Closure of 1st Qtr 2009

I can never be as hyper as I used to be. I can never be as fit as I used to be.  But I can still do what I need to do when I set a target to work towards to. Slowly but surely

Career

I’ve never been so busy ever since my one-man-operation days. So many things have been achieved and I like to congradulate everyone who put in their time and sacrifice for the company. We closed sales like nobody’s biz, we operate programs like we’ve never done before, we love our kids like we are already their father and mother. As I reflected, the company grows under my helm and I’m excited about it.

Family

I’ve diverted my focus a little towards family life. I love dar’s family culture. The feeling of really in a family is great. I’m sad to say that my family’s culture is so far off my expectations. There are many factors which constitute such emotions which I don’t want to mention further. What excites me most is that I’m attached for the past 3 months! This relationship is the most hopeful among all my past relationships. I sincere hope that this girl will accept me totally one day. I just have to work harder to fulfil my dream.

Physical

I’m guilty of not training myself almost at all! Be it career or relationship life which taken up most of my time, I have no time for training. My priorities have shifted. It is sad to even leave Special O but I guess I have to let go of something in order to grab the other thing. There’s only one physical event which I took part and that’s soccer. I played a match on the last Sat of March. I injured myself and when for foot reflexology. Not good.

Financial

Sensitive issue here as many may be anticipating how much will a CEO earn. I had crafted out a financial plan all the way until 30 years old. So the amount that I’m earning is able to fulfil my financial goal for the 1st qtr and I’m happy about it.

Religion

This is my first time logging about religion. I confessed that I’m self-centered. When comes to praying time, I will always pray for god to bless me this, bless me that, and yet I’m not giving. I think I’m getting started to know more about this god. There’s many school of thought in religion and who can be 100% sure that the god they are worshopping to is the real god? I think most importantly, the god who they are praying to must give them the spiritual power. I probably need that and I think no man can surpass the power of god.

Overall

I have been effective and maximise my time in the 1st qtr. Life isn’t prefect, so does man. I learnt that one must learn to compliment each other in relationship, be it family members, colleagues, strangers, loved ones, students and friends, we have to do that. Relationship management is important to everyone. Hence, complimenting each other allows room for better rapport. Keep learing, keep growing. I will deliver a better report card in 2nd Qtr.

What is the life of a CEO?

Hectic, busy, interesting, exciting, fast pace and worried…

For the past 2 months, being the CEO of the company, has taken my life to a different horizon of evolution. I learnt to see far, I learnt to manage my whole life, I learnt to take care of others as their livelihood is in my hands. I also learnt that being a CEO, you need to be humble even more.

Work has taken so much out of me, including my dar dar’s life. I’ve managed to smoothen my family life by bringing dar dar into my life. Now that I’ve more workload, I choose to let go Special Oylmpics as a running coach to compensate time for other commitment. Be it love or work, so long as it’s a commitment, one needs to sacrifice something for another. It’s never prefect.

Being a CEO now is really different. We can say that title doesn’t really mean a thing. But sometimes it means a lot, especially when come to decision making and visioning. Of course, people will have expectations for you. If you don’t perform, you will be scrutinised by everyone out there. I hope I have not come to the stage yet.

There’s a few things I’ve done as a CEO. I beefed up my manpower by taking in a sales team, I push my Ops manager to focus on products development and manpower development, I enhance the company’s communication flow, I adviced 2 persons who want to start a biz in my industry, I made my first public appearance as a CEO at Youth Leaders Summit, I set targets for my sales team to hit, I handle the human factor by talking to people revolving within the company, I manage the relationship with dardar, I still do proposals, I control the systems in the company to optimise the effectiveness, I manage the cashflow, I do a lot of things like a superman and who knows about it?

The very fact that a CEO has great responibilities is b’coz he is the braincell behind the show. And we are talking about the reality of life, no longer child’s play.

I do understand, now, that how it feels to be an entrepreneur. I was sheltered by Martin in the past. He pathed the way with advices and suggestions for me and allowed me to do whatever I think is right. But now, his advices becomes a support and I have to make my own decisions. It’s not that ‘m afraid to make decisions, but every decisions I make will impact more people and greater consequences.

