A New Year Revelation

“Why are you treating shopping like your work?”
My boyfriend of four years snapped at me

It was one of the rare days I had time to shop
If not for the impending Chinese New Year,
I wouldn’t have allowed myself the luxury of time join the frenzy consumerism taking over most Singaporeans at this time of the year

Time was tight
Three hours to purchase everything on my wish list

There were long queues at the dressing rooms, cash registers, restaurants and public transport
Coupled with my impatience
You don’t need Paul the Octopus to predict that I didn’t managed to get all my shopping done

With an hour left
And dress, shoes, decorations and stationery still missing
I was clearly frowning at my inefficiency

“I’m not going to finish my shopping today. There’s no time left” I let out a sigh of exasperation
He turned to me, with a look like he was dating the wrong lady for the last four years.
That’s when he associated shopping with work

Insisting that I’m getting overly task-oriented, without the capacity to enjoy free-time,
The boyfriend shaked his head to conclude that I am a loss-case

Oh well, people change right?
For better or for worse? I like to think it’s the former.

If Sh** Comes your Way

Today a terrible piece of news reminded me this
Serverity of situation doesn’t matter
What does is how you face the music and overcome it

Imagine receiving a call from your event venue partner saying that they cannot support you

WHY NOT?
For one minute, my mind raced, desperately searching for answers
Then I took an extremely deep breathe, count to three, and mentally took notes of my alternatives

In life, there’re always alternatives
Never forget that
If things don’t turn out as you wish
Gather all your energy and resources to create a second route
Do it quickly, failure to do so will only lead you deeper into your own mess

Not Just Another Birthday

I can’t remember how I spend my last 23 birthdays
But this year is one that I’ll never forget

Shannon threw a surprise party - Nico strum the guitar while other colleagues sung 'Happy Birthday'!

My big day in brief
Kicking off with an important investor meeting at 10am
Completing with a sumptuous dinner with our advisor at 11pm
Business talk – around the clock

By the time I reached home, everyone was asleep
They’ve probably waited too long for my return
Guilt gripped me

Fortunately, my parents weren’t hopping mad over my absence
A cake was in our fridge overnight
The next evening, we cut the cake together
And I had three servings!

I’ll remember this year, not because of my workaholic habits
But because I realised the importance of family support
Without which, success would be a step further

 

The Question My Idol Asked

Today I met my idol
Am I sounding to immature?
How about role model? That’s more grown-up talk.

Yes, I met my role model today
As an intern, I used to cycle past his place at Lijiang China, wishing that I would one day be a guest at this luxurious resort.
Now, I look forward to the day I can hold my company retreat there
And today I spoke with the man himself

Mr Ho Kwon Ping

As an intern, I used to cycle past Lijiang's Banyan Tree resort and dream that I can be a guest there some day!

This was how we met
Shannon and I were at the wrong venue for a seminar
Late and rushing blindly to the right destination,
We almost ran past him if not for the media crew surrounding him

Ready to do a self introduction, we realised that we ran out of namecards!
Shannon sprint to the office to grab some cards while I stayed on to shadow his movements

It was a quick 3 min chat.
He asked,”Who are your competitors?”
A likely question, given that he believes every entrepreneur should be paranoid about their business.
Never rest on your laurels

To our great delight, he said we may collaborate (can’t say what it is, since nothing is confirmed)

Our encounter was a pure coincidence
We took action to engage him and that’s how we try, try and try

Seize every opportunity, heck failure
Unfortunately, they don’t teach this in school

High Price to Pay for Women Entrepreneur

Once upon a time, my skin enjoyed monthly facials, massage and sleep

Now it’s been almost five months since my last indulgence.

No time, no money

And people have added that I looked older, or in a more courteous manner, replacing the ‘O’ adjective (I refuse to repeat it in full again) with tired/exhausted/stressed.

Apparently, the enthusiasm and excitement of running my own business isn’t obvious at all

 

Entrepreneurship can add some years to a person's appearance. No joke, I'm a case study.

