PhotoHunt: Shoes

These are my sexy, kick-ass shoes (sandals). Unfortunately, I hardly wear them nowadays because these are not geared for long walks. Plus, the narrow kitten-heels always seem to get stuck in the crevices of the uneven pavements and the metal grills/crates in the underpass.






Tip: Best worn with dark denims.

Career tips from Mr. Donald Trump

If time permits, I spend my quiet time in front of the tube. I miss watching tv. Other than CSI and Alias, I like Donald Trump's, "The Apprentice". There are a multitude of reality shows out there and this one is my favorite of all.

I stumbled upon this article about the "Celebrity Apprentice". The career tips are very insightful.

The following tips are summarized from each episode (total of 9):

1. Think ahead and act early. Even the best idea can't save you if it comes too late.

2. Don't let your leader smother you. Step out, stand up and fight for the responsibilities that let you shine.

3. Listening is more powerful than talking. When you open your ears and your mind, you empower yourself to give people what they want. That's a powerful way to build your success.

4. Just let it go. Holding grudges hurts your career, not anyone else's. So take a deep breath and move on.

5. Attacking a colleague's heritage, religion, or race has no place in business. If you break this rule just once, you'll end your career.

6. Step up and show a strong work ethic every day. Over time, it will protect you from harm and advance your position.

7. Leaders let people know how their performance will be judged. Clearly stated expectations build your leadership effectiveness and get results.

8. Keep your professional image spic and span. Any lapse in professionalism can make you vulnerable in times of trouble when people are trying to deflect blame from themselves.

9. Learn from experience. To become successful in the future, you need to absorb and apply the lessons of the past.

10. Sooner or later, lying always gets exposed.

11. Know your track record. Everyone makes mistakes. But don't let one poor performance take you down.

12. Always have an "elevator speech" ready. It's a short, well-rehearsed explanation of your accomplishments and plans. Write one and practice it — it can be critical to your success.

I once did an "elevator speech". It came out a bit emotional (I got teary-eyed) because part of me didn't want to leave. The mini division within the team was my baby. Unfortunately, everyone had to move on and my time was up.

The Mummy with Jet Li

When the boys were a lot younger, they would watch "The Mummy" and "The Mummy Returns" over and over. They wouldn't tire watching it. I had fun playing "Eve" and "Imhotep" with them. Kids would play along and chant, "Imhotep, Imhotep, Imhotep..."

This year, there'll be another sequel entitled. "The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor ". The best part of it is, according to the boys, Jet Li is part of the cast. He'll play the villain (spoilers end here.) So, expect lots of karate chops (?). I think Rachel Weisz is not in this sequel. Too bad, I like Rachel. I'll certainly look forward to watching this in August.

Photo credits here.

Reflecting on the "Last Lecture"

Earlier during my break, Inside Edition featured Randy Pausch, a 47-year-old Computer Science professor at Carnegie Mellon University. He has terminal pancreatic cancer and has been on chemotheraphy to slow down the growth of the tumors. His last lecture,"Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams", was addressed to a 400-member audience, consisting of fellow professors and students at the university. In a nutshell, he talked about his childhood dreams and how he achieved most of it.

Wouldn't it be great to realize most, if not, all of our childhood dreams? After watching that particular segment, it made me think what my childhood dreams were. Sometimes I have silly moments thinking I shouldn't have grown up. The freedom that is to be a child... I do not worry about tomorrow because I know in my heart, my parents would take care of everything. A child lives in the present with little or no regard for the future.

But life doesn't work that away.

I have dreamt of becoming a doctor but decided not to pursue it because I'm too squeamish at the sight of blood. Besides, medical school was too expensive. It still is, anyway. I also thought of becoming a nurse however, the drive to be one wasn't that much. I don't want to be a half-baked nurse. I also thought of becoming a flight attendant but I lack swimming skills. And so, I've forgone that idea, too. I've dreamt about becoming an engineer. I almost was but I quit midway through my college years. The math was too much and physics for me was unintelligible. I've dreamt of seeing Mickey Mouse in real life and that came true. I've dreamt of traveling to different places and that too, came true. And so on and so forth.

We dream big. Children always do. We may think that some our childhood dreams are silly or sometimes, impossible. To bridge that chasm we create between ourselves and the sought-after "dream" is to make it happen. Act on it. Act on your dream. Take the risk. Try.

Approved

After all the drama, it's high time I do the dance of joy.