Ten Things I Love to Do

I just saw this @ OpenKitchenConcept's blog :)  Oh ... 10 things is too little :P

#1 - Baking
I don't know why I like to bake so much as compared to cooking. I think baking is like magic :) I like cakes, brownies, tarts, cookies and many more that requires baking :D

#2 - Cycling
I still can't drive yet so I cycle. I remembered I learned cycling by myself! Relying on the extra 2 wheesl at the back, I cycled till they both dropped off without me realizing it and I could cycle after that!  Amazing!

#3 - Reading
I like to read but of course not every genre. But if i picked up something I like to read, I can't put it down until I finish reading it. :P

#4 -Walking/Exploring
I like to walk around and explore different places. It doesn't have to be out of Singapore. I like the fact once I am in an unfamiliar environment, my mind will start to absorb the things I see. Almost like a sponge I often desire to discover new things.

#5 - Sitting in a quiet cafe
I like to sit in a cafe and drink coffee/tea and just stoned there and start to day dream or doodling on my sketch book or even reading book or reflecting God's word. I often tried to do this at least once a year (e.g on my birthday). Oh the cafe must be quiet (that's on weekdays i guessed and probably like not a town area)

#6 -  Going to a beach/seaside
I think there is something comforting and soothing when you hear the sounds of waves and having your feet touched the sand (though Sg sand is not very clean in the first place). I am bless that I am just about 15 mins away from the punggol jetty and beach though my view is not very fantastic. Sitting there and closed your eyes and listen to the waves, this is such a wonderful time to renew your mind and connect to God.

#7 - Looking Good
I love to wear nice clothes that makes me look good :P hahahaahahahahaa YET I am quite a lazy girl who really can't be bothered to make myself look good.  I wish the world is made up of t-shirt & shorts and does not require make up or anything. Hahahahahahahaha So contradicting.

#8 -  Spending time with family
I think as I grow older, spending time with family is becoming a big priority in my life. No matter how busy and tired you are, spending time with family is priceless. During the teenage years, I was quite adventurous (nice word to replace rebellious) and explored different things when my family was strict with my movements. Yet because of that, I've also come to realize how wonderful my family members are. I am thankful at least I didn't have to hit a very hard roadblock to learn this truth.

#9 - The Work
Am glad that I have this opportunity to do what I enjoyed doing and the journey have been amazing and I am enjoying every moment of it.

#10 - To eat all kinds of yummy food without putting on weight.

:)

I was told to pass this on. So the next folks will be - plus1, patty, tootie, weiggy, qq and kg

A New Pair of Shoes - For The accident prone me !

Blessings of the Day: Good & Ultra Understanding Clients are hard to come by. Gotta treasure them!

Work has been crazy for the past 2 months judging by the not so frequent updates. Desperately really wish I can find time to go somewhere quiet and stone. To find time to do nothing is a luxury.

This October, I've to clear the project deadlines. There are no allowance and this is it. I am praying for good discipline and good plan of time that is in my hands. If I can, I hope to sleep early and rise early. So far the battle between me and alarm clock - oh let's not talk about it.

Despite the busy schedule, when you have nice and understanding clients, it somehow make your work load much more easier to handle. After rushing through all the research and came up with something that finally put smiles on their faces were priceless.

I stood up, shook their hands and turned and *crack* Uh Oh.... I looked down and I couldn't believed what I just saw - my new heels broke. In fact that was the first time I saw it LIVE because for me heels broke on TV screens! It was such an ironic scene because my client sells shoes!

My clients were shocked and kindly brought me a pair of new shoes .. free of course. I was grateful and really embarrassed at that time. 

Look like I should just buy a pair of flats ( the roll up type) and put in my bag just in case another accident!

Going Bonkers soon

Am so .. Tired

All Things Are Beautiful

Source

A small kid

Blessings of the day: Thank God for my parents. I love them. 

Today I went back home to get some docs to be printed out as my own printer ran out of ink. (By the time i discovered, it was  midnight and shops do not open till 11am).  When I reached back home, my mom was so surprise to see me. Immediately she asked me -"Have you eaten any breakfast?"

Shuts i thought  - ONLY THIS MORNING I ATE NOTHING. And I desperately need a cup of coffee to wake me up. So i gave her the guilty look and shook my head. Something about her expressions just told me "Why can't PY take good care of herself?!" Immediately I was nagged by her again, she quickly got me a cup of coffee and place a huge cake box and said "Helped yourself with your sis's birthday cake!"

If was in the past, i would have gulp my coffee, picked up the cake box and placed in the fridge and went out for meeting. But this time, i told myself, no matter how busy, I should still grab a bite.. just to appease her.

After my meeting with the client, I met my little sis for lunch. Thought of spending more time with her since she might be going to NY anytime this week or next week. Hope is next week though. She managed to convince me to come up to do my work since we too had some work to discuss. So when I went back again, mom looked delighted to see me again.

