One Morning in the Botanic Gardens

Pass It On Sculpture by Victor Tan

One morning last week, I took an early morning stroll in the Singapore Botanical Gardens and chanced upon 2 very interesting sculptures. The one above shows the picture of an adult passing on water to a child in jars. It is symbolic of the passing on of knowledge,values and skills which we of the current generation need to be mindful that we all grow old and die one day. It is important to pass on to the next generation what we have learnt through many hard years of existence and experience. The 4 key facets when we pass on things and we need to ask ourselves are :

1. Is it the truth
2. Is it fair to all concerned
3. Will it build goodwill and better relationships
4. Will it benefit the persons who receive it


Frederik Chopin - Polish Composer

Another interesting sculpture is that of this bronze statue of Poland's famous 'rock star' of the 1900s, Frederik Chopin. Donated by the Polish Embassy, it depicts Chopin at his workplace,the piano and a female companion who was obviously a 'fan'. He died at a relatively young age of 39 but the thought struck me once more that


'Its not how long you live but HOW you live and whether you have passed on your creations or knowledge which will have a positive impact on the people that matter'.

Why I don't follow the EPL

These days, many men of all ages and their mothers follow the English Premier League religiously staying up at unearthly hours to watch the exciting game, called the 'beautiful game' by Pele and together with perhaps a billion faithful followers around the world week in week out who will follow everything to how the games were played, how each player performed, what the manager said before and after the game,the psyching taunts of the managers, the girlfriends,mistresses,wives,the taunts,the crimes like binge drinking and the racial abuse and beatings now and again.In short, the entire lives of all the actors on stage and off stage are studied under a microscope.

Do these fans have a) nothing else better to do ?? b) realise by paying the 40 - 50 British pounds to stand in the terraces,buy all the newspaper dailies with the goings on and all the fan stuff AND not to forget the pay per view of ESPN and now Mio TV that they are directly funding and indirectly approving of these young boys turned men who have the :

a) fat cat salaries, bonusses,transfer fees
b) lifestyles, fast cars and splashy suits with 3,000 pounds per night escorts
c) poor attitudes like faking injuries,football dives,theaterics
c) sometimes horrendous behaviour at nightspots everywhere

THESE FANS ARE BASICALLY FUNDING THESE SO CALLED 'STARS' LIVE OUT THEIR DREAMS AT THE EXPENSE OF THEIR OWN. HOW PATHETHIC.

Football fans are people who - in my opinion- wasting their hard earned sleep watching something which has NO CONSEQUENCE DIRECTLY to their daily lives except, perhaps, to make the small talk the next day with the like minded sleep deprived fans during their tea-break or lunch. If their team wins, its hooray good feeling for a couple of days, now lets get back to the serious business of work or taking care of family. If their team loses, then sometimes they feel lousy for a long time perhaps a week and everything appears bleak and without any meaning - PATHETIC !

In short, they are BORED WITH LIFE OR HAVE NO MEANING IN LIFE. -- GET A LIFE ! --


I am one who prefers to choose not to waste my time on this perennial circus and pursue and practice my own hobbies which - in my opinion have :

a) More predictable results (ie. less heartbreak when your team loses)
b) More Asian players where we have equal advantage
c) Less hullabaloo and circus feel about the whole industry ; in short,
d) Improve my feeling of self-worth and physical and mental health.

Hobbies and sports which are TRUE TO THEIR ORIGINAL INTENTIONS,to create a healthier and well rounded individual while at the same time,teach us values which have been inculcated in all societies :

a) respect for your opponent
b) play by the rules
c) honour the results and display good sportsmanship when losing

I am not saying don't watch EPL, the occasional game or even the weekly game on TV is good entertainment for many, but to watch every match or most matches on ESPN just because they paid for the channel is in my opinion ridiculous. There is much more to life than staying home and watching ESPN and especially that irritating female host whose name I won't mention. Some examples of hobbies or meaningful activities :

Sports
a) Badminton, Futsal, Karate, TKD, Muay Thai, Swimming,Running, Cycling,Triathalon,
Adventure Racing etc. - for the very fit

b) Gym, Tai Chi,Qi Gong, Ball Games, Golf, Walking - for the Less Fit and Middle
Aged

Self Improvement
a) Cooking, Bonsai, Gardening, Dancing,Toast Masters (making impromtu speeches),


Helping in Community
a) Charitable Organisations, Hospices,Old Folks Homes,Children's Foster Homes.


We need't do everything listed above, only one or two based on time constraint, and see the difference it makes in your life !

I am expecting the many angry responses from the EPL supporters out there.

Hi Ho Hi Ho,its Off to Work We Go Go Go.

At Pattaya Walking Street


Man Kissing Snake - Everyday Activity in Pattaya

This month is going to be a very crucial month for us as far as our business is concerned, we have 1 major equipment installation at a major car company located in Chonburi - 2 hours South East of Bangkok,Thailand. 2 'teams' of 2 technical engineers from my company are scheduled to fly in at 2 week intervals and coordinate as well as assemble the largest Walk-In environmental chamber (I am quite certain) in the Kingdom of Thailand. With the assistance of 2 German engineers from our principal plus 3 local Thai technical staff,we intend to work at some speed and objectiveness to finish the project, hopefully by the 1st week of April.

