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. 

Late Night Thankfulness

The folks are downstairs - still continuing their fellowship, and it was such a good time of eating with my surrogate family here.

The day started with a great thunderstorm, super nice to sleep in and to chill. A public holiday right smack in the middle of a week is a great respite for many of us Singaporeans. And what best thing to do than to spend it with family and friends, and nature?

Distance does not separate. Instead, it bridges. I find that with family and friends, we are all more deliberate about spending quality time together. I visited my mum twice in the last 3 days. She has not been feeling well - bouts of giddiness. And yet, I could see that she is mentally and emotionally alert. Very thankful to the neighbours and the aunties who would reach out to her, help her go about her daily life.
So obviously, I felt a lot. It's like... it's come one cycle. I tucked her into bed 2 nights ago, and told her to have faith in God, that her prayers must centre around knowing that God has given her good health, good life on the cross, and knowing that God will always take care of her and meet her needs. It is surreal. I remember she tucking me into bed when I fell ill. I remember how when I did Lasik, she was with me and would plaster the plastic cover over my eyes. And I am now doing it for her.


Today, after breakfast with Zhihui and Ranie, they went with me to visit my mum.
In the midst of some lighter rain, I felt so blessed to know there are friends whom I can count on.

And I went for a longer run than usual. This time, I wanted to run until my feet and body are on fire. I wanted to get into the zone where it is just the pounding and me, and nature surrounding me. So I did the board-walk, and then went into the trails and headed towards the tree top. It was good. I sweated buckets, and ended my routine at the usual quiet corner. The evening was very beautiful.

夕阳无限好，只是近黄昏。

Amidst all, I managed to do some work, managed to read some articles, managed to catch up on some news. Every morning, I tell myself that I would wake up just that 30 minutes earlier (most times fail). Every day, I think about how I can become more effective and productive.

And I can still hear the folks chatting away downstairs. Am most blessed by the love of Daphne and Lips. Tonight, I had dinner with their family, and with Paullyn and Martin. We continued the conversation on John 6 - 5 loaves and 2 fishes, and I, for the first time after a long while, tried Chocalate and Hazelnut Baileys. To my surprise, I actually like it! I used to dislike the milky taste. How we would change over time indeed.

Psalms 133:1-3 - Behold, how good and how pleasant it is, for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down on the beard, The beard of Aaron, Running down on the edge of his garments. It is like the dew of Hermon, descending upon the mountains of Zion; For there the Lord commanded the blessing - life forevermore.

It's started to rain again.
Love the feel, sound and smell of rain. It has that cosy, snuggish feeling (indoors, that is).
Truly thankful tonight. 

悲しいときも、痛いときも、苦しいときも、泣いたときも、悩んでいるときも
嬉しいときも、幸せときも、勝利ときも、笑ったときも、冷静ときも
いつもローマ人への手紙８：２８をしんじる。

“私たちは；神を愛し神の計画のうちを歩んているひとのためには、その身に起こることはすべて、神が益としてくださることを知っているのです。”

I realised, that my brain tends to switch amongst the various languages some times, and it goes into the Japanese mode when I feel a lot of emotions. 

This Sunday evening, having stared at LinkedIn data, and before going for my run, I thought I would pen my thoughts, specifically just in knowing that God is still the God of Hope.
It's been 8 months into 2018, 4th trip back to SG, many dinners, gatherings, coffees, meet-ups since I came back, and all sorts of emotions. 

The whole weekend, I felt happy and tired at the same time, blessed and knowing God has been good to me not because of what I have done (right or wrong) but because His blood was shed for me, alive and yet defeated, great warmth and yet anger. 

How can we be made to feel such extreme emotions? Yet, life is worth living because it is rich. 

Time moves on regardless how I feel. And in the busy schedules we all have, many times, it is easy to block out certain emotions and thoughts and not deal with them. 

Yesterday's sermon was so good - Rom 8:28 - Hope. 

