How good u r (10%) + 天时(10%) + 地利(10%) + 人和(70%)

What's the secret to a promotion?

Some said: 'It's not working hard but work SMART!'

I read from somewhere: 'It's not what u do, it's HOW u do'

My Guru said: 'It's not what u know, it's WHO u know'

My newly derived formula:
10% of your capabilities + 10% of 天时 (right time/opportunity) + 10% of 地利 (right place) +70% of 人和 (human factors e.g. support of people/superior)

Here's the example:
After 4 years or so with the company, I have to go thru a 6 months 'test/probation' period to prove myself + 2 months of delay before promoted to Snr. Mgr...

No way would I be promoted to Ass. Biz Dir., if not for Mr. YP... Thanks! Mr.YP

It will be a lot easier when one has the 70% of 人和 i.e. support from boss... he/she can be promoted twice or even more in a short span of few months... 'test/probation' period? no need... delay? don't think so...

What can I say? I am not as capable??? or It wasn't the right time then??? or I wasn't at the right place??? or Just my luck??? I don't have the 70% of 人和???

No! I am not jealous of Mr.Lucky... Why should I?! It has nothing to do with him...

I am in the porcupine mood, whining and feeling kinda 'buay song' (that pretty much explained the email earlier this afternoon) tat while I have to go thru so much while others can get it so effortlessly...

I should have learnt that the world is not always fair most of the time after incidents of preferential treatments given to Mr. YP & Mr. Glass, shouldn't I?!

How come I accept it happily then?! (other than stupid, I don't know what else to say...haha)

No point crying over spilled milk?!

I beg to differ... One should always learn from yesterday(note: learn from NOT dwell on)...

Then why am I still keeping in touch? Many said I should steer clear since I've left...

I don't know... guess I just have the soft-spot of forgive and forget easily... or I am simply 'gong-tut'...

Anyway, Pris is rather to be taken for granted than take ppl for granted, rite?!

Don't ask me...

There are 2 questions that I dread:

'How are u?'

I know I should take it as a form of greeting, the extended version of 'Hi!' or 'Hello!', and simply give the standard answer - 'I am fine, thank you!' will do...

But, it just not me...

If I were to tell u exactly how I feel, start to whine and tell u my problems etc, would u be interested/bothered to hear me out?

If that's the case, then wat's the point of asking in the first place?!

'How's SH?' (Worst if it's 'So how r u? How's your life in SH?')

Well! I like the fact that the cost of living here is lower, thus quality of life is better comparing to Singapore; it's my first time experiencing four seasons; the shopping is irresistable...

On the other hand, I have my reservation on the people - their 'ka pui', their rudeness, their mindset, culture etc...

and I miss my family and friends... esp. my parents who are getting on age...

It will PERFECT if I could have my family and fren here...

Ok! Ok! I know I should go sleep now and DREAM ON...haha

So, the next time ppl ask me any of the questions, my answer would be - 'Go read my blog!' ;-)

Anyway, side-track a bit...

I discovered 2 'multi-purpose' words - 'Interesting & Cool'. Different meaning (but not to me) and can be used interchangeably, depending on who, what and when... 'Interesting' more formal ,'Cool' informal and best during conversation with Gen Y. For example:

Scenario A:
At function, event, launch and alike... jargon, subjects/topics tat u totally don't understand/not interested at all...

Me: Nod my head slightly and say it with a smile :'Interesting!'
(Must maintain eye-contact and keep the 'I don't know what you're talking abt' face or '???' look in check)

Scenario B:
Heard some lousy ideas/proposal...

Me: 'Hmmm...Interesting!....but...' (acted as the buffer)

Scenario C:
Engaged in conversation, then don't know wat to say next or want to end subject.

Me: 'Interesting!' or 'Cool!' if talking to a Gen-Y

See! These 2 words indeed very 'INTERESTING' and 'COOL', rite?! haha

Care to share yours with me?


PS: ‘真有趣' sounds so not rite and totally no 'oomph!' (btw, tat reminds me of KangXi story at 狮子林, Suzhou)

Where are u, my 贵人(Saviour)??

