Lessons I learned

It's been a while since I last wrote.

Time flies fast. It's now September 2. In more or less two weeks of time, I will start my first full time job of my life. This summer has been great, I have travelled to a lot of places, seen a lot of stuff, done a lot of things, drink a lot of coke and the list goes on and on.

But what I want to write you all today is about the things I learned in my five months of vacation. You may find gems in this post or after five minute of read, you will find you just read a bunch of crap. For now, I can't decide that for you since I am still writing.

So, here we go. The first thing I learned this summer is that biases are formed in a very dangerous way. Let me tell you why. Before I went to China, I told all my friends that it is a place of danger. Yes! Danger, because you can get tricked by the local, get poisned by drinking their beer, get mugged on the street, get shot by their police, the list goes on and on. So you can imagine the surprise I had when I arrived Shanghai. That place is MODERN. The buildings are well built, the services are not so bad and most part of the city I saw was cleaner than I had expected.

Yes, I know it's not the complete image of Shanghai I am seeing because I was staying at places that the locals (most of them) could never afford. However, it was, for me (a Chinese), a cultural shock! That place is actually live-able! You might laugh at my stupidity in this remark but I seriously wasn't thinking China as a place that one can actually live in! How stupid was I when I told my friend not to work there because they have man-eating species occupying the land (not the exact word but you get the idea).

So the first lesson I learned this summer is that always check your biases before making your judgement.

The second thing I learned this summer is that I am really a lucky person to be born into the family I am in. When I went traveling, I saw a lot of people who don't have the necessity to make a good living or lead a good life. Here I was, traveling to countries and flying to places, still complaining the hell out of me how long each flight is. I should be more thankful to what I have and what I possess. A point in case is when I was buying a book at the Cheng Pin book store in Taiwan. It is the largest chain book store there. So here I was shopping for books.

I love reading. It makes me think about things I don't usually think about. But that is not the point of the story. At the cashier, I was ready to pay for my books. It rang up as $3,000 (TWD) so approximately $100 (CDN). Somehow the cashier looked quite envious of me. So I asked her (I still wonder how good I was at reading people's faces ha ha ha), is it a lot of money I am paying? Then she said yes - She said she makes about $3 (CDN) an hour. She will never be able to actually spend that much on books, even with employee discounts, in a flash of eyes.

I see beggers on the streets. But sometime I get blinded, or I cheat myself into thinking they are just some other beggers who will take the money to buy more drinks. But when I was standing at the bookshop in Taipei, I realize how lucky I was to be able to buy most of the things I want. I never realize buying books can be luxurious to someone else too.

I realize throught the trip that I am ignorant of most of the things that are happening around me. When I graduated University, my parents offerred to pay for my car. My cousin's friend graduated from University, their family asked him to ride two hour bus to work everyday since they can't afford a motorcycle. I complain about the rather humid summer I had in Vancouver, but the people in Taiwan, Shanghai, and even Orlando is living days of 33 degree high. You know, I am really really a lucky guy!

So yeah, those are the two big lessons I leared.

Hope I didn't waste those five minutes of yours. If not, read the post again. You can always learn something - perhaps a lesson on grammar?

潑墨

我們搬家了 / We Are Moving!

親愛的讀者,

謝謝你們定期的閱讀! 這幾個月來, 我們網站的流量不斷持續的增加. 為了要更周全的提供給你們一個舒適的空間和交流的場地, 我們已經申請了一個自己的網址並將會在未來的五天內將現任網站的文章轉移.

新的網站將會有一番新的氣象. 我們也邀請了兩位喜歡寫作的朋友加入我們的行列. 新的網站預計將會在九月十二號開幕. 網址則會在這兩天在此公佈. 到時候, 還希望各位朋友們捧場支持.

我們在新網站見!

揮毫 & 潑墨

Dear Reader,

Thank you for visiting our website. Your support is what keeps us going. During the past few months, we have seen a consistent rise in web traffic. In order to serve you better and provide you with a better, faster, and personal reading experience, we have recently purchased a domain for Zettai Kantan. We will be moving the current articles to our new domain in the next five days.

We are sure that you will find exciting changes to our website. We have invited two writers to join us upon the opening of our new website. Both of them are very excited to share with you their thoughts and opinions.

So here is what you need to know - our new website will be up and running on September 12, 2008. The new web address will be posted here within these two days, thus, please check back for update.

Once again, thank you for your constant support and we will see you very very soon!

Until then,
揮毫 & 潑墨

漫談九月和寫作方向

九月的到來是那麼的突然.
昨天第一天回學校上課.
發現學生的生活真的很不錯.
第一, 我不需要朝九晚五的在辦公室裡過日子,
我反而能夠自由自在的上下課.
上課的時候也不需要全程專心的聽.
不像上班時, 每分每秒都需要集中精神, 不然隨時等著被炒魷魚.
大體上來講, 九月的到來, 還有回學校的日子, 對我而言, 相當滿足.

