Saturday, September 25, 2010
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Bill Gates speech: 11 rules your kids did not and will not learn in school
Rule 1: Life is not fair - get used to it!
Rule 2: The world doesn't care about your self-esteem. The world will expect you to accomplish something BEFORE you feel good about yourself.
Rule 3: You will NOT make $60,000 a year right out of high school. You won't be a vice-president with a car phone until you earn both.
Rule 4: If you think your teacher is tough, wait till you get a boss.
Rule 5: Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your Grandparents had a different word for burger flipping: they called it opportunity.
Rule 6: If you mess up, it's not your parents' fault, so don't whine about your mistakes, learn from them.
Rule 7: Before you were born, your parents weren't as boring as they are now. They got that way from paying your bills, cleaning your clothes and listening to you talk about how cool you thought you were. So before you save the rain forest from the parasites of your parent's generation, try delousing the closet in your own room.
Rule 8: Your school may have done away with winners and losers, but life HAS NOT. In some schools, they have abolished failing grades and they'll give you as MANY TIMES as you want to get the right answer. This doesn't bear the slightest resemblance to ANYTHING in real life.
Rule 9: Life is not divided into semesters. You don't get summers off and very few employers are interested in helping you FIND YOURSELF. Do that on your own time.
Rule 10: Television is NOT real life. In real life people actually have to leave the coffee shop and go to jobs.
Rule 11: Be nice to nerds. Chances are you'll end up working for one.
Posted this courtesy of omicron's comment on my previous post
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
20 things everyone wished they should have known earlier
One of the BEST posts/reads that I/you can find today. Thanks to the contribution from ZenHabits. Time to time my parents have been telling me exactly what this guy is saying and maybe more. I guess it's always better to hear from someone who has experienced doing all these stuff and especially coming from a 3rd party than your parents. Bare with the LONG paragraphs though. I know it's hard to practice some of it but well prevention is better than cure and with more knowledge comes more prevention.
I’m nearly 35 years old, and I’ve made my share of mistakes in my life. I’m not a big believer in regrets … and I have learned tremendously from every single mistake … and my life is pretty great.
However, there are a few things I wish I had known when I was graduating from high school and starting out as an adult in life.
Would I change things? I’m not so sure. I might never have gotten into a mountain of debt, but then I wouldn’t have learned the amazing satisfaction of getting out of it. I might have made better career choices, but then I wouldn’t have all the work experience that makes me the blogger and writer that I am today.
I might not have gotten married that first time, so that I would never have gotten divorced … but then I wouldn’t have my first two beautiful wonderful incredible children from that first marriage.
I don’t think I would change any of that. However, looking back, there are some lessons I’ve learned that I would probably tell my 18-year-old self. Do I share them now to share my regrets? No, I share them in hopes that younger men and women, just starting out in life, can benefit from my mistakes and my lessons.
What follows isn’t an exhaustive list, but it’s one that I hope proves useful to at least a few people.
“I hope life isn’t a big joke, because I don’t get it.” - Jack Handey
1. How to control impulse spending. If there’s anything that got me in trouble financially, it’s impulse spending. Buying clothes when I don’t need them. Buying gadgets because I gotta have them. Ordering stuff online because it’s so easy. Buying that new shiny SUV because … well, because it was going to help me with women. I’m not proud of any of that. I’ve learned to control my impulses, at least a little better. Now, I give myself some time to breathe. I think over my purchases, see if I’ve got the money, think about whether it’s a need or a want. That would have been a useful tool 15 years ago.
2. You gotta stay active. I was in track, cross country and basketball in high school, but once I started college, the running and basketball began to slowly fade away. Not right away — I played pick-up basketball for years after high school. But even that went away, until I became sedentary. Playing with my kids outdoors winded me. And I began to get fat. I’ve reversed that trend, and am very active now, but I’m still trying to burn the fat I gained in those inactive years.
3. How to plan finances. I always knew that I was supposed to budget and track my spending, when I became an adult. I just was too lazy to do it. And I didn’t have a good idea of how to actually do it. Now, I’ve learned how to plan, and how to stick to that plan. Sure, I deviate from my plan, but I’ve learned how to handle that too. Maybe that’s not a skill you can learn from book reading. You just gotta practice. Well, I hope to teach it to my children before they go out on their own.