I felt 'relief & free' after submitted last assignment on 16 March... at the same time, I felt lost... and before long 'insecure' creep up on me...

Consulted my Guru but to no avail since I don't even know what I want myself...

I have thot of 101 things tat I could do... but only thinking, with zero action...

Then I chanced upon this sometime in March,

狮子座（7月23日- 8月23日）

一切看似平淡，但只要你肯多花心思，就可以升华。 自满与自大令你错过不少机会，大事做不来，小事不愿做， 是你本月最易犯的毛病，努力，谦卑令你积小胜为大胜；松懈，轻狂令你积小错成大错。 换季了，改变发型，给自己一个惊喜。(Btw, this sentence strike me most!!) ~Elle China, Apr 2009.

Then, these...

Leo (Jul 23 - Aug 22)

Give top priority to anything that you believe could be meaningful in a material sense. There's always a chance your efforts will pay off, but if you don't try, you'll gain nothing for sure.

~China Daily, 11-12 Apr.

Your most critical area could have to do with your financial dealings. It will eventually bring you remorse or a pain in the wallet if you waste your hard-earned money on nonsensical spending. ~China Daily, 13 Apr.

I actually consciously cut-down my spending (shopping) and stayed at home after reading 13 Apr...

Even though you know what is best for you, a negative attitude (this refers to my laziness, I think) might not let you follow through on your convictions. You can't live by knowledge alone; it must be purposeful. ~China Daily, 14 Apr.

Because you treat others as fairly as you want to be treated, you will have the success you desire, whether it is career-related, love-related or a simple personal wish. ~China Daily, 15 Apr.

I think I have been treating others fairly all these while, so I hope I will really have the success. Please don't cheat me ya, Mr. Horoscope! ;-)

Tasks you normally dread won't be as arduous or distasteful if you adopt a cheerful attitude and have some fun when you work. ~China Daily, 16 Apr.

The only dreadful task I could think of is 'taking my bath' so far..hahaha

It behooves you to be money conscious and beware of ways and means to better your holdings. If you keep your eyes open, you could turn a profit from something other than your usual source. ~China Daily, 20 Apr.

This sounds as if I can 点石成金 (touch a stone and turn it into gold -- perform wonders/work miracles) haha...

Here comes my knight in shining armour...

An opportunity of a vast nature might be presented to you all because of the kindness of a friend's intervention. This person believes you would be perfect for those who have instigated the venture. ~China Daily, 21 Apr

Where are u, my kind friend? Please don't make me wait too long, can?!

10 steps to beauty!!!

Barbie Hsu spends hours on her skincare regime each day cos she believes tat '世上没有丑女人，只有懒女人'. Believe me, women hardly age 'gracefully'... wrinkles will creep up on your face overnite... :-(

Since I have all the time in the world now, I should 'take care' of my '面子问题'. This '护肤宝典' is extracted from Urban, The Straits Times (31 Oct 08) & http://www.niuer.com.tw/:

• Daily skincare regime
  Step 1. Make-up remover
• (skip this step if you don't wear any make-up)
  2. Cleanser
• Basic must-do to rid all traces of dirt & grime.
  3. Toner/Lotion/Softener
• To remove remaining traces of oil, make-up & dirt.
  4. Infusion
• Liquid works by mimicking the condition of the skin just after shower, meant to give skin a burst of hydration & prep it for better absorption of serum & moisturiser tat follow. La Mer put this before eye & face serum; Aqualabel's (by Shiseido) instruction is after eye & face serum. I am confused!!!
  5. Eye-serum/Gel
  6. Serum/Essence
• Treatment lotion containing active & more concentrated ingredients to nourish & repair skin.
  7. Moisturiser/Emulsion
• Cream tat hydrates & locks in moisture on the skin's surface.
  8. Wrinkle filler (End here for nite)
• I am actually not too sure if this should be apply before of after moisturiser since no clear instruction is given by Tri-Aktiline (another God-sent for women, after reverse-sensor for car, haha)
  9. Sunblock (Day)
• Min of SPF15 (protection from harmful UVB) for indoor (YES! U need to sunblock even u stay indoor cos UVA can penetrate thru glasses/window), SPF30+ for outdoor; min of PA+ (PA+++ is the highest for protection from UVA, EU used PPD range from 8 to 18, same as PA+ to PA+++ ). Reapply every 2 hours if engage in outdoor activities/perspire. Effective protection required thickness of 2 mg/cm square, thus the size of a 50cents coin (abt 0.5ml) is enough for the whole face. Apply at least 20 mins before leaving home (after the sunblock takes effect)
  10. Make-up
• Liquid Foundation, two-way cake or BB Cream etc. Dust on loose powder, apply mascara & lastly, brusher.