最近在思考這個網站的去路.
目前心中有幾個想法.
隨著年齡的增長, 有時候看事情也會趨於成熟.
漸漸的網站的題材可能會從文藝風走去商業, 金融, 還有對社會的看法.
這並不代表說我不會在張貼自己的心得隨寫,
而是我希望我可以鍛鍊自己的評判力以及蘊釀自己對事情的看法和觀點.

網站的起頭是以中文為底. 讀者們最近也會發現很多文章是用英文寫的.
我相信語言如同心意是可以互相交流的. 我不會特意去限制我的寫作.
中文有它獨具的隱喻以及如同詩畫一般文字.
英文比較直接所以也具有商業性.
我相信讀者們會在我未來的文章中體會到這兩種語言的不同.

網誌寫了三個月了. 我在這裡謝謝大家的支持.
我會更加努力的!

潑墨

NO TRAVEL NO LIFE

在渋谷的書店看到一本遊記，
標題很醒目叫作NO TRAVEL NO LIFE。
翻開書看到作者在世界各地拍的照片和用日語寫的感想和文章，
我不是完全看得懂他寫的是什麽，
但是光看那些照片上的笑臉就能感受到旅遊的喜悅 -
作者和當地居民的喜悅，這份感覺是一起擁有的。

確實是NO TRAVEL NO LIFE。
這一點我這一年來充分的體會到。
認識新朋友的喜悅，看名勝故址的感動，吸一口清新的空氣，
探索前面的未知。
雖然在途中有時候會感到孤獨，迷失，但這一些感覺也是暫時性的，
因爲夕陽的感動會洗滌你心中的不安。

揮毫

我的幸福 (2) - 原來妳就站在幸福的門後面

五月二十四號 - 我鼓起了勇氣, 敲了幸福的門

認識她的隔天, 我一睡醒, 就上Facebook.
並不是要看看最近好友們發生什麼事情,
而是想看看可不可以在Facebook遇見她.

我把她的名字仔細的敲進去.
結果, 真的有耶!
不過, 現在問題來了.
我到底該不該加她呢.
她會不會認為我是怪叔叔專門在網路上誘拐兒童?!
天哪, 我快發瘋了.
左思右想, 我鼓起了勇氣, 加了她.

那天下午回家後,
我迫不及待的上了Facebook.
在我的Mailbox裡, 靜靜的躺著一封她的回信.
她說: "你真的認識你profile上的700多個人嗎?"

那時候的我, 應該看起來像是一個手舞足蹈的熊貓一樣,
原地跳了一圈, 然後仰天大笑.

"不錯不錯, 她丟了一個問題給我, 這樣就有話聊了."

其實我很早就想要回她的話,
不過我忍住了. 拖到了隔天才回.
因為怕她覺得說這個男生太輕浮了, 油嘴滑舌, 不可靠.
這個辦法不錯, 因為之後我傳給她的訊息, 很快就收到回復了.

我們來回了約三十多封訊息後,
我終於股起勇氣,
約她和我一起吃晚餐.
至從遇見她的那一天, 我就沒看過她了.
心裡有點緊張, 有點害怕, 有點亂.
也許這就是喜歡一個人時會感受到的快樂吧!

就這樣, 我用力的敲了一下幸福的門.
門開了之後我才發現, 原來妳一直站在門的後面等著我.

潑墨

我的幸福 (1) - 因為妳, 我相信所謂的命中注定

為了慶祝三個月的Anniversary, 我特地寫下了我對妳的感覺.
本文已完成. 在過去長達十天的寫作時間, 我寫下了我們的點點滴滴.
我將以連載的方式, 在未來的五天, 每天刊登一篇. 親愛的, 三個月快樂!

這是一個追求幸福和愛的故事.
這是一個比日劇還動人心弦的故事.
這是一個與迪士尼不相上下的童話.
這是一個搞笑的台灣人和可愛的日本人的故事.
這是一個我和妳的故事.

五月二十三號 - 第一次碰到妳, 我的心撲通的跳了一整晚

生日的隔天, 我陪著妹妹去參加她公司的宴會.
那是一家西餐廳. 氣氛很好.
在宴會席上, 因為稍微小遲到的關係,
所以被安排在後方角落的位置.
眼尖的我, 一眼就從人群中看到妳.

"哇, 有美女."
我第一個反應就是搶著坐在妳旁邊. 坐
下後很小心的偷瞄了妳一眼,
發現原來妳近看之下, 反而更加地漂亮.
當下有點傻住了. 應該說是被電到一樣.
我裝作不經意的樣子對著妳介紹起我自己. 妳
沒發現我的臉已經紅的像一顆蕃茄一樣.

妳的笑融化了我的心.
一整晚我好希望時間能夠停住.
讓我好好的多看妳一分鐘.
可惜, 快樂的時光, 往往都過的很快.
晚會的尾聲有如灰姑娘半夜的魔咒一樣, 毫不留情的到來.