 

Aging and women will always be, and forever and ever be arch rivals

This is universal truth

I accept aging, but that doesn’t mean I want to age (maybe guys wouldn’t get it)

Moreover, it’s PREMATURE aging here, so I have to fuss!

Science has also proven that women age more easily than men!

Blame the sacred group of proteins, collagen

Collagen, like calcium, leaves us much faster than it does for men

I refuse to pay the ultimate price for entrepreneurship – my youthful looks

If nature isn’t helping, then I got to seek a balance here, quickly.

This includes signing off now to catch some shuteye..

Maybe I can check in to work earlier? Hmmm…

Well, it’s hard to not think about work, if you get what I mean.. But I’ll try, for the sake of my looks!

A Natural Aversion to Stress

From young, I was brought up to be strong

In school, whenever my friends lament, complain and whine about stress, I’ll keep my cool

Stress was a self-inflicted feeling. If I managed my time and responsibilities well, stress will never catch up on me

Most importantly, I didn’t like to be associated with stress

Because, to me, it is a sign of incapability and weakness

Before you start protesting, let me add that I’ve realised how my thoughts are incorrect.

After three months of toiling tirelessly for Artyii, people around me have said I’m constantly appearing stressed

Argh…I cringed at such a label, nevertheless I’ll respond with a polite smile and assure them that I’m okay.

Thank you for the concern

After starting Artyii, people have been saying I look stressed everytime...

I came to terms with stress very recently

A local press ran a story on coping with stress and the signs of stress

Usually, I wouldn’t even bother to speed-read such an article

Yet on this day, it made me understood that it’s OKAY to be feel stress

What’s important is to avoid using stress as an excuse for failures to fulfill work responsibilities

Unfortunately, many people do this unconsciously

Identify this ‘S’ feeling and plan ways to mitigate it, not drown yourself in it

Simply put

Turn stress to your advantage

Perhaps the next time you feel like nothing’s working out for you

Ask yourself how you can turn things around

Today, while I never tell people that I’m stressed ( too used to putting up a strong-front)

I admit to myself that I am and plot my route to recovery

Seriously Speaking: ARTSingapore 2010

What started out as a small scale – 19 galleries – art fair has since grown to welcome 60 established galleries across Asia. The 10^th edition of ARTSingapore will be back on 8 to 11 October at Suntec Convention Hall Singapore. Following the market’s growing sophistication, ARTSingapore 2010 will continue to focus on introducing quality work in Asia.

The Series of Intelligent Youth by Xiao Hong

Compared to its region counterparts, the growth approach ARTSingapore took is different. Consider Art Fair Tokyo. Started just 5 years ago, it now attracts 40,000 visitors, nearly thrice as much ARTSingapore. There is also Korea International Art Fair, which was established in 2001. With nearly e new4000 art works on showcase, it has twice as many exhibits as ARTSingapore.

Big is not a sure bet of being better.  Artreach, the organizer, does best by keeping the fair ‘boutique size’ and accepting only quality art. After all the art market in Singapore (considering all other foreign input) still remains ‘boutique sized’.  Why bother holding a mega fair which the turnout cannot match?

Each year, organizers hope for a surge in ticket and art sales. While pumping money into marketing and putting a brilliant show together helps, the driving force would be a concerted effort by the government and private companies in arts to hold more acclaimed shows locally. Easier said than done. But the point here is – resultant viewership and sales is not a good yardstick to measure a singular show’s success.

Downsized from 110 galleries in 2008, this year's ARTSingapore will showcase 2000 artworks from 60 galleries

While looking forward to the upcoming fair, especially multi-media work by video artist Tan Kai Syng, it will also be interesting to note the proportion of different art mediums, subjects and of course, the prices!

Finally, if ARTSingapore is serious about focusing on art outreach here, then where is their Facebook account? What other mediums have a wider reach than the internet?

Find out more about ARTSingapore

Accept rejections and move on, quickly

I’m becoming more thick-skinned lately

I pursue passionately and get rejected flatly, but it’s ok

I find my next target and get on with life

Target, shoot and reload. It’s easy.

That’s how we do business.

Cold calls, endless emails, frequent follow-ups.

