A Year After His Birth

Justus' birthday party on friday was a blast. Here are some pictures to justify (pun intended) the claim.

the proud owners parents

Jireh - the random

Janine - the Banana Bom-Pee-Pee Barrista

Acting cute? Lolx.

Justus is 1 now! And boy did he receive great gifts. Probably the most 'talked about' gift was the *gasp* giraffe. Seeing how it got along so well with not Justus, but the guys, I think the maker of this soft toy had his success coming. "Finally!" he says with an exclamation, "I've made something that appeals to both the young and old!"

LOLX

Well, I don't know how I spent my first birthday but from how advance technology is, Justus could access his video of his first birthday party when he's probably 14 and say, "Mom, Dad!! Was that really me?!?!"

Great fellowship followed by pool at Paradiz. A thought got me thinking. Why is it that people under the age of 16 be prohibited from playing pool? Someone please answer this burning question in me. Smoking is prohibited so I don't see a harm in the area being unhealthy, if you had that thought in mind. Seriously, if there's something wrong, someone please tell me. I just don't get it. And yes, Jonathan, Jerome, and Jerald played pool that night. (they are under 16 but fully enjoy the game.)

So, just got home after a very busy sunday. Well, let's put it this way. It wasn't exactly what I call a great day, neither was it very bad. And nope, it wasn't mundane. Today, I am re-affirmed that we are indeed living in a very exciting time. We live in a time that trials and tribulations would be heightened because we are all called for a time like this. Amen?

Alright, so that aside. It's amazing how a bad day can end good, and we'll call it a good day. Likewise, it's so easy to claim the day to be bad if we woke up on the wrong side of bed. But I learnt so much today. You know, the point that Pastor preached was further emphasized when I went for the meeting at my outlet.

If you are angry with someone, don't keep quiet. It's your responsibilty to mend it, and not to just run away from it.

Cool stuff. That was the main point I learnt. Lini, my MT (Management Trainee), called all the part-timers back for a meeting. Honestly, I would much preferred spending time with the youths, but I went for it anyway. And I'm glad I did. She talked about teamwork, and however much we can't stand someone, he's still your collegue, and you still got to work with him. Likewise, it brought me back to the point which Pastor preached. Whether or not you cannot stand a certain trait in someone, he's still your brother-in-christ, and you'll still have to face him in heaven. Makes sense?

So, life lessons here. And life lessons often come hard. This time, it came like it was wrapped up beautifully and appeared at my doorstep just as I opened my main door to reach for the daily Straits Times. Which further proves one point to me as I spoke to Isaac on the phone on my way home. In the kitchen, it was always a norm to learn everything by yourself. People don't guide you, and you do not have MTs to have meetings and motivational talk with you. It's the exact opposite. You get screamed at if you don't do your job well, with cusses as their main form of communication. No, I'm not scaring you people. This is what the kitchen life is. You don't get it good if you're not good - no motivation, no guidance - you create your own. And that's been wrong for centuries. I plan to change it. How?

If I one day become a Director of Kitchens (and a possible 2 Michelin star Chef as 'prophesized' over by Aunty Anna), I would hold meetings. Not with the Sous Chefs or CDPs (Chef De Parties), but with the cooks. And we'll just talk about life, get to know each other well. Who says a person of such a high position should lift his head high and say, "I'm more worthy of someone with a higher title"? That's bull.

A true mark of a good manager, is one who loves his staff. Remember the golden rule. Happy staff = happy customers. That's what CX (Chuan Xun) told me a few weeks back. How true it is. So much for 'customers always first'. Throw that thought out of the window. Here's Peter with a revolutionary kitchen organisational culture. Staff first, and the rest will come naturally. And staff that feel loved, and belonged. That's why I'm beginning to see the full picture now. We, as christians, are here on this earth to make a difference. We know how much Christ loves us, and must love others the way He does. Easier said that done you might say, I fully agree. But if you don't even try, how would you know it won't work? Notice I said you now, and the focus is no more about me here. You can make a difference, today, right now.

"But I'm not a manager and I don't get to do the things you mentioned above!" Rejoice in that my brothers and sisters. Take heart that though you think you might seem small in the company, you are still the apple of God's eyes. And you have as much responsibility as your managers to make your collegues feel loved.

I'm not saying make a resolution to change from an everyday 9-5 office staff to a super worker. I'm not asking you to offer to buy breakfast every morning for your collegues and go dinners with them every other night. What I'm trying to get across is that even the simplest of things could make someone's day. And you never know my brothers and sisters, that special something could have been the turning point of how he/she viewed christians. Ponder upon that sentence. *smiles*

*sigh of relief*

Haven't blogged about such stuff for such a long time. Those of you who managed to survive, should have felt better, not worse. It was a good entry for me, and I believe more lessons will come my way in the months to come. With so many things to look forward to, life is no more boring for me. Every single day is an adventure, with surprises that make it all worthwhile. And someday, you'll reach that pot of gold when you reach the end of the rainbow.

=)

God Bless!!!