Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
1/23/2013
2/13/2010
"Lesson Learned" (by Alicia Keys)
There are many ways to realize you get old: wrinkles on your face, worsening eyesight, declining stamina and so on. But, if you're lucky (or unlucky?), you might not be able to find your wrinkles on your face thanks to your worsening eyesight. I'm still at early 30s, so it did not go that way so far (hopefully). Still, I felt aged lately in several ways.
Seeing a kid growing up is one. Last year I found an old friend, who used to be a little kid when I was a twinkle college student. OMG, she's now studying at the college where I graduated a decade ago!!
Also feel getting old physically, as my stamina does not last as long as it used to when I run or try to stay out. A couple of weeks ago, I stayed out late to cramstudy for my final exams, but it didn't work out like the way I used to do a decade ago. When I applied for this business school, I knew it was gonna be very tough two years. Well, it turned out harder than I expected. I'm afraid I am satisfied with the fact that I did come to class. Even attending class is something especially after hard full-time work at office, but that ain't good enough.
Seeing a kid growing up is one. Last year I found an old friend, who used to be a little kid when I was a twinkle college student. OMG, she's now studying at the college where I graduated a decade ago!!
Also feel getting old physically, as my stamina does not last as long as it used to when I run or try to stay out. A couple of weeks ago, I stayed out late to cramstudy for my final exams, but it didn't work out like the way I used to do a decade ago. When I applied for this business school, I knew it was gonna be very tough two years. Well, it turned out harder than I expected. I'm afraid I am satisfied with the fact that I did come to class. Even attending class is something especially after hard full-time work at office, but that ain't good enough.
Also, I learned a lecture with PowerPoint presentation is bad for understanding. Such a presentation only makes me FEEL understood. But, to really understand, need not only review it but also think such an argument by reading books and discussing with friends. Business focuses more on HOW while academics WHY. PowerPoint presentations summarize issues and initiatives simply while omitting the backgrounds why it is so.
Now unlike a full-time college student, I have a full-time job, less time for study, and more responsibility. Yet, they should not be an excuse. Rather motivation and energy. When spring semester resumes in April, I've got to study harder. In the meantime, I'd better review what I learned last semester and what I'm planning to take next. Having spent one semester, I feel weekday nights and weekends are so long. Long enough for reading books and studying. Plus, some more time for workout as well.
Now unlike a full-time college student, I have a full-time job, less time for study, and more responsibility. Yet, they should not be an excuse. Rather motivation and energy. When spring semester resumes in April, I've got to study harder. In the meantime, I'd better review what I learned last semester and what I'm planning to take next. Having spent one semester, I feel weekday nights and weekends are so long. Long enough for reading books and studying. Plus, some more time for workout as well.
8/09/2009
なでしこジャパン
なでしこジャパン。
とは言っても、スポーツ選手ではありません。
国際機関、国際協力の分野で活躍する日本人女性。
多いですよね。
日本社会で活躍の場が限られていた、国連や世銀で日本人女性を積極採用していることもあるのでしょうが、個人の信念、能力も秀でたものがあるのでしょう。
緒方貞子さん。現在はJICAの理事長ですが、まだUNHCRのトップだった頃、NYCで会った赤十字の人が、彼女をすごく尊敬していたのが強く印象に残っています。
世界銀行副総裁を務めた西水美恵子さん。昨夏、「貧困に立ち向かう仕事」に掲載されていた彼女のスピーチを読んで、涙が止まりませんでした。そして、先日は講演会&サイン会に行ってきました!!
昨年、世銀グループのMIGAトップに就任した小林いずみさん。今後の活躍が注目されます。
そして、瀬谷ルミ子さんや高嶋由美子さん。他にも現場で活躍する人もたくさんいますよね。私と同い年ぐらいの人も結構います。
そんななでしこジャパンを誇りに思い、尊敬します。そして、自分は今、何をしているんだろう、という焦りも。 一応男なので、なでしこジャパンの一員になりたい、というよりは、国際舞台で活躍する日本人の一人になりたい、ということですが（笑）。
昨日、録画しておいたNHKプロフェッショナルを観て、改めて感じました。（何ヶ月も前に録画していたのを今頃…（^^;））
とは言っても、スポーツ選手ではありません。
国際機関、国際協力の分野で活躍する日本人女性。
多いですよね。
日本社会で活躍の場が限られていた、国連や世銀で日本人女性を積極採用していることもあるのでしょうが、個人の信念、能力も秀でたものがあるのでしょう。
緒方貞子さん。現在はJICAの理事長ですが、まだUNHCRのトップだった頃、NYCで会った赤十字の人が、彼女をすごく尊敬していたのが強く印象に残っています。
世界銀行副総裁を務めた西水美恵子さん。昨夏、「貧困に立ち向かう仕事」に掲載されていた彼女のスピーチを読んで、涙が止まりませんでした。そして、先日は講演会&サイン会に行ってきました!!