The first photo above shows Kannan (Regional Manager) and Taawatchai (Thai Sales and service Executive) at the world famous 'walking street' of Pattaya as well as one of the acts in the many pubs, snake show plus Thai kick-boxing. Oh yes, there are plenty of side attractions like the girlie shows and other creatures of the night.It annaully draws people from all parts of the world ranging from the newly wed couples from Eastern Europe,Chinese tourists, and many over the hill aged Western men.The juxtaposition of happy families shopping in the Department Stores side by side with the Western men with their part-time dolled up escorts is quite strange.

We need to achieve the objective,with safety and coordination as this equipmnet will be the showpiece for our small company in S.E. Asia. the first of its kind in this much demoralised car industry.

Hi Ho Hi Ho, its Off to Work we Go Go Go ; A Go Go is a No No No - not till Evrything is Zuo Ho Zuo Ho ! (Done Right).

Then A Go Go Go till we To To To ! (knock out )

To Play at the Highest Level

The recent seminar held by QRA and its co-host SIRIM reminded me that we have very few instances for us as a small company to show our business partners and principals how good - or bad - we are as a professional. Sales Targets and Objectives are well and good.EVERYONE can put on a nice shirt and tie and manage existing accounts like SIRIM and P & F.No special skills required. Its the "walking the talk" and following what is expected of you is what is most important . The point I want to put across is that All things being equal, there is few basic values which separate the Premier League (Top Division) from the lower levels. I am of course referring to our Sales and Service Team :

a) Punctuality
b) Reliable - can be counted upon
c) Knowledgable of your product
d) Good Attitude and Emotional Quotient to interact with existing and create new ones
e) Presentability - Dressing and Speech
f) Know your Limitations and Admit your Shortcomings - Say Sorry

To be at the top of your game, you must exhibit all of these and more. Sad to say, some of our QRA Team need to improve on these.

Bollywood Song with English Lyrics

Here's to all my Indian friends and to me too !

5 days, 2 Seminars, 70 attendees,2 countries - Glad its Over

Today 20th February marks the end of a very hectic week for me,starting from 15th February when I flew up to KL to meet with my Germany colleagues from our principals Weiss Technik and Atlas.The seminar week was planned about 3 months prior to February and Mr. Dieter Haus,Mr. Burkhard Severon and Mr. Fred Schweitzer flew in from Shanghai to Kuala Lumpur and I flew in from Singapore to meet all of them for the first leg.

On 17th February, we had our co-host and longtime customer, SIRIM arrange for us, at no cost the seminar entitled " Reliability Testing for the Photo Voltaic Industry" and their reach was far and wide to customers in all parts of Malaysia. A total of 40 attendees came,with a major segment in the Photovoltaic and Solar industry. It is still early days yet, but I am pleased and grateful for a supportive principal who has spent alot of money to drum up interest and hopefully spur sales and profits in one of the projected 'star' industries as an alternative fuel source to oil once this Financial Crisis is finally over.We had met with the Managing Director of SIRIM in person, Datuk Mariani who was not only very supportive but struck me as a warm and approachable MD.At the end, we had some decent enquiries and interest from 2 companies, outside of SIRIM.



On 19th February, my company QRA International hosted the same seminar with the same speakers at Hilton Hotel Singapore.Many who turned up at the Singapore seminar were very established Test Lab VPs and Senior Managers.Their presence really honoured out small company as we had practically 90% of Singapore's Test Laboratory senior people attending.



Aside from the several slipups such as broken spectacles,driving half-blind,oversleeping on the job (from too much to drink) - I will spare some of you the embarassment, everything else went very smoothly and contacts were made, customers were truly impressed and enjoyed the rare seminar which was fact full,with good food and a fair dose of German humour - that was necessary as we were seeing each other every day for 6 days at a stretch.

Thanks to Kannan,Wahid the Federer,Taqi (SIRIM marketing), Hasnul (SIRIM) and their marketing team for a successful Malaysian seminar.

Thanks goes to Sebastian, Johnson and Rick (all QRA Singapore) for coordinating the Singapore seminar.

At the end, we had good work, loads of fun, some stressful moments,whiskeys drunked,beer quaffed, cigars smoked and Mas Selamat's sister entertaining us.(Of course I am joking, Kannan will vouch for me!)



A job done well. It was fun while it lasted, now back to the serious business of selling and serviving the test equipment.

Valentine's Day Surprise

I had a pleasant surprise today,outside at my roof garden, I found a nest with 2 young baby birds. It started when I went to the attic toilet and I noticed like what seemed to be a very large and dead caterpillar carcass. Strange, I thought, we don't have such big trees at the rooftop garden to sustain such a giant thing. On walking outside, I saw the mother sparrow flying off and there at eye level is this little birds nest and 2 live baby birds.
In our modern and deforested environment, it is increasingly common to find the wildlife encroaching on human communities due to deforestation and this is such an example. I hope these babies have a chance to grow.My neighbouring environment is quite condusive to many species of birds and I have spotted a whole family (5) of yellow crested cockatoos nesting in the forest near where I live.
So its a nice surpirse on this Valentine's Day Feb 14th 2009.