不過事情出現了一些轉機. 讓我有了點希望.
我在結束地前半個鐘頭, 成功地要到妳的電話號碼.
這讓我有了點信心.
當時心裡感覺真的好幸運.

我選擇了去了那個晚會,
而且剛好全場只剩下妳身旁的那個位置.

就這樣, 我默默的在心裡期許我永遠是那一位坐在妳身旁的人.
就這樣, 幸運之神在我生日的隔天把妳介紹了給我. (待續)

潑墨

My Audacity of Hope (5) - Job Hunting in the Real World

I have always been a strong believer that GPA is not everything. Sure, it reflects your work ethic and your book smart, however, at the end of the day, it will not get you what you want. Early on in my second year, I have noticed that SFU has an extremly well run co-op program. In fact, about 85% of our business students participate in our co-op program.

I was fascinated with all the jobs that were out on the market. Being a student who concentrated in Finance and Accounting at the time, I was quick to find myself swamped with all the options I have. It was at that time that I met one of the most important mentors I have that made an impact on my career - James Hsieh. Mr. Hsieh was our very own Chartered Accountant (CA) Co-op Coordinator. I first heard about the CA profession in my accounting classes and my first accounting instructor in fact told me that if I ever choose to go into accounting, I should become a CA. So you could imagine that the word "CA" was already rooted in my mind ever since first year.

My very first conversation with Mr. Hsieh was quite embarassing. I walked into his office and introduced myself as someone who wanted to become a CA. The first question that James asked me was "Do you know what a CA do?". I blushed, because I had no clue whatsoever what a CA do. I was attracted to it by all the glorified stories surrounding it that I heard from my peers and teachers. I learned an important lesson out of this which is that one should never choose to go into a profession simply because everyone else is doing it or getting all the hype. I went home and did my research. I learned that Chartered Accountants are not just bean counter, but they are also business advisors. They focus not only on the numbers but also on businesses' operations. I knew instantly that this was for me.

I joined the 2006 SFU CA Co-op Cohort. It was a group of selected students that strive to secure an articling position with the CA firms. I was invited to join by the Co-op Coordinator, Susanna Kan. I had known her during my term serving as President of the Surrey Business Student Association. The group consists of 18 students. All of them are extremly smart and well qualified for the articling positions. Again, I found myself surrounded with incredible individuals. It fueled my desire to succeed.

CA recruit is known for its grueling process. In the Fall, firms would come up on campus and hold networking events that attract hundreds of students who are interested in becoming CA. Armed with the training I have received from the CA Co-op Cohort, I attended every single firm event and learned about the profession in a great detail. The process was long and tiring. There were times when I would go home and think to myself, am I really up for this. However, I never doubt my ability because I know I had worked hard enough on building my experience and academic that would eventually lead me to a position. During this time, James and Susanna provided the most caring support that I could never have asked for more. I ended up with several offers from the Big 4 and medium size firms and signed my offer with KPMG.

Looking back, the CA recruit taught me a lot in a relatively short of time. I understand that networking is not just about going to an event holding martini with one hand and dashing business cards out with another, but it was about building real genuine relationship. The whole key to the whole process is about being confident with the real you rather than figuring out how to change your personal style to adopt to firms' tastes.

Most importantly of all, I learned that one should never be afraid to chase after his drem or try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark, professionals built the Titanic!

My Audacity of Hope (4) - It's All About Giving Back

My first year at SFU went by quickly. It was mainly due to the fact that I kept myself busy for the most part. I was heavily involved on campus with Orientation and other major campus events. I built my campus network which ranged from my peers, to the front receptionist of our campus, to library technicians, and to professors. I also studied hard in school and mastered most of the fundamental courses in business. It was with no surprise that I gained my entrance into Faculty of Business Administration in Fall 2005, which was exactly a year after I entered SFU. I was relieved, partially, because I can finally say to my high school peers with pride that I made it to a respectable program.

I started dreaming and setting out goals again. One of the things that I observed which our campus lacked back then was a business student run organization. As I would later write in my scholarship applications, "I saw a need and found a way to fulfill it."

My friend, Cody, and I drafted our proposal to the Faculty. I clearly remember the day we shared our idea to Sam Thiara, the Student Affair Officer of our Business program. The proposal instantly grabbed his attention and we proceed to finalize the detail of the club. We ran postings around the campus looking for our executive team. We recruited some of the most talented individuals at the Faculty. Many of them become my co-workers at the firm I now work for as well as went on to lead many other student organizations.

We named our organization - the SFU Surrey Business Student Association (SBSA). Things went extremly well right off the bat. We hosted events such as The Margin, an event aimed to fundraise for the Surrey Firefighter. It was a success. We had student representatives from all business clubs at SFU making their own stands at the Surrey Open House for the purpose of generating profit within an hour. It was exciting and a hell of planning. I learned so much about project management that later when I took the actual course myself, I found that my knowledge in that area exceeded most of my classmates.

