone aches. I feel feverish yet no fever. My strength has left me and desire for exercise is non existent. In general a feeling of malaise. This morning, the tea halia perks me up. Now I am like a potted plant without water, limp and wilted. I need some thing to perk me up. What can I do? How can I get out to this trap?

I feel much better in the morning after my morning tea. In KL, I will walk to a local coffee shop for teh C. Hotel's tea does not meet my expectations as they usually use tea bags. Am I addicted to caffeine? Maybe I should check into a spa and get myself de-tox.

Nice Korean

Newton's Third Law: For every action, there must be an equal and opposite reaction. After meeting the nasty white trash, I have a nice ride back home with a Korean gentleman. He was sitting beside me and we get into a lively conversation. He was in KL for a week and bought a condo in Damansara. He says it is a nice place up on a hill and there is a mountain behind the house. There are many resturants within walking distance. So it sounds interesting...

He had a 4 hours wait to transit to LA. So when the Singapore Girl pass out the immigrant card, he says he will take one and then decide when he want to go out for lunch. He asked me if I know any good Korean resturant. I told him one of my country manager in a previously loved this Korean resturant that every trip to Singapore he must eat there. Since my wife is picking me up, I thought we can go and try out this place in Phoenix hotel. We drove there immediately. The floor we entered was vacated. Ha! I thought rent renewal time. We look at the directory and found the resturant was located at fifth floor. It was vacated too. On other empty lot there were sign stating the business new address. However there were none for the Korean resturant. I ask the Customer Service in John Little. She says the resturant could not find another place to rent. Sigh! we were out of luck.

Mr. Kim called Hyundai Contruction and Engineering because he heard from the Managing Director who was stationed here in Singapore that one of the manager has left Hyundai and had set up a Korean resturant and the standard was not bad. The long and short of it is he manage to find the name and address of the resturant. It was not far right at the old Apollo Hotel. The food is quite nice and he know what to order. We had a great time. He paid for the meal too.

The interesting thing is I was originally booked for the 2pm flight and change it back to 10am yesterday. He was booked for the same flight in the afternoon and decided that 45 mins was too close for transit to a US flight and decide to go at 10am as well. Coincident or Karma link?

Shitty French Man

Today, I lost it. I was never so pissed in a meeting in my career. A French supplier insists the project is over by Friday and everything is fine and dandy. A simple request for more information turns into everything is fine, by Friday it will be done when all I asks was who will deliver the information and when. I blew my tops. Yes, I did. Not a good thing to have an emotional outburst.

To add insult to injury, this French man did not pay attention to the information that was presented. Then he is incompetent, an arrogant bigot that has serious capability issue. I am so disappointed that my whole team has wasted our time and we have wasted so much money.

This is a very expensive lesson.

Food Reviews

The pen is mighty than the sword. Reading the Sunday Times reviewing the new year goodies, Singlong Peanut Cookies gets four stars. Five stars mean tastes heavenly. I assume 4 stars must mean very good. Peanut is my favourite nut. It is cheap and tasty. It is also addictive. Once I starts, it is hard to stop. I am nuts about nuts.

With 4 stars, I was hungry for some and since I am in the homeland of Singlong, I went looking for it in Giant. The bottle was stuck it a big price tag. So I know it must be the display. After searching the shelves futilely for several minutes, I decided to take the last bottle. I open it to savour the taste of peanut cookies. When the expectations are high, disappointment sets in. It tasted quite ordinary rather than out of ordinary as described in Sunday Times. I guess my tastebud is not the same as the reviewer. Probably the other reviewed Peanut Cookies tasted worse. Whatever it is, the mass media can move my opinions.

Sunway Lagoon

Sunway Lagoon, I missed this place. It is like coming back home. Change happens in the last two months. New resturants, new stores, new year decorations...as change happens some things still stay the same. The coffee shop that sells hawker food, the mobile lok-lok(steam boat) van at night, Ramlee burger joint, ah yes, the 7-Eleven. 7-Eleven is like McDonald or Starbucks. It is a familiar sight and you can expect the same things.

Our team meet for the first time this year. We have three new members in the team. It is good to get everyone to foster through teamwork. Our value system, business model and philosophy is very simple and needs to be passed to the novices. We are now in the forming and storming stage. Hopefully, we get to the performing stage when the meeting is over.

2007, we are ready for you.

Off again

It's Sunday. I am off to the airport again. Have job Will travel. Busy time in the beginning of the year. Meeting, meeting, meetings! I have to go to meet. I have to stay to meet. Work is a series of meet.

The Importance of Water Filter in a pond

The outdoor pond I have is "high maintenance". Water turns cloudy with algae, algae clogged the pump, the pond looks dirty most of the time. Yes, it is "natural" look, I convinced myself. The fishes cannot be seen. "They must be hiding in under the rocks" I reasoned. My wife was adamant. "Water must be clear, then it is a pond" she admonished. "Besides, it may not be good for your career." she would point out using her scare tactics.

I have procastinated for two years. Now the water filter has been bought, installed and operating, it is amazing how nice the pond looks. It is does not require a consummated handyman or a subcontractor to install. It is so simple and easy to install that any nincompoop will be able to complete the installation. I am a nincompoop when it come to tasks around the house. As you know, my abilities are in books...

Well, well! Now I am getting praises from my wife(she insists on my wife instead of The Wife). Actually, I kind of regret why it took me two years to figure this out. During the two years, I have probably read twenty or more books and fifty magazines (courtesy of Singapore Airlines). To install the pond water filter takes about the time to read two chapters The Definitive Drucker.

For everyone who read this article, to keep your pond water clean and clear, please install a water filter with UV light. The pleasure of seeing the fishes in the pond is rewarding.

