Friday Reflections

The Bridge On The River Kwai & Death Railway

The Bridge On The River Kwai

Point to Ponder: Worse than not giving credit to the right person is only giving it to a wrong one and that's being unfortunately done by most people too often- Anuj Somany

 

Story Line:  In my younger years, my mother used to tell me a story of an American boy who was left in care of Gandhi Ashram when his father, who was spending time there  with his son, got called for his army duty in Burma during World War II.

 

Gandhi referred the little boy to ShardaMandir, a well reputed local school. The boy stayed with one of the founders family in their home behind the school premises. My mom believed his name was Sirius or Cyrus. But they lovingly used to call him Serious. 😊

 

That little one was by no means serious and enjoyed local Gujarati cultural things; habits, food, customs, loved to eat dal roti with hands and speak in cute Gujarati accent.

When the war ended, his father returned to pick him up. But Serious didn’t want to go back. So when the day of departure came, nobody could find him on the campus. Everybody was in panic until one person noticed someone hiding much higher on a neem tree. It took  a lot of efforts to bring him down. He cried and cried, and finally his father took him to Gandhi who persuaded him to return to America with his father. 

 

That story was my first orientation to a country called Burma (Myanmar now). Because of my curiosity about that country, my father introduced me to the movie of his favorite actor William Holden, The Bridge On The River Kwai. The movie was a great commercial success and put this bridge in Thailand and the railroad that was built to Burma from there on the world map. 

 

During our visit to Bangkok last month my wife arranged a day outing to see the bridge on the river Kwai, the one made famous by the movie. All my sweet childhood memories became alive . 

 

Visiting The Bridge: 

During visit to Kanchanaburi where this bridge is located and then traveling on the railroad that goes towards Burma (Now called Death Railway), what we learnt was eye opening experience about sad part of human history, much different than some fictional events of the movie. (Though curiosity after seeing the movie had brought me there..,.) 

 

“During WW II, Japanese Commander in charge in Burma, without the knowledge of The Emperor, decided to construct 250 miles long meter-gauge railway line from Ban Pong in Thailand to Thanbyuzayat, Burma, extremely difficult terrain of dense forests and mountains. This is now known as the Death Railway.

 

The railway line was meant to transport cargo daily to India, to back up their planned attack on India. The construction was done using POWs ( English, Australians, Dutch and Americans) and Asians ( Burmese, Malaysians: Malay, Tamil, Chinese; Thai and Indians) slave laborers in extreme unfavorable conditions. The work started in October 1942 was completed in a year. Due to the difficult terrain, inhumane conditions and harsh punishments, one hundred thousand laborers and 13000 POWs lost their lives. It is believed that one life was lost for each sleeper laid in the track.” ( true historical account). The Death Railway Museum has many exhibits of what happened there. 

 

In Kanchanaburi War Cemetery next to the museum , around 7,000 POWs, who sacrificed their lives in the railway construction, are buried with slaves buried in other locations. 

 

Reflection: 

So many times we visit historic places like this; Taj Mahal, Great Wall of China, Pyramids, Colosseum in Rome and many others to see marvel structures and appreciate magnificent architecture, carving in the walls and admire the kings and royals but not knowing the sacrifices of true heroes who put their blood, sweat and tears and lives ( often killed) to build these places. They are mostly forgotten which is the saddest part of human history. 

 

It’s appropriate that Thailand has named this as Death Railway and created a museum that shows the true account of historical events.  

video of   The Bridge On The River Kwai

You cannot do kindness (time with loved ones) too soon because….

.....you don't know how soon will be too late. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

POINT TO PONDER: 

“All those honors are great, but personally I would ask that anyone who wants to pay tribute to me, for any reason, I would say there is one thing you could do above everything else and that is: Never let a day go by where you neglect to tell your loved ones that you love them.”  - Walter Payton, one of the top ten American football players of all time.

STORY LINE 

In this FR, I would like to share a story about people and an event that has influenced my career and life in a significant way. The message is especially relevant in current times.

The story is about three executives from the high-tech industry: three superiors from my first job. Two were in their early-50s and the third was in their late-50s. All of them had very successful careers; one was a General Manager and President of a semiconductor division of a Fortune Fifty company by the time he was 38 years old. The second was the head of manufacturing and the third superior was the CEO of a company in Asia. For whatever reason, two of them often related personal stories to me about their lives and careers. They were very kind to me and helped me improve my career as well as my personal life through their stories*.

