grandma birthday

Today is my wife's grandma birthday. Everyone was there. It was a very happy occasion.. at least for me! I feel happy somehow.. just watching them. the kids. the adults. just watching their interactions.. ;-)

881 song

Master the art of Negotiation

It's a fact of life.. u need to negotiate some times in life.. In fact, i negotiate a lot more - in retrospect. Be it a real deal, or just getting what u want, it applies to project mgmt, daily life matters - with yr wife & kids, or just dealing with your colleagues & friends.. u need to learn abt the art of negotiation.

Deepak Malhotra and Max H. Bazerman wrote a wonderful article in HBR Sep 2007 on just that - Investigative Negotiation! Search for their book too.. though i've not read it, i believe it must be a good one considering this article's merit.

There're just 5 simple principles to go by:

Principle 1: Dont just talk about what he or she wants. Find out why? This is easy but many just forget to do it.

Principle 2: Seek to understand and help reduce his constraints. As you have constraints to work with, so do them. Attempt to discover their constraints and help overcome them.

Principle 3: See demand as opportunities. Every time they object or decline, see it as opportunity to find out more or request for more info - there may be hidden treasure to be uncover.

Principle 4: Build common ground. Different people have different goals though it may at first seems that they are heading the same direction. Very often their goals are slightly different than yours and therefore may not have any conflict of interests with yours. Instead of fighting, you can turn them into strength or friend to work towards a common goal, such as sharing resources.

Principle 5: Continue to investigate even if you think u lost the deal. There're always lessons to be learned in any deal - even u have lost it. Ask them why you lost it. Find out why. Sometimes the answers surprise you. You may even be able to turn it around. So dont loose heart.

Be investigative. Dont assume anything! coz assume means Making an Ass out of U and Me (Ass-U-Me). Get it?! ;-)

frens and kids..

cartoon drawing..

nice packaging

i have always like to look at design packaging.. it's part of the overall branding.. i think Ya Kun has done well over the years..

grandfather & grandchild

went to Bottle Tree for dinner to celebrate Mother's birthday.. little Kevin prepared rose for her .. ;-)

And his granddad more than happy to carry him for that delivery.. heehee..

I Miss You (live) By Blink 182

Blink 182-I miss you

13-year Old Silicon Valley CEO of Elementeo

i like to teach..

today i had my first opportunity to lecture at a local university.. it was fun! and i think i really like to teach.. it was a wonderful experience! ;-)

will really do teaching as full or part-time when i semi-retire or retire.. Mmm.. maybe i can lecture part-time while working full-time..


it's the feeling of being able to help someone learn and seeing their enlightened face that makes it feel rewarding.

and i'm beginning to like public speaking.. it's stressful and challenging.. but i believe practise makes perfection. just do more speeches lor...

are u tired?

sometimes i feel i need a break. not the normal kind of break. not a short vacation. not just a simple break.

more like a sabbatical. those we often hear from the west. but how can we just let go. with all the burdens on our shoulders. but i do feel tired. i need a recharge. i'm not totally out yet. my system is still functioning well.

thanks to Buddhism. i know my limits better. i know when to stop. i know where my ego, pride and arrogance should ends. and it had ended sooner than i thought.

guess i just needed a little break. perhaps. perhaps not. is it within my control? maybe. but i know i just cant walk away. i have my responsibilities. i believe there's a way out. if i try harder. if i think harder.

things have been looking well for me for the past few months. and i believe the future few months. but i know beyond, there will be uncertainty. i am not afraid. instead i am preparing for it. and i will be ready. for whatever that comes. i have built a few scenarios. a few options and routes to take. my wife is with me. the wind is with me. i shall take this journey. ultimately, it's a happiness journey. not wealth. not status. just happiness.

am i tired? yes, i am. i shall take a short break.. and meditate. then i will continue..

mooncake cheesecakes!

have u ever gotten drunk eating mooncake?

