Category Archives: Work
“Cyberloafing” Study: Slacking Off At Work Is “Salubrious”
A study performed at the National University of Singapore has confirmed what many of us seem to know intuitively: taking a little time off of coding or writing to check your favorite blogs or webcomics is actually a productive behavior.
Just as taking a short break to get a snack or a coffee can reinvigorate you, taking a very short break to do something other than type or mouse around improves the quality of your work thereafter.
The study, done by researchers Don J.Q. Chen and Vivien K.G Lim, started out with participants doing a repetitive task: highlighting every “e” in a 3500-word document. They then were told to do one of three things: one group was told to stack sticks in a certain way, another was told to do anything but go on the web, and another was told to go on the web and check out a few standard blogs and sites. Lastly, they were asked to repeat their first task with a different document.
Not surprisingly, the web people were the least mentally exhausted (according to the infallible questionnaire) and most productive. Interestingly, checking email did not tend to restore people, as it was viewed as a kind of work to read and respond.
Methodologically, it’s not bulletproof. People doing “anything but web” in their own environment, rather than a lab, would likely be as refreshed as the web people. And tasks that require more focus and skill (creative tasks rather than repetitive) might not be as forgiving of interruption. But the point was made that web browsing didn’t have any deleterious effect on the participants’ ability to function. It didn’t act as an opiate.
Naturally, this only applies to a certain extent (no WoW raids), and real-life work conditions must be reasonable as well (web access may not improve sweatshop morale). But attempting to limit or control workers’ ability to go to certain sites or take short breaks like this (I just took one in the middle of the last paragraph) is certainly counter-productive. It reduces trust and makes people unhappy. And saying that checking Reddit or 1UP is stealing from the company only alienates the people who know better. Plus, they’ll keep on “stealing” without a second thought.
So next time your boss walks up to your cube while you’re taking five to hit up a few blogs, tell him about this study and suggest they make it policy. People love policy.
Outdated or Just Stupid
I hire people. Reading through cover letters today I came across an one with the salutation: “Gentlemen,” ….uummm really? 真的吗？ Sir, I’ll be sure to pass on your application to the gentleman who will be sure to never see your it because there is not one male doing the hiring. Way to blow an opportunity. Am I that quick to judge? Yep. But, seriously, we all know I am a true believer of equality and fair opportunity. Had said candidate opened with “Gentlemen and Ladies,” instead, I would have still passed over his application because I just think that’s lame. Advice: when applying for a job imagine what you would think if you received your application. If people did this I’d either: a) immediately identify strong candidates and thus save time, or b) see the shit you think is ok to send and know to not bother calling. Gentlemen, that is all.
China’s Test Prep Juggernaut
Read Full article here: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/11_20/b4228058558042.htm
Test preparation company New Oriental Education is helping a rising generation of Chinese students to ace U.S. college entrance exams
My New Site *illumini events
http://illuminievents.com/
For those who do not know, I am the co-owner of a boutique wedding and event planning company in Los Angeles. My partner Cuckie and I met working on non-profit events a few years ago. Now that we are back in LA together we are launching our own venture. If you or anyone you know needs a stellar event planner you know who to call! We especially love events that involved travel. Cuckie specializes in weddings in Italy which is what she spent last summer doing. I love events with a cause and of course weddings anywhere in the world. What can I say I love love.
We are “boutique” because all events we do have a home made feel and immense attention to every little detail. We like to get our hands dirty and make every project unique and tailored the client/our new friend. We find that those personal touches are what make us stand above store-bought events. Our events truly are handcrafted celebrations…
illumini will be in New York City in May to plan and coordinate Christian Louboutin’s annual event {which means lots of new shoes!}. We are also working on an April wedding, an Indian wedding, charity partnerships, and lots of marketing and networking. Please pass along our site and information. Cuckie and I are excited to hit the ground running and feel blessed to be able to work on something we love with someone we love.
On Being a Grown Up: Commuting
I haven’t written in a while…I blame it on adulthood, a lack of travel and keeping my thoughts to myself since they’ve been awash with questions. On a positive note, been taking a moment each day to be thankful for the life I’m living and continue to try to radiate only positive energy. There’s been so much I’ve written about and planned to share, but somehow now that I am back in LA I’ve become one of those crazy, busy people… My poor little blog should not suffer for that. I will write about work another day. Right now, I’d like to share yesterday’s commute.
This morning I biked away from my apartment into the sunshine. It one of the most perfect ways to start a work day. I parked my bike near a bus stop because I had to do some moving around with work today and figured I could just pick it up later {something I do all the time}. My bus ride was glorious. I worked and listened to music reminiscent of the nineteenth year of my life–which meant I wanted to ride that bus all the way to a dark warehouse, drop some E, and bounce around to some intense drum and bass {one of those is a lie}. Don’t worry, as I neared work I switched my playlist from Ministry of Sound to Florence and the Machine to mellow out. Since I was early I strolled through a quaint Beverly Hills neighborhood, appreciating the sunshine on my skin and singing. My dear friends, when you see someone babbling/talking/singing to themselves with a dreamy smile on their face it does not necessary mean they are nuts. Right? Anyhow, good start to a good day.
