ENKR's Blog | Jing Hui PANG

✨ Highlights of the Week

this week felt slow on purpose—i let time pass and just thought about the future. i officially started two modules this sem: TCX1101 & TCX2002. re-learning maths instantly pulled me back to secondary school.

reminiscing...

i used to be that kid in class—naughty, restless, not listening. ask me why? no idea.

then, out of nowhere, something clicked...

about three months before form 3—the big exam that decides your stream (science, accountancy, architecture etc.)—i suddenly realised how important knowledge is. i crammed. no seconds wasted. boom: accountancy stream (class 2). first exam, additional maths 97. that's when i got to know folks from the top science class—super friendly, super humble—we studied together. i helped where i could; maths was my strongest, my favourite.

this week, all those feelings came back—the stress, the nerves, the lost-ness... and the quiet stubbornness to keep going anyway.

looking back, i'm sooo proud—but NOT satisfied. 不是贪心，是有底气的饥饿感。i know there's more in me.

something better is coming. i’m building toward the next next NEXT level. 🔥

📝 Reading Insights

this week's reading all pointed to the same reminder: don't rush. slow down, think, then move.

in 《段位》, a few chapters emphasise 先想后动—think before you make a move; think more to avoid avoidable errors. couldn't agree more.

and this line from Jewish Wisdom for Business Success hit me hard:

“When the going gets tough, realise that fear makes threats look larger than they really are and there is no need to retreat to what is familiar. remember the strength you had to leave the past and move forward with faith.”

right now, i'm in a good position to aim for the right role—not just the next role—and even leave space to build something of my own. no rushing, no panic moves. this decision is pivotal, so i'll choose with intention.

how i'm applying it next week:

• block thinking time before big decisions (no "instant yes").
• write a one-pager for any major move: goals, trade-offs, risks, next steps.
• default to "not yet" on shiny distractions for 48 hours.
• measure twice, cut once: review plans and code before execution.

slow is smooth; smooth is fast.

some other insights from Jewish Wisdom:

INSIGHT FOR BUSINESS: Fear makes the unknown seem more ominous than it really is. Sticking with strategies of the past can often hurt a business. The world is always changing-manage for today and tomorrow instead of yesterday.

INSIGHT FOR LIFE: Always face the future, not the past. You need no longer fear the enemies that you have already conquered.

🥰 Memories | August 4 - 10

✨ Highlights of the Week

this week, i dedicated most of my time to planning and prepping for school— i built a comprehensive notion database to "project manage" myself like a proper semester sprint 😆

also did a massive revamp of my old notion setups—it felt like a proper 大扫除! 😮‍💨

the cleanup gave me a better grasp of my course roadmap, module selection, and timetable structure.

i basically used all my workers (4o, o3, deepseek, kimi, doubao, claude, qwen) to help analyse my module content and get a clearer sense of which electives to prioritise.

oh—and i also imported my class timetable to my google calendar with NUS label (used 4o)! now, my school schedule is fully synced to my calendar, with important emails redirected to my personal inbox + labelled. everything in one place 🥰

another small win—i confirmed my advanced placement credits and got 40U granted!

which means... i only need 80U to graduate!!! 🎓

and guess what—i just started studying TXC1101, my first module.

so excited to keep this momentum going.

keep showing up, keep doing good. 💪

📝 Reading Insights

one key insight this week was about how we utilise our connections in life—not just network, but nurture them.

i've always been someone with a "thick face"-i constantly ask for feedback, seek honest advice, and maybe i've annoyed a few people in the process.. i guess? 🧐

but what i've come to realise is... asking for feedback is not just about improving myself.

it's also about building trust.

when people see you seriously applying their advice, they become your invisible coaches—they cheer for you without even realising it. as Chris Voss once said, "when someone tries to coach you, and you let them, they become emotionally invested in your success."

this hit home especially after reading 《段位》Rank—once your mentors recognise your determination, your desire to grow, and your goals, they'll help you. they'll think of you first when the next opportunity comes.

this week reminded me:

Asking isn't weakness. it's a sign of strength—because you're not just learning, you're co-creating your growth.

