Good morning World!

Indeed. Good morning. What's so good about the morning?

Well, lots. The sun's up. Been toiling even before the break of dawn. Was working till the wee hours of the morning. Already, communication has broken down. Thankfully, quickly fixed.

What's left to do, now that the sun's rays have broken through the clouds? Follow ups, submissions, waiting for stuff to come in. At least things are moving along quite nicely. If you believe what the newspapers have been reporting, things are looking rosy again. Let's hope we keep the momentum going.

Time to get the next project off the ground. Been brewing in my mind for months. Time to stop thinking and start planning. What's the difference? Like I counseled a friend recently, thinking is pure fluff. No action, no consequences. Planning, well, its simply the opposite. There is action and there will be consequences. Good, bad or downright ugly. At least there will be the fruits of thy labour.

Good morning world!

A Golden Year of the Tiger

Has it been this long? Has it really been 2 years since I last blogged?

Well, its the first day of the Lunar Calendar, and to all ethnic Chinese folks, its the day we took a break and pat ourselves on the back for having survived another year. To those who did well, its to look forward to another bountiful year. For those who were perhaps less satisfied, its to forget the past year and look forward to a new beginning, a new year of hope and opportunity.

Before anything else, I'd like to first wish one and all a Happy New Year! May we roar with gusto and stare into the eye of the Tiger, willing it to deliver good tidings and abundant blessings to us all. Gong Xi Gong Xi!

Now, reflecting on the last year, I must say it was another year of ups and downs. Reading my previous posts about my apprehensions about setting up my business, I gotta say that I am glad I did. Sure, it was no walk in the park. There were days where I really wonder, is it all worth it? What in the world was I thinking! But in spite of all the negatives, there were many a positives I can count as well.

Since its traditionally good luck to say only the good stuff on the first day of the new year, I shall list some of my blessings here.

1. Support of Friends, Family and Loved Ones.
Indeed, I never realised this before. I am blessed. I still am unable to register the fact that I actually have friends whom I can count on. I always thought the opposite was true. It is through their actions, prayers, words, projects... I must say a big thank you. I mean, I would never have come this far without them. I could never made this statement to a potential client last Tuesday if not for the support I got: "I am proud to say that in these 3 years, my team has come far, and I am proud of the track record that we have built up."

2. A good team
I started off the business with a friend. Well, he was a good friend while it lasted. Alas, I am still taken aback by his disappearance. Thankfully, the Lord was kind in giving me a replacement, one as outstanding as any other. Talented, visionary and excellent in his designs. Great chap too. I only wish that my clients realize that the work we deliver is world class. Would you be willing to pay us a little more for top-notch design work? Maybe I need to steel myself a little, to up my rates gradually, and not fear that the clients would vanish if I did so. :) Too sensitive to say much more through this platform. But I hope to report good news in the next New Year message.

All in all, the year started slowly. But gradually, it gained traction. There were days in the first half of the year where all I could ever do was to spend time with the Xbox 360. Then in the closing months of the year, the way things were shaping up, I wondered if my team had time to rest. Between the two extremes, I much prefer the later, I mean, who wouldn't? The challenge now is to maintain the momentum and keep churning out good works. And to put the next plan into action.

Well, Golden Tiger, my friend, I look forward to the challenges you throw my way. Please be kind, won't you. Your earlier brothers, the Ox and the Rat, have given me their best shot. Boy were they mean... took my job, took my car. Isn't it time to pay back what you've taken eh?