End of today, I once again feel thankful.
I really want to do my best, live well, glorify Jesus in all that I do. 

All of my life belongs to Jesus - I pray that I can daily rest in Him, daily grow in Him, daily love Him a little more -19 Aug 2018

Song of the moment - 偉大な神

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CKaYwCHBYc (日本語）
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBD18rsVJHk (English)

In a nutshell

And, I'm gonna be back home in less than 24 hours
And I am almost all packed and done
This week went by in a whirl
And I, lost track of time.

But thank God for a wonderful week
Thank God for the nocturnal activities
Thank God for Narni and Zahari
Thank God for Mark 4 sharing

Also for the humid tennis games
That one last min buffet
Was so great to have the yesterday chat
Of embassy, SkillsSG and Sep trip

And for my superb work team
who will zoom and carry me in
For rich and cray cray discussions
For imagining SG100

Finally, I bidded goodbye to Steve
And Viven said he would give me a lift.
And Sean said he would expedite my flight
And then I will be back in SG!


(In chronological order. :p)

Where has July gone?

Perspectives - at one point in time in early July, I needed a perspective change.

All begins in the mind; all affects the heart. So I drove; 2 trips over 2 days, to Dubai. It was much needed. Even the change in the landscape, from Rihan to just the long roads and the sand, it was much needed.

God sent angels into my life. 

I've been meeting some folks regularly here. Never would I have imagined I could be sitting at a table with African Americans, talking about the slavery trade, talking about the world of bounty hunters, of investment and Wall Street, of judges, of Cleveland medical professionals and nurses, of Ethiopian food. And it all began with 2 dogs wanting to kill each other.

God sent more angels into my life. I began to grow fonder and fonder of the church home group folks here. Such diversity -while mostly from US, there are also South Africans, one guy from Ugand, another one from UK, and us Singaporeans. While many have left UAE for the summer holiday, it was still very good fellowship amongst the rest of us. This week, they are gonna gather at my place. :) I will cook Japanese curry for everyone. 

Work - is exciting some days, challenging others. 

Unearthly hours are not an issue to me; some days, I am kept awake thinking about what we do, and wondering about this and that. I did the PWC future workforce quiz recently - and it shows that I am in the "yellow" world in 2030. Key points are that "Humans come first", and with regard to the way of working, it says that "work is often a fluid concept and a regimented 9 to 5, Monday to Friday working week is rare, where borders between home and work are blurred." 

Try the quiz! 

https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/services/people-organisation/publications/workforce-of-the-future.html 

And, I also met up with the CXS folks in Dubai. Pretty incredulous! What started out as an exploratory project in Singapore became a POC in Singapore, and a dinner with them in Dubai. They inked a workforce analytics project with the Dubai government - STEADY. 

If you guys ever read this - Thank you for initiating dinner! :))

Food Galore

I seldom talk about food because my food choices are really boring mainly just salmon and vegetables. :-D But, we've been tasting different cuisines recently. Beside Ethiopian, we've had Saudi Arabian food, Arabic Grill, Shangainese cuisine, Indian food, Korean food. I think it is incredible - loving the UAE more and more. So just some, for the record. 

Ethiopian food - pretty good! Cos a lot of "liaos" and there's spinach, pumpkin, lamb, beef, lentils, etc, etc, etc on a layer of Ethiopian bread.

Can't see the food - but, you  can guess from the golden decor that this is... Arabic grill. It's fresh seafood grilled, and super super nice. :-D

Saudi Arabian food - like briyani, with chicken and lamb.

And - Indian Indian Indian. :-D

And more sobering perhaps

I am mulling over Rom 7, and acknowledging that I am so many times so so so so fallible and so weak. Still that is because I am flesh, and all the more, I need God's grace and mercy.
Rom 7:15 - 20:  "For what I am doing, I do not understand.  For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh), nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. 

