ASEAN digital generation survey report

 Hello all. Hope you had a very relaxing long weekend ka. 

I had a chance to watch a vdo clip (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44EtvVvtXUY), discussing the ASEAN Digital Generation Report: Pathway to ASEAN’s inclusive digital transformation and recovery, presented by Dr. Santitarn Sathirathai (Dr. Surakiat's son who's working at Shopee, Singapore). 

The survey involved 85,908 people from six ASEAN countries (Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam), predominantly from the youth

(77%), aged between 16 and 35. You'd be able to tell right away why I was highly interested in this report na ka...the survey included our country and the younger gen lae ka.

You can read the full Insight Report, October, 2021 if you wish to pursue further na ka. 

Here are the key takeaways I wish to share ka:

1. Most believe the covid 19 will stay on with severe impacts, both economically and mentally. For mental health, more women are believed to be affected than men ka.

2. It would be a 'markedly' different world after the pandemic. 

3. I feel better to see that many ASEANers showed clear signs of adaptation and a significant transfer of skills relating to broadening digital inclusion.

4. MSME entrepreneurs in particular, recognized that digitalization is needed for economic recovery. "Those who were “more digitalized” tended to be more economically resilient during the pandemic."

5. Digitalization has a “flywheel effect” (I had to google to get it ka....need the momentum to make it move on its own). This means life will be more and more digitalized ka.  

6. There is a high demand to further digitalize finance, especially among MSMEs.

7. We still see access to digital infrastructure and digital devices the largest barriers to further digital adoption in our region ka..

8. We need to step up efforts for the reskilling and upskilling of the ASEAN workforce.

It could seem to some that we've known several of the findings. Yet, one big question is, 'how far have we been alarmed to the point that we could seriously create disruption in our circles one way or another?'

I also think the older gens sure have much more to learn and keep up if we are to be helpful to our younger gens na ka.

Quotes about reading

 Dear all, Hope you're enjoying your long weekend ka.

For my podcast program this month, it's a series on 'Reading' and I learned a lot with some good quotes from my guest speakers to share with you ka.

- 'My father handed me news clippings on such issues as economics and politics. It was the start for me to become interested in various subjects.'

- 'My mom was a teacher and because of her, I read a lot from my very young age.'

- 'I started reading newspapers when I got tired of cramming the lessons for an entrance exam to find that I grew my deep interest in economics and politics.'

- 'When I plan to write an essay to compete for an award to dine with Professor Amataya Zen, I already had some points I wanted to make so it wasn't hard then.'

- 'Reading is like putting on someone's brain for me to learn another set of thinking and perspective.'

- 'Listening to people reviewing books is good but one has to be cautious as the reviewers share from their own analysis and synthesis. If we want to digest some books carefully, we have to read them to come up with our own sets of thinking and analysis.'

- 'Graphs and charts are living things when we continue tracking them and linking them with related and seasonal issues.'

- 'If the world didn't have any book, I'd listen to podcast programs.'

Happy reading the quotes ka. Any you like best mai ka?

interview questions and my singing update

 Hello all! Hope you had a very good weekend ka.

I have two things to write today.

First, the past week offered some good interview lessons to share with you ka.

I happened to be on an interview panel to hire a senior leader and I think what could be great for you to use in the future are as follows:

1. Questions I got from listening to several podcast programs seemed to work quite well and they are 1) For introduction: What else do you want us to know besides what you wrote in the application 2) Three words that describe you/ your leadership 3) What is the toughest feedback that you've got from your team?

2. Time left about 10-15 minutes at the end for the interviewees to ask questions was effective to learn more about the persons and their interests.

Second, for my first singing assignment, I managed to send it to the teacher and felt so sorry for him to listen to my out-of-tune singing ka. The teacher was very kind to give encouraging feedback that I must have listened to the singer too much to sing with his key...don't know what the right term in English is na ka. I'll have to try harder by listening to the music and practice my own singing ka. 

For this week, we learned 'Jambalaya' by the Carpenters ka. I think it seems to be easier but again, once I sing with the music, it could be disastrous again. Wish me luck na ka....this is truly a challenging task for my poor ability and my aging brain!

Enjoy your day na ka.

Singing class

 Dear all, did my subject get your attention?

Yesterday, I attended an online singing class for the first time ka, following a suggestion by my best friend who said the class is only for those 50 up, for 2 hours every week for one month.

I was nervous but thought it was another great way to go out of my sabai box to try something different ka. I love watching singing contests but can't sing kaa! Before I signed up, I told the teacher that I had a very low skill in singing and he said out of the 4 songs for the 4 weeks, the lowest skilled students could get like 2 songs at least. Will see ka.

The class was on LINE with 15 students, me included as the newcomer ka! The teacher started from breathing exercises, massaging key vocal areas like neck and lips, and singing to the main vowel sounds before going to the song, 'Because I love you' ka. He taught us about the song components (verse, pre-hook, hook), and how to pause, combine words.

During the first half, I felt I may not be able to do it and could decide to quit ka...I knew then this was the obstacle I had to cross like many others who don't want to change ka. I then thought that I personally enjoy listening and singing on my own so if I felt sanuk, I could go along without caring too much about my slow learning and low skills ka.

After the teacher taught us, we each had to sing part of the song to him and the group so he could tell us what our 'key level' was. My hands were cold loei ka...so funny. Felt embarrassed about my out-of-tune singing ka.

During the week, we have to practice on our own to record through 'WeSing' app and send to him ka. 

I know I'll struggle but will keep telling myself it's sanuk sanuk for my brain to be activated further too ka.

Do-Re-Mi Me!