Month: May 2007

Oi Oi Oi


At about 1.45 yesterday, I started to pack my stuff to leave for the day. I laid out the flag across my filing shelf, put the clip-on koalas back on the edge of my monitor and put the kangaroo with a boomerang and the kookaburra next to the keyboard, as close as possible to the positions they were in when I got in earlier that morning. I had to catch the 1.55 tram to get to Glen Iris at 2.20, where I have to then catch the 2.23 train back to

Mount
Waverley and wait for Theresa. We were supposed to wait there by about 3pm, where we would drive to the Dandenong regional office of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, hopefully in time for the ceremony. I was going to take the pledge and be officially declared an Australian Citizen. When I got in to work in the morning, the boss and some other colleagues had laid out all these native animals and a huge flag at my desk. Almost everyone on the floor had known I was going to be “made”. It only started with an innocent request from the boss for the afternoon off to attend the ceremony but it then struck me how significant this event was, as everyone who heard came around to congratulate me and the ladies brought in lamington and other Aussie grub in the morning for the occasion. It was a pity that kiddo had gone to a school camp on Tuesday, as it would have been really nice to have her with us yesterday. Anyway, Theresa and I made our way there and joined the other 41 pledging parties and their guests as we waited for the ceremony to begin. We were all seated in a few rows of chairs, with a portrait of the queen in front, next to a lectern. There were little Aussie flags hanging across the ceiling and framed photos of the official crest/coats of arms, in various spots. Someone sounding like John Williamson was singing songs like Waltzing Matilda in the background, until the Minister of Immigration, Kevin Andrews, had this template speech read out by a valium pumped bureaucrat who then lead us in our pledges. One pledge for God fearing soon-to-be citizens and another for the poor atheists. We were then presented with our certificates, and then all joined in the anthem singing. After the ceremony, we were invited to sign up for the electoral register and on the way out, we were each given a native shrub to plant for commemoration. Hopefully our citizenship lasts longer than the plant as in my hands, that poor shrub is likely to suffer a short, poor life.We went home and as the weather got suddenly a lot colder, we went out to this restaurant in
Vermont, for a mini celebratory dinner. My VB wasn’t due to the occasion earlier in the day; I had genuinely acquired a taste for this stuff. I still thought Tiger Beer is the best tasting beer but that stuff is now in the imported category whereas Victoria Bitter remains the working class – read: cheap – beer. Theresa, not having decided to become a citizen, ordered a satay chicken and I frowned not because I didn’t like satay chicken, but thought you’d order it only in a Malaysian restaurant, not an Aussie one badly named “What’s a Name”. I had the restaurant specialty, a breast of chicken rolled up with salmon and crab meat, with a white sauce with pepper corns. It didn’t go well with the VB but I was hungry, so it tasted great. Theresa’s satay chicken turned out well too, so dinner was very nice.

**************************************************We headed for church after that, for the prayer meeting. There were some prayers for some members who were ill but the strange bit was most of the prayers concentrated on “claiming victory” and having the blood of Jesus cleansing the sick, and having his stripes heal our wounds. I couldn’t understand that and told Theresa so, on the way home. Those people had physical illness. One of them was going to see a specialist the next day. Why hadn’t we prayed for healing, for that specialist and for God’s presence and peace to abound, more than those other prayers? When someone is ill, does it mean he is living in a state of defeat, so that the victory won by Christ on the cross is somehow less real in that person’s life? Does it mean he sinned, as why then was it prayed for that person to have the blood of Jesus on him for cleansing? Isn’t that person forgiven in any event, without requiring a prayer to that effect? Didn’t Jesus’ wounds heal us of the result of sins, instead of healing us of our physical ailments? I still don’t get our church as far as these things go. By the time we got home it was almost 10pm. We changed, stretched out in front of the heater and television, and I poured myself a nice glass of red (Aussie of course) as I end an extraordinary day in the ordinary way. I missed Kiddo, and am looking forward for her to get back tomorrow.  

