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OMG! It has been more than a month since my last post….again and again I have to keep apologizing to my readers that it has become a habit…a very bad one indeed!

Not to worry though, I’m just extremely busy with work and by extremely busy I really mean that. Things are so fast paced here I sometimes feel I can’t keep up and lost at the same time. There really is so much to do and so little time that I sometimes have to resort to skipping lunches or just having quick snacks in between as I have deadlines to meet and manage. By the time the day is over, I’m usually so tired to think of anything else…let alone blog!

Some people say it’s normal here, but I already know what to expect even before working at this new place. The thing is, I’m relatively new in this industry, and managing a super fast paced account and super demanding clients while trying to learn more about how things work can really take a toll on someone. Also don’t forget, I’m responsible for my team and everything else. Not that I’m complaining, it’s just that it’s really different from what I use to do for the past 5 years or so.

Am I really cut out for this? Well, it’s still too early to say, but I’m not giving up just yet. It’s only been 3+ months that I’ve been here. In terms of learning and career, it’s definitely there. Let’s see how long more I can take this kind of lifestyle.

They say “the grass is always greener on the other side”….well I beg to differ. Some things are, some things are not for now. I wouldn’t say it’s a stroll in the park. But let’s just wait and see what happens next. Until then, I’ll will be taking one day at a time. :)

OMG! It seems I’ve been neglecting this blog for a very long while. This time for real, it’s not because I was too lazy to update, but I seriously hadn’t the time. It’s been a long 3 weeks or so with so many things happening at the office. It was a really crucial week last week, as there were some multi-million ringgit sign-offs which we required from the client, so a lot of preparation and convincing was needed to get the client’s signature. It can be really dramatic I tell you. But alas, it was done. Then again, that’s only the tip of the iceberg as there are more stuff in the pipeline in the coming months. With the World Cup fast approaching in June and July, a lot of my projects need to start soon. Everyone wants to cash in on the World Cup, and with my client saying things like “We want to do BIG THINGS” and “We want to DOMINATE” would give you an idea as to why I said it’s only the beginning. So if you don’t hear from me cum May to July, chances are you can find me pitching up a tent in my office.

Ok, since I’ve been out of touch with you guys for awhile, I’ll just summarized a few things of what happened

A New Love
In case you didn’t know, I finally bought a new Nokia N97 Mini and retired my 4 year old dinosaur N80. Yea, 4 years is the longest I ever hold on to a phone. I remember I used to always switch to the latest model every time something new came out. I once only owned a phone for 6 months before selling it off to get an upgraded version. I was that gung-ho back then.

baby I love you…

Anyway, this phone is a real gem. It does everything I want it too and can do everything any other phone can too. Why not a Blackberry or an iPhone you ask? Well, I was contemplating this phone and the Blackberry Bold 9700. I guess I made my choice under the assumption that everyone will get the Blackberry and I wanted to be different. iPhone? It was never in my list to begin with…don’t let me start about how I’m on the anti Apple camp. :)

A Goodbye
Goodbyes are always hard. Especially if it’s someone so close and dear who you have known for ages. My dear friend Sylvia is finally moving to the States with her husband Jason. I’ve known Sylvia since we were both in secondary school, together with her twin sister Sheila. We go to the same church, gone for camps together and we’ve kept in touch even after all these years. 

Sylvia, Jason and I @ WIP, Bangsar

Can you believe it’s been 16 years? Even when she is working in Penang, she never fails to call me and go out every time she comes back here for a visit. You can say she is one of my BFFs. Sylvia, I will definitely miss you loads…heck I already miss you now!! All the best to ya! *hugs*

A Goal
YES! I’ve finally paid for my flight tickets and accommodation to Sabah in July to conquer Mount Kinabalu. There is NO TURNING BACK already! Die die also must climb and get that cert. I’ve been wanting to do this for sometime now, but didn’t really take the initiative until my ex-colleague Mike decided to gather a few people to go. It will be my first ever visit to East Malaysia.

Mount Kinabalu, Sabah

Some people who have climbed up told me that you require to train for endurance in order for you to make it to the top. Then again, there are some who said you don’t really have to train and that even old aunties can climb. I would like to believe it’s the latter. It’s all in the mind I tell you. But anyway, my “training regime” has already begun. But let’s see what happens on a closer date.

Coming up next..

There are a few things coming up, later half of the year. Since I know I might be pretty busy in the coming months (and might not update this blog), maybe I’ll just let you guys know some of my travel plans and in case any of you want to tag along.

May
Weekend over Singapore (tentative) - I always go down Singapore for annual visits every year…so we’ll see

July
Mount Kinabalu (confirmed)

August
Bali, Indonesia (Dates confirmed. Yet to book flights and accommodation) - The whole purpose for this trip is because we’re celebrating a few birthdays together since they are a week apart from each other. So rather than having a birthday party every week, we decided to go big and have one massive birthday party. Brilliant isn’t it?

October
Melbourne, Australia (Dates confirmed. Yet to book flights and accommodation)- My pet sis Zara is having a garden wedding by the Yarra River on 10-10-10 (that’s 10th October 2010) after 10 years with her boyfriend. Now to have the wedding ceremony at 10:10AM with 10 bridesmaid. How can I not go for this??

Nov-Dec
A short shopping trip to Hong Kong or Dubai since my cousin keeps insisting I come visit. Let’s see if I still have left over funding for the year to pull off this trip.

