A matter of choice

Happy.

This weekend, I did what I wanted to, and personal rejuvenation claimed crown.

Spent Saturday at home with dad who's nursing a bad back, cooking, zzzing, and then staying up to read and nuah. Sunday was spent at gym doing Body Pump (Ikan, you are my motivation), then off for a spot of retail therapy, before getting some beach sun, and exploring the rustic Wessex village where the Colbar stands.


Old-time fish & chips with a chinese lime, and Sinalco.. best savored in laidback Wessex

Sometime during these 2 days, a couple of crazy ideas also popped up. Decided to let go of some stuff, and also to pursue some new stuff. The days ahead begin to seem a little more interesting and colorful, and that's how life is really supposed to be, isn't it?

At the end of the day, we all have a choice.

Land of Wat

Running away to Cambodia during the coming June break. For a week. A chance to sit in tranquil surroundings and contemplate in blissful silence. A chance to be awed by the majestic ruins resting in golden sunset. A chance to reconnect with life's meaning and be humbled once again. The countdown has begun...

What kind of Communicator are you?

Attended a course recently and learnt (one of only 3 useful things in the 2 day course) about the characteristics of 4 different communication styles:

1) People-oriented (The Relater)
2) Idea-oriented (The Socialiser)
3) Process-oriented (The Thinker)
4) Action-oriented (The Director)

Check out the accompanying characteristics, see which type of communicator you are, then perhaps you can, in future, be more aware of the plus-es and minus-es of that style then!

1) People-oriented (The Relater)
- concerned with stability
- think emotionally
- want documentation and facts
- need personal involvement
- take action and make decision slowly
- need to know the step-by-step sequence
- avoid risks and changes
- dislike interpersonal conflict
- work slowly and cohesively with others
- want tranquility and peace
- seek security and belongingness
- enjoy teamwork
- want to know they are appreciated
- have gd counseling skills
- have gd persuasive skills

2) Idea-oriented (The Socialiser)
- need interaction and contact with people
- are enthusiastic and lively
- act and decide spontaneously
- are concerned with approval and appearances
- think about the 'big picture' but get bored with details
- like changes and innovations
- need help getting organized
- maintain a positive and optimistic orientation to life
- exaggerate and generalize
- tend to dream and get others caught up in the dreams
- jump from one activity to another
- work quickly and excitedly with others
- seek esteem and acknowledgment from others

3) Process-oriented (The Thinker)
- think logically and analytically
- need data
- need to be right
- like organization and structure
- ask many questions about specific details
- prefer objective, task-oriented, intellectual work environment
- need to understand the process
- are cautious decision-makers
- prefer to do things themselves
- work slowly and precisely alone
- like to be admired for their accuracy
- avoid conflict
- like to contemplate
- have gd problem-solving skills

4) Action-oriented (The Director)
- need to be in charge, dislike inaction
- act quickly and decisively
- think logically
- want facts and highlights
- strive for results
- need personal freedom to manage self and others
- like changes
- prefer to delegate details
- cool, independent, and competitive
- low tolerance for feelings, attitudes, and advice of others
- work quickly and impressively alone
- want to be recognized for their accomplishments
- have a tendency to engage in arguments and conflict

Okies, so which type(s) of communicator(s) do you think you are?

According to the questionnaire that we were made to do, I am all of a (and equally so) Idea + Process + People-oriented (= confused??) communicator. Well, personally, I think I am more of an Idea-oriented person. So, I must learn to leverage more on my strengths and work on my weaknesses...

Happy communicating.

The Pillowman

FANTASTIC!!!

What a great play! Apart from the first 15min when I cringed at the too-heavily-american-accented-overly pretentious english by the 2 detectives, I absolutely enjoyed the rest of this 'viciously funny psychological thriller'!

I mean, yes, the play (by Martin McDonagh) IS very dark. But it is also very smart, and very funny at times. And when you have such superb actors as Daniel Jenkins (playing Katurian) and Michael Corbidge (playing Katurian's brother - Michal), with that kind of electrifying chemistry between them - oh my goodness.. the stage almost sizzled and burned. It was a truly enjoyable theatre outing. =)

So, just in case you have been thinking about wanting to catch the play, and just in case tickets are still available, please... go catch it, and get yourself wonderfully lost for that 3hrs in that thought-provoking, disturbing yet funny, fictitious world of The Pillowman. Enjoy!

"From SRT:

The Pillowman - the critically acclaimed play that was a runaway hit in both New York, London and played to full houses in Singapore and was a highlight of SRTs' season in 2007.

Set in an unnamed totalitarian state, Katurian – a fiction writer of gruesome fairy tales - has been dragged in by the police for interrogation about crimes committed in his community. They bear an uncanny resemblance to his books. As the police inspectors perform their good cop/bad cop routines, the audience will be led into the darkly funny and brutal world of the writer's, and perhaps even their own imaginations."

childhood joy

And admist the current state of gloom, a tiny package of blessing came a-crawling.. venturing on his fours from living room to kitchen to study room and then back again. Smiling, drooling, biting, letting out random whoops of joy - my pal's precious baby boy. =)

Such is the sweetness of childhood. All wide-eyed and innocent. Harmless and unharmed. If only adults can learn a lesson or two from babies..