{insert awesome workday here when I actually get around to sharing what I’m doing}
Fast forward to the commute home. I wish I could tell you it was all rainbows and butterflies…but my cold/flu medication was wearing off and it was chilly. I walked about 20-30 minutes to my bike, thrilled to jump on my most prized possession and race home to a hot shower and the caprese salad that was waiting for me. As I unlocked my bike, a creepy homeless man–let’s call him Jed–approaches. Jed walks by at a twitchy fast pace, looks down at my attempt to deal with my lock and says hello sort of loud. I’m still on a high from my day so I cheerily return the greeting. Squatting by my bike, I have the strongest urge to turn around and make sure he kept walking. Two scenarios flash through my mind: a) he is standing over me with a bloody knife, ready to attack and I do not have time to reach for my pepper spray {thanks again mom}, b) the moment I glance over my should he’s just decided to do the same and when he sees me turning nervously to look Jed goes into a full-blown psychotic episode {but perhaps there’s more time to react}. I look. He doesn’t. He is far away because, well, at that frenetic pace he was stopping for no one. Maybe I am crazy?
Stoked to bike away from the attack I fabricated in my ming within a nanosecond {yes, that’s one billionth of a second}, I jump on. Low and behold, I have a flat tire. No….wait, I have two flat tires. Jed pops into my head. What if…. but there is no one to be seen so I briskly walk to the nearest bike shop, which is closed. Ticked and a little unnerved I call a few of my people, but everyone is busy. There was only one option: forge on. I clearly made it home safely, but as I walked down Santa Monica Blvd. I noticed a figure in the distance. Hold on a second…I recognize that frantic movement. Jed? It’s couldn’t be–I’d come so far. But there he was. I was certain he must be the one who had assailed my innocent mode of transportation. He gave me a funny look with a twinge of familiarity and sauntered on. Was it him? The world may never know. Dejected, cold, but prepared with pepper spray, I wheeled my mess of a bike home, tires screeching all the way. This, however, justified my stopping at a donut shop where a small Korean man convinced me to get far more than I intended {a big thanks for that}.
I was left pondering the purpose of damaging another person’s property and I’ve concluded, it’s utterly pointless. I’d been seeing so much good in my daily encounters, that this was slightly devastating. The next morning, however, balance was restored {as it always is}. On my way to a bike shop before work, I made my way through allies in Santa Monica. I was stopped by the sweetest garage owner who insisted they fix my tires. He’s been there for 23 years and knows all the neighbors, me included now. After a good little conversation and realizing they couldn’t fix it, I was smiling again, faith restored in the goodness of humanity. I later learned that someone had likely punctured my tires, but it no longer mattered. I jumped on my repaired bike {which also got a much-needed tune up and brand new, fancy night lights} and peddled off in the warm rain ready for another day.
Lesson Planners Unite!
I am on my final interview for a job that, so far, sounds great. Tomorrow I meet with the founder/CEO to interview, chat him up and prove I can teach when necessary. My first lesson is from a book they provided. The second is a topic, any topic, of my choice. Decisions, decisions! My initial thoughts were gender, Chinese New Year, maps, yoga or travel. When I asked Rob he immediately responded: “women in Afghanistan”. It is supposed to be light and entertaining, so I regrettably nixed this and my initial musings on human trafficking and women’s issue. For confirmation I was headed in the right direction I emailed two of the best teachers I know: Tae and Maggie! They consistently come up with creative, dynamic lesson ideas. They would, without a doubt, know what’s up.
Maggie responded: “Those instructions sound very PiA (Princeton in Asia for all your laymen)! Just from what I know of you, I would say:
- Something about maps or map-making. If it’s a younger class, you can do a lot with making creative maps. If it’s an older audience, it might have to be more sophisticated.
- How to make dumplings, like we did with Lucy’s family?
- Something about spirituality, maybe? Not in a religious sense, but along the lines of meditation, attaining inner peace, etc. Maybe it’s not easily teachable, but I feel like it’s something of interest to you and could incorporate your travels as well.”
Maggie is an awesome friend. She just sees you and understands. Her suggestions were exactly where my head was.
Tae then responds: “How about how to buy train tickets in China? I like this one because it’s relevant, since it’s CNY [Chinese New Year]. You can talk about how CNY is the biggest human migration at present time, and talk about how impossible it is to get tickets. So how do you beat the system? THIS IS YOUR SPUTNIK MOMENT.
And as a joke…
- How to survive not shaving your body for weeks with Ms. Jessica DiCarlo
- How to mime at a foreign McDonald’s and get what u want with Ms. Jessica DiCarlo
- How to teach nothing in five minutes and pass it off as a five-minute lesson plan ohmygodbutifyouteachhowtoteachnothingaren’tyouactuallyteachingSOMETHING!!?!?!?! with Ms. Jessica DiCarlo”
Now that right there is China friendship–people who love me despite my refusal to follow western hygiene norms….or perhaps because I developed an uncanny knack for communicating with McDonalds workers at the drive-thru in Dalian at 4:00am without using words. No really, they are the best and I am so lucky to have them in my life. Gosh I miss these guys!
