Sunday, December 31, 2006

Where do you find peace and joy?

While peace and joy may be scarce in our world today, esp. in light of the Bangkok bombings over New Year's Eve, we at least found some in our recent vacation in Phuket. We loved the gentleness of the Thais, the richness of their culture, their musical language and uniquely spicy food (tho' a tad heavy on the sugar and coconut milk!) Most importantly, we cherished just being together -- be it sweating and sunburning on the golf course during the day ...

.... or cooling down with cocktails and coconuts at sunset.

Phuket's beaches have distinct characteristics: From the Boat Lagoon and Laem Hinn Harbour in the east, to the crowded madness of Patong and Kata in the south, to the up-and-coming Surin, Kamala and Laguna in the west, and peaceful Nai Yang and Mai Khao in the north.

The relatively untouched northern beaches form Phuket's longest stretch of sand (~13 km) and are also home to the Sirinath Marine National Park, a protected nursing area where leatherback turtles come to shore to lay their eggs during the dry October - February season. In fact, we liked it so much that we seriously considered a vacation club ownership at the Marriott Phuket Resort and Spa, which also launched the Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation as part of its grand opening in 2002. Go here for more photos.

Happy 2007 and 新年快樂!

My year in review - how 'bout you?

Here's a little about my year as I reflect on what to share in my annual update to friends and family. If you like, share a little something about how yours went too. Happy New Year!
1. What did you do in 2006 that you'd never done before?
Said my farewells and relocated across hemispheres within a month

2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Gave up on long term planning this year

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes :D

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Yes :(

5. What countries did you visit?
USA (and Texas b/c that's a whole other country), Canada, Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, Thailand and Singapore (current home)

6. What would you like to have in 2007 that you lacked in 2006?
Some personal and professional stability

7. What date from 2006 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
April 2: Our homecoming. Also, June 4: Our first anniversary

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Survived a challenging first year of marriage

9. What was your biggest failure?
Fully letting go of my own needs and plans

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Dengue fever during a project in Indonesia

11. What was the best thing you bought?
My iPod (a gift) and everything on it

14. Where did most of your money go?
Paying off my MBA loan before leaving my former job

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Switching careers. I left consulting sooner than I thought, but am thankful for a new (less travel intensive but no less challenging) job that
combines my background and interests in strategy, finance, business development and all things geeky.

16. What song will always remind you of 2006?
No Other Way by Jack Johnson | Lyrics | Music Video

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
Happier or sadder: A little of both, actually
Thinner or fatter: Thinner (it's a losing battle on my end)
Richer or poorer: Poorer (my own wealth), Richer (combined + intangibles)

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Tour Europe and more of the Americas (with friends, for fun!)

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Travel for work

20. How will you be spending Christmas?
Hitting golf balls, singing carols by my mom-in-law's bed and packing for Phuket

22. Did you fall in love in 2006?
I've a love-hate relationship with Asia

24. What was your favorite TV program?
Heroes!

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
No

26. What was the best book you read?
The Glass Palace by Amitav Ghosh

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Jack Johnson b/c his music balances out the hecticness of life

28. What did you want and get?
A Nokia N-series phone ;)

29. What did you want and not get?
This *real* Coach bag

30. What was your favorite film of this year?
The Motorcycle Diaries. I only saw it this year though it came out in 2004. Otherwise, Casino Royale b/c hotness x intrigue + angsty torture = I like!

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
First interview for the new job which I'll start next year, watched Heroes Ep 8, and had a romantic Italian dinner for two

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Hindsight is 20/20 but I occasionally wish we hadn't left the US so soon

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2006?
Errr... I really don't have any

34. What kept you sane?
The hubby, also responsible for the (in)sane bit, with his Easy Silence (aka a Dixie Chicks song | Lyrics | Music Video)

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Check my December posts

36. What political issue stirred you the most?
The US midterm elections? The endless Singapore vs. Malaysia rivalry?

37. Who did you miss?
My "family" of global citizens, be they Americans or internationals

38. Who was the best new person you met?
YOU!

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2006:
Wherever I am is where I'm supposed to be

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year life:
Closer to Fine by the Indigo Girls (yes, I like girl bands!) | Lyrics | Music Video

Monday, December 25, 2006

Christmas isn't Christmas till it happens in your heart

Have a blessed Christmas everyone! May you celebrate the gift of life - one that is filled with music, laughter, fond memories, good food and drink, and loved ones.

This is the first time hubby and I are celebrating Christmas together in Asia. It's a bitter sweet time given his mom's deteriorating condition and me without my own family, who are all in Texas this time (where it's evidently raining too!). On Christmas Eve, we attended a midnight service at his childhood church, St Andrews Cathedral, together with a few of his old Sunday School brats, I mean mates.


Although I'm not too familiar with the rich Anglican tradition, I was thankful for the opportunity to reflect as the past few months have truly tested my faith, priorities and identity (esp. in terms of success, marriage and family). I also realized that this is the first year I've not served on a worship team since I was 15! (That, for you curious folks, is half a lifetime ago). Time has flown by and though I've missed that unique faith community and ministry, I am reminded that "true worship" is reflected in how we live our lives and through the choices we make. A few days ago, I brought the guitar over to sing to my mom-in-law, who's been bedridden since October. In those moments of sound and stillness, I came to appreciate another depth to worship and a deeper meaning to these words below:

Because He Lives

God sent His son, they called Him, Jesus;
He came to love, heal and forgive;
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives!

