中秋

月亮，一样的园
夜晚， 一样的漂亮
似乎有点甜甜的
似乎也带有些伤感

同样的一个夜晚
却有些不同的感触
就在这世界这角落
有些淡淡的思念

这，果然是中秋
在这样的一个夜晚
我漫步，散步，
这，也是总不同的感受
不同的心情诉说。

Learning Week

It's a Learning Week this week.

Earlier this week, I'd joined in the ESG Trade Mission in Dubai with Samuel, Anderson and his SSGV folks, spent a good 2 days understanding the UAE Education and TAE landscape and the training needs of the businesses here. Also, spent some time catching up with Anderson, and a few others. I am very thankful for a supportive boss in SJ, for this, is in a sense, job-crafting, and of learning. The more I can connect the dots, understand the local landscape, the TAE businesses and the needs of the businesses here, the more I feel my work is meaningful.


With their Ministry of Higher Ed - and they are inspired by our SkillsFuture Movement.


The group visited so many different training institutions, local government agencies, businesses (including conglomerates), and discussed skills-in-demand, skills supply and skilled manpower issues. All these point towards one key thing - skills fuel an industry, an economy. The skills development agenda in UAE is 2-fold - a focus on the  Emriatis, and then on the foreign workforce. Their government's key challenge is Emiratisation. Throughout the discussions and conversations, there was also great interest in training relating to Data analytics, Blockchain, Smart solutions applications, Digital Skills, AI applications, etc.This mirrors the skills-in-demand in Singapore as well as other parts of the world.

Of course - there's so much to talk about. Just thankful that I was able to join in a part of this trip, and I gleaned a lot out of it.

And then, I joined in the Abu Dhabi FinTech Summit 2018 today (and perhaps tmr). :)
Super glad to be able to join in last minute, and saw Abu Dhabi Global Markets (ADGM) organise their 2nd summit, with today's focus on FinTech Innovation. The CEO and ED are Singaporeans - and explained that the event would provide a strategic platform for financial institutions,start-ups, investors, regulators and the business community to network, collaborate and exchange knowledge.

For me, relating to Futures Office work - 3 things struck: 
First, it is about solving a problem (making life less burdensome, more convenient, frictionless, seamless); Second, that innovation leverages technology (think faster, cheaper, better); Third, sandboxes create that space for innovation and the ecosystem to enable the start-up to succeed is very important. 
Day 1 centered around the various FinTech start-ups, their ideas and solutions at the ADGM RegLab. The ADGM RegLab provides a controlled environment to allow FinTech innovation to be tested without being subjected to the full suite of regulatory requirements. The safeguards thus allow FinTech start-ups to explore and develop FinTech Solutions in a risk-free and cost-effective environment. Saw a few of these firms today - including those that focus on Robo-Advisory platforms, AI in Digital IDs, Credit Risk Assessments, Digital Lending Platform, etc.
There were also Masterclasses on AI and Blockchain (IBM Blockchain Platform), etc.
One thing is for sure - there is great innovation and disruption and change is here.





@FO, we are looking at what the Future of Health, Finance, and Software / ICT would be like for SG100. Hence for me, it is also imperative that I become acquainted with such concepts (and its language too), and the technological areas. As I am visual - the seeing makes everything more impactful. :)
And oh - I also had a chat with this super innovative firm who had an idea to provide web access for the sea and ocean.

So... this week has been great. :)
I am definitely resettled back into the AD life. Even the summer seems to be treating me kindly (and I don't feel it is as scorching or as humid compared to last year). I am looking forward to the last quarter of this year, where some of our FO projects and work will see some fruition. 

Amazing August

I had such a wonderful and meaningful 30 days. And I cannot believe that I am now back in Abu Dhabi, but I sure am. I felt I had gone through the 30 days in a dream-like fashion, because what was vivid was that Viven dropped me off at the airport, and then, I am back at the airport, but this time, returning back to Rihan Heights.

It's been just so good. I've such great fellowships with family and with so many good friends... it is beyond how I can express my thankfulness. The love, the catch-ups, the late-night chats, the random coffee-shop breakfasts, the unplanned and planned crashes at Daphne's place... I am so blessed and thankful for all the friends.


