Does title really matters? Does being an "executive" means i am less capable than a "manager"?

I have always felt that title is only but a title...and has never been bothered by it. Somehow, i was rudely reminded of the fact that the world put much value on this title thingy. I was told this morning by the "co-organiser" of an event i am currently organising that i am too junior to sign off that invitation to a keynote speaker. It should be signed by someone higher to emphasize to the invited guest that he is important enough to warrant the attention of my top management!!!??!!!

I have been organising conferences for a while and some of the people i sent invitations to include local and overseas CEOs. At the other event company, i was a "manager"...but all of us have "manager" titles, there were no executives. In current company, all of us are "executives", no "managers". And in both companies, i am doing similar tasks. In fact, i am a more experienced "executive" than "manager"!

Gosh... are we valuing all the "wrong" things?

Read this in the papers this morning: "many people equate their self-worth with work..."
hmmm, how true! I used to be like that. Now, tho' older and wiser, i still have to constantly remind myself not to fall into this mental trap. In this uncertain economy, it is good enough to just have a job? What if it's not something you enjoy? Should you quit? In the event you are retrenched (which is the buzzword of late), how will u take it? Sometimes it's sad how we hang on to our jobs cos it gives us an identity.. "Hi, I'm Min, I'm working at XXX company and what i do is...."

Just have to believe that u have the skills the companies want and if in the event u are given the golden handshake, trust that you will survive "outside".

Does mentioning a colleague's name in order to defend myself considered bitching? As usual, my email account was giving me problem so my Ops guy came over to help. We narrowed down the possibility of my weekly prob to the change of email addy from hui@ to min@... My Ops “scolded” me for creating problems bcos I wanted the change on my first day. I told me no, it wasn’t my idea…XXX (that’s when I mentioned name) said she told Ops to change to min@ so I merely followed up to make sure it is changed. That’s when he realized it’s not my fault. He jokingly said that he had a bad impression of me bcos he thought I am so “ya-ya” to request the change on my first day of work! He probably would have “tekan” me during my event!!! Thank goodness itz one big misunderstanding. Well, just hope that when the system vendor come down later, it can be solved once and for all…pleaseeee!!!!!

Anyway, I am trying very hard to be like TQ… to focus on what can be done to improve the situation rather than pointing fingers. Honestly, the Carnival was a little “overhyped” and “under-performed”. Was it bcos we set unreasonable expectations? Was it bcos we have assumed too much that people will do what they are supposed to do?

Oh, can you remember a dream you had when you were 18? At the Carnival, there was a group of boys performing the daiko drums. I had always been fascinated by these drums. Thought of taking it up since 18… did a little research a couple of years back but was discouraged to find that only students of Jap schools and associations had access to the drum classes. Finally, yesterday, I asked one of the boys and they learn it from a CC. Cool, will go find out more

To a special friend whom i met at the Carnival..who is having a break now... hey, read your blog... cheer up okie :)

After a good 8 hours of sleep, i am feeling much much better, more awake than i have been the past week. Bringing an overseas guest around and checking out the pubbing scene in Singapore was a tiring affair. Oh, saw a couple of interesting places like Orchard Towers. It was really an eye-opener seeing how the "working girls" are at work :) Then seeing the kind of men who hang out in these pubs...hmmmm....

Arghh... i have to go to the dentist this afternoon. And i hate dental visits! Cringe just thinking about the whole process later but no choice, my tooth filling came off and there is this big gaping hole! GROSS!

Two words keep popping up in my head this morning... potential and intention. I wonder what's the significance.

I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason and there is a lesson to be learnt. However, i also realise that i spend too much time thinking about what i did wrong, wishing i did it differently etc etc and beating myself up over it, rather than on what i am suppose to learn from the incident.

Sometimes we fall badly and end up with deep cuts that take ages to heal. Sometimes we trip and twist our ankles. But time heals... both physical and mental injuries.

the power of now... and now is all i have :)

Have u ever had the experience when u really want to shop and spend money (aka retail therapy) but cannot find anything to buy? It was like that last evening. All ready to spend on a new bag but it was out of stock. Wanted to buy new clothes at Mango or Zara but nothing caught my eye. In the end, i bought a notebook at Taka... paper notebook :)

Oh, and the night dragged on... watched a really disappointing T3. Thank goodness i am not paying weekend movie prices for this show!

And my corporate email account is acting up again this morning!!! Told my colleagues it's my WCM (weekly computer symptons)... somehow i am the only staff to have this weekly irritation of not able to log into the email server unless my ops guy reset my account. They haven't been able to diagnose the problem :(

things are getting busy at work (i am not complaining about it ;o) and i have been spending some time thinking about personal stuff (on-going process, usually get distracted along the way and didn't reach any conclusion). Just hope that things will sort out and be very clear soon.

Isn't this cool?

hi all, like my new look?? :p Yep, i spent quite a many lunch-breaks customising my blog (probably a couple more to try to figure out how to change the colour for the date and time in the byline and where on earth do the blog item title appears???) It has 2 of my fave colours... and it's in line with my current belief of "less clutter for better fengshui" I like the clean and simple design.

i believe in "what goes around, comes around!"

Recently, a friend wrote about his fuzzy thoughts on his blog and i dunno why, just dropped him a brief email to encourage him. Guess what he replied?

"Yes, I agree with you that "things do happen for a reason". That's what makes living so fascinating! And I hope you will grow to see how much potential you have in you, and realise there is plenty more you can contribute to this world! :)"

today, feeling a little "lost" myself so i read his message again... and it encourages me... thanks dude!

