My main aim of returning to Hualian was to visit Tzu Chi Construction Department for an interview, to determine whether I am suitable for a job there. However, when I arrive at Hualian, very unfortunately, VP Lin went overseas two days after my arrival and the Head of the Construction Department Lin SB was in Myanmar.
我返回花莲的主要目的是到慈济营建处面试，以确定我是否适合在营建处工作。不过当我到花莲时，很可惜林副总在两天前出了国，而营建处林处长则刚好在缅甸赈灾。
Hence, I was interviewed by Section Head Qiu SB. He was very happy to let me join the Construction Department but he wished to know why with my background, I can get a fantastic job elsewhere, do I choose to return to Hualian. I had a long discussion with Qiu SB, telling me that I felt very troubled in Boston and lost interest in my research. Marshall asked me whether I am interested in returning to work in Hualian and I agreed, since my mechanical engineering background is useful and hoping to use that opportunity to contribute to Tzu Chi as well as figure out what I want in life.
因此我被邱组长面试。他很高兴并欢迎我加入营建处，但是很想知道为什么以我的学历，外头高薪不在话下，为何选择回慈济。说来话长，我用心地让邱组长了解，我在波士顿念书念的非常烦恼，对研究失去了兴趣。升伦问我是否有意愿回营建处工作时，我便答应了。想想我的机械工程背景在营建这方能派上用场，也希望用这个机会为慈济作点贡献和寻找我的人生目标。
Qiu SB gave me his point of view. Firstly, my mechanical background will be useful, but only for a small portion of the work in the Construction Department. There are other stuffs to be learned, he is sure that I can learned them well, although he believed that I will not find them too challenging.
听了我的解释，邱组长给了我他的观点。首先，我的机械工程背景的确对营建这方有益，但只是营建的一小部分工作。如果我留下，还有其他各各方面要学。邱组长认为我会学得很快，游刃有余，甚至觉得缺少挑战性。
Secondly, he do not mind letting me joined the Construction Department as he believed that with my different background, sparks may occurred during interactions and something new may come out.
其次，他不介意让我加入营建处。因为他相信我不同的背景，可能在与营建处同仁互动时擦出创意的火花。
Thirdly, although he believed that the work carried out in the Construction Department is not suitable for me, he do not mind letting me stay and work while using my stay in Hualian to figure out what I want to do with my life. However, he cautioned me that even if I stayed in Hualian, I still will not be able to figure out what I want with my life (something that VP Lin secretary agreed) as the work pace is too hectic for people to take a step back and think.
其三，邱组长虽然认为营建处的工作不适合我，但是他不介意让我留下工作，用留在花莲的时间寻找我的人生目标。不过邱组长提醒我，即使我留在花莲，我也未必找到我的人生目标（这得到林副总的秘书的认同），因为慈济工作繁重，没时间静下心来思考。
Fourthly, he believed that my ideal way of contributing to Tzu Chi is not to remain in Hualian but rather go and finish my studies in Construction (since this is my interest). Qiu SB explained the whole construction flow chart to me, all the way from the upstream to downstream as well as the various parties of interest involved. Qiu SB highlighted that the work of Tzu Chi Construction Department is actually more of the downstream work: project management and liaising with architectural firms as well as contractors. My contribution should be in the upstream research and development stages where I developed new ideas for Tzu Chi to implement.
其四，邱组长认为我对慈济的贡献方式不因该是留在花莲，而是去把书念完，完成我在营建方面的研究（因为那是我的兴趣）。邱组长向我解释了整个营建流程，从上游至下游，以及所涉及的各方。邱组长指出慈济营建处的工作其实是下游工程：工程管理以及联络建筑事务所和承包商。我的贡献应该在上游的研发，研究新的科技让慈济落实。
Lastly, Qiu SB told me that after all his explanation, if I still want to stay in Hualian, he will take me in. I am different from the others that he interviewed as I wanted to figure out what i want in life. The rest just wanted a job.
