There are many cliches but the abrasive Jack "You want the truth? You cant handle the truth" Nicholas and saccharine Morgan Freeman always makes for good viewing.
I'm in the mood for more feel good movies.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
The Bucket List
I just watched the DVD for the Bucket List. As I heard it was pretty depressing, i delayed watching it. But i was quite bored today after my spring cleaning.
There are many cliches but the abrasive Jack "You want the truth? You cant handle the truth" Nicholas and saccharine Morgan Freeman always makes for good viewing.
I'm in the mood for more feel good movies.
There are many cliches but the abrasive Jack "You want the truth? You cant handle the truth" Nicholas and saccharine Morgan Freeman always makes for good viewing.
I'm in the mood for more feel good movies.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Report Card
In my usual habit of doing things according to my own timing, i did spring cleaning for my room today. Cleared all my cds and dvds and put them nicely. Threw out so many old documents. And since I was quite sure i wont be going for an interview soon, I threw out all the copies of my certificates that i made when i first looked for a job in 2004. Even the zeroxed copies looked old. Man, it has been 4.5 years.
I even found my report card from my kindergarten days and something struck me.
Check out what the teacher put under "Conduct". What was "F. Good"? Could it be that four lettered expletive that could be used as a noun, verb, adjective, pronoun? Surely this is a joke!
I even found my report card from my kindergarten days and something struck me.
Check out what the teacher put under "Conduct". What was "F. Good"? Could it be that four lettered expletive that could be used as a noun, verb, adjective, pronoun? Surely this is a joke!
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Promotion Re-visited
I was typing the following paragraph the other day for my blog.
"The effects of my promotion hasn’t really sunk in yet as I haven’t really signed the appointment letter so I’m still keeping my fingers crossed that they don’t change their mind halfway. (Unlikely, but who knows right?) Not that I’ve any doubt on my ability but it’s kinda odd to be given a promotion and a pay raise in the middle of a “recession greater than the Great Depression”
The timing couldnt have been better cos my boss came by and i quickly minimised the window. He asked me to do something on Google Earth and then very nonchalently passed me my appointment letter.
w00t! so it's official.
With that HR went into a little mini frenzy getting namecards printed and making announcements. I really think that's all HR does and printing namecards is really what stirs their loins.
I have such a long title.
Assistant Vice President, Business Development, Asia.
In mandarin it's 助理副总裁， 亚洲业务发展
Ps: Country Head for Greater China is implied somewhere in there.
I always thought AVP is such a dumb title cos it just strikes like it's a title they greater to give people more rungs to climb and keep them satisfied. But i'll take what I can. I hope Kit likes it.
I'm so full of myself sometimes that i wonder how come i am always so hungry.
"The effects of my promotion hasn’t really sunk in yet as I haven’t really signed the appointment letter so I’m still keeping my fingers crossed that they don’t change their mind halfway. (Unlikely, but who knows right?) Not that I’ve any doubt on my ability but it’s kinda odd to be given a promotion and a pay raise in the middle of a “recession greater than the Great Depression”
The timing couldnt have been better cos my boss came by and i quickly minimised the window. He asked me to do something on Google Earth and then very nonchalently passed me my appointment letter.
w00t! so it's official.
With that HR went into a little mini frenzy getting namecards printed and making announcements. I really think that's all HR does and printing namecards is really what stirs their loins.
I have such a long title.
Assistant Vice President, Business Development, Asia.
In mandarin it's 助理副总裁， 亚洲业务发展
Ps: Country Head for Greater China is implied somewhere in there.
I always thought AVP is such a dumb title cos it just strikes like it's a title they greater to give people more rungs to climb and keep them satisfied. But i'll take what I can. I hope Kit likes it.
I'm so full of myself sometimes that i wonder how come i am always so hungry.
Traditions
Because we refuse to eat at restaurants which only serve their set menus during Chinese New Year, my family is having our reunion dinner at Morton's at the Mandarin Oriental tonight.
Rib eye here i come!
Rib eye here i come!
Mimolette
Cyster is back for CNY and Lim Biskit and I met her up for brunch. In the fine tradition of eating at overpriced new places, we ate at Mimolette.