We also started a bunch of socials that brought together all the business students with faculty members. These events were fun and educational. It shortened the gap between professors and students. I was grateful because of the relatively huge turnout at that time. I have always wanted to give back to the SFU community because it greatly helped to bring me, as a miserable young man, to someone who began to take ownership of what he does. I think with the creation of SBSA, I have finally had the chance to give back to the school and people that have supported me in my personal growth.

登山之樂

荀子曰不登高山，不知天之高也。

在南京的時候去了栖霞山，原來去看看在山腳的佛寺，
但是看到山上還有別的歷史景點，
就決定慢慢地沿着地圖上指示的方向去看看。

結果眼前一亮!
沿途一片片的綠油油，也有鮮黃色的野花作點綴；
時有濃霧，時卻又可遠眺四周的風景，
是主宰大自然的女神在挑逗她的仰慕者嗎？

山上有樓閣，涼亭，觀山臺，皇帝的避暑山莊，
多少風流往事，風花雪月的公子哥兒，現在全都已隨風飛逝。

在山頂上享受着悠悠清風，遠離人煙，
獨攬眼前的風景，就好像置身於一幅巨大的山水畫之中，
與大自然融為一體。
看着同一片天空，想起歷代詩人登山時所創作的詩句，詩情畫意，
特別有感觸。

清風明月本無價
近水遠山皆有情

在山頂上的那縷清風比在坐觀光車上山的冷氣或
有人請你喝的那杯加大slurpee更來的透心涼。
是真的!

揮毫

PS. 有機會的話，想去龍門石窟，莫高窟和雲岡石窟看看。栖霞也有佛窟，也很壯觀，但是規模當然沒有上述的三個有名。

夜店

今天下班後,
和同事兩個人一起回家.
突然聊到個人對夜店, 也就是外國俗稱clubbing, 的觀點.

她說她前任男朋友很反對她去夜店.
問我會不會這樣.
其實內心很掙扎.
不過還是回答說不介意.

以下是我和她的對話.
我如此說:

去夜店的人分兩種.
一種是去那邊放鬆自己跳跳舞的,
另一種只是純粹想得到異性的注意, 穿著暴露, 恨不得別人把她/他的衣服脫光一樣.

她說她是去解悶, 跳跳舞的.

我說, 其實妳前男朋友的顧慮是有原因的.
以男生的角度來看, 去夜店沒幾個是去純跳舞的.
在那種環境裡, 酒精的作用, 就算是他信任妳, 恐怕妳也無法信任妳在幾杯下肚後,
會做出什麼樣的事情. 這是一種對感情負責任的問題.

"難道談戀愛就不能單獨去夜店嗎?"
這個主題讓我們兩個天資聰慧的傢伙, 思考了許久.

說著說著, 我們已經走到了公車站.

上了公車後, 她說, "那你會不會限制妳女朋友去夜店?"

我猶豫了一下. 她似乎看穿了我的遲疑.
笑著追問: "就連鼎鼎大名的你也對自己沒信心?"

我回答說, 不是對自己沒信心. 只是對其它男生沒信心.
不是對女朋友沒信心, 而是對夜店沒信心.
其實去夜店並沒有什麼不好的,
能聽聽音樂, 跳跳舞, 認識新朋友. 可謂一舉兩得.

她問 "看你講的頭頭是道, 你真的去過夜店嗎?"
我說 "溫哥華的沒去過."
她說 "下次我們一起去."

我又猶豫了一下. 腦中突然閃過孔子說過的一句話:
"己所不欲, 勿施於人."
也就是說, 自己不希望受到的感覺或待遇, 也不要加諸在別人身上.

想了想, 這句話其實應該改成:
"己所不欲, 勿施於人. 就算己所欲, 也未必要施於人"
其實, 就算自己喜歡, 因為有著體諒別人的心情, 也會選擇不強加在它人的身上.

我對她說 "好, 我去, 條件只有一個. 那就是一整晚我只喝可樂"
她笑著答, "沒問題, 一定特別優待你. 再送一杯7 UP".

也許我永遠都不會去夜店.
也許我永遠都不會真正了解去狂歡的感覺.
也許我永遠都不會喜歡喝酒.

不過, 就如今天她對我說的,
"我覺得Charles你最大的問題, 就是想要當一個開明寬容的男朋友. 其實你有時候應該任性一點, 跟著自己的感覺走. 這樣的你會很帥."

"妳少在那邊拍馬屁了" 我的嘴角閃過一絲笑意.

"沒有, 我很認真!"

我看的出來她在裝認真.

"嗯, 也許裝成熟, 裝開明, 不如任性來的容易自在"

"不錯不錯, 果然聰明, 一點就通. 那我們還去不去夜店?"