最后邱组长告诉我，经过他的一番解释，如果我仍然想留在花莲，他会答应。我与他面试过的其他人不同。我正在思考我人生要什么，其他人只想要份工作。
Qiu SB will also be out of town in a couple of days and he introduced me to Zhao Ming SX, the legendary SX (as introduced by the Tzu Ching senior during the Tzu Ching camp) who earned his architectural license by using pencils that are shorter than 5 cm. Basically, Zhao Ming SX advice to me is similar to Qiu SB. However, he went a step further by bringing me around Tzu Chi Headquarters to let me understand the work of the Construction Department.
邱组长即将出城几天，他向我介昭铭明师兄（慈青营队时，学长分享昭铭师兄是如何地用短过五厘米的铅笔考到他的建筑执照）。基本上，昭铭师兄的意见与邱组长类似。不过，邱组长用说的，昭铭师兄用看的，带我到慈济各处，让我了解营建处的工作。
I attended a meeting in the Abode involving Master, VP Lin, the Construction Department and Tzu Chi Construction Volunteers. I am amazed at the details that Master looked into for the project. It is no wonder that Master is always so busy and tired.
我参加了一项在精舍的营建会议，上人、林副总，营建处同仁和营建慈诚都在场。我很惊讶的发现小小得细节上人也要了解，真的是很用心。难怪上人总是那么忙碌和疲惫。
I visited the Simulated Operation Theater in our Tzu Chi University where our medical student perform operations on our "silent teacher" (dead bodies), which was under construction and Zhao Ming SX was there to speak to the foreman as the construction is behind schedule.
我参观了慈济大学的模拟手术室。那是慈大医学生向“无语良师”模拟手术之地。昭铭师兄因为手术室改建工程落后于计划，而到场向工头了解情况。
I visited our Tzu Chi Hospital and went into an actual Operation Theater. We had to dress up in medical gowns and covered up our hair and shoes. Zhao Ming SX and the foreman were looking for a particular colour tile in that Operation Theater.
我也参观了慈济医院的真实手术室。我们必须穿上医疗袍和把头发及鞋子盖起来。昭铭师兄和工头是到手术室内确定墙砖的颜色，以应用在慈大的模拟手术室里。
Lastly, I had several discussions with Zhao Ming SX, who introduced to me some of the Green buildings Tzu Chi built and the various other Green buildings implemented by others (including the building of our very own Singapore National Library).
最后，昭铭师兄和我做了多番讨论，昭铭师兄向我介绍了几座慈济和其他各地建造的绿色建筑（包括了新加坡国家图书馆）。
After a few days of consideration as well as further advices from a few Shi Fu at the Abode and various SG, who all gave me similar suggestion of returning to my studies, I decided to finish my studies. On the second last day, the Head of the Construction Department Lin SB returned from Myanmar and I finally got a chance to meet him.
经过几天的考虑，加上几位常住师父和师姑都建议我回去把书念完，我决定回去把书念完。回国的最后第二天，我终于有机会与刚从缅甸回台的营建处林处长会面。
I explained my situation, all the advices I received and my own decision to Lin SB. He agreed. I told him further that after I return home to Singapore, I will re-apply to universities in Building Technology. However, there is an empty period between my application and the outcome as well as admission. I asked Lin SB whether I can spend the empty period in the Construction Department, to learn and get some exposure. Lin SB agreed.
我向林处长解释了我的情况，所得到的全部意见和我本身的决定。林处长认同我的决定。我进一步告诉林处长，当我回国后我会重新申请到大学的建筑系就读。不过大学申请和入学之间有个空档期，希望能在营建处学习。林处长也答应了。
我返回花莲的主要目的是到慈济营建处面试，以确定我是否适合在营建处工作。不过当我到花莲时，很可惜林副总在两天前出了国，而营建处林处长则刚好在缅甸赈灾。
Hence, I was interviewed by Section Head Qiu SB. He was very happy to let me join the Construction Department but he wished to know why with my background, I can get a fantastic job elsewhere, do I choose to return to Hualian. I had a long discussion with Qiu SB, telling me that I felt very troubled in Boston and lost interest in my research. Marshall asked me whether I am interested in returning to work in Hualian and I agreed, since my mechanical engineering background is useful and hoping to use that opportunity to contribute to Tzu Chi as well as figure out what I want in life.
