The 2-day LO-Systems Thinking course I'm attending turned out to be somewhat of a disappointment. After the CDD officer who recommended it heaped praise on the trainer some 2 weeks ago, I kinda expected this really good trainer, but on the contrary, I really don't quite like her. Dunno why, but it does disturb me when I find myself disliking ppl, cos I deem myself a pretty agreeable person. So towards the end of the course today I was like drifting away and wondering in my head, why do I not like her...? This trainer is supposedly pretty popular, having coached numerous organisations; and has previously even out-sourced her own expertise in this area to the govt of Botswana. And I have to give her some credit for being pretty eloquent and being a good presenter. But it was really surprising for me to find out that she was rather demoralising (several times during the session when participants answered the questions she posed, sometimes instead of being encouraging, she somewhat put down answers she wasn't looking for and appeared to be only seeking 'correct answers' she had in mind). During a Q&A towards the end of the day, when one participant highlighted the similarity btwn another systems theory she learnt and the one the trainer was teaching, the trainer appeared pretty defensive about the superiority of the sch of thought she was introducing to the class and in my opinion was unable to conceal her annoyance when such comparisons were made.. as if other theories would poison/pollute what she had taught for the day! Thought it was rather unprofessional and immature for (SUCH) an experienced trainer to react/ respond the way she did, cos in the first place shouldn't the trainer be encouraging and open such that all the participants feel comfortable learning and questioning what was being taught to them?

The ideas introduced are actually fairly interesting, but unfortunately I have a rather unfathomable dislike for the trainer, who also happens to have this plastered-on fake smile at times. How, no incentive to attend tmr...! Hai, perhaps I should be more mature and give the course another chance :P

Taiwan-bound in 3 weeks!

Deprived of a Sept holiday in Japan, my wanderlust led me to book a budget air tic to Taipei, for a short 6-day trip to Taiwan over the National Day holiday. Thought I was a little crazy to act on a whim within like 2 days, but I know that if I don't 'grab' my chance to go away, I'd prob never get to until next year... so... even though air tic was a lil ex (travelling over national holiday) + I will be stressed (cos forcing oneself to go away during a busy period is never easy) the mini 'break' in Aug is still something worthwhile! (to keep me sane for rest of the year) Once again though, I incurred the wrath of my why-you-like-to-travel-so-much Dad. However, think he's more or less resigned to his fate of having a disobedient daughter. Hopefully he'll get more immune with time lah. I guess his only gripe is that I'm flying there alone. But will be staying with a college friend who has returned to Taiwan briefly for the summer... so I shouldn't be too 'endangered' from travelling alone :) Maybe I'll just like eat, shop and laze while in Taipei...

What's in a bun?

The last thing you'd guess is probably pork-flavored cardboard. Someone sent me this article... Not sure how true this is, but I was REALLY grossed out...