The Perfect Unplanned 2012

 

Heyyy... Here I am again to wrap this year up~

 

There are so many unplanned things this year. Unplanned courage, unplanned decision, unplanned people, unplanned plans. Haha... Thus, I would like to name 2012 as My Unplanned Year!

 

Le's see:

 

In the beginning of the year, I quitted my 'comfortable' job in Singapore and flew back to Medan with 160+kg baggages (yeah... things that I accumalated in 3 years.) With no exact plan, I got accepted in JW Marriott Medan, worked there for 4 months (extremly short :p), before I received the admission letter from Beijing Language and Culture University. Yeah... Here I am in Cold and Dry China (just earlier this morning, my hair frosted... I really mean it. MY HAIR FROSTED!!!) That's really something and again it's never included in my plan. =P

 

Life is all about choice. I think there is no right or wrong in all the choice that we have chosen. It will only lead us to different path or ending in life. After quitting my first real job, I was faced with the dilemma on what I should do next, only then I know what I really wanted in life! It's my dream, since I don't know when... This leads to where I am now.

 

Another highlight this year is that I've met someone special this year. Hope everything goes well. The road in front will be bumpy, but I hope we are granted the strength to make it works!

 

Apart from all the excitment of the unplanned, I know that a really good friend is unable to celebrate it with me. I hope that she is fine by now. We can't turn back time and start a new beginning, but we can set present time as a new start, a good one. I hope you are well wherever you are. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Shirley...

 

Anyway.. as usual... I would like to recap the 'achievements' that I had made this year:

1. Travelling! This year, I travelled to quite a few new places; the Philippines (Cebu, Bohol and Manila), Yogyakarta and China (Beijing, Inner Mongolia, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Nanjing, Wuzhen and ShanHaiGuan). However, the thing I regret the most is that I am not able to accompany my parents to travel around this year :( Dad... Mom... I promise you! NEXT YEAR!!! 2013!!! 

 

2.  Back to school! Late 2011, I was considering to further my study in Singapore. While this is on 'pending' status now, I am sitting in a classroom 5 days a week, 6 hours daily, to improve my Chinese. A different kind of 'back to school' feeling! Anyway, coming to China for study was one of my dream 8 years ago. I am realizing that dream now. I can't ask for more :) Satisfied!

 

3. Doing my best! I have always putting my best effort in anything I do. Repharse this... MOST OF THE TIME, I put my best effort in anything I do. :p This time back in school, I am proud of these fews acknowledgement that I get: 

- I am doing well in my placement test that had placed me in my current class now, Intensive E Claas (highest level class for our faculty.)

- I am glad that the article that I wrote was being picked as one of the article to represent our class after the Shanghai Trip. I am really honored for the opportunity given, but at the same time I would like to acknowledge that some of my classmates' write up did  leave a deep impression, such as yi zi's article. I don't know why, but I think it's just good :)

- Lastly, I would like to work on better grades for our last exam in Jan 2013. Fighting!!!!

 

Would like to wish you all Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!! =D

 

Less Than 3,

Lin ^ ^

 

P.S. Believe me when December 21, 2012 comes, the news will say "End of the World is Postponed!." So Don't worry... Anyway.... it's a good motivation for all of us to do something good, JUST IN CASE, our world  ends that day!

 

美丽的上海

 

I got “最佳语言”award for this write up :)

 

从这次长途语言实践回来，每个同学肯定都会有不同的感想和收获，都被不同的景点迷住过，在脑海里留下的深刻印象也肯定不同。我对上海是情有独钟。

 

两年前我第一次来到了中国，游览过四川省闻名的九寨沟、峨眉山、乐山及海螺沟。我看到的景点给我留下了很深的印象。或许因为是第一次，所以感到兴奋；也或许因为在每个地方呆的时间比较长，所以有机会慢慢地去了解每个地方的历史，去欣赏每个地方的美景。相比较两年前的经历，虽然这次的路程对我来说很匆忙，可无论如何我还得说上海的夜景是这座城市的魅力所在。这也是这次行程留给我的最深刻的印象。

 

 

