We Live In A Pink World

And a certain US soldier in Eastern Afghanistan is not an exception...Here's what Reuters had to say:

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Thursday praised an Army soldier in eastern Afghanistan who drew media attention this month after rushing to defend his post from attack while wearing pink boxer shorts and flip-flops.

In fact, Gates said he wants to meet the soldier and shake his hand the next time he visits Afghanistan.

"Any soldier who goes into battle against the Taliban in pink boxers and flip-flops has a special kind of courage," Gates said in remarks prepared for a speech in New York.

"I can only wonder about the impact on the Taliban. Just imagine seeing that: a guy in pink boxers and flip-flops has you in his cross-hairs. What an incredible innovation in psychological warfare," he said.

Army Specialist Zachary Boyd, 19, of Fort Worth, Texas, rushed from his sleeping quarters on May 11 to join fellow platoon members at a base in Afghanistan's Kunar Province after the unit came under fire from Taliban positions.

A news photographer was on hand to record the image of Boyd standing at a makeshift rampart in helmet, body armor, red T-shirt and boxers emblazoned with the message: "I love NY."

When the image wound up on the front page of the New York Times, Boyd told his parents he might lose his job if President Barack Obama saw him out of uniform.

"I can assure you that Specialist Boyd's job is very safe indeed," Gates said in the speech.

The U.S. defense chief was scheduled to deliver the speech at New York's annual Salute to Freedom dinner in Manhattan.

(Reporting by David Morgan; Editing by Will Dunham)

P.S.
If he wasn't wearing his pink boxers, will he be in the news like this? I think it's high time that the US Government recognize and wholly support their soldiers who fight out there, may it be in the Middle East or any parts of the world. These people are present day heroes. I hope my friend for almost three years who is deployed in Afghanistan now goes home to his family safe and sound. JLK, be safe always...

Thinking Out Loud

I had a few minutes to myself today contemplating on how blessed I am. I have a well-paying job that gives me not only fulfillment but finances my needs and wants as well. Come to think of it, I really do not have any complaints. I have grown so much as a person and as a leader ever since I was hired and started last 2005. This job I have now is the longest that I have stayed in a company (this after all is just my 3rd job).

It is way too different from my first job. I can remember how nervous I am when I started taking calls and how this one supervisor made me cry on fateful night by blaming my long call as the culprit for the team not having pizza. I've grown from an irate tech to a much more matured leader. Someone who does not just think of herself but thinks of her team always, all the time. This job that I have now is much more different than the one I had in a bank where I used to work. For now, I can exercise my full potential. I like how I can decide and implement action plans. I like how I can brainstorm with equally-competent members of my team. I like how they can openly give me constructive feedback. I like how dynamic the environment is.

I have never expected that I am employed by Dell for almost 3 years already, 3 long eventful years. I have shed tears and I have had sleepless nights trying to figure out how I can function better, how I can be rated exceptional. The only regret I have had maybe is applying for the much-talked about position back in 2006. It was I guess a wrong career move and a right career move at the same time. Wrong because the expectations that were promised to me never came into reality and that I did not have solid numbers to back my claim that I was working, developing my team, advocating the process. It was right because I was able to learn efficient and effective deescalation process. It was right because I was able to work with wonderful people who taught me patience and perseverance.

I believe having this job I love is such a blessing. I never had any complaints. What I have is chestful of memories and learnings and realizations. All I have is a chance to be able to work on my competencies. All I have is a chance to be a better leader, a better manager. What I need to do is to just take advantage of what I have and work on areas for improvement and maintain my strengths and for sure I will be on my way to getting back that exceptional rating all over again.