MY 3RD DAY IN CHINA - PARK

Dear loving readers and visitors,

This is the place I spent on my third day in China.

Below please find some useful information of my trip for your reading pleasure. This is a wonderful trip with lots of excitements and enjoyment. The beautiful scenery, both of well preserved ancient or modern building are so wonderful waiting for everyone of us to explore and venture. As such, we should wisely spend our time and not waste our time for not delve in those unhealthy activities which can only bring pain and hatred in our hearts.

Life is a gift. So, live with wisely and meaningfully so as to leave behind a legacy which our great heroes had done for us. Now, it is our turn to preserve these ancient buildings for our loved future generations.

Map of Jiangsu Water-town, Zhouzhuang.

A QUICK BRIEFING OF THIS GREAT ANCIENT TOWN, exacted from its website for your easy reading

Zhouzhuang is a township of Kunshan City - a county-level city under the jurisdiction of Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province. The town is situated between Suzhou and Shanghai, 30 km the southeast of Suzhou and 60 km the southwest of Shanghai.

Dubbed 'Venice of the East', this town boasts the best water town preserved in China. The town has a history of over 900 years and most of residencies and houses in the town were built in Ming (1368-1644) or Qing Dynasties (1644-1911).The rivers and streams in Zhouzhuang crisscross the town and are spanned by 14 stone-arch bridges constructed in Yuan (1271-1368), Ming, and Qing Dynasties. Many thanks to these waterways, the town avoided the chaos that might be caused by wars in the past dynasties and most of its architectural layouts have eventually remained intact.

There are many fantastic places and views to visit and see, including Twin Bridges, Fuan Bridge, Shen House, Milou Tower, and more. Many bridges in the town show unique bridge traditions different from other designs. The most amazing view displays a house where a boat can enter the property through the front gate and sail through the courtyard.

The public was aware of the beauty of Zhouzhuang in 1985 after the painting, the Remembrance of My Hometown, by Chen Yifei, was presented to Deng Xiaoping, the China’s most respected political veteran, by Mr. Armand Hammer, chairman the board of the Occidental Petroleum Corporation of the United States.

The town has been listed with the highest ranking of 5-AAAAA among the national tourist attractions, and in 2001 Zhouzhuang hosted the Informal Trade Ministerial Conference of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation. This year the town has once again been selected as one of the top 50 China’s tourist attractions in a nationwide survey. There are more than 1 million tourists visiting the small water town each year.

Suzhou, the cradle of Wu Culture, is a city with a history of more than 2,500 years, tracing back to the later Shang Dynasty. While talking about Suzhou, the old saying mentions it as a “Paradise on the Earth” or the "East Venice of the World”, referring to its natural beauty, classical gardens, bridges and waters, traditional operas and soft dialect tone.

The city is well-known to its classical gardens, in which two of them have been listed as the great world heritage sites. Situated in the downstream of Yangtze River Drainage Basin and Yangtze River Delta economic zone, Suzhou has been a national tourist center and has attracted visitors around the world.

The passage of "The rivers and streams in Zhouzhuang crisscross the town and are spanned by 14 stone-arch bridges constructed in Yuan (1271-1368), Ming, and Qing Dynasties. Many thanks to these waterways, the town avoided the chaos that might be caused by wars in the past dynasties and most of its architectural layouts have eventually remained intact." attracted my attention the most.

For those of you who have read about the series of the unique and amazing bridges of mine, will know the greatness, these bridges have done for the human beings. Similarly, these 14 stone-arch bridges had done to people at that time.

Now, they still stand proudly serving the people in a different manner. I know that they bridge the differences between the human beings so as to preserve the peace and harmony of the world. Trust that these legacy will continue to remind us of the importance of having peace and harmony.

They are also standing there proudly to remind us be united and continue serving the people as they do. So, let these bridges touch our hearts and souls to transform us to be wise as them.