I was quite surprised when i got there cos it's just tucked in such a quiet and tranquil environment that the drive in was ALMOST like a drive into the English countryside.
It's very near Turf City and so there were horses around.
Quite a good way to begin a saturday morning really.
I was quite surprised when i got there cos it's just tucked in such a quiet and tranquil environment that the drive in was ALMOST like a drive into the English countryside.
It's very near Turf City and so there were horses around.
Quite a good way to begin a saturday morning really.
Kitty
I just got to know that my friend was a classmate of Kit Chan in secondary school! Apparently they're quite gam too! They used to sing along in a little group last time too. But of course my friend aint that good a singer la.
She told me that they still keep in contact and Kit Chan's still single. I told her to intro her to me.
Who says I'm too picky? Im even open the retired older women!
She told me that they still keep in contact and Kit Chan's still single. I told her to intro her to me.
Who says I'm too picky? Im even open the retired older women!
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Still Amazing
After a year in the company it still never fails to amaze me how long some processes take.
I wanted to get a copy of Adobe Acrobat installed in my computer. So first I have to ask my boss. He agreed so I forwarded the mail to IT. Then IT sends to their head of IT. Then head of IT approves. Then IT proceeds to get some quotation on the prices. Once they get a good quotation, then pass to Purchasing dept executive. Purchasing dept executive gets her Purchasing dept boss to sign off. Purchasing dept executive then goes to buy it from the supplier. I started the process on 6 Jan 09. It’s 23 Jan today and I was just informed that the supplier has no stock until February. And I don’t even know if it’s early or end Feb. Thankfully, Feb is a short month.
The weird thing is I actually just needed the standard edition but IT says that Professional edition is only $200 more, so might as well get Professional! Haha
I wanted to get a copy of Adobe Acrobat installed in my computer. So first I have to ask my boss. He agreed so I forwarded the mail to IT. Then IT sends to their head of IT. Then head of IT approves. Then IT proceeds to get some quotation on the prices. Once they get a good quotation, then pass to Purchasing dept executive. Purchasing dept executive gets her Purchasing dept boss to sign off. Purchasing dept executive then goes to buy it from the supplier. I started the process on 6 Jan 09. It’s 23 Jan today and I was just informed that the supplier has no stock until February. And I don’t even know if it’s early or end Feb. Thankfully, Feb is a short month.
The weird thing is I actually just needed the standard edition but IT says that Professional edition is only $200 more, so might as well get Professional! Haha
Monday, January 19, 2009
Carded
I just received an interesting, albeit late, Christmas and New Year card from an architectural firm.
At first I didn’t think much of it cos I guess I had higher expectations of the more artistic group of people that they are.
Then as I read the card, I found out that each of the “windows” of the cards can be opened to reveal a drawing of a building that they have done before.
Pretty cool.. so it has earned a spot on my blog.
The Japanese thingy there is a food guide for restaurants for my family during CNY.
At first I didn’t think much of it cos I guess I had higher expectations of the more artistic group of people that they are.
Then as I read the card, I found out that each of the “windows” of the cards can be opened to reveal a drawing of a building that they have done before.
Pretty cool.. so it has earned a spot on my blog.
The Japanese thingy there is a food guide for restaurants for my family during CNY.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Obsessed
I think I'm getting obsessed these days.
I've washed my car every Saturday for the last twice consecutive weeks. Pretty odd cos prior to these three saturdays, I've only washed my 1.5 year old car twice. I've this new fixation with the windows and the windscreen so I'm like wiping them at the beginning of almost every ride. Next thing I'm going to get is a special windows cleaning solution. Maybe it's cos of my improved vision from my lasik that makes me want to see things so clearly now.
We had a small JC class gathering at shortbin's house last night. I volunteered to bring fatty weng fried rice and hor fun, cos it was near her house and cos I had FW's number so i can order ahead. But i couldnt decide where to buy satay. Should I buy from old airport road? Or blk 85? or ecp food centre? I've tried the latter two and love them both but it's kinda far and out of the way to drive and stupid blk85's a bitch to park and walk. But then i was not sure of the standard of satay at Old Airport Road. So i decided to go in the afternoon after my pedicure in Orchard to test out the satay first. Ordered five sticks. Not nice at all. FAIL. So it was blk 85 at the end.
