Getting Out or Hibernating

Posted by: andrew william Post(s) by this blogger

I can consider myself blessed having not to brave the traffic jam, find a parking place, deal with difficult bosses and wondering where to eat on a daily basis (not forgetting the cost of travel of course), cause I work from home running my own company.

Though it’s great being your own boss and working from home, sometimes staying at home the whole day can get to you. You feel like you are disconnected from the outside world even though I have my clients coming to my home.

They say that you should separate work from home. My work is basically at home. I sometimes go to my client’s office to do some work and boy do I welcome the change. I guess too much of anything is always not too good.

I guess that’s why we face challenges all throughout our lives. If we inherited millions of dollars and not having to work for the rest of our lives, and spend our days on holidays and travel, it can get really boring.

Do something different, like meeting your clients at different places

Sometimes you can find pleasure working in the office, sometimes you won’t. Come what may, face your day with renewed interest and give the best you can with what you have got.

Get away from the mundane task and do something different, like meeting your clients in their office instead of yours. Break away from your daily routine. It will help you enjoy each day’s task with renewed interest.

 


 

The First Date

Posted by: andrew william Post(s) by this blogger

After the first encounter, several smses and calls, you finally agree to go out for a lunch date with this new guy you met. You like him and you think he is worth checking out on the first date as to what kind of person he is.

Where would you expect your first time out to be? I definitely think a very expensive restaurant may be a little far fetched for the first date and at the same time I don’t think you want to be taken to a hawker stall or a mamak corner either.

Where would you like to go?

I think a nice simple decent restaurant would be appropriate. There are quite a few interesting restaurants that cater to a quiet, clean environment that serves good food.

You just need a clean and quiet environment to get to know the person better. Preferably a lunch date so either can make a quick exit when the date is not going right.

What would you expect your date to spend on the first time out with you? Would you prefer it Dutch?

What would your perception be on someone who spends more and one who spends less on the first date?

Challenges in Life

Posted by: andrew william Post(s) by this blogger

Our lives are made up of three significant events. One is experiencing tremendous joy and exhilaration when we succeed in something, being rewarded or having gained something great. Second is tragedy, this can come in many forms, sometimes even as simple as loosing possessions, loss of a business opportunity or not baking your cake right. The third is when nothing happens! Meaning your life just goes on, you have that normal mundane thing that happens on a daily basis.

Life may not be filled with fun all the time

When it comes to joy, no one can share that joy with you more than you could yourself. As for tragedy, we can come alongside our family and friends to lend support in times of need, but how do you tackle boredom, the mundane everyday thing that is normal to you, the daily routine job with no excitement?

When we go through these times, we need to understand that we are only human and such times are inevitable in our lives. We only get better and stronger with each passing moments of challenges that affect our lives, even boredom.

sometimes boredom seems serene

No one can say they have total control of their lives on a daily basis. What we can do is to do our best with what we can as much as we could, as our strength and ability allows us.

Think about what you can do, what you can’t do, what you must do and what you wont do. Do that which you are good at with all your might and strength. What you are not good at, be competent. What you can’t do, leave it alone; it’s not your area of expertise. What you must do, do it as soon as possible.

Malaysian Food

Posted by: andrew william Post(s) by this blogger

My friends just returned from a wonderful holiday in Barcelona. They loved everything about Barcelona. Their only reservation was that all the food they had experienced, had too much salt in it. Even if you requested for less salt in your food, they will ignore your request.

There is no such thing as special requests as far as food is concerned. You can’t suggest what you want or don’t want on the menu. You take it as it is. For an average meal of three persons my friend paid around RM150. That’s just for the breakfast!

Thank God for the variety we have in Malaysia

Thank God we live in Malaysia, a food paradise, an amazing variety, available anytime and to add to it, very affordable. Another couple I know who have settled here from India say that we Malaysians are very lucky cause the food variety here is so amazing. In India, they have very limited choices besides Indian food.

They suggested Malaysian Tourism Board should promote more about Malaysian food as the main highlight more than anything else. I once met a Caucasian foreigner who was so amazed at the variety of fruits we have here. He loved the star fruit so much and said it was the first time he had ever tasted such a fruit.Not to forget rambutans, mangoesteens, durians, langsat and many others.