Hope that everyone of us can hear the loud and strong messages echoing from these bridges and let them put those unhealthy acts into shame. Let us be united and keep on educating people of this wisdom. Remember to share our blessings to these group of people. If those being blessed with God's wisdom don't care for them, then who else will care for them? Let the bridges be the light for our walk.

Wake up and stand up, like the bridge, proudly showing the way to bridge the differences of ideologies, genders, colors, social status and what ever differences either real or not.

James Oh

MY 2ND DAY IN CHINA, SHANGHAI PEARL TOWER

Dear loving readers and visitors,

The two photos were taken at the second upper ball of the TV tower above the ground. You may notice that I was standing on top of the transparent glass floor.

For those who fear heights, perhaps you may try out my little advice. Do not look down on the transparent glass, which make you frighten. But you should look direct at the glass window and walk on top of the glass floor. Look down slowly at the moving vehicle just below the glass floor. Amazing that the fear which trouble you much earlier has disappeared. This small exercise has proven that you can overcome anything if you could shift your mind set to other things that are pleasing to you. It also well illustrated that the real or perceived danger of what you think of is equally powerful and can be treated as a threat to you if you are not handle it with care. This shows how important is the control of your mind and emotion. Do not let others to manipulate you.

This similar principle can apply to life as well. Do not focus on something that is painful to you because it brings hurt to you. It may stir up your emotion and make you blame others for causing such pain to you. If you allow that to happen, then you may be easily manipulated and made use of by others for their selfish agenda. Be aware of such dogs.

As such, just stay focus on something healthy and you will be rest assured that lots of things are not that bad as what you first thought. Just like the above example, the fear is not real, but if you are not careful, you may perceive it as real.

Cultural show outside the Shanghai Oriental Pearl Tower.

Me at the museum of old town at the Shanghai Oriental Pearl TV Tower.

Shanghai Oriental Pearl TV Tower in Lujiazui is located in Pudong New Area on Century Avenue One. The construction was began in 1991 and was finished in 1994. The main structure of Shanghai Oriental Pearl TV Tower is 350 meters high; it is the third largest TV tower all round the world besides Toronto's TV Tower of Canada and the Moscow TV tower of the former Soviet Union, and the first one in Asia. Oriental Pearl TV Tower is comprehensively used for sightseeing, meeting, exhibition, meal, shopping, amusement, lodging and TV broadcasting. It has been the symbolic building of Shanghai in 21st century. Currently, the number of passengers and tourism earnings are ranked the second place in the world. It is only inferior to French Eiffel Tower.

The revolving Oriental Pearl Restaurant is located on the upper ball 267 meters of the TV tower above the ground. It is the highest revolving restaurant in Asia. Its business area is 1,500 square meters. It is able to accommodate 350 guests for dining. Restaurant at the same time can offer delicious set meals and Sino-foreign self-help dish. More than 100 kinds of delicacies are supplied without interruption.Simultaneously sharing delicacy and scenery with our best friends or lovers will be a romantic experience.

Shanghai city-history exhibition hall is also located in the Oriental Pearl TV Tower with an area covering over 6,000 square meters. It is for history education, culture, appreciation, tour and amusement. It is an innovative display. At night, seeing Oriental Pearl TV Tower far away presents you a colorfulness and attractiveness structure with neon-light illumination.

Thanks for your time and trust it is of assistance to you,

Look forward to seeing you again,

James Oh

MY FIRST DAY IN CHINA, HANGZHOU AIRPORT

Dear loving readers and visitors,

Although, we have missed the last bus from the airport of Hangzhou to Shanghai; which left before we cleared our way to the Exit 1 of the airport; it did not affect us at all. At that time, we had a choice either to catch a taxi to the city or put a night there before departing to Shanghai the next day. Alternatively, we find another mean of transport to Shanghai City.

Due to our languages constraints, we understand that it is not convenient to look for a hotel at that hour in the city, which is about 40 minutes drive from the airport. Moreover, it was summer time and school was off then. So, we decided to let the broker, who claimed he can arrange a transport for us to Shanghai, do the job.

