Upgrade your brain

 I attended 1.5 days part of the BD Academy in my new company. Day 2 features Jim Kwik, with his interesting delivery about how to upgrade brain and with his 10 tips on morning to upstart your brain. He introduces his concept of FAST (Forget, Active, State, Transcendence).

Forget =:

Our brain is terrible at multi-tasking. Can only function at one cognitive function at a time. 2-3 minutes task switching time.

Active =:

I think this is about our brain remembers more when creating.

State =:

Our brain remembers with emotion i.e. State-dependant.

Transcendence =:

Cross the "trans" - auto functioning. For example, use your other hand to activate focus.

Therapy

 Listening to podcasts of Ear Biscuits by Rhett and Link, I am listening to easy-going chat about Enneagrams, Multi-level marketing, and Therapy.

Therapy is cheaper... just scratching the surface when you start. You start uncovering behavioral pattern, perhaps, coming from your childhood or unconscious brain.

My Golden Life

Sometimes things happen in your life that prompts reflection. This week is the last week before I rejoined the workforce. As I binge-watch the Kdrama My Golden Life from 2018.. I am touched by the struggles of ordinary people, of the feeling of injustice, unfair life, and humiliation of daily struggles when you have to feel struggles every day without the space to breathe. I am also reminded of every day you need to take step forward, at least to try, to be aware of your purpose, remember the passage of time, grow yourself, and seek happiness. Every characters in the drama is depicted in its nuance, not just black-and-white. Everyone is not born perfect, or good in every way. The characters however, like in any good drama, would grow, learn from their mistakes, and tackle with resilience, hard work, and passion.

This week is the last week of my sabbatical. I have come to enjoy the carefree life, and seek happiness in studying and growing my mind, which I discover give me a lot of joy. I am stretching myself in a new role, in a new company, with quite likely a different culture. But I am ready for that. I want to give it my best shot. The best is yet to come!

Update: March 15.

After marathon session, I finally finished up 52 episodes of this family drama. The gripping story lines, as well as some shocking cliff-hanger at the end of each episodes ensure that the audience is hooked. I watched the KBS award show and learnt that the series won many awards including the screenwriter, lead actress, and the lead actors of both the male protagonist and the father. Plus it was nominated for top new actor and other supporting actress as well for the sister and the mother. I do think that the second half of the show was not as good as the first half, possibly contributed or contributing to the health issues that the screenwriter experienced during award show in the new year of 2017. 

I am taking away a lot of the struggles of the standard people. But also the character development shows that people can change, grow, and be happy by realizing and leading their own golden life. The achievement, big company, large salary all contribute to a secure life, however if achieving all these is costing mental sanity, values, as well as family, then it is time to re-examine your life and have a truly heartfelt conversation with people whom might be selfish and hurt you. 

It makes me happy to just watch the simple relationship of the youngest brother and the youngest child of the Choi family versus the complicated and heart-aching relationship that the lead actor and actress have. Although you wholeheartedly support them, and the complexity makes the plot, sometimes simplicity is... well, just simple, pure and enjoyable.

Watching the middle-aged couples, I do crave for the longevity of relationship, when you grow old and hopefully wiser by sharing your lives together. It is not always a guarantee that you will lead a sweet life together, but I think the odds and likelihood of that happening is decidedly higher than when you are single.

Mr Queen

Mr Queen has interesting story lines, memorable characters, and great OST. The main character is feisty, but unfortunately it is showing that the body of Kim So-Young (actress Shin Hye-sun) was possessed by a spirit of a man to be breaking down the tradition and show what a Queen can do. 

Shin Hye-sun and Kim Jung-hyun

I love the outstanding King, played by actor Kim Jung-hyun whom I am championing as I feel a bit sorry for seeing his character as Alberto, in Crash Landing into You met undesirable ending.

Most importantly, the show gave great weight on a King's reputation but showed the steely resolved for people trying their best in the situation that they were in, whether being a puppet king, caring for the suffering of the people, a misplaced lady in weird situation, fighting for survival and love and many memorable characters among them, including the court ladies, prince, special director, friends, cousin and consort. 

Link to video.