因此我被邱组长面试。他很高兴并欢迎我加入营建处，但是很想知道为什么以我的学历，外头高薪不在话下，为何选择回慈济。说来话长，我用心地让邱组长了解，我在波士顿念书念的非常烦恼，对研究失去了兴趣。升伦问我是否有意愿回营建处工作时，我便答应了。想想我的机械工程背景在营建这方能派上用场，也希望用这个机会为慈济作点贡献和寻找我的人生目标。
Qiu SB gave me his point of view. Firstly, my mechanical background will be useful, but only for a small portion of the work in the Construction Department. There are other stuffs to be learned, he is sure that I can learned them well, although he believed that I will not find them too challenging.
听了我的解释，邱组长给了我他的观点。首先，我的机械工程背景的确对营建这方有益，但只是营建的一小部分工作。如果我留下，还有其他各各方面要学。邱组长认为我会学得很快，游刃有余，甚至觉得缺少挑战性。
Secondly, he do not mind letting me joined the Construction Department as he believed that with my different background, sparks may occurred during interactions and something new may come out.
其次，他不介意让我加入营建处。因为他相信我不同的背景，可能在与营建处同仁互动时擦出创意的火花。
Thirdly, although he believed that the work carried out in the Construction Department is not suitable for me, he do not mind letting me stay and work while using my stay in Hualian to figure out what I want to do with my life. However, he cautioned me that even if I stayed in Hualian, I still will not be able to figure out what I want with my life (something that VP Lin secretary agreed) as the work pace is too hectic for people to take a step back and think.
其三，邱组长虽然认为营建处的工作不适合我，但是他不介意让我留下工作，用留在花莲的时间寻找我的人生目标。不过邱组长提醒我，即使我留在花莲，我也未必找到我的人生目标（这得到林副总的秘书的认同），因为慈济工作繁重，没时间静下心来思考。
Fourthly, he believed that my ideal way of contributing to Tzu Chi is not to remain in Hualian but rather go and finish my studies in Construction (since this is my interest). Qiu SB explained the whole construction flow chart to me, all the way from the upstream to downstream as well as the various parties of interest involved. Qiu SB highlighted that the work of Tzu Chi Construction Department is actually more of the downstream work: project management and liaising with architectural firms as well as contractors. My contribution should be in the upstream research and development stages where I developed new ideas for Tzu Chi to implement.
其四，邱组长认为我对慈济的贡献方式不因该是留在花莲，而是去把书念完，完成我在营建方面的研究（因为那是我的兴趣）。邱组长向我解释了整个营建流程，从上游至下游，以及所涉及的各方。邱组长指出慈济营建处的工作其实是下游工程：工程管理以及联络建筑事务所和承包商。我的贡献应该在上游的研发，研究新的科技让慈济落实。
Lastly, Qiu SB told me that after all his explanation, if I still want to stay in Hualian, he will take me in. I am different from the others that he interviewed as I wanted to figure out what i want in life. The rest just wanted a job.
最后邱组长告诉我，经过他的一番解释，如果我仍然想留在花莲，他会答应。我与他面试过的其他人不同。我正在思考我人生要什么，其他人只想要份工作。
Qiu SB will also be out of town in a couple of days and he introduced me to Zhao Ming SX, the legendary SX (as introduced by the Tzu Ching senior during the Tzu Ching camp) who earned his architectural license by using pencils that are shorter than 5 cm. Basically, Zhao Ming SX advice to me is similar to Qiu SB. However, he went a step further by bringing me around Tzu Chi Headquarters to let me understand the work of the Construction Department.
