Chip Conley - Measuring what makes life worthwhile

The second video link by CL which I watched last month (20th July) but only had time to blog it now. The first one was Sir Ken Robinson's Bring on learning.

In this clip, hotelier Mr Chip Conley talks about Joie de Vivie (Joy of Life). There was this quote by Robert Kennedy on the definition of GDP. It is said that GDP "measures everything in short, except that which makes life worthwhile."

And yet GDP is the measurement metric everybody is using to measure the success of the country.

Because of it, I guess Abe Maslow makes absolute sense when he said "if the only tool you have is a hammer, then everything starts to look like a nail". Everything will just tweaks into the perspective you want it to tweaks into, because human are known for adjusting their needs into one that the society accepts.

On a trip through India, early in his reign as king, he actually was asked by an Indian journalist about the Bhutanese GDP, the size of the Bhutanese GDP. And the king responded in a fashion that actually has transformed us four decades later. He said the following: He said, "Why are we so obsessed and focused with gross domestic product? Why don't we care more about gross national happiness?" Now, in essence, the king was asking us to consider an alternative definition of success, what has come to be known as GNH, or gross national happiness. Most world leaders didn't take notice, and those that did thought this was just "Buddhist economics." But the king was serious.

I wish I can go Bhutan and see how one create the habitat for happiness to brew. Seems like it is THE HAVEN that I am looking and searching for right now. I sincerely wish I know what is the measurement to make my life worthwhile. I thought I know. But 3 days more to the trip, I started doubting if this is the path and do they want me on the path?

Video Source: http://www.ted.com/talks/chip_conley_measuring_what_makes_life_worthwhile.html

p/s: Still remember reading an email on "Value What is Yours!" where the story goes like this...

The owner of a small business, a friend of the Poet Olavo Bilac, met him on the street and asked him,
"Mr. Bilac, I need to sell my small farm, the one you know so well. Could you please write and announcement for me for the paper?"

Mr. Bilac wrote,
"For sale, a beautiful property, where birds sing at dawn in extensive woodland, bisected by the brilliant and sparkling waters of a large stream.
The house is bathed by the rising sun.
It offers tranquil shade in the evening on the veranda."

Some time later, the poet met his friend and asked whether he had sold the property?
To which he replied:
"I've changed my mind. When I read what you had written, I realized the treasure that was mine."

Sometimes we underestimate the good things we have,
Chasing after the mirages of false treasures.
- Poet Olavo Bilac

I don't know how authentic this story is. But I really don't want to find myself chasing after the mirages of false treasures. Maybe once again, I will just let fate decide? 4 more days and I will know the answer. At least GA has been kind to me.

好马不吃回头草

30th July 2010

My ex-co has approached me for an opportunity. It is a good chance to leave sg. Except my mind was concentrating for VSO which I had waited for 2 months.
I know people usually say you should never return to a co that laid you. After all that means it is not an iron rice bowl. But it is their culture to terminate when in downturn and re-hire when there are opportunities.
And at least I will be posted out though visa is a probably as it is a tourist visa.
So should I go back?

Seed of greater benefit

26th July 2010

On this day, God wants you to know
... that tomorrow you will harvest the seeds you sow today. What kind of seeds do you need to sow today, so tomorrow turns into the dream you have always wanted?
Extracted on 12th Aug 2010

I was in extreme confusion and decided to use the FB's God wants you to know application again. And it reminded me of the seed quote which prompted me to find back this drawing.

Under every adversity, lies a seed of a greater benefit.
- Zig Ziglar

Is similar to another quote I read before:
Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition.

I still remembered I was in extreme stress that day. (I still am in, because programming never fails to make me stressed up.) I brought my brother's laptop to work and at the same time made calls. Because that day, I knew a few of my clients will be inking the deal. But I caused a lot of problem to my boss (ex-boss now but actually I'm glad to have known them).  Because it is not right to bring personal work into your work area even if the company is too lenient on you. And there were too many politics going on which is really mild (catfights I would say).. as mild as long long time ago, when my colleagues were also squabbling during my temping days. And I still remember a lady who is the secretary of the store manager telling me that this is just catfight... (seriously only females are capable of creating mild political tensions... the males will play a much venomous tactical game) as compared to her boss political struggle with other stores.

Which is why a few days later, I quit because I cannot balance anymore. And because I know clearly that I do not want to make calls anymore, though my colleagues kept asking me to continue. My boss said it best when he told the kopi-gal, that is precisely I seen through it that was why I chose to quit. Not saying those working for him did not see through it. Is just that that job was not my path or my destiny. And most importantly it will not lead me to where I want to be. But that job has widen my network and made me knew more about the world out there. And because I learnt ARK from my boss, I actually respect and am glad to have met him.

