Priceless

Understanding Muslims and Islam Forum...
$48.40

Women's Networking Event at Federation Square...
$96.80

Two tickets to Annual Awards Gala Dinner at the Palladium, Crown Casino, hosted by Anton Enus from SBS...
$352.00

Certificate IV in Training and Assessment...
$4,400

Having a positive impact on organisations and individuals one day at a time...
Priceless

(I love my job ^__^)

5 Reasons Women are Naturals at Going Global

1. We are more attentive and supportive toward others.
2. We study people, "read" their behavior and make judgments.
3. We have enormous patience and capacity for forgiveness.
4. It's always been our job to know about etiquette and appropriate social behavior.
5. We are raised to be charming and pleasant to be around.

Source: Laurel Delaney, LeaderValues

Purple Things That Amuse MelMel #9

"This phone was made for you!"
- Kyle

Ah To Be A Haiku...Drifting On The Net...

Hey hey~

These computer haiku aren't new at all, but they still make me laugh when I read them.

- - - - - - - - - - - -
Yesterday it worked
Today it is not working
Windows is like that
- - - - - - - - - - - -

- - - - - - - - - - - -
Three things are certain:
Death, taxes, and lost data.
Guess which has occurred.
- - - - - - - - - - - -

- - - - - - - - - - - -
Windows NT crashed.
I am the Blue Screen of Death.
No one hears your screams.
- - - - - - - - - - - -

- - - - - - - - - - - -
Serious error.
All shortcuts have disappeared.
Screen. Mind. Both are blank.
- - - - - - - - - - - -

*hugz*

MelMel

See You Again Soon Singapore!

Every year it gets easier and easier to visit... This is definitely a place that grows on you over time.

The faces and locations become more and more familiar and comfortable as time passes.

But every year it gets harder and harder to say good bye. It's not forever, it's more really 'See you again soon.'

Thank you for a wonderful three and a half weeks - it went by far too quickly (as usual).

*hugz*

Mis-ahh
xoxo

I Am A Third Culture Kid

"A Third Culture Kid (TCK) is a person who has spent a significant part of his or her developmental years outside of the parents' culture. The TCK build relationships to all of the cultures, while not having full ownership over any. Although elements from each culture are assimilated into the TCK's life experience, the sense of belonging is in relationship to others of similar background"
- David C. Pollock and Ruth Van Reken (2001)

I'm always weary to be typecast or to give into the conformity of particular stereotypes, but after reading this book I think I have to come understand myself a little better.

And sure enough, a few days out from leaving Singapore I'm getting that sick feeling in my stomach.

It's not my fear of flying coming into play.

It's not that I'm not excited about returning to Australia and getting back into my routine and seeing my friends again.

It's not like I really even consider Singapore my home given I've only lived here for 8 months of my life.

But that's it, isn't it really?

Five cities and eleven "homes" in twenty-four years.

Initially I thought it was about not having a home... but now I realise that perhaps it is about having too many.

I have an expanded world view but sometimes confused loyalties

My third dimensional view of the world is sometimes associated with a painful view of reality

I realise that my cross cultural enrichment can come at cost of ignorance of my home culture

I am a hidden immigrant, able to blend in but I also find it extremely necessary to define my own differences

I struggle with arrogance: both perceived and real

I recognise the importance of now, and try to live each moment to its fullest, but am careful not to be overwhelmed by the delusion of choice.

I am a cultural chameleon.

I am not alone even though it sometimes feels like it.

I am a Third Culture Kid.

A Look Back At The Year That Was

Hey hey~

Following on from last year's post, I thought it would be a good idea to take stock of the amazing year I have experienced in preparation for the New Year.

In 2007 I...

traveled on 12 planes

started wearing skirts

moved to my fifth city and eleventh "home" in twenty-four years

concluded my amazing team experience on the Australian National Committee

met the parents (and more importantly lived to tell the tale)

became a member of the Century Club

was put to the test to drive to challenge the country to recruit 350 High Quality Members by July... and succeeded!

had the courage to sing my first karaoke song in public

joined Facebook

applied for a job, only to have another one created and offered to me

was Simpsonized at last

attended the biggest AIESEC National Conference in five years

realised that it doesn't matter if some one is pink, blue, three-eyed, or glows in the dark - some individuals are simply amazing beyond words and others are just jerks regardless.

was in car accident

bought a pair of purple uggboots

made several decisions about my future

discovered how long 5 weeks really is and how fast 18 months can fly by

confronted my flaws, but also began to acknowledge my true strengths

started reading again

somehow went from being the butt of all old jokes to the butt of all young jokes

cried in front of over 200 people during my MC Changeover Night speech

caught up with friends in the most unlikely circumstances

forgave another and forgave myself

accepted that, no matter what, there will be some people whose lives I will forever be intertwined with... and for that I am eternally grateful

Thank you to every individual who I have interacted with throughout the year. Thank you for truly making 2007 one for the history books.

Bring on 2008!

*hugz*

MelMel