我沒有明確的給她一個答案.
因為, 我的心還在搖擺.

潑墨

平安奧運

想不到明天就是奧運會開幕的日子。
去年我剛到北京的時候倒數屏幕上的日子還剩下三百多天，
現在卻只有不到24小時。

無論你平日是否熱愛觀看運動比賽，
四年一次的奧運還是會吸引你的目光。
但是此次北京奧運會前夕的目光卻轉移到中國的人權紀錄，奧運聖火傳遞中的示威事件和四川的地震。

我不贊成把奧運會政治化，
但是也不希望中國政府以奧運為名打擊國内的異見人士。

民主的路不好走，也不可能一步登天 -
尤其是在一個實行了二千多年封建統治制度，有將近十四億人的國家；
在舉行奧運會前對她施壓對推動民主沒有幫助，
倒不如給現在中國一個面子，
不要在她最高興的時候挖苦，轉爲在幕後談判，
爭取釋放異見人士，派遣專員到中國視察和與國際民間組織合作。
如果這一些也沒有實際作用的時候，
在奧運後才使用國際輿論向中國施壓。

説到底奧運還是體育盛事，還是把注意力放在公平競技上吧。

揮毫

My Audacity of Hope (3) - Start a Journey, Leave a Legacy

My first day at SFU Surrey was eventful. The campus back in 2004 was situated at the end of the Central City Mall. It was referred to as the "beta place", which made sense because we will be moving to our new campus in 2007. To be honest, I wasn't impressed with how it looked from the outside. It was a small campus. In fact, I was able to walk around the entire campus in merely five minutes. In the mean time, I am hearing from my friends out at Queen's and UBC, enjoying their views and their daily strolls on campus. Sure I was jealous, but I was determined to make this a positive experience for me. I later realized that it was with this optimistic mind that enabled me to go through a lot of obstacles that I would eventually be facing.

The TechOne Program was truly unique by all measures. It was an inter-discipinary program designed to allow students to try out different fields in a relatively short of time (two semesters). I took classes in Interactive Arts, Teamwork and Communication, and Computer Programming. To my surprise, I did quite well in these courses. This gave me some confidence on my ability to do well in school. Besides from the core courses that TechOne required me to take, I took Financial Accounting and also Micro/Macro Economics. I must admit I wasn't quite sure on what path I would pursue. Thus, I based my judgement on courses by focusing on the strengths that SFU is well known for - its Faculty of Business Administration.

Several things occurred to me during this time period. First, I did exceptionally well in Financial Accounting and in my Economics courses. To me, it seemed as if I am more of a commerce type person rather than an engineer. I would rather spend time on figuring out the marginal utility and journal entries than on memorizing formulas or spending my life being a code monkey. Having said that, I would later regret that I never really challenged myself in the field of engineering. I attribute my lack of superior critical thinking back to not going through the engineering program. Nevertheless, I found tremendous joy and passion in the study of business organization and strategy and I was, for the longest time, content with my decision.

Another thing that cheered me up was that my application to become an Orientation Leader (OL) had gone through. Ever since my first orientation at SFU, I've always thought about contributing back to this program and making it better than before. My chance came when the annual application for OL came out. I applied and aced my interview. The interviewer, also the Student Life Coordinator, at the time, was impressied with my energy. Thinking back, I think this was the beginning of everything that I would eventually do. If I was not accepted as an OL, it will probably take me longer in figuring out my interest in volunteering and making a difference.

The 2005 Orientation came in a blink of eyes. I was assigned with another partner to lead a cohort of 25 new students. It was my first time representing SFU and the first time for the students to know about their campus. I was determined to make it a fun process for both me and the participants. I led ice breakers, gave a tour around the campus, fielded questions and had a great time making small talks with almost every individual within my group. Till now, we all share some kind of bonding of being Clan H even though we didn't take the same courses.

I would later receive very positive feedback from the student life coordinator regarding my performance. For one part, I made a name for myself for being actively participating in campus events. Most importantly, however, I gained some confidence about my ability outside of academics. These skills that I've obtained are what I would later found out to be referred as "leadership", "teamwork", and "communication" skills in the so-called real world.

My Audacity of Hope (2) - My Past

As I begin my journey in the search for a co-op job, I begin to realize that a lot of things taught in school have nothing to do with what the employers are looking for. Sure, GPA matters, however, the difference between a B+ average and an A average does not affect whether or not you will succeed in securing a job. I realize that what you need to succeed, in this society, is far more than the skills you obtained by aceing the exams in school.

Again, I felt I was lucky. As I sift through the job requirements, terms like "leadership", "teamwork", "interpersonal skills" quickly popped into my eyes. These are the skills that I have always valued and tried to build myself around with.

I recall when I first started at SFU, the theme of the Orientation for that year is "Start a Journey, and Leave a Legacy". I thought to myself, "Wow, what a tag line... I will never come close to leaving a legacy."