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!


How sweet to hold a newborn baby,
And feel the pride and joy he gives;
But greater still the calm assurance:
This child can face uncertain days because He Lives!

And then one day, I'll cross the river,
I'll fight life's final war with pain;
And then, as death gives way to vict'ry,
I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He lives!

Words and Music by William J. Gaither © 1971

Saturday, December 23, 2006

Doing good by doing well

Whether or not you celebrate Christmas, this is a season for giving and sharing - and as we reflect on the year or look forward to well-deserved bonuses, promotions and vacations, my thoughts also turn to the people whose passion for their work have inspired me.

Some of the most inspiring people are found in the most unlikely places at the most unexpected times. My very first tribute goes to caregivers around the world, especially the selfless relatives, doctors and nurses who have supported us, my mom-in-law and the family through this challenging time. Special acknowledgment to the Singapore Hospice Council and the Lien Foundation for launching the Life Before Death campaign.

Fortune's 50 Most Powerful Women in Business photo feature includes a few of my career heroines: Indra Nooyi (Pepsi), Andrea Jung (Avon), Anne Sweeney (Discover), Ann Moore (TIME), Shelly Lazarus (Ogilvy), Mary Minnick (CocaCola) and Colleen Goggins (J&J).

Despite choosing the corporate path for 7 years now, I often contemplate moving into the public service, NGO or nonprofit realm - first as an undergrad economics TA/RA, again when I collaborated with the United Nations and the World Bank throughout my MBA, and most recently while debating a career switch after we relocated to Asia. Maybe I will take the plunge someday, but in the meantime, these are two role models who've successfully leveraged their business expertise and experience for the greater good.

Elizabeth Littlefield. Formerly a managing director at JPMorgan in their capital markets division, she now serves as a World Bank director and CEO of the Consultative Group to Assist the Poor, a consortium of public and private development agencies working together to expand access to financial services for the poor in developing countries.

Jeff Skoll. The former eBay president wanted to be a writer as a youth. Today, he's founded - inter alia - the Skoll Foundation which links up with Oxford's Saïd Business School to invest in promising social entrepreneurs; and Participant Productions, that has brought us Syriana, Good Night, and Good Luck and An Inconvenient Truth.

A little light reading on for profit v. public/nonprofit trade-offs:
Doing well and doing good (Economist)
What's wrong with profit? (New York Times)
The power of philanthropy (Fortune Magazine/CNN Money)
When is being good not good enough? (Forbes)

Monday, December 18, 2006

Our Asian heroes

Looking back at 2006, there's much for Asians to be proud of. As long as we don't let success get to our heads, 2007 looks promising!

Not only did we survive countless natural disasters (earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes, hurricanes) this year, several individuals also gained prominence in the global arena. Mohammad Yunus became the first businessman to win the coveted Nobel Prize for Peace for his pioneering efforts with Grameen Bank in microcredit. Ban Ki-Moon was sworn in as the next United Nations Secretary General (apparently with a healthy dose of humour) at a critical time when the UN needs to restore trust, rebuild its image and regain some semblance of authority. Upon successfully combating the SARS and bird flu epidemic, Margaret Chan was elected as the next Director-General of the World Health Organization with a renewed focus on health in Africa and women's health.

Coincidentally, TIME just published a special feature on 60 Years of Asian Heroes (see below). Check it out for familiar and maybe new Asians who've made their mark as nation builders, artists and thinkers, business leaders, artists and explorers, and overall inspirations. Is there anyone not on the list who should be?

Asians are making waves in Hollywood as well. Ang Lee became the first Asian to win a Best Director Academy Award for Brokeback Mountain, a film which transcended myriad cultural and social boundaries. Don't forget the outstanding quintet of Asian actresses - Sandra Oh, Lucy Liu, Gong Li, Zhang Ziyi and Michelle Yeoh. Then there's Yul Kwon (click L photo below for Entertainment Weekly's interview), the Stanford/Yale/McKinsey alum, who won over viewers, critics and the castaways of Survivor: Cook Island - and rising star Masi Oka (click on R photo below for New York Times feature), a TIME Asian American whiz kid, who secured a Best Supporting Actor Golden Globe nomination for his work in the hit new TV series Heroes. See these LJ tags for more of my thoughts on Survivor and Heroes.

We've heard about Yao Ming, Tiger Woods, Se Ri Pak and Fu Mingxia - all leaders in their respective sports fields. This year, younger athletes have emerged as their proteges such as Grace Park who drove the Asian golfers to victory (see below) over the International Team led by Annika Sorenstam at Singapore's recent 2006 Lexus Cup. And lastly, there's my personal heroine from my hometown and favourite sport: Nicol David, the world #1 women's squash player who together with compatriot Ong Beng Hee (also a Penangite) swept the squash gold medals at the 15th Doha Asian Games.

Congratulations! YOU are TIME's Person of the Year

Welcome to the hallowed ranks of Adolf Hitler, Ayatollah Khomeini, Bill Clinton and George Bush!
For seizing the reigns of the global media, for founding and framing the new digital democracy, for working for nothing and beating the pros at their own game, TIME's Person of the Year for 2006 is you.
TIME's latest cover story cites Wikipedia, YouTube and MySpace (errm?!) as three examples of the success of Web 2.0, the internet's latest social experiment.