4. Junk food will come back to bite you in the butt. Yeah, it wasn’t just the sedentary lifestyle that got me fat. It was all the damn junk food too. I would eat pizza and burgers and Twinkies and sugar cereal and desserts and donuts and … well, you get the picture. As someone used to being able to eat whatever I wanted, it never seemed like it would be a problem. Bad health was something to worry about when you got old. Well, my jeans began to get way too tight, and to my horror, I climbed several pants sizes and developed a gut that only now is going away. I wish someone had shown me an “after” picture when I was young and downing the Big Gulp sodas.
5. Smoking is just dumb. I didn’t start smoking until I was well into my adult years. I won’t go into why I started, but it didn’t seem like a problem, because I knew I could quit anytime I wanted. Or I thought I could, at least, until several years later I gave it a go and couldn’t do it. Five failed quits later and I realized with horror that my addiction was stronger than I was. Sure, I eventually beat the habit (quit date: Nov. 18, 2005) but it took a piece of my soul to do it.
6. Fund your retirement, son. And don’t withdraw it. This piece of wisdom, and probably all the ones above, might seem blisteringly obvious. And they are. Don’t think I didn’t know this when I was 18. I did. I just didn’t pay it serious attention. Retirement was something I could worry about when I was in my 30s. Well, I’m in my 30s now and I wish I could slap that little 18-year-old Leo around a bit. What money I could have invested by now! I had a retirement plan, but on the 3 occasions when I changed jobs, I withdrew that and spent it frivolously.
7. All the stuff you’re doing that seems hard — it will be of use. This is the first one that might not be as obvious. There were times in my life when work was hard, and I did it anyway, but hated it. I did it because I had to, but boy did it stress me out and leave me exhausted. Hard work isn’t as easy as I wanted it to be. But you know what? Every bit of hard work I did without knowing why I was doing it … it’s paid off for me in the long run. Maybe not right away, but I’m using skills and habits I learned during those times of high stress and long hours and tedious work — I use them all the time, and they’ve made me into the person I am today. Thank you, younger Leo!
8. Don’t buy that used van without checking it out closely. I thought I was being smart by buying used, but I didn’t check it out carefully enough. That dang van had loads of engine problems, a door that nearly fell off when I was driving, a door handle that snapped off, a side mirror that fell off, no spare tire despite three tires that were ready to blow (and did), windows that didn’t roll up, rattling noises, an eventual blown radiator … I could go on and on, but let’s just say that it wasn’t my best purchase. I still think buying used is smart, but check things out closely first.
9. That guy you’re going to sell your car to? On a gentleman’s agreement? He’s not gonna pay you. I sold another car to a friend of a friend, who I was sure would pay me even if I had nothing in writing. That was smart. I still see the guy once in awhile on the road, but I don’t have the energy to do a U-turn and chase after him.
10. Make time to pursue your passion, no matter how busy you are. I’ve always wanted to be a writer, and get a book published. I just never had time to write. With a family and school and a full-time job, there just weren’t enough hours in the day. Well, I’ve learned that you have to make those hours. Set aside a block of time to do what you love, cut out other stuff from your life that take up your time, and don’t let anything interfere with that work. If I had done that 15 years ago, I could have 15 books written by now. Not all would be great, but still.
11. All that stuff that’s stressing you out — it won’t matter in 5 years, let alone 15. When things are happening to you right now, they mean all the world. I had deadlines and projects and people breathing down my neck, and my stress levels went through the roof. I don’t regret the hard work (see above) but I think I would have been less stressed if I could have just realized that it wouldn’t matter a single bit just a few years down the road. Perspective is a good thing to learn.
12. The people you make friends with are so much more important than your job or the things you buy. I’ve had a few jobs, I’ve bought a lot of things, and I’ve made a few friends over these last 15 years. Of those, the only thing that still matter to me are the friends. And I wish I could have spent more time with friends (and family) than on the other things.
13. All that time you spend watching TV is a huge, huge waste of time. I don’t know how much TV I’ve watched over the years, but it’s a crapload. Hours and days and weeks I’ll never have back. Who cares what happens on reality TV, when reality is slipping by outside? Time is something you’ll never get back — don’t waste it on TV.