Ok, there you go…some updates on the things that has been going on. I really hope I don’t have to keep doing these mass update posts and find more time to update this blog to keep you entertained…haha…until then..

Last week and the week before, I have friends who have asked me if I wanted to go to Rootz and Zouk for a nice night out. I am glad they asked me, but I had to decline because I made a vow to myself to stay off clubbing indefinitely. I think I’ve kinda outgrown the clubbing life. Majority of the people in there are younger than I am they all look and behave like kids….seriously! Well that’s because THEY ARE! Most of them barely out of college or just graduated with a job and have some cash to blow.

I admit I was like that once, and I was thinking back, sharing with a few friends the other day. The best clubbing days were during my college days. It amazes me how we use to go clubbing and raves every Friday and Saturday night without fail. It also amazes me how we even find all that cash to do it while only living on allowances from our parents. No matter how far the raves were; from Malacca to Genting to Port Dickson, you’ll see us there. I was reminiscing the days where we were underage and went in anyways. I remember we use to go as early as 9PM before the crowd came and before they start the cover charges just because we college students wanted to save a few bucks. Also having only 1 drink for the whole night was enough for us to have fun. We even parked the car at the cheapest car park possible even though if it meant a longer walk to the clubs. I guess that’s how we manage to save and go clubbing twice a week eh?

There was one incident in this club called “Hot Java” (circa 1998-1999 I think)  which is now more known as Benard’s in Centrepoint in Bandar Utama. Imagine this scenario: We were in college; we went in with some underage girls; police came for a raid; my friends and I hid in a walk-in cold room in the premise to avoid the cops…well the owner of the club asked us to hide there as they didn’t want to get fined for letting in underage patrons either. Scary right? But that’s all the fun bits!

I remember the number of kill-buzz raids that ruined the night. The numerous drunk stories. The numerous of substances (shhh..you didn’t hear it from me). The supper/breakfast before we head for home..

Now I can no longer stand extremely crowded places that you have to push your way through just to get to the toilet and worst of all, you have to shout or write a message on paper just to communicate. Yea, it looks really stupid when you see 2 people writing text messages on their phones and showing the other person the message to let them know what they want to say because the music is too loud to even talk!

These days, I will rather spend my time in bars/pubs with the company of a few good friends where we can sit, drink and chat. The only way you will ever see me in a club now is if there is a client event or a friend’s birthday. Other than that, I will most likely decline.. SORREH! Call me an old uncle but it’s true…I AM too old for this shit!

Happy Chinese New Year and belated Valentine’s Day to everyone. As you can see, I have not been updating my blog (again) for quite awhile. I’ve been busy the past week with me starting my new job and settling in. Thus far, everything is good as I think the nightmare hasn’t really begun yet. Even the remaining days of this week would be rather slow as most people are still away and most likely to only return by next Monday. Well, good for me to get use to things in the office then I suppose. Most parts of last week was spent going for pre-CNY lunches and dinners with clients and media owners. Not that I’m complaining, just that I think I might have put on a few pounds even before CNY and my whole exercise regime just went out the window.

If you must know, I’m trying this exercise regime to have a healthier lifestyle. Cutting down on carbs and fatty foods, playing badminton weekly, swimming and hitting the gym once awhile all to be ready in July. What’s happening in July? Well, I’ll be climbing Mt. Kinabalu in Sabah with a group of friends. I’ve always wanted to climb it, but never really took the effort until this year. It’s part of my “to-do” list in 2010.

Meet Aurora
Aurora Zeya Inger Bespolka is my Goddaughter. Yes, you heard right…I’m a Godfather already (man I’m old). She is actually my niece and is the cutest thing ever. I was supposed to be in Norway for her baptism last year, but due to financial constraints and work commitments, I couldn’t make the trip. But I’m glad I got to see her this CNY. She’s been talking non-stop being ever so inquisitive in her British accent. She is such a diva I tell you…every time you take her picture, she will pose with a smile and will always want to see the picture after you took it, talk about quality control. She also got this princess handbag that she keeps her water bottle, towel, soft toy and her red packets…I’m worried she would want to upgrade to an LV bag soon.

just look at the diva!

Most parts of CNY was spent with family and relatives; eating and gambling. I guess essentially that’s what happens every CNY. During the next few days, there will be a lot of CNY dinners too but this time with friends. Good time to catch up with a lot of people who I have not seen in a long time. Gosh, I think I have to work harder in the gym once all this is over. Until then…

On Friday, a bunch of us Twitterers met up (or Tweetup) to go for some local stand up comedy. Dubbed “MACC or Malaysian Association Of Chinese Comedians – CNY Edition”. There were about 9 of us who met up for dinner before the show. Thanks Mei Ying for getting the tickets and organizing it, although we all know Andy made you do it…hahah. 

Group pic with performers Phoon Chi Ho, Kuah Jen Han and Douglas Lim after the show

I got to say, as it was my first time going for live stand up comedy, it was really really good. Performed by comedy trio of Phoon Chi Ho, Kuah Jen Han and Douglas Lim, most of the jokes were related to current events happening in society here in Malaysia, and also why the local Chinese (yellow) people are dubbed “second class citizens”. I would definitely recommend you to watch the show to have a good laugh. But do go with an open mind, as some of the jokes are crude and might be offensive to some.

Photo by Andy Gan