I wonder all those Malaysians who have emigrated to other parts of the world , how are they coping with the limited food choice they face now.

Food of your choice, available anytime!

Lets consider ourselves lucky to be born in a country with moderate climate, no harsh or changing temperature, good food that is affordable, available anytime and delicious to go with that.
 

Favorite Things

Posted by: andrew william Post(s) by this blogger

What are the things in our lives that makes us smile, feel good about and gives us a sense of warmth and that fuzzy feelings that sometimes takes our mind away from the mundane chores and work one faces daily?

I remember Julie Andrew’s song in the movie Sound of Music, “ My favorite things”. Her favorite things seem to be the simplest things in her life that cheers her up when she is sad.

A view of my garden that brightens up my day

 
Your favorite things don’t have to be something you think about when you are sad, its something that should cheer you up on a daily basis.

I love the helicornia plants in my garden. Every morning when I wake up and open my windows, I am welcomed with a gust of fresh air and a lovely sight of greenery and red hanging flowers. I love the clouds. I sometimes spend my evenings just watching the clouds when the sun sets, which gives them that reddish orange glow.

A view of the clouds from my home

I love a good heavy rain when I am at home probably in my covered patio reading a book. I welcome a good bright hot sunshine anytime. I like my afternoon naps on Sundays. I could keep going on and on.

So what are your favorite things and moments of the day? Count your blessings one by one. I recently heard from an international survey conducted that if you have some money in your wallet, some spare change in your house, a house to live in, a car to drive, a computer plugged into a broadband, you fall among the fortunate 10% of the world population.

 

What Makes a Man?

Posted by: andrew william Post(s) by this blogger

I was quite surprised by the recent poll on Malaysian men’s concept of masculinity compared to other countries published in The Star. Malaysian men rate romance and other things low but taking care of the family and ensuring enough money as top priorities and as a mark of masculinity.

I understand the frustration of Malaysian housewives who have been at home the whole day, slogging it out, taking care of the kids and looking forward to seeing her husband in the evening but in turn her husband  returns home feeling like he has done his duty of providence, stretches out his legs on the sofa and decides to be served. No romance, no time for chats, etc.

A man, is one who is a great husband, father, friend, provider and lover.

Although its noble to see most Malaysian men are a responsible bunch of dudes who put family security and providence as top priority, I don’t think that makes a man out of them. A man is above all supposed to be protective, loving, caring, serving and keeping that relationship aglow besides being that provider.

Although money is a very important factor for the family to function, it takes more than money to have a real and wonderful married life.

Domestic Chores

Posted by: andrew william Post(s) by this blogger

This has been for a while a very nagging question or so called fear in most men who get married; the division of household chores.

I have met a few friends of mine who slog it out at the office having successful business while their wife’s choose to be responsible for the household affairs. (i.e. cooking, taking care of kids, etc)

 These guys come home hoping for a hot cooked meal, a little rest and play time with the kids, but in return their wives kick a big fuss that since they were taking care of the children for the whole day and now its their husband's turn to baby sit them. Probably do a few chores in the house too. (Mind you, these are households that have full time maid)

I understand if the husband needs to fix a leak in the house or do some gardening, maybe on weekends when he is off from work should be more appropriate since the couples have agreed to a compromise of married responsibilities. (Please bear in mind in no way is one greater than another even though the husband maybe the sole bread winner)

" Hi honey, we are on the webcam! I am taking care of the kids while working".

So what gives? Why are some women expecting more from their men when they clearly understand that they are given the better end of the deal?

I for one operate my business from home. If I get married, and my wife works in an office, I wonder if she might think that I am expected to do all the household chores since I am physically at home, doesn’t matter if I may be earning four times her salary. Should I be expected to take care of the kids, cook, etc while run the business at the same time?

Or can we come to a reasonable compromise?

Traveling

Posted by: andrew william Post(s) by this blogger

One of the best ways to spend a good long holiday is to take a trip to another country. I have had some really good holidays in Europe as well as in some Asian countries.

