Jun

Fair, 24 – 32 degree Celsius.

Yesterday, I was invited to a lunch networking and filming event at Dignity Kitchen.

Initially, I thought that it’s just a marketing event whereby guests would be introduced to Dignity Kitchen and what we can do to help out. However, it turned out otherwise. More than just mere introduction, Mr Koh, CEO and founder of Dignity Kitchen repeatedly stressed about perserverance and determination. He was a M & A (Merger and Acquisition) consultant and a very famous personnel in India and China who authored 3 books about success. With such a high social standing and huge paycheck, he could have just continued with his M & A consultancy firm and enjoyed a wealthy life.

Yet, unlike most other people who only thought about themselves (me included), Mr Koh felt disheartened when he came back to Singapore from Britain to find elderlys clearing tables in hawker centres. Now, this is something he found very strange. He said ,”There is a difference between the NEED to work, and the WANT to work”. Wow, that struck a chord with me. I have never given much thought about elderlys clearing tables.. In fact, it has become such a common sight in Singapore nowadays that it has become 理所当然. That was also about time when he decided that somebody should set up Dignity Kitchen to help the less fortunate in our society.

Although Dignity Kitchen is still relatively quite new and small in scale compared to other more established F & B organisations, I believe that it will be the next big thing in the scene. We really liked the idea of this project and their mission: “To build and return the dignity to the disabled and disadvantaged through vocation with passion”. I hope that I can help them probably in terms of marketing their business so that more people are aware of this great social enterprise. Also hope that Dignity Kitchen will continue to help the disadvantaged in Singapore and elsewhere, so that they too, are able to lead a normal independent life.

Through the event, I learnt that great projects and great people do not succeed purely by luck. In fact, they are the people who met the most obstacles. The biggest difference between these successful people and normal not-as-successful ones is perserverance and determination. It made me feel so small and guilty.. Mr Koh had to pass so many hurdles to set up Dignity Kitchen. With his social status and wealth, he could have just given up easily. But he didn’t. He perservered. He was confident. He was determined to succeed. And for his students? They too, perservered to blend into our society, even when circumstances made it super difficult for them. They did not give up.

I admit I am at my lowest during this period of time. I believe that this invitation to this event is a gift and message sent from God to tell me not to give up. I will continue to push on with my cause and perservere to get what I want. I am confident I can do it and I WILL do it!!

Sunny, 25 – 32 degree Celsius.

Wow, I don’t remember when was the last time I’m using my lappie to type a blog post.

Have been feeling depressed these 2 weeks. I procrastinate and think too much when I am free, and all these negativities are leading to depression and anxiety! I guess, I really cannot be free!!

It’s really hard.. not to think too much, considering I’m a natural worrier (nope, that doesn’t imply I’m a pessismist or negative person).. when things aren’t progressing the way I envision it to be. I understand that giving and taking are all parts and parcel of life and I cannot be getting what I want all the time. However, recent events have led this “want” into a necessary “need”. How can I not worry then?? With things keep getting pushed around and yes, I can feel the planetary movements, I worry where I will end up at eventually. Moreover, the Europe crisis is not helping me in any way!

I don’t know what I should/should not do. I don’t know what I should/should not think. And the crux of it all, I don’t know where I should/should not end up at. He tells me not to think too much.. But I can’t help feeling highly insecure.. And it’s making me crazy..

After these 2 weeks (which honestly felt like a lifetime) of depression, I finally came to my senses that.. since I have already done what I think I should do to secure what I want, and I can only wait for the ball to come back to my court, I should do something to upgrade my life, thereby making me a better person who is better prepared for the upcoming challenges ahead. Ultra long sentence indeed. Even if things don’t progress smoothly *choy!!*, by then I would already have become a better person than I am today.