I’m a 2 months old CEO. Since I’ve taken the leadership of the company, I will make sure that it grows fast enough for everyone to achieve their personal goal.

14 February 2009 – It’s about who are you with and not where are you at

It’s been almost 10 years I last celebrated Valentine’s Day when i had my first r/s. This year’s V Day can be seemed as a normal one and a special one, depending on how you see it.

I was in curch with Dar in the morning. Usually we will stay until quite late in church as Sabbath is the day with god. I wanted Dar to leave early and thought she may not like it. She actually obliged to my requests. We were supposed to go zoo, so i thought we were already very late. Indeed, we only have 1hr 30min at the zoo. But that’s ok with us b’coz the more interesting stuffs are the following.

We went for fish spa for the first time. The feeling of being electricuted by fishes is so fun! Dar couldn’t stop laughing initially and could not put her legs into the water. The Night Safari was fun for me. Even though we saw a lot of deers, the dearest of all is the one whom I spent my day with. So when she called out “deer”, I will respond, “Yes?”

We queued up for the animal show. I thought the time spent was a little too long. Luckily, the time wasn’t wasted at all. The show was fantastic! I totally enjoyed the show with fun and laughter. I must comment that the emcee is really good.

We took a picture by a professional cameraman. It’s awesome!! They usually have this Safari Template. But on this special day, they had 3 different Valentine’s day template just for couple like us. We took the sweetest one and developed it.

I sent her home and cabbed home myself. I think zoo is the last place most couples will think of going on a Valentine’s day. To us, no matter where we go, we just want to spend precious time together and we did!

I used to be alone, delivering flowers to someone else’s gf like a courier’s job, or going out with friends to console us that Valentine’s Day is also a friendship day. I’m not that extreme kind of person who will bring a girl out for a candlelight dinner by the sea. But in all special occassions, I will try my best to make it special.

I spoke to her about bringing her to other places like Sentosa, cable car, Pulau Ubin cycling, etc. Bringing her to places doesn’t interest her. But displaying the effort is the X-factor which will eventually touches the girl’s heart. I’ve found the girl of my life. And I’m willing to give 100% of my life to her.

Dar, thanks for that sweet sweet Valentine’s Day, even though both of us had a sweat sweat day. For you willing to be my valentine is already a blessing for me. For you willing to change for me is already beyond my expectations of my dearest partner. It will be a forever thing dar. As much as you are willing to do so much for me, I’m more than willing to give you my life and my heart to protect you and to love you. Toast to our love dar! I love you!! Cheers,

Emotions turn around

Never will I want to lead a rat’s life. I psh myself in this biz is all b’coz of my family. I’m excited about Dar dar joining us for the CNY this year. I finally feel the excitement during last week Sunday as we bring joy into Malaysia and celebrated CNY and lou hai with Dar’s family.

I can feel that dar’s feelings for me. As a simple girl she is, all she want for me to be happy. Her action touches 100% of my heart. Her family also welcome us with tender loving care. The care is from her 2 sisters. and the love is distributed by her parents.

I almost can’t find a reason strong enough to support me why I have to be in this biz. It’s such a hard job and I need to lead the company and my family at the same time. Dar entered into my career life to lend me a helping hand.

Although there were unhappiness at times, all the love she had put in already taken away all my down times. I find that I’m not spending enough time to understand her and her needs. I need to cater to her needs too.

Dar, thank you for all that you’ve done for me so far! It’s my blessings to be able to have you as my gf. And I do hope that you and I will be together forever.

My worst CNY

Economic recession is bad enough. I started off the year with a lot of unhappy stuffs.

Imagine by the 3rd day of CNY, each night I drove the van home, I fill with unhappiness when i reach my home carpark.

Negative thoughts suddenly sets in this time. I feel like a lousy son, a lousy boyfriend, a lousy in everything. No one accepts what I’m saying. Everyone is flaring up easily. Has it got to do with me? Really it’s me the problem? Or what actually happen?

This is the first time in 28 years I’m bringing my gf back home for CNY celebration. All I hope for is a happy reunion and a happy celebration. Little did anyone knows that things turned out to be nasty. I disappointed my mother, I disappointed my gf, I think I also disappoint my brother. I also disappoint myself. I hated this CNY and I hated myself. No one can tell me that the problem doesn’t lies in me. Everything that happens, happens for a reason. I’m sure god has already started the challenge for me.

