Tuesday, 28 April 2009
What Recession?!
Came across this scene in Dubai Airport recently on my way to Singapore. It was 1am in the morning, 3 people deep crowd in front of the goldsmith counters.
What recession?!!
Tuesday, 17 March 2009
When N Met D
I walked over and said Happy Birthday to the birthday boy... everyone kind of look over my direction... I smiled and waved hello to some familiar faces. Took a deep breath and at the corner of my eye, I spotted N. He smiled and I smiled back.
Seven years ago, that was how we met... at the same birthday party. And the rest should I say were just history.
Fast forward 7 years now.
I walked over and said Happy Birthday to the birthday boy... everyone kind of look over my direction... I smiled and waved hello to some familiar faces. Have a deep breath and at the corner of my eye, I spotted N. He smiled and I smiled back.
Of all restaurants in London, D picked Coq d'argent for our dinner last Saturday night. Before we were seated at our table, there was a party happening on their roof terrace and I actually thought I saw someone I knew. Minding our own business, we went on to have our beautiful dinner.
Just before desert arrived, on my way to the toilet, I bumped into someone I knew years ago. I did my best Oscar worthy performance and said hello (please be mindful that I've lost touch with this group of people for the last 4.5 years). "It's P's birthday, you have to come say hello! And by the way N is here too."
Great! The moment I've been dreading the most. To meet N again when D is with me. Went to get D and briefed him of the situation. He was more excited to meet N than I am!
We checked ourselves, sucked in our stomachs and show time!
I walked over and said Happy Birthday to the birthday boy... everyone kind of look over my direction... I smiled and waved hello to some familiar faces. Have a deep breath and at the corner of my eye, I spotted N. He smiled and I smiled back.
Had some friendly exchanges with some familiar faces. Updated everyone of my doings. "Ooh... ahhs..." Introduced D to the group. A mini inquisition started straight away. D did very well. He did me proud.
I insisted on just saying goodbyes though D was hoping to stay for a drink. I've to say hello and goodbye to N. We are all civil adults after all.
"Hi, how are you doing? All ok? Still the same?" (I wished the earth could swallowed me up there and then!) "I meant dentistry and all?!"
They met, they said hello. If only the group's eyes can kill, D and I would be dead by then. I can even sensed that everyone was like walking on egg shells with every word we spoke. Quick exchange of a few words and said my goodbyes. "Take care and see you soon." One of those statements you know you don't mean it.
Left the restaurant. Walk back hand in hand with D. Very bizarre and surreal experience. Moments like this you can never be prepared for it, but now I'm glad it's done. And most important of all... I looked good and I have D with me, the best 'accessory' one can ever have!
Seven years ago, that was how we met... at the same birthday party. And the rest should I say were just history.
Fast forward 7 years now.
I walked over and said Happy Birthday to the birthday boy... everyone kind of look over my direction... I smiled and waved hello to some familiar faces. Have a deep breath and at the corner of my eye, I spotted N. He smiled and I smiled back.
Of all restaurants in London, D picked Coq d'argent for our dinner last Saturday night. Before we were seated at our table, there was a party happening on their roof terrace and I actually thought I saw someone I knew. Minding our own business, we went on to have our beautiful dinner.
Just before desert arrived, on my way to the toilet, I bumped into someone I knew years ago. I did my best Oscar worthy performance and said hello (please be mindful that I've lost touch with this group of people for the last 4.5 years). "It's P's birthday, you have to come say hello! And by the way N is here too."
Great! The moment I've been dreading the most. To meet N again when D is with me. Went to get D and briefed him of the situation. He was more excited to meet N than I am!
We checked ourselves, sucked in our stomachs and show time!
I walked over and said Happy Birthday to the birthday boy... everyone kind of look over my direction... I smiled and waved hello to some familiar faces. Have a deep breath and at the corner of my eye, I spotted N. He smiled and I smiled back.
Had some friendly exchanges with some familiar faces. Updated everyone of my doings. "Ooh... ahhs..." Introduced D to the group. A mini inquisition started straight away. D did very well. He did me proud.
I insisted on just saying goodbyes though D was hoping to stay for a drink. I've to say hello and goodbye to N. We are all civil adults after all.
"Hi, how are you doing? All ok? Still the same?" (I wished the earth could swallowed me up there and then!) "I meant dentistry and all?!"
They met, they said hello. If only the group's eyes can kill, D and I would be dead by then. I can even sensed that everyone was like walking on egg shells with every word we spoke. Quick exchange of a few words and said my goodbyes. "Take care and see you soon." One of those statements you know you don't mean it.
Left the restaurant. Walk back hand in hand with D. Very bizarre and surreal experience. Moments like this you can never be prepared for it, but now I'm glad it's done. And most important of all... I looked good and I have D with me, the best 'accessory' one can ever have!
Sunday, 15 March 2009
Ah Che!
It has just been two weeks and I am slowly getting to know what kind of state I've got myself into at work.
A completely different work culture as compared to my previous companies. First was Singapore Airlines, then American company Hilton, then Sofitel, French and now Indian. Can't get anymore different!
Though Taj is a world famous brand of luxury hotels, very well known for their India properties and palaces, but their international network are still relatively young and their sales force... is rather undeveloped and third world shall I say.