Looking back, I was an insecure young man. Coming out from high school, with transcript full of C's and B's, doesn't help to boost my confidence either. I paid little attention to school. It got to a point that my math teacher actually referred to me in class as the "trash that will eventually go down the drain." The fact is, I didn't care much about "education". To me, learning physics and math, are, if to state bluntly, useless. However, I didn't go out to party either. Instead, I spent time in the library, reading through biographies on famous figures such as Winston Churchill, Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, John Kennedy, Michael Jordan and, to many who didn't know until later and found quite surprised by my knowledge of, Chinese history.

I spent my high school life studying all sorts of things that were not valued by the traditional education system. I became really good at basketball, at skipping classes, at barely passing exam without studying and at organizing social outings. I also had my first relationship. To me, however, it was just like being a kid in a candy store, choosing what he wants and rejecting the treats that didn't appeal to him.

It was not until later, when I am in university, that I found I learned far more through experiencing all these things than my peers who hit the books like its their bible. Till this day, I think I mastered the art of essay writing through reading speeches made by Winston Churchill. I learned not to make mistake like the emperors in Chinese history who made decisions solely on gut instincts without making a full evaluation of the situation. I learned to appreciate life and love, and most importantly, the need to be persistant and determined in pursuing the things I want. After all, it took Michael Jordan seven years to get his first championship ring and it took Bill Gates the courage to drop out of Harvard to start Microsoft.

After 12 years of structured education, I was excited to embark on my journey in university. I can finally choose the courses I am interested in. However, my high school grades didn't allow me to have much options. I was enrolled into the TechOne Program at SFU Surrey, simply because the admission office had no where else to place me. So, as my fellow friends, whom by all accounts, are well educated and gifted, eagerly awaits for their first year to start, I found myself nervously anticipating a program that I had no idea about until the day I received my admission letter.

My Audacity of Hope (1) - The Start of Something Big

Ever since we were in elementary school, one of the many usual topics that we come across is: "What is your dream?"

Remember the times when teachers and parents, leaning over you, eagerly looking for the next word that you would put down on paper. To them, you are their dream.

A friend of mine accepted a job in New York a while ago. It is a prestigious investment banking firm. He worked hard at it, first graduating from SFU, then went on to Berekley for gradute school. A pure mathmatician and business man at heart I had no doubt that he will succeed in everything he does. His dream is to create financial instruments that will bring wealth to people and to the firm. Through his love of numbers, he want to devise financial products that can change how money works. Essentially,he aimed to be part of the Wall Street.

When asked about his schedule, he said 16 hours a day is the usual, plus the frequent regular hours of ten on Saturdays. Faced with such a grueling schedule, he never faltered. He enjoys coming to work and living his dream every day.

My dreams have always been changing. When I was a first year freshman at SFU, I dreamed of building a student organization that will provide students with the resources they need to succeed as business students. Thus, I co-founded the SFU Surrey Business Student Association with a friend of mine. We had lots of fun running the show, although, looking back, I lacked of great organizational skill and leadership. At the time though, missing these skills didn't mean much to me. I acted with passion and determination. We single handedly convinced the Faculty to assign us, for what I later found out, an unlimited club budget. For the first time in my life, I thought, "hey, maybe, if I dreamed enough, something would eventually come true."

Then, my dream changed. I wanted to become a teaching assistant. Seeing 4th year students up on stage, giving us tutorials, really lit up my eyes. From that day on, I dreamed about what I would do if I become a TA, how I would conduct my tutorials, hold my office hours, and what kind of a mentor/TA I would become. Then, either by chance or luck, I was selected to become a teaching assistant by my Professor. At the time, I was hired as the youngest TA in the history of SFU. To be honest, I was very proud of my accomplishments. I quickly drew up how I am going to teach and interact with students.

My dream quickly met its challenge. I was just going into my second year and my students are essentially just one year younger than me. Some of them are even older than I am. I remember how I would always avodi telling them my year because I was afraid of losing respect from them. Then at the end of the semester, my fear was removed. A student came up to me and told me that I had inspired him to work hard and be someone like me. I was truly honored. For the first timein my life, I felt my responsibility increased. I had students looking up to me, watching and learnng from everything that I do and display. As time passed, I became really good at what I do. I would joke around with students and cheer them up in the midst of midterms and finals. I learned how to improvise on the spot and how to communicate in a way that would allow thiry students to understand what I am trying to explain in my first attempt.

I went on to become the first TA in the Faculty of Business to be ranked #1 by students three times in a row. I am grateful, because I know full well that I was just lucky to be assigned with such talented students. I thank my professor for trusting in my ability when I was just a second year. She saw my potential way before I did. Even after she left her job at SFU and went on to become the Head of Faculty at another university, we remained friends till now.