Either the TIME Magazine staff have all left on early holidays or rather than "seek out great examples, they chose the mostly weird and embarassing ones" (per this WSJ Op-Ed piece). Or we can just relish the fact that we're truly "the person or persons who most affected the news and our lives, for good or for ill" this year. Still, this tribute to the power of the people in today's Information Age should give this self-confessed geek, my fellow techie colleagues and each of you - my virtual friends, much glee. Geeks rule! More at my geek blog here.

PS - The cast of my fave TV show, Heroes, has also been recognized as one of TIME's People Who Mattered in 2006. Reaction and discussion here.

Friday, December 01, 2006

Addicted to Heroes

While skyping a friend in NYC today, I realized that I haven't blogged here in a while. Real life has been pretty predictable (job interviews - which are now officially over, in-law visits, birthdays, weddings, parties and the occasional outings). But the main reason why I've evidently forsaken you all for my Live Journal geeks is because a certain TV series called Heroes has eaten my brain. If you've not seen it on NBC, SciFi or Global TV, check it out! (If you don't have access, let me know). Both the hubby and I are hooked and think it's one of the best new TV series this season - certainly better than the local programming via Starhub. BTW, if you're already a fan, come join our discussion over here.

Update: And evidently, the media critics agree! Heroes - in the middle of its first season - is already up for several awards and nominations from the Golden Globes, Writers Guild Association and American Film Institute. See more details here.

Here's an introductory trailer:

The Heroes premise is an age old one: "What if, in times of profound global duress, Mother Nature created new forms of life to deal with it?" Each episode this season tracks how ordinary folks around the world discover and learn to control their unique gifts. While it's a serialized drama with supernatural elements (think Lost, X-Men or the 4400), what sets it apart are the ways in which each character is introduced and how the plot unravels when their stories unfold and cross. In Heroes, there are no black and white characters or easy decisions, and I found the end result endearingly real, fresh and fun. The proof is in the numbers: Heroes has raked in 15-16 million viewers each week, making it the most watched new TV show among all the US networks since its premiere. Broadcast rights will no doubt be snapped up by global networks before the first season is over, if the BBC's latest move is any indication.

Saturday, November 11, 2006

Democracy is alive and kickin'

Since I've blogged about politics in Singapore and Malaysia, I thought I should say something about the recent midterm elections in the US. So I started rambling about voters who exercise their rights to show the world how democracy can work; checks and balances in a bicameral Congress that has both House (population) and Senate (state) representation; accompanied by a tirade about politicians who dither in their indecisiveness, who abuse faith and patriotism to justify their actions, who overpromise and underdeliver, shooting themselves and others in the foot along the way. As Henry Kissinger once said: "Ninety percent of the politicians give the other ten percent a bad reputation."

But y'know, a song speaks better than a thousand words, certainly any of mine! Hence, I will just say this: "Thank you, US voters, for saving our collective asses" (If it sounds familiar, you're a BSG fan). I'll now leave you with Shut Up and Sing by the Dixie Chicks (trailer below):

And Not Ready To Make Nice, the longest running #1 VHS single in 2006 (lyrics here and music video below):


More here on why the Dixie Chicks have sung their way to my heart.

Sunday, November 05, 2006

When hai gui 海归 become hai dai 海待

Since I stopped travelling on projects, I finally began to look for a new job in Singapore. I was warned that the process could be mind numbingly slow here (3-6 months), given the time of year, the small market and niche that Singapore occupies vis-à-vis the rest of Asia, my decision to switch out of a consulting/finance career, and the lower compensation that comes along with it. All of the above did come to light, but what I didn't expect and didn't fully appreciate, were the occasionally unreasonable biases that overseas returnees like myself would face after spending years abroad.

Many Asian cities have seen a reverse brain drain in recent years. In the past, overseas students like my hubby, siblings and I would find a job and settle abroad in pursuit of greener pastures. Many still do but a growing number don't - trading in their foreign education and experience for unique opportunities at home. This wave of returnees are dubbed hai gui (归), a pun on the sea turtles (龟) that swim to home shores to lay their eggs. As the returnees failed to find good work, they became hai dai (海待) or floating seaweed (海带).

It's a shame to see this negative phenomenon in cities like Singapore, Shanghai and Hong Kong where a meeting of supply and demand is not only needed, but beneficial for both sides. Overseas returnees are perceived as arrogant, unrealistic in their expectations and unfamiliar with the Asian market. Furthermore, locally-based companies claim to be more pragmatic than foreign companies, in that they demand "value for money," hence, every new hire must have what it takes to do the job from the get-go. A few local managers and headhunters have also admitted that it's hard for overseas returnees to fit in given their brash manners, awkward accents and foreign outlooks. There might be a sliver of truth in these arguments BUT:
  1. Arrogance goes both ways. Some locals might feel envious of/intimidated by overseas returnees or have a misplaced superiority complex given Asia's rapid growth. This is particularly true for those who lack exposure to the global economy or racial, political and cultural diversity.
  2. Manage risk, not avoid it. The world's best companies don't use pragmatic as an excuse for being risk adverse. Instead, they compete by reinventing themselves, attracting and recruiting diverse talent with both potential and experience.
  3. Protectionism and colonialism alienate the wrong people. Not only do overseas returnees deserve the same respect and acceptance accorded to both locally born-and-bred folks as well as foreigners, they possess the understanding and ability to bridge these "we know best" and "white is right" camps.
At the end of the day, those who succeed are the ones who adapt. When in Rome, let's do as the Romans did in successfully assimilating the best in culture, art, science, philosophy and people from its territories worldwide. All Asians should take note. As for her overseas returnees: Be patient and persevere!