Not when it's a mooncake cheesecakes with Whiskey! ;-)

Yup, my wife's creation! though i prefer her second batch without the alocohol.. just tasting the cheese with the not-too-sweet snow skin.. perfect!

my new Vios

last Saturday i finally got my new car.. the New Vios.. medium sliver color..

i like it very much.. even though someone said it looked like a frog.. ha ha.. ;-)

However, i will miss my picanto.. so easy to park.. so mini & cool... tis new Toyota should last me a long time.. or until i win 4-D!! heehee..

i want to be an illusionist

just watched The Illusionist in the comfort of my home. It's a wonderful movie. Illusionist combined the knowledge of psychology, science, technology and more in order to create the effects he desires..

i've learned something from this movie.. but first, i must learn to be present, alert and healthy.. ;-)

Way Back Into Love (full version)

i just watched the DVD of this movie and loved a couple of the songs.. and then i chanced upon one of my favouite song on my fren's blog.. ;-)

Here u go...




(Drew Barrymore)
I've been living with a shadow overhead,
I've been sleeping with a cloud above my bed,
I've been lonely for so long,
Trapped in the past,
I just can't seem to move on!

(Hugh Grant)
I've been hiding all my hopes and dreams away,
Just in case I ever need them again someday,
I've been setting aside time,
To clear a little space in the corners of my mind!

[Chorus]
(Both)
All I want to do is find a way back into love.
I can't make it through without a way back into love.
Oooooh.

(Drew Barrymore)
I've been watching but the stars refuse to shine,
I've been searching but i just don't see the signs,
I know that it's out there,
There's got to be something for my soul somewhere!

(Hugh Grant)
I've been looking for someone to shed some light,
Not somebody just to get me through the night,
I could use some direction,
And I'm open to your suggestions.

[Chorus]
(Both)
All I want to do is find a way back into love.
I can't make it through without a way back into love.
And if I open my heart again,
I guess I'm hoping you'll be there for me in the end!
Oooooooh, Ooooooh, Ooooooh.

(Drew Barrymore)
There are moments when I don't know if it's real
Or if anybody feels the way I feel
I need inspiration
Not just another negotiation

[Chorus]
(Both)
All I want to do is find a way back into love,
I can't make it through without a way back into love,
And if I open my heart to you,
I'm hoping you'll show me what to do,
And if you help me to start again,
You know that I'll be there for you in the end!
Oooooooh. Oooooooh. Ooooooooh. Oooooooh. Ooooooh Ooooooooh. Ooooooooh.

happy note

mmm.. recently i found this note in my 'Managing with a Heart' book..

It brings a smile on my face.. coz such a big thank you mah..

But why call me uncle? ;-(

Heehee.. but i never looked like one.. at least not now! ;-)

wat a jab!

My dearest went for a blood test.. and ended up with a big bruise! ;-(

Really dont understand.. just take some blood also can turn into such a bruise..

Does drawing blood can really cause such bad bruise? or the doctor is simply lousy?

drowning but learned to swim..

i was walking..

and then i saw this man wearing a t-shirt with the words

"I was drowning in sorrows but they learned to swim."

i think it's really interesting.. and motivating as well..

strawberry cheesecake

my beloved wife did it again! this time it's strawberry cheesecake!! ;-)

my only contribution... cutting the strawberries & kiwis as topping..

i didnt realise that kiwi with yellow flesh is sweet! green ones can be sour..

This morning we just signed up as member of Play! Well,.. it's a DVD rental kiosk.. Had wanted to do tat long time ago.. and now finally signed up for some good 'old' movies.. ;-)

The first movie we rented was Music & Lyrics.. to be frank, i'm not a big fan of Hugh Grant. but i like Drew Barrymore! ;P

somehow i feel for this movie.. as i'm from the 80's era and into composing as well.. those songs and feel really brings me back in time.. hey, it's not easy to write songs u know! inspiration dont come just like tat..