Kdrama Alice

 

It's a compelling drama about time-travel and its implications. I like the chemistry and sweetness between the characters Yoon Tae Yi (Kim Hee Seon) and Park Jin Gyeom (Joo Won), as well as other supporting characters such as Reporter Kim (Lee Da In), Alice's agent Yoo Min Hyuk (Kwak Si Yang), the buddy police of Lieutenant (Lee Jae Yoon), and Team Leader Goo (Kim Sang Ho).

It also explores them of mother's love and self-sacrifice. And, of course for a time-travel series, the concept of parallel universe. The series resolve itself in a way, that is poignant although doesn't always make perfect sense. However the concept of space that stores the memories and emotion is a soft and tender way to remind us living in a world of crisis and slower pace.

Nainai's Death Anniversary

 Today in conversation, it came up that today's is Nainai's death anniversary. Nainai is Chinese term for the mother of my father, my grandma from father's side. We also called Nainai, A Ma. It must have been 25 years or so since A Ma's passed on. 

In Hokkien tradition, we call the day "cho ki", or remembrance. Remembering death anniversary normally started when the person passed on. Instead of celebrating the birthday, when the person lived, the tradition is to start "celebrating" the death anniversary as the day to remember the deceased on the day to start the new chapter in circle of life.

I am googling what the tradition normally does on such a day. I remember we would cook a feast and remember the loved one to pass the day.

Leap of Faith

I dreamed that I was a little girl, standing on the edge of precipitance, staring into wide expense of bright lights dotted with greeneries, buildings, houses, and green field of the earth. A wide unknown yet it beckons.

Since young, I have always been terrified yet slightly excited at the prospect of a jump. When I leap and my feet couldn't find a firm foundation. The feeling of not being grounded without a safety net.

This is the feeling that I have right now. When finally, the reality, that I am leaving a company that I have toiled in for 11 years, sinks in. Acceptance of reality brings calm and peaceful state of mind.

I guess I had still be in denial and negotiation. But finally, today, the day before New Year's eve and my last day of employment, I accept this reality.

It is scary to not feeling like I have a safety net. That everything under my feet is unclear and unstable. Yet I am also equally terribly excited, and terribly nervous of the prospect of what there is to come.

Too long that I have felt cozy and safe. It is time again to leap into the unknown. And grab the best opportunities that I encounter. Only this time, I know what I want the best. And while I am on the way there, I am going to enjoy every moments of this journey of life.

 

Today I watched NYT analysis of the shooting of Breonna Taylor

The analysis was thorough and thoroughly damning. It is so reckless and poor execution of members of police forces who are trusted with firepower and intelligence.

I feel sad today that the world is so unfair. And I am feeling blessed and fortunate that no such thing negative happens to me.

I am blessed, grateful, and happy.

Workview reflection on 30 Nov

In reading the book Designing your life, one of the exercise is to write down a short reflection about my Workview. It supposed to address:

Why work?

What is work for?

What does work mean?

How does it relate to the individual, others, society?

What defines good or worthwhile work?

What does money have to do with it?

What does experiences, growth, and fulfillment have to do with it?

My Workview reflection on 30 Nov

Work is something that I want to do for my whole life. I love the feeling of putting hours in, giving it all I got so it stretches my mind, thinking, horizon, physically even, so that I can sit back at the end of day feeling fulfilled and proud that I have put my efforts in, and enjoy the fruits of my labor. I love to earn my living, so do something, learn, growth, and achieve things that I couldn't do before or I didn't know possible. If I fail, I would be sad as I didn't achieve but I should reframe that in the context of my learning experience. I also need to justify the part where I get to enjoy the fruits of my labor, in the sense that I need to earn them. But not so much. I want to provide to my family. I want to make them proud, achieve more recognition. I am perfection in the sense not to do things perfectly, but to be better and better. Give it the best I got. Why work? That's what we do as human: contribute to self, through self-improvement plus provide for physical need, be mentally challenged, soul nourishing, and to afford to do things for fun) a swell as contribute to family, others, and society (such as being mentor, and grow people). What is good and worthwhile work? 1) Challenging= stretch, 2) Achieve more = learn and be better, 3) Learn from the best and better people or through books, 4) Be compensated well, 5) Help others build on top of my work to achieve themselves, 6) Create Network of friends - my self work + grow self and others.