Family

Family is one that cares for each other.
Family look out for each other and be there when needed.
Family are related by blood or by bonds.
Family loves each other unconditionally.
Family shares your joys and your joys are doubled.
Family shares your troubles and your troubles are halved
Family sometimes fights but will always makeup
Family is the best!

White Clouds, Blue Sky

It was shocking to read today's paper where there are flash floods in the Singapore. We are not even aware of that other areas were flooded if not for the papers. Right now, it is clear skies with white cotton-like clouds. Looking at the sky, it is hard to believe it poured yesterday. Man has short memory. There is a saying in Chinese that says after a great disaster, the survivors will enjoy good time. I am not sure how accurate is this saying. I am quite sure the earthquake victims and tsunami victims are still struggling to survive.

Life is about living and not about death. We always look forward and move on. It will be terrible to be stuck in the past.

Weather is unpredictable. Even as I write, the sky has darkens and is fill by dark, heavy and ominous clouds. In the few minutes, it is threatening to rain. Life is similar to weather, unpredictable. It has ups and downs. It has good times and bad times. When time is good, make hay while the sun shines. When it is bad, it is time to hunker down and wait for it to pass....

The Future of Working for Yourself

This is the subtitle of Free Agent Nation. I read the introduction and first few chapters. Do you know this is how it work in Hollywood. Everyone works for themselves. Every movie has a producer, script writer, cast director, financier, actors and actresses all acting independently coming together for a project (aka The Movie). After the project is over, everyone is disband. You are basically working for yourself.

Author is a free agent too. You write books and articles and sell them. Micro-entreprenuer. You must be able to sell your work. Many occupations are free agents in Singapore. Tutors, music teachers, artists, actors(a lot are employed by Mediacorp), real estate agents and insurance agents. Training is one idea I have been toying around with. Instead of becoming unemployed (dirty word), let's all become free agents.

Lucky me!

After finishing The New Mind, I was looking for Daniel Pink's first book Free Agent Nation. Kinokuniya does not have it nor did Times. I doubt MPH would have it either. It is available at Amazon.com. This is getting frustrating. Why no bookstores in Singapore have any copy?! I was thinking to order it from Kino. I do not trust internet. Ya, ya! I know the Straits Times just reported US$155b sales transacted on the internet in US alone. I am not going to risk my credit card numbers getting into the wrong hand. The kiasu attitude. I call this behaviour risk avoidance. Kiasu is too demeaning and it is inappropriate anyway.

I am in KL today and Borders is five minutes walk from the hotel. As I was browsing, I chance on The New Mind triggering my memory that I was looking for the Other book. After searching futilely for half an hour (did you hear if men asks for directions, millions of hours will be saved for better use), I went to the information desk.

I ask the girl at the desk if they have a copy of Free Agent Nation by Daniel Pink. Pink as spelled as P-I-N-K. She nods her head with a dismissive "YES! I know PINK!" look. The girl types into the computer and in less than 10 seconds, she says "We do have a copy. Let me check the shelf" I followed her like a obedient dog. Her eyes move from top shelf and downward. She squats down, pull out one book to check the title, then another and third book, she hits the jackpot. Total time of search? Probably less than a minute.

So why did I spend 30 minutes looking for the book? Well, I did not exactly just look for this one book. I enjoys the treasure hunt. As I search, other interesting titles comes up. I saw Real Magic by Wayne Dyer. This is not available in Kino or Times either. There is also another book by Victor Frankl other than his classic "Man Search for Meaning". The only problem is I cannot recall the exact title for you.

So I must say it is a good evening for me at The Curve.

The Creative Brain

I pick up this book by Nancy Andreasen in the airport. The interesting part(at least) to me is the last chapter on Building Better Brains. It contains "life changing exercises for your brain". I was intrigue by the claims.

The recommendations are as follows:

1. Choose a New and Unfamiliar Area of Knowledge and Explore It in Depth

One of the best way to think creatively is to tackle a new field that you know little or nothing about. So if you are a computer science graduate, take up biology. If you spend your life in the business world, try learning about geography, earth science or oceanography. If you have longed to learn to play the piano and have had no training in music, start doing it. Just choose something that is quite different form your current interests or occupation.

2. Spend Some Time Each Day Practicing Meditation or "Just Thinking"

"Just thinking" in a free and uncensored way. Just let your thoughts flow. Meditating is focusing your mind on one thing or emptying your mind which is to focus on nothing.

3. Practice Observing and Describing

The goal is to look intently and in detail so that you observe aspects that you would not normally notice.

4. Practice Imagining

The human brain's capacity for imagining is another resource for creativity. According to Lobsang Rampa, imagination always win over willpower or control.

For Tots(kids)

a. Switch off TV
b. Read Together, Interactively
c. Emphasize Diversity
d. Ask Interesting Questions
e. Go Outdoors and Look at the Natural World
f. Get Them Interested in Music

These are all commonsense suggestions. It can be also challenging in Singapore context. We are living in a highrise city. Everything is man-made. Grant we are a garden city. Nature for us is a manicured lawn and shady trees. Our nature reserves like Macritchie or Pierce Reservoir gets boring very quickly. It seem like tv and computer games can hold my kids attention much better than nature. Good thing is B1 and B3 is interested in music.

As for myself, I used to think a lot. Recent changes in my job and my team has keep me busy with a lot of tasks. Also I have to do a lot of business with internal department. This is taking a toll on our team's performance. We are still growing well but not like before. Thinking is an important part of my job. Figuring out all the different scenarios, possibilities and then deciding which path we take for the business.

I like the Creative Brain as the approach is commonsense and easy to understand. However, as Mark Twain puts it "Commonsense is not so Common."