Tech Impact Summit: 3D Printing Breakout Session

3D printing is very interesting.

This is one of the skills that we want students to learn. 

Ironically, I wish I also have the time to study 3D printing 😂. 

Technology Summit 2017

Starting the month of April with events.

Mi Libros En Español Que Me Ayuda Practicar Mi Español

I will need to have actual conversations in Spanish before I learn how to Speak and Listen, naturally. But I guess learning how to Read and Write in Spanish is a good start for me in learning a third language. 

I'm still a beginner but it amazes me when I skim through a page and read words in Spanish that I can actually understand what was written. I may not be able to interpret them word per word but the context clues already build images in my head. I think that's how reading a heavy material works anyway. We read using context clues. 

It feels so exciting! I haven't been excited like this for many weeks now. Probably because I haven't really had set myself personal goals as of late. I've been taking my Babbel courses but some days it tires me because it feels completely just studying and just that. But reading books in Spanish is more than just studying the language but the stories I read, it makes me feel so alive. 

"We don't read and write poetry because it's cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion. And medicine, law, business, engineering, these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for. " - Dead Poet's Society

Si Quieres Recoger Miel, No Des Puntapies A La Colmena

If you want honey, don't kick over the beehive.

The first chapter in the book of Cómo Ganar Amigos e Influir Sobre Las Personas por Dale Carnegie.

The book suggest that the reader create notes per chapter so as to create memory retention of the information you get from the book.

I'll try to do this in hopes that the things I will learn from the book will help me in my life. I've had this book since 2012 but I haven't really had the heart to really use it as a bible. Well here it goes..

Chapter 1 basically says that the human reaction when you criticize or find fault in a person is that they will only defend and justify their behavior. Most people will never admit they are wrong because in their own eyes what they are doing is what is right. "If you want honey, don't kick over the beehive."

I would believe this, usually... because that normally happens a lot. But then I also know there are other people who always beat themselves for blaming themselves for everything that goes wrong. I believe in psychology it's called the locus of control. Do we believe that situations are caused by external factors? or Do we believe that situations are caused by internal factors (which is ourselves).

The chapter basically says "Don't condemn, criticize or complain."

OK. NOTED.

I guess I have to make a blog post about this now because knowing my personality this is something I always do. I have a straightforward personality and I don't sugarcoat or pacify or beat around the bush when I want to say something. Which reminds me what I've read from the Paris Hilton diary I got, Paris' says.. "If you can't say anything nice.. say it to somebody you trust."

OR... maybe we should just stick to the old cliche that says "If you can't say anything nice, don't say it at all."

I remember a colleague and a professor telling me that I am very good at pointing out mistakes or finding how to improve a certain service or system. To these colleagues and to my professor, this was a good skill... but I guess it also just comes out natural for me?

The challenge I have to give myself now is to learn how to be situational. To identify which comments will actually have a say in making things better, or maybe the rest of the time.. I'll just keep a private note to myself.

If you want to gather honey, don't kick the beehive.

There you go.  It's kinda like the saying, "You get more bees with honey than vinegar."

To be fair to myself, I believe I had already applied this whenever I am making a complaint with customer services. The younger me, would write an angry letter, make a mad phone call or go to the service office agitated and annoyed. I would sometimes get things my way, but in the end I know that I just pissed both of us off. But the more mature me, already found the trick of getting things your way without leaving a bad note. "Ask really really nice." Such basic knowledge that was taught to us as a child until we grew up and was influenced by society.

I would ask nice. Sometimes beg for help. And I would also really come out helpless. The truth is, it really IS under the other person's decision or control whether or not they would help me (or the customer). Sometimes I just give our a big *sigh* because I know that the way "things work" won't allow things to happen as I would have expected it to be. But most of the time, I end the complaint satisfied and happy. I also always try to make sure I express my gratitude and greet the person behind that computer, phone or counter. They're just doing their job after all.

I guess in that situation I know I have applied what I have learned from this book years ago. But now I think I need to bring it a little step further and apply it to my family, friends and even at work.

"Don't criticize, condemn and complain."

God, personal development is really a continuous learning for improvement. 

Cómo gana amigos e influir sobre las personas.

I got the Spanish version of one of my favorite books "How to make friends and influence people" by Dale Carnegie.

I figured that I haven't finished re-reading it because I always feel like I prefer finishing my Spanish lessons. So I realized that maybe I can hit two birds with one stone by reading the Spanish version of the book. I'll be able to read the book again and develop my Spanish vocabulary. Sure it will probably take me a long time to finish this one but heck... two birds.

Calaguas Island

Beautiful island.

Camping. 

Las Casas De Azucar

This is a resort that is themed during the Spanish Colonization era.