It feels like I'm walking into a slum where I have to sort everyone out and set up procedures and define boundaries on my own, which is great in a way as with better understanding of my colleagues now, it will be so easy for me to implement and stand out from this group of people. Though it may be frustrating right now, but I am planning to turn this around and use their incompetence to my advantage! 6 months I've given myself.
A counterpart of mine have a very good explanation of Taj. She said 'Taj Hotels is just like in Mumbai. Total chaos and frantic, but some how, things work'. I like to be optimistic and take her words for it, but this group of people need to wake up their tandoori idea and start delivering effectively and efficiently! Gone are the days of pushing brochures and paying through our nose without getting anything in return!
Ah che!
A completely different work culture as compared to my previous companies. First was Singapore Airlines, then American company Hilton, then Sofitel, French and now Indian. Can't get anymore different!
Though Taj is a world famous brand of luxury hotels, very well known for their India properties and palaces, but their international network are still relatively young and their sales force... is rather undeveloped and third world shall I say.
It feels like I'm walking into a slum where I have to sort everyone out and set up procedures and define boundaries on my own, which is great in a way as with better understanding of my colleagues now, it will be so easy for me to implement and stand out from this group of people. Though it may be frustrating right now, but I am planning to turn this around and use their incompetence to my advantage! 6 months I've given myself.
A counterpart of mine have a very good explanation of Taj. She said 'Taj Hotels is just like in Mumbai. Total chaos and frantic, but some how, things work'. I like to be optimistic and take her words for it, but this group of people need to wake up their tandoori idea and start delivering effectively and efficiently! Gone are the days of pushing brochures and paying through our nose without getting anything in return!
Ah che!
Saturday, 7 March 2009
Yet Another Year
Once again... the day in every year I dread! Birthdays! 20 years ago I would never be able to imagine myself in this old grand age of 37! It all seemed so far away then, but now I'm here... 37 fu#king years old!
Surreal. Scary but yet re-affirming. Like people say '40 is the new 30'... I bet these people who said it were all in their 40's! But I totally agree on '30 is the new 20' so the above must be right :-)
In one of the cards I received, it wrote 'Another year. Birthday is not about getting older but Life getting better!' Amen!!
Thank you all for your lovely well wishes. Cheers to another exciting fruitful year for all!
PS: Ouch! Sore head this morning from too much drinking last night. Gone from the days when I could eat and drink any amount I liked! Damn!
Surreal. Scary but yet re-affirming. Like people say '40 is the new 30'... I bet these people who said it were all in their 40's! But I totally agree on '30 is the new 20' so the above must be right :-)
In one of the cards I received, it wrote 'Another year. Birthday is not about getting older but Life getting better!' Amen!!
Thank you all for your lovely well wishes. Cheers to another exciting fruitful year for all!
PS: Ouch! Sore head this morning from too much drinking last night. Gone from the days when I could eat and drink any amount I liked! Damn!
Saturday, 28 February 2009
Majulah Singapura
The letter arrived this morning. It's from the Singapore High Commission with an attachment letter from the Singapore Immigration & Checkpoints Authority.
It reads "I wish to inform you that your application for the renunciation of your Singapore citizenship has been registered and you have now ceased to be a Singapore citizen as of 16th Feb 2009. Your identity card and passport have been retained for cancellation."
No matter how much I tell myself from day one that this will not change me and anything else, this is only paper work and part of the process, and this is for my better future, I still can't help but feel that an important part of me has been taken away.
For God sake! I'm one who will get teary filled with national pride at National Day parade, and it has always been that pride that took me everywhere I went. To strive to do my very best. Isn't this the very distorted mentality that was instilled in us from young age that make me who I am today?
In a way I was expecting a few hurdles from the ICA, at least a few questions ask and disruptions, but it has been such an easy straight forward process. I know I shouldn't complaint and should be thankful for this.
I guessed it's time for me to face and accept the fact that I'm no longer a Singapore citizen. Majulah Singapura no more. But tears still shed this time.
It reads "I wish to inform you that your application for the renunciation of your Singapore citizenship has been registered and you have now ceased to be a Singapore citizen as of 16th Feb 2009. Your identity card and passport have been retained for cancellation."
No matter how much I tell myself from day one that this will not change me and anything else, this is only paper work and part of the process, and this is for my better future, I still can't help but feel that an important part of me has been taken away.
For God sake! I'm one who will get teary filled with national pride at National Day parade, and it has always been that pride that took me everywhere I went. To strive to do my very best. Isn't this the very distorted mentality that was instilled in us from young age that make me who I am today?
In a way I was expecting a few hurdles from the ICA, at least a few questions ask and disruptions, but it has been such an easy straight forward process. I know I shouldn't complaint and should be thankful for this.
I guessed it's time for me to face and accept the fact that I'm no longer a Singapore citizen. Majulah Singapura no more. But tears still shed this time.
Life Little Indulgences
A little treat for myself after doing my stint as a florist and before real work starts this Monday - A spa day to rejuvenate of course! A pampering manicure to nurse my poor florist hands and a two solid hours of massage... one hour is effective but for two, that's just pure indulgence and bliss! Love it! And spa day will not be complete without a little bit of shopping and finishing the day off with a nice healthy sushi meal. Hmm... Heaven.
Now I'm ready to face the tough old world again.
Now I'm ready to face the tough old world again.
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