It was the first week of March in 1984. At that time I had met two of them at a party the previous week and the third I met for dinner on the 8th. As in the past, they shared career reflections but what has stayed with me about that night is what they spoke about their families. Each one of them told me that they planned to retire in 2-5 years. They shared some of the things they planned to do in retirement, the most important to them was spending time with their families. They never got the time they wanted to spend with their families and felt retirement would allow them to make up for the time they missed over the years. The conversation then shifted to their plans for that Friday. They had taken time off from work to go fishing just outside Golden Gate Bridge, in northern most point of San Francisco. Not really that big of a deal at the time and we finished dinner and parted ways. 

But that conversation still lingers in my memory, though the years have passed and I am older now than they were then. It haunts me to this day. 

Because on the following Sunday morning, I got a call from a friend. He asked me if I had read the newspaper. Those three people whom we knew dearly and respected immensely were missing at sea. They never returned nor were they ever found.

REFLECTION

That event made a huge impact on me in shaping my life and career that followed. In 1989, I let go a very senior job at prestigious company because the position and the company environment would have required significant time away from my family. 

The reflections that two of three individuals in the story had shared had similar message as contained in the following paragraph from "Never Die Easy", the autobiography of Walter Payton:

Make everyday count. Appreciate every moment and take from those moments everything you possibly can, for you may never be able to experience it again. Talk to people you have never talked to before, and actually listen. Let yourself fall in love and set your sights high. Hold your head up because you have a right to. Tell yourself you are a great individual and believe in yourself, for if you don't believe in yourself, it will be hard for others to believe in you. You can make your life anything you wish. I hope my story is at least the example of that. Create your own life and then go out and live it with absolutely no regrets.

Most important thing though, if you love someone, tell him or her, for you never know what tomorrow may have in store. Remember, tomorrow is promised to no one.

Motorcycle Diaries:My License Journey by Kah Chye Ng

Point to Ponder: "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall" from Proverbs 16:18

 

Story Line: My Motorcycle License Journey by Kah Chye Ng ( aka KC, Henry)

 

Introduction:  Many students in Malaysia are allowed to start taking license exam at the age of 16, including me. After registering with a driving school, I had to attend a five-hour course, and I was also given a handbook containing more than 500 questions about road rules and driving practices in Malaysia. I managed to pass the computer test smoothly, scoring 45 out of 50, which met the requirement to obtain the Learner’s Driving License (LDL).

 

What followed: Few weeks after acquiring my license, it’s time to take it on field. During the practical training sessions, I paid close attention to the instruction given by my tutor, and I was able to clear the obstacles given with ease.

 

However, over time, I became overly conceited as I began ignoring advice and doing things my own way. I still remembered the day before the road test, which I need to pass to acquire ProbationaryDriving License (PDL). I was slacking off and didn’t do additional practice. I even told my mom not to worry, confidently promising her I would pass without any problem.

 

Learning through failure: By the morning, I arrived at the driving school for my test, only to fail at the very first obstacle. I was devastated and kept questioning myself whether I was even capable. When I told my mom about the failure, she came to pick me up. Just when I was about to give up, she encouraged me instead. She reminded me that no matter how good you are at something, you should never be overconfident.

 

From that day onwards, I kept practicing and kept a humble attitude. A week later, I retook the assessment but this time,with full focus and discipline. In the end, I successfully finished the test and then acquired my driving license. 

 

Reflection:  Looking back, failing my first road test was one of the best lessons I’ve ever had. It taught me the value of truly listening to others, staying disciplined but more importantly, being humble all the time. Gaining the driving license wasn’t just about passing a test, it was about growing as a person. That experience, with all its ups and downs, shaped me into a more responsible and mature individual, both on and off the road.

 

About the Author: Ng Kah Chye, born 11 April 2005 in Penang, Malaysia. Currently in the second year of Bachelor of Education in UNITAR International University. Pursuing a career as an impactful educator with a passion of learning and helping others.

