Unexpected holiday

The extension for my Singapore Social Pass (tourist visa) was declined, and I had 2 days to pick the destination outside the boundaries of this paradise island to disappear to for a while. Taking the current circumstances, cost and timing into the consideration, I got the ticket to Dubai, and Roza got me the one from Dubai to Iran - Thanks! Unlike my 1st time in Iran, this was the very lazy two weeks - for me, Roza had to continue her workaholic lifestyle, pardon the day and a half of annual leave she managed to organise. With no (workable) Internet connection - mobile roaming did not work either - I watched DVDs (two seasons of CSI Miami and few movies) and lots of CNN. Also, I read two books. Still, I had too much time to think about how the ever slowing economy and failed degree will effect my job search, and thus, the decision making process in the months to come. The winter is white over there, so I did not get to use my running gear, as I diligently intended to. It was nice seeing the snow again for the first time since my 2004 skiing trip in Christchurch (NZ), though this time enjoying it only from inside the warm apartment through the closed window. Apart from catching up with Roza after three months, the highlights were: Iranian dinner, Iranian wedding, and playing tennis for the 1st time ever.

Tomorrow afternoon, I’ll be on my way to Melbourne for 10 days.

...!

What a difference a day makes...

The job interview, arranged by the Director of the school where I used to work, has received the new lifeline. Apparently, they want to see me again. The email correspondence is included below. Also this morning, I received the resolution that I can stay in my apartment till the end of the year. The stars have been nicely aligned today. Some seemingly good news, amidst all the BS that I've put myself in lately, come as the breath of fresh air.

cheers...! 

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Sent: Friday, 5 December, 2008 9:13 AM

To: ZB

Subject: RE: My passion to join HC

Hi Z,

Good to hear that you have now completed your program.  Time flies, our meeting seemed like they had just happened yesterday.

Then again, so much has taken place in the past few months.  Would you like to come over for an updated discussion so that both parties can come up to speed.  S will contact you to make arrangements.

Best regards,

OT

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Sent: Thursday, 4 December, 2008 3:05 PM

To: OT

Subject: My passion to join HC

Dear O,

I hope this email finds you in good spirits. 

I am happy to say that as of now, all my university tasks are completed, and I am ready, and genuinely keen to contribute to HC as soon as possible. I can start tomorrow.

Having had the opportunity for extensive conversations with K [the founder] and yourself, I am impressed with the leadership of the company and its potential for the future. I have the firm belief that HC will continue its growth amidst the tough competition in the industry, and currently slow economic times.   

While initially I was looking to join HC in a role of System Analyst as advertised on the website, it was flattering to find out that you see my potential and skills being aligned with numerous roles at HC. This being said, I am very keen to prove my hard work and intellect at any of these exciting opportunities as required by the immediate business needs.

I am motivated to join the team, 'role up my sleeves' and work hard, learn and grow with HC while contributing my passion for the people, IT and knowledge as a valuable asset to the company.

Enthusiastically looking forward to hear from you. 

Sincerely,

Z

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Big credit goes to Babber, a.k.a ZhiqiTao, without whom 'the passion email' would not have happened.  

MIS R.I.P.

...and the runner was jumping over countless hurdles and through many hoops since the journey started in the early months of 2002. Along the way, he would occasionally trip and sometimes even fall, but he would always get back up - usually with a help of a helping hand. Then at last, after long 7 years, the runner sow the bright finish line. It was just inches behind the very last hurdle. Though, being tired and very exhausted, he stumbled again and fell over this very last hurdle. He wanted to get up and finally finish the journey, but this time, instead of a helping hand, he got shot in the head.

theEnd...!

Oooh Freedom...

• Schoolless,
  
• Degreeless,
  
• Jobless,
  
• Homeless,
  
• Countryless, 
  
• Planless,
  
• Responsibilitylees,
  
• Desireless,
• Passionless,
• Emotionless,

...less...!

Ps: thanks stupidity!

Ouch!

Dear Z

I have now read your essay. I am afraid it’s not good. Check out my comments and grading. This is final, I am afraid. All the best and hope you get more organized in life.