I very much wanted to stay for dinner but the thought of my MIL was at home i declined the offer. Mum was also quite understanding and she didn't pressure me anymore.


Halfway through reading my emails and work, I suddenly just gave a loud sigh which startled her. She looked at me with this very sympathetic look and asked what's wrong. I replied "Just feeling tired."

She started go "My poor child.... why did you have to work so hard? Work can never be completed." and followed by her most famous lines “钱是赚不完的！ 健康才最重要！”

I looked at her and replied  "Nothing beats having to work for your own business. Working hard, yes else how to ensure you have income. "


She continued from her last statement obviously missing what I've just said. "Poor child, not only you got to work, you got to cook, iron, wash and mop the floor!"


(Kg does the mopping. I m spared for the last part)

"Don't be so funny. That is part of my life already."

"Tell you what. why don't we arrange every week once or twice I come over your house and help you with the ironing! Ironing is my passion!"

"Are you crazy?! I don't even let my MIL ironed, why should you come?!"

"I don't very much like cooking, and why don't I iron, you cook me a meal in exchange?"


I was completely speechless with that kind of conversation I had with my mother this afternoon.

Before I left, she got my dad to buy extra box of roasted duck for me and Kg. In addition my dad cooked a pot of soup and gave it to me as well.

"Look! Your dinner is settled. Just cook rice and you can have a proper dinner with Kg."


I had alot of mix feelings. While I felt loved and touched by the kind gesture that she shown me, sometimes I can't helped but to roll my eyes at her funny remarks. To her I am never a grown up.

But I have to admit is really nice and bless that my parents love and care for me especially Mom. Sometimes I felt guilty I can't give them more. But yet these are the little moments that you forget about the past hurts and accept them for who they are and likewise for them to accept who I am too.

God watch over them and one day I pray for the day of salvation.

Homemade Icecream

A Birthday Gift! 

What to wear today?!

That's how i arrange my clothes in my wardobe - by colours followed by category (work/casual etc)

Counting Down II :: Mini Goal #2

Source

10 more days...

Ran 4km yesterday evening in what? 40 mins. So slow... :S Need to push the timing back to at least 20 mins. 

Counting down

11 more days...

Good Job!

 

Marathon

Blessings of the Day: It had been a great church camp with God. I've surely grown closer with Him. Will jot down my tots in the next few days.

It was a pity that I missed the 21km Marathon Registration for SCB this year. The responses had been overwhelming than before. Full marathon was filled up within the first week. Half marathon was filled up 2 weeks later. I was quite disappointed. So Kg and I decided that we will run 10km again this year and improve our timing by 30mins at least or under an hour. Shortly after we registered, the 10km was officially closed. That's scary.

The reason we decided to rejoin is because this year is a new route passing the IR and the Helix Bridge. With new route, it will be less boring. It was also very interesting as I collect the SCB t-shirts - it was Adidas, New Balance and now this year Asics.

When YL was telling me that she'll be going to HK for exchange program from Aug to Dec, she was lamenting that she couldn't join me this year SCB marathon. An idea crept up in my head, I decided I wanna join HK SCB too! I did a check and learnt that HK SCB marathon was usually held in the last week of Feb. The temperature will be quite cooling and ideal to run! When I studied the route in HK, they had designed it to pass by various interesting landmarks. Of course the full marathon have the most and interesting landmarks. 10KM only covers about 3 landmarks whereas half marathon covers more than 6. So cool right! What a perfect excuse to travel again.

Then finally I've decided, I shall attempt my full marathon in HK SCB . That will be in 2012 Feb (very optimistic outlook) I will run wearing my first SCB Singapore t-shirt to commemorate my first marathon. Hahaha.

Ok so much of a marathon dreams blog. Lol :)

Rest

He gives me work that I may seek His rest,
He gives me strength to meet the hardest test;
And as I walk in providential grace,
I find that joy goes with me, at God’s pace. —Gustafson


If a blackout hits me, i will cry out in desperation cos means i can't work anymore. When i don't work, i probably felt very "unwanted". But yet God doesn't want us to feel that way. In fact, He wants me to focus on Him and find rest in Him.

As I pray, Lord grant me the strength to complete the 5 projects before I go and rest @ the 2 camps.

Motivational Talks

Image source

One person cannot motivate another person. A person can only motivate himself.

Thinking

Image source

There are many things I want to learn yet there are so little time. Thanks to the wide resources available online, there isn't the need to spend too much moolah to learn new things. (pat pat my pocket)

"Pixels"

Love the tetris the most! This is so cool! 

"Curiosity Killed The Rat"

Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangyauhoong/2886075767/

:P

 

IS a fishy Business after all..

 After all Jesus called fisherman to be His disciples.

