Yang Xue Fei in Recital




The first guitar solo by Yang Xue Fei in Hong Kong. It's full house and the music is beautiful. I even met KC and Chole there.

The Day the Earth Stood Still

1951 Version




2008 Version

The Olympic Games

The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well.
“ Olympic Creed” – by Pierre de Fredy, Baron de Coubertin, founder of the modern Olympic Games

What is Sport?

Anyone who has played it knows the thrill of victory, and the bitterness of defeat. But it is what is gained from participation – motivation, discipline, sportsmanship, teamwork, fair play, self-esteem and prowess – that are they worthy lessons learned and what sustains one through the adversities of life.

Together, these qualities form the basis of the ethos of sport.

Sports haven been closely tied with culture, how a civilization perceived itself and the strength of a nation. The Greeks of antiquity were perhaps the first to institutionalize sporting events through the Olympic Games.

It is thus that HKU places such an emphasis on an all-round education that includes student participation in sporting activities to cultivate not only the mind but the body – because a healthy body goes hand in hand with a healthy mind.

Batman 3

I've watched the Batman at IMAX Megaobox finally. It is a lengthy movie. It is a "sad" and sophisticated story. The Goham city is never a white nor black city, it's just like its cloudy and muddy sky. There is no absolutely right nor wrong. No absolute good or evil. The most encouraging and promising scene is passenger from both ferry refuse to destroy each other...maybe they just fear, or maybe they just can't decide...but at least it tells us that the basic and fundamental nature of human being is still good.

Smart Moves

Read this article about innovation from Time magazine on 25 Aug 2008

Not everything Japan makes is a hit, but here are some winners over the years

• 1966: The Toyota Corolla rolls out – and goes on toe become the world’s top selling model
• 1974: Sanrio Co. Creates Hello Kitty, the red-bowed - and famously mouthless cat
• 1979: Sony releases the Walkman, a portable cassette player that sells 50 million units in a decade worldwide.
• 1985: Nintendo launches Super Mario Bros., which today is still the best selling video game ever
• 1993: His new fashion line gains lssey Miyake reverence in the world of haute couture
• 1995: Tadao Ando wins the Pritzker Architecture Prize, his profession's highest honor
• 2001: The Toyota Prius, the first mass produced hybrid car and a symbol of Japan's eco-friendly obsession, goes on sale worldwide
  

Some Thoughts

Just have lunch with two old friends today. We have a good time to chat on anything and everything. I think I am much happier than before.

A Break for Typhoon

This summer is hot for typhoon. It's the second typhoon that bring us holiday. This time is full day holiday. I take a snap shoot from my window. It is very windy.

It is lucky and luxury that I can still watch the street from my house. You know, apartment nowadays is so expensive and you need to pay a lot for a decent view.

Jogging

I think I am not doing enough exercise. A few weeks ago I stopped by Adidas shop and bought a whole set of running clothes and shoes and started running the night afterwards. It is a good experience. All I missing is the time to squeeze out to do it regularly

Death of Randy Pausch



I've enjoyed reading Randy book and reading his "Last Lecture" webcast on the web. It is the most inspiring lecture I've joined last year. May I wish Randy at peace in heaven.

"We cannot change our cards in our hands, but just how we play..."

Visit Wikipedia

Visit CMU website

Last Lecture on Google Video

Party Day

Saturday Lunch

Have been back to office to work on Saturday. We've have lunch at SheungWan and there are lots of unique, stylish and thematic restaurant. We had lunch at "Genko Cafe", which is a "social responsible cafe, operated by a social funds and hires staff aged over 60. Surprisingly, the food is good, delicious and rich!

1- July Holiday

Today is Hong Kong public holiday and I have been back to office for the whole day, working quiet and hard. The weather is so sunny and good. It is just so nice as we have bad and rainy days for the last two weeks. Despite I need to work during holiday, I am happy!

• I am happy because I am productive and effective!
  
• I am happy because I have done lots of critical think-through.
  
• I am happy because I can have lunch with my lovely colleague!
• I am happy because I can go to Causeway bay afterwards to enjoy dinner! Haven't been to Causeway bay for over two months!
  

Press Conference

We have a press conference earlier on 12 June to announce the launch of new China 50 indexes. It was a very impressive event. I am happy to be here and part of the team. Lots of questions asked. I've remember I have coordinated for a press conference many years ago about the establishment of i100 at during the DOTCOM bubble. Luckily, I can't find myself in the night cable tv new.

I am Happy!

I am always truthful, positive and helping others!

I am happy today!