H

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Ps: giving the credit where the credit is due: the man was right to say that I will strugle. 

Obama rules

UPDATED, 1st Aug 09: In agreement with Obama, economist Nicholas Stern argues that green investments will stimulate the economic growth we need.

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It's hard not to fall under Obama's spell of change, hope and optimism. True, the mandatory comparison with the predecessor makes him an automatic superstar. None the less, one cannot ignore his oratorical power, and the fresh new outlook on needed policies. For the example, take the recent New York Times article reporting on the apparent concern by many that the current economic crisis will even further overshadowed overwhelming environmental concerns, and put on hold any plans to do something about it. Where many see the concern, Obama sees the opportunity for the change:

"President-elect Barack Obama is arguing that there is no better time than the present to invest heavily in clean energy technologies. Such investment, he says, would confront the threat of unchecked warming, reduce the country’s dependence on foreign oil and help revive the American economy."

amen...!

Ps: via Schazi's FBK:

Why like this...?

I'm just working flat out on the assignment, trying to salvage my degree, but couldn't help myself but to put up this quick excerpt: 

Samura (2008) reports about Africa's aid addiction during the past 50 years. Amongst others, noting the issues brought about by the prevalent corruption. The corruption that is being inadvertently first thought in schools where “Teachers demand bribes from their students because they cannot get by on their wages.”

On the other hand, Stiglitz(2006, p46) brings up - a  common sense sounding - point: "A country's most important resource is its people." He elaborates further by saying that countries that do not invest widely into education find it hard to tap into the potential of its people, and have difficulties attracting foreign investment. Hence, the country itself fails to live up to its potential. 

Considering the two points above, can you please answer the following for me:

Why not simply fund the education system directly?

...instead of trusting the management of the aid into the hands of corrupted politicians?

By the way, what is happening with all this foreign aid anyhow? 

Don't tell me; it's complicated...! 

References:  

Samura, S. (2008), The pitfalls of Africa's aid addiction, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7740652.stm, Cited Nov 2008. 

Stiglitz, J. (2006), Making Globalization Work, New York: W.W. Norton

Problems...

“What you resist persists.” Carl Jung

Credit: quote via Nola, video via this post. 

Electric Car

Couple of days ago, it was reported that the fully electric car by BMW, Mini-E, will go into mass production as early as 2010. Sounds like the great news. - Finally...!

Though, makes me think would General Motors be in a turmoil that they are in today, together with other big automotive companies, if this story dated 15 years before Mini-E, was never to be:

Ps: credit to Dane for sharing this sad story during our Saba trip.

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UPDATED 9th Dec 08:

Unsurprisingly, Ford released their electric plans for the next few years. Though, much bigger concern, the one on the political level, that is coming from the car-industry crisis is what will happen after the government provides the big bailout with the strings attached. NYTimes quotes Mr Jeffery Garten, a professor at the Yale School of Management, who points that USA is starting to replicate the Chinese system, a combination of capitalism and communism (NYTimes uses more subtle phrases: nationalism and state-control; naturally).

4th decade

"We don´t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing."

 George Bernard Shaw

And another lap around The Sun completed. Adding further to the already impressive distance covered, while going by a notch quicker then the last one.

I haven´t seen so much fanfare regarding the birthday in years, maybe even decades. Why so much excitement about the zero at the end of the number? Sure, if it was a three digit number, I might have less trouble understanding it. 

So many friends of the similar age are talking about getting old, slower, out of shape, etc, etc... Sorry all; I can´t relate at all. Partially, I credit my prolonged school life for this lack of the ability to sympathise with the generation. I´m surrounded with the youth, where average age does not exceed early to mid twenties, all my life. So somehow rather, my mind neglected to notice the changes in the mirror´s reflection. Though the looks might not support it, I still feel as youthfully energetic and crazy as ever. 

I don´t get - and I hope I never will  - why so many people stress about having yet another birthday. Not only it is a great excuse to make another day just a bit more special, and to catch up with your family and friends for few (too many) drinks, but it also serves as the greatest sign that, despite anything, things are still going great...!

