coffee with

Elaine

Elaine is the Finance and Operations Manager at Synthesis. Her role is to make sure the company is on track with its business goals business is aligned with the plan and that it runs like a well-oiled machine.

The last song I listened to

Treasure by Bruno Mars. My son plays the electric guitar and he’s currently practising this.

The last series I watched

You are What You Eat on Netflix. I’m obsessed with documentaries and health-related topics.

A book I’d really recommend is

The Book of Ichigo Ichie by Hector Garcia. It tells us to be present and value each moment like a beautiful treasure as what you are experiencing right now will never happen again. 

My favourite place to read is

On my bed, lying down. Super comfy position as it allows me to rest my back after a long day.

The podcast I’m listening to

BRAVE by Jeremy Au - a podcast where he talks to tech founders about their learnings and journey.

My favourite quote

Life is a journey, not a destination.

The last thing I bought and loved

Denman hair brush - because it’s the best hair brush out there!

The thing I cannot go on holiday without

My Crabtree & Evelyn toiletry bag, which was gifted to me during Christmas many years ago. It’s cute and I still use it after more than a decade.

The place that means a lot to me

My hometown of Kuala Lumpur - home sweet home!

When I need to feel inspired

I go for my morning run. Something about dawn that makes me feel so alive.

The best gift I’ve received recently

Marine Layer sweater - sooo soft!

The best gift I gave recently

Roblox gift card. Does that count?

In my fridge you’ll always find

Cheese - can’t live without it, something about the umami taste.

I have a collection of

The Best of Sentimental Hits. This was a collection of piano pieces with all the best hits during the 90s era. I wanted to play pop instead of classical.

I recently discovered

I have a fear of heights! It’s probably due to old age 😂

I daydream travelling to

Somewhere in India, to discover new things. I like going to places that are off the beaten path.

The things that I couldn’t do without

Making my bed first thing in the morning. It sets my day right.

The best bit of advice I ever received

Pause and smell the roses because you might never smell it ever again.

As a child my dream was to be

A teacher - still not too late!

A memory I’d like to relive

Going back to college and enjoying the carefree days.

An instance where I felt genuine fear was

Doing a free fall jump recently. 

A sport I’m secretly good at

I’m yet to discover this.

My hidden talent is

No particular talent, but I guess if there is one it would be house-keeping ;-)

My proudest achievement is

Reading > 5 books last year, considering I’m time-starved.

My ideal pet would be

A robot dog, no mess to clean.

If I could live in a fictional universe, I would pick

Smurf.

I hope for a future that

Is kinder - no more wars and blood

My favourite movie is

Parasite. It’s so real.

I want to be remembered for

My authentic self - nothing to hide.

What surprised me the most this year

How much I’ve grown and can accomplish if I set my mind to it.

What do you find meaning about the work you do

Creating and driving new milestones.

I am most looking forward to

Learning new things from different folks, be it professionally or personally. 

have a coffee with...