Beating around the bush.

Dear world,

Sometimes I wonder how people get better at doing things. I would like to be good at stringing words together, making it sound so convincing and more importantly, look awesome while at it. A lot of times I have ideas in my head during meetings but I always potray it to the world in its worst possible way. Here's an example today.

So there I was at a meeting. We're having a good discussion. Suddenly, a question pops out - have I done this 'thing' in the project. A simple answer to a simple question - yes. Sadly, that was how I replied it - YES and muttered a few lines. It killed the conversation on the spot and didn't show the extend of work I did. The ideas behind my work and thought process that went about doing it was lost with a simple yes. I didn't follow up and it killed my chances to look 'smart'.

So here I am pondering on how to improve on this. Perhaps I should cut out the obvious answer of YES and instead go about talking about the process and ideas first and THEN saying YES. I have a feeling my thought process is revolved around the fact that 'Beating around the bush' is utterly nonsense. In fact, it isnt. People tend to stigmatised 'beating around the bush' as a negative way of doing things because of how pointless it is. However, I strongly believe that beating around the bush is the best way of convincing people. If only I can think of words in my head as good as I write. To do it during a meeting requires skill and a whole lot of concentration and that is what I am hoping to achieve.

Beating around the bush is the way to go.

Zukri

BCG 2011

I've been playing FIFA 11 since last October. The game was just released and I was all alone in Glasgow, sadly the obvious choice was to get it and play it all day and night, which I ended up doing for the first month. To be fair, playing online was the only kick I get. You see, playing with my housemates were boring because (1) one of them is really annoying and complains too much (2) You can only get better playing against other people. Anyways, fast forward to November - and that was when I started playing Real Madrid religiously. A team full of stars yet seem ridiculously bad at defending. That interests me. If only I could make this team defend better, I thought.

Then came one day when a friendly neighbour came down to play FIFA online with me. A friend of mine who really knows how to go forwards but doesn't have a clue on defending. I do not understand it. The best defense is the best offense? That's Real Madrid 2005. I've seen over and over again - people getting frustrated. Such was the case seen at the Brunei Cyber Games. It seems like the stereotypical 'Bruneian' way of playing is to go on the offense. Disregard defense, acquire offensive madness. Dumb. Anyways, playing with him taught me two things: (1) I learn how to go on the offense better (2) The birth of the 5-3-2 formation. The idea here is to soak up any pressure and frustrate opponents, while giving the mental edge and surprise to hit them on the break. That's only for VERY good players, of course. For the average player, the 5-3-2 formation dominates possession, dominates the midfield and dominates everything. So that was how we won the Brunei Cyber Games 2011. Its a simple formula of learning as you go. There's this book that says 'Learning from mistakes is overrated'. So a lesson here: Do not trust everything you read. Make your own judgements.

So anyways, the Brunei Cyber Games was really enjoyable and we won the FIFA11 double competition today. It was interesting to see the dynamics between me and my brother. I brought in the passion and he brought in the calmness. He told me that if he plays alone, he does not feel the drive to win and so my passion made an impact on him. On the other hand, my little fiery attitude gets me into trouble when I lose focus. A lot of times, my brother would tell me to calm down and play it simple. THAT REALLY HELPED! Metamorphically, its like Fire and Ice. Lame, but true. I've been playing with my brother for a long time and our teamwork is second to none. It's so fun to have someone who understands your game. It makes it all easy.

FOR THE PARADIGM
zK

IDeas.

Right, I should really cut down on my swearing and more on proper posting. Anyways, figured that my last post was rather dumb - so I'm just going to point out one thing; I just wished people were more susceptible to ideas. I was reading this book and I really like this quote: 'Ideas never get stale, but people do'. So what it means is that people usually put a limit on ideas and quickly discard it for what seem to be a plausible reason. I love this bit, 'No great discovery in history has been based on Plausible reasons. Automobiles were implausible in the 1900s. Transatlantic planes were implausible in 1920s.' Obviously, we have all that now. We just needed that one person who wanted to prove others wrong, who believed in his/her ideas, who just wanted to do it to find out.

