It's been a while and a new start

Hello to all,

It has been a while since I last wrote. I guess I only come in to update when there are major events. And YES ! it is indeed another major event of my life. After working in TAFEP for three years, I am moving on to a new challenge. My current colleagues have been asking me "how do you feel ?" "Feeling excited about the new job ?" Seriously, I do not know how to respond. I am not sure even if I am feeling excited about the new job. But I do know that TAFEP has been a very special place to me.

For the first time (in my working life thus far), I am looking forward to work (well, most of the time). I have done lots of projects in TAFEP that my previous job cannot offer me. Looking at my three years, my most fulfilling time is to have a hand in shaping this organisation. From recruiting of staff, defining policies and parameters, even to securing new premises, the trainings I received, the lessons I learned, are much more than what I can ask for.

Today, someone ask me: "What will you miss most when you leave ?" Again, I do not know how to answer. Not because I have none, but I will miss almost everything (am I too shy to say it out ?)

Someone also commented on my MSN nick as very endearing. I wrote, "Everything I touch, everything I see, bears a sentimental value. Thks for making my short stay so memorable and fun."

To all TAFEPians, thks for making my stay so special. Will remember all of you.

Kim Lim

Another day

Today is Wednesday. Another day in the workplace. Seems all gloomy and low morale. Apparentlt for the past few days, I do not have the energy to motivate myself at work and I am getting short fuse, shorter by everyday ? Wonder what is wrong....

Encouragement of the day

Hmm... My boss started an interesting (some called it funny) exercise, i.e. He want us to encourage one person everyday. He even ask his Personal Assistant to do up a chart to keep track. (faint right....)

Initially, all of us are so skpetical and felt so fake.. but after three days of this exercise, I realised that some of the staff really took effort to do it, some of them decorate a simple "post-it" pad to make it look good, while some just scribble and pass to you. But one thing for sure, every encouragement they wrote, they would have think through it.. especially who they want to write to and what to write on it.

So for all those who have given me theirs... thank you very much !!

Below are some of the ones I received.

孩子快抓紧妈妈的手

i believe all of us felt greatly for the earthquake in Sichuan. With deaths going into ten over thousands and with dams in danger of cracking, many lifes are at stake.What pains me more is the loss of life of children, young children with bright futures. recently, there is a poem being written in memory of this lost kids. I happen to locate a Music Video for it. Let's watch it and pray deeply for this children, and the good health of all their surviving family members.

My Taiwan Trip

Sometime ago, I went with my wife to Taiwan (Taipei). SOrry it took so long to load up the pics (cause I only manage to find the way recently).. very sorry. Nonetheless, enjoy the beautiful pictures of Taipei...

My new chapter of life... =)

Firstly, I got to thanks many friends who offer their great help to my significant day - Baoping, Chee Beng, Ding Dang, Lyna, Peishan, Li Zhu and Christina. Also to many of our relatives who are with us too, witnessing this auspicious day. I hope the food at the hotel suits your taste buds.. Here are some of the pictures of my ROM day.

My Kenshu Trip to Japan

方向

十月十六日-晴

十字路口，
不知去向，
二十九的我，
需新方向。

Material Satisfaction v.s. Faith Satisfaction

Hi there,

Been a long while since I last write something... *lucky still remember my p/w and ID*

These couple of months have been crazy for me. Recently, I hit 29 years old. Suddenly, I thought to myself.. "what have I achieve for the past 29 years ?"... It dawns on me that I am pretty stagnant in my career progression.. It is a male ego or I am really stagnant.

One of my new colleague told me recently (couple of days back), "my neighbour, at your age have been expose to more things than you... she has been flying around..." It make me wonder again, if I am really stagnant or moving ahead..

"What do I actually wants in life ?" I wonder. Is material wealth really that important in my life ? Should this be my one and only goal... At this point, I felt really relieved that, at least, I have a fantastic faith practice that keeps me fulfilled.

What's your view ? Material Satisfaction v.s. Faith Satisfaction, which is more important.

使命

5月5日- 晴
新的使命，
新的开始，
广布之日，
绝对胜利。

4月9日2007年-阴

工作，人士关系 = 有进步，需更加努力。

1. 努力-读先生指导，
2. 努力-唱题，
3. 努力-栽培，
4. 努力-折服

读到指导-

"牙齿没有每天刷的话，会变脏。镜子不察会模糊。生命若是不琢磨，也会变脏。早晚的勤行, 唱题，就是擦自己生命的行动"

锦

四月八日-晴

今天读到先生的指导：贯彻勤行的人，能调整生命的轨道，不会走向不幸的方向。

一定要努力，突破，现证!!

Kim

My taipei Trip

Hello folks,

I am back after a week of trip at Taipei. It is real fun. Generally, a couple of things leaves deep impressions on me regarding the culture of Taiwan.

(a) Taiwanese are very civic and environmentally concious. Every where you go, you will see 2 bins side-by-side containing different rubbish. One is for recyclable materials such as papers, cartons and one is for general thrash.

