A Self-Discovered Path

In February, I left Kuala Lumpur to study in University of Melbourne for a couple of months, studying NOTHING RELATED to my Bachelor's degree, except for one: Usability Engineering.

I was everywhere in Melbourne, from volunteering in sporting events, attending technological and design conferences, visiting animal shelter home, watching trainer talking about how they train police dogs, renting a car with a couple of friends on a free-and-easy trip 400km south of Melbourne to the famous 600-km Great Ocean Road, travelled around Tasmania during the Easter semester break (basically drifted on their roads with a van, and unfortunately ramped into a possum crossing at a pitched dark highway on one occasion), drove 600 kms to Grampians as well as backpacked in Sydney alone and had a tough time after getting pick-pocketed by thieves in a bus, saw a false alarm sea rescue operation that involved dozens of police personnel and helicopter, where the "victim" finally re-appeared himself from a corner rocks after an hour.

In August, I flew back to Singapore with 50+kgs of luggage in 4 bags, finally managed to own, and brought in an archery set into Malaysia. And in September, my family and I experienced the most thrilling monsoon vacation in Phuket, Thailand.

I caught a number of my pals asking me this question on different occasions: "Why are you so wild, and you are almost everywhere? Why can't you be focused? Where is your direction?"

Personally, I will always be anywhere where exposure and opportunities to learn lies. I would agree that I am unfocused, but I will  also ask them this question:
Would you be an expert in what you do or someone who knows many things and be able to apply them as a complete package?

It's been great living in Melbourne with people from different parts of the world.

Believe it or not, everyone in this photo is doing a totally different Degree/ has a different mindset, focus strength & weaknesses. Over here, we have future biologist, English linguistic expert, actuarist, machine systems engineer, psychologist, tech expert, meteorologist, accountant, civil engineer and auditor.

As with the issue of my direction. It will definitely be moving forward, but in an unconventional way, which I call 'Branching forward' / Forward-Chaining / Backward-Branching. Being multidisciplinary focused instead of unidisciplinary.

Let me enlighten you with an example: If you are a worker in a hypermarket, everyone has his/her roles and responsibilities, tasks are segregated, and there is very little chance for a person to master all the skills needed to operate and maintain the business. Compare this with a person who works in a mini market, he/she has to make purchases, make promotions, organise counters and keep track of the inventory while knowing the market trend and purchasing behaviour of its customers. Who do you think will be able to solve problems better during an economic crisis? Who will be able to change his/her direction to sustain his/her family's life and move on in the shortest possible time?

And based on the abovementioned example, there is nothing wrong with being unfocused, grabbing all possible opportunities to learn, even though  it is outside of his/her scope/field. All you need is a little courage, the ability to speak to others, ask questions (there's no such thing as a stupid question), do not ever feel embarrassed and lastly, be courteous and thank someone for the opportunity to further enhance your knowledge.

For me, I would discover my potentials and derive goals from all the things that I have picked up along the journey, instead of working and learning towards a predefined/generic goal(s). Hence, multidisciplinary exposures are essential for me to grow forward.

If any of you have the similar traits that I have, let me share with you 2 more key strategies: always be informed (be in the lookout for information & opportunities to learn) and be at a strategic position where you can learn the most using the easiest way at the shortest possible time.

Takeaway for the day:
Ask this question: who would you rather be? The person who works in a hypermarket and be an expert in his/her role, but know nothing about the other roles; or the one who works in a mini market and learns everything, even though he/she may not be an expert in every aspects?

It's all up to you on how you would choose your journey, nothing is right or wrong.

My New Year 2012 Resolution

2011 was fair but not good enough, yet, I'll have to let them go and embrace what's coming in front.
I shall make it better this year.

"Stay hungry and stay foolish" as Steve Jobs said. As for me, it would be "Stay greedy, go forth and keep control".

May the new year bring new hope and betterment in life.

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There Can Be Miracles...

It's been quite some time I last posted something about myself... FINALLY!!!

Have you ever cried because you're too happy?
Well, for whatever reasons it may be, it is rare and hardly someone can cry because of something happy.

For the record, this is my 3rd time and the most special one, so far.
2 good news in a row delivered to me within a day across lunch.

For the past few nights, I had multiple weird dreams. From getting shot at and really feel the pain to dreaming of my beloved grandfather came back to life from his death and several other mini "series" of nightmares. But I guess sometimes nightmares are blessing in disguise for me.
Too happy to mention about it.

Long story short:
After so many failures I had been through, I stepped out of my comfort zone once again and achieved something and all my efforts and sacrifices paid off .
Most importantly, I get to learn a lot though the experiences I had been through.

Thank you for all the support, assistance, wishes and luck. It's been extremely useful.
In return, I'll share a little secret of mine:
During last semester's exams, I only spent 8 hours or less before going into the examination hall for all my subjects I sat for. And the outcome turned out to be something I couldn't belief myself!. Haha. See, miracles do happen! I hope it'll never happen to me again in the future even though it's not a bad thing.

I hereby urge everyone who are currently enjoy lying in their comfortable lair to step out and try achieve something, be it small or big. At the end of the day, you will be the one who gains from what you had put effort on.

I wish everyone all the best in your future undertakings.
Make everyday count!

- 2010 Jyphoon Productions Copyrights Reserved -

[ESTD. 2004]

The Utimate Correct Answer Is...

What would you answer to a tricky question?

Have you ever have thoughts that is very much true to you but others might not agree on your stand?

Wishing if there's something so correct that no one would challenge it?

The Truth is: It all depends on perception;
Some think that a statement is True, but at the same time, some might disagree with it.

This theory can be applied in real life: Some ignores a person because they think that the person's thoughts or actions are unacceptable, but at the same time others think that the person is doing the right thing.

Nothing is neither completely right, nor wrong.
And there is absolutely no point arguing about it, it's a waste of time.


So what is this ANSWER that is SO ULTIMATELY CORRECT that NOBODY would differ it?

That particular answer is:

IT DEPENDS
... and must be followed by elaboration or justification.

YOU CAN ANSWER THIS FOR ALMOST EVERY QUESTION IN YOUR LIFE
NOW, WRITE THIS IN YOUR EXAMS, AND
APPLY THIS IN EVERYDAY LIFE.

(learned from a lecturer in IMU)

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The moral of this is:

We must respect & accept others for WHO they are, and NOT what they are.

ACCEPT WHAT / HOW OTHERS THINK.

TRY TO THINK FROM THEIR PERSPECTIVE,

DON'T BE SELFISH WITH YOUR VIEWS, AS OTHERS MIGHT SEE IT DIFFERENTLY.

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-It's better to have a thousand friends than a thousand foes-

If you disagree with the above saying, then heed this:

Instead of having an ignorant friend, it's better to have a smart enemy.

Treat others as you want them to treat you because what goes around comes around

At the end of the day,

IT DEPENDS ON HOW YOU LOOK AT IT.

p/s: To My MIS friends, use these two words and HAPPY CRAPPING ;-)

- 2010 Jyphoon Productions Copyrights Reserved -

[ESTD. 2004]