到上海当天，导游就用很有趣的句子形容上海。他说“上海人多，车多，路多，高楼多。”我认为这是符合事实的。中国本来就是世界上人口最多的一个国家，每到处我们所看到的都缺不了“人”！其次，上海是中国的一线城市之一，所以车多和路多，我觉得是“一线城市”的一般情况。 最后，说到上海高楼多，登上明珠塔俯瞰上海，我们就会理解这句话的意思。另外我个人还要补充说明“上海高楼又多又令人感到奇妙。”尤其是在天黑时，我们根本不需要一个职业摄影家来抓拍上海最好的一面，因为它本来就如此地美丽。

 

 

但是很可惜的是这次去到上海没吃到上海的特色小吃，小笼包。关于这种好吃的食品，导游又跟我们分享了一个歌谣。他说：“轻轻提，慢慢移，先开窗，后喝汤”这里所说的是吃小笼包的诀窍，也是说的一种闲适的生活态度。这就是上海在短短的一天之内给我所留下来的深刻印象。

 

 

Officially Winter~

First snow this winter (2012, Beijing)

 

 

The Art of Giving

 

Come across this: "What you Give on Earth is what you Take to the Heaven." Have you ever heard this saying before?

 

Most of the time we always think what we are getting if we do certain things. Less of the time, we think what we can give to make certain things better, without asking for 'payment'!

 

We, human, are born kind-hearted, bringing nothing to this world, with time we are somehow trained to be competitive (putting this in positive way: putting our best effort in life!), accumulating things that we think can improve the quality of our life, most of the time, it refers to Money. That's what we believe in. In my opinion, it is true! ONLY IF, you do it without being evil to others!

 

Just be logical... Money can buy almost everything! Who said it cannot buy us happiness? They said: "Only if you do not know where to shop, then it can't." I am all for it! =D

 

With money, I sleep in a warm room. With money, I wear a decent clothing. With money, I've tasted a proper education. With money, I don't have to taste hunger. With money, I got to see more of this world. The most fulfilling part is... With money, I think some poor people have a few days of food supply, some needy children go to school, some blind people got their eyesight restored, and there are more things we can do if it is put in good use.

 

I read Bill Clinton's book, "Giving", there are so many living examples where people give just for the sake of giving! They see the world is in need and they have the capability to help, not only with money, but with whatever they have in hand! It is called "fully utilizing" our resources.

 

There is a six-year-old California girl named McKenzie Steiner, who organized and supervised drives to clean up the beach in her community. It looks like nothing, but we never know what kind of chain effect this act has brought!

 

If we have no material capability, we do not have any skill, we do not have time, we do not have things that we thought will help others (... which is very rare... because we are all talented in our own way. We are 'rich' in all different definitions), at least... we have a smile!

 

Give a smile to those who don't wear them on their face! If you insist asking something in return, you should be getting a smile back. What if you don't get it back from the recepients? For me, I have my own art of giving. Give only when it is accompanied with a sincere heart, because by doing so, you can get back a fulfilled heart. Believe me, IT IS EVERYTHING. This is one of the things that money cannot buy! I said fulfilled not satisfied! (Take your time and think about it! For me, both are two different things). To make the giving deal even more appealing, what about geting to wear a smile on your own face when you go to heaven? Of course, if heaven really exists.

Happy Giving~

 

I have a dream...

 

I have a dream...

 

When I was young, people around me had somehow succeeded in planting the idea of me being a dentist as my purpose in life. Yeah... and I have lived with that idea for a few years without passion, of course. That's a conventional way of teaching children about 'having a dream'! =D

 

In high school, I or rather most of us had a dream to graduate fast and be free! Free from 'ugly' uniform,  free from being treated like a child, free from restrictions like 'smoking', 'drinking', free from being drive around and finally got to drive yourself LEGALLY, and there are so many more Freedom that we thought we would have when we graduated.

 

During college time, we enjoy them for 4 years, play really hard, some study really hard, some study smart, and some don't study at all, whichever category you are, ready or not, we need to step out to this 'real world'.