Eye Eye Aizzzz

Today i realize my eyes sight seemed to have deteriorate. This morning as i sat in the cafe waiting for my client, i stared at my laptop very closely. As i attempted to move my eyes approximate 1 arm length away from the screen, I realized the screen looked blur and i had to squint a few times. hmmmm.

Should i consider lasik? That will mean i need to fork out another $2k again. *sob gone my camera + other things*

First get rid of the bad habit of sitting so close to the screen. Is time to check my eyes and get new pair of funky glasses :P

Simplicty Sells - by David Pogue

New York Times columnist David Pogue takes aim at technology’s worst interface-design offenders, and provides encouraging examples of products that get it right. To funny things up, he bursts into song. 

One of the thing that struck a chord with me is to stop adding new things and improve the current situation. :)

Returning Home

Kg's reservist allowed me to return back to my own home. I was excited initially as i was looking  forward to spend time with my 2 sisters and my mom. Monday came and as I was about to return home, Kg called me and said he was going to book out that night and thus returning home. So i was quite disappointed that I was on "recall".

Tuesday came and Kg ensured he was not out and thus happily I packed my stuffs. As I packed, i started to "regret" as I need to pack quite number of things. Clothes, laptop, wires, hdd, basically u know the things i need to survive for the entire of the next day. By the time I felt i was carrying a huge tortoise shell out of the house.

When i reached my mom's place, i was greeted with the familiar smell of the food she cooked. I could also tell she was really happy that i was around. I too on the other hand was glad to spend time with my sisters. Though we didn't really talk much that night as all of us were quite busy in our own world, I kind of enjoy sitting there with them. Though it was almost close to 3 months since I left home, everything still felt as if I never left. But still there was this tiny feeling that it was different from my own place.

Punggol is a quiet place where you can hear nature (aka toads) and in amk you hear roarring (pple and cars). In the beginning, I couldn't get use to the new home but now in AMK home, i realize everything is so different. 

That night i slept in my parents' room as my dad was away for overseas work (else i was to sleep in sleeping bag that night), my mom was grumbling the whole night to me. She complained my dad and my brother and occasionally the sisters as well.

It was familiar but yet it was kind of upsetting. I didn't felt peace in the house for the very first time. Everyone seems to be burdened by something heavy.

After this trip back home, I realize I really need to pray for my family daily and diligently. Praying for peace to dwell in the house and more important in everyone's heart.  Father, be with my family members because You are really needed in their lives.


I thank God for this family and really I pray for the day to come to see my whole family coming to know who God is.

Shd i join? (Or rather Shd i get?)

Browse and saw iPhone Developer Program. In the past, my poly final year project was to develop games app for Nokia phones. Maybe now is the time to venture into this area since the whole world is on iPhone. Haha.

PY: I need to get an iPhone NOW

KG: Why you need that ? Your Samsung is working.

PY: I am going to develop cool apps on iPhone.

KG: You're just finding an excuse to get an iPhone.

PY: Exactly, else when can i find another perfect excuse to buy iPhone.



I got a C+ by the way for the final year project. Because there were countless alot of bugs. hehe


Above conversation was just fictitious but in anyhow it might just come true becos i could almost picture him saying that anyway.

Clear my head

 Philippians 4:7-9 (New International Version)

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Gosh time flies... 3/4 of the year left... Review Renew Recharge

Seth's Blog - We Can do It

Lost the bid. Feeling down and moody. But yes His ways are higher than mine and there are better things in front of me.

Too often, it seems, this attitude is missing from teams, organizations or the community.

It's missing because people are quick to opt out of the 'we' part. "What do you mean, we?" they ask. It's so easy to not be part of we, so easy to make it someone else's problem, so easy to not to take responsibility as a member of whatever tribe you're part of.

Sometimes it's missing because people disagree about what 'it' is. If you don't know what you're after, it's unlikely you're going to find it.

And it's missing because people confuse cynicism with realism, and are afraid to say "can". They'd rather say 'might' or even 'probably won't'.

Just about everything worth doing is worth doing because it's important and because the odds are against you. If they weren't, then anyone could do it, so don't bother.

Product launches, innovations and initiatives by any organization work better when the key people agree on the goal, believe that they can achieve it and that the plan will work.

Do we have a cynicism shortage? Unlikely.

Successful people rarely confuse a can-do attitude with a smart plan. But they realize that one without the other is unlikely to get you very far.

Count me in. Let's go.

http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2010/03/we-can-do-it.html

The Dinner

Blessings of the Day: I've just returned from the tiring 2D1N recruits camp. The camp was good with the ice broke and I got to know my squad girls better - Yun Ting, Dion, Wai Hua and Jaymin. Very sweet angels and active ones too. Looking forward to a good squad outing in June.