Soh Chee Wen – A Joke


Someone sent me an email earlier today, titled “A Joke”. I thought it was one of those emails meant for lunch time reading so I ignored it until, well, lunchtime! It turned out to be a short piece on a news conference by a businessman in Malaysia. His name is Soh Chee Wen. He’s sometimes referred to as John Soh. He had just been convicted of a crime a day earlier. A white collar, securities dealing related, crime but he is nonetheless, a convicted criminal. So what was the news conference about? He wanted to make a comeback, to the securities dealing scene no less. He wanted to get involved in M&A again. He said he doesn’t need money, saying all it takes is brains.  

I cannot understand Malaysia. I don’t get the press, especially. Maybe the article appeared in some gossip column, or showed up in some metro section. Maybe one of those free “news” papers distributed in train stations. In which case, the press is pretty impressive for picking up comic material, or saccharine society scum stories. Maybe the in house counsels of Malaysian news entities have come down so hard on its journalists that stories meant to criticize are masked as straightforward news reporting.  

Here was a man who illegally traded hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of shares. He virtually stole money to do it. Along with some other so called business leaders of Malaysia at that time, he helped sink an otherwise healthy securities dealing firm. Many employees of that firm lost money, some extensively, from stock options which became worthless. All lost their jobs. In other words, his crimes destroyed lives. Hundreds of them. That was over 10 years ago. After gallivanting around the world and escaping justice all these years, he goes back to Malaysia and was given a Six Million dollar (Malaysian) fine. It was an insulting slap on the wrist, for a ghastly crime. The employees of the firm Soh Chee Wen destroyed copped more punishment than him. That of course, is typical Malaysian justice and is itself another story.  

The salt on this wound is his threat to return. He was spared a prison term, something he richly deserved. Surely part of the deal he struck must include his total departure from the corporate scene? One can only speculate but is the Malaysian authorities stupid or corrupt? That has to be a rhetorical question, as all Malaysians know it is very likely both. For all his flaws, Soh Chee Wen appears to at least be honest. All it takes is brains? In his case, that penchant must be for criminal acts. Yes, it does take brains to steal in a big way, and not face the consequences. In many places other than Malaysia, it would have been – A Joke.

Aussie


I got a letter yesterday, saying the citizenship ceremony would now be on 30 May. I become an Australian Citizen then. I dont know – I have mixed feelings about this.

Work


t has been a little crazy at work this week. While it has been interesting and challenging, I have not had this much work since left KL. For the first time, I have had to battle deadlines. Of course, a lot of it has to do with the fact that I still leave office relatively early – between 6.30 and 7 on most days. I think I put undue pressure on myself in terms of getting home early. I keep telling myself I want to hit the sack no later than 10.30, preferably by 10, That means if I don’t get out of the office by 7, I wont have a comfortable 1.5 hours each night, which is just about enough to give me a half-hour legs up with a glass of wine to unwind and get ready to sleep. I usually need about an hour for dinner and cleaning up, washing up my gym gear, making lunches, packing away my stuff and maybe catch half hour or so of reading my email and read 1 or 2 of my favourite websites. If only I don’t wake up at 5 in the morning, the pressure would be eased, I think. The schedule would all just have a little more room. But then that would just let me leave office a little later each day and make me a little lazier to get to the gym in the morning. I don’t know. I think I’d stick to my present regime, unless I am absolutely required to put in more hours to finish my work.

Actually, things have been going okay at work. This is an extract of an email my boss sent around (late) last night:

 

            “All, I also want to let you know that (the MD’s) first comment to me during our monthly 1-1 meeting today was that he thinks that you are all doing an excellent job.  He discussed my performance as well but actually spoke about each of you individually and made the point that as a department we are going ‘really well’, which I understood during the conversation to mean very effective and cohesive.  His view was formed based on the very positive feedback he received from the business – (the MD) said he went out and asked for feedback about the service each of us provides.  That reflects well on me, and for that I would like to say thanks.