14. Your kids are going to grow up way faster than you think. Don’t waste a minute. I just had an Oh My God moment recently. My oldest daughter, Chloe, is 14 going on 15 next month. I have 3 years left with her before she leaves my house and becomes an adult. Three years! I am floored by that single fact, because it really doesn’t seem anywhere near enough time. I want to go back to my younger self and whack that younger Leo on the head and say Stop working so hard! Stop watching TV! Spend more time with your kids! These last 15 years with Chloe (and my other wonderful kids) have gone by much, much too fast.
15. Forget the drama. Focus on being happy. There have been many things that have happened to me, professionally and personally, that seem like the end of the world. And while these things were bad, they get blown up in our heads so that they become major drama. They caused me to be depressed from time to time. What a waste of time. If I realized that it was all in my head, and that I could be happy instead if I focused on the positive, on what I did have, and what I could be doing … I could have skipped all the moping about.
16. Pay more attention to blogs when you first hear about them. They’re more than just journals. I first read about blogs 7-8 years ago, but when I took a look at them they didn’t seem like anything of interest. Just some people’s journals about stuff they read on the web. Why would I want to read those? I have my own thoughts about the web, but I don’t need to share them with the world. I spent a lot of time on the Internet, on various sites and forums, but every time I happened upon a blog I would brush past it without interest. It wasn’t until a couple years ago that I discovered what wonderful things they could be (I mentioned some of my early favorites in my list of influences). If I had gotten into blogging years ago … well, I wouldn’t have been wasting all that time.
17. Speaking of which, keep a journal. Seriously. Your memory is extremely faulty. I forget things really easily. Not short-term stuff, but long-term. I don’t remember things about my kids’ early years, because I didn’t record any of it. I don’t remember things about my life. It’s like a lot of foggy memories that I’ll never have access to. I wish I had kept a journal.
18. Tequila is seriously evil. I won’t go into details, but it should suffice to say that I had some bad experiences, and I’m not sure I learned very much from them or benefited in any way except to learn that tequila is the drink of the Devil.
19. Yes, you can do a marathon. Don’t put this goal off — it’s extremely rewarding. Running a marathon had always been a dream of mine, since high school … something I wanted to do but thought was out of reach. Or if I ever did it, it would be years and years later. Well, I learned that it’s not only achievable, it’s incredibly rewarding. I wish I had started training when I was young and light and fit … I could have had some good finishing times!
20. All these mistakes you’re going to make, despite this advice? They’re worth it. My 18-year-old self would probably have read this post and said, “Good advice!” And then he would have proceeded to make the same mistakes, despite good intentions. I was a good kid, but I wasn’t good at following advice. I had to make my own mistakes, and live my own life. And that’s what I did, and I don’t regret a minute of it. Every experience I’ve had (even the tequila ones) have led me down the path of life to where I am today. I love where I am today, and wouldn’t trade it for another life for all the world. The pain, the stress, the drama, the hard work, the mistakes, the depression, the hangovers, the debt, the fat … it was all worth it.
“Everything has been figured out, except how to live.” - Jean-Paul Sartre
I’m nearly 35 years old, and I’ve made my share of mistakes in my life. I’m not a big believer in regrets … and I have learned tremendously from every single mistake … and my life is pretty great.
However, there are a few things I wish I had known when I was graduating from high school and starting out as an adult in life.
Would I change things? I’m not so sure. I might never have gotten into a mountain of debt, but then I wouldn’t have learned the amazing satisfaction of getting out of it. I might have made better career choices, but then I wouldn’t have all the work experience that makes me the blogger and writer that I am today.
I might not have gotten married that first time, so that I would never have gotten divorced … but then I wouldn’t have my first two beautiful wonderful incredible children from that first marriage.
I don’t think I would change any of that. However, looking back, there are some lessons I’ve learned that I would probably tell my 18-year-old self. Do I share them now to share my regrets? No, I share them in hopes that younger men and women, just starting out in life, can benefit from my mistakes and my lessons.
What follows isn’t an exhaustive list, but it’s one that I hope proves useful to at least a few people.
“I hope life isn’t a big joke, because I don’t get it.” - Jack Handey
1. How to control impulse spending. If there’s anything that got me in trouble financially, it’s impulse spending. Buying clothes when I don’t need them. Buying gadgets because I gotta have them. Ordering stuff online because it’s so easy. Buying that new shiny SUV because … well, because it was going to help me with women. I’m not proud of any of that. I’ve learned to control my impulses, at least a little better. Now, I give myself some time to breathe. I think over my purchases, see if I’ve got the money, think about whether it’s a need or a want. That would have been a useful tool 15 years ago.