Please god, should anyone or anything that goes wrong, please don’t fall everything unto me b’coz it’s too difficult for me to take it.

Unbelievable truth!

I didn’t know that I can do it until I do it.

Sometimes I find myself lacking in confidence. I know that I’m not one who wants a lot in life, but I somehow wants to go far. Isn’t there some form of links when I want to go far but not wanting a lot? Contradicting…

This year will be a fruitful year in my line of business. Within this short 3 weeks, I’ve already closed at least $140k sales for this year. How remarkable! Even I myself couldn’t believe it. I am my boss myself now and that’s true. I know there are a lot of people supporting me from rear, and it’s b’coz of this I have to be successful to make their effort counts.

A number of “CEO To Do List” are already in my agenda. Some are already executed and I’m happy with myself so far. I know I can do more. It’s the question of want or don’t want. For my sales, my expectations of myself is very simple. a proposal a day keeps the doctor away. So i should have 365 proposals by the end of this year. And for the company, morale and development is greatest concern. Too many sales coming in may not be a good thing. My ops are lacking in manpower development. I have only one Yongsen and that’s not enough. I need to groom more generals and warriors. It’s war time and we know that the time ahead is going to be so much more interesting then 5 years ago when the company had only Justin to fight the front.

Dar is learning fast, but a little pressurize. Benwei is a great warrior but he is a little tired. Yongsen is a great general but is a little overloaded. I am doing fine but lack of experience. Let’s see how we fight the front together since we are all not so prefect. One thing I’m sure is that, we will meet the minimum target.

A whole new world (Part II)

The long awaiting entry everyone had been waiting for is finally here. Humans are kapo by nature. Immediately after my previous blog, which was supposed to be a headfake, my statistics hit the highest count of 48 viewers! A lot of things had happened last month, and I couldn’t really find time to do what I want to do. I was tight to situations as I have a lot to catch up in my life. Anyway, your “so called” exciting story goes…

1 Dec – My mom cooked dinner for the first in this century even though Dar volunteered to cook for my family. My mom feels bad and therefore she took the wok and started working on the culinary stuffs. Dar and me went to watch movie after that. Dar stayed at my house with the concensus of my mom as movie ends late.

2 Dec – Dar accompany me to Clementi Woods SS as I need to set the banner for opening of the camp. She scolded me for being too nice to my clients, which I think it was true. Well, sometimes one cannot be too nice if you are in business.

3 Dec – Dar and I had breakfast together. I sent her to Clementi MRT as she’s going back to Pontian. I took bus to Clementi Woods SS for the opening ceremony. I will miss her again as she will be in Malaysia until 12 Dec. I’m going to find her on 12 Dec at KL. We were on phone every night.

12 Dec – I reached KL at 7pm sharp. Her 2nd sis, Rachel, met me at Puduraya to fetch me. Dar had a new hair style. I love it!! We went to her sis place and then her grandma’s place. We had dinner and prepare ourselves for the night there.

13 Dec – I went to the English church with them. It was almost a whole day pearching and I’m kinda tired hearing all those words. Well, on the contrary, I want to know more, so I asked a lot of questions too.

14 Dec – Both of us and Rachel went to Sungei Wang for CNY Shopping. Dar bought some nice clothes while I, too, shop for some of my stuffs. We bought ties for her father too.

15 Dec – We prepared to go back to Pontian with her father and Jeavney, her youngest sis. The bus journey was long and I spoke to her father for quite a bit. One is to build relationshp, and two is really to know more about Christianty.

16 Dec – Dar and I headed back to Singapore. I alighted at Sembwang station as i’m off to meet a client while Dar went back home.

17 Dec – I arranged for a family dinner with my father and aaron. Mom working so cannot eat with us. Dar was so good to my father. I bet anyone who come across Dar will like this girl. I’m so so so lucky

18 Dec – I lectured Dar for the wrong reason and she was very unhappy. I hope the KTV session is still to her liking!

19 Dec – I brought Dar to Godma’s place. Godma was interesting as she prompted me as if she’s my mom. I assured her that Dar is a nice girl.

