1. PASSING THE UFE! The most frightening experience; I’ve never felt such a long night ever in my life. The evening before the results came out on Friday December 3rd, the company had a pre-results party. Seniors and managers kept buying us drinks on top of the drink tickets we got as writers. It was probably the most tipsy night I’ve ever been and I cried because I was that afraid I would fail. Throughout the entire night, I rolled around in bed. Every time I looked at my phone thinking an hour has passed, only 1 MINUTE actually passed – that’s how bad the night was.  When the results came out, I couldn’t look at it. I was SO nervous. When I finally had the courage to see my name on the official list, I went crazy… I PASSED!!!! =D This was one of the exams I’ve never felt so relieved to have passed.

2. Performing for Miss Chinese Toronto Pageant. It’s great this time there weren’t too many rehearsals! This show was one of the most memorable one in terms of costumes because we had a LED-lit, tightly-fitted jumpsuit costume as the opener. Although the wiring caused some of us to bled (myself included) and caused us to run out of time to do a full dress rehearsals, seeing the effects of it in pictures was all worth it! Also did a 70s dance, which was a TON of fun! Couldn’t believe how much I enjoyed doing that dance.. haha

3. EY’s Entrepreneur of the Year Dinners. Entrepreneurship inspires me, deeply. I was very lucky to have been able to volunteer and to participate in the EOY program! This led to other volunteer opportunities with EY, which led to external company events where I got to meet some great entrepreneurs! Very exciting!!

4. Symphonies &  Concerts! Toronto Symphony Orchestra ft. Lang Lang — he’s so good no wonder he’s well renowned and sitting at the choir loft is such a different experience <3 ; TSO playing Wizard of Oz — makes the movie that much better with live music;  Jacky Cheung — hands-down he’s king! Unbeatable vocal skills, versatile, entertaining, amazing production, tons of dancing on top of singing – unforgettable concert.

5. Power Unit Youth Organization (PUYO)’s Christmas Give Back! Sandwich Run + Christmas party by PUYOers = over 90 lunch bags to the homeless, over 250 cookies to Yonge Street Mission, and over 50 pairs of socks for Project417.  PUYO Rockband also performed at the Xmas Party for fun. Although I lost half my voice by the time I was performing, this Xmas Give Back event was the best Xmas present!

6. Christmas Getaway! Having only 1 week off, trips were made to Niagara Falls & Chicago with special people in my life.  Wonderful getaway and pieces of memories to keep! Also,  my first time spending NYE out of town!

(Here are some pics! More to add later)

The new year, 2012, has already passed for 25 days! (Wow I can’t believe it as I’m typing this!) Chinese New Year for this year has already passed too 2 days ago! Time seriously flies especially during busy season at work. All I’ve had so far coming back from the Christmas getaway was 50 hour+ work weeks and PUYO meetings/emails. This probably won’t get better and time, like gold, is only becoming a more and more expensive commodity for me.  Even though it’s a bit delayed, what’s my “new year resolution”?

(1) Don’t wait. Never let things sit.  As soon as I see a need to do something, do it immediately. Somehow my experience tells me it’s always worse when you don’t do things right away and let things wait.

(2) Action! Action! Action!  Don’t dream and don’t have empty thoughts. Nothing comes out of thinking. Take action and make my goals happen.

(3) Unclog.  Too many things have been building up on the things I want to do and I’ve neglected that list for a long time (including blog updates)! I need to start unclogging and achieve the personal goals I have of myself.

Time to get my act together! Cheers to the year of Dragon!

Through the conversation, I realized that my earliest childhood memories had always revolved around my piano lessons and ballet performances. These were my earliest childhood memories that did not need to be reminded by a photograph, but memories that were ingrained. I realized I did not have many negative memories as a child (or perhaps I have chosen to forget); I was a lucky one.

Through the object, I realized that I had my own persistence, my own 倔強 in doing things. I admired that little bit of 執著 which I have lost present day due to pressures of time. I miss childhood for the fact that I never really had to always ask the time of day. I was able to do everything meticulously and with care.

Through the experience, I realized I actually really miss my piano lesson days, not for the fact that I have completed all my classes and that I probably won’t be going through more classes, but for the fact that the lessons allowed me to consistently work and practice on the same songs until I was able to master them for the exams. I do not have this consistency and goal to demonstrate this consistency anymore in music.