  

Reflecting on my 1:1 with Simon

 I reflected on the conversation, and about how different people gave advice. Some leaders are more caring and genuinely interested in making you successful. Other leaders gave you point of view, often drawn from their experiences, so you can draw your own conclusion. The first method gave you faster action and teaches you new perspective. The latter method depends on your own analysis to think and teach you how to think.

I also sensed from the conversation that he mentioned it took a  year to learn new organization, and that you have to be clearer on what you are going to get from the new role in a new organization. And at the same time, consider that the new role will draw from your existing experiences and core strength.

I sense that he talked a lot about his own experiences, that serves both ways, for others to get to know him accomplishment more and how he thinks, and also provides credibility and examples to his advice.

Overall, I would say he is taking a hands-off approach. Doesn't offer help further or to keep in touch. But that is exactly what I would expect. He did say that if there's any suitable opportunities he would flick it over but also that opportunities that he came across is not what I would be looking for.

Now the thinking trap that I must be wary about today is the all for nothing thinking. It is good that we establish a connection after 2 years. That's positive, that's it and the liberty of thinking about it that way gives me a relief and something to focus on right now, which is to chart my new path.

Getting out of thinking trap

 Today’s challenge on LumiHealth is to address thinking trap. It defines some of destructive thinking pattern to get out of, and our task is to write our thoughts down and be concious of them.

I had a succesful chat about a role in an org that I wanted to work for. On the other hand, the chat to explore another org is not that great. Why? Maybe I am jumping to conclusion. I sense some frustration but it could be the person is really trying to help and need a more specifics. It could be that she doesn’t know enough details and be confident. 

The thinking trap describes the following pattern to watch out for:

1. Jumping to conclusions

2. All or nothing thinking

3. Over-generalization

4. Confirmation bias

5. Emotional thinking.

The wellness exercise encourages us to write down our thoughts and come up with as many positive thoughts that I can.

Some things I am grateful for this week:

Great chat and coaching from Sook Hoon. Be prepared and go nail the time to be productive and impress the other party.

Good connection with Lisa.

Positive progress and support from Ali.

Great call with Su Yim a leader that I admire.

Ok chat re-establishing connection with Ricky.

I tried making Coq Au Vin

Nicely crispy martabak manis with dark chocolate and cashews

Beautiful flowers from team, arranged by Sharon.

So much to be thankful for!

Caring leadership

 I am so touched by the model, coach, care that was demonstrated to me by 2 senior female leaders, that I almost teared up on the call. One is someone whom I know for 16 months, and one in a recent conversation. I know they have strong agenda and yet they leave me at the end of the conversation full of energy and strength in spirit to carry on and with resilience.

I am so thankful and blessed, and I hope someday I can sincerely be one like them and pay it forward.

Instances for work harrassment

I am contemplating whether I should file complaint to HR about stressful work environment and work harassment. I am now start documenting as I tended to let go of things, but my manager is not someone who is a leader that live by values of Microsoft. 

Hi Jason,

I alluded to facts that the work environment had been challenging. Now as we moving forward, I think there's situation and behavior that I think as HR, it is crucial for you to know.

• In February 2020, I wrote an email to my manager how I felt I needed space and let him know better my trigger. For full disclosure my mail is attached. He rang me and his opening line was "Your email is a waste of my time." He then proceeded me to lecture me in harsh tones mentioning repeatedly that I was very rude and how I was very wrong. I must still have the record on how long the conversation was about 1.5 hours perhaps. I felt so small after that conversation, and started having self-doubt about speaking out my feeling. This example of manager's behavior is so against Microsoft value of respect that I expect more from a Microsoft executive exhibits. 
• My manager gave me feedbacks multiple times that "you created unnecessary tension", most of the time in harsh and condescending tone. There was a time when he stated his feedback in reasonable tone is a weekly sync-up between my manager, executive admin, and myself. I initially took that feedback very much to heart and thus often second guessed myself when I was about to offer my recommendations. I started to have self doubt and feel the lack of self worth of being deemed unnecessary was so disempowering. 
• Looking back, in the context of the 3 recent examples that my manager provided, I have observed that he judged my voice as unnecessary and I created friction when I tried to offer advice. 
• Let me explain each of these examples.