人不犯我，我不犯人，
若不损己；可为人人；
人若为我，我愿为人。

Broken CD

19th July 2010

It is official. My Swiss memories with my family in the Interlaken Ost apartment are lost forever as the CD has split. I should be grateful it did not damage my drive.

I will miss the octopus mat we had in the apartment. And the apartment is really pretty.

I will miss the lovely mountains, snow and flowers. I took so many photos I really don't know what I had taken. Thankfully dad had his film camera then still.
I really feel so sad. I thought CD is the best back-up plan. Apparently not so I guess. I wish I can recover back those memories. But what's lost can never be recovered. And life goes on.

p/s: I had been watching Back to the Future trilogy the last few days and was thinking, can I go back to retrieved these memories... sigh I still feel the pain in losing these memories. But with everything digitalis-ed, I think such occurrences are a common sight again. The curse of technology!

Fuzzy scene

17th July 2010

Many years ago, my then best friend told me seconds before she fainted, it turned pitch black for her.

I never knew what she saw, but today, I saw how people could turn black and fuzzy to me. I never knew what happens when someone with low iron count tries to donate blood. And when I was donating blood, the nurses were discussing how someone vomited after the donation. And how it may be scary but the vomiting process will help her.

I also know I'm not very high in iron today. Plus I'm losing more supposedly due to natural process. But I felt fine after the donation. Had the free snack which was awful to consume but I thought it is better to eat to recover the loss in sugar I had. And I made my way into the train perfectly. Was even chatting on phone as per usual.

But halfway through I started perspiring profusely. Surroundings dimmed and people turned fuzzy to me. I held on the pole to refrain from fainting. Some eternal moments later, there was an empty seat and I had to grabbed it because if I don't, my wobbly legs might not last the journey back. I thought of leaving the train halfway to go to the ladies as my tummy seem to ache. But I felt too weak to go anywhere either. So I fidgeted in my seats, feeling hot and flushed and trying very hard to regain conscious.

Made it to my destination stop. Hid in Tamp1 ladies (luckily there wasn't a queue either) till I felt stronger. Then slowly made my way back.

I am very grateful GA had kept me safe to made my way back. I certainly don't want to faint because that will probably be the end of my blood donation.

Anyway a few days later I was asking doc about medicines and found out medicine has half lives. I think I was on some medication that week but I believed it had died out due to its half life which is roughly the period where you need to take your next dosage. So when your doctor had asked you to take you medicine 3 times a day, it meant the half life of that particular medicine is 8 hours. Interesting!

Manila Tickets bought.

16th July 2010

The tickets have been bought and confirmed. But I have not tell them the dates. Too much unhappiness. And it is just an interview where nothing has been confirmed.
Asian society believes strongly in filial piety. But if God is my father too, have I been filial to him? Through my parents, I learnt humanity and life. Through my parents, I was provided and cared for. So I must repay my parents. And I must repay God.
Then how do I strike a perfect deal for both? This is killing me!

VSO Invitation Letter

After one week, it finally came.
I had been waiting and wondering. Because only with its arrival would I be sure my Skype interview had been successful.
But with its arrival came another dilemma. How to break the news now?

Sales is not my calling

8th July 2010

'Sales is not my calling, because I'm too direct.'
黑的就是黑的
白的就是白的
我也蛮像《痞子英雄》里的英雄

Anyway this was an interviewer giving me her feedback. I'm very frank and direct in every interview I went. In IHIS, I was feeling cold and I told the receptionist frankly as I waited very long already.

Sometimes I wonder though, if being frank is disallowed in interview. I still have not figure that out as I am still failing interviews.

On a side note, I like the icon of merging Technology with Medical, something I strongly believe in for voluntary job. After 2.5 years studying knowledge engineering and artificial intelligence, I really hope to harness technology to improve conditions and yet not to over-do and play God. But yet there should never be a limit in what you do, should there?

痞子英雄

7th July 2010

Sunshine in your sky
See the birds fly so high
I know I can't fly
But I still want to try
Try try try...
- 痞子英雄

钱币有正面与反面
但现实生活
并不是黑白分明
- 痞子英雄

Has been watching 痞子英雄 lately and while the song sounded stupid and is not a true song, I can't help wishing to try to fly too.
These days, I feel there is too much grey areas and I really don't know what I should do in life. I had a long chat with my boss and while I no longer remember what we talk about.. I remember him doing an ARK. Every time he see this old man with walking difficulty making his way to the coffee shop or back home, he will extend a helping hand. And each time he came back (after a real long time), he will be sweating profusely and his back will ache. But he will not stop helping because he was brought up since young (from a Buddhist school), to always extend a helping hand when possible. He may not have studied much but he certainly has put whatever he studied in good use.

Seeing him make me more resolute in taking the road less travelled.