• The music to enjoy
• The high school mates to chat with
• The Singapore old friend to chat with
• The work pressure
• The tea treat by my colleague
  

More Exercise

I am getting old...more easily get tired. I need more exercise to start me up. Recently I resume swimming whenever I get spare time. I also buy a new pairs of running shoes. Just start running today. It is just 10 -15 running around the neighborhood. It is a small start but helps a lot.

Outing

Took one hour and walk along the peak this Sunday. The magic of living in Hong Kong: you can just take a bus and visited country side within 1 hour. It's a relax and quiet Sunday afternoon. I haven't got the time to skip out of the cities. I am happy.

Happiness

I stay at home, this weekend as my wife got some fever. We doesn't go anywhere. I work a bit during the Sunday and then visit my friend in hospital. There are lots of things happening around, so many unexpected pressure and challenges to meet in life... I don't have many expectation or demands. I know that I am a happy person, and keeping myself humble and simple. Sometimes, you can help a lot by just be a listener.

Introduction

I've kept an articles by Karina Lam describing her sister. It's a simple but wonderful snap shoot. I should write one piece for myself.

• Name: Jasmine
• Occupation: Accountant
• City of Residence: Vancouver
• Ever been to Hong Kong: A few times
• 3 things you remember about Hong Kong: Dim Sum, The Peak, Sister
• Favorite Song: Utada Hikaru
• When do you happy: Family and friends
• What you don't do: Buy clothes that are not machine washable
• What's the most important things you've been told: Keep life simple and love more
• Worst thing that ever happened: Dad was in the hospital
• Best Style for you: Consumes
• prefect Saturday: To have afternoon tea with my friends and /or family
• If you ere stranded on island, who would you take with you: Pegasus
• Lesson learned: Once you can accept death, you can learn how to live
• What inspire you: Music, laughter, art and intelligent people
• Greatest influence: Family, friends and a movie which calls <<>>
• Hope for the future: If you watched Al Gore's <>, then you will know my sentiments.
• If, you had any magic power, what would it be: To have a door that can take me wherever I want to go.

See Through the Wood

I have joined the HASE training program for two consecutive days last week. Our trainer closes the course with a very special ceremony. We need to write our aspiration and wishes on a 1 inch wood board. We are still wondering why we need to write down on such a thick wood. Our trainer soon announces the reason – we need to use our hand to break the wood board into two pieces. Remember it is one inch height. It is an impossible task to me. While our trainer tells us some tips to do it, I am still wondering whether it is possible? Will it hurt? Should I just look at what others do first before I step out?

I keep my mind focused. Don’t panic! There is only one sentence in my mind:” I can do it!” With less than a second, my right hand swing and chop down on the wood, and it broke into two pieces sharply and beautifully.

I have learnt a lot from this exercise. It is definitely the most impressive and rewarding exercise in my life.

• Clear direction and objective is the key to success!
• With clear direction, we need clear execution business strategy correctly.
  
• Support and encouragement from my team mates is very important!
• We need to “See though the wood”. The objective is not the wood itself. We’re going to just to touch the wood, we’re actually cut through the wood.
• Nothing is possible. There is no impossible thinking. Everything is possible.

Successful Company

I didn't really count how many years did I work. Should be more than than ten years, right Eugene? I didn't change job very frequently. I pooled my heart in whatever challenges I faced. Through emotionally and physically devoted to my job, I suffered a bit depressed and loss each time I changed my job.

Yet, with the deep involvement and commitment to my job, I have the chance to submarine into each company corporate culture. Experiencing the happiness and sadness, fighting the pressure and enjoying the tranquilness, sharing the management's vision and building the team culture...

While facing many challenges with my new jobs, I take some time to rethink and re-conceptualize each company culture that I worked with. I have got chances to work in local Chinese companies, international companies, semi-government bodies, start up, or form industry angle: IT company, FMCG company, trade promotion company, finance company, a DOTcom, bank. A successful company talk about clear business strategy, sustainable revenue, market share...but at the end, people is the key factor to delver the success. Could a company recruit, develop and retain the talent? Could a company treat the people as their precious asset? Do a manager just talk about caring his or her subordinates or he or she really care them? We talk too much about business strategy but where is the people to develop and execute the strategy. Do we really care the people? People centric company culture is not about annual dinner nor branding exercise. People culture is about the corporate policy, about the reward policy, about the daily work, about how managers work with his or her team, about manager walk out of his comfort cubicle, about how everyone work together to achieve the common objectives!

When is the last time I say "Thank You!" to my team? Did I ever say " well done! I am so lucky with your help and presence here!"

After over 10 years of wandering, I just realize people is the fundamental factor of a successful company.