When they say no, try harder. If they still say no, clench your teeth, try doubly harder

And if they’re still bent on saying no, move over.

Learn to mend your 'broken heart' quickly cuz there's no time to waste!

Don’t let it hurt your confidence. (I was so distressed at our initial rejection over days, I swear)

After all, if your product offers real and unparalleled benefits, the dollar will come

Just keep looking, calling, talking and knocking

It’s a perseverance game

Don’t start scratching your head

It’s a simple formula

Motivating with Mcdonalds Breakfast and Häagen-Dazs Ice Cream

If you were a boss, how would you structure a fair pay structure to motivate your employees?

And if you were a boss of a start-up, wouldn’t it be tougher?

Today, Shannon and I met a programmer whom we fancy over dinner. Clearly he was attracted to our company. The people (that’s us), flexible working hours, enhanced work-life balance (we promise) and better career prospects. All these benefits couldn’t offset an average pay. We offered an ok amount, but the carrot just wasn’t juicy enough.

So we discussed and agreed to a gradual pay increase.  The maximum amount however, could not match his expected wage. This is the best we could offer and now, we’re waiting for a reply. If our offer is rejected, there’s always plan B.

Shannon and I also had a casual conversation on employee benefits. We propose offering Mcdonald’s breakfast or Häagen-Dazs ice cream as fortnight treats. Who’s in?? Or do you have suggestions? Tell us!

Who can resist this sweet treat? I have a weak spot for its green tea flavour. Give me a pint and I'll work through the night. haha!

Meanwhile, we’re expecting a talented Norwegian intern soon. There was a recommended allowance (which was really low at $200), but we chose to pay what we thought was a fair amount. In addition, we’ve prepared a cool name tent and a decent working environment for her as it’s important to make her feel welcomed. This is how we value our people.

I’m a firm believer that people are assets because the company can only become as great as the people running it. No lip service. I mean what I say.

Perhaps employee motivation isn’t rocket science. Just treat them how you’ll like to be treated.

I’m a crazy humpty dumpty

Holidays are relaxing, fun and rejuvenating

There’s wonderful sun, cheap massage and superlicious food

I thought I’ll be back, recharged and ready to earn my first million!

Sipping cocktail enjoying the beautiful sunset

Wrong wrong wrong…

For the past five days, I’ve been drinking porridge

Gulping panadols that never seem to work its magic (maybe it’s overdue?)

Worst, I’m becoming a dangerous road hazard

Whenever I check for traffic on my right,

I would clumsily turn my entire upper torso.

That’ll take about two seconds

Blame my sprained neck and don’t ask how I injured it

By the time I’ve ensure all roads are clear, getting ready to cross

I will attempt to turn my body back and that’s another 2 seconds

A lot can happen within those precious seconds

A flashy Ferrari would have drove at its legendary speed of 325km/h!

2 seconds before, it would be about 180m away that’s why I can’t see it!

Naturally, it would have rolled me over like a Humpty Dumpty – he doesn’t have a neck, and mine’s as good as gone too…

I'm as good as a humpty dumpty, without a functional neck...

My neck is sprained so badly that I have uneven shoulders

One up and another down, like a screwed up see-saw that cannot turn

And my head is always tilted sideways

Truth to be told

I’m fine with falling sick

It rarely happens

Even when it does

It lends me a perfect excuse to drop down all work and REST

I call this ‘Cai Lin’s Timeout!’

Afterall, everyone is always telling me how much I deserve it

Now, today, right at this terrible moment

It’s different

I just returned from a 5 day holiday (i.e. do nothing but play eat and sleep)

I cannot take another few days of idling

It’s driving me crazy

Great, now I’m a crazy humpty dumpty

So I went against my sinseh’s advice and worked half day through my condition

‘Good job Cai Lin’ I thought to myself

‘I’m so proud of you!’ I continue showering myself with praises

It’s been 4 days of half working and half not working

And guess what

My damn fever just

got worst.. last check was 38.8^oC

And my GP directed me to CGH for blood test

He think it’s dengue

Oh damn…

I swear I’ll listen to my sinseh forever

My sinseh told me to relax and be happy, will try will try!