Sunday, July 25, 2004
It was the time of the year again where I was called up for my annual reservist duties. Being the 4th call-up, it became more and more comfortable as I knew what to expect. Interesting, instead of being in an attitude of dread for this call-up, I was a bit looking forward to it, as this being the first time I am with my original troop. For the past 3 years I always had to defer my call-up because of studies, and hence was unable to with my troop during my reservist call-up.
As usual, shooting and IPPT was not excluded from being part of the call-up. Thank God, I had no problem with shooting and bagged the $200 marksman incentive easily, but I had a bit of a mishap from my IPPT. In the past, I could easily get a silver award and that would mean another $200 from the Government as a reward for putting in effort to keep myself fit. This year, I did unexpectedly bad for one of my stations--the standing broad jump--and that cost me $100! Gggrrrhhh...
This year's call-up was a test of my spiritual awareness as well. God really opened my spiritual eyes to have compassion over the people in my troop. I don't see them as being the ah bengs and ah sengs that I always stereotype them with previously, but rather I see them as people who are lost in the things of the world. With grace this call-up only lasted only one week, because by the end of the week, somewhat my spiritual eyes were darkened also. Time to train up the spirit-man in me...
As usual, shooting and IPPT was not excluded from being part of the call-up. Thank God, I had no problem with shooting and bagged the $200 marksman incentive easily, but I had a bit of a mishap from my IPPT. In the past, I could easily get a silver award and that would mean another $200 from the Government as a reward for putting in effort to keep myself fit. This year, I did unexpectedly bad for one of my stations--the standing broad jump--and that cost me $100! Gggrrrhhh...
This year's call-up was a test of my spiritual awareness as well. God really opened my spiritual eyes to have compassion over the people in my troop. I don't see them as being the ah bengs and ah sengs that I always stereotype them with previously, but rather I see them as people who are lost in the things of the world. With grace this call-up only lasted only one week, because by the end of the week, somewhat my spiritual eyes were darkened also. Time to train up the spirit-man in me...
Thursday, July 15, 2004
Time flies...it's been close to two weeks since I've started work with TOUCH Youth Services (which is a branch of TCS). Things are pretty exciting to be working with youths that continually tests my patience and tolerance. This not the first time working with such youths; nevertheless this has been a trying period. Learnt a lot of new things (mostly soft skills) from youth workers that have experiences longer than the time I've been in school. Thank God for His strength and providence so far...really learnt how to depend on Him as a first resort, not as a last recourse.
Having tasted first-hand what it means to be really working, I now understand why so many of my seniors preferred studying or serving reservist duties to working. Being a person who is locked into a working schedule means you can't plan your time as much as, say, a University student. Well, I don't mean having no time left for oneself, but rather you can't say for example, "maybe I'll go to the bank today at around 10 am," since for 5 days a week, I am busy with work at that particular time. Time is therefore scheduled around work.
I try not to bring work back home (this being the first principle I have as a working adult), since (1) I probably won't work on it anyway unless it's super-duper urgent, and (2) it blurs the line between work and play, possibly causing a burn-out. Let's see how long can I maintain this principle.
Having tasted first-hand what it means to be really working, I now understand why so many of my seniors preferred studying or serving reservist duties to working. Being a person who is locked into a working schedule means you can't plan your time as much as, say, a University student. Well, I don't mean having no time left for oneself, but rather you can't say for example, "maybe I'll go to the bank today at around 10 am," since for 5 days a week, I am busy with work at that particular time. Time is therefore scheduled around work.
I try not to bring work back home (this being the first principle I have as a working adult), since (1) I probably won't work on it anyway unless it's super-duper urgent, and (2) it blurs the line between work and play, possibly causing a burn-out. Let's see how long can I maintain this principle.
Friday, July 02, 2004
Did I mention that I'm starting work at TCS (nope, not the media company, it's TOUCH Community Services) next Monday as a temporary staff? Well, if things work out well, I may be there after the 3-month project!
I never knew I would be exploring youth work as a career choice. If there's anything, here is another testimony of God's plan higher than our own. The future is as clear as mud, since I've got several possible options to choose from. But one thing's for sure, it's going to be a wild ride from here! :)
I never knew I would be exploring youth work as a career choice. If there's anything, here is another testimony of God's plan higher than our own. The future is as clear as mud, since I've got several possible options to choose from. But one thing's for sure, it's going to be a wild ride from here! :)
You may think I am free enough to update my blog. Well, NOT! I'm still busy trying to finish the hall annual magazine and now things are not working out very well. The fact that I'm being somewhat duped into thinking people are responsible enough to do things didn't help. I'm hit by the "real world" where not all people are clear in their priorities and responsibilities.
So, with the impending thought I'm going to start work next Monday and with less than 20% of the magazine done, I'm thrown into another situation of having to juggle my life with a dead elephant on my back. Missing resources--photos, articles and money--and having to make executive decisions without proper authority isn't the best receipe for success. But I trust that things will go through; since I've decided to take up the responsibility I will put in my best to make sure things get done, with His help, of course!
Back to InDesign...
So, with the impending thought I'm going to start work next Monday and with less than 20% of the magazine done, I'm thrown into another situation of having to juggle my life with a dead elephant on my back. Missing resources--photos, articles and money--and having to make executive decisions without proper authority isn't the best receipe for success. But I trust that things will go through; since I've decided to take up the responsibility I will put in my best to make sure things get done, with His help, of course!
Back to InDesign...
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