VANTAN.ORG: The Daily Weblog

I’m graduating tomorrow with a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from INSEAD.

After that, I need to make a big decision on my future. The big question is whether to do something I’m comfortable with and well-known for, or whether I should use this opportunity to take on something new. But a career change is difficult in a tough job market. I know a senior of mine is still holding out for a specific position, braving unemployment for several months. I hope to start work sooner than that, but also want to make the decision that is best for me and for whichever organisation I work for.

A lot has changed in 10 months. Externally, the world economy took a massive hit, forcing us to relook the way business should be conducted. Even while learning the basics of Finance and Accounting, I felt that being good at numbers was just the beginning - interpretations can be subject to biases and loopholes can be exploited. We learned that no two evaluations are exactly the same. I also learned it’s not all about the numbers, but about the people. You can have the best brains in the world, but if people don’t want to work with you, you won’t be number 1. And at INSEAD particularly, I saw the world getting smaller as I worked with bright people from all over the world. My eyes were opened, even wider than they already were.

Internally, I’m emerging with different thoughts than what I had when I began my first term. I felt encouraged to start new things again. My skin has grown thicker. I have a few options, but I’d rather have just one very good, clear-cut choice for everything important in life. On one hand I want to make an big impact wherever I work; on the other hand, I also don’t want to be taken for granted, and the question is how to ask for what I feel is right without appearing arrogant, because that’s not what I want to be.

Time to sleep, though my head is filled with heavy thoughts.

It’s nearly 2am in Geneva and I spent my night searching and applying for jobs. Then I decided to revisit my Meyers-Briggs type indicator (MBTI) to confirm I’m searching for the right line of work. Ever since INSEAD, where everyone had to take the test, I’ve been curious to use the MBTI to improve relationships and clarify our purpose in life.

According to this site, as an ENFJ I can be any of the following:

• Fund-raiser (haven’t done that yet - unless I really run out of money or want to launch my long-awaited album. Does selling tickets for the ACJC Fun-o-rama count??)
• Recruiter (yes, I’ve managed to convince people to join my team)
• Marketing Director (that’s one of the roles I aspire towards)
• Content Editor for Web Site (done that)
• Special Event Planner (haven’t dared to try that)
• Christian Ministry (done that - mainly through worship, website outreach, facilitating groups)

So it sounds fairly close.

Then I learn from some discussions that Jesus could’ve been an ENFJ too. Whoa! How would they know for sure? As a Christian, I believe Jesus is God, and as God is omnipotent and omniscient and created the people who thought of the MBTI, Jesus should be everything rolled into one. An extrovert as he preached to the masses and met many people; an Introvert at the Mount of Olives as he sought quiet time with God. Sensing and yet Intuitive of His surroundings. Feeling for people yet clear in His thoughts as He debated with unbelievers. Perceiving, yet ultimately… Judging!

But of course it is nice to know that God in human form is thought to have my personality type… I have, of course, far to go and will never be perfect, but God, help me get closer to it. Also help me find the right job where I can make a difference (with career progression)!

About 10 years ago, as a university student, I was influenced by the likes of nu soul artistes such as Maxwell and Erykah Badu. They have greatly influenced how I write and produce some of my own music. Now, Maxwell is about to launch his new album, BLACKsummer’snight on 7 July after an 8 year hiatus, and I’m looking forward to it.

You can listen to a new track each day and check out his official website. Of course, I’m already a Facebook fan and following him on Twitter, along with over 18,000 others.

What made Maxwell stand out, according to a review I read years ago, was that unlike many other black artistes of his time who sang about sleeping with many women, Maxwell’s songs were about faithfulness and monogamy. However, his sultry vocals and smooth vibes gave his albums a seductiveness good enough to make out with. He may not be as well-known as other artistes but he’s one of my favourites.

Looking out for a new Maxwell album feels like deja vu to me, especially since I’m a student once again. I just hope he doesn’t take as long to produce his next album.

Today I met my family at the Charles de Gaulle airport and drove them to Chablis. There was a big accident on the A6 highway because all cars stopped moving for 30 minutes, and people got out of the cars to see what was happening down the road. Soon, a few ambulances and rescue vehicles arrived and cleared the way.

Because of that, by the time we arrived in Chablis most restaurants were closed. We finally found a bistro. All they had left to offer us was a cheese platter with salad and bread, which we willingly agreed on, and some Chablis wine.

We drove on to Dijon, settled down quickly at the hotel and booked a table at a Michelin 1-star restaurant at the Hostellerie de Chapeau Rouge. I was surprised it was relatively easy to book a place on the day itself. We took a scenic walk through the historical part of town to get to the restaurant.

Overall, the food was good, but initially disappointing. As an Asian, I am not so easily impressed when presented with a row of maki (Japanese rice rolls) and what tasted like fried dough with Indian spices dipped in yoghurt sauce. My own starter was salmon in 3 ways. One tasted like a Vietnamese dumpling, with chopped salmon and mint leaves wrapped in a rice-based dumpling skin with a fish sauce dip. Another was like a wrap with guacamole. The final chunk of salmon was nicely done and I thought that was the most original. I thought it would’ve been fine to stick to French, or a less literal interpretation of ‘fusion’ food. The other starter was a simple rocket salad but nicely done, though I dare say it was nothing unusual.

The wine was excellent and together with the main courses, made up for the unimaginative Asian-style starters. My veal was tender and tasty even though the pieces were thick. The others had beef and swordfish, and the roast pigeon in could’ve been the best dish of all, because it was even more flavourful and succulent than my veal.

We ended the meal with two combinations of various desserts, either laid into one cup or plate. I tasted unsweetened ‘glace’ (ice cream) and it was actually refreshing. The sesame whipped cream was also unsweetened, and similarly easier on my conscience. So were the jelly cubes. Thus I thought the mains and desserts were worth it.

Tomorrow we head to Beaune, another town en route to Geneva.