It took us about two hours from the airport to Shanghai. The journey turned up to be a pleasure one as we met an Indonesia student, who majored in Mandarin there, and we made new friends and have good laughs on hearing his experience in China.

Here, my purpose of sharing this experience with you is that whatever unpleasant thing you encounter, always remember to look up for something pleasing to you rather than let that unpleasant incidence bother you.

Finally, we reached my friend's younger brother's condo safely. There, we put two nights and really had a very good rest before we began our trip the following day. Thanks to his brother who offered us good hospitality and also acted as our tourist guide for our two days trip in Shanghai city.

Below are the photos taken at his condo.

Outside of the condo

Bathroom

Kitchen

Living room

Thanks for your time and wish you have a day of abundance of everything.

James Oh

THE JOURNEY OF FAITH BEGAN

Dear Loving Readers and Visitors,

Grace and peace to you.

I am very glad to see you all again. Today, I like to share with you my heartfelt painful experience, prior to my conviction to accept Him as my Savior, with you when I read the gospel of John 3 verse16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." I guess you know how I felt at that time. I was very angry with our Lord and claim that He is too harsh and not loving as he should be. I told myself in my heart that I cannot peruse further and I am not going to read this bible any more.

After a while, I felt that a soft hand was extended to me and His word is so softly spoken to me that said, "My son, I know how you feel, but this is the truth. I am not blaming you for doing so. But, I have spoken through My Words that there are abundance of evidences which showed the truth. How can anyone miss out, if he has his heart for me. Look at the universe, the distance between the Sun and earth, Scripture and witnesses from the past and present, who come forward to testify about my existence. After that my heart suddenly felt much lighter and I am able to see from His perspective. I immediately ask for forgiveness and He replied that He never blame me for doing so. He really knows everything I have in my heart - that makes me convinced to accept Him as my Mighty and Living God.

Since then, He has been revealed to me many times, which initially did not make sense to me. This may due to my intellectual doubts which always convey it differently for my understanding. For instance when I read about the phrase advocated by Apostle Paul - I am strong yet I am weak. Contradictory statement which I find very difficult to understand. The 'Righteous' word I heard from the sermon and bible study initially gave me the meaning of more than right, which I find confusing without any universal meaning to it.

However, one thing I do not put into waste is that He has continuously used me as His vessel to touch some lives. Praise the Lord.

James Oh

MY FAITH BEGAN TO GROW STRONGER

Dear Loving Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Grace and peace to you.

I am deeply delighted to seeing you all again. For those who have read about the numerous miracles that Lord had shown me, you may choose to continuously read some of my testimonies from time to time. For those who have not done so, you may vet through my previously written testimonies to see how Lord convinced and convicted my heart.

Since then, I have begun to take initiatives to read the scripture day and night or whenever I have the opportunities despite my struggles initially. Now, I enjoy reading it. Thank God again for placing me in several bible study groups to nourish my heart. Thanks also to those who have been lending their books and sharing with me their thoughts about His Words with me. That enables me to share it openly with you. This is one way to appreciate their efforts by giving back to society. I have been benefiting all these while. Secondly, I also can do it by glorying My Mighty God who has done so much for me. I also know what I am doing is not my effort, but through His grace that I do it.

Thanks also extended to those churches I have attended to ground my understanding of His Word. I am very grateful to Him and the rest that He made use of everything to reveal the truth to me. He also guide me to be a doer as well as a listener, as such I have taken various initiatives to apply His word into my daily lives. He has never failed to answer my prayers in so many occasions when I need to deliver something so as to glorify Him. He even delivered parking lots during peak time in shopping malls when I was with my unbelieving siblings. Amazing, yet real so as that He touches their hearts as well.

Finally, they have soften their resistance against my faith as compared to the initial period. Praise the Lord.

Our faith began to grow each day and what I know is that He continuously uses me as one of His vessels to achieve His goals and not my goals. I just pray that He continuously keep and maintain me. Amen.

I pray in Jesus Christ's wonderful name.