As I returned home, KG was very happy to see me. It felt good to see your family smiling at you greeting you at the home door. Perhaps I've never experienced that it in my own home then becos my parents would be busy with something or other things and likewise for my siblings too. This is considered peaceful and good already (becos no one is fighting @ home) So when Kg greet me at the door, I was surprised and frankly speaking I didn't quite know how to react.

As i unpacked my bag and started to wash the clothes and at the back of my mind, I needed a good comfort meal after the camp. I was thinking of something wholesome and warm, just as I wanted to tell KG that let's had the clam chowder soup that was resting in the freezer, He excitedly said to me, "Let me cook you a dinner tonight!" I was like eh, is ok, i can do it. He insisted and said rest and once ready, he would call me out.

Feeling rather stunned (since the greeting), I obliged since my muscles were aching like mad. So i rest and soon there was this nice aroma in the house. I started thinking what was he possibly cooking since the fridge was virtually empty (cos we had Seng Siong @ our home below, we can always get fresh supplies of food below anytime).

Then when he came to me, he said oki dinner ready! *very happily* This time I was really curious what was he up to?! When we walked towards the kitchen, i saw 2 bowls. I laughed.

In the bowl, there were rice and topped with a sunshine fried egg (wah very pretty! Better than mine), one hot dog, chilli and soy sauce. He said ok try it! He told me to mix around with the egg yolk. I lifted up the egg, and i saw more crab meat and stirred around and took the first bite. I know it sounds funny, but it was good. Haha. As I ate slowly, he said there were more hidden surprises below. So i started to stir the rice and lo and behold.. I found scallop. The scallop is not the scallop you are thinking. Is the small dry scallop that Chinese use for cooking soup. Hahaha. As I ate, I noticed he actually took hashbrown and mashed up with the rice!

To me that was a Chinese version of Korean Bim Bim Bap. LOL. A pity I've forgotten to take the picture.

We ate the dinner that Kg cooked for me. I was feeling very comforted. It was indeed a wholesome dinner. The best thing was this guy talked so much as we ate our dinner. He kept saying.

KG: "Wah I can't believe I cook such a delicious dinner tonight"

Me: "..."

KG: "We only have 2 bowls to wash tonight! Because the kitchen is clean! The pots and pans are washed. Including the rice cooker! "

Me: "..."

KG: "This is so delicious! You want to learn how to cook this?" as he continued munching his dinner.

Me: "Can you cook this the next time when I am feeling tired/unhappy/lazy? I like to list this as my next comfort food. Thanks!"

KG: "..."

Hahaha. I am bless to have this wonderful husband.

I am a child of God

Blessings of the Day: "For the past 2 weeks, I brought my MIL to the Teochew senior citizens fellowship. There would be worship ( in Teochew of course), sermon (thankfully Mandarin was available) and followed by lunch fellowship.

My MIL was still quite ok but she was very shy. She worries a lot of like fearing of embarrassing herself or me. But as I encouraged her, she was more comfortable and decided to go provided I was with her. I do thank God for the open heart as she is comfortable with me as well. Basically I kind of got her to know more aunties and elders as well. This morning she was quite funny behaving like a small kid. She wanted to use her rest day to catch TV dramas at home and using my work as an excuse that i should go work and is ok to leave her alone at home (to watch tv) haha Thankfully, she still went for the fellowship at the end."

Today sermon was preached by a China preacher. Usually I have zero listening power when comes to mandarin sermon. I usually switched off and go to the auto-pilot mode (read my bible). What a coincident, i did a hard reset last week and all my applications (including my bible) installed in the phone was gone. So I had no choice but to find other things else I would fall asleep pretty fast. However within 5 mins, the preacher caught my 101% attention. She preached with so much passion and that alone touches me. I think she was preaching on the passage in proverbs or maybe psalms. (haha I am clueless when comes to chinese bible). She was entertaining and most of the time the elderly managed to give her full attention. Although you could see some aunties or uncles dozing off half way which was normal.

What the preacher shared today was very apt in my current life now. After married, I missed my home and sometimes I caught myself feeling lost and I would find myself muggling deeper in my work to numb my homesick feeling. I too sometimes felt lonly even though I found it rather amusing as I thought most couples are feeling blissful and romantically in love in their first 1 year marriage. However I thought of married life beyond that blissful feeling. KG and i shared common goals which was one key reason that brought us very close together. I realize that besides depending on my partner, i need something more than that to fill that gap.

Today the preacher reminded me I am the child of God.

Whenever she read this verse "You are my child" (says God) that line strengthen her. I thought "So powerful meh? I heard and read this verse dunno how many times but why didn't i felt like her" and she continued. "How do you feel if today you realize you are related to LKY or LHL? You are the son/daughter of LKY or LHL? or the grandchildren of the 2 political leaders? Wouldn't you feel powerful? Rich? Protected?"