Tae: “Another lesson idea: How to Make Chris Hildner Stay in Touch with You (You Can’t), a joint lesson by Ms. Maggie Glass, Ms. Jessica DiCarlo, and Mr. Taehoon Kim”
(Chris Hildner I hope you read this, though I doubt my blog is a regular read of yours when you still haven’t responded to our group email updates. Hint. Well not really a hint. Very direct.)
Anyhow, to wrap things up, Maggie left us with very person-specific lessons designed for our fellow expats:
“Creative Southern Vernacular
Advanced Russian: Emoticons, Shy Glances, and More
How to Dress Like an Adorable Anime Character
Increase Your Alcohol Tolerance In Only Six Months (team-taught)”
I understand this has little meaning or value to most who read it. but I’m hoping in the months and years to come we look back on these little email chains and smile (ps-hope it’s ok I posted it!). Love to you both and thank you again for the advice! By the way, I’ve decided to teach “Midnight McDonalds Miming”. Ok, not quite, but my lesson is about China!
Pivotal Moments…..
…..require Chinese fortune bracelets.
This is not the first wooden bead Chinese bracelet I’ve bought in times of change…hope…whatever it is I am feeling.
My first was purchased November 2008, just before Thanksgiving. I had been housesitting in Malibu with Rob…where I had essentially locked myself in the office to finish my Princeton in Asia application. After a few days, it was done and we drove down to Mailboxes Etc. to see off the application together. At the register there were wooden bracelets with Chinese characters that meant good luck. It seemed like a sign, so I bought one and vowed to wear it until I got through the PiA application process. As we walked out hand in hand, I beamed with excitement to have the application out of my control. Right in front of the store on the sidewalk by Starbucks, the bracelet snapped. The string holding all my good luck beads together in a nice little wrist-sized circle broke, causing me to scramble to the ground and collect them before they rolled out of my life forever. Shoving the beads into my pocket, I looked up to Rob as my eyes turned to puddles. I felt like a little girl whose world had been shattered. This was a sign, I thought…a sign that all my efforts were in vain. Oh how dramatic I can be. The moment we got home I found a needle and thread to mend my broken luck. I proudly had Rob retie it on my wrist, determined to make my own luck and become a PiAer! To prove that even when something goes wrong, you still have the ability to make it better. I wore it from that day forward, through my interview, my acceptance, choosing a country and soaking in final days with friends. It was not until I was comfortably living in China that it had to be laid to rest–the tattered mess it had become.
I tell this story because I am at another crossroads in my life. I have had an offer that I am extremely excited about. I am having those PiA feeling all over again…where I can’t stop smiling and imagining the possibilities, yet afraid of what I will lose. Making the decision to move and make a change is never easy. I adore China and think of it as home. It’s hard to imagine leaving. I, also feel that if I keep going rather than return to LA, I get even farther away from things I really miss. As I strolled through an antique street one Sunday in Shanghai, I asked some higher power for help, guidance. At that moment I looked down at a pile of jewelry to see bracelets. There is was. The sign I had just asked for. Wooden bead, good luck characters and all! I immediately purchased it from one of the sweetest women to own a shop in Asia. It’s been on my wrist since. Like the first bracelet, I had to fix it (which I take as a good sign). Things really worth doing or having are not easy. Bracelets break, sometimes you have to mend them. To achieve what you desire, you have to put in effort and take the bad with the good.
Author’s Note: Since writing this post and wearing the bracelet good things have already happened! I am officially being flown to Dubai and put up in a fancy hotel. Wish me luck!
An Evening with the Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra
Working in the music world in Shanghai has its benefits. One, in particular, was seeing the Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra a few weekends ago. A friend who works at the Shanghai Conservatory invited me to join her at the school to see the Shanghai Phil perform. They were leaving for a tour in Europe that Monday, so this was a preparation concert. My friend’s husband is one of the conductors, so it was nice to see him off to Europe with her and their friends. The concert was exceptional! The highlight for me was the 11 year old pianist who performed with the orchestra. She was simply phenomenal! I could not stop staring at her hands. Part of me wishes I had stayed more involved with music. It was my life when I was younger. It is incredible how we change. Fortunately, it is something that does not leave you, so I feel very fortunate to be hanging out the conservatory absorbing that environment and have complain respect, admirable, adoration for fellow musicians.
The Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra performing at the Shanghai Conservatory
Shanghai Grand Theatre
While my boss was in town, I arrange a meeting at a little place some people might know at the Shanghai Grand Theatre. We officially secured two dates for him to perform there in 2011. Below is the group on the main stage while touring the theatres. Just another day at work 
….well no, typically I’m at the computer.