Ps: my niece turned one today - Sritan Rodendan Petra! 

Pps: people having a drink in the name of my birthday from Croatia, Germany, France, through Iran, Spora and Australia, all the way to Mexico is very cool. - I´m one lucky F...ellow.

My Resume

It´s here. 

If you know somebody who´s looking for a passionate, creative, analytical, hardworking team player, and all in all an awesome guy, to join them at tackling challenging IT projects, don´t hesitate to pass them the resume, they´ll owe you one, if not two (if they are smart).

Thanks exDirector, Jess, Sue, Monkey, Ilija, Milan and Coleman for already doing so.  

I´ve done some aesthetic, readability improvements on the latest version following some of the tips as suggested here. 

Please leave your comments on how the resume could be improved further. 

Appreciated...! 

Ps: Disclaimer: comments will be taken into serious consideration, but not necessarily Incorporated, unless securing of the job depended on it.  

Pps: If by a chance you are willing to take on the role of Cupid, kindly share this resume link (http://www.box.net/shared/okcrglsugj) with the other party, and not the blog address itself. Thanks!

No effort gets wasted

“Be not afraid of going slowly, be only afraid of standing still.”- Chinese Proverb

The title of the post might seem false, or at least foolish (-ly optimistic) at the 1st glance. But, I am a firm believer for a long time now (guess, I had no other choice). I´ve had these BS kind conversations with quite a few senior citizens (the kind who´s been enjoying their retirement for a while), and many of them presented gems along the lines of hope and perseverance. Keep plugging on, and the benefit of the current turmoil will some day be one of, if not the main, reasons for success, happiness... Btw, on this note, they also advised to be patient.

This belief is a tad stronger in me after the last night. Instead of working on the assignment or sleeping soundly, I could do neither. My brain was running on the overdrive, connecting many dots that have been accumulating between my (klempavi) ears throughout my prolonged relationship of procrastination and academic assignments. The end result of the sleepless night is a feasible idea that can bring a great, tangible benefits to many. Unlike previous ones, I´ll keep this cat in a bag for a while longer.

...!

Ps: ...or in Einstein´s words: Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving.

Pps: ´dot connecting´ phrase inspired by Steve Jobs´s speech.

Procrastination

Yesterday, on the day when the promise of change arrived to America, and hopefully the world as a whole, some things around here stayed the same old, same old: Here's the email that I sent to the professor of my Globalisation class regarding the assignment that is due on the 7th Nov, and he´s reply:

Hi H,

I need more time for my paper. With you approval, I will submit

 no later then Monday 17th at 2pm. I'm badly behind with the paper. On top of that, just moments ago, I have found out that my group for other module has decided to change the direction, and we need to rework the project before our presentation this Saturday, and the subsequent submission on the following Wednesday. Given the extension, I am confident of producing the work worth your reading time. I apologise for the inconvenience caused,

Z
--------------------------------------

No, Z. I am afraid 13 Nov 9 am is the absolute deadline and nothing short of medical reasons can be excused. So you do have to work something out.

--------------------------------------

Good luck to my assignments...!

Ps: pictured procrastination through the process of some trivial change.

WikipediaWictionaryChambers (UK)Google imagesGoogle defineThe Free DictionaryJoin exampleWordNetGoogleUrban DictionaryAnswers.comrhymezone.comMerriam-Webster

WikipediaWictionaryChambers (UK)Google imagesGoogle defineThe Free DictionaryJoin exampleWordNetGoogleUrban DictionaryAnswers.comrhymezone.comMerriam-Webster

As good as WE get!?

Human beings will not further evolve genetically, and this is due to our current world that is as close to utopia as it will get to - for the time being.

"This gloomy message is from" geneticist, Professor Steve Jones.

Even if the future proves Prof Jones to be wrong, let's hope we have a great deal of room for a cultural-intellectual development. Sure enough, there's plenty of evidence to suggest that we should do so; that we MUST do so...!

Fu...nny Money

Last Thursday, with SGD1 buying you AUD0.97, and not the usual AUD0.7-0.8, Jamie and I ran to the bank to transfer our 'hard earned' gratuities (contract) to Australia. Our (what currently seems as) good fortunes found in the unusually weak AUD are due to the current world economic crisis.

