Year-end reflections

Hello all! Before we get to meet again next year....which is next week:))!, let me share my reflections in case you wish to do it too ka.

This passing year is an opportunity to celebrate 3 occasions, i.e. Fulbright Thailand's 75th, Learn Plern Plern Podcast's 5th, and Ajarn Mor+ Avudh's 96th year old. All the three have been my highlights to feel fortunate in terms of learning, gratitude, and luck ka. Anniversaries are important this way too na ka, allowing us to look back to capture what we've got and how we've grown in life.

On the whole, 2025 has filled my time up quite nicely though it could make me feel busier at times with some networking activities ka. I guess I was born to network ka.

As for this egroup, I thank you all for continuing reading and sometimes, sending me kind responses ka. It's become my habit for me to keep  thinking of what to share each week. This too has helped me draw some key messages or takeaways when I attend some events ka...nice to be an active learner ka.

For 2026, may I send my warmest wishes to you to enter and end the year in excellent health with inner joy and peace. I quietly pray for our country to survive the existing crisis from political to economic and social. Higher on my priority is the real reform of our education to instil/enhance in our people, young and old, curiosity in learning, critical thinking capabilities, and ethical practices ka.

Merry Christmas with a little sharing

 Merry Christmas to all ka.

I feel the festive moods all around and will have one chill evening with friends ka…..jealous mai ka? Will be a rare opportunity I have in decades to celebrate Christmas Eve ka.

Even so, there are several little things that are on my mind to share with you all ka!

Been listening to David Novak, my favorite podcaster, on leadership and these are the two very sanuk ones on the back of my mind.

1.      When talking about florists, what comes to your mind? Selling flowers with very good business on Valentine’s Day?

David interviewed Jim McCann#265 about one flower business that used to be a family business.

Though his business continues to have flowers as the main products, the company now has lots of others to go along e.g. fruit, chocolate, etc. He still thinks of it as a service to enhance relationships.

If we can think through to see what actually is our business, the scope is larger and the meaning is much deeper ka. I wish our higher education institutions think harder of their key roles to see the actual scope they can do from their contexts ka.

2.      He interviewed Damola Adamolekun #269 who’s the youngest-ever CEO (36) at Red Lobster.

He took over the company when it was at its lowest but his love of challenges and previous experiences helped. Playing sports when younger helped him take pressure with calm for a clearer mind too.

When asked how he felt to lead at quite a younger age, he said we have seen many young leaders in the past like Alexander and Julius Caesar.

I feel he must have been asked this question to have the answer ready and it’s a great answer ka.

It was awesome how he thinks of the benefits leading when younger……he feels he can communicate, explain, and defend his ideas with his critical skills. He also highlights ‘respect’ as the key for people to discuss and for him to ‘coach’ them.

Quite a few other stories can be recalled from these two episodes but at least I'm happier to share a little ka.

Enjoy your Christmas na ka.

Doi visit

Hi to all of you ka!

I was away and got one little thing to share ka.

A few friends and I offered fried chicken to the 100+ primary school kids, teachers, and women's group in one of the dois up north. It turned out to be one big meal for the students. Besides chicken, there were french fries as well as the school's somtam and sticky rice so quite a few didn't finish it and brought the boxes back home. Some intended to eat only one piece of chicken to keep another for their parents.....impressed with their warm thoughts. 

Women's group (mainly the elders in the village) cooked local food from their farms (mainly grown to sell to one big company) and presented each dish with pride....such a warm and delicious organic meal. It was awesome to see how they use their local wisdom and skills wisely to earn income and spend time nicely....with the help of the Highland Development Research Institute.

Kids were amused to get to pick from our 'random boxes' and several were very happy to see a few footballs on the table as they do need them.  We also brought along books, boxed games, and socks ....even some small tables the school requested. 

Our tummies were filled with fine local food and our hearts were filled with joy of chatting with kids and villagers ka!

We also learn how engagement of the elders can potentially boost their quality of life, not just in terms of income, but also health, unity, and shared pride.

Signature reading

 Hello all....on this long weekend, let me share this little story ka....was thinking of sharing more but after I wrote the first story....too long to include others ka! 5555!

Recently, Fulbright alums came up with a little get-together session. This was from one observation of an alum who said whenever our Fulbright community meets, alums would come to show me their hands. So he thought of this activity as a magnet to draw some to sign up and we agreed on a signature reading lesson. That was supposed to be a half an hour session out of the two hours, leaving some time to chitchat.

What exactly happened?

I used up the two hours kaa!

It turned out that after I gave several tips on how to read signatures, the alum uploaded several alums' signatures for me to read from the screen.

What followed?

Almost all wanted me to read theirs. It ended up that tips were from their signatures loei ka. Only several who saw that the time was running out decided to give their signatures to me quietly after the session.....they got it later with even more detailed description ka.

How did I feel?

It was quite fun. Some alums pointed out that it helped them learn more about their own selves in addition to getting to know their family and colleagues. A few came to let me know how enjoyable it was. One who accompanied our alum said he didn't really want to come but it was unexpected so he was glad he did! Another said it was quite accurate when not so many know exactly who she is.

Happy me ka! 

Happy long weekend na ka.