1. In Starbucks project I was becoming aware that he didn't have regular review for delivery which was becoming critical. In our 3-way weekly sync-up meeting with my manager, the admin assistant and me, my manager asked me to follow up with Delivery Director that he would like to know the status of Starbucks project. I suggested my manager to join delivery review and discuss this with our Delivery Director directly and offered to have our admin assistant, who was in the meeting, to set this up. My manager became aggressive as my suggestion and mentioned that he would follow up directly with Delivery Director. 
2. Immediately after that conversation, I had 1:1 discussion with my manager for the second review of a presentation deck that my manager would present in this 1:1 with his manager, Omar. I presented the draft of key deals information. I let him be aware that we utilized information available from MSX sellers comment, pursuit data, as well as a review with Sales Director and Pursuit Leader. He gave feedbacks that the information was not good enough. I let him know that the view I am presenting came from the Sales Director and Pursuit Leader. As collecting more information from the field is randomizing, I then suggested having a call directly with the team to be clear on what's expected. My manager became aggressive and said if I cannot collect information then what good of me being a Business Manager. At that point the Sales Director was on paternity leave. He then proceeded to compare my work with field Sales excellence lead, which I explained that as Timezone role, we need to be clear on why we are collecting information and what we do with the information we collected.
3. The third example he claimed that I was late in providing information about Headcount that he requested. I sent him the information on Sept 9th on the same day that he requested a prioritization of this task at 10:46am. As context, he called me to prioritize this and explained why this is important to share with his manager and Microsoft Asia leader. I immediately prioritized, and sent aggregate information after a validation with Finance. During the phone conversation with my manager, I raised my concern that this information about the headcount conversation would have been settled during budgeting discussion. That our focus should be looking forward. By re-escalating this, I was very concerned that we would be seen as defensive on our challenges of not being able to meet growth ambition. He responded that I should leave the task of managing stakeholders to him, and thus I complied and provided the information at 11:26am, and another set of requested information based on September actual at 3:26pm.

There are two people in a conversation, and above is my point of view of the conversation. There is a pattern here. It is when I am speaking out with my point of view on doing in way that might be better for the business. I personally think that preparing two weeks for internal presentation is a lot of unproductive time consumed. Yet I know it is important so I actively try to look for ways to deliver what's expected with the least amount of time by minimizing random request impacting the team and the field. If I have wrong view, coach me. But having a voice is not unnecessary and I have been so disempowered that finally in early September I decided that it was the time for me to start looking for my next role.

•  I delivered on all my core priorities during FY20 under 3 different leaders. I adapted and tried to adapt as I know that the requirements for business manager by each leader is different. My manager called me to provide his feedbacks on May 5th. I asked my manager then whether he was looking for a Yes man. I mentioned that I am not a Yes man so if that's what he was looking for, I wanted to know. He answered that a Yes man is not what he was looking for in this role and that he expected me to bring my perspective and point of view to things. So I stayed on, worked on his feedback, and delivered on my accountability according to his clarifications. I think Integrity in this case is very important. The Services business today and a year ago when I was hired is very different. Furthermore, the requirement for a role would shift. It is very important to engage continuously to validate priority and expectation. But if the goalpost keeps on changing without clear communication, this is not the right setup for success. Worse, if my manager was looking for characteristic of a person whom would not offer opinion, then please have integrity to say so, be so, assess if this is the right thing to do for the business, and find the right person for the job. 

There are many other things that happened that I would not want to be petty and listed everything. But I am open if you want to follow-up. Suffice to say that I have worked day and night, early hours, late night, to deliver my best efforts for the business. The company has my records and my calendar that I am not only delivering for my manager, but also in view of what is best for the business, and what's optimum for the experiences of our stakeholders internally and externally at field, corp, and our customers. I am tired, exhausted, and demoralized.

To label someone as lack of performance because he or she started from a place of accountability to the business-first, for speaking out, for being authentic, under working relationship not based on respect and trust is so contrary to the values that we are espousing. It is hard for me to reconcile the fact that my silence would aid status quo. If things are not improving, other employees in Microsoft would potentially have poor experience that is avoidable. 

