A Pot of Gold at the Rainbow's End

This morning while driving to work, I saw a rainbow. It was beautiful and it lifted my spirits. Work demands had made me stay back late these days - there is always much to do.

But seeing the rainbow, I was immediately teleported back to the days when I was young - days of storybooks and a cartoon character named "Punky Brewster" which had a nice catchy theme song that went: "I ran to the end of the rainbow's eye, there wasn't any pot of gold..."

Ahh, the days of innocence. I called my hubby who was still at home and asked him to come out to the balcony to view the rainbows. I had a feeling that today would be a good day, and it was.

These are the pictures that J took to show our kids who were in school.

A Blessing in Disguise

In my post entitled A case of Pride and Prejudice I talked about the interviews that I was conducting to hire a manager. Well, unfortunately the chap that I picked decided not to join us after signing the letter of acceptance for 2 weeks. Because he took so long to make a decision like this, I also lost my 2nd choice, who accepted another job after being declined by us. And I also lost a lot of time because in the time that the chosen chap "accepted" the job, I wasn't interviewing to look for other candidates. I was disappointed, to say the least.
I was not going to blog about this since my principle is to blog only about the happy things. But yesterday something happened that turned this into a fortunate event. With a heavy heart, I started the 2nd round of interviews; and was pleasantly surprised by the quality I saw in this batch of candidates. I already liked one of them very much, and in my judgment I think she is better than the first chap I picked.
Now I know that everything happens for a reason. I may have to wait longer and do more in order to bridge over this difficult period without my "right arm" but at least this new arm is strong and passionate and has a good attitude. So the first person's refusal is really a blessing in disguise.

Sydney business trip

Last week I was on a business trip to Sydney. The trip was short - only 4 days, but it was very intense, from business meetings to training to dinners. I hardly saw daylight there.

However, here are some photos that I took. The night shot is of Darling Harbour, the day shot is the Botanical Gardens taken from my room window. It is a beautiful and safe city, easy to walk around in the autumn weather. I am thankful the trip went well, and even more thankful to be home after that, safe and sound with my babies in my arms.

Packaging vs. Substance

Years ago when I was a junior marketing executive, my country manager (CM) asked me to make a presentation to her big boss, the VP of Asia Pacific, who was visiting our country. At that time I was tied up with a lot of work. To create an additional presentation on powerpoint would take up a lot of time, mainly because I was not very good with powerpoints, and also to tell my story I needed to literally draw out the focus map.
Well, I decided not to draw on powerpoint in order to save time. When the VP came, I told him the story of our business armed with my words, and a pencil and paper. I started drawing the various components of business at the table when I was presenting to him. My CM nearly fell off her chair! Luckily the presentation went well. When I retell this story nowadays, we always have a good laugh about how I was a rash and brave executive to use this kind of shortcuts in front of the big boss. I guess that I stayed true to myself- if I can get the message across, why waste time with the packaging when I really have the substance?
Nowadays, unfortunately, I can't use the paper and pencil anymore. This is to avoid the perception of non-preparedness, sloppiness and lackadaisical attitude. But luckily I am much better with powerpoints already ;-)

Yuan's Artwork on Paint

As the kids grow older, letting them have some computer time is inevitable. Kids learn so much from the interactive educational games. And mine in particular, love playing chess and also making paintwork using the simple Paint program. Yuan likes nothing more than creating artwork on Paint. We can't help but think that she has to have so much patience and dexterity in making these creations. These pieces have their own title: Fish World, My mother and I, Yuan loves Mother.

A favour from a friend

My colleague went to the USA last week for a week-long meeting. Being women, when the USA is being mentioned, Coach handbags and accessories come to mind. She said when she had a chance, she was going to grab a few bags for herself. I then asked her if she mind getting me one, and this is what she came home with.
According to her, the one that I requested was 6 months outdated, and this is one of the latest designs in the USA.
I am so touched as she said she spent a lot of time before finally choosing this bag for me. It is a luxury item as I am one who does not believe in spending a fortune for accessories. But this bag lifts my spirits - one of the good things in life, through a huge favour from a friend.

Staying Positive

Anyone reading my blog would think that I have a pleasant life and that nothing seems to trouble me. Either that, or I see the world through rose-tinted glasses. Being only human, that is far from the truth. When I started this blog I wanted it to be a diary recording the events of my life, especially revolving around my children. I have a fear that time passes me by too quickly while I am slogging at work, and everything will go unremembered and unnoticed.
Last week, I encountered some unhappiness in my job, and really wanted to blog about it. But then I chose not to. I decided to focus on the positives and giving thanks for my blessings, instead of harping on the unfortunate events. My big boss used to say: "What you focus on grows, so focus only on the things that you want a lot of." Sometimes it is hard to remind myself about that, but I try. I have my share of pressures and frustrations, at work and in family life. But at the end of the day, I don't want to remember these. I only want to read and reread all my happy memories.
"Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without." - The Buddha.