邱组长即将出城几天，他向我介昭铭明师兄（慈青营队时，学长分享昭铭师兄是如何地用短过五厘米的铅笔考到他的建筑执照）。基本上，昭铭师兄的意见与邱组长类似。不过，邱组长用说的，昭铭师兄用看的，带我到慈济各处，让我了解营建处的工作。
I attended a meeting in the Abode involving Master, VP Lin, the Construction Department and Tzu Chi Construction Volunteers. I am amazed at the details that Master looked into for the project. It is no wonder that Master is always so busy and tired.
我参加了一项在精舍的营建会议，上人、林副总，营建处同仁和营建慈诚都在场。我很惊讶的发现小小得细节上人也要了解，真的是很用心。难怪上人总是那么忙碌和疲惫。
I visited the Simulated Operation Theater in our Tzu Chi University where our medical student perform operations on our "silent teacher" (dead bodies), which was under construction and Zhao Ming SX was there to speak to the foreman as the construction is behind schedule.
我参观了慈济大学的模拟手术室。那是慈大医学生向“无语良师”模拟手术之地。昭铭师兄因为手术室改建工程落后于计划，而到场向工头了解情况。
I visited our Tzu Chi Hospital and went into an actual Operation Theater. We had to dress up in medical gowns and covered up our hair and shoes. Zhao Ming SX and the foreman were looking for a particular colour tile in that Operation Theater.
我也参观了慈济医院的真实手术室。我们必须穿上医疗袍和把头发及鞋子盖起来。昭铭师兄和工头是到手术室内确定墙砖的颜色，以应用在慈大的模拟手术室里。
Lastly, I had several discussions with Zhao Ming SX, who introduced to me some of the Green buildings Tzu Chi built and the various other Green buildings implemented by others (including the building of our very own Singapore National Library).
最后，昭铭师兄和我做了多番讨论，昭铭师兄向我介绍了几座慈济和其他各地建造的绿色建筑（包括了新加坡国家图书馆）。
After a few days of consideration as well as further advices from a few Shi Fu at the Abode and various SG, who all gave me similar suggestion of returning to my studies, I decided to finish my studies. On the second last day, the Head of the Construction Department Lin SB returned from Myanmar and I finally got a chance to meet him.
经过几天的考虑，加上几位常住师父和师姑都建议我回去把书念完，我决定回去把书念完。回国的最后第二天，我终于有机会与刚从缅甸回台的营建处林处长会面。
I explained my situation, all the advices I received and my own decision to Lin SB. He agreed. I told him further that after I return home to Singapore, I will re-apply to universities in Building Technology. However, there is an empty period between my application and the outcome as well as admission. I asked Lin SB whether I can spend the empty period in the Construction Department, to learn and get some exposure. Lin SB agreed.
我向林处长解释了我的情况，所得到的全部意见和我本身的决定。林处长认同我的决定。我进一步告诉林处长，当我回国后我会重新申请到大学的建筑系就读。不过大学申请和入学之间有个空档期，希望能在营建处学习。林处长也答应了。
That concluded my visit to the Construction Department. But I must mention the administrative section, especially Huang SG, who were very kind to me, ensuring that I got lunch daily, I caught the bus back to Abode on time and many other acts of kindness.
在林处长的答应声中，我结束了营建处的面试。特别感恩营建处行政组黄师姑的照顾，确保每天我有用午膳、赶得及搭巴士回精舍以及许许多多的关心。
I sincerely thank everybody in the Construction Department.
无限感恩营建处的每一位师伯、师姑、师兄和师姐。
在林处长的答应声中，我结束了营建处的面试。特别感恩营建处行政组黄师姑的照顾，确保每天我有用午膳、赶得及搭巴士回精舍以及许许多多的关心。
I sincerely thank everybody in the Construction Department.
无限感恩营建处的每一位师伯、师姑、师兄和师姐。
No comments:
Post a Comment