 

Looking forward to receiving your KPIs, so you each have proof of just how hard you are working. “

Maybe that was just a psychological ploy to push us harder and set some really high KPIs. I don’t know. If I play along, would it be suicidal and/or counter-productive? I don’t want to have to play the game of career versus God and family again, having left all that behind in KL. On the other hand, if I play it down, the boss may think I’m not getting with the program and setting too low targets for myself? I am after all, on contract and do I want to give them a reason to look at someone from HK for a long term placement here, or do I want them to like me well enough to say – Ian’s it? I am the incumbent here, and how much should I leverage on that?

Really though, I do like this place. The people here are gracious (mostly), nice (mostly), hardworking (almost always) and smart (mostly). I have not had any major faux pas so far (I think) and save for some old habits and residual Malaysian flavour, have fitted in reasonably well (again, I think).

I know, the lessons of end 06/early 07 suggests I should focus on God and just get on with it. I know my present work is not the be-all and end-all stuff. Yet, work has always been important. Important enough to make me miserable if I don’t have any, or if it doesn’t satisfy. I need to turn on a different switch and let God be the satisfier of my soul instead, and turn the focus around to see God as the object of my life – not work, not satisfying my soul even. Just to pursue God and his purpose as the be-all and end-all. If he provides work while I’m at it, then so be it. Maybe with that, I’d actually be able to work better. Not for its own sake, but as His tailored version, for me, of the “here am I, send me” bit.

Title Regained


Last Saturday was no different from the Saturdays I have had since re-starting work. I’d sleep in, make breakfast for Theresa, do my quiet time and after all that at around 8.30am, start to clean the house. Depending on how clean I’m in a mood to make it, the task would finish just before 10.30 or a little closer to 11.00. Last Saturday, we had a bit of shopping to do and since Kiddo’s class at 10.30 was to be a 1 hour 20 minute one, we decided to do some shopping while waiting for her. So I opted for a somewhat truncated version of house cleaning and finished in time for a quick shower and dash out the door with the family.

We picked kiddo up around 12pm, and after lunch, Theresa had another of her ladies’ fellowship meeting in the afternoon. After picking kiddo from her second class at 2.30pm, we went to pick up some DVDs, after which I went home, took out the washing, become the Iron-Man, and cooked. It was almost 6pm by the time I was done, and Theresa came home with loads more food which meant we were all stuffed that night. We had gone to Sofia’s again on Friday night so we had the usual leftovers – Kiddo and I had the re-heated ravioli, the cooking I did was frozen but we had the red-bean soup which I made, along with the range of finger foods which Theresa came back with. The “Onde Onde” was very nice.

We picked “Syriana”, a George Clooney/Matt Damon flick with Sodenbergh as a producer so the usual documentary style story telling was used and it was quite riveting, though it took us a while to figure out what was happening. It was a typical Hollywood take on the conspiracy theories which find such fertile ground in the fast drying oil fields of the middle-east. The problem is, it no longer feels like a mere conspiracy theory and it wouldn’t be surprising if it was all true. The other movie was a more light headed one, Nicholas Cage in “National Treasure”. I had watched it years ago, but Kiddo hasn’t and it was quite fun.

Yesterday was a good day, and today is a great day, as far as Man United is concerned. We took down Man City, Michael Ball’s stampede on Ronaldo’s belly notwithstanding. Van the Man let his leg do the talking and this morning, notwithstanding Essien’s beauty (he who was hijacked from us by the despicable Peter Kenyon) Chelsea could only manage a draw against the Arses so the title is back with us, after 3 years.