昨年、世銀グループのMIGAトップに就任した小林いずみさん。今後の活躍が注目されます。
そして、瀬谷ルミ子さんや高嶋由美子さん。他にも現場で活躍する人もたくさんいますよね。私と同い年ぐらいの人も結構います。
そんななでしこジャパンを誇りに思い、尊敬します。そして、自分は今、何をしているんだろう、という焦りも。 一応男なので、なでしこジャパンの一員になりたい、というよりは、国際舞台で活躍する日本人の一人になりたい、ということですが（笑）。
昨日、録画しておいたNHKプロフェッショナルを観て、改めて感じました。（何ヶ月も前に録画していたのを今頃…（^^;））
5/06/2009
While You Were Sleeping
Golden Week is over.
This year's GW has 5 consecutive holidays, incl. weekend, in a row. So, before the holidays begin, I bought a dozen books from Amazon.com. I know, it's a bit ambitious...
Well, here's how it turned out.
On the very first day, my parents visited my new aparment.
Then, I got a cold (not swine flu) for next couple sunny days.
Followed by rainy days. Period.
I've finished only one paperback, and been reading two more.
As watching Sandra Bullock's "While You Were Sleeping" (1995) this evening, I realized the holidays are over while I was sleeping. And here's my favorite quote from the movie. Lucy (Sandra Bullock)'s father said to his daughter,
"Life doesn't always turn out the way you plan."
This year's GW has 5 consecutive holidays, incl. weekend, in a row. So, before the holidays begin, I bought a dozen books from Amazon.com. I know, it's a bit ambitious...
Well, here's how it turned out.
On the very first day, my parents visited my new aparment.
Then, I got a cold (not swine flu) for next couple sunny days.
Followed by rainy days. Period.
I've finished only one paperback, and been reading two more.
As watching Sandra Bullock's "While You Were Sleeping" (1995) this evening, I realized the holidays are over while I was sleeping. And here's my favorite quote from the movie. Lucy (Sandra Bullock)'s father said to his daughter,
"Life doesn't always turn out the way you plan."
2/11/2009
The Pursuit of Happiness
A friend of mine told me the following quotation last week. (Something like this at best. My memory ain't so bad, I hope)
人は判断力を失い結婚し
Those who lose their minds get married
忍耐力を失い離婚し
Those who lose their temper get divorced, and
記憶力を失い再婚する
Those who lose their memory get married again
"Getting divorced is like changing a job" said Kazuyo Katsuma, an economist. When I first heard her analogy, I did not really buy it. As learning the opening quotation later, however, I realized there are some truths in it. That is, sound decision-making is very important at some life stages. So are patience and the humbleness to learn from the past failures.
These words are reminders to me. I had a dream. Working hard and getting busier, however, I lost it. To start a new job, I watched Will Smith's "Pursuit of Happiness", but it's more important to remember why I chose this job, and what I wanna do in the future.
My Bible
Last year I met a book: Jeffrey Sachs's "the End of Poverty". I remembered him as an "cold-hearted" economist who implemented so-called "shock therapy" to transform the post-communist Polish economy to market capitalism in 1990s. But, as reading the book, was surprised to learn that now he works for ending poverty in the world by initiating the UN Millennium Development Project, in which I really wanna join.
As meeting HR consultants and attending seminars of the World Bank, Asian Development Bank and so forth, they all reminded me of the old feelings: the excitement during college and the reality of my African friends. Although I haven't gotten one this time, I won't give up. Everything that has happened to me only solidified my career vision.
I should admit I wasn't competitive enough. Hence, I have some lessons to be learned. The lessons that I haven't planned well, that I didn't keep studying for the career, and that I only sought the reasons why I can't do it rather than how I can. The new job ain't the one I really wanted to get, but I do believe it helps build up my career path, and in line with my dream.
So, if I lose myself again, remind me of watching "The Pursuit of Happiness" and reading "The End of Poverty" (and perhaps this piece of my blog as well).
---
btw, the friend who mentioned the first quote is getting married soon. Congrats!! It's funny that a soon-to-be bride says such words, but I guess it's just her way to conceal her joy and happiness. And I'm so positive that she and her husband will live happily ever after.
6/20/2008
Fugees
It was three college courses (and HipHop music) that had drawn my attention to Africa and refugee.
One is an an introductory African literature!! Strangely enough, my college had various Africa-related classes. "Things Fall Apart" (by Chinua Achebe) was one of the required readings. Later, I bought the Roots' "Things Fall Apart". This HipHop group tend to name its album after inspiring books. But, I started to have my interest in refugee after having bought "the Score", the Fugees' (Refugee Camp) 1996 smash hit album.
classic
Another class is intermediate international relations class that focused on civil wars and genocides in 1990s. Tragedies happened mostly in Africa.
Lastly, during one-month United Nations summer seminar, I met and interviewed ambassadors/diplomats from all over the world, UN bureaucrats, and NGO representatives in New York. Partly inspired by Ms. Ogata, then High Commissioner of UNHCR, I picked refugee for the theme of my report.