Eh good comparison! Indeed if today I know i am related to any of the ministers in Singapore, I will feel proud. hahaa. If the 2 guys are just pure human and i would feel that way, what more of my Heavenly Father who created the earth and the universe. I should feel even more strengthened! I finally understood what the preacher was trying to say. (This time I turned around and watched my MIL expression. She was listening intently! :) )

Child of God. How privileged is that.

Are you a child of God too?

Okie This July!

Abit random but ya I am saving up to get this camera for myself hahaha :P


Semi Pro camera instead of DSLR Camera.

March 2010

We are approaching like a quarter year in 30 days. Time flies.

I am reminded that I need to constantly remind myself what role I am in now - a wife, a daughter in law and even a better daughter to my own family.

On my table, I placed 6 photos that remind my loved ones.

1) My Parents > They are so dear to me. Every day there was a moment I felt like slacking, I would look at my parents photo and remind myself to work hard so i can give my parents a good life.

2) My 4 sisters > Our age gap are decades part from my youngest sister (8 years) to my oldest sister (12 years). We had never been closed during our younger days. But thanks to God who enabled me to love my sisters for who they are, we are brought closer for the past recent years during new years, birthdays and christmas. I believed that is God's love in me that brought me closer to my sisters more than ever.

3) Family Photo > the photo taken right in front of the cross right in Bethel. I will always be reminded how the very moment that God miraculously bring my whole family to church. This photo a testimony of how God is real and how true He was. If in doubt, look at that picture and be reminded of God's faithfulness.

4) A wedding photo with my parents together with Keegan > The wonderful occasion that got me very emotional that a time where I leave my parents and cleave my husband. I often envy my friends who continued to stay with their parents after married but eventually I know that sooner or later my parent will too leave me physically one day. All these taught me one thing, I needed God even more, to cling onto His strength and be reminded that I need to be faithful that God will bring them to know Him more.

Year 2010 is going to be a smashing year for me.

Smashing Magzine: Is John The Client Dense or Are You Failing Him?

Totally expressed how I felt at work but this article gave me a fresh perspective (& positive) from the client's view.

---------------------------

Is John The Client Dense or Are You Failing Him?
By Paul Boag
February 19th, 2010

Meet John the client. John runs a reasonably large website. He is a marketer who considers himself smart, articulate and professional. That said, he doesn’t know much about Web design, and so he needs your help. John comes to you with a clear set of business objectives and asks for a quote. But what happens next leaves John confused, frustrated and extremely unhappy.

Explain Why You Are Asking About Money

Before giving John his quote, you ask a little more about the project. After chatting for a few minutes, you ask him about his budget. A fair question, you think. After all, you could approach the project in so many ways. Without knowing the budget, knowing where to begin is impossible. In your mind, building a website is like building a house. Without knowing the budget, you can’t possibly know how many rooms the client can afford or what materials you should use to build.

John, on the other hand, is instantly suspicious. Why would you want to know about his budget? The only reason he can think of is that you want to make sure you don’t charge him less than what he is willing to give. Besides, he doesn’t really know his budget. How the heck is he supposed to know how much a website costs?

Don’t come across as money-grubbing. (Image credit)

John leaves, determined to find a Web designer who doesn’t want to take advantage of him. Fortunately for you, all of the other designers he speaks with also neglect to explain why they need to know about his budget, and so you manage to win the project after all.

Justify Your Recommendations In Language John Can Understand

Once you have won the job, you arrange a kick-off meeting to nail down the specifications. However, John instantly regrets his decision to hire you because his worse fears have been confirmed. In his eyes, you are all of a sudden trying to squeeze more money out of him as you waffle about the importance of usability and accessibility. John doesn’t care about disabled users. He doesn’t expect disabled users to visit his website anyway.

And as for usability, surely the job of the Web designer is to make the website usable. Why do we need expensive usability testing? He is pretty certain that usability testing involves expensive things like cameras, labs and two-way mirrors. You thought you had explained these issues clearly. You spoke of WCAG 2, and you mentioned Jakob Neilsen. You are beginning to wonder if John is a bit thick.

Avoid techno-babble if you expect clients to understand what you’re talking about. (Image credit)

Perhaps if you had talked about accessibility in terms of assessing search engine rankings and testing usability as a way to increase conversion, then John might have listened. As it is, John puts his foot down and refuses to pay for any of these “unnecessary extras.”

Include John In The Process

You walk away from the kick-off meeting pleased to have a signed contract. But that feeling in the pit of your stomach tells you that this might be another one of those projects. Regardless, you try to be optimistic, and you dive into the design process. Almost immediately, you get a phone call from John asking if there is anything for him to see. You explain that it is still early in the process and that you are not ready to present anything. John sounds disappointed but resigned.

A short while later, you are ready to present the design to John. You are pleased with the result. It took you a lot more time than you had budgeted for, but it was worth it. The final design is extremely easy to use and will make for a great portfolio piece.