So I am reading a lot. And meeting/interacting with a lot of people. In the 2 weeks, I have almost finished reading (twice) all the motivational/self-imporvement books I own. I’m thinking, maybe I should start reading textbooks etc to learn new skills and acquire more work-related knowledge. But I don’t know where to start? I’ll figure that out in no time. In addition, I’m also starting a new exercise regime which I really hope I can stick to. I need some much-needed oxygen on top of (toned) muscles and improved circulation. Even if I don’t, at least I feel better knowing that I’m treating my body well. Also, I’m slowly making myself sleep earlier. This one needs some gradual getting used to. Like 30 mins earlier every night, and waking up earlier every morning. It’s true that I’m still getting horrible nightmares of my worst fears every night, thus making me wake up in tears every 2 hours (used to be every 1 hour), but I have to believe in myself that I CAN DO IT!!

Now, I look forward to a better me and better opportunities ahead! I shall go full steam ahead and realise all my goals one at a time!! 80% perserverance and determination + 20% work = 100% success!!

Showers, 24 – 29 degree Celsius.

又是好长一段时间没有上来更新啦！

最近真的真的好忙呀！也无时无刻都有好多东西想要在这里分享，可是就是没有时间！每天忙完了后，都累死了。哈哈，现在终于有点时间上来写，但是突然又不知道应该从何说起。。

有一句话，我觉得真的是很经典：塞翁失马，焉知非福。这有点和运气有关。然后还有，就是要肯做、努力。所以，努力 + 机会 + 运气 = 成功。往往，机会和运气是无法自己掌控的，不过要懂得辨认机会、抓准时机。还有，努力也是至关重要的。

前些日子，有2份机会，其中一份最后被剥夺了，所以剩下一份。当时的我，是有点失望，有点不知所措的。不过，当天晚上，我看到FaceBook上有人发帖子，说急需一位英语/华语翻译员。我觉得好像是天意，因为我是在她发的1分钟内看到的。之后还有不少人报名，但因为我第一时间看到了，所以机会就让给我了。报名的时候，其实是没有想太多的，只不过觉得那个$$$报酬很高，然后又有免费的午餐以及车子载送到家里，一心只想好好做，说不定做的满意，以后还有大把这样的机会介绍给我。

作为一位译员，我觉得工作的范围不仅仅只是翻译而已，更重要的是，要让客户有种宾至如归的感觉。换句话说，其实就是代表了国家和公司的形象。在这段休息的期间，我发觉我的强项也许就是在PR的方面。因此，那天的工作，尽管我翻译的不是很好，但我还是做得挺轻松自在的。可能是因为我的“轻松自在”，也让我的客户轻松自在了，所以在短短的2小时内，就把他们2天的行程要做的东西办好了。本来只是半天的工作，由于客户还蛮满意我的表现的，结果就延长到了1.5天（一共是大概13小时）的工作，而酬劳也多了2倍。对于我而言，反正做的那么轻松开心，当然乐意奉陪啦，简直就是求之不得！而且这样的酬劳，大概是一般白领3-4天的工资了吧。

我喜欢和不同的人互动、交流，因为可以从他们的身上学到不少的东西。所以呢，我得到的不仅仅是金钱上的报酬，更可贵的是我从客户身上学到的知识。最令我出乎意料的是，两边的客户都希望我能够进他们的公司工作。起初还以为他们只是说说罢了，没想到是认真的。其中一份是超高薪的，因为是（某上市公司）董事长的左右手，所以衣食住行都由公司负责，基本上自己不需要花到一分钱。而且又能到处飞来飞去。还有就是，肯定的是，会进入上流社会，对我以后要做的项目，是很有帮助的。但是基于某些原因，也经过了反复的思考和与不同的人交谈，最后决定推掉它了。。然后还有另外一份，薪水也是很不错，比一般的中医薪水高出蛮多的，也有一直飞来飞去的机会，而最重要的是有机会学习做生意的技巧。但是说了那么多，我只会把我的名字签下了后，才会觉得真实。不会在这个时候沾沾自喜，因为在一切都还没成定局时，皆有可能会有变数（touch wood）。所以就拭目以待吧。

好了，我要下线了，明天还有一个饭局！！明天起将是另一个忙碌的2周！

真诚希望一切顺利、安好！！我会加倍努力的！加油！！