2. You gotta stay active. I was in track, cross country and basketball in high school, but once I started college, the running and basketball began to slowly fade away. Not right away — I played pick-up basketball for years after high school. But even that went away, until I became sedentary. Playing with my kids outdoors winded me. And I began to get fat. I’ve reversed that trend, and am very active now, but I’m still trying to burn the fat I gained in those inactive years.
3. How to plan finances. I always knew that I was supposed to budget and track my spending, when I became an adult. I just was too lazy to do it. And I didn’t have a good idea of how to actually do it. Now, I’ve learned how to plan, and how to stick to that plan. Sure, I deviate from my plan, but I’ve learned how to handle that too. Maybe that’s not a skill you can learn from book reading. You just gotta practice. Well, I hope to teach it to my children before they go out on their own.
4. Junk food will come back to bite you in the butt. Yeah, it wasn’t just the sedentary lifestyle that got me fat. It was all the damn junk food too. I would eat pizza and burgers and Twinkies and sugar cereal and desserts and donuts and … well, you get the picture. As someone used to being able to eat whatever I wanted, it never seemed like it would be a problem. Bad health was something to worry about when you got old. Well, my jeans began to get way too tight, and to my horror, I climbed several pants sizes and developed a gut that only now is going away. I wish someone had shown me an “after” picture when I was young and downing the Big Gulp sodas.
5. Smoking is just dumb. I didn’t start smoking until I was well into my adult years. I won’t go into why I started, but it didn’t seem like a problem, because I knew I could quit anytime I wanted. Or I thought I could, at least, until several years later I gave it a go and couldn’t do it. Five failed quits later and I realized with horror that my addiction was stronger than I was. Sure, I eventually beat the habit (quit date: Nov. 18, 2005) but it took a piece of my soul to do it.
6. Fund your retirement, son. And don’t withdraw it. This piece of wisdom, and probably all the ones above, might seem blisteringly obvious. And they are. Don’t think I didn’t know this when I was 18. I did. I just didn’t pay it serious attention. Retirement was something I could worry about when I was in my 30s. Well, I’m in my 30s now and I wish I could slap that little 18-year-old Leo around a bit. What money I could have invested by now! I had a retirement plan, but on the 3 occasions when I changed jobs, I withdrew that and spent it frivolously.
7. All the stuff you’re doing that seems hard — it will be of use. This is the first one that might not be as obvious. There were times in my life when work was hard, and I did it anyway, but hated it. I did it because I had to, but boy did it stress me out and leave me exhausted. Hard work isn’t as easy as I wanted it to be. But you know what? Every bit of hard work I did without knowing why I was doing it … it’s paid off for me in the long run. Maybe not right away, but I’m using skills and habits I learned during those times of high stress and long hours and tedious work — I use them all the time, and they’ve made me into the person I am today. Thank you, younger Leo!
8. Don’t buy that used van without checking it out closely. I thought I was being smart by buying used, but I didn’t check it out carefully enough. That dang van had loads of engine problems, a door that nearly fell off when I was driving, a door handle that snapped off, a side mirror that fell off, no spare tire despite three tires that were ready to blow (and did), windows that didn’t roll up, rattling noises, an eventual blown radiator … I could go on and on, but let’s just say that it wasn’t my best purchase. I still think buying used is smart, but check things out closely first.
9. That guy you’re going to sell your car to? On a gentleman’s agreement? He’s not gonna pay you. I sold another car to a friend of a friend, who I was sure would pay me even if I had nothing in writing. That was smart. I still see the guy once in awhile on the road, but I don’t have the energy to do a U-turn and chase after him.
10. Make time to pursue your passion, no matter how busy you are. I’ve always wanted to be a writer, and get a book published. I just never had time to write. With a family and school and a full-time job, there just weren’t enough hours in the day. Well, I’ve learned that you have to make those hours. Set aside a block of time to do what you love, cut out other stuff from your life that take up your time, and don’t let anything interfere with that work. If I had done that 15 years ago, I could have 15 books written by now. Not all would be great, but still.
11. All that stuff that’s stressing you out — it won’t matter in 5 years, let alone 15. When things are happening to you right now, they mean all the world. I had deadlines and projects and people breathing down my neck, and my stress levels went through the roof. I don’t regret the hard work (see above) but I think I would have been less stressed if I could have just realized that it wouldn’t matter a single bit just a few years down the road. Perspective is a good thing to learn.
