Reflections

1) Flawless

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GrOMLylvhQ&feature=related

Once in a while, we need a feel-good story to inspire us. This inspired me. Check out their expressions. They are a bunch of very proud guys, but in a good way. They take alot of pride in their dream.

Simon: What's the ambition here?
X: Chase the dream, not the competition.

Chio la.

2) Interview

I went for CS interview on Wednesday. It was a good experience. Had an 1-hr interview with 2 VPs followed by a group discussion with 3 other candidates while being observed by a panel. The interview was okay, i was relatively well-prepared. The strategy was to bank on my OCS, Investment Club and active volunteerism experiences and some Christian principles. I was able to competently/confidently answer their queries. I thought they may ask me finance questions like define CAPM and beta etc, which would expose me, haha. So thankfully they didnt.

The group discussion was to work together for a given topic, and we are evaluated based on our train of thoughts, ability to lead, work and all those stuff la. One lady from XXX university was alot domineering and (to-me) a bit fake, another SMUer and YYY made up the numbers. I didnt really stand out for this part i think. The topic is generic and i was just normal. Just tried to be myself, trying to facilitate and make others feel comfortable.

Overall, I enjoyed myself and thought i gave my best shot and a good account of myself. I don't know how much the VPs believe me when i said i only applied for CS and it's kind of like my ambition to work for them (they prob think I'm hard up? hahaha). After the interview and chill-out session with my new-found friends, I remembered 1 Cor 1:18, but probably abit abstract to apply in this way but let me try.

We started sharing our internship attempts/experiences and I realized they have either 1) did an internship before 2) has another active offer 3) applied quite a few. So they were talking about the potential pay, comparing with XYZ offer and also commenting on why such a late interview from CS (the reason is that probably other "first choice" candidates declined due to better offers).

Okay i got to write this properly. I dont think they are wrong to have 1), 2), 3) as well as the last comment. The latter is probably true on hindsight. But i just contrasted my situation and to me, it's purely the grace and power of God that landed me here. Haha. Im almost abit embarassed to tell them this is my virgin application and interview, that even though factually i may be the 2nd/3rd/4th choice or batch, God engineered it. So that made me grateful.

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God - 1 Cor 1:18


3) Post-interview

Since i gave my best shot, i knew i dont have to be disappointed whatever the result. And that was my honest stance. It was thus a surprise I was a little affected when YYY messaged me to share her joy when CS got back to her. She's the first one they call! I was happy for her, but I was also disappointed they havent got back to me.

So silly right! They haven even rejected me and Im affected. That led me to conclude that Im "hoarding" this dream for myself.

I tell you the truth, unless the kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. - John 12:24

I have no doubt some of my desires are God-given. But sometimes (or all times?) God have to kill our dreams/desires so that he can truly bless us.

God, let it die then.

4) MX's birthday

Cell celebrated MX's birthday at NUS. I was the emcee. I also tried to do a dance presentation inspired by Stavros Flatly, but apparently, my tap dance routine wasn't that well-appreciated. Hee. I guess we all enjoy cell group. Great.