Teaching was a lot of fun and I truly enjoyed every bit of it. However, life got bored again and I started dreaming. In my third year, my peers started looking for co-op jobs. I thought, "what the heck, might as well get some cash in summer." Then I started looking in the job posting. Most of the jobs are in industry and provided, in my mind, minimal learning opportunity. Money has never been a factor to me and I thank my parents on that. So, when I was focusing on choosing jobs, I looked for one that would stretch me as an individual.

CODE BLUE

夏天日劇之中我蠻喜歡Yama P, 新垣結衣和戸田恵梨香主演的
CODE BLUE (コード・ブルー～ドクターヘリ緊急救命～)。
我一直沒有看過醫生護士的電視劇，
腦海中浮現的手術鏡頭一點也不吸引，
無論把斯手術的醫生拍得多麽的帥多麽的超脫也好，
心中只覺得很恐怖。
我知道電視劇不會播放太血腥的鏡頭，但是光想起來就沒有看的意欲。

這次打破慣例當然爲了看結衣和恵梨香。

CODE BLUE當中雖然每一集也有手術和突發的醫療事故，
但是編劇沒有把所有的焦點也放在手術場面内，
也有花時間描述四位年輕的實習醫生爭取成爲Heli-doctor的過程，
並加入了戲劇的元素。

山下飾演的藍沢冷靜，果斷，聰明和理智，
卻顯得有點不近人情，有時候還會冒險做出判斷；
白石則是出身于醫學世家，醫學知識豐富，
但是缺乏臨場的經驗，面對緊急境況的時候往往不知所措；
緋山本身具備了做手術的條件和技術，只是信心不足，
需要有經驗的外科醫生的指導才敢行動。
藤川就...

其實醫生和從事金融行業的專業人士很相似，
在高壓力，不允許半點出錯下的環境工作。
我是主修金融，會計的，看這部劇的時候就會聯想到我自己在這樣的環境中的表現會更像誰，還是連公司的門口也不能進去?
我是否有藍沢的冷靜，理智，聰明，白石的知識，和緋山的技術?
我是不是真的適合進入這個行業，
還是在浪費我的時間在自己沒有興趣的地方上?

一連串的疑問湧上心頭。

看着藤川雖然上Heli無望但依然繼續努力的樣子，
我是否連成功的決心也缺乏呢?

揮毫

ON THE ROAD

這兩個星期的旅行讓我突然對家的定義感到模糊。
老實說，我很享受這種在路上飄泊的感覺，
去了很多地方，認識了很多不同的人，環境不斷的在改變。
“家”就是在HOSTEL的那張雙人床的下鋪，或在朋友家的那張沙發床。

有這種感覺是因爲我對我自己的家的歸屬感不夠深，所以動搖了？
或者我把自己的家也只看作是一張床？

最近突然想再躺躺那張熟悉的床和看看那些熟悉的臉。

揮毫

三心二意

一個人的心會同時喜歡上兩個人嗎?

一開始喜歡上她是因為她成熟體貼.
不論和她聊什麼, 她都會很有耐心的聽我說,
並且會給予她自己的意見.
她是一位很好的傾聽者,
當我煩惱的時候, 和她出去, 說說話,
整個人都會變得輕鬆很多.
和她在一起很快樂, 很平穩,
感覺幸福就始終一直在我身邊.
她是一位可以讓我看到未來的人.

我對另一個她
一開始沒有什麼感覺,
但是因為工作的關係, 朝夕相處, 慢慢的,
有點會去在乎她.

她的個性很倔強,
是一位得理不饒人的女性.
有時候, 她會和我談論她男朋友的事,
聽著聽著, 覺得她又很像一位不懂事的小女孩.

習慣每天早上看到她沒睡醒的臉,
匆匆忙忙的從屋子裡走出來,
手上拿著還沒吃完的早餐,
很隨意的對我說聲早.
上班的時候,
會不經意的出口成髒,
有時候也會很搞笑的做出一些令人費思索疑的表情.
對於這樣的她, 我真的哭笑不得.

讀過金庸倚天屠龍記裡所寫的一段話,
現在回想起來, 覺得心有戚戚焉.

趙敏微笑道：那你心中對我愛的多些，是不是？
張無忌道：老實跟你說吧，我對你是又愛又恨，對芷若是又敬又怕。

誰是我心中的趙敏和周芷若, 恐怕只有時間才能夠證明.

潑墨

CHANGE第十集完結篇

終於等到了CHANGE最後一集.
心中真的是感觸良多.
從第一集一路走來, 朝倉啟太(木村拓哉)一直保持他勇往直前遇挫愈勇的態度.
雖然最後面臨到黨閣的賄賂醜聞, 逼的責任心強的他不得不下台,
但是導演還是做了一個很完美的交代.
一個很符合朝倉啟太的結局.