 

We start working: some enjoy their work, some know and good at their work, some learn to do and fall in love with their work, and there are some who simply hate their work. I was once that learn to do and fall in love with my work. From there, I have learned one thing: Thing that I really wanna do! It's to be able to help people!

 

I am no Mother Theresa. I am no Scientist. I am no Doctor or Nurse. I am no President.

 

B

U

T

:

:

:

 

I know how to write. I know how to read. That's the basic.

I love children. And... I think they love me :p That's the source of passion.

Then, I had thaught children before. I had seen my students do well. I was good at it. That's the experience.

I want to contribute to the change that could possibly happen to this world. I have chosen to contribute through Education. That's the choice I made!

 

I have a dream... no matter how the journey would be... One day, either Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, there will be a school open for the unfortunate children, without fee collection. :)

 

When that day comes, I know that I have sweated blood and drained tears to make that happen.

 

This is my Dream!

 

From Beijing, With Love...

Water Cube, Olympic Park, Beijing

This is my 23rd day in China. Had 2 weeks class and this week is a super long holiday for China national day. Thanks to my good roommate and other people that I have known so far, it is so much easier to settle in here.

 

Study: stick to the so called 'main purpose' that make me ends up in Beijing, I would say everything goes well. I am doing well with the test and now I am in the highest level class for the intensive program, E class. Coping good with all the classes but I know if I wanna do real good, I am still got a lot more to do. The problem is I just want to take it easy this time =D

 

Play: am enjoying the life here. A teacher in the class asked us to describe how we feel now, I can easily find the words to describe myself now, it is "无忧无虑", which means CAREFREE. I have four months and am going to really fully utilize this. :) Just came back from Inner Mongolia. It was freezing cold there at night, and I am decided that countries with only 2 seasons are best place to live in!

 

Love: I am in love~ :)

 

 

Have Faith in Me~

They said only dead fish go with the flow. I am not dead, in fact, I am quite alive (!) and I just go with the flow. Year 2012 offers so much unplanned stuff in my life.

I have never stepped in to a new year without planning what to do next. I normally will have a clear picture, numbered goals, and I execute everything as planned. This year is different. I kept the goals in mind, without penning it down, and yeah... my small little brain fails me. Blahhh~

Anyway, I was back in town in April. I am leaving again in Sept 11, 2012. It's a 'pending' dream come true. After 8 years, I am now realizing this dream. Beijing Language & Culture University, here I come~ Intensive course, but I hope I still have the chance to enjoy the city, the culture, and the people, hopefully...

I am writing this post in my cubicle at JW Marriott Medan. My last day at work, and I am dying waiting for the time to pass. It's totally different from my last day at my previous office, it was hectic as hell, and I remembered staying late to finish things up. Anyway, both experiences are different and I enjoy both. 

Four months in Medan is like vacation. I have not used to the life here. I am still comparing; Singapore still feels closer to my heart than Medan. Anyway, I have learnt and be reminded about lots of things in the past few months, about politics, about friendship, about acceptance of helping hands, about imperfection, about desperation, and about love.

Future is unclear. It has always been that way, anyway. I allow myself to stop planning. I am taking a baby step at a time. It may not be smart, but it feels good. I think I deserve this. To those whom I might have dissapointed, please bare with me. :) I am picking myself up!

I see a ray of Hope, thus have Faith in me and always Love me~ =D

"Hello World..."

*Unable to upload the usual image, because of LOW INTERNET CONNECTION.*

Dear  Blog, I miss you...   

Have been away for so long… and here I am in need of you and find my way back to you…

Can’t sleep well for two days in a row… What I got is a tired eyes, restless mind and worrying soul. I want to just go with the flow, like water… I want to fly to where the air is blowing, like sand in the dessert… I want to pass the days as it has been written, as some will call it as FATE. But how do I know if I am walking the right path? Who can tell me?