Johnny Ive, the father of the iPod once said, 'I think there's just a conspicuous lack of cynicism and scepticism and ideas are so fragile aren't they, it's so easy to sort of miss an idea, because they can be so quiet, or to snuff an idea out. I think that the sense of the inquisitiveness and the willingness to try is so important for design, for developing those tentative, fragile ideas into a real product.'

So what I meant for 'live life to its fullest' is that; I just wanted people to go out and challenge themselves to experience something new and exciting. By all means, do it within your own rules and context.

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zK

UB00 - Work Hard, Play Hard

When you have got nothing to lose, just enjoy life to its fullest. Step up your game when necessary, and in my opinion - that usually comes from within and where responsibility and attitude plays a major role. That's what I think 'Work Hard, Play Hard' means and something UB00 is trying to brainwashed me with (Those bastards!). I guess it is, after all, an introduction to this company and knowing where I sit in this whole upstream business - its their little plot to keep us 'happy' and its ridiculously working on my little sad self. Sigh. In any case, the thing I like about this company is the chance to meet people from all over the place, plus learning more about oneself. GAH, i crave for knowing my weaknesses. It's the only way I can improve - just like in Starcraft 2 or Chess. Hmm.. Gosh, thats sad. It's the only thing I could relate to.

Anyways, had dinner at some golf and country club in Miri. Good food and we had karaoke - which was hilarious. Being the only Bruneian - I had to step up my game obviously. Despite being a terrible singer, I enjoyed every minute of it. I fail to see the point of being shy anymore - just go ahead and 'disregard' all. It's a really funny way to live life. But you know, that is how I really make life decisions since Glasgow. Must be that 'living alone' thing. Its actually enjoyable, makes you look a little dumb but.. What have you got to lose? Just hold your head up because the only biggest critic is yourself. Just laugh about it. Remember - you just can't please everyone in this world. Remember the story of the Man, the Boy and the Donkey. Don't stop because you don't dare. Just do it. Reflect afterwards and plan out the next action. Learn and learn. Never stop learning.

And I love my troll friends.

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zK

UB00 - Weekend

Just came back from Kuching for the UB00 Business Simulation and.. its.. just.. AMAZING! Working in groups is just fucking awesome for me - despite having a team of pragmatist. Anyways, figured out I have a dominant activists trait, which lead the team by example and... motivation, I suppose? Well, we did everything we could for the win! So at the end of the day, received lots of positive feedback - but I was more intrigued on the negative feedbacks. Apparently, I need to take a step back and think. I completely agree with that because I keep telling that in my head but I can't stand WASTING time. GAH. I need to get my enthusiasm down enough in order to reflect whether things are going according to plan, and then proceed on. In any case, it appears that I'm also a pragmatist, therefore I need to balance things by being a reflector. Or someone who can do that for me at least. I'm just writing this down so that it reminds where I can improve. Hopefully, this bit information helps you to think more on where you can improve. Remember: no one is perfect. Even Steve Jobs.

Anyways, a few interesting things happen during the UB00 course so far. Socially - its been terrific! Being the only Bruneian is definitely an advantage because it is not like I am going to work with them anyways. Therefore, I felt so liberated to do doing anything I want without care. WIN! Emancipated by the shackles of getting 'friends' annoyed is just so liberating. I can just be as direct as I want - but of course in a 'diplomatic' way. ENTJ trait kicking in. Anyways, obstacle competition was just too awesome - the team got together so well. I LOVE it when that happens! Besides that, the team had a very good time knowing each other. GAH, team-building - fucking win. Anyways, the team made a YouTube video for an activity, which I will upload someday. It's hilarious!

