Year 2009 is indeed a tough year for many people. It's the worse economy recession since the Great Depression in 1930. Hundreds of company shut-down. Thousands of others downsized or merged. Millions of jobs lost. And trillions of people has pay-cut one form or another. Life is indeed tough and everyone is affected in one way or another. I'm not an exception. But, as the going get tough, the tough get going. End of 2009 has finally shed some hope, with signs of recovery and many countries getting out of the recession.
2009 is indeed tough and challenging for me. For survival, we're driving crazy to improve our production yield, reducing cost, improving capacity. Productivity improvement and excursion prevention also top the priority. Work apart, there is still many break-thru in my personal life. I challenged and stretched myself further. I did attempted many things that I've never thought that I will ever do it in this lifetime. For the very first time, I have the courage to participate the 'three step and a bow' ceremony during Vesak day for Buddhist. Years of delay with the same old excuses of work/family commitment. In fact, it's the INNER fear of the unknown that is so overwhelming that we accept it as fact and be continually intimated by it. Sad but a true fact that haunted many and many of us. Finally, gathered enough courage with lot of encouragement from my dear friend, HongYan. I tried. The inner joy and peace is beyond my imagination. The experience is great. The feeling is good. I will continue to practice it annually till the day I'm physically challenged. For the next coming year, I want to spend more time learning Buddhism. I cannot be lazy.
For 2 years in a row, I achieved a Gold medal for my IPPT. For this year, it was in Khatib camp. Unlike my previous years which was in my ICT camp. Running in a track and field in Khatib camp is mentally challenging. For an unknown reason, the fear is overwhelming. I think physically I am not fit to take up the challenge. More effort and time is spent to build me up physically. My first attempt was a Silver as my 2.4km ran was 11.15 minutes. A big 30 seconds longer than the Gold standard of 10.45 mins for my age group. I didn't give up. Trained harder. On my second attempt, I clocked 10.15 minutes. It was a significant 1 minute difference from my Gold requirement. My sheer hard work and determination paid me handsomely. I've done it again to overcome my inner mental fear.
Third was the 16 KM Mizuro ran and the 42.195 KM Standard Chartered Marathon ran on 6th Dec. The former was a preparation ran for the Marathon ran which I clocked 5 hours and 50 minutes. This was a good start for my first attempt. But I am not happy. I know I can do it in sub 5. I will challenge myself next year. I'll do it again. But first I need to reduce my weigh from current 74 to 65kg. It sound crazy but I know it can be done with discipline and perseverance.
Finally, my family and I drove our way from Singapore to Genting & Kuala Lumpur, together with my good friend, Steven Tiu & family. The total trip was about 1000KM. Again I proved that everything can be done. It's mind over matter.
Now, as I write I think of my comfort zone in my current work. I did fight my way out from Failure Analysis (FA) to CMP. A big change from a support group to the main FAB that required 7X24 support, after 7 good years in FA. Now, 3 years later with 2 years of management skill, I'm thinking if I've sank again into my comfort zone. I love my current job and company. But now, I'm contemplating that should I move on to embrace the world. Right now my heart tells me "Yes" but my brain is not interested. I'm again at this cross road in my life. But I guess, the future lies in those whom seek. I must seriously and actively seeking for any opportunity.
Last but not least, all my achievement cannot be attained without the good support from my lovely wife Sarah Ong. She takes good care of the family. I am glad that my elder daughter Filomena came in first in class and 5th in School level for her primary one examination. Both did a fantastic job. Well done and keep up the good work.
Cheers OKY