Anand and KC met for the first time in Kuala Lumpur on February 28, 2025 during Anand’s visit there with KC’s uncle KM Lee. In their casual chat, Anand mentioned that his great disappointment is not listening to his father’s advice to learn two new English words everyday. He feels that greater vocabulary would have helped him to express things clearly and easily. Since March 1st ( the day after), everyday, KC has been sending two new words and their use in sentences to Anand. This has greatly enriched Anand. 😊

The Catch-Dumb Fred Episode 2 (Revisit)

Point to ponder: Experience is not what happens to a person, it is what a person does with what has happened to him or her. – Aldous Huxley

Storyline: The Catch (or to be precise: the one that got away).

Every life has stories and associated experiences; seemingly positive or negative.  What we are now is the result of what we have learnt from the lessons and converted them into useful practices. Here is one such story. Dumb Fred Episode 2.  

When Fred was in high school, he joined the school cricket team. On one fine day his school team was playing a match against top notch championship team. The star player of the league from that team was at bat. Fred was sent into the game by the coach to fill-in for another player. While Fred was trying to straighten out the patch of grass in front of him the bowler had already started his run for the pitch. The star player hit the ball which headed right in the direction of Fred.

 Who knows at which precise moment one’s fortune can change?

It is in the split second decisions/actions that fortunes are made or lost. One person becomes Willy Mays and the other....? One company becomes Microsoft and the other, IDR, disappears from the map.

 If the ball was caught it would have been a great honor for the team, the bowler and Fred. It might have hit the news headlines. Unfortunately Fred’s attention to ball came too late. It was a very easy catch but the ball snuck out of Fred’s unprepared hands. Immediately Fred was pulled out of the game and assigned scorekeeping duties. The next day during school assembly, the coach described that scene to all students. Fred accepted responsibility knowing fully well that he had let the team down.

“It has always been a mystery to me how men can feel themselves honored by the humiliation of their fellow beings.” ― Mahatma Gandhi

However the coach could not let go his anger and told Fred never to come near the cricket field. Fred accepted that as punishment. One would think that would be the closure. However the episode did not end there.

During the annual celebration, many students were being recognized for achievement in different areas. The parents and special guests were invited. The announcer was calling different names and suddenly, to Fred’s surprise, his name was announced. Fred Williams- the best score keeper. Fred was surprised but proceeded towards the special guest standing next to the principal and the coach who were having hard time containing the laughter.

 The benefit of being Dumb is not to know the difference between humiliation and celebration….

Half of the audience who knew the intent was laughing and many others who didn’t were clapping. After the awards ceremony, some people came to congratulate Fred not knowing that the award was given to make fun of him rather than for any tangible achievement. Fred went home and showed the award to his mother, who not being cricket literate, jumped with joy and hugged him.

Fred had not grasped the real motive until the next day while having lunch with two regular buddies. They sympathetically inquired how he felt about the previous day. Fred told them that he felt good because he had noticed people enjoying while he went to take the award. Only when his friends explained that it was to humiliate him for dropping that catch, it sunk in a bit.

Two years later on the graduation day while Fred was saying final goodbye to fellow students and teachers, the coach approached him and said the parting words “I will always remember you for that (dropped) catch.”

A Thing of beauty is a joy forever.

Even 50 years later, some fellow students remember that incident and have lighthearted fun with Fred. (Surprisingly none of them remembers who had the highest runs or wickets)

Reflection: "Every problem/experience we have, comes at the time when we need it the most to go to the next level. But we must learn that lesson first." - Dennis Waitley

There are many lessons Fred learnt from that episode that carried on in career and life.

1. Do not take your eye off the ball when someone has entrusted you with responsibility. He followed this rigorously in career with commitments, resources and people. (customers, investors, employees and suppliers)
2. Never humiliate another human being; and especially in public for any reason. Mistakes are inevitable part of life. There were times when two employees made major mistakes and some senior people wanted “heads to roll”. Fred stood up for them and reconfirmed his confidence in their abilities. They became major assets and made significant contributions to the company. (No humiliation and show confidence in your team members.)
3. Parting words are very important. Better to recount good memories rather than take parting shots. Especially when the employees is leaving the team or you are leaving the team. A few kind words about shared experiences will go a long long way. .
4. Hate the sin and not the sinner*. The Principal and The Coach were victims of the system and the thinking of the times. So were many things that Fred did in his school years. Life is nothing but a great learning experience. Many years later, Fred visited the school. Three of them had some nice lighter moments talking about old days and the lessons learnt.