I have my learnings as well and I am far from perfect. I am in Microsoft because I believe in similar values of respect, integrity, and accountability and I would thrive in such environment as our values is aligned. After slightly more than 10 years in this company, I have seen and continue to have some belief that the company would work inline with the value of respect, integrity, and accountability.

As discussed, let's agree to move forward. I really want to let you know my perspective and my voice. As appropriate I urge a reflection, validation, investigation, coaching, and that the right practice is put in place to avoid other employees of Microsoft being subjected to experience that I just had. As I shared with you, the low points of my interactions with my manager has been very negative. The lack of support and trust in my professional life has been detrimental to my mental health. I think HR and the company deserves to know my perspective and the context on how things got to this point. 

I am very disappointed that things got to this stage that I am keen for the right opportunities to move beyond Asia MCS and this role. Now I want to be treated with fairness, dignity, and respect. I look forward to that.

Hope we will take care of future team members so that everyone is treated with dignity and inline with Microsoft values.

Kind regards,

Nelly

Work Troubles

 I had been having very difficult journey in my current role, last few months. Since my new manager comes onboard. Yesterday, I was presented with 2 options: one going to performance plan and the other to sign separation agreement. Both time-bounded. Yes my employment has expiry date.

As I took a day off today to sort through my emotion and feeling, my head is searching for answers. 

Why this happens? Is the most obvious question. Part of this is blaming myself for being in this situation, and sorting out what I could have done differently, or why I haven't seen this coming that it came as a shock. Part of that is also blaming my manager.

I found it helpful to verbalize my thoughts to see things objectively. To address the feeling of unfairness that rises up to anger and disappointment. Also the sense of unjust as I felt I have done nothing wrong, and I have always delivered against my commitment. But few instances of my refusal to do what my manager asked me to do, that I justify as action of randomizing the field, or inefficient way of how things should be done, makes me tethering on the verge of self-doubt and foolishness.  I do not know why manager holds such a power in large corporation. Or that the selection of people rising to the top that holds the power over the livelihood, experiences, and motivation of employees. This seems like such an ineffective system.

Take my manager for example. He has 7 direct reports with seniority, and what he does is randomizing people by asking them to pull some data, prepare powerpoint slides, or do internal presentation in internal meetings. What is the objective and what is the key results?

My soul-searching today led me to read an article on Harvard Business Review, compendium for leadership. One chapter of the book is titled Why Should Anyone Be Led by You ? It talks about effective executive whom be a sensor, exposes weaknesses (artfully and smartly), dare to be different, and tough empathy. Another chapter on the same book talks about the difference of management and leadership. Maybe I mixed the need of managing versus leading that my manager attempted to do. Maybe I did so as I feel undervalued and thus insisting on establishing myself or a resemblance of control. Maybe I had lack of respect to a leader who is mercantile and egoistic that in turn I responded belligerently. A friend advised me that there is no right and wrong. There no sense to try to rationalize human. 

At the end of the day, I do want to be more self-awareness, agile, and flexible. I hope this setback teaches me valuable lesson without destroying my self-esteem.

Let me affirm myself.

I am hard working

I am mature.

I am professional.

I am a learner.

I will overcome this.

August Wellness Month

Since Singapore opened up from Circuit Breaker, I have been easing to exercise gently. In month of August, we officially concluded 6-month period of the lockdown since pandemic started. It also coincided with Get Well "games" that was initiated by my company and encouraged us to form groups of 3-12 people to complete 10,000 minutes of exercise. 

So I am happy to report at the conclusion of August that the time that I dedicated to exercise and general well being has improved.

According to Strava app, I have regained distance of exercise travelled to 53km! While this is still short of 100km that I logged in Jan 2020 in 20-day period, frankly that was my personal best record. I am happy with the slow but steady progress. I had also dedicated 19hrs 19mins in total in Strava app. That plus my swimming record while I was in my final month of FitnessFirst membership made me proud of my accomplishments.

Happy Exercise!

K-Drama Romcom

Just finished watching "What's wrong with Secretary Kim". A very funny, romantic rom-com. I love the characters that are not shallow but have deep personality.