How was life? two months back in town… I can only say I love people I met lately. But I don’t love my surrounding as much as I love my previous one. Banzai to first job in your life! Oh my~ I never thought I will miss them so much… I don’t have the chance to say thank you properly to those who have taken care of me for my three years back there in Singapore. Settling down in a foreign country will not be easy without them. My previous bosses whom I had learnt so much from. I wish SDG grows as it is planned. Please keep its core values as before, where you put people first than anything else. I am grateful to know my dearest colleagues who had taken care of me~ Helen, Lena, Mercy, Shirley, Celia, Nancy and many more~ Be good, til we meet again~ I Love you all~

Back to the reason I am here, writing this post. I am confused, worried and lost. I am confused of the purpose of my life. I am worried to think the darkness ahead of me not knowing exactly I am heading now. Yeah... I am now really lost. What should I do? Someone told me, not to be confused, I should be living my own life, the way I want it to be, thus others have no right to tell me what to do. But what if it comes from people you love? You know that they mean good and you are actually partially agree with them. However, it may not be always what you wanted to do, not the way of life you want to live? What would you do?

I don’t know the answer, I just need my goodnight sleep now~

New Beginning

Have been away for so long... I am temporarily not working and going to travel around and take some break that I deserve until end of April.

Lately, was so exhausted due to too many outings with friends. Anyway, may not be able to do this once I go back to Medan. It should be quiter there :)

Anyway, I will be flying off to the Philipippine in 2 days. This would be one of the longest vacation that I have in the past 2 years (previous one was the one to China). Have not started packing yet will start tomorrow :D

It's really a mixed feeling, relief, enjoyment and worry. Can't explain them... but I believe, it's new beginning.

Marilyn Monroe: "I believe that everything happens for a reason. People change so that you can learn to let go, things go wrong so that you appreciate them when they're right, you believe lies so you eventually learn to trust no one but yourself, and sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together.”

She got everything right! :)

What's Really Important?

Good Morning, Sunshine~

In this lovely day, I would like to share something with you. It's in Bahasa Indonesia. :)

Brian Dyson, mantan CEO Coca Cola, pernah menyampaikan pidato yang sangat menarik. Katanya, "Bayangkan hidup itu seperti pemain akrobat... dengan lima bola di udara. Kita bisa menamai bola-bola itu dengan sebutan:

- pekerjaan

- keluarga

- kesehatan

- sahabat, dan

- semangat

Kita harus menjaga semua bola itu tetap di udara dan jangan sampai ada yang terjatuh. Kalaupun situasi mengharuskan Anda melepaskan salah satu di antara lima bola tersebut, lepaskanlah "pekerjaan" karena pekerjaan adalah BOLA KARET. Pada saat Anda menjatuhkan nya, suatu saat ia akan melambung kembali. Namun empat bola lain seperti Keluarga, Kesehatan, Sahabat, dan Semangat adalah BOLA KACA. Jika Anda menjatuhkannya, akibatnya bisa sangat fatal!"

Kemudian, Dyson mencoba mengajak kita hidup secara seimbang. Pada kenyataannya, kita terlalu menjaga pekerjaan (bola karet). Bahkan kita mengorbankan keluarga, kesehatan, sahabat, dan semangat demi menyelamatkan bola karet tersebut.

Contohnya: Demi uang atau pekerjaan, kita mengabaikan keluarga, demi meraih sukses dalam pekerjaan, kita tidak memperhatikan kesehatan, demi uang atau pekerjaan, kita rela menghancurkan hubungan dengan sahabat baik.

Bukan berarti pekerjaan tidak penting! Tapi jangan sampai uang atau pekerjaan menjadi "berhala" dalam hidup kita. Ingat, kalaupun kita kehilangan, uang selalu bisa dicari lagi. Tapi jika keluarga sudah "terjual" , kemana kita bisa membelinya lagi? Apakah kita bisa membeli sahabat? Apakah kesehatan kita bisa kembali normal, jika kita terkena penyakit kritis?

I have dropped my first rubber ball for health and family. It somehow makes my spirit bounces so high that working now is back to fun! :D I am anticipating things that would come next? I welcome them~

Happy Lunar New Year 2555

Happy Lunar New Year, All~

How much 'red packet' have you collected? How much food have you swallowed since the 22nd night? Best thing, how much time have you spent catching up with your family? both close and 'long lost' family.

