I have at last moved! After thinking about how to do it, I figured out the steps required to move from a hosted site to my own domain.
I will update my blog at www.hajasheriff.com
Do visit.
PS: this is the final update in this blog. I do not expect to be updating this going forward.
For some reason, I always thought the ads in the US were of high quality, and something interesting to watch by themselves. After 4 days in the US, the ad quality, I must say has been a big let down, and mind numbing, to say the least :). Most are so imminently forgettable, that I frankly do not remember more than an ad or two.
However, I saw this ad- for the American Red Cross, and it touched me! Rarely do ads really touch me, but this one - with its line of "Whose life will you change?". Not just did it make me appreciate the ad, but also got me started thinking... whose life will I change.
Going back to India, and doing a role which can make a significant impact, I am thinking to myself- that I may be in a good place, at a good time, and working for a great company, that could help me answer that.... Got a lot to be thankful for in this life.
This is a link to Ryna in a Piano recital she did at NUS last weekend. NUS had organized this session called the 2nd Performers Recital and had children (around 220 of them) who had the opportunity to come and present a piece or two. A wonderful opportunity for children to showcase their experience and also for the younger ones to get used to to the concept of practicing piano in front of a crowd. Ryna's teacher Ms. Janice Ong obviously knew how to make this work and this effort is all thanks to her... Ryna is obviously very excited with this experience. And we are too :)
Over the last three and a half years, we had this issue that irked us - that of the minor heart condition that our daughter had. It is called a Atrial Septal Defect , ASD for short. It was the last of our outstanding issues which we wanted to close before we left Singapore - and today's Echo test confirmed that the hole had fixed itself :) Whilst nothing serious per se, it was still bothering us - till today. Now we can go back to India in peace. Lot of other issues to look forward to - but no ASD. Hooray!
Just as a tip, for those of you who may have young kids are wondering which doctor (pediatrician) to go to- I recommend you go to one of the best in Singapore - Dr.Sivasankaran from Kinder Clinic in Paragon. He has been a huge pillar of support for us right through the last 8 years for both our daughters...
Now to look for someone as good in Bangalore!
Been out of circulation over the last month plus - and it is never good to stay out of touch! Been busy with some "life changing" activities (I will talk about it later when it actually turns out to be real!), and as a result not been able to get the stars aligned to blog more often. I am hoping to keep at this and make this move forward as more and more things become clearer to me in the next couple of weeks.
We will be making a quick trip to India later this week for a few days! Will keep you posted - and really looking forward to going back to Bangalore and more importantly getting a taste of the new airport! From what I hear, it is great- except that it takes a LONG time to get there :)
I saw this ad a couple of weeks back in Fortune. I frankly did not know about Barclays Wealth, and I don't believe I am their target audience for this ad ;-)
That said, I was attracted to the message - and it got me thinking. What exactly does Wealth mean to me? I have been mulling over what it really means to me.
Wealth is important - and for me, the primary goal for Wealth Creation is to ensure the well being of my family- wife & children and to ensure that all their basic needs are taken care of in case something happens to me. Secondly - I want my daughters to have a financial safety net that I did not have as I started working and building my life - so that they are always free to test their limits in this world without having to worry about "what if..". Lastly, I look at wealth to give me a platform to do other things that matter to me in life - starting an orphanage (sometime in the future) and helping people in need - especially old people.
Wealth, unfortunately is a necessity! Without it, one cannot do many of the good that one may otherwise want to.
This ad was great. I may never be a Barclay's Wealth customer- but then, this ad did touch me. For that I will always remember this ad.
I have been out of circulation for a few weeks. Work obviously took a lot of time.
Of course, it is not fair to blame "lack of time" - after all if it is interesting enough, one does find time. I have been in a lot of meetings, travel, and a bit of introspection - of what to do going forward in life. I am curious to understand if people really spend so much time thinking of these things..
Will be updating my blog with some thoughts/ and recommit myself to keep it running smoothly :)
Over the last 3 weeks, I must have spoken to at least 6 people to whom I recommended reading this book- Goals- by Brian Tracy. To me, this was one book that changed my way of doing things, and made me sit down to write down my goals. It has made a tremendous change to me, and I thought that it would help other people as well to do this. Many of them, I know are trying to buy this book and some had also planned/ or ordered this on Amazon.
So imagine my pleasant surprise when I saw the above link which actually gives this book as a free e-Book. I am putting this in my blog because this should be a "must read" book for any executive who wants to make a difference. And if you are reading this, do take the trouble to download it. You will NOT be disappointed.
Note: Of course, it is effective only when you are leaning a bit towards getting a feeling that things are getting out of hand :)
Happy Reading.
It is 1 week since I decided to move to the new Gym- Fitness First. The 2 days I went there has impressed me quite a bit. The earlier gym I went to, was ok- but not as good. This is much better-newer equipment, better view and of course much better facilities.
Looking at achieving some clear goals over the next 3 months - reduce weight (70 kg to 65 kg, Build some muscles (yeah, at this age), and stamina to run longer distances. Will update when I achieve my first goal of the weight reduction :)
This is by far one of the best prayers ever. So intense, that I tend to read this every time I feel frustrated [which has been quite a few times recently :) ]
Why do you worry ? Why are you scared ?
Whatever happened, it happened for good.
What is happening, is also happening for good.
Whatever will happen, that too will be for good.
What have you lost for which you weep?
What did you bring with you, which you have lost?
What did you produce, which has perished?
You did not bring anything when you were born.
Whatever you have, you have received from Him.
Whatever you will give, you will give to Him.
You came empty handed and you will go the same way.
Don't be remorseful about the past , nor worry about the future. The present is before you .
What is yours today was someone else's yesterday and It would be someone else's the day after. You may think all of yours is for you to keep. This is the main cause of the sorrow.
Change is the nature of life. Remove the thought "Mine and yours" and "Little and big" from your mind. Then everything is yours and you belong to everyone.
Then what are you? surrender yourself to the higher power, the only source of your strength.
He who realizes this will be free from fear, worry and emotion.
I was just browsing the net and came across an online version of the Economic Times and the Times Of India - which is an exact replica of the newspaper. I believe it has been online for some time, but I was obviously not aware. This, if being actively used by the Indians overseas (and possibly India) opens up a great opportunity for the newspapers to share their news with the Indian overseas. Great way of adding value to the brand. If and when I go back- I will have Times of India & Economic Times right on top of what I will sign up for.
India continue to boom with more and more investments coming in from various sources. I have been actively considering a move to India for professional reasons - but after the trip in December, the family element has made it even more compelling. I believe, after 12 years in Singapore, it is indeed time to go back. Getting a job may not that easy anymore ;-). Anyway, time to start planning a move in the next 12-18 months at the latest.
All said and done, 12 years in Singapore which has been my longest stint ever in one city (I have spent my whole life moving from city to city- when my dad was in the Indian Air Force), is not easy. Too many roots here - so may just move to India and keep all else as status quo here in Singapore. Let us see how it all plays out.