🥰 Memories | July 28 - August 3

wow, after 2 weeks of consistently journalling, i realised how important it is to journal. not just for the sack of writing things down, but for what happens in the process-when you write, you recall moments, you reminisce on the little things, reflect on your actions, and learn from every mistake you've made. i really love this process of slowing down, analysing, and understanding myself a little better each time. feels like i'm growing, one entry at a time. 🌱

hi current or future NUS-BIT students,

... add note ...

✨ Highlights of the Week

i'll probably write a separate post to reflect on the time i was gone (a major priority shift), but for now—last week marked a pretty special milestone:

i officially stepped into NUS as a student for the first time! settled my student card, submitted the final application forms, and attended orientation!

i also got the chance to talk to a lot of people—some in the same life stage as me, some more senior (even with families to care for), and some just starting out in the field.

it was so inspiring to meet like-minded individuals, to feel that energy again.

it honestly reminded me of the vibe back in ByteDance—being surrounded by passionate, driven people who challenge and uplift you.

and now i can't wait to make the most out of these 3 short years as a student here at NUS!

during orientation, two seniors, YouSheng & Ben, shared some really practical advice, here are my top 3 takeaways:

1. make full use of the library – even though we're only the second cohort of this course, some past year papers and resources are already available!
2. time management is key – ben shared how hectic his work schedule is, and how he still manages to juggle it with school. inspiring stuff.
3. attend lectures in person – showing up for class is far more effective than skipping and rewatching at home (discipline, my old enemy... lol)

📝 Reading Insights

i've been diving into the book 《段位》 by 戈旭皎 recently—a thoughtful recommendation from my aunt.

each chapter tells a short story that illustrates the challenges we face at different stages of life, and how we might navigate through them.

what i love about this book is how it offers not just wisdom, but perspective—it's helping me better understand myself, and see more clearly how i want to improve.

truly one of those books that finds you at the right time. 📖🌱

hi readers,

wow. it's been... more than 2 months since my last journal.

definitely feels weird to not write anything, really weird.

even though i know-it's probably just me who'll be reading this in the future. and maybe that's enough.

where did i go? what's been keeping me busy?

i disappeared for something big, something great. since around march or april, i've been pouring 200% of my focus into it.

and to myself:

jinghui, you’re doing amazing. keep going - good things are on their way.

what i've been up to:

1. made a BIG decision
2. been preparing for my upcoming university programme
3. catching up with the latest AI trends—lots of readings, lots of coding!

i just feel like... there's still so much to learn.

sometimes, i really wish i could buy myself more time. ⏳

but hey-

you've been doing great, jinghui.

keep growing. keep showing up.

and don't stop believing in yourself. 🌱

✨ Highlights of the Week

it was a short week thanks to the mid-week public holiday, and honestly, apart from that, things were pretty chill.

but one major thing hppened: i conquered one of my biggest interview traumas. 🥺

back in 2023, i interviewed with a company that completely caught me off guard. there was a question that shut me down entirely—i froze. no follow-up questions, no attempts to clarify. just silence. i was so deep in self-doubt that all i could do was sit in that fear. 😞

but after that interview, i made a promise to myself. i dove deep into that specific topic. i studied it until i truly understood it—not just to memorise it, but to recognise the underlying pattern. i didn't want to be caught off guard again.

fast forward two years, and guess what? i got another shot. i had the chance to interview with them again.

this time, i clarified inputs, rephrased questions, walked through my thinking process, offered multiple approaches, did a mini speedrun to validate the logic, and coded the full solution. not only did i stay calm, but i actually enjoyed the whole process.

what i've come to realise is—yes, AI will probably replace a lot of coding. but what makes coding fun isn't just the code. it's that 0-to-1 moment—the "ah ha!" breakthrough, the joy of unravelling a complex puzzle. it's the ability to notice new patterns every time, and that feeling... that is what i fell in love with again this week. ❤️‍🔥

aside from that, i also started revisiting system design, and i'll begin jotting down my notes here. excited to build this up week by week! 🧠📘

ohh! and another highlight—andy chiew said something that really stuck with me during one of our pantry chats: "changes happen to you so that you're given a chance to make a choice. it might turn out bad, it might turn out good, but in the end, it becomes an unregrettable experience that shapes who you're going to become."

the moment he said it, i paused. it just hit different. i jotted it down on my note app right after. it resonated deeply with how i've always viewed changes—not as disruption, but as opportunity. an invitation to grow, to make intentional decisions, and to evolve.