Murphy's Law tested on Skype interview

6th July 2010

I never knew Murphy's Law could be so serious till I had a Skype interview with VSO.
First the interviewer forgot our interview and we re-scheduled.
Then I realised it had to be a web cam interview or at least microphone (phone interview). Thus we re-schedule again.

And I took the time to setup my lappie for the interview a few days before the event.

But minutes before the interview, my lappie screen finally gave up and turned black. I frantically borrowed my brother's lappie and installed Skype.
And the interview went successfully for me to go to the second assessment round held in Manila.

(on a side note, I'm typing this in Manila, Quezon City on 23rd Aug and there is no way I can express the excitement or disbelief I felt then because I failed the assessment... But I will survive.)

Pull the plug

4th July 2010

Attended my friend's briefing and found out some startling financial stuff going on in the forex background scene. I kind of got disheartened as this only meant the rich gets richer.

Anyway learnt that the big boys comprised of Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, Bank of America (Merrill Lynch). It does seems unlikely to be able to fight against these boys. Actually money isn't my main focus but it is still my survival need. After all, even after obtaining it, I cannot keep it and thus will still suffer. Guess it is going to be a long-term suffering for me.

NLB Vertical Marathon

I had wondered how tall can the library be. And it did not 'disappoint' me. It was just 16 storeys.

The view wasn't fantastic either. Plus it was enclosed (i.e. Glass walls) so photography was pretty limited. Sigh as I was preparing to take photos like how I did for my Swiss vertical marathon. Talking about that, saw a few Swiss vertical past marathoners. They changed the shirt to red colour. I prefer my white shirt haha.

However for a free event, I must say I'm impressed that a medal is found in the goodies bag. Oh and I like the toilet in that level, has a pretty good view... that is why cannot resist taking photos of the toilet..

Oh I met my NUS cum ex-colleague and a girl in the event. I did wonder who she was as I know his gf is in Malaysia.. And he kind of guess I was wondering so when we met again at the top, he properly introduced the lady to be his sister. Luckily his sister does not look like him at all. Haha.

Low in Iron again

2nd July 2010

It seems weird that I always try to donate blood and always get rejected the first round. This time, it is again the low in iron count.

Anyway the doctor is the same as the one I saw in IP and Tamp Lib. So this makes it the third time I saw him, in Eunos Lib this time.

The iron pills however, changed packaging. Oh and KH promised to pass me iron pills next time haha. I think I really need them.

Ad Sense ate my $

1st July 2010

My brother got attack in his site with a sudden spike in his click rates causing Google to ban our ip address, thus affecting me too. So the years I took to accumulate the miserable few USD bucks has gone to waste. Felt so upset considering I had just created bflygaltrails to make some serious money.

Ended up I tried to appeal but failed. Tried other sites e.g. Adbrite and Nuffnang. But somehow I wonder, is there other way to make passive income. Or I should say, am I destined to make passive income. Because wealth does not come easy for my 8 characters say whatever I earn, I will lose it to friends. And it does seem true so I'm limiting friends now. Haha.

Kuih Lopes ("Jennifer Lopes")

Kuih Lopes
(Steamed Pandamus Glutinous Rice with Grated Coconut)

Actual food should look something like this:

Image source: drugsarefordead (which seriously look very yummy in this photo)

I remembered it was one of those Malay Kuehs that I like very much (the other is Kueh Dada that I learned to make in my Home-Ed days which I have since returned to my teacher). I never knew how these was made though so thanks for the enlightenment by the blogger.

It is said that the grandmother will wrap banana leaf into triangular shape before inserting glutinous rice/sticky rice (pulut) then secured tightly with toothpicks or rafia string. She will then boil the triangular shaped banana leaves for hours (1-2 hours) inside this huge pot. When the water evaporated, she will then take them out and unwrap the banana leaf and the glutinous rice inside the leaves would have formed into a perfect browned-greenish triangular shaped delight. The last step is to dress it up with coconut flakes and then pour the brown sugar liquid (air gula) which is my absolute favourite accompaniment too.

And the days I was with Natalie, my new found lunch khaki, I constantly ate Malay food with her. A rarity because I don't really fancy much Malay food, (and I must say till now I still don't like to patronize Malay Rice stalls.. but then I don't really patronize Chinese Rice stalls either haha!). So there was this stall we visited frequently and they sell these lovely lopes. And to lighten things up, they called the lopes... Jennifer Lopes. I would have loved to take photo but somehow it never occurred to me to take a photo of the signage. And now I'm too lazy to go back there since she has left the company already. So what is left are just the memories of these lovely lopes...

Sigh how I wish I can trade place with her. I had wanted to leave by the end of the month but because she left, I decided to try to tolerate for another one month. Hopefully I can last....