And when I feel that life becomes more unbearable, then only the sweat can help me out real bad. I need to perspire, and so I have been. Thankful for the wonderful friends I've made here who make me run like hell, make me pant like crazy, for the pool that soothes my nerves, and maybe even for the punches that I might want to throw (thinking about learning boxing or MMA). Keke. 

At the Zayed Sports City, they have set up huge tentages so that we can all still continue to exercise and play sports through the sweltering summer heat. And, it is airconditioned. Wow oh wow. It must have cost quite a lot to get this going, and the energy consumption... wow oh wow. 

Finally... I can't quite explain a lot of my thoughts. Many of them are flurried; many of them are overlaid with each other. Women draw linkages and nodes from point A, to BCDEF-----XYZ. Everything is interconnected. Today, one of the tennis guys asked me how's work, how's life and whether work and life are challenging and tough, and like I told my dear boss, I said the same to him - I dunno how to describe life or work. There is no concept of tough or easy. It is more "Just do it." While life gets challenging at times, I choose to be positive and enjoy the season, no matter what. I just see that this is a part of my life that I have to go through now; this is the season of XC's life. 

So, I shall look forward to August - to being back in Singapore, to see my mum, to the exciting month of work and to learn about deep web intelligence, to celebrate National Day at home, to worshipping in CHC, to going Taiwan and Xiamen for mission trip, to eat Bak Kut Teh, to chill over drinks, to do my MacRitchie runs, to do the SG things. :)

And once again, I will so miss Kenji. 

💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗

Azerbaijan 💗

One of the best trips ever this year - Azerbaijan.

I saw a friend post his trip to Azer last year and it was a picture of him brushing his teeth up in some mountainous range and I was intrigued. So I told Steve that we should go to Azer... and it actually happened. 

Pretty much a whirlwind trip, it was really a beautiful gem. 

Far flung, lesser known to the world, Azer is a mix of both the old and new, and surprisingly, very oil-rich. What amazed me the most was the people - the Azerbaijanese people. I really didn't expect such warmth, hospitality and friendliness and it was from our tour guide, the hotel staff, the random person on the streets, and also the shopkeepers. 

I wanted to buy a bottle of water and took out a bill. And the shopkeeper just told me - take the bottle. No need to pay. Just take it. :)

Another on the street wanted to invite us into his restaurant, and when I said - we've already eaten, he went - oh, no problem. Do you like Azer? How do you find the people? He was not just one of those who asked how we liked Azer and her people. I really felt that they genuinely wanted to know. 

Because they are not fuelled by tourism yet, it was really a good glimpse into the local way of life. We saw people playing chess on the streets, families and oh so many of them - hanging out along the promenade. My guide said that their way of chilling is not to have a beer or drink, but to have families out on stroll, spending time out together. Also, while they are a 95% Muslim country, they are secular and people are open to different beliefs. It is really an amazing place to me. :) and I've been telling my UAE friends that they really should go check this place out, just a 3-hr flight away, and before capitalism or modernisation. 

Oh, and this place is super affordable. Websites indicate that the cost of living is 50% cheaper than in Abu Dhabi, and it is true. We had 4 pints of beer at 10 MANAT (SGD = $8; AED = 21 Dir). It was just... unbelievable.

So, some key highlights. 

Azer, Baku, surprised us with its ultra-modern and clean airport; and its beautiful night skyline of an eclectic mix of old and new  - The modern flaming towers (comprising 3 beautiful towers of residence, office and retail I think) and the old mosque. And as I've mentioned, families strolling along the promenade. So beautiful.

Khinalug (Xinalig)

And then, I so so so enjoyed the hike up to Khinalug (Xinaliq) - the tallest and most remote village of Azer, and among the oldest inhabited places in the world. And it is a rare minority ethnic village with its own language. We hiked up the plains, and I think we went up about 2,300m? Majority by driving, and some bouts of steep hiking. :-D (I woke up to very sore calves the next day...)

