Racial Harmony

On Thursday, I assisted a fellow trainer friend at his talk on racial harmony in a local JC. The session consisted of a film made by a local director/producer and a discussion afterwards.

One of the statistics that my friend stated got me thinking. Only 20% of Chinese in Singapore have a close friend who is from another racial background. Granted that we make up the largest proportion of the local population, that number is still pretty low.

Racial harmony is, doubtlessly, an important thing to have and we have done a fairly good job of it so far. Racial riots no longer occur, though the same cannot be said of racial tensions.

My pondering over this was also spurred on by the gem and jewellery fair that occurred over the weekend. A number of the vendors are familiar faces, though there are also quite a few new ones. 

As I spoke to the different vendors, the cultural differences between us quickly became apparent. Simply the way they related to the locals here was obviously different from the way they related to their own countrypeople. I even had a chance to observe some interactions between vendors from different countries. It was, in a word, interesting.

Perhaps, deep down, we are all still very much more comfortable with people who are similar to us and race is a point of commonality for many. After all, who could argue that race and culture are related and that it is easier to make cultural references with someone who has the same understanding as we do?

That said, I enjoy meeting people from different countries, and hope to have many more opportunities to do so in the coming years.

July Week Of Many Events

In the coming week, I will be meeting with a business developer friend for one of the training companies I work with.

I will be discussing the possibility of introducing new programmes involving some other trainers I met and myself. Thus far, I have not seen any programmes in the Singapore education industry that are similar in scope. Well, pioneering a niche is always a good experience. Whether it succeeds or not, we will learn something from it.

I am also working on helping a couple get their wedding bands made. Their wedding date is coming up and it's all quite a rush, but I have a very reliable designer and smith who is able to do it. Now, it's all up to the couple, whether they are willing to go ahead with the project. Their alternative is to simply buy ready-made bands from one of the many jewellery shops / chains in Singapore.

My other suggestion was for them to visit the upcoming Gem & Jewellery Fair at Marina Bay Convention Centre and look for a suitable pair of rings there. It's a little hard to believe that the event is almost here, meaning that a year has passed so quickly.

There'll also be a network / training session on Wednesday evening this week. It'll be good to catch up with some familiar faces. I must say that I'm glad to have expanded my network of like-minded people in the past couple of years. Before, I wondered if I was the only person doing what I do. Now, I know that there are actually many others who are similar to me in my work life and style.

I'll also be attending a housewarming party by a couple who recently got married. I haven't seen them in a while, so that'll be a good chance to see how they are. 

All in all, it's going to be event after event this week. Let's get productive!

Ruby Or Sapphire?

The birthstone of July is the ruby, a unique gem, because its name is given due to its colour, not its mineral composition. What I mean is that you never truly have to say 'red' ruby, since ruby is understood to be red.

Ruby is corundum (the name of its mineral composition) - the same mineral as sapphire, which, though often thought of as blue, actually comes in every possible shade of colour, including orange, yellow, green and purple.

So here's a question. If a piece of corundum is pink, is it a ruby or a sapphire? Even esteemed gemologists cannot come to a common consensus. Those that are purists insist that it has to be red before it's a ruby. They would call it pink sapphire. The more inclusive ones believe that, as long as it is some form of red, it can be called a ruby. They would be fine with calling it pink ruby.

Of course, neither side is entirely correct nor entirely wrong. This is simply an artifact of our limitations of sight, expression and language.

The reason I brought this up was due to a recent surge in having to explain the identity of a particularly stunning pink corundum gem encased in intricately designed gold that now adorns the finger of an exceptionally beautiful lady who absolutely adores the jewel and the gentleman who gave it to her.

Meeting of Minds

It's been a busy past two days!

On Thursday, I attended a meeting by the Association of Professional Trainers, Singapore (APTS). There, I met a number of people, a couple of familiar faces, and many new ones. There was a certain warmth about the whole group of people, something that is honestly quite rare today.

Having spoken to a few of the trainers present, including a chat with the president of the association, I found that this was a group of people I could grow with. At that thought, I decided to become a member of the APTS. I look forward to learning and sharing with them.

On Friday, I attended a session by a local publisher/printer. He was invited to talk to a group of aspiring authors. Though I have already finished writing my own, I went to find out more about local self-publishing.

My personal thoughts on the offerings that he had are likely different from the glowing reviews a number of the people present gave. My impression of the publisher was also less-than-stellar. He seemed (to me, at least) dismissive of, even slightly snarky about, views that differed from his and had little good to say about his competitors - traits that detract from my impression of him.

Maybe he is simply cut of a different cloth from me. Nevertheless, I will likely find it difficult to work with someone so careless with words and expressed attitude. 

That said, I know some of the authors who have published with him. He comes recommended by these authors. Though I object to his person, it is no reflection upon his offerings, which comes at a reasonably low rate.

On my end, I have perhaps been spoiled by the high level of service and systematic simplicity that my own publisher has given to me. Needless to say, I paid a premium for this, though I have never regretted forking over a single cent.

My publisher, Gerry, is tremendously successful financially and socially. Despite (or perhaps, because of) his elevated status in the eyes of society, he is careful with what he says about others and to others. Though he cannot personally connect with all of the authors he works with (there are so many, after all), he tries, and I give him credit for it.

I guess that service and attitude are important to me after all if I am to work closely with someone. I know that others are less sensitive about such things, and it doesn't really matter. To each his/her own. 

After the session with the local publisher, we went for tea/dinner. I managed to get to know a few of the aspiring authors and, later, joined a sharing session with them. It was pleasant to be able to share my own experience as an author and to encourage and guide them towards starting their own books.

It seems that there will be many more books being published in the months and years to come. I wish all the aspiring authors every success!