Cash in 5 Minutes

It was a POSB advertisement that sparked me to draw this. I remembered how utterly depressed I had been by that time. Felt like a cassette player repeating the same lines 300 times a day. (Almost got nightmare every night except I was worrying about other stuff more.) And my lunch khaki whom I just bonded had decided to leave by end of the month. I wish fervently that I could leave too. But it was not to be for my case. Both R and PP had chosen someone with more experienced even though they say my attitude is better. And I am tired of hearing companies telling me they don’t need someone experienced but end up always choosing someone more experienced (as a bonus). Maybe I am sick of the corporate world?

Loan application. A band aid solution in my opinion. I wish I can abolish this practice. But it is here to stay. And I cannot deny the fact that how many people out there really need a loan. Housing loan. Car loan. The so-called necessities in this cruel reality. I hate to ask people if they need a loan. But I cannot deny that a fixed repayment method is probably the best solution for these people who has a tendency not to pay even when they have spare cash as what a client shared with me. Or that consolidating their debts to its minimum would really be a good idea for these people.

Sigh. Loan. A necessary evil. And something I will have to face for another 1 more month. But I am getting sick of it. And the politics is getting more and more serious now… (A few days later, I was called up by my boss for a chat to provide a middle person’s perspective. Something I tried to avoid all these while. But I also hope 大事化小，小事化无.) Oh well, everything happens for a reason; just as why I am stuck in this situation is probably to train a particular aspect of my personality. And I admit, these people I mix with are different from the corporate world. They are sales people aspiring to be leaders. And I learn a lot from them which I hope to post it soon.

水是福

It has been a rainy month this month and twice I experienced mini flood. The first time was the infamous Orchard River though it subsided by the time I reached there. The second time, it was at Aljunied. But while most of us only cringed and be on-lookers, I saw 2 men who was willing to get themselves wet to help the cabbie. And I thought about ARK which I still have not accomplished at all. (Many days later, I realised that one of my boss actually practised ARK almost everyday and my impression of him changed, but that is a story to be told another day.)

Anyway the actual drawn scenario should be this... but hmm I was drawing from memory so well of course it differs GREATLY.

It also got me thinking if water is fortune or misfortune? Or like they always say, too much of something is never a good thing. Whichever is the case, what I really pondered is, if I'm back to olden village days, how would I react?

Father's Day 2010

Ever since After 1777 saga, grandpa was never the same again. When I visited him, I pondered how much memories could one store? At age 91, would my memories overflow? No-no, in the first place I don't even wish to live more than age 50. But looking at his aged face, I cannot help but wonder, what did he chose to remember and what have he chose to forgot?

Actually it was just coincident that I have visited him on a Father's Day because truth is, it had been a quiet affair. And the atmosphere there made it more somber. Hmm I found a museum I want to visit though except I need to be there in weekdays. Shall see how it goes.

On the way back, I caught sight of a butterfly visiting us. Should have taken video of it because it was fluttering constantly and was unable to take any still photos.

Telesales

Sales is not my cup of tea. But the first time I tried it, I was just being curious. The second time, I did not know how to reject. And thus I'm in such a situation where I get abused daily, and trust me, I think direct sales is better. Maybe it is because these people can do a detour if they don't want you to approach them. But in telesales, you have already invaded their privacy space by calling them.

Of course I will think back situations where I am the recipient. And thus, I never once am pushy to these people. It is always the typical "Hi, I'm from XX representing YY and YY would like to offer you product ZZ". What I expect from these recipients would be just a simple "No thank you" or "Yes please go on". And I never asked much if you indicated you are not interested though I might probe if you did reply me you did not qualify to understand why you were rejected (and it did meant you once tried it).

So I don't expect to get nasty remarks... do I? Maybe the invent of handphone is also a necessary evil. It has in the first place become a tool used for people to constantly be reached. And thus when strangers could reach you too, you get the feeling that you had been intruded. Of course past experience do play a part too. I once met a caller who tried to use humour miserably on me. While I understand the boredom of repeating the lines 300 times a day NOW, but as a recipient, I cannot understand the funny angle. And thus as I had always been taught, humour can only be used subjectively.

Anyway hoping to get out of it soon before I start getting nightmares. I haven't been sleeping much anyway.

p/s: I know I wrote wrongly but too lazy to scan the drawing and redo the effects..
haha.. it should be 脱离苦海. Guess I was too miserable to be hardworking to check my Chinese then.

Close door or Open Door

That day, when I waited one day and did not hear from them, I was upset. Till another agent called for another opportunity and relighted the hope. And this thought came into mind.

But at this point of writing (which is a week later after I drew the picture), I only have a double whammy feeling because both said the same thing when they told the agent experience is not an important factor. But chose someone who is more experienced even though the personality is not as great as mine. My friend said this is a catch 22 situation. Whatever this means, I only know one thing, I wish I have the experience and a lousy personality. Because experience must be gained but personality can be changed on my part. And at this stage, nobody is giving me any chance to gain experience.