It is fortunate that I found these things that reminded me of who I was and how I used to be. Somehow, I hope I can pick these certain characteristics I have had in the past and still use them in present day, despite the constant time chase. Nevertheless, I am still happy that I am able to keep up with my dance and piano leisurely whenever I can.

Just for fun – here was a photoshoot I did for my friends. It serves as a reminder to keep up with what I loved to do.

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It’s likely all of those factors combined. I need to reshift and refocus my life. I need to find an inspiration.

In terms of for my career goals, I need to work on meeting my personal expectations – I should spend more time in developing my skills and make myself go that much more deeper. On the other hand, I’m not sure where these 2 years would get me and where I would go after. Surprisingly though, I actually found audit fun for these few days when I was an acting senior and took ownership over my work.

As for my hobbies, I have put it down to focus on my studying for the past few months, but again, if I pick it up again, where is it going to get me? Perhaps, hobbies should remain as hobbies, purely for the enjoyment.

Other areas of demand include volunteer work and family, which sometimes consume a lot of my energy.

Where should I spend the most time and energy on? Should I still diverge all my time across all the different things? Or should I really focus on what’s most important to me right now (i.e. career development) and limit my effort on everything else. Time really is limited – what is the “best” way to use my time?

I don’t know the answer. All I know is that I just need to decide, prioritize and act on it, and focus heavily on time management so I can maximize the usage of the time I have.

A sky full of lighters. I have a great feeling about this year.

]]> http://cherrycheng.wordpress.com/2011/10/24/reshift-refocus/feed/ 0 cherrycheng IMG_8589 http://cherrycheng.wordpress.com/2011/09/15/tears-of-joy/ http://cherrycheng.wordpress.com/2011/09/15/tears-of-joy/#comments Thu, 15 Sep 2011 22:21:45 +0000 cherrycheng http://cherrycheng.wordpress.com/?p=1172 ]]> Upon completion of the exam, I literally had tears of joy in my eyes! I couldn’t believe that happened… That overwhelming feeling of joy and sense of freedom is indescribable!

UFE is FINALLY DONE!!! CKE, SOA… now the final big exam is finally over and I can resume my work life, dance life and everything else I love to do in my life back!! haha

Although I can’t say for sure I’ve passed, I’ll treasure this feeling of “freedom” until the results come out in December. Whatever the results may be, will be what it is;  since it’s all relative, anything can happen. I have given my all and tried my very best. If that’s not enough, I guess it just means my accounting knowledge is still not up to level, but let’s just put the worry away for now~! YAY brand new start!

WOOOOOO!!!

Accounting, I know, is not my forte. Through this study process, I thoroughly experienced the difference between having “talent” in something vs. not. When a person has “talent” in something, he/she only needs to spend minimal time on something and he/she gets it, and gets it well. When a person does not have “talent” in something, no matter how hard one tries, it just does not seem to click, or click as well or as quickly. The key differentiator is in the amount of time and effort.

Just like how it only takes me minimal effort to practice and play a piano piece well, it is 100x harder for me to accomplish the same level of “achievement” in accounting.

However, having talent versus not does not determine one’s abilities. 有天份與沒天並不定斷一個人的能力．It only determines whether or not something is a bigger challenge vs. an easier route. As the saying goes, practice makes perfect!

I CAN do this and I am willing to take this big challenge and give it the 100x effort needed. For me, it has always been “all or nothing” – go big or go home! Time to go ALL IN. As of now, I’m not clear of the failing zone (I know this), but I can’t be discouraged. If I don’t get through it this time around… actually, let’s not go there for now… Let’s hope that the amount of time I have to study for this is enough to send me clear of the failing zone!

Fight!

[1] After SOA, I’ve been busy with rehearsals for New Talent Singing Awards (新秀歌唱比賽 2011）. What a great show this year! It was SO much fun, especially doing the dance with the chair! The world is so small – met a fellow Schulicher and SOA-er as well as a high school friend doing the show! Wooo~

[2] Next was the annual Night It Up! Got to participate in the fresh new project that was one-of-a-kind in Toronto called Paint-a-thon, perform on keyboard and mic with Power Unit Rockband (although the song choices totally blew my mind off) and help out with sales in taking care of vendors. First time experiences painting with fellow artist-friends, performing first time as a band with oh-so-much cheese, and dealing with a very difficult vendor and long hours of clean-up… Despite the many hour at Markham Civic Center for the event, Night it Up! was so awesome this year I would not trade to be anywhere else!

