1st day with CIMA

Out of boredom, crazy whim, and the idea of a company benefit, and yes, of a feeling a stand-still career, I decided to take the opportunity of doing CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountant).

According to Wikipedia, "The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) is a United Kingdom-based professional body offering training and qualification in management accountancy and related subjects, focused on accounting for business; together with ongoing support for members.

CIMA is one of a number of professional associations for accountants in the UK and Republic of Ireland. Its particular emphasis is on developing the management accounting profession within the UK and worldwide. CIMA is the largest management accounting body in the world, with more than 172,000 members and students in over 165 countries."

I never really planned to take up CIMA, but because my company offered this opportunity, I decided to take it. To be honest, I am not really after the certification. I'm more after the learning I can get. The discipline I can develop by taking this can move my career. I am more after the experience and what I can get by attending the review classes. But of course, I have to pass the exams. It's going to reflect badly in my employee records if I won't. To pass this, I have to put my mind and heart to it. Most importantly, to give time for it. So I am excited actually of the next 13 Saturdays I will be spending at the review classes and the days and nights I will be burning the candles. =)

So today was the first day of review classes, and I just felt so nostalgic of college days. I am reminded of the days I struggled to keep awake in class, of the times I would ask my seatmate to pinch my arm, to inflict some pain, to give me candies just to keep my eyes open (don't care much if my ears aren't listening!). But today instead of using those tactics, I got myself a cappuccino from Starbucks. A lot more posh! And yes of course, it kept me awake but it didn't keep my attention from wandering. Sometimes, you just have a very short attention span especially on a Saturday which I could have spent sleeping all day. Oh well, I have to start adapting to my new lifestyle.

Till the next review class!

The Pig and The Horse ( A workplace parable)

Oh I see this is very true. I have witnessed this in the workplace!

The Pig And The Horse

There was a farmer who collected horses, he only needed one more breed to complete his collection. One day, he found out that his neighbor had the particular horse breed he needed. So, he constantly bothered his neighbor until he sold it to him. A month later, the horse became ill and he called the veterinarian, who said:
- Well, your horse has a virus. He must take this medicine for three days.
I'll come back on the 3rd day and if he's not better, we're going to have to put him to sleep.

Nearby, the pig listened closely to their conversation.

The next day, they gave him the medicine and left. The pig approached the horse and said:
- Be strong, my friend. Get up or else they're going to put you to sleep!

On the second day, they gave him the medicine and left. The pig came back and said:
- Come on buddy, get up or else you're going to die! Come on, I'll help you get up. Let's go! One, two, three...

On the third day, they came to give him the medicine and the vet said:
- Unfortunately, we're going to have to put him down tomorrow. Otherwise, the virus might spread and infect the other horses.

After they left, the pig approached the horse and said:
- Listen pal, it's now or never! Get up, come on! Have courage! Come on!
Get up! Get up! That's it, slowly! Great! Come on, one, two, three...
Good, good. Now faster, come on.... Fantastic! Run, run more!

Yes! Yay! Yes! You did it, you're a champion!!!

All of a sudden, the owner came back, saw the horse running in the field and began shouting:
- It's a miracle! My horse is cured. This deserves a party. Let's kill the pig!

Points for reflection:

This often happens in the workplace. Nobody truly knows which employee actually deserves the merit of success, or who's actually contributing
the necessary support to make things happen.

LEARNING TO LIVE WITHOUT RECOGNITION IS A SKILL!

If anyone ever tells you that your work is unprofessional,

Remember: Amateurs built Noah's Ark and Professionals built the Titanic.

DON'T LOOK TO BECOME A PERSON OF SUCCESS, LOOK INSTEAD TO BECOME A PERSON OF VALUE!



ENJOY LIFE NOW - IT HAS AN EXPIRATION DATE and you don’t know when.

I got my Japan Visa today!

Yipee!!! Yehey! I just got the Japan visa today which means our short Tokyo trip will push through. I don't mind if it's short, besides it's fully funded by my company. I'm sooo looking forward to August 21-28. Aside from work / training, I will also get to meet a very good friend whom I haven't seen for years. God bless this trip and let everything fall into place! =))