However, it was several years later when refugee became from a mere academic theme to the reality to me. I met a number of refugees who setteled in Maine, USA, from Somalia, Rwanda, Congo and Iraq. Their families were torn apart, and some of family members were killed. Some were lucky to have had their first family reunion in 5 years or so.
not quite an asylum in Portland, Maine
Today, June 20, is the World Refugee Day. There are, according to the UN refugee agency, 67 million refugees and internally displaced persons in total.
6/17/2007
raison d'être
Busy with making your living? Then, stop and check the followings.
What if you're given only 24 hours to death? This controversial comic book describes the society where the government picks one out of 1,000 people to death at random. Such death sentence is legalized to educate people to respect the value of life. Sounds horrible, isn't it? But, as reading "イキガミ" ("ikigami", the sub-title is "the Ultimate Limit"), you'll see a different aspect. I think we're just too stupid to realize the truth: "life is short."
What is the most precious memory in your life? What if you can take only one memory for the afterlife? If you're not sure, watch "Wonderful Life" (or "After Life" in English) (1998). Sorry, I wanna explain the movie more, but I barely remember the story since I watched it a long time ago. Still, it's a good movie!
If the above two seems too serious, then laugh and cry by reading "椿山課長の7日間" ("Mr. Tsubakiyama's 7 days") by Jiro Asada. This is one of the best books I read last year. The novel became a movie last year as well. I haven't watched yet, though.
7 days mean a grace period after the death. If you have a good excuse, you can go back to this world. But, given the body of somebody else, you're identification is kept confidential. Given 7 days, you might be able to wrap up your life.
Unless 24 hours or 7 days is enough, live hard happily not to regret.
What if you're given only 24 hours to death? This controversial comic book describes the society where the government picks one out of 1,000 people to death at random. Such death sentence is legalized to educate people to respect the value of life. Sounds horrible, isn't it? But, as reading "イキガミ" ("ikigami", the sub-title is "the Ultimate Limit"), you'll see a different aspect. I think we're just too stupid to realize the truth: "life is short."
What is the most precious memory in your life? What if you can take only one memory for the afterlife? If you're not sure, watch "Wonderful Life" (or "After Life" in English) (1998). Sorry, I wanna explain the movie more, but I barely remember the story since I watched it a long time ago. Still, it's a good movie!
If the above two seems too serious, then laugh and cry by reading "椿山課長の7日間" ("Mr. Tsubakiyama's 7 days") by Jiro Asada. This is one of the best books I read last year. The novel became a movie last year as well. I haven't watched yet, though.
7 days mean a grace period after the death. If you have a good excuse, you can go back to this world. But, given the body of somebody else, you're identification is kept confidential. Given 7 days, you might be able to wrap up your life.
Unless 24 hours or 7 days is enough, live hard happily not to regret.
76 (nana-roku) sedai
A couple of years ago, "76 (nana-roku) sedai" was a frequently quoted word among Japanese media. Literally, it means 1976 generation. They were born around 1976, and are successful entrepreneurs of IT business.
The two books I've been reading lately reminded me of the word. I was impressed (and a little shocked) how young the authors are and what they have achieved.
One is "ハーバードMBA留学記" (Studying at Harvard Business School) by Daisuke Iwase. Having earning a distinctive honor at the school, he's launched a new insurance business in Japan.
The other is "産業再生機構 事業再生の実務 第I巻" (Turnaround Business by the Industrial Revitalization Corporation of Japan Vol.I). The book is compiled by scores of authors whose ages weren't specified in the book, but according to the introductions of authors, at least 8 out of 45 in total are my generation, I suppose. Reportedly, the IRCJ, founded in April 2003, successfully finished its mission last June, handling 41 turnaround deals (incl. Daiei and Kanebo) and accumulating the profit of over 30 billion yen.
Myself is another "76 sedai", by the way.
虎者死留皮 人者死留名
Can I live like the old Chinese saying?
The two books I've been reading lately reminded me of the word. I was impressed (and a little shocked) how young the authors are and what they have achieved.
One is "ハーバードMBA留学記" (Studying at Harvard Business School) by Daisuke Iwase. Having earning a distinctive honor at the school, he's launched a new insurance business in Japan.
The other is "産業再生機構 事業再生の実務 第I巻" (Turnaround Business by the Industrial Revitalization Corporation of Japan Vol.I). The book is compiled by scores of authors whose ages weren't specified in the book, but according to the introductions of authors, at least 8 out of 45 in total are my generation, I suppose. Reportedly, the IRCJ, founded in April 2003, successfully finished its mission last June, handling 41 turnaround deals (incl. Daiei and Kanebo) and accumulating the profit of over 30 billion yen.
Myself is another "76 sedai", by the way.
虎者死留皮 人者死留名
Can I live like the old Chinese saying?
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