Stop hiding from your clients. Show them your work early on, and include them in the process. (Image credit)

When John sees the design, he is horrified. From his perspective, you have entirely missed the point. The design clashes with his offline marketing materials and doesn’t hit the right selling points. Also, he is convinced that his suppliers will hate it and, although they are not his end users, their opinion matters.

After a tense conference call, you feel demoralized but have struck a compromise that hopefully will make John happy. You wonder in hindsight whether showing John some of your initial ideas and sketches would have been better. Perhaps you should have presented a wireframe first.

Educate John About Design

After much agonizing and compromise, you are once again ready to present to John. John is much happier with the new design and feels it is heading in the right direction. However, he does have some concerns. For starters, he has to scroll to see most of the content, and yet white space takes up either side of the design. He tells you to move key content into this wasted space. Also, as he thinks about his young male target audience, he realizes that the color scheme is too effeminate, so he tells you to change it to blue.

While John feels somewhat happier, you feel crushed. You feel as though he is trying to do the job for you. The instructions to move this there and change this color to that makes you feel like you have been reduced to pushing pixels.

Educate your clients so they make more informed decisions. (Image credit)

By this point, you are sure the client is dim, and now you just want him to sign off on a design. At no stage do you think to ask John why he is requesting these changes. Perhaps if you had appreciated his thinking, you could have explained concepts such as screen resolution and suggested an alternative to corporate blue, which is so over-used on the Web.

Instead, you wash your hands of the design and just give John what he wants.

Communicate With John Regularly

Now that the design is complete, you turn your attention to building it. John certainly won’t care about your code. Now you can finally do things right.

It’s a big job and takes a lot of time. Even though you put too much time into the design and washed your hands of it, you still have your pride. You are not about to cut corners with the code. After all, other designers might look at it and judge you! You work really hard, putting in more work than you probably should have. John even manages to slip in some extra functionality at the scoping phase, which turns out to be a pain in the butt.

For his part, John is wondering what’s going on. He hasn’t heard from you in weeks. Surely the website must be ready now? He decides to email you to ask how things are progressing. You reply with a short email telling him that everything is progressing smoothly. You never did like project management, and you are sure John would prefer that you spend time building his website instead of writing him detailed reports.

John receives your email and is becoming increasingly frustrated. What does “progressing smoothly” mean? He writes back asking for an expected date of completion, and you reply with a rough estimate.

The date comes and goes without a word from you. After all, it was merely an estimate, and several complications have delayed completion by a few days. John finally loses his temper and calls you. He tells you that he has arranged a marketing campaign to coincide with the launch date, and because he hadn’t heard from you, he presumed everything was on schedule.

Communicate with your client regularly. (Image credit)

You defend yourself, citing “scope creep” and unanticipated delays. But responding is difficult when John says, “All I needed was a weekly email keeping me up to date on progress.”

Explain John’s Ongoing Role

By this stage, the relationship has broken down entirely. You finish your work, and the website finally launches. Begrudgingly, John pays the invoice after delaying it for as long as possible. What amazes you most is John’s pronouncement that he is bitterly disappointed with the result. How can that be when you gave him exactly what he asked for? This guy isn’t just thick: he’s a jerk!

Of course, John sees things differently. He came to you with a list of his business objectives, and the website has failed to meet any of them. He had hoped to launch the website, watch it achieve his objectives and then move on to the next project. Instead, after an initial spike in interest, the number of users and inquiries dropped over time, and the website stagnated.

Ensure that your client understands what kind of ongoing care their website will need. (Image credit)

What John does not realize is that websites need continued love and support. You cannot build a website and then abandon it. John has to nurture it by adding new content, engaging with visitors and planning for ongoing development.

If only someone had told him.

The Moral Of The Story

It’s amazing how quick we are to judge our clients.

As Web designers, we communicate and empathize for a living. Our job is to communicate messages to our clients’ users. We create usable websites by putting ourselves in the position of our users, which allows us to design around their needs.

Why, then, do we so often seem to be incapable of empathizing or communicating with our clients? Perhaps it is time for us to apply the skills we have cultivated as Web designers to our own customers.

(al)

Paul Boag

Paul Boag is the founder of UK Web design agency Headscape, author of the Website Owners Manual and host of award-winning Web design podcast Boagworld.

しんこんりょこう Shinkonryokou 新婚旅行 Day 5 & 6

Day 5 - our last day in Japan we went Tsukiji Fish Market, Roppongi & Jiyugaoka.

Check out our photos and write up here.

しんこんりょこう Shinkonryokou 新婚旅行 Day 3 & 4

Day 3: Mt Fuji & Lake Kawaguchi
Day 4: Tokyo Tower

Read here

しんこんりょこう Shinkonryokou 新婚旅行 Day 1 & 2

Blessings of the Day:



One of the most enjoyable trip I had with KG so far.