Related articles of interest:

Monday, October 30, 2006

Just a lot of hot air?

I consider myself pretty environmentally conscious, though I'm no green thumb (my track record with house plants is literally to die for). I love the outdoors, studied geology and chemistry for fun, spent a summer investing in renewable energy projects with the World Bank, and even married a guy who's obsessed with aquatic wildlife (esp. those jellyfish in the Monterey Bay Aquarium), avidly watches Animal Planet, National Geographic and the Discovery Channel (aside from ESPN), and is more anti-sharks fin soup than I am.

"It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble. It's what you know for sure that just ain't so." - Mark Twain

I finally caught
An Inconvenient Truth last night, Al Gore's global warming documentary jointly presented by Paramount and Participant Productions, Jeff Skoll's socially-relevant film company. If you haven't seen it, check it out. You may have doubts but at least you'll be a better informed global citizen and take heed when climate changes - causing devastating hurricanes, heatwaves, infectious diseases, wildfire - leave tangible, personal consequences.

What's the fuss about: Global Warming 101 for dummies


Who's to blame: A CSI on the PSI
We had one the worst
hazes in Southeast Asia this year since 1997 - which was ironically when I wrote my first environmental news report in college. As with the haze and all bad incidences due to unsustainable development, guilt is often (wrongfully) assigned to:
Suspect 1: Demographics (Developing countries)
Suspect 2: Technology (Developed countries)
Suspect 3: Economics (Multinational corporations)

"Political will is a renewable resource" - Al Gore
Could the real culprit and the solution lie in politics?

What can you do?
Both individuals (the people) and governments have roles to play. Consider the actions listed in this link or in the clip below:

Saturday, October 28, 2006

The best things in life are free

A dear, dear friend sent me this after we finally had the chance to catch up on the phone since I left the US several months ago. I feel incredibly blessed by our unlikely friendship - one that has blossomed between an Asian and an African in America since we were freshmen in college, many years ago.

The Free Hugs Campaign made me think of all the virtual friendships we have via online communities today, such as Live Journal or Blogger. So here's a *hug* from me to each of you too. Keep on sharing and inspiring, and pass it on!

Friday, October 20, 2006

Proud Smith pioneers

According to this Chronicle of Higher Education report, Smith College received 16 awards, the highest by any bachelor's institution for Fulbright Scholars in 2005. It's a testament to my undergrad alma mater that she attracts and produces women who are dynamic, cross-cultural, open and different - leaders in the very best way. Instead of only looking at college rankings, such as the one produced by the US News & World Report, this could be another assessment of the quality of education and the value of an institution in preparing others to serve in the world.

Go pioneers!

Thursday, October 12, 2006

Music Downloads: Pirates—or Customers?

Internet downloading is quite a hot topic these days! On the heels of the Google-YouTube announcement and recent arrests of several illegal MP3 homeusers (not just distributors - for the first time) in Singapore, I stumbled across an HBS Working Knowledge Q&A article with this controversial premise: "Internet music piracy not only doesn't hurt legitimate CD sales, it may even boost sales of some types of music" with the right pricing and marketing strategies, given that most downloading is done 1) over P2P networks by those without access either due to location or money, thereby not directly causing "lost" sales, and 2) for sampling purposes, which if found favourable and sold "smart" ala iTunes, could even favourably impact sales.

If in fact the research is correct, the strategic implications for the music industry are profound. Instead of conducting a high-profile campaign against pirates, should the industry instead target "samplers" to encourage them to buy more music? Should the industry consider peer-to-peer services as marketing tools rather than the enemy? Should online pricing be different from in-store pricing? What happens when broadband makes it as easy to illegally download an entire CD as an individual track or two?

These questions are further discussed with one of the authors here.

Tuesday, October 10, 2006

The end of YouTube as we know it

I read the news of Google's US $1.65 billion acquisition of YouTube today with some interest and trepidation. Geez. Who would (not) wanna be these guys? Co-founders Chad Hurley, 29 and Steven Chen, 27 talk about this "deal between kings" today.

The valuation on this deal is staggering. Did you know that we - YouTube's audience - are each worth US $32 per visit? Yet seeing that "Any sort of material that's posted on YouTube that includes music is in violation of copyright law," one can't help but think that's it for all those online replays, snippets and fan vids. Let's hope that we, YouTube's real "assets" don't get shortchanged for the sake of "shareholder" value.

For more info and press reports, see my original LJ post here.

Sunday, October 08, 2006

What's on my N70?

I posted a short entry in my geek blog with some random mobile phone photos. Click on the images for the full text.

Home is a cosy apartment on the top floor of a condo atop a hill in the center of a tiny island called Singapore. This is the main entrance. We live in a conservation area between the oldest (Chinatown) and newest (financial/ business district) parts of the city.


You'll see lots of old shophouses in the midst of urban renovation here, such as this one. Our street, Club Street was the HQ for many big Chinese clan associations back then. These days, it's an expat zone, full of delectable bars, cafés, restaurants and start-ups.


This time every year, parts of Southeast Asia are plagued by haze from land-clearing fires in Indonesia. As a result, our living room has looked out at this view for several weeks now. When it clears up, you'd often see a cloudless blue sky and a cityscape which reminds me of New York City at night.