Was i being too obsessive? I dont think one can be too obsessive in the pursuit for perfection and happiness.
I've washed my car every Saturday for the last twice consecutive weeks. Pretty odd cos prior to these three saturdays, I've only washed my 1.5 year old car twice. I've this new fixation with the windows and the windscreen so I'm like wiping them at the beginning of almost every ride. Next thing I'm going to get is a special windows cleaning solution. Maybe it's cos of my improved vision from my lasik that makes me want to see things so clearly now.
We had a small JC class gathering at shortbin's house last night. I volunteered to bring fatty weng fried rice and hor fun, cos it was near her house and cos I had FW's number so i can order ahead. But i couldnt decide where to buy satay. Should I buy from old airport road? Or blk 85? or ecp food centre? I've tried the latter two and love them both but it's kinda far and out of the way to drive and stupid blk85's a bitch to park and walk. But then i was not sure of the standard of satay at Old Airport Road. So i decided to go in the afternoon after my pedicure in Orchard to test out the satay first. Ordered five sticks. Not nice at all. FAIL. So it was blk 85 at the end.
Was i being too obsessive? I dont think one can be too obsessive in the pursuit for perfection and happiness.
Frenzy
I seem to be on a book buying frenzy. Bought this book at Borders as they were having a 63% discount and i needed a book to read while i did my pedicure.
Endless
As a follow up to the humongous proposal we sent out to the Chinese 2 weeks ago, they emailed me to say that they would like more information. They emailed me on Friday and said the deadline was Monday 5pm. It was relatively easy but I still had to get it translated into Mandarin. So i had to hustle the lawyers to get a portion translated and then for another portion i needed my Germany office's input. Frantic calls between my head office in Atlanta and Germany were made. Bleah. It's Sunday evening now and we are starting to finalise things. Phew.
Monday came early this week.
Monday came early this week.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Promise
I had promised someone that I'd do this post if it happened.
It happened today during my one year review.
I was promoted to AVP today.
I know it's cheesy but yeah...
It happened today during my one year review.
I was promoted to AVP today.
I know it's cheesy but yeah...
Monday, January 12, 2009
30
I just celebrated the 30th birthday of a friend and it hit me that I'd be 30 this year. There's no difference between being 29 and 31 but i guess at 30, one evaluates one's achievements.
I have nothing to show for. No house, career also nothing special, all i have is a backside of debts.
I shall strive to do something meaningful this year.
I have nothing to show for. No house, career also nothing special, all i have is a backside of debts.
I shall strive to do something meaningful this year.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Busy Busy
The first week of January has been a real busy one. This really started from Christmas eve from the Chinese clients who dont celebrate Christmas and "western" new year.
Essentially it's a huge proposal for a major project and quite possibly the largest one we had to put together. Because I'm country head of China, this proposal became my baby. Had to arrange for a conference call with all the heads of marketing, sales, operations, technical services, F&B and my COO in the US. These including my Singapore colleagues. This means i was chairing the call with more than 10 people in it. Ardent readers would remember the horrible conference call i had in March 2008.
Telling all the HODs what to do wasnt difficult cos the Americans are quite open minded to have a junior staff telling what needs to be done in order to meet the client's needs. But the bad news was i needed their parts in 12 hours! Wahahaha.. literally everyone gasped and then my COO overruled me and said impossible to give in 12 hours. The earliest is 36 hours. So i had to hustle my mandarin translators to work within a shorter deadline.
Which was why i was almost working in the US and Singapore time zones this entire week. Yawn..
And in between after my normal working hours i had to go interview some people and I probably interviewed like 30 people last week. It was quite depressing really cos most of the people were jobless and were quite underqualified with the various positions and i found it quite difficult to not shortlist them for the second round. And these are people who had been waiting for 4.5 hours by the time i got to see them. There was a young girl who didnt work for the last 5 years cos she was home to take care of her cancer-stricken mum and now she can come out to work cos her mum has passed away. Man, how can i not put her through to second round?