*from the autobiography of Gandhi.

https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/1023338-hate-the-sin-and-not-the-sinner-is-a-precept

Reference -Dumb Fred Original Story: Dumb Fred Episode 1

The Chalk- “Who can guess that precise moment when your world is going to change?" * Dumb Fred episode 3

by Joy Mossang

Point to Ponder: “Sometimes life takes unexpected turns. Sometimes we hide the very core of our existence because we fear the judgment of others. Sometimes the universe shifts and we are provided with a brief moment to begin anew." - Cori Garrison

 

Story Line: By Joy Mossang ( from one of many weekly conversations with Anand) 

When you hear the word “college,” what comes to your mind? Maybe freedom from school bells and heavy bags, no uniforms or just a notebook tucked into your pocket, maybe even a romantic breeze across the campus. I don’t really know what it’s like, because I’ve never been through that journey (college) but I found this story very educational in terms of how one moment, one question, changed one person’s (aka Dumb Fred) life forever. 

 

"Life is not what you expect: it is made up of the most unexpected twists and turns."

The day was like any normal college day until the physics professor came to the class room and started his topic on Parabolic Motion. “It’s the motion you see when you throw a ball in the air-it goes up, curves, and comes down.” To explain it better, he drew analogy with car traveling along mountain’s periphery and demonstrated by throwing a chalk in parabolic motion. However, it was a bit dramatic, and students were trying to hold their laughter.

 

Fred , curious and sincere, asked, “But sir, mountains are zigzag when we climb them, right?” The class burst out laughing.

The professor, thinking Fred was mocking him, got furious. He threw a chalk at Fred that hit him in chest and shouted, “Get out of my class!”  As Fred stepped out of the classroom, he looked inside from the window and said, “Your behavior was very unprofessional, Sir.”

 

"New beginnings are often disguised as painful endings."

This made the professor even angrier. He stormed out, dragged Fred to the vice principal’s office, and demanded an apology.  But Fred refused. “I asked a question because I was curious and wanted to learn. It’s he who should apologize for throwing the chalk at me.” On this throwback answer, the vice principal suspended him for two days. Who knew this would be his last voice and face on campus?  Finally, with a heart full of disappointment and hurt, Fred walked out of the college-pledging never to return. 

 

His parents were proud of him for standing up-but concerned about what lay ahead in his life. Fred said that he would go to Mumbai to continue his college, staying with his supportive uncle.

 

Midnight Train to Mumbai. 

His train to Mumbai, was scheduled at night from his hometown. His father and two friends came to drop him off. As the train started leaving the station, Fred leaned out of the window for one last look. In the dark, the only thing he could see was his father and two friends’ faces fading away. As the train moved into the night, he whispered to himself, “This darkness will disappear in … and very soon light will follow. My next chapter begins now.”

 

The Whole New World

As he stepped off the train onto the platform in Mumbai, the warm rays of the morning sun touched his face welcoming him to the new beginning. The city buzzed with life-unfamiliar yet full of possibilities. Every face he passed, every street he saw, reminded him that he was no longer the boy who left his hometown in the dark of night. He had transitioned -not just into a new city, but into a new version of himself.

 

Reflection:

Sometimes, life doesn’t give you a warning before shifting. One moment can change everything. But change is not always the end-it can be the beginning of something far greater.

 

Sequel to the story: (by Anand) 

In Mumbai Fred met people from many different parts of India and other countries, learned about their customs, religions and political views. It broadened his world view and gave experiences that became big assets in the incredible success in career and life that followed.

 

About the Author: 

At the age of 17, Joy Mossang left his home in Arunachal Pradesh to explore the world. He took different jobs and also attended classes in schools to learn various skills. During his work stint at ITC Narmada hotel in Ahmedabad he met two guests: Anand and Luisa. In various conversations they discovered synergy in their interests and kept in touch. As the fate would have it, when Anand and Luisa went to Goa the next year, Joy was working there to learn new skills. This is one of the many stories Joy has captured from conversations with Anand. 