Saturday, October 07, 2006

Our hazy 中秋节 (zhōng qiū jié)

Happy Mid-Autumn Festival everyone! When I was a kid, we celebrated this by exchanging mooncakes (that you stuffed up on and then kept the remaining boxes in your fridges till at least year end) and walking down the streets with colourful lanterns. This is one of the biggest Chinese festivals, after the Lunar New Year celebrations, and revolves around the story of Chang'e, the Moon Goddess of Immortality. Who and why she ended up in the moon though is the stuff of legends (i.e. the reasons are many and vary over time!).














The festival became a national celebration in China after mooncakes were used to pass messages between rebels, such as "Kill the Tatars on the 15th day of the Eighth Moon" (八月十五殺韃子). This led to the fall of the Yuan Dynasty (Mongols) and the rise of the Ming Dynasty.

Meanwhile, celebrations this year were "clouded" by the haze from annual land-clearing fires in Indonesia that have plagued Malaysia, Singapore and southern Thailand. The Pollutant Standards Index today of 150 (unhealthy) topped Singapore's 9-year record but that was still lower than the 300+ (hazardous) levels over logging and agricultural-intense areas in East Malaysia and across Borneo. It's not surprising that the regional governments and populace are frustrated by their inability to resolve this annual environmental problem.

See here for more news on the haze. The scan on the right is from today's Singapore Straits Times in light of this year's hazy Mid-Autumn Festival.

BTW, remember the cleaning I have to do?

On to Plan B.

Friday, October 06, 2006

Mom's coming to town!

For the first time in - actually, EVER - we're having long term visitors in our new home. My mom and one of my fav aunts will be staying over for a few weeks. I'm looking forward to host my own family once again, esp. since I've rarely seen them in the past decade. Imagine, real home-cooked Peranakan food! A partner-in-crime for artsy plays and nature walks! More bridge all-nighters ... and maybe even some mom-and-daughter bonding, Ya-Ya sisterhood style! ;o

First things first. Make sure hubby is even more appreciated for sharing my joy in this and for putting up with the days to come.

Then, spring cleaning! Or rather, summer cleaning, since there's only one hot, humid and hazy season year-round. Plan A: Do it tomorrow. Plan B: Scramble by Tuesday. Plan C: Hire a maid. Plan D: Stuff all dust and "dirt" in that not-so-secret drawer under the bed. Hmm....

Lastly, info gathering on what's going on in Singapore in October. We'll probably get through 1% of my list but hey, I'm a "J" i.e. I'm a planner - with checklists, spreadsheets, calendar of options - and seriously (sadly?), I've too much free time on my hands these days.

Yayyy!

Sunday, September 24, 2006

Singapore "Beach Boys"

The hubby and I were on a moonlit stroll last night, i.e. we took a 30 min walk home to work off our dinner, and passed by The Arts House on our way back. While browsing in the Earshot café, I discovered several albums by a local male a cappella group. What an unexpected surprise! They were not bad, with a quirky blend of local irreverence, universal humour and vocal harmony that I'd missed since my undergrad days in New England. You can read more about them at Budak Pantai (or literally, beach kids in Malay). I've also included a short clip of their adaptation of Fools Rush In below. Pardon the crummy sound quality.

What is success anyway?

The Wall Street Journal published an essay on money and happiness today. Excerpts are below. Full article can be assessed here.

Lots of us still go job prospecting every now and then. Sometimes we even make the leap to something new. But there's a lot more agonizing over which switches make sense -- and which ones ultimately just aren't wise. As we get further along in life, the size of the next pay stub isn't nearly as reliable a guidepost as it used to be.

For one thing, we're a lot shrewder in spotting the hidden ugly side of some high-paying positions. We also ponder whether our new colleagues and bosses will pass the "good people" test. In other cases, money doesn't define our ambitions as much. Of course, some high-paying jobs really do turn out to be passports to a better life. The gutsiest people simply walk away from career tracks they don't like, sacrificing pay if necessary for a new job that connects with their greatest passions. For most of us, such wonderful alignments of money and freedom never quite happen.

In fact, sorting out such trade-offs becomes the defining struggle.... We have grown used to the chase for success, and sometimes it can be hard to step off that track. We also hate to retrench so much that upstarts and plodders overtake us. Yet we have families and hobbies that clamor for time, too. None of us wants to job hop our way to ruin, becoming the pitiable workaholic with the busted marriage and the empty mansion.

Sunday, September 03, 2006

Thinking about careers

My former Aussie flatmate sent out a recent Forbes article called "Don't Marry Career Women" which contained an amusing point and counterpoint about dual career marriages. I forwarded it to my mom, sister, ex-classmates (read: girls' school and women's college alumnae) and other friends to spread some feminist love. No surprises which view I subscribe to!

On other fronts, job searching is fun. Not. In pursuit of further self-discovery, I came across this. Tai tai didn't make the shortlist.

Ya think?

Your Career Type: Enterprising

You are energetic, ambitious, and sociable.
Your talents lie in politics, leading people,
and selling things or ideas.


You would make an excellent:
Auctioneer - Bank President - Camp Director
City Manager - Judge - Lawyer
Recreation Leader - Real Estate Agent -
Sales Person

School Principal - Travel Agent - TV Newscaster

The worst career options for you are investigative careers, like a mathematician or architect.

