Time Flies...

What about a blast from the past.....? How many of us wished we could end up being in school again? Never mind the stupidity that comes with it...

I am back in Ipoh again after a month's hiatus and I cant begin to wonder what the new year will bring for me. I feel that its' gonna be a good one... even before the new year started, flipping through all those geomancy and feng shui prediction somehow got me more excited even though the odds were stacked against me.... I wonder why.

It could be a bad one for all I know but one thing's for sure, I cant wait to absorb those challenges. It has been a rather monotonous year for me in 2008 and I cant help to feel I was trying to balance things up and be on the safe side after hearing all those ill-predictions about my stature. This year, I aim to spice things up... :-)

Today is CNY eve... exactly a year back, I had my fair share of adventures, both good and bad. Last year, I was immobilized on the hospital bed on the 3rd Day of CNY... whatta way to start that year... I still remember those days and now, within a blink of an eye, its already 2009. That, my friend, is pretty scary. Last year was an evolution, from beers, to wine and finally champagne (been drowning pretty much towards end of last year and this year)... I have been spending lavishly (trying to boost the economy). This year will be no different.

Watch me GO!!!....

Gong Xi Fatt Chai

January Morning After

It has been almost 1 month since I last wrote. January has been tough going but it was a bittersweet ride. Soon, I will be home again for CNY and the latter will be the start of Phase 8. A lot of changes have taken place but first, CONGRATULATIONS to Khun Chat for having a newborn into this world. The first cub for the animal kingdom!

Christmas came and went by but I must say, it has been the same wonderful period every year. This year's Christmas party was even grander than the previous. This time around, it was held in Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Makati.

From Left: Khun Chat Chai, Johnny (Project Director), Me, and Chee Boon Siang (Deputy PD)

The Gang (from L-R): Chat Chai, Me, Johnny, Chee, Arric

Recession looms in, and I have heard of many lay offs and VSS's being issued... but Thank God, we are surviving in the world of Telecoms and we are spared indirectly. The logic to it is that everyone makes calls, and we are here to connect everyone. In this modern 21st, telecommunications is more of a necessity rather than a luxury. However, I am still keeping my fingers crossed so as to hope that it doesnt drag us down further in this rather precarious situation.

Obama was inaugurated today. Good news? We'll see....

Happy New Year 2009

As usual, the year came and left in whiff… I am not too sure about others but for me, the year went by extremely fast this time. It was like in a blink of an eye. People say time passes by more quickly when you are enjoying it… I guess it’s true.

Last year, I enjoyed myself in the Philippines… apart from work, I think I am benefited from the perks that came along with my job. Even though ridden with stress and hellish hours, I thought my task here was pretty secured and one which was sustainable. This year, would be a wee bit different. Although not much of a change will take place, my position as an expat will be more precarious than last year. I will have to employ a more sustainable approach and strategy to tackle the boardroom antics and politics. In fact, I hate playing these games but when it comes to survival, its game on.

Had a family BBQ yesterday at the garden, it was all close knitted friends etc. I even had invitations and free tickets to parties around town, with which, would have been a dream during my younger days in college. However, I turned all of them down to stay at home. Sign of aging? NO~!!! It’s a sign of maturity!! Hahahaha… it just felt as though getting to town itself was a bane, never mind the crowded bars and foam spraying kids trying to riddle you with their fashion and antics! Hence, I became a good boy yesterday.

Tomorrow, I will be leaving back to Phils for another couple of weeks before flying back to Ipoh for the CNY celebrations. This time around, it will be quieter than usual because of the economic crisis. Hence, I will have more time to close my current project before the new phase starts. I am just keeping my fingers crossed that the towers I ordered before Christmas are already here in the Phils when I return.

I had a look back at what I asked for 5 years ago in January 2004, and now, 5 years on, I am glad I have already obtained 50% of my answer.

Anyway, it’s the New Year and honestly, I cant wait for it to surprise me! Happy New Year!!