20 Dec – It’s our CCI High School night!! Dar put on her sis Pathfinder’s uniform and I’m sure most were blown away by her sweet and cutie attire. I can see that she was a little shy ut she can mingle well with the Cheerios.

21 Dec – We spent the whole day doing nothing. I sent her home after lunch. As we slept late the night before, we rested at home today.

22 Dec – We watched the movie “Bolt” at AMK Hub. I spoke to Martin before that about Dar’s employment. I was glad as he told me that I can decide things from now on.

23 Dec – Dar accompanied me at Rovers Big Foot meeting. We had dinner at Yishun

24 Dec – I gotten the car at 1.30pm and went all over the shop the whole day. To cut long story short, I’m totally burnt out

25 Dec – A group of us went to East Coast Park for pinic and rollar blading. I officially ask Dar to be my girlfriend in front of her mom. She delayed a little but eventually agreed to be!! Yeah!!!

It’s a long awaiting two months duration before we finally settled to be a couple together. I thank you dar for allowing me to take the two months to really understand each other. I’m sure of myself. It’s a whole new world for me and I hope it is a whole new world for you too.

Dar, thanks for coming into my life!! It has never been the same again. I will commit myself to you, as I see that you will be my life partner. Dar, I love you!!!

Life’s good

It’s a beautiful Sunday! For I and her have went through some difficult times, we know that we truly love each other. We cannot celebrate now as we have things to do, and that is to accept each other indifferences.

Dar , I thank you for everything you’ve done for me, and will be doing in the future! It’s a blessing for me to find you here. I will abide to the 10 commandments for I’ve given my promise to you. I also hope that you will not just love me, but see my side of the picture. I know that with you around now, life is so much better now. Thanks once again and I look forward to our exciting journey of love!

A whole new world

Life has never been the same after 25 October as I first set my eyes on her.

I’ve stopped blogging since then as I’ve tonnes of things to catch up with my life. Yes, it’s been more than a month and I appreciate those who still keep coming back into my blogsite to check for updates. I’ve not stop blogging guys! Thank you once again.

Sales is important yes. Serving the nation is important yes. Friends are important yes. SP Rovers is important yes. Toastmasters is important yes. Family is more important yes. And now girlfriend is even more important. So so so many things happened during November and my life will never be the same again. Thanks dar!

If I were to type a full account of what I’ve done during this 1 month, it will be a thesis long entry.Let me just make it short and obmit the emotional part of the story…

25 Oct – we had our first date and that’s when my grandpa was suffering relentlessly in the hospital. My mom told me no matter what, I MUST be there at the hospital. God bless that my grandpa pulled through

26 Oct – I met up with Guan, Harris and Sylvester for Toastmasters Halloween meeting in the afternoon and met her and her sis again at night. They went to East Coast Park for rollar blading but I can’t join them. So I met them up for dinner and midnight movie. Spoke to her sis a lot that night and knew her more

27 Oct – I can’t remember what I did but I know the whole afternoon I was on msn chatting with her. I seem to like her

28 Oct – It’s a normal working day for me but I’m preparing documents to be presented at the Staff Retreat which is the following day

29 Oct – Staff Retreat Day 1, brain draining session and manage to iron out a couple of things. Talk to her over the phone for hours. Sorry to my 2 bros, Benwei and Yongsen, for not playing cards with you guys that night

30 Oct – We had our own braining storming session and more people came in the evening to join us for BBQ. She was there for interview and BBQ as well.

31 Oct – We checked out the room and took a cab home. I had a long sleep that day after that as if I was concussed

1 Nov – All rehearsals was done to prepare for the D-day. I’m the host for my Toastmasters Halloween party. I thought it was a great jo done! I met her for shopping that night. I also brought her down to see Rovers for their Overnight orienteering. We decided to stay out for the night after that

2 Nov – As I didn’t had enough rest the day before, I took on the grueling 30km run with my athletic, Kiasong, with struggles and sufferings. It was yet another day of rest.

3 Nov – It’s normal working day for me but I’m doing much more as I’m going for my reservist the following day for 2 weeks

4 Nov – Met up with a client before I joined my guys for reservist.

5 Nov – I lost my pda phone as some idiots stole it! Luckily she was understanding enough to accompany me to buy another phone. I’m sorry dar, to make you wait for me without letting you know where am I! We had dinner and she insisted on paying for me. We had pool session with Weijie, Wesley and Keith after that. I sent her home and the guys book in to camp

6 Nov – The main bulk of men booked in and it’s really a lot of people. Nothing interesting during the first week of reservist. So I decided to join her and her friend for a KTV session.