Young at heart... 3 marvellous words :)
As i was showing off to my colleagues that my young cousin is the weather gal for Streats this month, he asked jokingly if i'll be next. Haha, i'm too old for that. But I am young at heart!

hmmm, what does that mean? To me, it means that age is not an issue, that age shouldn't be an excuse for me not to learn new things or try out new adventures. What else does it mean? Let's ponder...

Sieze the day!

aromatherapy candles...cream cheese sphagetti...2 bottles of wine...a tub of Dreyers choc ice cream...hmmmm, doesn't that sound romantic?? ;) well, it was a "romantic" dinner with 2 best friends last Sat.

While eating the yummy dinner (which i reckon was not really in line with my "lucy liu" goal), we had a wonderful conversation. That's the beauty of cosy small gatherings... when everyone can speak up and be listened to. To be connected with my room-mate and learn about her dream to do something big in India... to be encouraged by my exercise buddy and her desire to make a difference to kids as she embark on a new path in teaching.

Me, on the other hand, am glad to have them help me fold paper cranes while we sipped wine. Recently, I have this biazarre and romantic idea to fill a wine bottle with paper cranes and throw the bottle into the sea. These cranes represent all the unhappy memories I had and they shall forever be buried in the deep blue sea. These cranes also represent my best wishes to the people who made me sad. Last but not the least, these cranes are my prayers for my friends that their dreams will come true!

ever had the feeling u wish u havent done something?? i am feeling that right now... guess that's call "regretting your impulsive actions" :(

maybe THAT thing isn't so bad and i definitely didnt harm anyone... just don't like the feeling of wishing i have been more determined in not letting it happened...

Another first time... i had lunch at the "hot & touristy" newton circus earlier. i never have lunch there before... come to think of it, i havent been at newton circus food centre for the longest time. With my "fave" canteen closed for renovations for the next 4 mths, i guess i'll be popping over there pretty much. Somehow, the idea "food is expensive bcos it caters to tourists" keeps coming up. Only a third of stalls are opened for lunch and they are decently priced. Maybe the cut-throat ones only open at night???

Blogging after lunch... actually also a first... not very important piece of information except it means that i am dragging my feet on something else.

i am going to start another new journal!!!! This time, i am going to write down all the wines i try for the first time :)

i am always complaining that my life is "boring'... keeping this journal will help me learn more about wines as i make the effort to remember their names and vintage etc... and see where this leads me :P

"i wanna be a kick-ass 'angel' like lucy liu!" :) okie, i know that sounds absolutely bimbo-ish but i want to be toned and fit like her... especially the no tummy part. That means more exercise and less snacking for me. (HL: U offered to help me out on this :P)

I am recharged after 10-hrs sleep last night and am ready to face the new challenges this week! Happy Monday!

Even in the midst of my “not-happy” day, there are things that i can smile about… when i choose to see it…

Happy Diary (24 June 2003)
- caught up with a dear pal at her place after many many weeks
- learnt about network marketing and setup (tho’ i am not keen to do the biz)
- spoke to my dive buddy and found out he is happily attached now

And two entries to start today….

“Always look on the bright side of life...
Always look on the bright side of life...
Worse things happen at sea, you know
Always look on the bright side of life...”

- a “song dedication” from my dear friend (thanks a mil… u know who u r :p)
- remembering what "carpe diem" means and how i want to embrace it in my life

Until last Saturday, my friends belong to different cliques that are associated with different "periods" of my life... pals from RGS, canoeists from NJC, hostel-mates from NTU, friends from uni, ex-colleagues, colleagues... each friend belong to a distinct group. After last weekend, it just struck me how everyone can be "connected" with one another, if we really want to trace the roots. Then why should I have different activities for different groups? Just get them out all together!!! I had a great time with the bizarre mix on Saturday. Oh, another first... it was also the first time my sis hung out with me and my friends :)

And i am very very happy that my dear friend gave me the "Write It Down, Make It Happen" book...

Yippee, after two extra value meals and two ice cream cones, I'm finally done with the "Finding Nemo" collectibles from McDonalds... no more fast food for me for a long time :) Well, i guess my friends are heaving sighs of relief too that they don't have to listen to me go on and on abt collecting the coin pouches.

This is the first time i have collected "cute cute" things that are totally impractical and which in my opinion, not cheap. At least these four colourful pouches brighten up my cubicle! I love the cartoon...diving will never be the same for me again :P

I am a big kid afterall....

It feels good to push myself beyond my own comfort zone... at least with regards to exercise :) I haven't have the aching feeling in the legs and arms for a long time, i think since JC times! Last night, after my run at MacRitchie Reservoir (the timing of which was much better than i expected), i walked two thirds of my way home. Of course having the company of a chirpy good friend made the walk more fun.

Actually, walking is quite therapeutic... can think about things (both serious and random thoughts), can use the time to call friends and catch up, or just space out...heehee, which i normally do. Good way to start training myself to really see things around me, not just "look without seeing".

It has been a strange week... Out of the blue, friends whom I haven't contact for a long long time started calling me... all at once. First was CK who went to New York to study, then Ryan who relocated to Kuala Lumpur, then FYP-mate (final year project) who I last contacted 5yrs ago.

I truly believe in the phrase "You reap what you sow!". I believe if you plant seeds of friendship and water it with sincerity, you get lasting blooms of friends... well, silly analogy but u get the idea :)