This one particular group of friends - have known each other for about a decade, and were brought together by serving in church. :) It started with the security guys only, and slowly, each one found their better half. This group of friends stay close through serving and fellowship, and through caring for each other, and of course through eating at the usual "Boon Hwa Family Restaurant".

I had a wonderful time of meeting several cg folks too. Big Group Fun, HTHT talks, walking at MacRitchie... all these make my life simply just very happy. Some things really don't change. :) Simple things like connecting and living life together - they make me feel life is meaningful.


Caught me a little bit by surprise. :) The fellowship grew in size. Thank you folks for everything.


I think... 2 of my oldest Christian friends. :) We come from different backgrounds, met at IAL, did some projects... and became great friends!! We talk about faith, China OBOR, ministry, etc.


1st time I had lunch with Kaitlynn. :)) What a big girl now. I remember playing silly games with her like when she was 6 or 7 years old? Now, she is in Sec 1.


N with my parents in law. I thought we were supposed to wear red to celebrate National Day. :-p
Family - is most important. :)


Super happy to catch up with Jacelyn... just a walk at MacRitchie, just catching up. She lives at Braddell Hill too. She is the 地头蛇。


HTHT with Zeal at my fave MacRitchie. :)) She "self-jio" and we spent many good nights together at "my" house. But time never seems enough with good friends. 😍

Work was really engaging for me too this August month. We partnered AMPLFYI and learnt much about the Deep web, and web harvesting, pulled together a group of 25 of us to do 5 projects relating to the Future of Work, Skills and Learning, and I know it's going to be a great one year ahead. We also met with so many "jedi" masters to learn about blockchain, deep tech, health-tech, went to Google Campus to meet with the young people who want to innovate for the next billion users, being in discussions to innovate and to re-imagine, etc, etc, etc.

With the UK AMPLYFI team and colleagues. :-D

I found time super-sonically fly by. I found that I was so engrossed and engaged that the best thing for me is to simply just immerse.  I found myself missing all these f2f engagements and being literally "present". But still, I thank God that - my current remote arrangement plus the trips back to Singapore - have worked out pretty fine and well.

The next huge highlight was of course the mission trip to Taipei and Xiamen. To be honest, when MH asked if I could join in, and if I could help interpret, I just said "yes", without much consideration of what it would mean. As the time drew near, I had my nervous pangs... I wondered if I could interpret well (for it's been such a long time since I speak, let alone interpret, in Chinese). So I rehearsed the sermon, went through it several times, tried to imagine how it would be like in the actual session, etc, etc, etc. It was such a thankful experience, because in the end, I think it went well, and then, I knew - it wasn't me. It was the HS in me. If I think and try to memorize, I realised it doesn't work for me at all. If I relax and "let go", I find myself being able to do it much better, and enjoy the whole process! SUPER THANKFUL TO GOD!



And of course it was also about fellowship, prayers, getting to know the church friends in Taiwan and Xiamen too. Super thankful for Rui and MH. :-D Wonderful time of sharing and learning together.



While it was really tiring physically - a short Fri - Sun trip, through Taiwan and Xiamen,we did 2 leadership training sessions and 2 services, and flew back on Sunday, and started work on Monday. It's really about the abundant life in Christ. :)

And honestly, I think I have so much more to say - about that heartfelt note, about the BKTs, about tennis, about this about that... but life is just so much to talk about.
The most amazing thing happened at the start and end of the trip. I got upgraded to Buisness Class at the start... and was upgraded to First Class at the end. I think... this was just too incredible and too "OMG". That was really my first response. It was "OH WOW" for Biz, and then truly 😱 for "First". Steve was with me and only I got it?! Haha. Haha. I later learnt from the airline staff that the most important key criteria in upgrading passengers is how they dress and they demeanour (determined by ground staff). As there are paying Biz and First class passengers, they cannot afford to have someone in slippers, or who are uncouth, join those sections, as that might run the risk of complaints. So wow, I learnt something new. :-D
I don't think I dressed very well though. Perhaps it was my politeness and beautiful Tumi. :D



And if you ask me about the experience, I would say that it is of course the best flight I have taken. It was spacious, personalised, the seabass was fatty and delish, I could lay flat and I really slept, and there was a massage function on the seat (albeit not strong enough for me). I wished this were a flight to.... say US. :p

I am just super thankful, super grateful. So.. amazing August it has been. Super super amazing August it has been. :) Now, it shall be Spectacular September.