Notes of a student

Today I devote myself entirely to studying. At least I attempt to do so.

Currently reading chapter on Corporate Social Responsibility in the book on Corporate Communications. Now, throw the stones onto me, but I wonder why is it so extremely boring, if it is considered to be so extremely important. Or are we just trying to pretend, that we care, although deep underneath we are still all after old good profit and maximization of shareholder value. Is Gordon's Gekko "Greed, for the lack of a better word, is good" still adamant for us?

To be continued... went to bore myself more ;)

Update:
From discussion about negotiations: what is crucial  for negotiation between two parties:
1. Both parties should be in a position to move from their initial standpoint into the zone of mutual agreement.
2. Empowerment - person negotiating should have power to take a decision.

I have recently started with course on "Negotiation skills" and this one promises to be one of the best ever! Lucky me! :D

Remarks on Singapore

Spirit of Kiasu

This is one of the features of Singaporeans, something, that on the one hand drives them forward, but on the other hand may prevent them from doing what they really want to do - or even asking themselves, if what they do is what they want to do.

This is what Wiki says about Kiasu:

Kiasu is a Hokkien (a Chinese spoken variant) word that literally means 'fear of losing'. This word is so widely used by Singaporeans and Malaysians that it is incorporated into their English vocabulary (in the form of Singlish). It is often used in describing the social attitudes of people, especially about South East Asian society and its values. Its widespread use is often because these attitudes are common—to not lose out in a highly competitive society, or to the extent of parents imposing heavy study labour on their children in their wish to make them at the very top of all other students.

Most popular professions in Singapore are lawyers, investment bankers and doctors. All those can bring one to the top of the society, in term of financial success and recognition. But does it really make them happy? What I personally have observed, is that even when going out and having fun, many locals have this certain tension inside, as if they can never truly relax, let it go and just be themselves... I don't make any value judgments here, but just reflect on some of my brief observations...

In the zoo: taking care of each other 

Island Tioman in Malaysia

After sightseeing weekend in KL, we decided to have some rest and pump up some energy into our souls, minds and bodies - in beautiful Tioman island on South East part of Malay peninsula.

It took us just a bit over 6 hours to get there - by bus to the sea city of Mersing in Malaysia, and then by shaky boat to Tekek, capital of Tioman island - and here we are, my roommate Paula and I, in Berjaya resort & spa, in a little paradise close to equator.

What did we do during the weekend? We relaxed by the pool, watched the sea by low tide and went snorkeling, where we saw incredibly beautiful colorful fishes, a huge turtle, some unrecognizable sea creatures and all in all had lots of fun under tropical sun (and even managed not to get sunburn;)!

Sea at low tide

Pool joy

Trying out snorkeling