Posts

Today, I choose ME.

-
As I reflect on my life, I see a pattern. I have been a dependable, go-to person—a reliable pair of hands who assures bosses, friends, family and boyfriend that I’ll always get things done. Being useful and recognized for my efforts feels good. It’s fulfilling to step up for others, knowing I’m capable of helping others. When I advocate for clients, negotiate claims, or use my knowledge to secure positive outcomes, I feel like I’m putting my expertise in insurance and my professional network to good use. In those moments, I help someone impress their boss or keep their business afloat—and that, too, feels (thankless but) rewarding. But here’s the thing: whenever there’s a demand, big or small, I jump in. I have often chosen others over ME. Recently, I returned from a 1.5-week holiday in Hanoi—a rare break since April. Right after this trip, I wasn’t feeling 100% probably due to the flu season. A lingering cold had me under the weather, with a runny nose and fever dragging me down. It...
Post a Comment
Read more

Secret Recipe for Triumphs: Visualizing the End

-
As I sit here on a heritage cruise, gliding through the ethereal beauty of Halong Bay's limestone karsts, I can’t help but reflect on the journey that brought me to this moment. Just yesterday, I crossed the finish line of a grueling 21k half marathon, a feat that fills me with an indescribable sense of accomplishment. Yet, the story of this year’s triumphs began not on a running track but in the eye of a professional storm—a storm that tested my limits in ways I couldn’t have imagined. On June 6th, a date etched in my memory, a number of employees left the organization, leaving behind an unknown number of unresolved claims scattered across unknown locations. Imagine walking into a challenge so opaque that even its full scope was a mystery. I felt blindfolded, the weight of responsibility pressing down with unrelenting force. Sleepless nights became my norm, consumed by questions I couldn’t yet answer. The pressure was immense, but amidst it all, a conversation with my boss became ...
Post a Comment
Read more

A Tale of Two Hanois: How Time Transforms Travel

-
Hanoi holds a special place in my heart, but visiting it recently felt like stepping into a parallel universe. My first trip to Vietnam’s capital was over a decade ago, fresh out of university, armed with my first paycheck, and accompanied by my dear friends Ying Ting and Xin Yi. We had a modest budget of 4 million Vietnamese Dong, but it made us feel like royalty. Back then, our approach to travel was all about energy and adventure. We stayed in Hanoi for a few nights before heading out to Halong Bay on a budget-friendly cruise. Our days were packed with activities, leaving no room for rest. We roamed the streets from morning till night, determined to squeeze every drop of excitement out of our trip. The very next day, we went straight back to work, brimming with energy and ambition. Fast forward to this year, and my latest Hanoi experience couldn’t have been more different. Luxury Meets Leisure This time, we swapped our backpacks for suitcases and checked into a luxurious hotel....
Post a Comment
Read more

Hanna's Journey of Resilience

-
 On Hanna’s 10th birthday, her dad took her for an early morning drive under a light drizzle – the kind of weather that seems to hold secrets. Caught in traffic, he shared a story that would change her life: Hanna wasn’t her parents’ biological child. She was born to a struggling farming family who, out of necessity, had to let her go. Suddenly, many things made sense, like why her grandparents treated her differently. She never received gifts when her grandmother returned from travels, and once, a cousin had even said, “You’re not one of us.” Now she understood why, but the truth left her feeling more alone than ever. At only ten, Hanna had to confront a painful reality that forced her to grow up too soon. Where other children were dreaming, she was coming to terms with the fear that if she didn’t work hard enough, she might be “given away” again. It was a bitter truth, especially when her mom urged her to keep it a secret, hinting that it wasn’t something to be proud of. To Ha...
Post a Comment
Read more

Goodbye, Daddy!

-
I dare say my dad truly lived the "YOLO" lifestyle. He had a deep passion for the strongest kinds of alcohol and embraced it fully throughout his life – despite his very horrible gout and eventual multiple body failures (yes, it wasn’t pretty). I have to admit, it took a huge amount of courage (that I definitely don’t have) to live the way he did — not really caring about what others thought, about his health or family, or even about consequences. He always used to say, "Drinking or not, I’m going to die one way or another, so why not enjoy it?" While it kind of made sense at the time, it was pretty clear how premature his life ended, with so many things left undone. But that was his take on life — responsibility wasn’t his strongest suit. He simply did what he wanted, always. He was unapologetically himself, and, in a strange way, that’s what made him so cool. He taught me to drive when I was just 13. On weekends, we’d go to an empty plot near our home where I’d dr...
Post a Comment
Read more

Unsung Heroes of Claims!

-
Few months ago, I interviewed a young candidate who expressed a surprising passion for insurance claims. Her enthusiasm reminded me of my early days in the industry, when I once was full of zeal and grand visions. I recall a town hall with Brian Dupperault in Singapore. He proudly announced that he helped the company through a crisis and returned the company's debt from the government at a profit—I left feeling like a superhero, ready to save the world of insurance. Fast forward 14 years, and here I am, still in the trenches of claims, still trying to make a difference. When recently asked why I stay in this job and what makes me happy, I found myself stumped. My answer? “I’m not sure!” Claims are rarely glamorous. Most people buy insurance as a precaution, never expecting to need it. When they do, it's usually not a pleasant experience. In the insurance world, the claims department is often seen as a “cost center”—the part of the business that handles complaints and messes. De...
Post a Comment
Read more