One thing I realise that the more I share with others, He will reveal even more to me, like Giving is Receiving. Once I have shared, I feel more peaceful and feel like resting in His Mighty hand. I am sure that you will not let go of the peace for any costs. It is too sweet and wonderful, I can say.

I will see you again,

Grace and peace to you all.

James Oh

MY REAL EXPERIENCE of GOD'S GRACE

Hi! Friend, 

Today, I just shared with another new Christian friend, Mr. Ho, I met yesterday. In our conversation, somehow we spoke about my still born child case which happened more than a decade ago. As a result, I took a legal suit against the private hospital, doctors and everyone involved in that incident, which I filed in two years later after I gathered all the correspondence and reports from them.

However, due to numerous reasons, such as misplaced files - according to my lawyer and the case was delayed for nearly a decade. I patiently waited and in the years I completed my legal studies. One day before the hearing date, I received a shock reply from my lawyer, who withdrew from representing my wife. I was at loss and pray to God. He came to rescue me and related the whole incident on how His son, who is innocent but yet prosecuted by human beings- His own creation. He showed me how He exercised His Grace through the whole incident which made me truly apprehensive. He, being Sovereign and Mighty God yet do not exercise His authority to kill those people, who prosecuted His Son- Jesus Christ, when He has justification to do so. But He decided otherwise.

Second point is that He revealed to me that if He opted to destroy all these people, He is no better than human beings, who will normally behave in this manner. In my child's case, I was the key witness at the whole scene from 6:00pm till the early morning of the following day. During that day, so many unbearable mistakes were made by the hospital staff, who even over-ruled my suggestion of requesting to inform the gynaecologist much earlier. As a result of such delay, my child was dead 10-20 minutes before birth, which left a vertical scar of more than 6 inches at her stomach. They all expressed their condolence to me and assured me that they have done every possible means and their best to save my child, which I totally can't accept. I disagree with their explanation. Sorry for me to say so, but I have to tell you the truth and my real feeling at that time.

Lots of inconsistency were found in the written reports I received from the gynaecologist, the expert's opinion and the domestic enquiry committee which made me doubtful of these reports. However, God's grace that I received made me withdraw the case.

Today, we share with you the real experience that illustrate how powerful is His grace that changed me so much. It was better to surrender this heavy burden to His shoulders, who will deliver justice accordingly. Prior to this, I must confess that I was very emotional and full of anger when I touched on this incident. I have to admit that partially it is my fault for suggesting this so called "better equipped" private hospital which I believed in, but turned out to totally different in our experience.

The lengthy time taken in locating the machine is obviously a negligent act in view of my wife pregnancy situation, even normal people can sense that urgency. However, the senior mid wife, which I cannot understand at all thoughts otherwise without assigning any reason. At the day of discharge, they dispensed the wrong medicine to my wife, which they explained that the medicine is only vitamins. Luckily, another patient's husband discovered the mistake and informed me to rectify the error. This has been furnished in one of their written explanation. To me, what is the point of consulting a doctor, and not taking the medicine the doctor prescribed. The more I think about it - they really insulted me in every aspect. However, God's grace again came into the picture. He requested me to forgive them for their foolishness.

He further convinced me that He is in control of everything. He who gives life to every creation has every right to call them back at anytime for His purpose - meant for good. Just trust Him and continuously walk by faith, and not by sight. now, this event does not hurt me any longer.

The above incident turned out to be an excellent illustration to me as how powerful is God's grace and I write to share with you the way God has touched me in this connection.

So, do not use any unfortunate event as an excuse to abandon Him, but submit to him more so that He can reveal the truth to you. The same way He has been taken through.

Your Chief Servant,

James Oh

Founder and Group CEO

Skype me at james.oh18

http://liftyouup.blogspot.com

MY REAL EXPERIENCE AS A TURNAROUND MANAGER - TRANSMILE GROUP BERHAD

Hi! Friends,

Further to several articles posted on our blog, we believe you have a good understanding of how to turn around a company. As promised you much earlier that we ALWAYS uphold our policy to share with you our knowledge, skill, expertise and experience. We do so because we wanted to pass back to the world which we have been benefiting from. We do what we preach. Transparency and consistency are two key indicators to verify such an act.