 

Aftermath: For All Fairness and (Credit to Missionary College for adhering to their Principles and teachings) Vice Principal Brother Braganza did an independent investigation and learned the facts. Then he personally came to Fred’s home with the professor to request him to return, only to find out from Fred’s father that Fred had already left the town for good. 

 

 

Title: * “Who can guess that precise moment when your world is going to change?" - a quote from the book:  Ping A Frog in Search of a New Pond by Stuart Avery Gold 

How Good Companies Go Bad and ….

Points to Ponder: Success breeds complacency. Complacency breeds failure. Only Paranoids Survive. - Andy Grove 

 

The person who is the star of previous era is often the last one to adapt to change, the last one to yield to logic of a strategic inflection point and tends to fall harder than most. - Andy Grove

 

Story Line: 

Based on my 40 years in tech industry working from small startups to medium size companies to the world’s largest company in its field, here are my observations and some points to ponder.

 

In  big companies most of the problems are organizational and structural.  Technical and Operational issues are the victims of complex and cumbersome organizational structures that slow down decision making and execution. Too much time goes in internal meetings, summits, updates, research, etc rather than doing the work that results in efficient execution. Too many people are busy: data consolidators, reporters, note takers, communicators and very less % doers. There must be shortest path between provider and receiver of products and services. 

 

“Your successful path blocks your vision to the future.” Failed to see rising  competition, wrote it off or missed opportunity to make alliances. Intoxicated by their own success and turning blind eye on benchmarking data. (read recently that the company that was downplayed by the big company may come to rescue them now 😊)

 

When carts start running the horse. The support groups become too powerful. The job of support groups is to help enable business strategies and not the other way around where business managers spend time satisfying their requirements. Why not mandate these very groups that preach efficiency and cost savings to come up with their annual plans that deliver twice output from them with half the resources?
When they bring benchmarking data that says “We are not on par with other companies in terms of number of Vice Presidents and we need to substantially increase that number”, Why not turn it the other way and be the best practices benchmark for the world in terms of fewer upper management with outstanding results? The pity is that more VPs have to create more initiatives to withstand “Ranking and Rating” system for their survival which results in a lot of unproductive work. (And added resources complexity)

 

There are so many people working so hard and achieving so little. ...Andy Grove

 

A desk is a very dangerous place to view the world. Too many tabletop managers, and desktop engineers. Engineers need to dirty their hands and spend more time on the production lines or labs instead of desktop data processing fellows and reporters. Managers should spend time dealing with internal external customers and individual employees. Remember Leadership is more about psychology and less about technology.
As Andy used to say “People in the trenches are usually in touch with impeding changes early. “ 

 

Things  that matter most should not be put at the mercy of things that matter relatively least.Need to monitor very closely how “progressive” initiative like Diversity,  Globalization are implemented. For diversity, Two wrongs don’t make it right. Need to be mindful that What was done wrong for years to one side shouldn’t be done to the other side. (Or perceived that way eventhough not done purposely. but need to be aware of their sensitivity.) Not well thought out implementations resulted in a lot of frustrations, anger and disappointment not only on the other side but also in competent qualified and deserving members of every diverse group.( have a lot more examples and suggestions on this issue but save it for future reflection). 

 

When Pendulum is taken too far in one direction, it goes equally far or taken farther in the other direction as evident in recent events. 

 

Walk the talk when it comes to meritocracy  Accountability: If answer for every new initiative or annual plan is “ I need more resources “ then why not get a trained parrot instead of managers? Much cheaper alternative. ( Don’t get Macau, just a common green parrot will be cheaper). If the headcount has become too large, whose problem it is? The management that made those bad decisions to hire more people instead of finding ways to be more efficient must be made accountable too. Need to implement the same thinking in management as we do in our products and services. I. E, faster better cheaper.

 

Fairness: Performance reviews should be solely based on performance criteria, qualifications and not on satisfying quotas for special programs. Also need to be flexible: if more people qualify for higher performance at times then increase the allocation for high performance to accommodate them. Otherwise Meritocracy becomes a Hypocrisy. Results in good people walking away from company quietly or demotivated people staying and not putting heart into work. 

 

And lastly ( for now )

 

Globalization Obsession and unintended consequences: Missing the important part: In Gujarati language there is a saying “Ghar na chokra Ghanti Chaate ane Upadhay ne aato ape.” ( while your own kids are fighting to leak leftover on plates or going hungry, you are busy feeding the world) Globalization initiatives though right and well intended missed a very important part of good leadership. What good is the  program where your own people who served you well through the years are left without jobs while others have prospered handsomely? 

