Career

What does having a career mean to you? Some of you may say it is having work satisfaction, being at senior management level, having a high pay or perhaps a regional position. 

For those who are entering the workforce, the course that you study will indirectly determine the type of jobs that you will be applying for. Some of us will then be forced to take on jobs that you have no interest in. I was one of them.

I graduated with an Arts Degree majoring in Economics and Statistics. My A level grades did not give me the opportunity to choose what I wanted to study - which was then marketing and business. It took me 10 years and the relevant job experiences to allow me to do my Masters in Mass Communications. I really enjoyed the course and I am thankful to find myself in a career that I am passionate in. 

If you are stuck in your career, what do you do?

 Here are some tips to consider :

1. Network - it is who you know that may get you the next job.

2. Read extensively on career materials online to know the trends - what recruiters are looking are and what skills are needed.

3. Know yourself and find out what makes you tick at work - be realistic.

4. Get a good career mentor/ coach who will guide you in your career journey.

5. Attend courses to upgrade your skills. 

True Friends

People are here in your life for a reason, season and lifetime. True friends are there for you in good times and bad times. They are there to celebrate your milestones in life, to cheer you and be your listening ear. They are also there to give good advice in a neutral and objective way. I am thankful for my good friends for being there for me. It is always essential to have a strong support from true friends.

There are also friends who believe in one sided friendship. They just need to pour out their grievances to you without bothering to ask how you are doing. There are others who either count dollars and cents in the friendship - either take things for granted, free-riding on meals ( ie whenever you are out with them, you are footing the bills and they do not pay at all); a friend who expects you to do all the miscellaneous stuff like making reservations for dinner appointments all the time, enquiry of travel bookings and liaising, and being at their beck and call. Avoid flaunting handbags/ jewelry/ shopping purchases to me - it shows me then outward belonging matter more to you. These are friends whom I would slowly drop them along the way.

Friendship is two way process and it takes time to develop. How you treat others is how others will treat you back. Remember the little things in life. For instance a simple birthday card/ greeting can make me smile. A gift from the heart is always heart-warming. Wishing someone a birthday / anniversary greeting or praying for a friend- all these are the little gestures of how important that friendship means me. 

Have you been a true friend? 

Gratitude

When I received this picture in my email yesterday, I realized what a timely reminder this message is to me. Indeed happy people focus on what they have. It may just be a slice of cake, but to be able to taste and eat the cake, it is already a blessing. Every day we get up, be thankful for the gift of life, sight, family and friends. 

Unhappy people tend to focus on what's missing. How true. Put yourself at your work place, those who are always involved in office politics, I wonder how happy are they. For me when we work, all we really want is do a good job, work as a team and get a decent pay to pay our bills. Yet somehow there will always be office politics around. The scary part of it even if you don't participate in office politics, somehow you will be pulled into it - more as a tool. Those who are vocal and attention seeking usually are the colleagues to be careful of. 

It is very draining when people around you don't appreciate what you have done for them. Sometimes the things that I buy for my family members, instead of a thank you, I get nagged on for that purchase. At times things get cast aside until they expire. There are friends who like to pour out their unhappiness and never bother to ask how one is doing. They hardly see the blessings they have. All they seek is your listening ear and never bother about the advice you give. 

It's the small little things in life that matter. Thank you for the graces in life. I choose to be Happy. 

Extrovert

Extroverts are often described as the life of parties. They are often described as outgoing, sociable, friendly, talkative and action-orientated. Well, all I can say there is there a never moment being around with me. I am always up to mischief or rather busy with matters. Yes, I am an outgoing extrovert. Here are some of my traits :

Love to talk

I love to engage in conversations. Silence terrifies me especially if one is at a party or in a business deal. My mum says that I resemble my late dad, who loves to socialize. Throw me a topic and I am sure I can talk about it. I like to find out more about the other person that I am talking to. A conversation is never focused about me, it is always about you. 

Socializing 

I enjoy spending time with people. Usually I feel energized and charged up when I am out for talks and events. I actually gain energy with such social interactions. Which probably explains why I am perfectly comfortable facilitating in groups and organizing events. If you ask me to stay home for the entire week, I will feel very tired and bored. 

Friendly

Since young, I find it easy to meet new people and new friends. Whenever I travel in tour groups, I will be chatting with tour mates. At the end of the trip, we still keep in touch. At work place, I  always have colleagues who are there for me. In my studies, I am thankful to find course mates who end up being my project/ study mates and good friends. 

Solve Problems

Not one to sweep things under the carpet, I dislike it when there are no solutions. I like to come together to discuss issues with solutions. I recalled last semester when we were doing my philosophy paper, we had to prepare 65 questions for our exams. With a friend we formed a study group, and we took different questions to prepare and then shared as a team. 

Willing to share

If it is something within my knowledge and means, I will share with others. I have shared with a few on career and work opportunities. Where I am today, I truly believe in paying in forward. I recalled as a student, I will always be the one that will collate the class essay and then send to all. When we share, we also grow.

The beauty of flowers

Sunflowers at Flower Dome

Being in nature allows me to be carefree. The freedom just to be me, enjoying the greenery, the flowers, the animals and the sky. I also have the opportunity to take photos. Photography is another of my hobbies - hopefully in this lifetime I will own an SLR camera.

Here I am at the flower dome at Gardens by the Bay. Indeed, this round the exhibits are on the sunflowers. For a moment I wish I am transported to Khao Yai, a place I have been eyeing for the past two years but no chance to visit yet. Hopefully next year, yet there is another destination in mind for next year end. The main highlight is to see the sunflowers there and to explore the sights there.  There are so many more places to explore yet I have to find friends, persuade hubby to come along with me and also save hard for such trips.

I love flowers. Their beauty makes me smile. In Europe, if you can see the flowers such as tulips, roses and lavender in bloom, it will definitely be a picture perfect postcard. I am thankful for the flowers I receive from my hubby on my birthdays and Valentine's day. Something I look forward, although they are indeed expensive especially on Valentine's day. Well this only happens once a year.

Birthday Flowers 2018