12. The people you make friends with are so much more important than your job or the things you buy. I’ve had a few jobs, I’ve bought a lot of things, and I’ve made a few friends over these last 15 years. Of those, the only thing that still matter to me are the friends. And I wish I could have spent more time with friends (and family) than on the other things.
13. All that time you spend watching TV is a huge, huge waste of time. I don’t know how much TV I’ve watched over the years, but it’s a crapload. Hours and days and weeks I’ll never have back. Who cares what happens on reality TV, when reality is slipping by outside? Time is something you’ll never get back — don’t waste it on TV.
14. Your kids are going to grow up way faster than you think. Don’t waste a minute. I just had an Oh My God moment recently. My oldest daughter, Chloe, is 14 going on 15 next month. I have 3 years left with her before she leaves my house and becomes an adult. Three years! I am floored by that single fact, because it really doesn’t seem anywhere near enough time. I want to go back to my younger self and whack that younger Leo on the head and say Stop working so hard! Stop watching TV! Spend more time with your kids! These last 15 years with Chloe (and my other wonderful kids) have gone by much, much too fast.
15. Forget the drama. Focus on being happy. There have been many things that have happened to me, professionally and personally, that seem like the end of the world. And while these things were bad, they get blown up in our heads so that they become major drama. They caused me to be depressed from time to time. What a waste of time. If I realized that it was all in my head, and that I could be happy instead if I focused on the positive, on what I did have, and what I could be doing … I could have skipped all the moping about.
16. Pay more attention to blogs when you first hear about them. They’re more than just journals. I first read about blogs 7-8 years ago, but when I took a look at them they didn’t seem like anything of interest. Just some people’s journals about stuff they read on the web. Why would I want to read those? I have my own thoughts about the web, but I don’t need to share them with the world. I spent a lot of time on the Internet, on various sites and forums, but every time I happened upon a blog I would brush past it without interest. It wasn’t until a couple years ago that I discovered what wonderful things they could be (I mentioned some of my early favorites in my list of influences). If I had gotten into blogging years ago … well, I wouldn’t have been wasting all that time.
17. Speaking of which, keep a journal. Seriously. Your memory is extremely faulty. I forget things really easily. Not short-term stuff, but long-term. I don’t remember things about my kids’ early years, because I didn’t record any of it. I don’t remember things about my life. It’s like a lot of foggy memories that I’ll never have access to. I wish I had kept a journal.
18. Tequila is seriously evil. I won’t go into details, but it should suffice to say that I had some bad experiences, and I’m not sure I learned very much from them or benefited in any way except to learn that tequila is the drink of the Devil.
19. Yes, you can do a marathon. Don’t put this goal off — it’s extremely rewarding. Running a marathon had always been a dream of mine, since high school … something I wanted to do but thought was out of reach. Or if I ever did it, it would be years and years later. Well, I learned that it’s not only achievable, it’s incredibly rewarding. I wish I had started training when I was young and light and fit … I could have had some good finishing times!
20. All these mistakes you’re going to make, despite this advice? They’re worth it. My 18-year-old self would probably have read this post and said, “Good advice!” And then he would have proceeded to make the same mistakes, despite good intentions. I was a good kid, but I wasn’t good at following advice. I had to make my own mistakes, and live my own life. And that’s what I did, and I don’t regret a minute of it. Every experience I’ve had (even the tequila ones) have led me down the path of life to where I am today. I love where I am today, and wouldn’t trade it for another life for all the world. The pain, the stress, the drama, the hard work, the mistakes, the depression, the hangovers, the debt, the fat … it was all worth it.
“Let us so live that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry.” - Mark Twain
Moody and Rewarding day
Today some how I just woke up on the wrong side of the bed. My office is still in state of moving to a new location for expansion. What started as a moody day became a rewarding day. I'll spare you the details. As below, just sharing what I am doing and where I going tomorrow.
Dear Patrick Ho,
Warm greetings from ITD Group!
We are pleased to inform that you have been registered as a participant of the ITD Mega Guru event:
Achieving Breakthrough Results in Work and Life featuring Jack Canfield – Live in KL!