I love the playfulness as well as the journey the two lead characters discover love with each other, and navigating their relationship, as well as their first relationship. Being understanding, learn from others' friends advice, being smiling and lower tension to avoid argument repeatedly. It seems that they have more playful moments and tender texts than argument maybe 10:1 ratio.

I love the pretty Kim Mi-So, her gentle and bright smile. Her cute furious stares, as well as her patience. Her passion to serve others, while trying to discover her path, she made decision but she is flexible and not rigid with her way and her manner. She is accessible and remains open to ideas.

As man, of course the Lee Young-Joun is the stuff of movie. He is rich, wealthy, successful, young, good looking with great body, but also very considerate as boyfriend, faithful, loyal, accommodates well with family and has a good friend.

I love the song from Itaewon Class

Just finished Itaewon Class drama from Netflix, and I love the song: Gaho - Start.

Here's the youtube link:

The song sparks many positive emotion and hope, to conquer your dream.

"Even if I don't shine, I still am chasing my dream."

Homemade Lemon Sorbet

My base recipe is found at Guardian article here and a bunch of other online recipes. I found however that the recipes that often sticks is the easiest with the least amount of equipment and less exotic ones.

So this is what I settled with, 1 portion sugar to 2 portion of water, to make a sugar syrup. Meanwhile I grate the lemon peels and cook them together. I juiced around 5 lemons and being extra careful not to include the white pith (the whitish part of the skin is what caused bitterness in our juice/sorbet/lemonade).

The Guardian's recipe:
350g caster sugar (I used 500gr to 1L water)
14 lemons, at least 5 unwaxed (I used 7 lemons)

1. Put 250g sugar into a pan with 250ml boiling water and heat, stirring, until the sugar has dissolved. Allow to bubble for a couple of minutes until slightly thickened, then set aside and allow to cool completely.
2. Zest the unwaxed lemons and finely chop the resulting peel. Juice all the lemons and strain to remove any pulp and stray pips. Add the chopped peel and stir in the rest of the sugar to dissolve. Chill in the fridge for a couple of hours.
3. Add equal amounts of syrup and cold water, 25ml at a time, and taste, until the flavour is to your liking – remember that freezing will mute it slightly, so it should be quite intense.
4. Put in an ice cream maker and churn according to instructions. Alternatively pour into a strong plastic box and put in the coldest part of the freezer. After 1 hour 30 minutes it should have frozen round the edges – take it out and beat vigorously with a fork, electric whisk or in a food processor until you have a uniformly textured icy slush. Put back in the freezer and repeat at least twice more every hour and a half, then freeze for at least another hour.
5. Transfer the sorbet to the fridge for 20 minutes before serving.

What I Learn from Netflix "The Good Place"

After binge-watching The Good Place Season 1 and 2 in a day, I learnt and gained interests in some ethics concept that is being discussed by Eleanor and Michael, taught by Chidi:

• Aphorism: is a pithy observation about succinct truth. For example: 

Life is short, art long, opportunity fleeting, experience deceptive, judgment difficult.

• Adage: is a form of aphorism derived from custom or statement past from generations.

• Immanuel Kant

• the four Cardinal virtues: Courage/Fortitude, Wisdom, Temperance, Justice.

Book 1: The Heart by Maylis de Kerangal

The third book I finished in 2020 is The Heart by Maylis de Kerangal. I believe I picked this one up years ago from books that Bill Gates recommended. Coincidentally, BillG decided to step down from the board of Microsoft and Berkshire the day prior, to focus on his Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

The book, unlike most fiction I read, has the quality that touches your mind, heart, and soul. It is not exactly satisfying. It stays with you a while after you finished the book. I finished it in 2 days while on medical leave.

The Book Cover

The book was written in French, and translated by Sam Taylor to English. The story took place in 24 hours elapsed, exactly. From the celebration of life, for a 19-year-old boy who cares about surfing, and throughout the book his persona emerges, but not quite clear. The prose was well articulated, and defines everyone on the book in unique perspective, with a combination of description of things around the person, their thoughts, POV, but also description of universe. I guess I like this description the best from Priya Parmar's NY Times 2016 review of the book

The story unfolds in an intricate lacework of precise detail. Each character is introduced in particle form, and then the details compound until a wholeness is reached, a person takes shape and steps forward.

Goodreads link.