Long time no write!

It has been a loooong time since I scribbled anything in this lonely blog of mine. The reason's simple: I am very BUSY, as in my time is taken up by some major responsibilities like work and work and more work! Also my streamyx conked out for about a month due to some stupid installation mistake . . . All in all my attention has been diverted to life changing, goal achieving, money making activities and responsibilities so sitting down, jotting random ideas usually takes back stage. I'm doing well, overcoming challenges and seeking to be better. Maybe one day I'll come back and start blogging again. Till then, have a nice day!

Painful RM20 Lesson

Several months ago, I noticed people placing their parking tickets, untabbed (holes not punched) on the windscreen of their car. I then noticed that when the ticketing lady (or man) came long, he/she would take the ticket and punch the appropriate holes. If you happen to come back before this happens, you just manage to save 20 cents and will be able to use the same ticket the next time you parked. I decided to do the same and it worked! I saved a bunch of parking tickets and had to pay almost nothing. Then a few days ago, next to the unpunched parking ticket on my windscreen was a summon ('offer to compond' was the phrase on the white note) under Article 10 (1)!!! I got fined RM20 for not punching holes into the ticket!!! Well, I guess I learnt my painful RM20 lesson.

Living passionately

I'm a sucker for anything positive, anything that encourages me to live my life to the fullest and to do what I desire/dream of doing. Came across this excerpt in my readings today and I thought I'll post it up as it may remind and encourage you too to use the one life you have doing what you are passionate about:

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade wind in your sails. Explore. Dream Discover - Mark Twain

Discover what you are passionae about so that you can live with greater significance!

Of homework and teachers

Two interesting ideas/comments that came out of a teachers meeting some time ago; I thought I'll post it up here for you to read, ponder as well as comment and for me to return to one day to write about it or to make a study and then act on it. Here it goes:

1. Purpose of homework:

• preparation for what's coming
• practice for what's been taught
• provocation for creative ideas/solutions

2. Teachers look after the

• lost
• least
• last

(so forget about wanting good students to teach . . .)

Balance for Success

According to Mahatma Gandhi, the seven things that will destroy us are

1. wealth without work
2. pleasure without conscience
3. knowledge without character
4. commerce without morality
5. science without humanity
6. worship without sacrifice and
7. politics without principle

Balance IS important and Gandhi hit it on the head with his observations. Good on you Gandhi and to the rest of us, make sure you have both of each. Success!

(This information came from Tessie Lim in her article "Tale of seven desires" published in Sunday People, New Sunday Times)

Successful Seminar

On the 20th of September I was given an opportunity to speak to over 200 students from Universiti Teknologi Mara, Office Management and Technology Faculty, Kuching, at the Grand Continental Hotel.

Organized by the Grandeur group (Part 4 students), the seminar entitled “Journey to a Successful Life” provided me with an excellent opportunity to present a module I’ve prepared and used in the past. The two hour talk went smoothly as the students were motivated to listen and I was excited to share.

In short, the students learnt that in order to live a successful life they had to:

a. Desire to live and to live successfully
b. Know the rules of success
c. Have instructors (mentors) to guide them on the journey
d. Experience many tests – some to fail them, some to help them move up
e. Continuously practice – create habits of success

Everyone involved were very helpful and courteous, well dressed and well mannered. I am thankful for the gifts given and even the chance to break fast with all the participants – the food was delicious.

At this seminar, I also introduced my latest book “Dapatkan Semua Yang Anda Mahu” and many of the students were happy to fork out the RM2.50 needed to get hold of another book that will help them along the journey to a successful life.

My latest book - email me to get a copy or help me distribute it

Alls well when its in the open

I went clean with my students (of the last posting) and was surprised to hear that most of the 'fault' did not lie with me. Instead it was the subject, the time and the condition of the students.

Even so, I could have made things better if I improved in the following areas:

• change of goal - from giving information to know in order to pass exams to information to discover and improve general knowledge
• lessen amount of me talking and increase more ops for students to talk
• use of multi-media

It's good to correct my wrong thinking - instead of blaming myself to finding what I can change to improve and then doing it. May this class be better next year with the changes I will be making - for my sake and sanity!