20 Random Things About Me

(1) I respect the mind and how essential it is to help one to analyse situations and problems, solve puzzles, absorb information and so on. As I grew older, I've come to respect the heart and how superior it is to the mind. With the determination and the will to go on, one can overcome hardships and achieve so many things in life.

(2) Having good conversations with people is daily therapy to me, amidst the rush during school. In my breaks, I look forward to just grabbing coffee with a friend and sitting down to have a good chat. I think that human touch helps to clear the clutter from your mind and destress.

(3) Late-night supper is a must for me, given how late that I stay awake at night. Char Kway Teow and Korean Ramyun noodles are extremely unhealthy, but also extremely appetising.

(4) I never learnt to drive, despite its obvious benefits. When I look at the "disadvantages" of driving (i.e. car maintenance, car value depreciation, having to run errands for the family, drive friends home etc.), I decided to postpone taking my driving lessons indefinitely, even though my advanced theory pass lapsed after 2 years.

(5) Running is a sport that makes me feel "free". I love to run at night especially. Plugged into my Ipod, absorbing the sights around me, and feeling the cool night air on my skin, I don't feel inhibited at all. Freedom on earth.

(6) I used to think that Corporate Communications is bull-shit, until I realised how important it is to sustaining a brand, and how related it is to journalism. It's all a matter of perspective and "educating" people on that perspective. Still, I do not wish to build my life on creating a facade that may never last the test of time.

(7) On pt 6, I used to want to become a journalist until it occurred to me how censored and lope-sided our media is. During a stint at ST, I've met people who are rebels who tried to push the boundaries of what they can report on. Unfortunately, even with more people like this, they still can't beat the system. Call it the Uniquely Singapore System.

(8) Even as a Christian, I still believe that everyone is entitled to their own views and beliefs. I've spent enough time defending my faith for 2 years in the army to know why some people perceive Christianity and Christians in a negative light. I've also spoken to enough people of other faiths to understand that just as I have made my peace with God, they have made their peace with theirs.

(9) As the Chinese saying goes, trouble really comes from the mouth. People say that I can be too diplomatic in my words and accommodating at times, and I agree. I just think that when it comes to many topics, people should agree to disagree. And contrary to what people think, I often shoot my mouth off and have gotten myself into enough trouble to know how bad that feels.

(10) I have trouble relating to Accountancy students. Apart from some exceptions, I think most of them are quite stuck-up, narrow-minded, grades-obsessed, tend to hang around in cliques, and are rather shallow. I'm curious to know more Accountancy students to prove myself wrong!

(11) I think "consultancy" is a very prestigious and expensive word. Companies pay a fortune to sort out their operations and find experts to reassure them that they are in "good hands". No wonder so many companies call themselves "consultancies" and so many professionals term themselves "consultants". I guess if you man an IT helpdesk, that makes you an "IT consultant" too.

(12) Sometimes, I wonder how my life now is different from that of a working adult. I return home at ungodly hours because I work until late in school, and devote so much of my time outside, whether I'm busy with academic or CCA stuff. There are fast days, and there are slow days. But it is, as always, satisfying because it keeps me focused in life.

(13) Through AIESEC, I have met some of the most passionate people in my life. That is why I am still a member after 2.5 years, with many more years to go. Many of my close AIESEC friends have left but the thought of inspiring the new members and to contribute to their growth is something that keeps me coming back for more.

(14) Growing up in secondary school in SJI, I was quite a loner. Apart from the occasional outing with a few close friends and joining 2 intense CCAs (Fencing & St Vincent De Paul), I would go home straight after school almost everyday to play computer games. My classmates would also tease about how I keep wetting my hair to keep it down (I was super vain in the past), causing the gel to drip from my hair to my uniform. In hindsight, I thought it was a very silly and disgusting thing to do. So glad I grew out of it.

(15) Based on my past records, I have an 85% chance of acing an interview, be it an application for a prestigious student club, or an internship. I always believe that it all boils down to knowing what you want, who you are as a person, how you can contribute and how to market yourself to the right people. Contact me if you want some pretty good tips!

(16) I've come to believe that as much as we like to think that people and the world run on logic, arguments are often won not by logic but by who the person making the argument is and how fast he can overwhelm you with his words that may not necessarily make sense. This explains why some governments introduce policies that have their logic flushed down the gutter, and why some companies hire the wrong person for the wrong job. 'Nough said.

(17) I think schools do to some extent kill creativity. If the system jam-packs your kid's life with classes and exams to get him to "learn more" and "prep him" for the "big one", then he will never have the time and space to explore himself through alternative means, apart from doing well in school. Think home-schooling is a bad thing? Think again! I think students who are home-schooled may emerge happier than the average student who comes out of the system as "factory output".

(18) I prefer to travel to emerging markets like India, China and the countries in South-east Asia than to the US and Europe (apart from Eastern Europe) because these places have a more exotic charm and have more places to "discover". That's why I'm particularly excited to visit Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain and the UAE this coming December for my Business Study Mission (BSM) Middle East module.

(19) I can't understand how people can enjoy drinking beer. It looks like piss, tastes like piss, and eventually becomes piss. Ok, I'm not that great a drinker myself and friends can testify that I get drunk after drinking 1 pint of beer. That's why I drink sparingly and would rather choose wine over beer.

(20) I originally wanted to write "15 random things about me" but decided that I have more things to write, and I'm too unmotivated to finish my assignment which is due the next morning anyway. Hence, here's a "20 random things about me".