 

How can you motivate yourself to continue to follow a leader when he appears to be going around in circles? -Andrew S. Grove, 

 

Reflection: When I said goodbye to the industry 10 years ago, I detached myself from any work related thoughts or items except maintaining strong personal friendships developed with many people I had worked with. 

 

But last month, reading about the dire state of the company I have admired, learnt a great deal from and prospered with lifelong friendships, I felt compelled to share my views. 

 

I wish new CEO and all employees great recovery to the status of their Golden Era, ( one of World’s Most Admired, Top Brands and Leader in Technology) 

 

and end with the profound words from the man whose company and microchips changed the world and it’s economy. 

 

“Bad companies are destroyed by crisis, Good companies survive them, Great companies are improved by them.”  Andy Grove

 

Due to length of this Reflection, “ Elephants Move Slow” story that was planned to be in this article will be published in future reflection.  

Be the reason someone believes in goodness of people.

Point to Ponder: Be the reason someone smiles. Be the reason someone feels loved and believes in the goodness in people.” ― Roy T. Bennett, “The Light in the Heart”

 

Story Line:  Two random acts of kindness- Singapore Immigration Officer and Penang Grab Driver on last weekend. ( November 23-24) 

 

Last Saturday, we were returning from Singapore to Penang. Just about the time we cleared immigration at Changi International Airport, I was having hard time pushing the wheelchair in which my wife was sitting.* Two immigration officers noticing that I was struggling, approached us with an offer to help.  Despite my polite decline, one of them sensed that it would be difficult for me to push wheelchair for quite a long distance. So he offered again and helped by pushing it all the way to the boarding gate. Many passers by noticed his noble gesture. The shortage of wheelchair assistance personnel and passenger transport trollies on that day turned out to be a memorable experience with a great human being. 

 

“Remember, there’s no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end.” — Scott Adams

 

Just the very next day in Penang, as our fortune would have it, one of us dropped iPhone in Grab backseat while unloading our grocery bags. A little panic set in when we entered our apartment and discovered that the phone was missing. We called the Grab driver. The passenger in backseat had found the phone on the floor and given to him. He was looking for a way to return it. In a very heavy traffic hour, he travelled half an hour to return the phone to us.

 

“Live so that when your children think of fairness, caring, and integrity, they think of you.” H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

 

Reflection: 

This random acts of kindness and integrity remind us that there is still so much good in this world despite constant downloading of negative news on us. 97% of what happens in this world is good, but unfortunately 3% of bad things dominate the landscape of media. In the past six months, in this region, we have so many positive experiences. It makes us realize that this world is still a wonderful place filled with very good human beings. 

 

In following weeks we will publish few stories of people experiences such as 1. In Penang, Every Grab Driver has a story 2. When you look forward to going to the hospital. 3. Let’s talk about what unites us. 

 

*my wife had a lower spine injury few months ago. Getting regular treatment but still needs assistance for long walks. On Saturday airline didn’t have enough personnel for wheelchair assistance. 

 

Portion of below quote is used in the picture at the top of the article. 

 

“Every small, unselfish action nudges the world into a better path. An accumulation of small acts can change the world.” ― Robin Hobb, “Fool’s Fate”

Intel Inside (Always)

Point to Ponder: What we once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose, For all that we love deeply becomes a part of us. - Helen Keller

Story Line: Intel Inside ( Always) 

I left Intel over 9 years ago (with wonderful memories) but Intel has never left me. And the fondest  of those memories are the people I met, places I visited and experiences I had which enriched my career and life in many ways.

 

It was something about that environment that so many work relationships during my two job assignments there, 1983-85 and 1997-2015, have become lifelong friendships, and in some cases it’s expanded to our second and third generations ( Kids and Grandkids). There is not a single day without some form of communication with some of those friends (100+)  and/or not a single month without meeting few of those friends.And since coming to Penang, no week goes by without meeting few of those former work associates ( Now Friends).

 

For me, a lot of credit goes to that culture and environment. I understand the company and current employees are going through some very challenging times. Yes I too have some stories; some funny, may be a few bitter, and some about inefficient things about the place ( save for another day).