Voila! I am ready to go (after 1 - 1.5 hour later) ;-)

Note:
~ According to some experts, it's good to leave the skin to 'breathe' for 5 - 10 mins before Step 3.
~ Wait for 1 - 5 mins between layers/products to allow skin fully absorb a product before move on to the next. I make used of this time to give TLC to my neck, another dead giveaway of a woman's age, other than hands.
~ Technically, there's no limit to the number of layers/products u can slap on at any one time. But, indiscriminate use of several products may affect their concentration & absorption, in addition to the risk of skin irritation.
~ If u r like me, wanted everything - anti-aging, whitening on top of making sure that the skin is hydrated, u can:
(Day) Whitening serum+ Hydrating serum ; (Nite) Anti-aging serum+ Hydrating serum OR Whitening serum + Hydration serum (Day & Nite for 1 month); Anti-aging serum + Hydration serum (Day & Nite, following month)
~ If u die die must have all, always follow this sequence, apply 1. anti-aging serum (targets at dermis) 2.whitening serum 3. hydrating serum (epidermis-top layer of skin)

• Weekly
  Step 1. Cleanser
  2. Scrub (min. twice/week)
  3. Eye & Face Serum
  4. Mask (max. of 20 mins, any longer is useless as skin can't absorb beyond that. On the contrary, the mask will absorb moisture from skin as it's drying up, all the efforts will be down the drain)
  5. Moisturiser
  6. Wrinkle-filler

This elaborated 10 steps is for vain pot of my age...

According to the guiding dermatologist of Clinique, their much acclaimed 3-steps routine (Cleanse, Tone & Moisturise) works for everyone, across all skin types. U can always 'step-up' or 'step-down' whenever necessary.

Meanwhile, may the determination be with me and make me 'shui shui' in no time...Ommm!!! ;-)

'Closure' at last....

Finally, we managed to talk about it... we = me and my ex-boss...

Let's first go back to Jan 09...

We were exploring about me gg back to help out after she did what need to be done...

We communicated and exchanged expectations...

I have even started drafting training material; going thru all the numbers; going thru past issues of magazines, thinking of different strategies for respective titles etc...

But the whole thing didn't come thru, and ended abruptly... after I named my price...

I was very very hurt...

Fast forward to 17th Apr...

Thou I kept telling myself not to bring it up again but I still did... and frankly, I am ok now... after sorting out my thots...

Anyway, we managed to talk abt it...

It's nice of her explaining to me all the reasons why it didn't come thru...

To conclude all the reasons and put simply - I am not worth the price that I named...

My Guru said: Willing seller Willing buyer !

One would pay any price for things/services as long as he/she sees the value(value-for-money).

It's my fault that I have not created enough value for people to see that I am worth that much...

I only have myself to blame...

Probably, I think too highly of myself... I am not that good after all... haha

Whatever... it doesn't matter anymore... ;-)

Better Than SK-II Mask

I can't remember where I read this from, must be one of the D.I.Y books for masks. The writer claimed that it's better than SK-II mask!!!

You'll need:
30g 酒釀
30ml fresh milk
15g flour

Mix well, apply on cleansed face and leave on for 5mins before rinse off. Follow by your usual skincare regime.