The following presentation and video, as spotted on PresentationZen, help with the explanation of what the crisis is all about:

Subprime Primer

View SlideShare presentation or Upload your own. (tags: subprime mortgages)

The Time article, written by Stiglitz - author of one of the books, that I read for my Globalization class - is a good, easy read further explaining the crisis, how and why other countries - manly European's are linked - and what needs to be done in order to fix the mess. Also, Pat shared this post to help with the explanation.

Passion of my Profession

Another baby step... (?)

Dear K,

Thank you for the very pleasant and interesting conversation, and the time taken.

I am happy to find out that you recognize my potential and different ways it can add business value for HC. I look forward to an opportunity to prove this in the practice.

Best regards,

Z

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I've just send out this 'thank you' mail. So it turns out that my scepticism was right after all, even though Huge got me to believe otherwise. K is the founder of the company. The interview went OK, though I would not grade my performance as highly as the 1st one.

fingersCrossed...!

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UPDATED: later in the afternoon, I received the (positive) reply to above email:

Dear Z,

Thank you for your email. I will be discussing with the team and I am sure you will be contacted soon.

Thank you very much and have a nice day!

Warm regards,

K

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UPDATED, 20th Oct: Another full week has passed by with no word from Mr K nor anyone in the company. My initial 'OK' assessment of the interview now seems like a large overestimation. The questions running between my ears:

• Should I email them?
• Should I try to elaborate on the interview points that I know I should have, could have done better?
  
• Should I just forget about it, and call it next?

If you have an opinion on what to do in this situation, please leave a comment - thanks...!

Baby Step closer to MrProfessional

Since this morning, it looks even more promising that Huge was right to say that the next interview should be just about negotiation of the terms and conditions for the contract. I received the reply to my 'thank you' latter from the CEO. I am happy with the way I wrote that BS latter last night (apart from the few typos that my tired, running on adrenaline brain did not direct). In particular, I like how I manged to summarise some of the things discussed during the interview, so I'll share it here:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

8 October, 2008. 08:35

Hi Z,

I am happy to have met you too.  MrP [the 1st guy who interviewed me] will be in touch with you shortly.  There may be an opportunity for further discussion.  Hopefully we can arrive at a win-win situation.

Best regards,

CEO

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

7 October, 2008. 20:18

Dear MrCEO,

I would like to express my appreciation for taking the time out of your busy schedule to meet me earlier today. It was a pleasure having a conversation with you about the SA position at HC, the potential career paths, and the vision that you have for the future of the company. 

In addition, I would like to take this opportunity to say that after our conversation, I feel even more confident that the job represents a win-win situation. I believe that with my international exposure, teamwork and communication skills, along with analytical and creative abilities, as well as eagerness to learn and work hard, I can provide tangible business value to HC's customers, and in turn to HC itself. At the same time, the SA position represents a junction where I can further hone my skills, and develop myself both professionally and personally, while learning by working on diverse type of challenges.

Again, thank you, and I hope that HC and myself can move into the next phase of our respective maturation process together.

Sincerely,

Z        

Not so professional question

• Who is higher on a corporate ladder than a CEO of a company to interview an applicant for a common job?  
  
• After you have been interviewed by the CEO, what would be the reason to come back for another interview...? 

Just now talking to Huge, he brought out this very good point. A point that once brought up seems like a common sense; a point that escaped my mind... 

As Voltaire would say: "Common sense is not so common!" 

...! 

Me, The Professional F...ellow - The beginning

I had the interview, the one mentioned few days ago, earlier today. I felt it went quite good overall. On my way back home, thinking about it, I was pleased with my performance, happily leaving 'the ball on their side of the court'. Once I got home, I learned that the feeling, regarding how well the interview went, was mutual. The interview went for two hours and 15min, and it can be broken down into two distinct stages:

WRITTEN  

First, I had to fill in the form with my personal info (why, it's already all on my CV!?), and  how much I have been earning, how much do I expect to earn once I start, and when would I like to start. Following this, a surprise came along: I was given a written test. It included exercises on Java and SQL, and a general question on the understanding of the Web 2.0. I grade my self - once a teacher... - on that part as B+. I messed up on some Java and SQL. I haven't been 'getting my hands dirty' with those sort of things all that much - pardon the teaching - for a long time now; well, to be exact, since I finished my CS degree from The Uni of Auckland back in 2000.

