Hiaz...

Supposed to be in Hong Kong tonight..... still here..... Have to cancel the trip due to change in work schedule. Rather not risk the job. ...... Can always go Hong Kong ...... mess up the job and I could be OUT OF JOB! Hahahahahahaha! Yes, laught it out!

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Meeting

My Boss called for a meeting this afternoon and wanted to run through the financial plan for 2008! The Company's sales went up by more than 60% last year but still not good enough..... (well, it' s never good enough!). The projected sales this year is 150% of last year's sales! Crazy!!!!!!!! He went through some excel tables but half the time, I could not understand how to read the figures! Everyone seemed to understand (except me) and nodded their heads!

The expectations from the Top Management are very high....... poor us!!!!! Hahahahahah!

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Causeway Point

Met up with a new friend for dinner last night at Causeway Point..... the place was so crowded! He has never been to Jack's Place and so we had dinner there! The dinner was good and the company was superb! Thanks, Nicholas!

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Last Weekend

On Saturday, after work, went into JB with Gerald. he wanted to take a look at some property at Kulai. We went via the 2nd Link and took the wrong exit! Ended up trying to find the way! After calling his friend, we managed to find the location.

The houses are quite nice..... and cheap! M$200K for a huge house! Cannot get it in Singapore! The finishing is not fantastic though but the space is huge! Still, for me who do not drive, does not make sense to buy. Heard there was a famous bak kut Teh shop nearby.....but not opened....too early.... had some noodle nearby.... and vouched never to go back there again! Hahahahaha!

Stopped by Jason's place for a short chat before heading to Pelangi where I went for my foot reflex - 2 hours! So relaxed!!!!!!! Met up with Gerald at Giant and off to dinner at our regular joint., before heading back to Singapore. By the time I got home, it was almost midnight!

On Sunday, went to the Old folks' home to visit my neighbour. Did not see her for a while and heard that she had a fall and currently recuperating at the old folks' home. She looked ok and was looking forward to coming home.

When I was there, I looked at the many old folks residing there.....the place is not fantastic and there's hardly any activity. It's unlike the old folks' home in US. It is rather sad to see them at the home..... cannot imagine that one day I may be like them...... I am not looking forward....

Went to Chinatown looking to buy some stuff to decorate the house....but unable to find....the stuff are very limited this year and nothing exciting........

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D & D

Had our D&D last night at Shangri-La Ballroom. So many people dressed in their best. The D&D is for the whole PFS group and colleagues from other Asia countries came to join us. The theme was Casino Royale.

The colleagues were busy taking pictures with their camera phones. What happened to digital camera????? Very few people actually brought camera with them!

It was a rather enjoyable night.....

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Miscellaneous

A busy week and many more busy weeks to come...right up to NATAS Travel Fair (29 Feb)!

Have been attending training and meeting and doing product update..... quite tiring!

A friend of mine has gone back to his home town. Left his job and taking a break before starting his new job. Just want to wish him all the best in his new job and to enjoy his stay back home! Take care! Hope to catch up again soon!

My 2 brothers have been busy baking cookies for Chinese New Year.... the almond cookies were delicious, the lemon ones were not too bad,........... hahahahahaha! Anyway, certainly hope you do a roaring business in selling the cookies! Do not forget to take care of yourselves!

Chinese New Year is just around the corner....have not done anything yet.... maybe this weekend will go Chinatown and squeeze with everyone......

Had dinner with my ex bosses ... my ex boss and her ex boss! !! Hahahahahaha! It was great catching up with them again!


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KL Getaway...

The last weekend went past really fast!

Arrived into KL on Friday (18 Jan). Ben came to pick me up at the airport and drove me to the Hotel - Nikko Hotel at Jalan Ampang. The location is rather good. Next to CitiBank, opposite Ampang Park Mall, walking distance to KLCC. Met up with Nelson at the hotel. Met up with Jason for some drinks till late.

Saturday morning was rather relaxed. Had a good look around at the hotel and then to Bukit Bintang to meet up with YL, Leone and Sylvia. Then off to J.Co at Pavilion to buy the famous donuts.... the queue took me about 1 hour! Crazy! Friend of mine loves coco loco and I wanted to surprise him! Went for a quick look around at Chinatown (no CNY mood) before heading back to the hotel. A friend cam over to share my Bailey's ... creme caramel and mint chocolate...
Dinner with my 2 brothers at the hotel..could not decide between seafood buffet and Japanese buffet..... well, we settled for seafood buffet because the spread for Japanese was rather limited.
Soem friends came over and brought me out for supper.... I simply could not eat anymore! Hahahahahaha! Went to 65 for drinks and caught up with some old friends. Another Friend, Jackson, dropped in about 1am and we went out for coffee/tea again! We were trying to find a place at that wee hours and finally landed up just behind the hotel (after going all over KL!)