(b) There are a lot of scooters in Taiwan. So much that I give up looking out for them. They will look out for you.

(c) Taiwanese also focus a lot on toilet hygiene. So much so that they do not allow you to throw toilet paper into the toilet bowl and flush it away. Rather, there is a small bin by the side of the cubicle for you to throw the used toilet paper there... : (

You can see some of my pictures at this link.... there are more... but may not be available online.

http://travel.webshots.com/slideshow/558338224tPzLxt

Take care :)

Going to Taipei =)

Finally, I got the chance to take a good break before my new career begins. However, the days leading up to this break has been a hectic one. I realise that me and my gf has not really got the time to plan for the trip. Coz,we are so bz with our faith activities. Only one day before the trip I have the time to pack my bags... change currency.. etc. Hee.. gtg. Watch out for this space on more photos =)

Visit to Istana

We visited the Istana today. Though I have been there a couple of times for the Community Chest award, today's visit allows me to really take a good look at the beautiful scenery Istana provides... I have uploaded them on the internet, please see => http://good-times.webshots.com/slideshow/557750036XyotZS

Thanks =)

Letters from Iwo Jima and Dreamgirls

Hello, how is your Chinese New Year period ? I hope all of you are enjoying yourself, especially the extended holiday. For me, apart from the usual visiting to my relatives and my girlfriend's relatives, I managed to catch two movies, "Letters From Iwo Jima" and "Dreamgirls". Coincidentally, both movies have been nominated at the coming Oscars Academy, especially Dreamgirls, which is nominated for as much as 8 nominations.

Letters from Iwo Jima (http://iwojimathemovie.warnerbros.com/lettersofiwojima/framework/framework.html)

Sixty years ago, the US and Jap forces met for a battle on this place call Iwo Jima. Decades later, hundreds of letters, which are meant to be sent home then, are unearthed, detailing what happen during that battle. These letters give Clint Eastwood, the inspiration to bring this battle onto the screen. In this battle, more than 7,000 American soldiers perished and more than 20,000 japanses soldiers died.

To me, this movie provides an insight on WW2, from the perspective of the Japanese. In this show, the main casts, Lt. General Kayabashi (Ken Watanabe) and Saigo (Tsyoshi Ihara) are called to this war with different purpose. While one is willing to die for the country, the other one is hoping that the war can end soon, so that he can go back to see his daughter, who is unborn when he is summoned to the war.

This show is in Japanese with English subtitiles. It is rather slow in building up the plots and the director adopts a flashback techniques, where I find some of them can be quite redundant. Nonetheless, this is one of the good shows to catch and believe me, it may change your perspective on the Japanese who are involved in WW2.

Dream Girls (http://www.dreamgirlsmovie.com/)

What can I say.. this is one of the best movie in town that will keep you on the edge of the seat. Trust me, you will know why this show deserves Oscar nomination as much as in 8 categories... cause it is really GOOD !!

Based on the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical which fictionalised the rise of 60's girl group, the Supremes, three singers from Detroit aspire to become pop stars. They are picked to be the back up singer for crooner James "Thunder" Early (Eddie Murpphy), but soon forge their own career as the Dreams. However, the Stardust dream turns into nightmare when their manager Curtis taylor (Jamie Foxx) decide to promote Deena (Beyonace) as the lead vocalist and replace less attractive but more talented Effie (Jennifer Hudson).

Starring Jamie Fox, Eddie Murphy, Beyonace and Jennifer Hudson (American Idol 3 finalist)... you will be treated to a series of orginal songs.. If you like musical cinema, like "Chicago", "Evita", "Molin Rouge", Dreamgirls is the show for you.

Watch out for the following original musical numbers: "Cadillac Car", "I am Changing", "Family" and many many more.. This show is a MUST-CATCH !!

Kim Lim

My Graduation Photos

Hello, finally managed to find a website that can host my photos.. kekee... I will use this to host all my photos depicting my life development... for a start, you can see the photos for my MBA graduation by clicking : http://family.webshots.com/slideshow/557440556wvdAWW

Take care :)

Apocalypto

To all Movie Buffs,

I am back again with another review. To celebrate my academic achievement, we went to catch the show, directed by Mel Gibson, Apocalypto.

Sypnosis

Set in the Mayan civilization, when a man's idyllic presence is brutally disrupted by a violent invading force, he is taken on a perilous journey to a world ruled by fear and oppression where a harrowing end awaits him. Through a twist of fate and spurred by the power of his love for his woman and his family he will make a desperate break to return home and to ultimately save his way of life.

To me...

This is a show of one individual wanting to survive and how his love for his wife and kids that gives him the strength and power to overcome all odds. This show is in the native Maya language, but with English subtitles. It is a bit bloody (hence it is rated M18 - i.e. only for audiences 18 and above).

The movie started off showing how a tapir was being hunted and how the people dig out the heart, meat and lungs of the tapir and eat it fresh...

Though it may be bloody.. sometimes, caused you to feel irk... This movie also depicts that one's determination and hunger for success will definitely come true regardless of what circumstances you are in. There are a few interesting and meaningful phase that I want to share with you..

