Musing

I am guilty of reading too little. It‘s not that I don‘t like to read, but somehow excuses always find their way into my schedule. But a few days ago, I came across a project called Around the World in 80 Countries. The author of the website dared herself and others to read 80 books written by authors from 80 different countries. And while that is all a little too ambitious for me, it did inspire me to start my own reading project. 

The goal is to read a book set in every country I have been to.  And while I feel the strongest desire to start reading a Tanzanian novel, I have decided to begin at my life’s beginning…

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Shanghai Girls

My first book is Shanghai Girls by Lisa See. It is a story about Pearl and May,  two sisters living the life of “beautiful girls” in 1930s Shanghai.  Their world of extravagance and elegance initially hid the signs of impending war and death looming over the city, but  eventually life as they knew it collapsed around them.  The story follows the sisters through their escape from the Japanese, detainment at Angel’s Island to their attempts at reconciling the tragedies and secrets of their lives.  (more…)

The biggest hazard of leading a nomadic life is never finding a home. And though the changing environment satiates the hunger to savor new sights and sounds, it also makes it impossible to cast the anchor of our hearts in one particular place. Nowhere is this more evident than in China.  (more…)

The idea of heading to Africa came to me at the beginning of 2009.  But now that I have an official placement with Kiva, $400 of vaccines flowing through my veins, and my resignation letter handed in, all the feelings that I have accumulated along this process have intensified. Where I was once hesitant, I am now scared. Where I was once excited, I am now ecstatic. And where I was once pleased I took the initiative, I am now proud I am following through. 

This got me thinking about accomplishments and whether they can be defined not only by the attainment of a goal, but by the dismissal of one as well.  Instead of constructing dreams and hopes, can we also take pride in deconstructing paradigms? (more…)

Summers are magical in this concrete jungle. A bright foliage of airy dresses replaces the somber coat of winter.   Limbs glisten from the moisture in the air.  Inhabitants become restless and hunger for activity.  I too am entranced in this reverie that blankets the city, even turning down offers of weekend getaways.  

 But if I am unable to free myself for one weekend, how can I be prepared to leave for good?

I recently started Mavericks At Work, on the recommendation of E. One chapter is devoted to the topic of how successful start-ups use a different language.  Words like” disrupt” and “agitate” are not traditionally associated with businesses, but the author rightly notes that this language generates excitement and innovation.  As I chewed on this idea, I wondered whether it was applicable to how one should lead life.  That is, can I and should I “disrupt” my life as well? (more…)

I have recently heard from various sources that recessions breed innovation. This naturally begs the question – is entrepreneurship a product of inspiration or desperation? Furthermore, if it is also said that entrepreneurs are born and not made, then can a person of desperation, be successful in his pursuit of striking it out alone?

Ever since the pushes have turned into shoves, many bright minds have bid farewell to the big boss to become their own boss. Indeed the slow (but sure) sinking of the ship known as Wall St. has influenced me to start cranking my brain as well. Yet I have heard stories of the kids, who ran lemonade stalls, the dorm room techies who launched and sold their websites… and I have never been one of them.

When this question of inspiration vs. desperation was asked at a recent conference, it reassured me when the panelist answered it was the later which drove him to start his now successful website. E also sensibly told me that, I was just beginning to travel down the path of entrepreneurship, but with each step I take, a sense of familiarity and ease willquickly snowball. I only hope…

F had always belittled her own career as an IBanker, saying she “chose the easiest path laid in front of her”. I used to despise the comment because I took her disdain to be an indirect insult on my own career choice. I picked a similar path and hate to think that it was merely convenience that led me to it. But recently I have been made to re-evaluate whether it is truly harder to walk down Wall St. or to create a path of your own?

I still believe that getting on to Wall St. is difficult, requiring many essential traits and a healthy dose of luck. However, I have barely taken a step down the road of entrepreneurship, and I have already been overwhelmed with many headache inducing questions:

How can we break in to the Chinese market and create a barrier of entry? Who has the experience to create a prototype? What is the best method of conducting research that can be FDA approved?

Brainstorming for a good idea is hard, executing it into a successful business is much harder. Unlike working for a large firm, there are no old pitch books to copy off of, no analysts to pile the grunt work on and no database to find answer from.

I am really starting to respect fellow classmates who dared to make their own path, people in the past I would have shrugged off as being unfit to make it on Wall St.

After the success of my birthday party, I started entertaining the idea of club promoting as a means to diversify my income stream. I worked something out with DC, and will be helping him grow his newest promotional group. After all, why not try my hands at something I enjoy and might possibly be good at?

There is a great sense of empowerment when you venture into something you can add value to. In a cross promotional effort, I booked MM a gig at one of our clubs. I also reached out to SRP (which I ADORE) in the hopes of partnering up in the future. (On another note, I also started working on SS, a blog that posts and reviews exclusive event around the city.)

Though these are but baby steps, I have come to a startling realization. This experience has been creative and challenging and is a stark contrast to the mundane grind of my current job. This “gig” could unfold either way, but I think it has taught me to start cranking my brain and opening my eyes to different possibilities.

Back from the shores of beautiful Turks and Caicos! Besides the images of the gorgeous bungalows and serene beaches, one thing is still stuck in my head. While wadding in the pool, the gals started talking about the success of one trader. But instead of his trading career, it was his side projects that were the center of the conversation. Apparently, his side businesses have been consistently profitable during these turbulent times, making Z comment that one needs to “diversify the income stream”. If investing 101 teaches us to avoid putting all the eggs in one basket, then does it not follow that we should also avoid depending on one chicken to supply all our eggs?