7 Nov – I can’t remember what happened today but I know I’m excited about booking out

8 Nov – I met her to go church in the morning, brought her along to meet a client, to buy present for Shuting’s newborn and we split after that. After hers and mine dinner, we met again with my batch friends for a drink. She was first introduced to my friends and I was kinda happy as she’s being accepted by them.

9 Nov – I met up with her for lunch along with Wilson. Just happen so that Edwin and Wei Wei was at the same coffeeshop. We set on the same table and no one knows who she was as I didn’t introduce. We went on our own ways and dar joined me to meet Yanlong for the Toastmasters session at Chong Pang TMC. It was a great session and I think I’ve done well. Yanlong went home after that and I went to dar’s house to take her lodging for her as she is going back to Malayisa that night. She accompany me back home so that I can take my things to camp after I sent her to customs.

10 Nov – It was live firing session which was an interesting and yet time wasting. There were so many of us and we have to wait. I was on the phone with her that night and it was kinda a long talk. I missed her

11 Nov – It’s mission time and I shall not elaborate on it further. I managed to call her with my man’s phone as reception was bad. Although it was only 20min, listening to her voice out in the field is more than enough for me

12 Nov – I tried to use my phone to call her. I managed to get reception but after a while the line cut off. I’m enjoying my time with my guys anyway. We were evacuated out due to good performance. But along the way out, thunderstorm came and all of us were drenched. We managed to stay in training shed for the night. Reception was 100% so I called her and even spoke to her mom as her mom’s birthday is the next day. I’m a happy man!

13 Nov – Time to pack shop and go back to camp. I spent the day clearing equipment and settling stores with my guys. I intended to stay in camp for the night as this is the last night of reservist. She is not in Singapore anyway and I’ve been almost out with her every book out. My friends ain’t happy with it I guess. We went to our “homeground”, Changi Village for the infamous Nasi Lemak. Everything has been increased by 50 cents! We went back to camp and I chatted with her on phone until nights off

14 Nov – It’s the last day of my reservist! I can’t remember what I did but managed to speak to JJ and there’s job offering from his company. I hope to be able to find a job for her soon

15 Nov – I went to Fuhua SS to meet a client. After that I went for my Toastmasters session once again. I delivered a heartfelt speech titled “A Beautiful Love Story”. It’s partial a true story about me and dar but the ending is a sad one, which I hope not to happen between us. It was so touching that one of the audience actually teared.

16 Nov – I had an outing with Neil, Darren, Gary and Kwanlin. Kwanlin sent me to receive her as she’s back to Singapore. Darren, Kwanlin, dar and me went Chervon for KTV session and it was fun!

17 Nov – I know I have to be discipline. The long awaiting business plan which I’m supposed to do as CEO is my priority now. I spent my entire morning just to do it, partially. I had lunch with her at Sumohouse and she insisted on paying coz she’s late for lunch, 3pm! She even bought me a water bottle asking me to drink more water. She helped me to clear stuffs in base and I’m very touched by what she did. We had Teochew porridge for dinner and I sent her home after that.

18 Nov – I spent my time doing biz plan in the morning again. Sales in the afternoon. I met her at Clementi MRT before we headed to Bugis to met Darren and Amanda. we were out for double date that day. Dar bought me a watch and supposedly a t-shirt. We had dinner at NYDC. We shopped around and I bought a handbag for her mom as I’m going to her Malaysia’s home to visit her family. I sent her home and the feeling was great!

19 Nov – Brought her with me to meet client. We had dinner together and uncle from coffeeshop joked about us.

20 Nov – Went to meet Mr Arun at Woodlands in the afternoon. I went out from base earlier to have lunch with her at Causeway Point. I bought her a handbag as well as hers is spoilt. I went back to base and work and meet her at night as my army friends is treating us for dinner. We dine at a Japanese restaurant and dar and I ate a lot of food :p

21 Nov – I ended late in office which caused us caught in the jam back to Malaysia. I’m going back to JB with her and I’m extremely excited about it. We reached Pontian, her hometown, at about 11pm and her sister waited for us to have dinner together. Sorry mei, you must be very hungry that night

22 Nov – I joined them for church service that morning. All the meals her mom cooked is nice and healthy. I like the peacefulness of the place. I also like talking to her grandma even though I don’t understand what she say half the time. I joined them for devotion at night and ended the day “peacefully”. I was worried if her parents like me. Apparently yes!