IN this connection, I will like to let you know that I learn about Lee Iccacoa who turned around the General Motors during the seventies. I was amazed with this guy and hope one day I may have the chance to apply what I have learned from this great author. 

During my tenure with Time Advance Products, I was given an opportunity to work with a General Manager to turn around this sick company. After a couple of months of hard work, we were about to turn around the Said company. We have prescribed some of the formulae, suggested in my preceding articles, which stopped the company from bleeding further. Various measures such as shortening its cash cycle and fixing the cannibalized machine into a functionable machine to be sold for cash. However, that General Manager left due to a better offer from another company. As a result I was left alone there. I eventually left the company after I realized that a wrong guy was put in charge. It proved me right that the company was sold off to third party after I left.

That time I didn't really complete my mission as a Turnaround Manager. 

However, I was put into a real test again when I was the Financial Controller of Transmile Group Berhad during the Asian Financial Crisis in 2007. Because of my past exposure, I responded with calm and steadiness. At times, I even laugh it out, as a way to release myself, especially when I was hit by numerous occasions such as Section 218 notice, Seizure notice, etc.

My boss who trusted me, throughout my past performance, so much that he gave me so much authority to implement several drastic and effective plans to keep the company afloat and continue to service our bankers, suppliers well after some restructuring exercises.

Thank God for putting me there to go through the entire cycle, which was a real sweet and rewarding job, although it was not easy. I finally achieved my dream to become a turnaround manager in 2009, at the age of 38. Good things did not end here. The Senior Management, at that time, decided to transfer me out from the finance for whatever reason known best to them. The rest is not relevant. 

I took it as an opportunity to pursue my law degree so that I can peruse my other dreams. The rest is history. Again, it proves in my favour now as I have seen the light.

By now, you should understand why I make myself present at its recent AGM and even offered them my expertise. Unfortunately, it was turned down. 

Again, I take this rejection as another opportunity for me to offer my coaching courses to others since the market has a real shortage of turnaround Managers worldwide, as we have mentioned in our preceding articles. (Click the title to make access to this article)

Therefore, I urge those who are serious to take up this course. I am the right man, who have the necessary skills, knowledge, experience to assist you. If you are the one, then contact me now at jamesoh2003@yahoo.co.uk; skype me at james.oh18, or via comment.

Please act now before you regret later. 

James Oh

Founder and Group CEO

http://liftyouup.blogspot.com

MY ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT - SUCCESS FORMULA

Hi! Loving Readers and Visitors,

We are glad to see you back again as we believe you have benefited from our articles which we have broadcasted from time to time.

In this article, I am going to share with you some  success ingredients that I have prescribed and that have shaped and moulded me to achieve some success, though a small one.

I was born in 1961 with 4 Lbs 4 ozs and was made to understand that children with such weight are considered high risk. This message have been repeatedly told by my relatives and my parent's friends who found me still surviving when they visited us. I acknowledged and accepted the fact since childhood, I fell ill very often at that time.

They also highlighted to us when they saw my head is relatively bigger than the normal size. It should have been proportionate to my body size. Moreover, I was born with a small head like the size of the milk tin. That's how I ended with a childhood nick name like BIG HEAD (Tua Tow in Hokkein). 

I began to work at a young age (part-time) slightly different from my eldest brother, who started working full time at the age of 12. At that time, I discovered that Education is the only viable way for me to break off from poverty chain so as to raise my social status. Thank God for this wisdom. I enjoy reading those great successful ancient Chinese poets, grand kungfu Masters and Scholars . Those people have significant positive impacts on me and I just followed their foot steps. I noticed that some of their backgrounds are worse than mine and I don't see any reason why I can't achieve similar success like them so long as I adopt their core values.Some of them did not even have a chance to get access to education at all, not like me.

