Planning for Taiwan Dec 2015

Planning for Taiwan Dec 2015

The family planned a year end vacation to Taiwan.

I went there in March as a getaway with Rach. Now the whole family is going, together with my mom-in-law.

The weather will be cool and hope it will not be cold. It should be dry and not wet like March.

We intend to rent a car and that will help to cover more interesting area (to see and to do) at more flexibility. The group has kids, a teenager and an elderly lady. I have to cater to 4 age groups.

The trip has been confirmed with the air tickets and the accommodation booked. Basically, we will be in the west and north of Taiwan. Last March we went east to Hualien and Ruisui.

It will be a time of family activities and bonding time.

Sheffield 22-23 June

Sheffield 22-23 June

22nd evening, the team went to play Laser Tag. Well to be factual I do not want to spend the money on the game. Somewhat out of obligation I had to follow the group who went. The other group went Meadowhall to shop. I will have went to shop because I have not bought any present for my children and for Ms Nancy, who sent me for this trip.

Nevertheless, I played with them. Likewise, these are the activities the youth like. I have Jo, I should go down to his level to play with him what he like. I remembered the game we played with Issac and Deb. It is a boring 4 man game, but all enjoyed it. This time, 16 of us played, all youth and the ground is bigger. PH stop looking at the money - how often do you get this experience and bond with these youth. Well I hope through and which I can make deposit in their lives.

I encourage my youth in the comments of their blog. I should give the same or even more encouragement to Jo. I should see him positive and groom him to the potential.

Anyway I managed to get gifts for Jo and Deb. Bought a thank you gift for Ms Nancy.

Sheffield 21 June

Sheffield 21 June

It is Sunday. I rested well till 0800 hrs instead of the usual 0530. I did run. I used the morning to read my bible and spend my time on the words. I also read Ps Edmund book "Growing Deep in God". The chapter I read is on the God are you not, have you not and will you not.

In the afternoon, we went archery and abseiling. I choose archery because I do not want to hurt my back, but because more students choose archery, the 2 staffs landed in abseiling. What worse is in order to abseil down, you have to climb. Well I managed to climb up. But I do that I am not that agile and do admit that age has indeed caught up with me. Nevertheless, I still managed to abseil down in good style.

It is a simple activities done in a scout camp. It reminds me of the days as a scout where I learnt so many skills. It reminds me of the opportunities the children have in such activities. Many have indeed tried rock climbing, abseiling and archery. How bless are this generation. Let them not forget to give thanks for the government and God who watches over this small nation.

Sheffield 20 Jun 2015

Sheffield 20 Jun 2015

It was a day of outing to Castleton. We visited a mining cave and a chocolate factory.

The mine produce something the world do not have - Blue John. What is that? In terms of chemical properties and physical properties - nothing unique. That is why it has no commercial and industrial value. It looks blue and mainly use to make gems.

We may be unique, but we need to stand out. The gem has no value accept as a ornament. We are who we are in God, in the system that made us to be. But we have to offer more, so that our value does not depends on a single demand but our offering changes the demand.

The walk to the chocolate factory was long. There was a little girl of 3 who followed us. Of course with her pregnant other, She was behind. I cannot carry her as I have back ache. The rest of the students proceed ahead. We do not live in isolation, it is the little actions that draws people to us, unfortunately, I want to made the first move, but I have physical limitation. I wonder as age is catching up, even if I am to go to China, the terrain will wear me out. In fact, after yesterday walk, my back ache more than my everyday run. Lord I need you to carry me through and if there is such a need, I need my back to be healed.

At the chocolate factory, we were showed how chocolates came from and how chocolates were made. We have fun. I ate too much, that I do not wish to da bao any more. The owner enjoyed his work. His kids has no intention to continue to run the business. He also mentioned that making bread probable make a better living. It is quality of life versus quantity of material wealth.

Sheffield 18-19 June 2015

Sheffield 18-19 June 2015

18th Thursday
We had a presentation by Enactus Sheffield. It was a presentation by the members who present their project. They actually use storyboard style to deliver. Wonderful presentation.

The project they embark is not just go, serve and bless. They had a considerations for sustainability. They identify a problem, work with the community, find a solution, engage the community and implement the solution in such a manner that their is continuity. The solution has a self sustainable profit, employ the community and involvement to allow self run. It allow and encourage me to see that the projects in China or mission to have a possible sustainable ways. Continuation.

19th Friday
I am trying to set a routine in my own daily routine. Today I managed wake up at 0530, go for a run and back at 0620. Taking the time to cool down, I read spend my time alone with God, reading the bible and mediate on the words. If I start blogging at seven, I will have no time to bath. In Singapore, 0700, I have to start preparing for work. As such, I will continue to take the words throughout the day and pray. So the time alone with God blogging can be done using the tablet or during the day and transfer to digital form in the evening.

I followed a student group to the factory visit. Frankly, I feel that is is not fruitful. But when the facilitator asked about the visit, a positive was given. I may not sure if the feedback is honest or being polite.  But nevertheless, I will made my report judgement, so that improvement can be made in the future trip. The students may have answer in a diplomatic manner, which is commendable.

During the activities, I can also do these with my kids:
1. Spaghetti Tower
2. Lego Animal, the features are on cards

Sheffield 17 June 2015

Sheffield 17 June 2015

It is 3rd day of workshop. But today is is done at an innovation center. The students are taught innovation skills and techniques for generative ideas. Kind of what Ngee Ann offer for IBIL, but done in a day workshop. Not long long and not too short.

The techniques are there, but that is at the knowledge and comprehension level. How can a person than take innovation as part and parcel of their life? I internalize innovation by and through experience that matter most to me. Why innovate? For the world, and green peace? For fun?

For some reasons, there are many things around that can be observed. Areas to inprove. But more important what matters to us. I have too, if the changes through innovation benefits the problem owner and I have a shared concern for the problem owner. For example my father. the other is that I see that it can brings benefits to my pocket. What motivation is better than monetary rewards for doing innovation and taking the solution to the next prototype?

So like when we were shopping at Meadowhall, a large shopping complex, I fix my eyes on a shop that has "half scooter seat" only the second half of the scooter with seat is around to serve as seat. A theme. Another, is a pub with live singing, not in a hotel lounge but a mall. What can the idea be use for? I am not sure yet, but when an opportunities arise, I have examples. I therefore seat on a future opportunities based on a possible monetary rewards.

I finally bought a pair of jogging shoes, which I wore and ran and it was so different from the old. So comfortable. I also bought a new working shoes and Rach was surprise that I bought from Clakes! Well again I need a comfortable shoe for my work and maybe, standing on a good shoe with cushion help my back too.

I have not get anything for my kids.

Sheffield 16 June

Sheffield 16 June

I ran yesterday, trying to get to Sheffield town hall, which I had been there the day before. But lost my way. I cannot even locate the building that I had been there everyday for workshop. I am not the leader for the trip. I had basically brain dead and not thinking. Normally I will be quick OK with direction. I had been following. Most of the time in my life I had been taking charge. My working style has been I need to be in control. The Mr strong type and a little of the Mr perfect. Well it is OK to get lost. It is OK not to know the way and just follow. I need to learn how to let go. 

Reflecting on the workshop on six thinking hats, it help me realized that there are hats that I am not very comfortable  wearing. The hat am not comfortable is the yellow hat that is saying positive.  
 

The evening ends with a walk to town hall. I did not went into the town hall,which I realized that you can do so. It is a paradigm shift that not all buildings are so restricted. Just walk in and ask. But anyway, my sole has been sore and just did not want to walk.