ORAL

Second part of the interview was conversational. Initially, after the test, I had quite a nice chat, the usual interview things, with one guy. One of the questions that I didn't get to ask him, before the CEO joined the chat, was what exactly is it that he does... I'll find that out next time. Lastly, as mentioned, the CEO joined the interview. And inevitably, the focus of the conversatio

n shifted towards him - to his credit, he did apologise to his subordinate. Again, this was a continuation of the good chat that I started off with the initial interviewee. Looking back at it, I feel I interviewed the CEO as much as he interview me - apparently a good thing (ref). On this note, Thanks YoonHin for giving me the advise during the brunch before the interview. The list of questions to ask came in very handy. As part of his answers, the CEO shared his view on the company's maturation process and the vision for the future. As I side note, he also said that my expected salary fits in nicely within the range of what they give to System Analysts, as well as that just last week he was at The Poly to meet up with his uni buddy, my ex Director. Apparently she told him 'to make sure to check me out'. Regardless of what happens at the end, I will definitely thank Director in person with some nice prezo (e.g. a basket full of juicy Apples).  

Once I got home, I called the HR to get the email address of the two people

 whose email addresses I didn't have: the guy who greeted me and got me comfortable to do the test, and the guy that started off the interview. By the time I opened up the mail to send out the four 'thank you for the interview' mails,  I already had a response from the HR Executive in my inbox, with the request to come for the 2nd interview this coming Friday the 10th. She sent out the invitation for the next interview just 40min after I left their office.  

That favorite line that echoes through the school's corridors comes to mind...

soFarSoGd...!   

Ps: events of the day leading to the interview worth mentioning:

• slept for 4 hours.
  
• talked to the Spanish neighbour, on my way home after the lunch with YoonHin, for far more than I did during all the conversations put together we had in the last two years since I've been here. I felt like I would have preferred to snooze for half an hour or so before getting ready for the interview, but chatting with him got me even more into a conversational stage, which turned out to be quite good. 
  
• this left me with little time to iron my shirt - a 1st time ever for me - shave, shower and dress up. 
  
• was tucking in the shirt, buckling the belt (not of the safety kind), and tying the shoes, all while the taxi driver was tying up my tie around his neck. Once he tied it up, he passed it to me - of course lah.
• There was a heavy rain at the time, and the Mercedes taxi came to pick me up. I love the tropical rain (as some of you would know). And the Mercedes taxi gave me the confidence that the driver will know how to tie the tie. Also, the fancy taxi can be seen as kind of symbolic to professionalism and all (yes, I think so :). 
• we left the apartment building at 2:35pm; 20min later then I planned for. Interview was scheduled for 3pm, we arrived in front of the office building 5min ahead; about 10min later then what I planed. Just-in-time; just the usual.
• the taxi driver actually drives only part time, he is also a real estate agent. MrDon, you can expect my call, as discussed, in the early November, to show me what kind of apartments you have available for me.
  
• what a great day. Guess the stars must have been nicely aligned... thanks Universe...!    
  

Silent Communication - water shortage

I learned about Slideshare, the website for sharing slideshow presentations, from Pat, as he was contemplating entering this year's presentation competition. The overall winner is "an educational presentation exploring humanity's water use and the emerging worldwide water shortage" - something all Melbournias should pay the special attention to. It's impressive how loudly the ideas can be heard while communicating silently:

THIRST

View SlideShare presentation or Upload your own. (tags: design crisis)

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I also like the winner of the technolgoy category, expalning the User Centered Desing.

ass ... @

The caricature is by Jimmy, a colleague at work who was bored during one of the early staff meetings that I attended back in September 2006, when I first joined the school.  

Jimmy's work reminds me of the smirk on this photo that my Mum snapped during her visit to Spora last year. 