Monday, August 28, 2006

Hope floats

I've always enjoyed reading letters from the international development and ministry workers whom I've served with and supported over the years. I was particularly encouraged by an update from a friend who recently led a short term microenterprise development project in the Central African Republic. The CAR ranks as one of the worst countries on virtually all global socioeconomic and political indicators. Yet, similar to the premise of the initiative I helped to start with the United Nations back in 2004, his team and their local partners believed that entrepreneurship is an engine of growth that brings about "signs of life, creativity and dreams for a new tomorrow." He cites: "One of the deepest casualties of poverty is hope - and people's capacity to dream about a better future."

Furthermore, hope as a tool to alleviate poverty can also be a blessing for those "poor in spirit," who face unrealized dreams or debilitating illness. This resonated with me given my own reasons for and journey in relocating back to Asia this year. Here are some snippets:

"When I was younger, hope seemed to dance upon my heart with no inhibition. As I grow older, I am learning that I must train my heart for this to remain so. Grief, struggle, and disappointment have a way of muting the music that our hearts long to sing.... Scripture tells us 'hope deferred makes the heart sick.' (Proverbs 13:12a). Yet, I am learning that I can teach my heart to twirl, leap, and skip, even amidst painful disappointment. Our thoughts shape our emotions. The Apostle Paul understood this psychology, telling us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2) and to think about things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8)...."

"In this season of life I am discovering that hope floats best when it hopes in an unfailing, unflinching, totally dependable, all-powerful, great and gracious God. Psalm 147:10-11 tells us that the Lord's 'pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the power of human legs,' but rather; in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.' Hope, when anchored to Jesus, is like a buoy that cannot stay submerged, it is tied permanently as an 'anchor for the soul, firm and secure.' (Hebrews 6:19)."

Monday, August 21, 2006

Lost in space?!

Where have I been these past few weeks? Some highlights:

Week 0. Had a scare when I came down with dengue fever mid-July (ironically, after the World Cup). This means I'm now immune to the first viral stage for life - you can read about it here - but will also be susceptible to even worse infections if I get near that darn Aedes mosquito again. Unsurprisingly, my paranoia about being caught in an epidemic (be it dengue fever, bird flu, food poisioning, etc.) has grown exponentially since then. Delighted to be back in Singapore after wrapping up my Indonesia project early August.

Week 1. Hubby and I threw our belated housewarming dinner party - first with the in-laws. Everyone had a blast, survived my cooking, and left with a warm fuzzy feeling in their bellies. Our strategy of spiking dishes and serving liberal quantities of alcoholic beverages and desserts worked! The highlight of the evening was the unveiling of our new 40" flat screen LCD TV and portable DVD player.

Week 2. We bundled off for a relaxing (but wet) vacation in Borneo where we ate great food, played lots of bad golf, added to our cheap DVD collection, and provided free IT services to my parents in Brunei. Developed a fascination with bridge (thanks, mom!) which will be a nice addition to our scrabble, poker and boardgame nights at home ... as long as we don't pair up with each other! Most of our forays outside were deluged by a string of tropical storms that week - Saomai, Bilis, Prapiroon, Bopha, Maria. Random factoid: Hurricanes in the Atlantic Ocean are called cyclones in the Indian Ocean and typhoons around the South China Sea. There's also an A-Z primer on hurricane names.

Week 3. Back to my-so-called tai tai life in Singapore. Apart from visiting or having meals with the in-laws, I spent the week deliberating my future, surfed the web for football gossip, movie spoilers and new job prospects (albeit half heartedly), continued or started up multiple books and personal projects (which I'll probably never finish), created a geek blog for my science fiction, fantasy and tech alter-ego, contemplated Chinese and cooking classes, driving and golf lessons. Free time is cool!

Week 4. Present time. After last week's random idleness, my "J" personality is threatening to take over soon....

Saturday, July 15, 2006

Dream a little dream with me

I've been caught up with dreams recently. Not the Dream from Neil Gaiman's Sandman, not quite Martin Luther King's rousing "I have a dream"s but simply, those precious dreams that we've all had about the things we wanted to do in life.

For the past few months, I've lived between two worlds as I've tried to replicate the life I left behind with the one ahead of me. Recent developments have made me question WHY. Why haven't I seized the opportunity to try something new, something I've been dreaming of doing once I'm back in this part of the world, but which I'd laid aside - in return for stability and sometimes out of necessity - when I was younger? The bottom line is I've been afraid. Afraid of risking failure by stepping out of my comfort zone. Afraid to trust in something greater than myself. Afraid to define success as it could be rather than what others think it should be for me.

"Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat." - T. Roosevelt

On that note, thanks to friends and family who have encouraged and inspired me to take the plunge this year and to appreciate the "might" of our dreams. I'll fill you all in once I decide - which should be soon (hopefully). Also, special congrats to Sudhir and Carolyn on your new jobs. You do us all proud!

Monday, June 19, 2006

On gender and football

I came across an entertainingly biased article in the June 18, 2006 Sunday Times entitled "Spare us guys your shrieks." It was littered with blatantly sexist to outrageously ignorant observations on how women are clueless about football and that this "pretense" is spoiling men's enjoyment of the Beautiful Game.

"...We don't 'think that women don't understand the game.'
We know it.....
In my book, the biggest sinners are
the 10 percent of women
who pretend they know the game."