Check out our trip here where I blogged about our Tokyo Trip @ FB instead.

Mrs Lim on 23 Jan 2010

Blessings of the Day: "So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate." Matthew 19:6

This is our wedding verse. Kg chose it and how apt. It is a good reminder that God joined us not by our strength and effort. How true that no one can separate us.

The journey was a long one. 10 years of dating. Sometimes unbelievable yet it was true.

That night I slept early (2am) and woke up early too (4.30am). My whole mind was "oh i waited quite long lar for this day." haha. A numerous things went through my mind

• Must tell Joan/Jem/Grace/Ray/HS/blah blah where are the things put
• Must draft my speech 2nd paragraph * i haven finish!*
• ....

My make up artist arrived at 5.30am. Helen was really sweet. She usually have to charge extra for arriving before 6am. But she told me she would waive off the charges. Perhaps I also got her to give my mom a night make up too thus the extra benefit. But Helen, thanks anyway :) I was done by 6.30am that's when my jiemeis arrived. All was surprised I was done already. The photographer was like "You are done already??" haha. So great no unglam pictures of before and after.

My videographer came slightly later. But wasn't in a mood of asking why he was late. Feng Nian is from Beautiful Days. Our VG was a last minute decision in Nov. Actually i panic quite abit on that, not sure at such a short notice I was able to find one. But God was good. We got this VG and we really like his works (and most importantly fit our tight budget). It was different from the norm we see. Perhaps I was watching very good overseas wedding video and when I saw his works, i thought they were similar approach and looked very classy.

The morning passed by quickly go through the tea ceremonies at both sides followed by the late morning church wedding. The next thing we knew we were married!

During the thank you speech, my bridesmaid kwa kwa passed me a piece of tissue. I told myself - "No i am not going to use you!" I choked a few times especially at the mention of my mom. Frankly speaking I had been rather overwhelmed with emotions for the past few months. I was not counting down to the day I was going to get married. But rather I was counting down the days I would leave my parents and cleave with my husband. In my heart, I missed my parents especially my mom dearly. I also missed all the late night chats with my 2 sisters. I tried my best not to look at them when I made my speech because I already thought i saw them crying! Gosh! :(

Finally I got it through my speech. What a relief really.

When it came to our wedding dinner, there was a huge mess. A few relatives were not able to make it at the last minute and I had to play musical chairs at the very same timing. Thankfully for my sister, she was quick and was able to organize our relatives properly. Sister also did a good job by doing PR for my dad relatives as it was the first time everyone was able to make it for the wedding. Previously when my sister got married, a couple of them couldn't make it due to a funeral mourning period and likewise when my cousin got married, we too couldn't make it due to our grandma passed away at the same period.

During the dinner, we decided to skip the yumseng part. Thankfully my parents agreed and instead our lovely bridesmaid and bestmand gave us a speech. It was a touching speech and truely, Kg and I are thankful for your beautiful friendship.

Finally the day came to end, a new chapter unfold for me and Kg. We are so grateful for the help that everyone gave us. Without your blessings, the day wouldn't have gone so smoothly.

Praise God for He is good :)

Never Satisfied But Always Content

Philippians 3:7-14 (New International Version)

⁷But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. ⁸What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ ⁹and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. ¹⁰I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, ¹¹and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Pressing on Toward the Goal

¹²Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. ¹³Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, ¹⁴I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

How is it possible to be feel contents and yet not satisfied? I thought today daily bread really summed it up pretty well.

January 19, 2010
READ: Philippians 3:7-14

I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. —Philippians 3:14

Tiger Woods is clearly the greatest golfer of his generation. His ability to perform under pressure and win is becoming legendary. Yet what motivates Woods is not just winning, it’s his passion for excellence. Despite his great success, Tiger has repeatedly refined his swing in an ongoing effort to improve his game and be a better golfer. His desire for excellence leaves him never satisfied.

The apostle Paul was also driven by a desire for excellence—but in his relationship with Christ. Paul, however, taught that we’re to have balance. While we’re never to be satisfied with our spiritual progress, we’re always to be content in Christ.

In his letter to the Philippians, Paul expressed both realities. While writing from prison, he declared his contentment with life’s circumstances, entrusting them to God’s care (Phil. 4:11). Nevertheless, he refused to be satisfied with his own spiritual progress. He did not count himself to have “apprehended” (to have arrived and achieved it all). Instead, he was committed to pressing on toward the goal (3:13-14).

Learning to balance contentment with a desire for excellence may be the forgotten key to our ongoing spiritual growth and advancement. — Bill Crowder

I give my life to You, O Lord,
To follow and obey;
Grant me contentment as I strive
For excellence each day. —Sper

Godliness with contentment is great gain. —1 Timothy 6:6

Contented with what I have. What God had given to me and provided for me. To be contented because I am more precious than the birds in the air and flowers in the fields.