It was a tough week and i was glad for it to be over.
Essentially it's a huge proposal for a major project and quite possibly the largest one we had to put together. Because I'm country head of China, this proposal became my baby. Had to arrange for a conference call with all the heads of marketing, sales, operations, technical services, F&B and my COO in the US. These including my Singapore colleagues. This means i was chairing the call with more than 10 people in it. Ardent readers would remember the horrible conference call i had in March 2008.
Telling all the HODs what to do wasnt difficult cos the Americans are quite open minded to have a junior staff telling what needs to be done in order to meet the client's needs. But the bad news was i needed their parts in 12 hours! Wahahaha.. literally everyone gasped and then my COO overruled me and said impossible to give in 12 hours. The earliest is 36 hours. So i had to hustle my mandarin translators to work within a shorter deadline.
Which was why i was almost working in the US and Singapore time zones this entire week. Yawn..
And in between after my normal working hours i had to go interview some people and I probably interviewed like 30 people last week. It was quite depressing really cos most of the people were jobless and were quite underqualified with the various positions and i found it quite difficult to not shortlist them for the second round. And these are people who had been waiting for 4.5 hours by the time i got to see them. There was a young girl who didnt work for the last 5 years cos she was home to take care of her cancer-stricken mum and now she can come out to work cos her mum has passed away. Man, how can i not put her through to second round?
It was a tough week and i was glad for it to be over.
Friday, January 09, 2009
Meme
I dont think i've ever done a meme before. I dont even know how the term comes about.. "meme". Does it mean all about "me"?
Anyway i copied this from my ex-colleague... the one affectionately known as the "most competent incompetent one"
1. What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before?
Sign a deal.
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I kept one resolution. Unlikely to make more. I like to quit while i'm ahead.. like Michael Jordan.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
No.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Yes.
5. What countries did you visit?
China (Beijing, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Sanya, Haikou, Shanghai x 3, Tianjin, Suzhou), Indonesia (Bali, Jakarta x 2), Thailand (Bangkok x 2), Hong Kong x 2, Vietnam (Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City), USA (Alabama, Atlanta)
6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
I'd like to question more. I've been keeping quiet a lot more this year trying to learn in my new role. I want to ask more "why"s instead of just listening.
7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Nothing comes to mind. That's how sucky 2008 was.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Improving my badminton game. Completing the triathlon and subsequently have to tell everyone about it.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Not being able to drop shots near the net as often as I'd like
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I've been quite sick this year. I hate it.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Gosh I dont know man. Didnt really buy anything major this year.. oh oh... It'd have to be the Blackberry Bold.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Mine. Cos this is my blog.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Juliet Lee..
14. Where did most of your money go?
Food and clothes
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Signing THAT first deal for my company.
16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
童话 by Guang Liang (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XaeFcWPGXE)
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? Sadder I think.
b) thinner or fatter? Thinner i'd like to think but cant verify cos i dont have a weighing machine.
c) richer or poorer? I have more savings now.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Sleep.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Lying in bed and wondering when i can get to sleep.
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
Christmas is over... but I spent it reading and watching tv.
21. Did you fall in love in 2008?
Nope. Unless you're referring to the unnatural relationship i have with the Bold
22. How many one-night stands?
No. Don't do them. Or rather no one wants to.
23. What was your favorite TV program?
TAR and TAR Asia, The Unit, Gossip Girl, Prison Break, Lipstick Jungle, The Office and the awesome How I Met Your Mother! w00t!
24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Im unwavering in my hate.
25. What was the best book you read?
Any book by Lee Child
26. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Itunes store.
27. What did you want and get?
More autonomy in my job and to see things happen
28. What did you want and did not get?
That watch.
29. What was your favorite film of this year?
Iron Man
30. What did you do on your birthday?
Ate dim sum, bought a wallet...
31.What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Er, more money?
32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Decided to go for casual chic and told the tailor accordingly.
33. What kept you sane?
Bubble tea and some nice colleagues at work.
34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
It was Anna Hathaway for some time, then Blake Lively. Haha..
35. What political issue stirred you the most?
ERP
36. Who did you miss?
My happier self and Kaitlynn.
