Labels: Wandering and Travelling

Indeed it is. I really envy people who just happen to naturally have this trait. I wonder if this is something one is born with or does one learn to be one. Is it the case of nature vs. nurture? Because I am sure that I am not born with it and perhaps my upbringing and the environment around which can be stressful a lot of the time resulting in my patience running really thin to the point of almost non existent these days.

When I was growing up, I noticed that I had very little patience when trying to tutor my younger siblings on any subject matters that they had problems grasping. Not that I am of a particularly genius breed, but I just could not comprehend why they could not understand my teachings. Their confusion frustrated me which sometimes led me to losing me temper because some things (to me) were so straight forward. Instead of trying harder, soon after that I would give up being their tutor and insisted that my parents took private tuition. At that time I concluded that teaching is not for me, not because I do not have the patience to teach but I (consoled) myself that perhaps I’m too smart to be a teacher and only “those who can’t, teach!”. (Boo Hoo, macam bagus!!:p)

This teaching problem does not stop there. Now that I am working and getting on more responsibilities, I find that I have to learn to delegate more and more to my subordinates. Unfortunately for me most of the delegation work that I do involves a huge amount of spoon feeding or else the result will not come out the way I expect it to. Even after lots of spoon feeding with extra special silver platter spoon, the result more often than not does not really meet my expectations. In certain circumstances and especially when dealing with tight deadlines, I often choose the quickest (but wrong) option of doing the work myself. The end result is the overloaded work landing on my already high piled desk. If only I have the patience to sit through with my subordinates, I think that (very) slowly but hopefully surely, they will come round to delivering exactly what I want.

Now this patience problem is also affecting me when I am on the other side of teaching. I have started to learn new games such as golf and tennis. OK, maybe some people are more talented than others ( I guess it’s the same for academic intelligence as well) but I do not like the fact that I am not picking up the games the way other people do. I know that I am no Olympic champion material, nor could I represent my school during my student years but I think I can and should be able to pick up some games. (Any games!!).. Or maybe im just dellusional with my own ability, my own physical strengths, my own hand-eye-feet coordination (or lack of it!)

So far my experience with tennis or golf or even bowling has been very frustrating. Some times I hit the balls good or can hit multiple strikes at bowling, while other times I will falter so badly its too embarrassing to even mention it. On both occasions, I do not know what I did right or what I did wrong. My brain just cannot comprehend it. My hand-eye coordination just does not jive together. I think something must be missing in my brain. Perhaps in too left brained… too analytical.. so anything involving spatial awareness, distance, coordination is not for me..

Anyway, I was told not to give up on the golf. It’s a good game for many reasons – good exercise especially for those feeling the old age creeping up and also good for networking… with fellow colleagues, or increasing your social circle or even to rub shoulders with the bosses. For now, I have no choice but to stick at it. I’ve only had 2 attempts at golf, and probably hit around 100 balls in total. Very early days I guess. Not time to give up yet. Patience and resilience is what I need. Someone, please tell me how I can get them. I really envy those who have them. Argh.

Labels: Rambles and reflections

Killing Fields - place where millions of people were killed during the Pol. Pot regime.

I never really understood the real reason behind the killings. Was it ethnic cleansing? Why cleanse your own people and what would be left if you get rid of your own people? My research of this matter is limited and from the little that I managed to gather, there was no real explanation on why or which group was targeted or who were tortured.

The remains...millions of skulls and bones.

To serve as a purpose as what used to be and never to be repeated again. It’s a wonder how during those years, people around the (killing fields) area never knew that this was going on. The world was oblivious to this outrageous atrocity. No one really cared

. It was never broad casted to the world then. Perhaps because the country did not have much to offer. No natural resources to justify bombing or assassinating the killer.

Another thing I learnt from my trip to this country. The disgraceful and widespread occurrence of child prostitution. Parents, either wanting a quick option to make some bucks or in act of desperation, resorting to selling their children. Absolutely despicable!! They should be cleansed by Pol Pot for doing that to their own flesh and blood. I even witnessed one such arrangement whilst I was having lunch in Siam Reap. An old (fat and huge and ugly) having a nice lunch with an innoncent young girl, who could not be more than 12 years old. She was with a male "chaperone". They had lu

nch in silence. My theory is that its the precursor to the big one. Sick bugger.

I also met 2 young Caucasian during my trip to Siam Reap in 2005. They had been traveling around South East Asia for a few month

s. They admitted to being very tired of trying to avoid the sex o

ffers. It’s a general misconception th

at young, adult Caucasians are always looking for a lot of Tender Loving Care(TLC) with extra benefits. Whatever means of TLC that they choose to have, or not is their private affair. However, one should NEVER condone to the children-sex act. Pedophiles. Shame on you!! The kids are too young to be able to think, judge and make decisions. As adults, part of their HUGE responsibility is to protect the children from harm.

On a much lighter note, I must say that I h

ad a really great New Year. The company was just the "coolest" company, the accommodation was superb!! (Check out the photos) and the hospitality was second to none. Thanx peeps for a great time!

Labels: Wandering and Travelling

Labels: Rambles and reflections

Labels: Rambles and reflections