Not satisfied of my own spiritual achievements in work, in ministry and in life. But to aim for the best excellence with my relationship with God, with the people around me.

This is hard. Haha. What a way to start my new year. Well Godliness with contentment is indeed great gain :)

6 more days to our wedding

Is really exciting. haha

But work is still on my mind. Just now i got a very disappoint email and sms from a very disappointed client. Hmmm, I am starting to wonder the problem might just lie with him not me. Oh well, what can I do? I do feel angry and upset but however, I need to find peace with God. not with that client. So God please grant me the peace that I need. You've given me all the blessings in all wedding prep. Everything is going smoothly so far. You will carry me to the end and for the next 3 working days, I commit to You and ask You grant me the strength to go through it. With 2 deadlines in 3 days.

The Lord is my helper Amen =)

The title doesn't really seemed to match what I am rambling now. haha

Many asked me if I am nervous, uptight and anxious? The answer is Yes! Cos i am thinking about work! Opps sorry. Well, No. Wedding is just a day simply. It is a day where I get married legally to KG. Haha. God have been good to us. We are thankful for the 12 years of friendship cum 10 years of loveship, He brought us so far till today. Is definitely not by our strength and understanding what relationship really means. If not for God, we won't be holding hands till now.

What I look forward is the marriage that a new chapter we are starting in 6 days time. KG had been really looking forward to this day. Certainly there were stress in the wedding logistics and other areas but what matter most is we are standing together as one.

I certainly need to change my lifestyle. No more late working hours, eat healthily, exercise regularly and to pray for my family and love ones more often. I felt sometimes when a couple get too involved in meeting objectives aka task oriented, we lose the little moments of life that God wants us to see. We miss the main point what God really want to show us. I certainly do not want to miss anything that God wants me to see. I prayed for the both of us to walk more closely with God each day as we lead our life as husband and wife.

God this is our prayer, that we will live together and lead a life that glorify you. Help me and KG to go through the next 10 years, 20 years, 30 years and more just like how You have brought us through for the past 10 years.

This week will be "tough" both Kg and I are literally slaves to our work. We both really pray hard that God will release all the unnecessary stress from now till Saturday. Teach us to LET GO and put all anxiety and burdens unto God. Peace to dwell in our hearts.

Be with us God, in Jesus mighty name we pray Amen :)

3 more weeks to our ... HONEYMOON

Blessings of the Day: Guo Da Li was a success. Thank God! Thank Dad & Mom! Thanks to KG, Aunty and T.

I think I am more excited for our honeymoon than our big day. haha.

Finally after weeks of researching, we decided that we will book this ryokan.

秀峰閣湖月 Shuhoukaku Kogetsu
Website: http://www.kogetu.com

OpenKitchenConcept recommended me to go to Fuji Five Lakes, Lake Kawaguchi instead of Hakone to experience osen and ryokan stay. There were quite a number of ryokans and I was hoping to find one that allows me to view Mt Fuji when we soak in osen/hot springs, to stay in a traditional japanese style room and to try their authentic Japanese food where we usually watch in Japan Hour. I was also quite "greedy" I hope to even catch Mt Fuji view in our room.

It was no joke to search for a Ryokan. For alot of times I really felt giving up and just intend do a day trip to Mt Fuji and Hakone and return back to Tokyo. Ryokan are really not cheap. But if you count in 2 meals for 2 pax, it works out quite a good average. Since is 1 night and I had already save quite a fair bit from the Tokyo lodgings, I shall not complain and spurge. haha.

After about a few months (yes a few months) I was quite pleased with what I had chose and told KG about it. As usual the guy just said anything. In this ryokan, we can view Mt Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi from all rooms, gardens and open-air baths. I think that to us is the biggest highlight. The drawback was is quite a distance from the bus station so hopefully I can arrange for a shuttle bus or private car transport to pick us up. Despite the not so accessible location, there are actually a couple of museum near the ryokan. One of which is a Music Forest and I had already saw some interesting photos online. That will keep us occupied :)

As I've been searching like crazy, i realized I really need to force myself to go through Japanese website using Google Translation. That experience is hilarious. I felt I was reading some kind of gibberish language. Haha.

I drop an email to the ryokan to request if there are any shuttle bus to pick us up from the bus station. After sending, I got an automatic reply in Japanese of course. I decided to use Google Translation to translate and see what it says.

1週間たっても当館からの返信がない場合は、
メールの事故で当館まで届いていない場合もございます。
お手数ですがinfo@kogetu.com まで再度お問い合せください。

If there is no reply from the hotel even after a week,
Some in the hotel when the accident have not received the email.
Cross your fingers please contact info@kogetu.com up again.

Oh i can't wait for this trip! :))