"Fear is a disease... it strikes from your heart""
"Raise up the spirit... Believe you have the strength"

Want to learn some Maya language... see Apocalypto..

My ratings...

Comedy - 1.5/5 stars
Knowledge - 3/5 stars

My Graduation !!

Finally, after 2.5 yrs of hardwork and 3 months of waiting.. i finally get a chance to wear the academic dress to receive my degree in MBA. There are a lot of people whom I want to thank... people who have guided me, taught me and showed me the importance of working hard and persevere. Apart from my parents, I will like to thank my gf, whom stood by me and supported me, especially during my exam period... I will work hard and will aim to embark on my Phd studies in 5 years time.

Global Warming = Ice Age ?

Hi all,

There are talks about global warming may resulted in another Ice Age in the next 100 or even 1000 years, or even earlier. It immediately prompted me to look for more info on this. I have come across one article that I attached for your reading...

Humanity is about to face the most devastating catastrophe that mankind has encountered since the Bubonic Plague during the Middle Ages. This largest threat to humanity is global warming. Sure, some people are still debating if global warming is in progress and the long term effects of pollution in the environment, but the general consensus among most scientists and researchers is that global warming has started and is going to increase at an uncontrollable rate in the very near future.

The effects and consequences of global warming are both frightening and overwhelming. Currently, global warming is modestly increasing the average temperatures throughout the world. However, these temperature increases will continue to spiral upwards and cause massive climate changes throughout the world. For instance, these temperature changes will increase the average worldwide rainfall yet decrease rain in some areas, thus negatively affecting farming everywhere. Seasons to grow foods will shorten in some areas and lengthen in other areas, while few farmers will be to adapt to these changes quickly enough. And farmers will be unable to properly change the types of their crops, because the local climate changes will be continuously too unpredictable and changing too quickly.

Eventually, both polar ice caps will start melting at a very fast rate because of global warming. This will cause the world's oceans to rise rapidly. Not quickly enough to cause tsunami like conditions to drown thousands of people, but rather people will be forced to evacuate coastal cities, where most of the world's population now lives, to higher ground that is more inland.

No one knows for certain how high the world's oceans will increase; but whatever the height, global warming will decrease the amount of land available for human use. This will decrease the amount of farm land available, thus further decreasing the amount of food mankind can grow. Since a large percentage of the world's population already do not grow enough food, this will cause mass starvations. The sudden increase in population densities in smaller cities not prepared for a surge in population growth will cause huge sanitation issues and diseases will spread much more rapidly, especially with food becoming more scarce.

Furthermore with the ice caps melting, the amount of sunlight reflected back into space will decrease thus increasing the temperature of the Earth even faster. Underneath these receding ice caps and glaciers is dead organic matter that when thawed with release even more heat trapping greenhouse gases (carbon emissions) into the environment.

While all this time, humankind will continue to produce an ever increasing amount of carbon emissions via pollution into the environment. Eventually, global warming will melt enough of the polar ice to modify the world's oceans in two ways.

First, the oceans will start to desalinate, in other words the salt in the sea water will be more diluted by the fresh water from the ice. Second, the oceans' water temperature will drop because of the cold melting ice, and this will cause the oceans' currents to change.

Since the world's ecosystem is regulated by the ocean's currents, this will cause another ice age. That's right, global warming will start another ice age. Human civilization is not equipped to survive an ice age that will last a few years let alone a few thousand years. No one knows when this ice age will start, but the world's agriculture can not sustain the world's population during an ice age. This may even cause the extinction of mankind.

No one knows when this ice age will happen, but it is coming. We know that the cycle of temperature increases are followed by ice ages, but this time the changes are not natural. These changes are caused by man-made greenhouse gases released in the environment. Therefore scientists believe that the next ice age will start much sooner than the scientific evidence has proven to have happened in the past.

Let's review for a moment. Global warming is the effects of greenhouse causing gases released into the environment that increases the average temperature of the world, thus adding more energy into the atmosphere. This increase in temperature and energy will cause an increase in rain and hurricanes, and wreck havoc to the agriculture of the world's food supply. Eventually, enough of the world's icecaps will melt to increase the world's sea levels, thus further destroying the world's agriculture land. Furthermore, the melting ice water will disrupt the world's oceans that regulate the world's temperatures and cause an ice age. And finally, human civilization currently can not survive an ice age.

If we do nothing now, the collapse of the human civilization is almost certain, and the entire human race is at risk of becoming extinct.

Source: http://bellsouthpwp2.net/b/e/benichou//Global_Warming.html

These are some other articles that you can also read

How Global Warming may Cause the Next Ice Age
http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0130-11.htm

Failing Ocean Current Raises Fear of Mini Ice Age
http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn8398

Will Global Warming Triggers Another Ice Age
http://www.guardian.co.uk/climatechange/story/0,12374,1083419,00.html

Global Cooling
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_cooling

Global Warming starts with us, it can also end by us, only if we want to do it...