Our team looks forward to welcoming you on the 22nd September 2010.z
Details are as follows:
Venue : Selangor Ballroom – Grand Dorsett Hotel, Subang Jaya (former Sheraton Hotel)
Date : 22nd Sept. 2010 (Wednesday)
Time : Registration starts – 7.30am
Program schedule : 9.00am- 6.00pm
Speaker : Jack Canfield
For participants who come early, welcome breakfast will be provided in the Ballroom foyer.
Please do not hesitate to get in touch with our ITDKL team should you have questions or clarifications.
* Please acknowledge receipt of this email.
Thank you
Warm Regards
ITD Management
Cheers
Monday, September 20, 2010
Insatiable taste for success
Time to time and especially now I have this dying thirst in me to succeed. I didn't do well in my degree and I feel limited by it. I am in need of an opportunity to redeem myself. Yes I have all myself to blame for this. I guess I was playful, naive and stubborn. I took things for granted but I guess through mistakes we become stronger.
It really bites me to my core on how others are better than me at this stage but I do know I'm not supposed to envy and I am sorry to be insensitive on this. I am willing to do what it takes even if it means sleepless nights to achieve it but please show me that it is worth it. I have this innate of learning as much as I can but seems to me I have problem focusing on stuff at hand that some call me jack of all trades master of none. Well this happens to me because some how along the way I will jump over to things that are more highlighted important.
"Maybe I will take longer than some, maybe I won't get it, who cares I'll just do my best I guess." quotes from my thoughts.
I'm in need of good advice and guidance on this. I am still in search of a mentor that would guide me to the top. If you're reading this hope this encourages you a little if not just encourage me then.
According to many, the tech sector may still be the quickest road to the top. More public-company CEOs age 40 and under lead organizations involved in technology products or services than work in any other industry.
This are the top 22 traits of a top person in the working world after research and sources - How to Think Like a CEO
by D.A. Benton
pat
It really bites me to my core on how others are better than me at this stage but I do know I'm not supposed to envy and I am sorry to be insensitive on this. I am willing to do what it takes even if it means sleepless nights to achieve it but please show me that it is worth it. I have this innate of learning as much as I can but seems to me I have problem focusing on stuff at hand that some call me jack of all trades master of none. Well this happens to me because some how along the way I will jump over to things that are more highlighted important.
"Maybe I will take longer than some, maybe I won't get it, who cares I'll just do my best I guess." quotes from my thoughts.
I'm in need of good advice and guidance on this. I am still in search of a mentor that would guide me to the top. If you're reading this hope this encourages you a little if not just encourage me then.
"==================="
According to many, the tech sector may still be the quickest road to the top. More public-company CEOs age 40 and under lead organizations involved in technology products or services than work in any other industry.
This are the top 22 traits of a top person in the working world after research and sources - How to Think Like a CEO
by D.A. Benton- Secure in self
- In control of attitude
- Tenacious
- Continuously Improving
- Honest and Ethical
- Thinking before talking
- Original
- Publicly modest
- Aware of style
- Gutsy / A little wild
- Humorous
- A tad theatrical
- Detail oriented
- Good at their job and willing to lead
- Fighters for their people
- Willing to admit mistakes, yet unapologetic
- Straightforward
- Nice
- Inquisitive
- Competitive
- Flexible
- Good Storytellers
pat
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Levain. boulangerie. patisserie.
Happy Malaysia Day!
Went breakfast here today. Just like this place a lot especially the atmosphere. Till today sometimes I wonder how people make it big from just a simple idea. There are some people who find all ways and they still fail miserably. I used to always thought & dream that I might own or run a restaurant like this, now I don't know.
During weekends and weekdays, you can find this place pack with cars and visitors. It is so hard to find parking here. So if you plan to drop by for lunch or tea break I suggest I suggest you carpool with your friends/colleagues.
You can find the place at No. 7, Jalan Delima Off Jalan Imbi, 55100 Kuala Lumpur.
T: +603-21426611 E: enquiry@levain.com.my W: www.levain.com.my
You can find : [Bread = natural yeat brea, french, milk rolls] [Pastries = sweet, savoury] [ Bakes: cakes, muffins, baumkuchen]
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Wednesday, September 15, 2010
30 “If Statements” in Life Worth Learning
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If I am what I have and if I lose what I have, who then am I?
- Erich Fromm
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If I am what I have and if I lose what I have, who then am I?
- Erich Fromm
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- If you don’t understand the product or service, don’t buy it until you do.