Chinese New Year has always been more 'festive' than the 1st January for me, why? Because this is where the true love is :) This year, it's less crazy for me. I spent this new year with my family in my parents' new home (... half done, but warm.) and hopefully, can get the family photoshoot done on the fifth day of CNY.

Hope this year is going to be a better year for all of us, despite the fact that most people believe that 'water dragon' is not so good~ Anyway, you decide whether to live a good live or not :)

Wake Up!!!!

Here is a story that feel very close to my heart (... and maybe yours as well):

It's a story of a former partner and general manager of one of the foremost publishing houses in the United States, Leon Shimkin of Simon & Schuster. Here is his own experience in his own words (extracted from: "How to Stop Worrying and Start Living", Cargnegie, D")

For fifteen years I spent almost half of every business day holding conferences, discussing problems. Should we do this or that - or nothing at all? We would get tense; twist in our chairs; walk the floor; argue and go around in circles. When night came, I would be utterly exhausted. I fully expected to go on doing this sort of thing for the rest of my life. I had been doing this for fifteen years, and it never occured to me that there was a better way of doing. If anyone had told me that I could eliminate three fourths of all the time I spent in those worried conferences, and three fourths of my nervous strain - I would have thought he was a wild-eyed, slap-happy, armchair optimist. Yet I devised a plan that I did just that. I have been using this plan for eight years. It has performed wonders for my efficiency, my health and my happiness.

"It sounds like magic - but like all magic tricks, it is extremely simple when you see how it is done.

"Here is the secret: First, I immediately stopped the procedure I had been using in my conferences for fifteen years - a procedure that began with my troubled associates reciting all the details of what had gone wrong, and ending up by asking 'what shall we do?' Second, I made a new rule - a rule that everyone who wishes to present a problem to me must first prepare and submit a memorandum answering these 4 questions:

1. What is the Problem?

2. What is the cause of the problem?

3. What are all possible solutions of the problem?

4. What solution do you suggest?

The result:

My associate rarely come to me now with their problems. Why? Because they have discovered that in order to answer those four questions they have to get all the facts and think their problems through. And after they have done that they find, in 3/4 of the cases, they don't have to consult me at all, because the proper solution has popped out like a bread popping out from an electric toaster. And when discussion is needed, it will take about one third the time formerly required.

The place where I work, it has been going another way around... Sad, but it's true. Oopss... Someone has started opening a whole basket of worms. Good luck!

More Love in 2012

How was your first 2 weeks in 2012? Mine was splendid becauase of the well-spent 4 days at home with friends and family :)

Would like to congratulate my bestie, Wenny, for her beautiful wedding. "May you live happily ever after~" Also, had so much fun with Awen, In In and Susan. It's tiring, but it's FUN and unforgettable.

My niece is a big girl now, she ate spicy Padang rice, with lots and lots of water of course. We had a 'girl' pajama party WITHOUT her milk bottle. I am so proud of her. Good job, girl! :)

How about work? It's still tense, tiring and not always fun, but I am hanging in there. Changes are not always easy and better, but still gotta get through it...

Oh yeah... I shall record the first dissapointing letter when I first arrived back in town from Medan, it's rejection letter for my PR application. I tried my best, but can't do anything now. It makes me a bit unsure on things, but It doesn't make me feel extremely upset. In fact, I am quite open about it. I believe anything happened, happened for a reason :)

What's my goals in 2012? I can't post it here, but I definitely have something in mind. Sneak peak: Losing weight! :P It has always been in my to-achieve list for the last 2 years, which is not very easy to fullfil. Don't wish me luck. I really don't need luck on this, just determination, it requires lots and lots of it.

I am turning 25 in less than a month. Should I be celebrating it or worried about it? I would like to wish myself to be more confident, to be braver, to be more courageous (standing up for my opinion), to worry less, to enjoy life more, to smile and laugh more, to be happier.

Happy New Year, All~ Be kinder and slow down a little (the earth is not spinning faster than yesterday, why should we be running faster then?)~ Spread more Love in 2012.

Love,
Lin ^ ^