Validation, Baby.

Validation

First things first. I got promoted! Woohoo! I can't describe the feeling at the moment. I've gone from a graduate to an analyst which happens automatically as you complete one year of work. But my first promotion, which i had to work for is to go from analyst to senior analyst. So now I'm a senior analyst!

It's my first promotion and it feels fantastic. There was some minor controversy over my promotion as they left me off the promotions list. My heart sank. However, I was reassured that it was an admin error and they made a special announcement to correct that. I tell you right now, it was one of the lowest points in my life.

For me it was more relief than anything when they told me. I've kinda known for a while that I was getting promoted, so its not a shock to the system. When I heard those words "You've been promoted", a wave of relief and emotion hit me. I just can't explain the feeling. It was more validation, of everything I've worked for in the past 2.5 years in my job.

All those hours I stayed back in the office, late at night finishing those projects. Checking the emails on the weekend. Helping out wherever I was needed. Going from knowing jack squat to becoming an expert in certain areas. You know your good at your job, when you can clearly explain things to people that are new to the job. When you can answer every question because you've been through it. From all the praises and criticisms that people heaped on me leading up to it, its been worth it.

I was always confident in my ability and in the last 12 months, its taken a phenemonal leap. I feel like I accelerated quite quickly in the last 6 months, and my confidence is higher than ever before. Not only do I feel like I'm capable but other people believe that I'm capable. And I'm recognised for my ability now.

Validation, baby. That's all I can say.

I'm facebooking, goodlooking!

Is the whole world on Facebook now? I discovered Facebook two weeks ago, and its so addictive. What is facebook? It's similar to Myspace, LinkedIn and Friendster, and Bebo. Still no idea! Well its social networking via the internet.

Facebook or Myspace gives you your own space on the internet. Kinda like this blog. What is good about it, is that it allows you to connect to other people. You can customise your page, add friends and share pictures and lists.

Most importantly, its allows you to see who your friends friends are! That is the key factor for me. The excitement of saying "you know that person too?!" I'd better add him. It's all about discovering who is connected to who. When I first joined facebook, I spent two whole nights "facebooking" - going through my friend's lists and adding in everyone I knew. In two days, I had added 75 friends!

I honestly believe that Facebook has overtaken Myspace. In fact, I dont even look at my own Myspace anymore! I log onto facebook two or three times a day. It's so easy to share photos and provide comments on other people's photos.

Facebook is the future. Make sure you jump on board!

I'm out like facebooking,

DJ Ho.

There's gonna be some changes........

I have decided that there's gonna be some changes in my life. Some things that I need to do.

For one thing, I got the travel bug. Ever since I went travelling to Vietnam and Thailand, I met heaps of interesting people. Young and old that were travelling for 5, 6, or 7 months. I gotta do it. Tim, a close friend just came back from a year of travelling.

I went to the travel agent, and inquired about a round the world ticket. no definite plans yet, but i want to go travelling for 3 - 5 months.

The places I want to go to?

India
Cambodia
Europe - London, France, Germany, Italy, Austria, etc...!
Dubai
US - New York, Washington, LA, San Francisco.

Lately, i've been reading a lot about demographics and about these various
countries.

Check the 7 star hotel in dubai.



I'm out like the travel bug,

DJ Ho.

I'm the greatest........

My man Aries Spears delivers another classic clip. Check it:



I'm out like being the greatest

The extent of my photoshop skills........

You are my solace

Everytime something sad has happened in my life, you were there for me. Everytime i needed comfort, I turned to you. When I'm there you, you take me to a place of solace. I can forget all the worries of the world. I forget about my job, my relationships, my friends, my family. All the troubles go away.

When I broke up with my girlfriend, I immediately sought your help. When I struggled with my job four years ago, I turned to you and you made it go away. After every exam, I played basketball to free my mind. When I needed you yesterday, I turned to you.

Basketball, you are my solace.

You are my comfort.

You are my rock.

When I'm there, I can be by myself. I can shoot around for hours. Pretending that I'm Michael Jordan in game 5 of the NBA finals. Or I am Kevin Garnett, 7 foot tall and unstoppable. Or I can play with 7 random other strangers in a game of pick up basketball.

I love you basketball, because you gave me a place to belong. A place to go when I needed peace. When the noises of the outside world became too deafening. When I needed to think and reflect. You've brought so much joy to my life. I've met you when I was 12, and I've never let you go.

Every day I would check up on you, to see the latest scores. To see the latest news. To hear what happened, to hear the dramas and the highlights. You were larger than life. You included me and you made me prove myself. You gave me something to look forward to on the weekends. If I look at my best friends, there is one thing we have in common.

A common thread that runs through all of us. Its basketball.

Basketball, you are my solace.

Take me to that place again.

DJ Ho.