After church yesterday, Kiddo had a jamming session in church (practice for a youth service session) so Theresa and I went for lunch on our own, at the “Proud Peacock”. We met Matt & Aida, Greg, Kathleen (they of the U Seng/A Ann clan). As usual, Aida rushed to pay for our meal and we’re left red-faced again. She is such a generous person. I have dined with so many others who are so slow to the draw we always end up paying but with her, even when we are not at the same table, she’d make it a point to beat us to it. Very Chinese. After lunch, we went for a walk in Blackburn Lake Sanctuary and it was really nice. Autumn in Melbourne is beautiful. It is at times like this that I feel we’re getting some return for the big taxes we pay, both in terms of income tax and council rates. The sanctuary was well kept, clean, with healthy natural habitats for ducks, birds, and even snakes! (which we didn’t see). We walked for about an hour, and decided we have to take kiddo here for some exercise now as often as we can. We then went home and Theresa went back to church to pick Kiddo up and was supposed to play table tennis with a few of our home group members but no one showed up so she came home when kiddo was done. I tried logging in to my office network to check on my emails and do some work but couldn’t log in, so I decided to cook again. I made some potato cakes, which Kiddo enjoyed.

My knee played up last week and this morning when I tried to run again, it remained a problem. Sigh…

United’s and My Challenges


I feel sorry for an ex-colleague and friend, who is a Chelski supporter. He left Malaysia about a year or so ago, to live and work in London. He has been a supporter for years and the recent success brought about by the combination of Roman Dough and Jose Specialty has given him more reason to go on his misguided trail of watching the blues. Until this past weekend and this morning, they were close on United’s tail on the quest for the treble. It would be our second, and they have yet to get to a final of the ECL. They have to wait yet again, I’m afraid, as Rafa Benitez has, again, had the better of the “Special One” on the European scene. With the ECL journey ended and having fallen 5 points behind United on the home front after last weekend, the FA Cup looks like the only trophy they still harbour any chance of winning. Of course, United would have a say on that one too, but we have a more important battle on our hands, when we take on AC Milan tomorrow morning. The history books suggest we’re going to be disappointed but we have a team which is capable of creating its own, new, chapters in history. Recent form and momentum gives me hope.

I’m challenged in my work place. Thankfully, the form of my challenges is in the work, not the people. I’m sure I would come across people who would represent challenges, before too long, but for now, work it is. The intricacies of reinsurance treaties and actuarial pricing and the strategic front of distribution channels are the twin peaks of my Kosciusko now and much as I welcome these challenges to watching Oprah and MASH at home, I am terrified and chip away to tread each step with trepidation. Yet, having read another piece by CS Lewis recently, I try to take it all in stride and enjoy the work as much as I can. I take time off during lunch, write entries like this for my blog, and enjoy my evening tv sessions with the family at home. Speaking of which, those are proving shorter by the day and I hope they don’t get worse than last night. I got home at almost 8pm last night, having left the office around 7.20pm. That would have been totally acceptable, even great, had it been in KL, circa 10 years ago. But this is Melbourne 10 years later and as much as I enjoy the work now, I want to spend more time with my family. Hopefully this is as late as I would work, and not too often at that. My normal days (yesterday was a bit busy) end no later than 6.30pm, and I’d be home by 7.15pm, barring any gremlins’ interference with the Glen Waverley line.

 

Fern Seed & Elephants


I have been reading CS Lewis’ “Fern Seeds and Elephants”, which is a collection of talks he gave, mainly to university students. One of the topics was on the second coming. It was titled “The World’s Last Night” (or something like that). It made me think about what I have been doing, both for myself and for kiddo and Theresa. When I flipped to the front of the book, I noticed I had bought this book in December 1986. I was only 21 then. I first read this book 21 years ago. My age has doubled since then, and I’m still grappling with the issue of playing the part God has written for me. What is that part? Earlier in the book, another topic Lewis touched on was the role of individuals as opposed to the collective. The issue was which was Christianity’s focus? He suggested (I think) that an individual finds true meaning only when he allows God to take over and put him in that place reserved for him the collective body. So the role I play in this drama of life, is that which God has set aside for me. How do I discover that? Somewhere else in that book there was also a hint that this is to simply do what He has placed in front of us, faithfully and diligently. A bit like my favourite verse in Ecclesiastes 8:15, I guess.