Let's see.. What else? Oh, I think I've just found a good friend. Nothing gay here - but we seem to be on the same wave-length; Gaming - jokes - discussions - interest. Seems to work very well, I'll probably keep in touch because his such a fucking troll too. Hahaha. Anyways, UB00 has been brilliant so far. The coming core course may be frustrating, but I don't mind - friends makes it all fun. Bring it! Plus living alone in this hotel is just heavenly. I NEED TO FIND A PLACE OF MY OWN! That Glasgow life really did something to me.

FOR THE PARADIGM

zK

UB00 - Day 2

Right: I am going to practice KISS for this post. KISS = Keep it Simple, Stupid! Effective. Bullet points for the win!

• Love and Passion can be nurtured for your work.
• Found out about my crazy curve cycle. Im quite the introvert in the morning, and become more of an extrovert in the afternoon. Well, for this course at least.
• Never stop learning. TD of SSB shared that with us. Go out and learn!
• Networking is important, says the TD. So I'm pretty lucky to meet lots of different professionals from different places in this course. He says make life-long term friends here and it'll be useful as you progress. Agreed.
• Was the HSE focal point for tonight's dinner. Though I didn't have any jokes in my HSE briefing. Oh well.
• I love trolls in this class. I counted at least 5 of them.
• So there's this thing where 'greens' are attracted to 'yellows' and vice versa. Seems like its a pretty fair reflection. I'll find out more this weekend.
• I have found a potential mentor in Shell. Seems like a pretty awesome guy. If you guys still can't find, get out and start networking.
• Oh, I'm going to start the Business Simulation tomorrow to Kuching! FOR THE WIN!

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zK

UB00 - First Day

Right, so here I am on the fourth floor in Grand Palace Hotel. Blogging on my trusty old MacBook Pro, WhatsApp'ing on the iPhone, Protein Shake to my right and a torch light to my left. (I'll just leave the torch light unexplained for your own amusement) Anyways, I'm here for my Shell course - UB00. This afternoon was mostly ice-breaking and yada yada. It was terrible and I felt like punching everyone's faces. Wait.. I was just joking. It was actually pretty fun - meeting new people is always fun for me. Supposedly, an extrovert gets more energy meeting people but I just enjoy listening to people's interest and see what gets them excited. Its fun seeing their eyes glow with excitement. For example, during the ice-breaking session or the so-called 'Speed Networking' which is like 'Speed Dating' - I met this girl who has a kid, and when I asked to see her baby photos on her phone - you could just tell the difference in her expression - uncensored happiness. It makes me happy too. Win-Win? Stephen Covey will be proud of me. (On an interesting note: In China, if both couple comes from a 'one-child policy' family, they are allowed to have two kids together!)

Anyways, it's been a while since I last stayed in a hotel. I forgot how luxurious it is! Towel? Check. Queen Size Bed? Check. Single Room? Check. Personal Fridge? Check. The last time I went travelling was San Francisco; I stayed in a student hostel where I sleep in a bunker bed with 4 other people. Obviously, privacy out of the window. However, it was fun listening to their stories and well.. That is how I got interested in Chicago! (NOTE: That's where the movie Source Code was based on! GAH!) So yeah, living in a hotel makes student hostel look third world.

So let's talk about the participants here. I'm the only Bruneian amongst the Indian, NZ, Dutch and Malaysian. So there is lots of exposure to other ideas - which is something I find interesting. I like playing the devil's advocate and ask a bunch of Malaysians what do they think of the politics in Malaysia. I 'lol' in my little heart when I see them discussing it with passion. You just don't get this kind of reaction in Brunei - unless you meet 'certain' people. I guess people can't talk about it as openly. To be fair, there's nothing to talk about in Brunei either. But it rages me when some people don't even know what's going on in Libya! FFS! Ignorant is bliss? Dammit, that idiom is prevalent in our country. Oh well. As long as you're happy, you know.

Okay, I have to look for a jogging route around here for tomorrow morning. Either that, or I go on the boring treadmill. Oh before I forget, there's an EURASIAN.

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zK