- If you do not take ownership of your actions, your actions will eventually own you.
- If you are not saving at least 10% of your salary, you are not saving enough.
- If you talk too much, people will stop listening. If you don’t talk enough, people will never hear your point of view.
- If you are lazy, you will fail. Laziness will always overshadow your true potential.
- If you hate your job, you also hate half of the time you spend on this planet.
- If you are not investing (120 minus your age) percent of your savings in the stock market, you are giving up thousands of dollars over the course of your lifetime.
- If you don’t finish what you start, your success rate will always be zero.
- If you don’t consume enough liquids, you will never be healthy.
- If your monthly debt payments exceed 40% of your total income, you will go broke if you don’t fix your spending habits promptly.
- If you avoid your problems, your problems will steer the course of your life.
- If something sounds too good to be true, it is too good to be true.
- If you are buying a brand new car every 3-5 years, stop! You are wasting your money.
- If you don’t keep up with important current events, you will look like an idiot in front of others.
- If you back-up on a freeway off-ramp, you increase your chances of having an accident by about 1000%. Go to the next exit and turn around.
- If you are not learning something new every day, you are wasting away days of your life.
- If you threaten to quit your job, even if it’s a subtle suggestion, you better be ready to leave now.
- If somebody asks you for your social security number, don’t give it to them!
- If you are paying high monthly insurance premiums for a lower claim deductible, you are pissing in the wind.
- If you don’t ever intend to help others, expect them to return the favor.
- If you don’t learn from your mistakes, you probably aren’t learning much at all.
- If you don’t dream, you will live solely as an entity of someone else’s dreams.
- If you are ever confused, don’t be afraid to ask questions.
- If you don’t listen to good music while exercising, you are missing out on the best part of your workout.
- If you are not happy, it’s time to change something.
- If you never stare off into the distance, you’ll never get there.
- If you dress a certain way, people will treat you a certain way.
- If you never try something new, your life’s story will be boring.
- If you aren’t in love, don’t settle.
- If you are overly emotional right now, make the decision later.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Guess Who's Back
I'm back and it has been a long time since I've blogged. Some say I've just got out of jail and I'm ready to kick some ass. All we know is that he is out and he is known as Patwick. So he learns to quote like The Stig's introduction.
Feels great to be out of National Service. My early views about National Service is that it was a waste of time. Timing for National Service can never be better (so call better). Bugging me when I started college, bugging me when I was in UNI and even bugging me when I was working in SG. Thus I'm happy that I got over with it.
As a 24 yr old going to National Service and letting go of everything for approximately 3 mths, I guess you would agree with me that it SUCKS big time.
For those who don't know my camp is in Semenyih called Setia Ikhlas. According to many it is the No 1 camp in Malaysia. There are only two camps in Malaysia that has ISO, mine and the other is in Sepang called Princess *something*.
In camp I met all sort of people. In some ways I felt so blessed because there were so many people who were drop outs and didn't even have a complete primary education. There aren't many people who could speak English. My Cantonese and Mandarin wasn't fluent but some how I managed to adapt. Don't say English, Cantonese or even Mandarin, many couldn't speak Bahasa Malaysia. It was suffering that I had to be people's personal translator when some could even speak better Mandarin and Cantonese than me.
Most of the time, people there didn't care to participate, they just decided camp sucks I'm here and I want to go home so make it quick. Despite how much I try my best to get them to do things, they wouldn't bulge. So I decided I'm just going to do my best here, be happy as possible and think positive. The teachers were quite strict but actually they were super nice, they have to be strict so that discipline is maintained as well as instill some fear into mischievous people.
Plenty of stories and pretty long ones. To summarize I would say National Service really had a good impact on me. Some might say brain washing but honestly the modules and the structure of the camp was really good. I have a better understanding about our country, culture as well as being more patriotic. If you have a chance to go for National Service I'd say make the best out of it and enjoy it while you are there, be positive and see what you can learn from there.
Yes probably there are many things that National Service can improve on but I guess how much we enjoy camp and how much we can gain from it is as good as the trainee him/herself.
I'm glad that I managed to bring something back which would mark a milestone in my life. I won the Best Overall Trainee Award aka Wira Keseluruhan Terbaik.
=One of my favorite songs from camp=
Back from camp and L4D2 still Rocks and Starcraft 2 =) [protoss still my fav race]
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