[3] It’s been a while since I have had my birthday in Toronto! There were small gatherings and celebrations here and there which felt really nice <3 I feel so blessed to have all my family and friends around me!

[4] Passing the SOA and screaming our heads off in Wonderland – this is absolutely the key highlight of my summer so far! Passing the SOA felt really good; and can I say, I am super proud of myself in Wonderland this year? I conquered not only the Behemoth but also the Drop zone!!! Everything went SO smoothly on the day of – from checking the results, to seeing all of us passed, to barely having to line up at Wonderland, to going at the perfect time for dinner before line-ups got really long… Just simply a super fantastic, perfect day : ]

[5] Blue Man Group!! My ears were dancing to the beat and my eyes were smiling to the colors – one unforgettable experience!!

Other highlights were: having many meet-ups where I got to catch up with different groups of people and seeing my brother’s NEW puppy!! (It’s really adorable!!!)

Everything has come together so well. The past 4 weeks have been the best times of my life – literally the most carefree summer ever!

Now, back to training for the next big exam, the UFE, and one more show coming up next Friday [故鄉情濃演唱會]!

SOA is OFFICIALLY DONE TODAY!!! FINALLY!!! Intensive schooling for 3 weeks with mock exams at the International Center every Friday for 2 of the 3 weeks; add onto that a two day exam – 5 hours first day and 4 hours second day – is quite something! UFE is going to be 3 day exam, can’t imagine how that will be like. I gave it my best, so whatever happens happens, in 3 weeks when the results come out! There’s nothing more to that.

Had rehearsals tonight for a show on Sunday (yay everything kind of worked out! I’m only doing two (edit: three) dances because I’m not available before due to exams but I am happy for that because of the costumes of the dances I’m NOT in hahaha =P). Then rehearsals for Night It Up! for PUYO Band and meeting up with friends – quite some big overlaps of schedules to work out, but it’s all for stuff I LOVE to do! =D  Every time I’m on break, I feel like there’s just not enough time! hahah

Life is sunshine.

=)

]]> http://cherrycheng.wordpress.com/2011/06/30/sunshine/feed/ 2 cherrycheng 189189_1533649635377_1658880018_1232462_7356487_n http://cherrycheng.wordpress.com/2011/06/13/in-hiding/ http://cherrycheng.wordpress.com/2011/06/13/in-hiding/#comments Mon, 13 Jun 2011 04:46:17 +0000 cherrycheng http://cherrycheng.wordpress.com/?p=1116 ]]> Have been MIA for the past while, and will continue to be for the next little while…until the School Of Accountancy exam end of the month.

SOA SOA SOA SOA!

Had a show at Casino Rama yesterday (珍愛女人心演唱會 w/ 關菊英, 張德蘭, 麥潔文) and it was uber awesome – SO much fun! Dancing to a full house at the Casino Rama entertainment center and doing a almost 12 minute medley (two separate songs combined with a minute-ish of time to change in between) at the end was so energizing! The adrenaline rush I get when I perform is an indescribable, amazing feeling to me…<3 <3 <3!!

Completely forgot to take pictures with my own phone though haha oh well~
Now it’s time to put this feeling away in the drawers and concentrate hard on my studies!

On another note, it’s also time to say goodbye to my besties as one head back to Japan to work full time again and another one go off for an awesome internship in Asia! Goodbyes are hard to say, but I am so proud of them <3

Here are some photos of my besties and captures of recent shows that I randomly found online haha

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Perhaps, I should learn to not try too hard. As with the whole feedback process at work and the EOY nomination, rather than emphasizing so much on the result and outcome, I should learn to focus on the process. Then I would likely feel better about it. 太著緊了…. Sometimes, luck and fate just doesn’t work in your favour~

Sometimes, you just got to let go, move on and be happy with what you already have, because there isn’t really much else you can do to it. As with the opportunities to perform, I am going to miss FOUR (!!!!) shows in June because of SOA exam (sooo sad), but since I have to do the intensive schooling, there really isn’t much else I can do besides letting go. I should just be happy that I have had other amazing opportunities previously.

As Ralph Waldo Emerson’s quote goes: “For everything you have missed, you have gained something else”. Look not onto the lost, but rather, focus on the gain.

*Smile… =)