Leadership

When you are given a leadership position according to John Maxwell we are given an opportunity to grow.

It is indeed.

I've never looked at it as something that will give me power over others.

Through this leadership position given to me it will allow me to develop my character.

It's never been an easy journey but I've learned a lot.

A letter to a friend (that is not meant to be sent)

My dear friend,

I read your recent Facebook post. I have mixed emotions about it. I am a bit hurt, and a bit okay because I realized a lot of things about you. In your post although you didn't mention names but  I think you were solely referring to me.  Because obviously I am the only one who doesn't get what you are aiming for.  What right do I have to decide for you? Not that I don't get what you are aiming for but my only concern was are you aiming for the right thing? Are you sure that is what you want to work for? I've heard your sentiments last night. And I truly respect them. And I said I am sorry I didn't took the time to listen to you. I just gave my unsolicited advise.

Now I don't want to go into another argument. I don't want to again confront you of this post. I know you are trying to reassure yourself you have made the right decision. And get friends to side on you. Go ahead do that. Who am I to say you have made the wrong one, or the right one? Just as long as you have decided and you will stand by this I am okay with that.  If you think you have chosen the right path, then let it be the right path.

I have said my view on things, my view on your decisions, my view on life in general. Because you didn't take them well and you don't think I am right, that's fine.  You said it yourself we are entitled to our opinions.

From now on my friend, I will no longer offer my advise. Even if you ask me to. I will only say, "It's all up to you." I will no longer share my views, will no longer share stories with  you.  Maybe all these time you didn't really want to listen to me and I have just been very insensitive to that.

From this day forth, I will only listen and not say anything.  When you get a depressing day at your new work (which you think will get you where you are aiming for), I can and will only offer my ears.  Never ever my mouth.  Rest assured I won't say anything.  I promise you that.

Good luck my friend on your endeavors.  Despite what you have just posted, I will still be your friend. I can still lend you money. I will still invite you to dinner and movies.

I am sure this change in me is for the best of our friendship.

Still your friend,
Mhahe

it is never too late...

I am at this point in time, at this point in a woman's life that she denies her age or refuses to divulge the year she was born.

I look back at the years that have gone by...and ask myself questions - do I want to go back and change something in the past? Hmmm...Maybe I want to change that time when I was too scared to tell the guy of my dreams how much I loved him. Or maybe, I should have moved out of home when I was fresh out of college.  Or maybe, I should have said yes to that suitor 6 years ago.

My life would be totally different if I took a different path.  Indeed, totally different! But would I be happy? I don't know.  But the choices I've made in the past made me who I am right now, brought me where I am right now.  It's a ME probably others wouldn't see as anything inspirational or a ME that is too humdrum.  But this is a ME I love. And it's a ME I want to see progress and improve over time. To age beautifully I might say.

Just because...

I am not married,
I am not a big boss in a big company,
I am not filthy wealthy,
I don't have body to die for,

It doesn't mean I am way behind.  It is NOT just my time...yet.

Albert Einstein said: "The only reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once."

Thus, it is never ever always too late.   Things don't happen all at the same time.  The sweet and bitter times have their places.  Success and failure take their places at different times.

I was born in 1981, by the way.  I am now 31.

Rainy Taipei

I just got back from my short vacay in Taipei. It was raining for two days. Good thing there was sun on the last day!

This trip was scheduled sometime in February and as usual the airtickets were so cheap.  We got them on sale!  Originally, there were three of us but then the other one had to migrate to Australia in April. So that made just the two of us on this trip.  And this is my first time to go with someone in my team on a holiday trip outside the country!  Anyhow, the good thing about this new travel companion is that he is also a travel buff and goes for inexpensive stuffs on travels ie food and accommodation.

The 3 day trip in Taipei consisted of the following places:
 Day 1 - Chiang Kai Shek Memorial
              Martyr's Shrine
              Confucius Temple (but was closed)
              Shilin Night Market

national theater (?)

Martyrs' Shrine

Chiang Kai Shek Memorial

yummy lunch!

Day 2 - National Palace Museum
             Longshan Temple
             Taipei 101 at the observatory

Longshan Temple

Longshan Temple

Taipei City view from Taipei 101

Taipei 101

Taipei 101

Day 3 - Taipei 101 by day
             Lunch at Din Tai Fung in Taipei 101
             Taipei Zoo
             Maokong Gondola
             Taipei Main Station Underground Mall shopping

Taipei 101 by day with slightly gloomy sky

the zebras at the Taipei Zoo

a tea house in the Maokong Station

Taipei has a lot of Japanese influences. But it is Mandarin speaking. Very few people understand or speak English.  Good thing my companion had a few Mandarin words, enough to survive!

If given the opportunity to come back, I would! And I want to go shopping! And yes go to Jiufen which is really old Taiwan.  Unfortunately, I only realised it is one of the must-go places in Taiwan when we were headed back home. Oh well, there will always be a next time!