Sure, people like sports for many reasons and at different levels, but why condemn anyone for enjoying something without fully understanding it yet? People grow in their appreciation and interests over time - even the most ardent football fan had to begin somewhere, after all. Furthermore, I'd argue that it's commitment and curiousity - not how much one knows - that ultimately separates the pretenders from the believers.

"...When a woman says she's a football fan, it's like she just revealed that she's a porn star - you can't move on to another topic."
"If they're not whining about how we're ignoring them,
they're trying unsuccessfully to watch the game with us."

It's grossly unfair to judge women's interest in football as purely superficial (i.e. "Oh! Look at his abs") or social ("I've to appear cool to impress the guys") in nature. First, there's absolutely nothing wrong with a little "people watching" - we can all appreciate beautiful bods, touching stories ... as well as a compelling game! The article also fails to acknowledge that men too face significant social pressure to be sports fans. Would the tone be less scathing if the majority of guys who watch football are part of that sinful "10 percent"?

"The problem with women who think they know football is that most of them can't - and never will - be able to engage the men because, crucially, they don't play football."
This was the most absurd point. Women have been playing football for as long as the game has existed - from ancient China to the FIFA Women's World Cup held every four years since 1991. In fact, FIFA estimates that the current 40 million girls and women playing football around the world will equal the number of men by 2010.

Perhaps the author is guilty of the very superficiality and social "inferiority" that we ladies evidently have. To paraphrase:
"I don't 'think that he doesn't understand women
[or even football, for that matter].' I know it."

Sunday, June 18, 2006

The World Cup Craze

I wrote this poem when I was the school's sports and special features editor back in 1994. Hope you get a kick out of it.

The hour hand touched four, my alarm clock rang
I stirred, then covered my ears with my hand,
My eyes were glued shut but I struggled out of bed
4:15 a.m.? I'm fifteen minutes late!

I dashed out of my room and stumbled down the stairs
My dad, in pyjamas, was already seated there
One hand holding a book, coffee in the other,
eyes on the t.v., for one and a half hours.

The Cup craze is on!
The Cup craze is on!
There are goals to be shot, games and bets to be won
In front of the t.v. we were stuck on the screen
as we applauded and rooted for our favourite teams

For a month, beginning June the eighteenth,
Football was our food, and coffee our drink.
We screamed and yelled and hollered away
and watched like addicts day after day.

We laughed and cried over all the victories
We argued over fouls and criticized the referees
We witnessed the rise and fall of Maradona,
We were appalled by the murder of Escobar from Columbia.

Most thrilling were the spectacular goals and tries
We watched amazed at Romario, Bebeto and Rai!
Enthralled by the magic of Milla and Hagi
Wondering who would win - Brazil? Italy? Germany?

It was a time for upsets, a time for new stars
A win meant some players received Mercedes cars,
Some teams had finesse, some brute strength
but in the end, only the best will be champs

6:45 a.m.? Uh-oh, I've got school!
I grab my things and start wearing my shoes.
But all day long, I'm still in a daze,
Why? That's because I've got the Cup craze.

Lastly, here's an England 2006 World Cup vidsong for all you fans!




Wednesday, June 14, 2006

Mon Dieu, c'est la Coupe du Monde!

These days, ~70% of my working hours are spent with a group of Europeans. Added to that, the World Cup fever is back - and along with it, the thrill of staying up late and dissecting football plays - something I'd not done since 1994, when I last lived in a country that calls football "football" and not "soccer" (aka anywhere BUT the US). I'm also an unashamed global sports fan so was pleasantly surprised to read Why the World Cup is better than the Olympics in this week's Economist. Poking around during the half time between France and Switzerland, I took this random quiz on what I'd be if I actually were European. Guess my French-speaking colleagues won this one.

Your Inner European is French!

Smart and sophisticated.
You have the best of everything - at least, *you* think so.

PS - Way to go, South Korea!!!

Sunday, June 04, 2006

The First Year

This June 4 weekend marked a year since we tied the knot in Boston. On Saturday, we had dinner at Saint Julien, a French restaurant at the Fullerton Waterboat House. The hubby went out of his way to get the best seats in the house, aptly called "Lovers Corner." Aww.....

The view of the Esplanade, from the Theaters on the Bay to the Stamford Swissotel, was a tribute to our first "big decision" - getting engaged in 2003. We talked about what a year this has been, our future hopes, and how relevant the wedding message has been for us today.

Let me not to the marriage of true minds
Admit impediments. Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove:
O no! it is an ever-fixed mark
That looks on tempests and is never shaken;
It is the star to every wandering bark,
Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken.
Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks
Within his bending sickle's compass come:
Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,
But bears it out even to the edge of doom.
If this be error and upon me proved,
I never writ, nor no man ever loved.

William Shakespeare, Sonnet 116

Monday, May 29, 2006

Kicking off in Bali

After a month off to manage our relocation to Asia, I finally started my next project - this time in Jakarta. While I'll be away every week through September, I try to come back to Singapore most weekends. That said, we spent a weekend "onboarding" in Bali (consultant-speak for the team bonding and project planning that occurs at the start of each client engagement).

Business has started to pick up again in Bali, though the typical tourist is now less European or Australian, and more Chinese or Japanese. It was quite different to be with the team at our Jimbaran Bay beach hotel compared to the private villa that my hubby and I had just to ourselves in Canggu when we honeymooned here last July. While I also did less sightseeing this time around - it's a "work trip" after all - the views of the Indian Ocean, Uluwatu cliffs and coast remain spectular, the Balinese courteous, friendly, and grateful for visitors after the bombings in recent years, and there's plenty of great dining/hang out places, my favourite this time was Ku De Ta.