 

Reflection: But forever I am thankful to Intel for enormous opportunities it provided for learning and growth, make significant contributions that had positive impact on mankind, and make life long friendships.

 

I am no longer inside Intel but forever Intel will be inside of me. 

 

The Life after Silicon Valley (“working years”)

 

Emerald Cove. Click on YouTube icon on lower right for full screen view. 
Point to Ponder: Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.

Story Line:  

Lasting friendships developed during school and business years. 

Fifteen years ago, I was looking for a good shop to service our car, a trusty and reliable Toyota RAV4. I was recommended to a place where I met Kevin, a service advisor with a very soft demeanor, who was quiet and yet, explained things with much detail and clarity. Kevin took the time with each customer, and one could say he was overly generous with his time. It ran counter to the intense pace of the Silicon Valley. We liked the service, and more than that, we liked Kevin. That seemingly incidental business relationship turned into a friendship over the years. 

 

During routine maintenance service appointments we learned that Kevin had lived in Philippines, that he had a Filipino wife and owned a home in the Philippines. 

 

Kevin retired in 2020 and moved to Philippines to join his family. Over the years, we kept in touch. 

 

After I retired, I would spend my time traveling with my wife. During our current visit to Philippines, Kevin learned that we were in northern Philippines and would pass by his town. He and his wife invited us to stay with them. 

 

We knew Kevin mainly through a casual business relationship and as we were also traveling with other friends, we politely declined. However, as the trip progressed, I had to consult Kevin for guidance navigating some of the terrain. He offered the option for us to stay with he and his wife instead of driving the long distance to Manila on that last day. Night was fast approaching and we were tired.

We finally accepted his invitation. 

 

“In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.”

We discovered the property was their own slice of heaven consisting of a huge bougainvillea garden, well designed eco house (with every detail worked out), thirteen dogs and cats, and nice private beach in a cove with shades of emerald. It was no surprise when they revealed that they like to call their residence “Emerald Cove.” 

 

We talked a lot about part of our lives that were unknown to each other. 

 

Kevin’s father was a missionary in Philippines and Kevin had spent his younger years up to high school graduation there. They had Filipino friends who were also involved in the same church; the parents of the lady being missionaries in Hawaii, sent from Philippines in 1920. This Filipino couple had a daughter named Noemi who stayed in a house next door to Kevin’s parents home.

 

Noemi and Kevin met in the first year of high-school and developed liking for each other. By the third year things got intense and one day Kevin told her “ I have a problem.” When she asked what was the problem- Kevin replied “ I am in love with you.” They enjoyed going to school together, being on the beach outside their homes talking about life. 

 

After graduating from high school Kevin went to Missouri for college and Noemi went to California. The relationship cooled for a while. During that time, Noemi met another fine man in California and got married. 

 

Life has its ways. For people who are meant to be together in life, the universe conspires to make it happen. After 7 years,  Noemi got divorced. Around the  same time Kevin was stationed in Alameda, US Navy base nearby.  Kevin ran into her at a party and …. She was waiting for this moment since thier younger years in Philippines.

 

“ Life shrinks or expands in proportion to your courage” Anis Nin. Making the most/best of you have. 

A few years after marriage, Noemi developed a health issue that required two major surgeries on back and one on neck. 

Even though she had limitations in her body, she didn’t let that constrain her imagination. She created a plan for the beautiful home on the west Philippines sea, the place they had grown up and dreamed to retire. Her love for Bougainvillea is visible in her garden with 1000s of plants with over 100 varieties, many cross breeds of her creations. A nice secluded beach in a cove with emerald colors in front of the home inspired her to name their residence Emerald Cove. ( see the video). 

 

Despite some major physical limitations, she and Kevin go swimming and snorkeling far into ocean almost every morning. She told us that she forgets all her pain while floating in the water, watching corals and colorful fish, and collecting seaweed for their salads.

Reflection: We met Noemi for the first time but instantly connected with so many common interests and believes. There are so many stories we shared from our lives and career; their’s more interesting, for future articles. It was a Memorable stay. 

 

I’m grateful that what started as business relationship eighteen years ago has turned into a beautiful friendship.

 

As my father told me in childhood “ Most important business relations are personal ones”