Thank God again as I was repeatedly blessed with more achievements one after the other. I choose to play the winning game and enjoy it, just like the way I play chess. I was the Captain who led my primary school (Tong Sian Primary School, Penang) in participating at MPPP under 12 Chess competitions in 1973. ( See the tag below) I still  remember the glorious time when I achieved an excellent track record for no loss/1 draw in the entire school event. Our school ranked 6 for the team event. That's earned a high expectation from my trainer, Mr Ho, who expected me to be in  the top 3 for individual event.

However, I was leading the game when I played with the champion at that year with only one additional pawn on my side and both of had one remaining rook. Thereafter, I was distracted when I was told by my replacement teacher, instead of Mr. Ho, that she need to send the other individual school team player back and left me behind. I was so worried of not knowing my way back if she did not come back and I know it is quite a distance from my house. If not because of my participation, I wouldn't have the chance to travel that far. As a result, I lost to the other game player who was not even a captain for his school. In other words, I lost two straight games that  really upset my trainer. I received a lengthy and good lecture from him the following day and I kept this secret till today. Since then I gave up and seldom play the game as it really hurts me and I never take played chess seriously anymore.

I blame no one as he (Mr Ho) had put lots of effort and time on me that warrants him to have high expectation on me. I know how he felt as I failed to deliver what I was supposed to achieve. I was under his training for two years and he spotted my talent when I was in standard 5 and put me as a reserve player for my school team event. He allowed me to play a few games despite I was a reserved player and as I delivered results, he bought me good meals. In the subsequent year, he appointed me as Captain for the school team event after I had maintained nil defeat at my school. We practised almost every day at school  and he coached us through books. At my hometown, I also played chess with my friends whenever there is a chance despite my limited available time because I also need to help my mum sells lottery tickets to supplement our house's income. Unfortunately she had an serious accident that broke her leg. Since then I took over and maintained the business till a few months before my M.C.E. examination. I took a painful decision to stop this business and focus on my study, which she disagreed with. My bold move was misunderstood as a Selfish Move by her in view of our situation, which I can understand. I knew I hurt her but I have not done wrong because I need to give myself a way out from poverty, which I do not submit to. I rather suffer short term than long term. She only realized and see the whole big picture many years later.

Another blessing came and I have obtained a Grade One in my M.C.E. ( See photo below) I was so glad at that time, despite no celebration because this is not a big deal for them. I waited and was greatly disappointed when I cannot even obtain place in Form 6 at government (public) school. I was so hurt and seek my teachers' help and they drafted an appeal letter to our education Ministry. A rejection letter came in, clearly stipulated that they have given it due consideration but without any reason.I re-appealed but rejected again without any reason assigned. I went to see our Penang Chief Minister, but he did not have time for me. I went several times but came back with empty hand.

Through a daughter of my mum's friend, I sent in my application as Laboratory Assistant and I got it because of my strong credit (C3) in 4 main subjects. The belated Professor (Associate Professor at that time), assigned me for World Health  Organisation and Sumitomo projects. He also sent me for the training in Chemical Analysis, by a Japanese Scientist (Mr. Masao Horiba;  Research Scientist - Analysis Section, Sumitomo Chemical Co. Ltd.).  I completed this training and trained someone else before I left for my Form 6. The professor gave me good encouragement. (See the testimony from him) I owed him lots because his encouragement spark my desire to pursue my dream further.

Thank God again. At the same year I also obtained my LCCI intermediate book-keeping which can bring more than double my pay in the U.S.M as the advertisement ( i.e. around RM 750 at that time) if I get that type of job. I took the book-keeping cost because this is the only course which I can afford from my earnings. I signed up for the course somewhere in Aug 1980 and insisted that I wanted to take up the intermediate book-keeping exam in the subsequent year, which the teacher initially refused because I have not even completed my elementary level. To convince her I bought the elementary book and promised to do self study at the same time attending her intermediate classes. She finally agreed and the journey began. Till December 1980, she wanted to cover the rests of the syllabus in her additional tuition classes, which I do not want to fork out any extra money for it. Again, I have to take a painful decision to do self study and not attend night classes, which she assured me that I would fail. I took up her challenge and I passed the examination (See the cert below) as God is with me. I then discovered my talent and I began to dream to becoming an Accountant. You see now I entered into this profession by accident.