37. Who was the best new person you met?
Maybe some new colleagues but it's in my predisposition to hate colleagues. I might blog about my colleagues soon.
38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008:
Bear in mind what you type in emails.
39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
"First cut is the deepest" Sheryl Crow
Anyway i copied this from my ex-colleague... the one affectionately known as the "most competent incompetent one"
1. What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before?
Sign a deal.
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I kept one resolution. Unlikely to make more. I like to quit while i'm ahead.. like Michael Jordan.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
No.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Yes.
5. What countries did you visit?
China (Beijing, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Sanya, Haikou, Shanghai x 3, Tianjin, Suzhou), Indonesia (Bali, Jakarta x 2), Thailand (Bangkok x 2), Hong Kong x 2, Vietnam (Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City), USA (Alabama, Atlanta)
6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
I'd like to question more. I've been keeping quiet a lot more this year trying to learn in my new role. I want to ask more "why"s instead of just listening.
7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Nothing comes to mind. That's how sucky 2008 was.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Improving my badminton game. Completing the triathlon and subsequently have to tell everyone about it.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Not being able to drop shots near the net as often as I'd like
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I've been quite sick this year. I hate it.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Gosh I dont know man. Didnt really buy anything major this year.. oh oh... It'd have to be the Blackberry Bold.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Mine. Cos this is my blog.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Juliet Lee..
14. Where did most of your money go?
Food and clothes
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Signing THAT first deal for my company.
16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
童话 by Guang Liang (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XaeFcWPGXE)
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? Sadder I think.
b) thinner or fatter? Thinner i'd like to think but cant verify cos i dont have a weighing machine.
c) richer or poorer? I have more savings now.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Sleep.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Lying in bed and wondering when i can get to sleep.
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
Christmas is over... but I spent it reading and watching tv.
21. Did you fall in love in 2008?
Nope. Unless you're referring to the unnatural relationship i have with the Bold
22. How many one-night stands?
No. Don't do them. Or rather no one wants to.
23. What was your favorite TV program?
TAR and TAR Asia, The Unit, Gossip Girl, Prison Break, Lipstick Jungle, The Office and the awesome How I Met Your Mother! w00t!
24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Im unwavering in my hate.
25. What was the best book you read?
Any book by Lee Child
26. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Itunes store.
27. What did you want and get?
More autonomy in my job and to see things happen
28. What did you want and did not get?
That watch.
29. What was your favorite film of this year?
Iron Man
30. What did you do on your birthday?
Ate dim sum, bought a wallet...
31.What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Er, more money?
32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Decided to go for casual chic and told the tailor accordingly.
33. What kept you sane?
Bubble tea and some nice colleagues at work.
34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
It was Anna Hathaway for some time, then Blake Lively. Haha..
35. What political issue stirred you the most?
ERP
36. Who did you miss?
My happier self and Kaitlynn.
37. Who was the best new person you met?
Maybe some new colleagues but it's in my predisposition to hate colleagues. I might blog about my colleagues soon.
38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008:
Bear in mind what you type in emails.
39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
"First cut is the deepest" Sheryl Crow
Monday, January 05, 2009
Sunday, January 04, 2009
Victory Solidified
Keeve messaged me the other night rather urgently to say he has something "awesome" to pass to me that night. I asked if it was donuts. He said it wasnt. Unfortunately he got home too late that night to get it from him.
But he managed to get it to me today and waaahla
13 wonders tiles in chocolate... madness man!!
Thanks man... i cant bear to eat them.
But he managed to get it to me today and waaahla
13 wonders tiles in chocolate... madness man!!
Thanks man... i cant bear to eat them.
Thursday, January 01, 2009
New Year's Eve Mahjong
I have said this many times before but it's always worthwhile to say again that there arent many better ways to spend an evening of mahjong with the Dream Team. Although playing mahjong isnt the most happening way to usher in the new year, but what the heck, mahjong's fun!
Of course it helps that i self touched a 13 wonders.
If im in the mood, i'd post an obligatory review of 2008.
Of course it helps that i self touched a 13 wonders.
If im in the mood, i'd post an obligatory review of 2008.
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