What a couple of weeks it’s been! I skipped last week’s edition as I’ve been on a family trip to Taiwan, I’m still in Taipei writing this now and have thoroughly been enjoying taking my daughter around the island on lots of adventures. I’ve had some big things happen both in my professional and personal life, so read more below!
What I learned from helping to organize an event in Japan
At the end of August, we not only had our first KyribaLive Exchange in Singapore, but we also ran one in Tokyo. The lead-up to the event was wild as a major typhoon hit Japan the week of the event, causing all kinds of disruptions. It was also my first major event in Japan, and there were lots of cultural and logistical differences I had to learn about on the fly. We had speakers flying in from Europe and the US who needed simultaneous translation, three Kyriba partners who sponsored the event, and lots of other moving parts to coordinate. Overall the event got great feedback and was a success in spite of the typhoon. The biggest lesson I took from the experience was to be flexible and have backup plans. We ended up having to pre-record one of the customer sessions as the speakers couldn’t make the trip due to the trains likely being canceled and we also had slide changes coming in at the last minute. With events, there are always things that happen at the last minute, even if a typhoon is a bigger deal than most, so it is vital to have everything in order as much as possible ahead of time, so you can use your time and energy during the final sprint to deal with these kinds of changes.
What I’m thinking about fatherhood this week on my daughter’s second birthday
We have a big day planned for tomorrow for my daughter’s birthday. I couldn’t love being a father more, it’s cliche, but it’s the best thing that has ever happened to me. I’m waiting to see how terrible she becomes after being two, but I’m sure I’m still going to love it no matter what. This trip has been great as she is able to understand things around her a lot more and express herself as well. I’ve been focusing on the fact that she is just a little person, and we need to treat her that way. It is fantastic that she is able to express herself now (both in good and bad ways), but I always try to take her feelings seriously within reason, whether she is asking to be picked up, or saying she doesn’t want to do something now. I’m so proud of her for being such a trooper this trip, going on planes, trains, cars, and buses, all over a strange place, with only her family being familiar. So far she’s had a great time and loved everything except riding on an electric bike in the baby seat. She even thought it was cool going in a gondola and kept saying she was flying. I’m going to continue doing my best to raise a brave and outgoing little girl.
What I’m thinking about Taiwan this weekend
This is the first time I’ve been in Taiwan and it has surprised me in many ways. Frankly, I didn’t expect it to be so similar to China. The people here have been fantastic and the scenery is gorgeous, but I’m really amazed at how similar the culture, food, and even the streets and architecture are. I thought after 75 years, the differences would be much bigger. Of course, I’ve only scratched the surface of Taiwan, and China too for that matter, even after living in the North and Shanghai for five years. But at a quick glance, you’d think you are in a part of China that is just a bit different, not somewhere with strong political tension and stark differences in government and development. Overall, I’ve really enjoyed traveling here so far, we’ve tried to balance the trip with different kids, culture/history, and nature activities, and not packed as much in as we would have if it were just my wife and I. The highlights for me have been an animal farm where we got to pet, feed, and play with capybaras, jackrabbits, mini kangaroos, alpacas, and sheep, and the visit to an off-the-beaten-track statue of Chiang Kai-Shek at Sun Moon Lake, an area that was like the Camp David of Taiwan, where he often took working holidays and brought foreign emissaries.
What I’m reflecting about my birthday this week
I had my birthday at the end of August, and even though I’ve gotten to the age when I have to stop and count when people ask how old I am, I still enjoy celebrating. This year we went to an awesome retro-themed izakaya with traditional Taiwanese dishes and fantastic cocktails. It was just my kind of place, not too fancy but great food and vibes. I remember my Mom telling me that she didn’t feel anything when she turned 30, but she was shocked when my Dad turned 30, that she was married to a 30-year-old. Maybe it’s just bravado, but I’ve never minded aging, it’s just what happens. I’m definitely feeling more emotional about my daughter growing up so quickly than I do about myself getting older. I hope I continue to feel this way as those numbers climb up.
That’s all this week, see you back in Singapore!
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