We saw how they lived as a cattle rearing community, had lunch with the locals in their home, etc. What a very refreshing and breathtaking change from the modern and busy way of living. We were told that they basically live very simply, and sometimes, there's just nothing much to do except to sit through the day. I suppose when it is time to herd, then they certainly get busy. 

It was breathtaking... and nature, and the cattle. God's beautiful creation - I wonder how long they can exist as they are? I hope it stays like that for a long time to come. 

Lunch with a local Khinalug family - so simple and delicious. Steve, not a tomato or eggplant man, has now, strangely, taken to the purple squash. :-D And then, some football with a very very excited and happy little boy. :-D

An unusual divisive hike

On another afternoon, it was just incred as well. We hiked along a very unusual part of Baku, walking along the divide between the rich and the poor. Our guide told us that in Azer, there is no concept of the middle class - it is either rich or poor, and you can see the poorer folks living at the foot of the hill, and the rich (also the shadow economy) at the top of the mountain. It was a pretty scary and careful walk, because we had to be sure not to lose our footing. You could see the pictures. One wrong move could send us tumbling downwards. I think that day, we hit a record - we clocked 30,000 steps each. 

And we walked through both the rich and poor neighbourhoods, we learnt that the mansions of the rich have no addresses, and you could see security cars in these areas, as well as the nodding donkeys pumping oil behind their backyards. 

As for the poorer neighbourhoods, while we walked through the dense living community, we were welcomed by sights of children playing soccer, shopkeepers selling cherries (1kg at 1 manat. :-0), and the whole area was very clean.

Gobustan

We also travelled out to Gobustan for the rocks, petroglyphs and mud volcanoes.

Because many parts of Azer are ancient, we visited the rock and petroglyph museums and learnt how the ancient civilizations carved images and lived. I couldn't really imagine how eons BC, human beings lived in a way totally different from modern civilization. So while looking at these ancient carvings and the artifacts found and preserved, I tried to imagine. I tried to imagine too how the work of an archaeologist would be like, and I also had a discussion with Steve on God and His creation - how was humanity then to respond to Him?

And of mud and volcanoes - I saw some dab the mud on their faces.... the mud was very cooling, and the volcanoes emit methane as well. I would have dabbed the mud on Steve's face. :-D

Chess in Azer

Chess is also a hugely popular sport in Azer, with its many acclaimed grandmasters. I am not a chess player and when I asked the guide why chess was so popular, he mentioned that the people love the game and had preserved this love since USSR days. It's pretty impressive; even the hotel provides chess sets for the tourists. They are also into wrestling and football. And that was great - cos we could watch several world cup games during the trip too.

@Gani - Thank you

And our Guide, Gani, was a superstar. He holds a Masters degree from Estonia, and really poured his heart out into our various trips. What started out as an exploratory walking tour became a good 4 days with him. :) I would highly highly highly recommend him if you want to visit Azer. See: https://azerbaijantraveller.com/ 

See: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g293934-d10418485-Reviews-Azerbaijan_Traveller-Baku_Absheron_Region.html

Sour Gani - "Sour", is "thank you" pronounced in English way, in Azerbaijani language.

As we travel, I had my own chill and lone time too. I think I am an ambivert. While I like to socialise, I very very much enjoy lone moments too. While we ate, explored and drank wine together, I am grateful for some moments of respite to myself too. I told myself I would do another module of FinTech (which I unfortunately never succeeded in completing). Instead, I found myself reading more about Baku and Azer, and World Cup, and journalling. We sat outside our hotel restaurant for I think 4 hours. I really felt very thankful for this short trip. :)

There's still so so so much to write about Azer. It is really one of the best trips for me, and I believe it's the same for Steve too. :) I think I am beginning to like countries that are lesser-known, not so popular with tourists yet, and so I told him we could go to all the "stans" next, like Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, etc. I also thought of going to places like Tunisia, Cuba, etc. 

For now, I will rave about Azer as much as I can. I love that it is still such an undiscovered gem, and I hope it stays the same. :) 

💗