Monday, May 22, 2006

Where the heart is

This time last year in Boston, I was finishing my MBA, gearing up for the first of many wedding events to come, and anticipating the final "honeymoon period" before re-entering the real world. I fondly recall the string of farewell events leading up to Harvard's Commencement: the home-cooked meals, garden BBQs, student meetings, faculty pep talks, and in particular, The Ordination to Daily Work, a 30-year old tradition to pray for and celebrate God's calling among the graduates. Without really searching for it, I had found a home away from home.

Truth be told, I've felt rather homesick since then, an irony now that I'm closer to "home" than I'd ever been in over a decade. It wasn't until a recent trip north to visit my parents and grandparents in Malaysia, that I'd felt known once more (even if they sometimes forget that I'm a married adult now!). Since returning, I've realized that my heart is with the people I love and I'd been lamenting the loss of close community despite the relative ease of settling in Singapore. I know I'll still face the occasional pangs of "aloneness" with our conflicting work and travel schedules, but I am grateful to have a lifelong partner and family with whom I can just be myself.

Saturday, May 06, 2006

Election fever

Well, not quite.

I'd thought colourful debates and flag-lined streets were common fare in democratic elections, having witnessed the politicking in my Penang hometown, and the US presidential races for the past decade. As such, I found Singapore's General Elections this year - from the nominations through voting day - a rather tame, orderly and civilized affair, much like most key operations here in Singapore. The Singapore Elections Department site has the official details.

The final verdict: The incumbent People's Action Party (PAP) won 82 out of the 84 parliamentary seats though just 66.6% of the popular vote - a typical phenomenon in most winner-take-all voting systems. The Workers Party (WP) and the Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA) retained one seat each. The PAP won a 75.3% majority in the 2001 election, and have not faced much of a challenge since their 46.5% return in the first General Election in 1963.

Apart from common election year tactics such as the shifting of electoral boundaries, tax cuts and rebates, as in the recent Progress Packages and promises of public housing (HDB) upgrades in opposition strongholds, several things stood out for me:
  1. For here to stay? The PAP has dominated in Singapore since the then opposition, Barisan Socialis, boycotted parliament in the 1960s. Although there's been at least one opposition member of parliament since 1981, a few strong candidates introduced this year and an improved showing in the popular vote, there still isn't much of an "opposition" to speak of. The parties and their impassioned leaders struggle with poor reputations, aggravated by the ubiquitous government-led lawsuits and negative press reports against them.

  2. GRC games. Singapore's Group Representation Constituency (GRC) system was designed to ensure minority participation in politics (i.e. the Malays, Indians and Eurasians here). In addition, to contest in a GRC, parties need to submit a team with the same number of candidates as there are available seats or constituencies in that group. Since only one vote is cast per team, frequent GRC changes and additions are perceived as further PAP attempts to thwart the opposition. In addition, residents of the many walkover (uncontested) seats do not vote at all, be it to exercise their rights or to "legitimize" the shoe-in winner.

  3. There's a lot more talk ... Election-related blogs and podcasts survived despite the release of a podcast-free "positive list," certain blogging restrictions and other Election Advertising Legislation. If these alternative media forums are allowed to thrive - within reason - this could be a step towards improving Singapore's #140 ranking in the 2005 Worldwide Press Freedom Index. Some interesting reads include Singapore Politics, Singapore Election Watch, Singabloodypore and Think Centre.

  4. ... But the votes still lag. The conservative public still believes in the PAP's stewardship of economic stability and prosperity in Singapore. Furthermore, little differentiation exists across the People's Action Party, Workers Party, Singapore Democratic Alliance and Singapore Democratic Party mandates. Web traffic, polls or even event attendance are less an indicator of votes, and more a show of interest, solidarity or support, as is evident by the crowd of curious non-voters (residents in walkover constituencies and expats, including myself!) at the Workers Party rally in Serangoon Stadium on Friday.

Saturday, April 29, 2006

Exhausted ramblings of a tai tai

The Asian tai tai life? Not for me, at least not yet! But still....

Spent all of yesterday coordinating the first wave of our move into our own home. Since the hubby started his new job, I could "almost" feel like a tai tai during my month off from work. But tai tai's are supposed to play mahjong and shop, with maids who help out all day, damn it! Exhausted, I took this Classic Dames Test just for fun.

Katharine Hepburn
You scored 16% grit, 28% wit, 47% flair, and 26% class!

You are the fabulously quirky and independent woman of character. You go your own way, follow your own drummer, take your own lead. You stand head and shoulders next to your partner, but you are perfectly willing and able to stand alone. Others might be more classically beautiful or conventionally woman-like, but you possess a more fundamental common sense and off-kilter charm, making interesting men fall at your feet. You can pick them up or leave them there as you see fit. You share the screen with the likes of Spencer Tracy and Cary Grant, thinking men who like strong women.



Compared to other people your age and gender:
You scored higher than 26% on grit
You scored higher than 51% on wit
You scored higher than 77% on flair
You scored higher than 50% on class

The Classic Dames Test written by gidgetgoes on Ok Cupid, home of the 32-Type Dating Test. Find out what kind of classic leading man you'd make with the Classic Leading Man Test.