長達一個半鐘頭的最後一集,
割劃出作者對日本未來的期許.
最近華爾街日報, 也針對木村拓哉這部新戲所扮演的角色和現在日本總理比較.
以下是摘取自這篇報導的一小片段:

"In the hot new Japanese TV drama "Change," Prime Minister Keita Asakura is a dynamic 35-year-old with charisma. He nixes pork-barrel construction projects in favor of more money for child care. After a deadly storm hits, Mr. Asakura rushes to the scene, barking orders to bungling bureaucrats. And he stands up to the U.S. in agriculture trade talks. "I have the responsibility to protect the Japanese people," Mr. Asakura tells enthralled voters. "I am one of you."

看來老外還是很有眼光的!

整部戲看下來, 木村的演技還是沒話說.
最後這集長達22分鐘的演說,
從愉快的開頭到中間痛哭流涕
到後來充滿信心的對人民的喊話,
木村的表現真是可圈可點.

不過我覺得, 美山(深津繪里,Fukatsu Eri)的演技真的很搶眼.
說CHANGE整部是靠她獨力撐著也不為過.
個人覺得她是我看過無數多日劇裡最欣賞的女主角.
不僅做事起來有條有理, 也會在木村低落的時候, 在旁邊鼓勵他.
雖然時而嚴肅, 但還是會帶著點絲絲的可愛和青澀.
如果現實上有這麼一位這樣的人,
我想我也會被她深深的吸引吧.
就像木村拓哉說的一樣, "誰不想要和這麼有魅力的女性談戀愛?"

最後一集木村終於表白了.
出乎意料不是用他以往擅長的歪嘴偷笑酷酷的說我喜歡妳,
而是整個人轉了一百八十度,
向美山說...

"我希望妳留在我身邊"
"我不是已經在了嗎?"
"不, 我希望妳永遠待在我身邊"

這時, 美山的回答真是超經典.
她說 "好....我的夢想已經實現了."

如果某人可以愛我到覺得在一起就是她的夢想的話,
我應該會感動到哭吧.

最後, 要向木村拓哉說聲謝謝!
看完這部日劇, 對於自己往後對工作和人生的態度,
有了個良好的模範.

希望自己也能和朝倉啟太一樣, 用自己的雙手,
勤奮的工作, 然後用自己的力量, 讓社會變的更好.
說不定, 哪天, 我真的會去競選市議員呢!

潑墨

千言萬語

兩個人之間相處,

不一定要形影不離才算幸福.

不一定要每分每秒都談情說愛.

其實, 沉默, 也是另一種的千言萬語.

-------------------------------------------
沒有一百分的情侶, 只有五十分的兩個人.

潑墨

減肥新人看過來 Part 1

夏天到了, 去海灘的時候, 有個鮪魚肚, 蝴蝶袖
不僅有礙美觀, 也會把美女/帥哥, 通通嚇跑.
可謂傷異性緣, 傷人氣, 還外加傷身體.

網路上充次著達人, 完人, 教主們.
我可不敢稱自己為達人. 不過, 以我過來人的經驗,
有一些減肥小秘訣可以和大家分享.

首先我要談的是一些常見的迷失.

1.) 不要相信所謂的定點瘦身: 很多朋友常提到, 我要瘦我的小腹, 有什麼方法可以針對這個目標進行實施. 正確答案是: 沒有. 要瘦, 一定是全身性的. 你可以針對身體某個部位進行肌肉的訓練, 不過如果想要故意去瘦某個部位, 效果不會很明顯.

2.) 減肥需要節食: 錯! 節食反而會帶來反效過. 長久的節食, 或故意跳過三餐不吃, 雖然可以讓你在短期內變瘦, 不過對身體有很負面的影響. 還有當你有一天忍不住胃口時, 突然大爆發, 體重一定會持飆上升.

3.) 減肥需要請教練, 看食譜, 上健身房: 很多人都被這一點給打退堂鼓. 我的經驗是, 減肥是自己跟自己的比賽, 不需要請教練, 不需要上健身房, 也不需要專門去找一些營養的食物來吃. 重點是, 你做什麼運動, 你什麼時候吃和吃什麼.

4.) 男生不需注意身材: 很多男性朋友提到要減肥, 或者是要注意身材時, 都會被旁人譏笑說, 男生不需要減肥啦~多吃一點喔! 這個觀念是錯誤的. 我們周圍有很多人, 不到二十五, 肚子就像是一個游泳圈一樣, 似乎坐下來時, 都可以當作是另一張桌子來用. 這樣其實對身體很不好. 囤積的油脂, 不但外觀上不好看, 還會讓血液的循環放慢. 長期下來會增加身體的負擔.

5.) 女生怕會練出肌肉: 肌肉如果那麼好練的話, 妳身邊的男生每個都像Rain一樣了啦. 完全不用擔心會練出肌肉這檔事. 肌肉需要長時間的重力訓練, 在一般的減肥計劃裡, 是無法達到肌肉的產生和培養.

潑墨