Had tim sum breakfast this morning with Kent at Federal. The breakfast was not very fantastic, though. A friend actually recommended that place..hmm..... must not trust his taste...hahaha!
Went back to the hotel for some drinks and fruit.
SP and friends called to catch up for lunch and came to fetch me at the hotel. Went to eat the famous Ampang Leong Tau Foo. Had that at a shop and then moved to the next shop for something else! They really can eat! Hahahaha!

Had a late check out and Ben and Nelson came to pick me up. Went to the newly opened Chinatown complex for a look see.... nothing much though. Went to their new place....better than the previous one they stayed. Then, it was off to the airport to catch the flight back to Singapore. Met up with YL, Leone and Sylvia at the airport.

Short trip but fruitful..... met up with many friends.... missed out a few, though.


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Weekend Getaway

Will be flying off to KL tomorrow. JL has very special deal for Jan..so don't waste it!

A few colleagues are on the same flight. They plan to shop and eat.... I will be busy meeting up with friends and will not have time to join them! They suggested to meet up for dinner ....I suggested dinner on Sunday ...since we will be flying back that night! Hahahaha!

Need to work full day...... but do not wish to bring my office attire to KL.... need to co-ordinate...not much time to go back and change... maybe change in the taxi....like the previous time.... hahahaha!

A short getaway....much needed......


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跟自己赛跑。。。。。

人经常喜欢去跟别人比较， 以别人的标准来衡量自己，而忘了本身具有的实力。

这是无法分割的，也不能与人交换。

在我们去羡慕别人的当下， 你看到的只是他人的成就，而不是你自己。

别人能拥有的部分， 不会因此跑到自己身上来。

与其跟别人去比， 还不如跟自己竞赛。

当你能赢过过去的自己， 那就真的证明你是成功的。

作一个跟自己赛跑的人，就是不断能证明自己实力的人。

不会以别人的眼光来评价自己，可以靠自己来达到你的理想，

去破除别人加诸身上既定的看法。

有了这样的意志， 你就会不断激励自己，成功地扭转情势， 达到你想要的目标。

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So Sad.......

This morning I attended a Queensland product update and when I was sitting in front of the sale person from Warner Brothers, he asked me a 'funny' question. He asked if I have been to Gold Coast! Well, it's may be a very normal question especially when the person did not know me....but it is very strange for me to be asked! His boss was just in my office a couple of months ago! I have worked with his boss for many years and I was a ardent supporter for Queensland! I am not upset...just that strange feeling when he asked! He knew about the others who were with me...but he had no idea of me! Haiz........

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BOA

We had a BOA (Best of Australia) meeting. This is my 2nd meeting on BOA and they are into phase 8 of this campaign. Apparently, this campaign did very well since its launch and they have been promoting it for the last 3.5 years!

As this would be a new phase, the various STOs (State Tourist Offices) and the Airline came together to brainstorm on the campaign. They finally came out with a new presentation (after various feedback regarding the current promotion).

There were different opinions to the presentation. Someone wanted to enforce on certain criteria but others disagree and then there was problem coming to a consensus on the advertisement. A lot of time was wasted debating on what should be the correct text and inclusions to be reflected on the advertisement! The STOs had some problem trying to understand what the travel agents wanted especially when you get different agents trying to express their opinions differently (though they are referring to the same thing)!

The last item on the agenda was deciding who were the product champions. Some agents gave excuse that they were not able to be the PC because of being new to the campaign / would be in reservist, etc... Amazing! I ended up as the Product Champion for New South Wales! Where? OK..... SYDNEY! Hahahahaha!

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Frustration Again...

Was out for meeting yesterday and half way through, received an sms asking me where I was. Normally, I would inform someone before I leave the office or update my calendar in outlook so that they can check my whereabouts. Well...the lady I left a message with was out of the office but she left a note that she was out. Nobody had any idea where I was!

When I got back to the office, I explained that they could check the shared calendar so that they could know our whereabouts. Then, I was told that they have done up a chart and I have to manually write where I would be! Goodness! We are still doing things the 'primitive' way! I told them that there is no need to walk over to check the chart all the time when it can be seen on the computer! Come on! Move on!

Guess that? I would probably be the only one using the shared calendar....... but I am not going to manually update the movement chart!


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Frustration

Tough morning....... did not agree with another colleague regarding a project. To me , she was not making sense and I did not want to get involved without having a proper understanding. Then, ops department could not access the system, because the manager in charge decided not to give them access! So crazy! The ops staff were told to check with the IT lady but the IT lady could not do anything as she was instructed by the manager! Ended up, we had to do part of the work!

The afternoon was a lot better. Thank goodness, I am not at a young age anymore! At my age, my tolerance is much higher than when I was younger!