23 Nov – It was a sad morning as I make her angry. It was supposed to be a small incident but we just don’t give way to each other. We hardly spoke to each other that day. On the way to Kukup in the car, dar’s eyes was filled with tears. Then I know that I must have hurt her. I’m so so sorry dar!! It’s my last day here and I’m leaving you for the next 1 week. I wish that didn’t happen. They sent me to bus interchange and I bided them farewell.

24 Nov – Life without her reverts me back to normal routine. I met Martin in the afternoon and my Rovers for some Rovers Big Foot matters. I went back to office and went home with Benwei

25 Nov – It’s a long day today. I met up with 4 teachers today and have to rush to Toa Poyah at night for my first clubbing session with Kowloon-Singapore TMC. The night ended at 10.30pm and it’s my first late night with Toastmasters. I missed giving a call to her and she’s kinda sad.

26 Nov – I’s been a fruitful day once again but I made her super angry. I thought I cannot be forgiven. So I hurrily learn to make cards for her and be really apologetic to her. I had weird thoughts in my mind. But dar was accommodating to forgive me. It won’t happen if she’s other girls. Thanks dar!!

27 Nov – Working day. Went to SP to set up abseil lane for Rovers to practice as they have a race over the weekend. Didn’t have dinner until 10 plus. Dar scolded me but there’s nothing I can do.

28 Nov – Met 3 teachers today and I headed to Expo to buy rams for her father. Went home after that to make that apology card for her. I’m going to her home tml alone. Let’s pray that everything will be fine and she forgives me.

29 Nov – I was accompanied by Todd Duncan as he delivered his sales talk over the MP3. I explored Pontian a little as I walked to her house, which took me 20min or more, can’t remember. I was excited when I see her again. It’s yet another simple day at her home. I spent most of the time in her room with her sis as well. I brought along laptop this time, so time passes faster now.

30 Nov – In order not to commit the same mistakes, I woke up earlier than her, as usual, and this time round I turned on my laptop and started working on proposals and work. Her mom wants to keep us until lunch before we head back to Singapore. And yes, she’s coming to Singapore with me, just for me! We landed at Victoria Street that evening. We had light food and headed to grandpa and grandma’s house. They were happy to see me, and of course dar’s presence! After that we went back to AMK and guess what? My mom asked if she mind to stay over at our house. She’s sick, so is Aaron. We bought porridge for them and dar stayed over at my place. It’s really a good feeling to have your mom asking your girl to stay for the night. It’s about accepting your the other half. Thanks mom!

There’s more story to come but I shall end on the last day of November. Stay tune…

Reunion once again! Thanks Grandpa!

It was a tough time for my family and relatives since my grandpa hospitalised until now. It has been more than a month. He discharged from the hospital and we were hopeful for his condition. There came a call from my uncle that he was in A&E one fine day and that day we all thought will be the fatal day. My uncle, being the eldest son, called upon ALL of us, from children to grandchildren, to be at the hospital. Everyone was crying sorrowly b’coz grandpa was fixed with an oxygen mask, seemingly grasping for his last breathe. I wasn’t being able to be present but upon hearing this, I felt guilty for not being able to be there for him. Thank goddness he is okie now.

My grandpa is 92 this year. He has changed in size and behaviour, smaller in size and childishness sets in. My mother was one of the candidate among the family to take care of grandpa. But she needs to earn for survival. The dilemma she has is, in fact, is a good thing!

My father has not come home for almost a month. There wasn’t any arguement, just that he prefers it this way. Due to my grandpa’s hospitalisation, my father is exceptionally concern about us. He drove us around to and from hospital and he even stayed over at the hospital with my mom to take care of my grandpa. He also come home nowadays.

I thought the credit should goes to grandpa. Thanks grandpa!! You are the man to put my parents together again!!