Last week we packed our 360 boxes over a period of four days. It was hard physical work during the day and by night there barely a pause in the celebration of laughter and tears as we bid many friends goodbye.
On reflections of leaving Kobe, Japan we quote: Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees once said“Leaving Australia was the hardest thing I have ever done”
Anna and myself shamelessly have plagiarized him and say:“Leaving Kobe will be one of the hardest things we have ever done “
This is due 100% to the great friends we have made over the last four years. We have indeed been blessed with making some really good friends that we want to keep.
As Aristotle said:
“Wishing to be friends is quick work, but friendship is a slow ripening fruit”
Friday, April 25, 2008
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Parabolic Painting
Brian Williams a talented artist based in Lake Biwa area in Japan has developed a new concept of parabolic painting. Our eyes see dimension and his new style of painting has a 3d dimension as the canvas (he makes custom) is curved. Earlier last year we discussed with Brian about getting a famous ZEN garden in Kyoto (Ryoanji) to be commisioned in these discussions ...we agreed to be guinea pigs for this new concept. He had no yet developed the technology or approach to paint on a curved surface.......We took delivery of this painting late 2007. We are stunned it is really amazing !
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
New Promotion
I've been promoted to Information Officer Lilly USA - this is a $10B organisation - This is a great role that I've been wanting - sometimes you get want you wish for !
Actually the 'funny' story is that I had written in diary some 5 years ago that in 2008 I wanted to move to this role as Information Officer. So once again I've been able to predict or make the future happen - it actually made me think again as I reflected on how this transpired.
Actually the 'funny' story is that I had written in diary some 5 years ago that in 2008 I wanted to move to this role as Information Officer. So once again I've been able to predict or make the future happen - it actually made me think again as I reflected on how this transpired.
Friday, December 28, 2007
Xmas party - Kobe 2007
Anna and I hosted a Sanoynara party for our friends Tom & Alfredo \ Craig and Jodie and toasted 2007. Together we raised close to US$800 from this event to the education of 3 underprivileged children on the border area of Thailand to complete their high schooling. Here is the prayer I offered to all:
Shantideva's Prayer #1
May all beings everywhere
Plagued by sufferings of body and mind
Obtain an ocean of happiness and joy
By virtue of my merits.
May no living creature suffer,
Commit evil or ever fall ill.
May no one be afraid or belittled,
With a mind weighed down by depression.
May the blind see forms,
And the deaf hear sounds.
May those whose bodies are worn with toil
Be restored on finding repose.
May the naked find clothing,
The hungry find food;
May the thirsty find water
And delicious drinks.
May the poor find wealth,
Those weak with sorrow find joy;
May the forlorn find hope,
Constant happiness and prosperity.
May there be timely rains
And bountiful harvests;
May all medicine be effective
And wholesome prayers bear fruit.
May all who are sick and ill
Quickly be freed from their ailments.
Whatever diseases there are in the world,
May they never occur again.
May the frightened cease to be afraid
And those bound be freed;
May the powerless find power
And may people think of benefiting each other.
Shantideva's Prayer #1
May all beings everywhere
Plagued by sufferings of body and mind
Obtain an ocean of happiness and joy
By virtue of my merits.
May no living creature suffer,
Commit evil or ever fall ill.
May no one be afraid or belittled,
With a mind weighed down by depression.
May the blind see forms,
And the deaf hear sounds.
May those whose bodies are worn with toil
Be restored on finding repose.
May the naked find clothing,
The hungry find food;
May the thirsty find water
And delicious drinks.
May the poor find wealth,
Those weak with sorrow find joy;
May the forlorn find hope,
Constant happiness and prosperity.
May there be timely rains
And bountiful harvests;
May all medicine be effective
And wholesome prayers bear fruit.
May all who are sick and ill
Quickly be freed from their ailments.
Whatever diseases there are in the world,
May they never occur again.
May the frightened cease to be afraid
And those bound be freed;
May the powerless find power
And may people think of benefiting each other.
Rajasthan Trip
During December we visited Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodphur and Jaisalmer.
Was truly a memorable visit and each of these cities unique in their own special ways.
One highlight of the trip was Jodphur Fort - the most imposing I've ever seen and did take your breath away !
The hassle factor was quite low (surprisingly) and we enjoyed all the food and hotels we stayed in
.
Was truly a memorable visit and each of these cities unique in their own special ways.
One highlight of the trip was Jodphur Fort - the most imposing I've ever seen and did take your breath away !
The hassle factor was quite low (surprisingly) and we enjoyed all the food and hotels we stayed in
.
Monday, October 29, 2007
CIO Coach
Yesterday I did a coaching session with Judy Mills via teleconference. This was arranged through CSC
Anyway this research identified that based on your experiences you were either a paratrooper CIO, the consultant CIO, the professional CIO or an executive CIO. It seems that I am in between a Paratrooper and and Professional CIO.
http://management.silicon.com/itdirector/0,39024673,39161744,00.htm
From this link I've copied these definitions
Paratrooper CIO - The paratrooper is a strong and independent outsider usually headhunted into an organisation when major change is on the agenda, and they rarely stay around for long - three to five years - once it is completed.
Professional CIO - This is the company insider closest to the traditional image of the top IT executive and someone who has worked their way up through the ranks on performance and merit. Platts says: "They are deeply loyal to the company. If you have a professional CIO who has been in the place for a while the chances are it is because they have been doing a good job."
To cut a long story short it was an interesting discussion with Judy and we talked about how I need to change - for future corporate roles....some good things to reflect on
jm@judithmills.demon.co.uk
Anyway this research identified that based on your experiences you were either a paratrooper CIO, the consultant CIO, the professional CIO or an executive CIO. It seems that I am in between a Paratrooper and and Professional CIO.
http://management.silicon.com/itdirector/0,39024673,39161744,00.htm
From this link I've copied these definitions
Paratrooper CIO - The paratrooper is a strong and independent outsider usually headhunted into an organisation when major change is on the agenda, and they rarely stay around for long - three to five years - once it is completed.
Professional CIO - This is the company insider closest to the traditional image of the top IT executive and someone who has worked their way up through the ranks on performance and merit. Platts says: "They are deeply loyal to the company. If you have a professional CIO who has been in the place for a while the chances are it is because they have been doing a good job."
To cut a long story short it was an interesting discussion with Judy and we talked about how I need to change - for future corporate roles....some good things to reflect on
jm@judithmills.demon.co.uk
Friday, September 7, 2007
SPOCK
There is a site named SPOCK and no it not a Star Trek thing !
In fact it is a way to have your web profile - persona - somehow there is a calculation of the tags links to get your so-called SPOCK power rating
http://www.spock.com/user3c299522sk382461scpk1p3c38529k1c5090066
In fact it is a way to have your web profile - persona - somehow there is a calculation of the tags links to get your so-called SPOCK power rating
http://www.spock.com/user3c299522sk382461scpk1p3c38529k1c5090066
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