it reminded me that every change, no matter how uncertain, is a chance to choose who i want to be. and that's powerful. 🌱

🥰 Memories | April 28 - May 4

✨ Highlights of the Week

a bittersweet highlight of the week was kaiqing's departure. 🥺

it came as a surprise, but i'm glad we got the chance to connect more before he left. we talked more over tea time, shared pantry convos in the morning and late afternoon, and finally built a bond i wished started earlier.

i genuinely wish him the very best, and who knows—maybe our paths will cross again someday. 🫡

🥰 Memories | April 21 ~ 27

✨ Highlights of the Week

the other big highlight this week was me recompleting my leetcode 75 challenge—but this time, with a different mindset. instead of just grinding through and memorising solutions, i set a new goal: to recognise the underlying patterns behind each problem. this shift from memorisation to understanding felt like such a game-changer.

and here's the best part—i didn't just keep it to myself. i took the opportunity to teach my sister some of the problems after solving them, hAHAHA even tho she didn't really wanna know HAHAHA. and yes, wow, that process really cemented the concepts in my mind. teaching forces you to break things down simply, and in doing so, you end up learning it even better yourself. i honestly believe this is one of the best ways to lock knowledge into your brain for good.

every time i go through this learning process, i can't help but feel so grateful to be alive in this AI era. learning has never been easier. there's honestly no excuse not to know something nowadays—you can just GPT it up. whether it's ChatGPT, Gemini, DeepSeek, Claude, or even 豆包 (shoutout to bytedance—my go-to for chinese queries!), there are just so many tools right at our fingertips.

i feel so lucky to be able to do this. lucky to be alive, lucky to still be learning. 🥺

humans are amazing. and so is AI. 🚀

makes me wonder—how much more can i learn if i just stay curious every day ✨

🥰 Memories | April 14 ~ 20

✨ Highlights of the Week

aside from my usual work grind, the true highlight this week was reuniting with my ex-colleagues—lionel, wai chun, kenny chan, and ze hung! 🥺

i'm not usually the emotional type, but small moments like these? they feel like a warm hug. hearing how well everyone's doing (and yeah, catching up on some workplace gossip too—classic HAHA) just fills my heart in a way that's hard to explain.

work was fun back then, and it still is now—but in different ways.

i really believe that reminiscing about the past is a powerful way to stay grounded and motivated in the present. looking back on how lucky i was to work with such incredible people reminds me how lucky i still am—to be doing what i love, surrounded by good energy. 🥹

what did they teach me that i still carry today? 🌱

• lionel aimerie—pixium's CTO, my direct leader, the one who taught me 90% of what i know today. fullstack in PHP, JS, a little React, and most importantly, Elixir Phoenix. we started phoenix together—researching, building from the ground up, figuring things out side by side. what i carry from him? never fear the unknown—break it down, learn it, build with it.

• wai chun—my senior, my day-one mentor, still guiding me in spirit. back in the covid wfh days, i asked him a question about ssh keys. instead of just telling me to google it, this man wrote me an essay. pure effort, pure kindness, no GPT back then. what i carry from him? patience, generosity, and the power of sharing knowledge selflessly.

• kenny chan—the people person. the one with all the soft skills i've always admired. presentation, people, sales—he can talk to literally anyone and make them feel at ease. calm, steady, composed. what i carry from him? the importance of presence—how you show up, how you connect with others.

• ze hung—new blood when i was about to leave pixium, but man, did he leave an impression. solo-ing flutter projects, carrying them on his back, and never afraid to stand up for what he believes. he challenged requirements, asked the hard questions. what i carry from him? courage—to question, to stand my ground, to not just accept but understand.

• médéric—CSO, security pro, the one who taught me react, next.js, vim, bash, scripting, devops, aws, terraform, how to deploy php yii2 apps, how to talk to clients. had my first client lunch with him. and outside work? party animal! 🤣 he broke every tech stereotype i had. what i carry from him? balance. be sharp in your craft, but never forget to live.

🌱 these people built pieces of my foundation. their lessons are in me, every day.

🥰 Memories | April 7 ~ 13

你的故事，你做主

我从始至终都坚信

人生的章节是固定的

每一个章节

都取决与

你的心之所向

启发：命是固定的，运是能改的 - 姐姐