Prior to my LCCI exam, I also have another project of rearing tiger prawns with one of the Biology school's student, Mr Kok. He is also my professor's bright student. Our best record at that time was to successfully maintained the baby tiger prawns in the aquarium for continuous 7 days before they died off, for unknown reasons.

At that time, I did not know why my dream of becoming an Accountant was much stronger than to be a  tiger prawn businessman. Again, I approached my family members to discuss my proposal of pursuing my Form 6 in Private School with 2 main conditions as follow

a) self sustained for the entire period of my Form 6

b) ceased whatever allowance I contributed to the family and will pay back after my graduation as my salary will be four to five times more.

Unexpectedly such a sound proposal was rejected and again I have to take a painful decision to go ahead despite all these objections. I can understand their existing situation and I don't blame them. The long term solution warrants me to take such drastic action despite I hurt my loved ones. With the encouragement from the professor I work for in reaffirming my action as right, I just pressed on. Besides that I also wanted to express my heartfelt thanks to those, especially my loyal customers at that time, including my teachers (Mr Sunny Lim) who bought my products regularly.

Another battle began when I took up my Form 6 because all subjects were in Bahasa Malaysia (Our National Language) and my year is the last batch for MCE. Will, Determination and Staying focus helped me to overcome these great challenges apart of having to give tuition to 3 primary and 1 secondary school students, from Monday to Saturday at their houses. The tuition fees I earned just covered all school expenses and my bike installment of RM 50. I stopped giving tuition three or four months prior to my STPM examination. I approached the headmaster to allow me to quit from the school and do self study as I do not have income to pay for my school fees for that month onwards to the year end. After appeal and re-appeal, they fall to deaf ears. I have no other options, but just continue to attend classes without paying school fees and not sure what their next course of action.

Thanks to them again as they allowed me to sit for my exam which I have paid for. However they refused to release my result until I settled all the outstanding fees. Thank to my good friend's (Choo LS) mother who voluntarily lend me that sum of money to settle my bill even though I have tried hard to secure a job during the break. Unfortunately, I couldn't get one. Ultimately, I approached fire extinguisher dealer but I couldn't come up with the deposit money or guarantor. Finally my former classmate (Mr. William) came into the picture and introduced both of us (Choo and I) to be  TV screen sellers and he acted as our guarantor, our sales was good but they couldn't deliver the size (popular size is 20 inches) as our credit was extremely low and waiting period was too long that we couldn't make much money out from this venture.

Thank God and I obtained a result that enable me to enter into a local university that we could only afford. I was so happy because I made it at last after all the hassles I had gone through and I received some "ang pows" ( cash insert inside the red packet) from my relatives, as a result.I then used part of money to settle my debt with my friend's mother. Whereas, my friend pursued his professional course in TAR college. 

I share with you all of my academic achievements because I received some feedback from our readers that due to various reasons that caused them to  get stuck in the situation they were in from the beginning. Contrast this with our article to hold ourselves responsible rather than blame other . Here, we like to stress again that you dictate the path you want, and no one or circumstance can stop you so long you don't give in or compromise. It is hard and not easy but not impossible. You need to be decisive and committed to your decision. The journey can be very painful and you need endurance to sustain and maintain through. One thing I learn is to stay focus to the end and it  will give you the extra energy to sustain through the pain as you go along your journey. The above success formula is not invented by me but I read a number of books which records those successful and great heroes and men - in all professions.

I also believe that everyone can do it, if they prescribe to the above proven recipe. Please throw away the blaming culture and hold ourselves responsible for whatever action we take. That is the true accountability we advocate.  

We will share with you more exciting stories in our forthcoming articles.

Stay tuned and see you again. 

Your Chief Servant,

James Oh

Founder and Group CEO

Skype me at james.oh18

http://liftyouup.blogspot.com