It’s amazing to discover the minute we leave the borders of our country we are exposed to a whole new culture of people, food, environment, weather and the sort. Its good to know the world we live in is so diverse in many respects and makes it so interesting to explore the wonders of another country and its culture.

Making new friends while commuting

I remember walking up a hill called Aurthur’s Seat, which is the highest point in Edinburgh, Scotland. The view was breathtaking. You are exposed to a great view of history, nature and structures, which will take a while to drink in the entire scene. Likewise from the London eye.

I love visiting museums in other countries, the history about where they came from, what was their past and their influence to the world as a whole. I love meeting people. Women are different in other countries in their way of thinking and approach to life compared to the way Asian women think. It is interesting to note that they differ from one country to another.

A breathtaking view of the city

You will learn to appreciate your culture and the people of your country when you meet others in their habitat far different from yours.

I have made friends just traveling in a train, waiting at the station, taking a long walk in Hyde Park of London, having coffee in a restaurant. You name it.
 

They have history older than than ours

I am sure most of us have had some great experiences while traveling to another country. Why don’t you give me your feed back on your best ever experience. If you have never traveled to another country, start planning to do in now, and you will value the experience for a lifetime.

What is Your Identity?

Posted by: andrew william Post(s) by this blogger

I believe we have had a great weekend of holiday be it you are a Chinese or not. We all enjoyed the great weekend either with family, friends, or visiting some of our friends during this festive season. We have grown to adapt and adjust to three diverse cultures in one country quite well. I have many times heard foreigners say they are so impressed with Malaysians that we can live among three various races and yet live in harmony.

Recently I saw a movie on what happened when the Japanese bombed Pearl harbour. The American Japanese lost their rights in America and was deported to prison camps. Where then is their true identity?
 
I am not talking about, nationality, race, tribe, culture or tongue. What really is your true identity?

I heard have for sometime that scientists have been working on a micro chip to be imbedded in your wrist and or head to transform the economy into a cashless society.
So you can buy and sell by just scanning your wrist or head over the barcode reader. One may protest that this defies human rights. What if they promise you that you will be safe from threat, robbery, terrorism and kidnappings? Will you succumb to it?

Which pathway will you take?

Your hand represents who you are by what you do; either a musician, a doctor etc. Your head represents your soul, your intellect, your personality etc. The minute you take that chip, you loose your total identity. Someone else now owns you. What you transact, where you go, what you do and whom you deal with. They will now have 100% information on you.

So it’s time we reflect on who we really are. You don’t need to take a chip on your hand or head. You don’t need to identify yourself by the color of your skin. If you know you are created in the image of God then no one can take that identity from you and you will find your true self worth in the creator.

 

What is Your Value?

Posted by: andrew william Post(s) by this blogger

What are you really worth? How will you measure yourself? What price would you put on yourself? If these questions are put forward to you, the first instinct is to begin evaluating our total net worth; how much do I have in the bank account? Do I have a nice car, a nice job, great position and a fat salary in a company, etc?

For this reason we spend our entire life trying to achieve these goals for a better life, recognition and self worth. Sadly, sometimes at the expense of our health and youth. We crave recognition above all else, power and authority, come what the price.

A man's life is not measured by the material wealth one posseses

Though it is good to have ambition and career and have the desire to succeed and have a good life, the bottom line is, are we caught up to find our true self worth by gaining more possessions, wealth and recognition? Do perishable goods measure our true self worth? Are we to measure ourselves by the luxury car or fancy house we possess?

I remember once a preacher went to the outback of Australia, gathered himself a large crowd of Aborigines (who were marginalized by their country) and began to talk about an ugly piece of log that was in his hands. He went on to say, “most of you will not pick up this piece of log if you saw it on the ground, but if I fashioned this piece of log into a piece of carving, or part of a table or a tool, it might be of some value”.

He proceeded on to say, “that’s how the world sees us. We are measured by what we contribute to the world. We have to become something in order to be recognized as something”.

He went on to say, “but what if I told you that this piece of log that I am holding is “ Sandalwood”? And yes, it certainly is! What is your perception of this ugly piece of log now? You don’t have to fashion it into something before it becomes of value… it is already valuable”!

“ That’s how God sees you. You are already of great value”.

I am measured by how God sees me, because I am made in his image.