The colleague who did not agree with me? Well, she went to find out more and realised that I was actually making sense......


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I'm Glad I Met You

Our paths converged and softly touched -

our hearts moved close in greeting.

It was a time to sample change -

It was a time for meeting.

An accident of chance became

our lasting gift that day.

Some paths may cross but do not always

Join in such a way.

I'm glad you've shared your life with me

And made this moment prime

The future will preserve the warmth

That fills this precious time.

The present is a prize

That you have help to make complete.

I'm glad that fate arranged a way

For you and me to meet.

Thank you, my friend!

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I'll Be There

If ever there's a moment

When you need a friend to listen,

If ever someone can reach out

To dry the tears that glisten,

I'll be there

If ever you have special needs

And hope someone will see them,

If ever you have secrets

And would like a friend to free them,

I'll be there.

If you just need encouragement

To help you on the way,

if you just need a cheerful voice

To pull you through the day,

I'll be there.

If you need one who cares a lot

And thinks about you often,

If you need one who shares your hopes -

Your worries strive to soften,

I'll be there.

If you would like to be yourself

With someone who respects you,

If you need one who understands

How all of life affects you,

I'll be there.

My friend, I will always be there for you!

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Take It One Step At A Time

It's true that sometimes life is full
Of trying circumstances,
And sometimes we must struggle
For just minimal advances.

Despite events that slow us down
And magnify our worries
We must learn that progress is
A word that seldom hurries

To try to grasp the total picture
Is a strong temptation.
Often we attempt too much
And add to our frustration.

Laying out before us
All the things that must be done
May be harder than to focus
On a single one.

Don't approach so many tasks
That all your hopes are gone.
A single step will lead you to
Another later on.


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Very old friends

Last evening, had a wonderful time with my 2 old friends. Huh? I meant dinner! What were you thinking of???!!!!! Hahahahahaha!

It's 'Li Ta Sha' storytelling time again! The story takes us back about 20 year ago, when I 1st joined the travel industry. I have a lady colleague, Lee Hong, who got along very well with me. After a few years, she got married to HKG and for the past 8 - 9 years, has moved back to Singapore. All these years, we have been in contact and once a while , met up for meals; Anson was from the Accounts Department and we got along very well, like buddies. We were out together almost every weekend! Though he was only there for 3 months, we were very good friends. All these years, I have been keeping in touch with him (especially on his birthday) though we seldom meet up. I vividly remember his wedding banquet because I was the MC for the night! That night was the final match between Singapore and ? and he had 2 big screens to entertain the guests! The excuse was that he was worried no one would turn up!
Hahahahahaha!

We had a wonderful Japanese dinner (wonderful because it was very expensive!) and followed by coffee & cake. Come to think of it, this is the 1st time after many years that we have caught up together! Anson met Lee Hong through a friend in HKG when he was stationed there for a few years. Lots of laughter as we talked about old times (really old time....hahahahaha!)!

Thanks for the evening, my dear friends. Most of all, thanks for keeping in touch for so many years! Anson, All the best to your business and may you continue to do well so that you can continue to buy us expensive meal! Hahahahaha!



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Woes....

Did you realise the prices of many items have gone up???!!!!!!!

Coffee is 20 cents more expensive....... snacks have gone up 10 - 50 cents as well! Many consumers items are more expensive now..... 8 'Chwee Kueh' used to be S$2....not S$2.20! S$2 worth of vegetarian noddle has shrunk in size! Haiz.........

Was in the taxi yesterday and chatted with the driver. He commented that business has dropped tremendously. However, by next Monday, they will know if the commuters can accept the increase. He also said quite a number of drivers have returned the taxi - gave up driving! For short distance, the increase is rather marginal but for long distance, the difference could be additional S$4 - S$6!

Everything has gone up....except our salaries........... haiz..........

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Old Friend

This morning, I received a greeting sms from a unfamiliar number. It also asked where if I was still working in my previous company. It turned out to be Darryl! Wow! It's been a long time! Darryl and I met many years ago (1983) when I first played host to a group of Japanese Youth (Rotaract). We continued to played host for quite a numbers of groups and even visited the groups in Japan (Osaka). Darryl was very popular with the Japanese (me too!Hahahahaha!) .

Though we were too old to be part of the youth movement (many years back, haiz....), we continued to keep in touch till somewhere last year, I, sort of, lost contact with him (and he moved).

Am glad that he called. Will keep in touch! All the best for 2008, Darryl!


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Happy New Year! Welcome 2008!

Today is the start of another year, 2008! Happy New Year!

For 2008, my wish list :-

- Good health to my family, families and friends
- Lots of wealth to my family, families and friends
- Heaps of love to my family, families and friends

Thanks for being there for me in 2007!


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