...! 

Roza's visit

It's been exactly three months since we caught up in Dubai, so it was very nice - to say the least - to catch up again for a week here in Spora. She arrived on the 23rd Sep, and was on the way back on the 30th, just before I went to clean up my office.

As an early birthday present, I got the new camera - sweet. Thanks Roza! Perfect gift, since I lost the camera (she gave me!) at the end of our Iran travels (yep, together with all the photos).

dec...!

Ambivalence

As of today, I am officially unemployed. Though luckily, I am a student again, doing 3 subjects this semester at NUS, to differentiate me from the average bum.

I had two wonderful farewell lunches. One last Friday with my basketball buddies at the lovely Japanese restaurant - thanks Prince; and the other on Monday, with coworkers I've developed friendly relationship at a fancy Hokkien place (pic) - thanks YoonHin. Following the Monday lunch, I caught up with my Reporting Officer (RO) for a little farewell chat. Yesterday, after Roza left to the airport, I was back in the office cleaning out the last few things. Also, I had to return the school's laptop I had been using, though my good colleagues and friends - thanks Steven and Willy - organised a way for me to keep the laptop for a little longer.

The last thing left for me to do was to send a nice 'Thanks ICT' email to all colleagues at the school. Though, Director surprised me during one of the recent staff meetings by getting me to stand up and give a farewell speech, I felt like I left it too general, without thanking anyone in particular, so this time I took the opportunity to do that via the email.

As a response to the farewell email, RO send me a contact at SIM should I wish - err - need to go back to teaching - thanks Pam. And Director forwarded my resume to the company where she has a contact. I'll have the interview with the local IT consulting company next Tuesday - thanks Director. I am especially grateful to Director showing me her helping side - this was the 2nd company that she referred me to - as her and I had few misunderstandings during my time here; as the saying goes: water under the bridge.

Though, my last official day was only yesterday, practically my last semester at the school finished back on the 3rd September when we had the end of the semester staff meeting. So even though I had no work to do for a whole month, the official deadline invoked this funny feeling in me. On one hand I am very happy to be moving on as I know this is the right thing to do. Yet on the other hand, after two years here, the place has wormed up to me, and I have developed good relationships with many people. Thus, the part of me was said to clean up the office and walk out for the last time.

lookingFwd...!

just like dady

a boy wants to grow up to be like dad - I have quite some more 'growing' to do :)

Love (via) Skype

Last time I was back in Melbourne, we got the parents' computer Skype enabled:
Yogi's there too:

Technology, at times, truly does have the ability to erase the distances. During a chat, I forget that actually we are not in the same room, and that there is 7000km between us.

Pozdrav...!

UDATED 3rd Oct:

By the way, and Roza is there for few seconds at the time as well. The connection with Teheran is just terrible... Over there, ADSL is allowed only for corporate accounts, so she is on the dial-up, and connection drops way too frequently for any meaningful chat to take place.

congratulations DrRay

Best of luck with chasing that couriosity cat boldly forward where no man has been before...! 

Random nuggets

The Large Hadron Collider is a really big experiment:

Hope is that it will help answer the ultimate questions on the life, universe and everything:

- LHC explained with the passion by "Rock-star physicist" Brian Cox of at TED.

- The Universe is biiiiiiiiig. To get a better sense of the size, take a very cool journey to its edge.

- Detailed, five parts story about the LHC on Horizon, BBC.

- Stephen Hawking: Universe, six parts documentary.

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This post summarises 10 most influential studies in social psychology. Very nice read, on stuff such as why do we lie to ourselves, why do we conform to each other, why do we develop group mentality...

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Preetam, a colleague at work, who is highly involved with many things Web 2.0 had a nice story to share from the recent barCamp in Bangkok: the most popular presentation given was by the Japanese girl on 'How to date a Japanese girl'.

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Some very creative advertisement posters; with animals; on poverty.

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"Too many people spend money they haven’t earned, to buy things they don’t want, to impress people they don’t like."

I don't know to which context this line by Will Rogers refers to, but to me it sure sounds like a definition for Consumerism.