| Start of a(nother) new Chapter... |
[Feb. 26th, 2006|11:42 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  excited | ] |
It's been 3 months since I moved back from London. First week was tough. I left behind a good career and a lot of important people in my life. I thought I made a mistake and even considered going back. Calling up my old boss to see if my position was still open. And checking whether my room had been rented yet.
As each day passed though, I knew Vancouver was where my roots were. I've travelled a lot, and on a clear day, there's nowhere else I'd rather be. Close to family, close to friends, and most importantly: home.
After spending the first month binge drinking with old buddies like old times, it started getting old and I was getting restless without a job. I don't let a job define my identity, but lets be real, everyone gets tired sitting around all the time after a while. The job search situation was going alright. Vancouver's a lifestyle city, and not like the UK, where headhunters were trying to poach me to some big name companies. Here, I was approached by "multi-level marketing" and dodgey life insurance companies that refused to tell me what they actually did over the phone. Either that, or selling body panels into Red Deer, Alberta.
It's all about creating your own opportunities in this town and knowing the right people. Luckily all that schmoozing and boozing for the first month paid off, and I was recently approached by a company to join their management team and head up their marketing strategy.
So starting from next month, I'll be the Group Marketing Manager of one of the country's top prestige motor groups. Managed to wangle a pretty good package and best part is, I'll be back in a convertible sports car -- just in time for spring. They have a completely different way of doing business, but when your boss says everyone needs to take the odd day off to play golf, it's usually a good sign... |
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| Second Random Act of Kindness |
[Nov. 21st, 2005|11:07 pm] |
| [ | music |
| | A Better Man -- Robbie Williams | ] |
I was driving into London and listening to an American caller on the radio. She was telling the story of the worst day of her life. Got into a huge fight with her partner before leaving the house and missed her train for an interview. There was one last train that would get her to the meeting on time, but she left her wallet and mobile at home.
In a real state, she stumbled into a corner shop at the station. Obviously distraught, the shopkeeper asked if everything was alright. As she sobbed about her crap day, he asked how much the train ticket was. It wasn't cheap and equivalent to $75 USD. Out of the blue he takes $75 out of his own pocket (not the till).
This man had never met her. Knew nothing of her. Probably would never see her again. Yet reached into the kindness of his heart and offered a fair sum of money from his own personal savings. I used to hear about these random acts of kindness and selfless people. But not for a while and not in this selfish culture I've been living in.
It made me think. And realize. There are good people out there. |
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| 'City of Glass' does it again |
[Oct. 6th, 2005|09:31 am] |
| [ | mood |
| |  homesick | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Wake me up when September ends -- Green Day | ] |
As I walk into work today, right away a colleague asks where in Canada I'm from. At first I thought he wanted to know because one of his colleagues was moving to Canada. Then he reads out the headline in the newspaper that's in front of him:
London? Paris? New York? No, Vancouver is the best place in the world to live, says new survey
......
Then he asks "What the hell are you doing here...??"
......
Article published: 4 October 2005
London? Paris? New York? No, Vancouver is the best place in the world to live, says new survey
The Independent
The university has a nudist beach. Whistler mountain ski resort is a quick drive from downtown. The climate is mild in winter and sunny in summer. Just some of the reasons why Vancouver has been nominated as the world's most liveable city, beating Melbourne into second place and leaving London far behind at 47th.
Vancouver eclipsed 127 other cities in a new survey which looked at a wide range of criteria, including personal risk, healthcare, the availability of goods and services, and climate. But this is not the first time the City of Glass, so-called because of its mirror-fronted skyscrappers, has received outside recognition. Vancouver has topped the United Nations quality of life survey for nearly a decade.
Condé Nast Traveller, which describes the Canadian metropolis as a "perfect Pacific city, shimmering on the edge of a beautiful harbour" last year ranked Vancouver the "Best City in the Americas".
......
Every day I wonder more and more what am I doing here... |
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| M.I.A. Part Deux |
[Jul. 16th, 2005|02:07 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  content | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Goodies -- Ciara | ] |
Right.... so I never said I was a good LJ'er... Work is good and keeping me busy but not much time and energy for a lot these days. I used to think I worked long hours at my old place, now I realize that I usually spent a good 3 hours a day dicking around on the internet at a tech firm. Don't know how my friends with IM at work can manage to carry on a conversation for 1.5 hours and still get any work done! All I know is, by the time I walk through the door between 8 and 8:30) until I leave (6:30 to 7pm), it's non-stop and go-go-go..!!
Last few months have been a good mix of hosting visitors (exploring Cornwall with Cath), impromptu bbq's, patio pubbing, throwing frisbees into the river, "Pooh-stick racing" down a canal, and fitting in some 5-star living (Royal Garden, Bath Spa, Sheraton Park Tower, Sheraton Park Lane, Weston Manor-a guy needs to be pampered once in a while).
And just to keep it interesting, some wicked driving experiences along the way:
Aston Martin DB9 around a track and a weekend with the latest 911.
Helps make the daily pain more bearable.
It's a tough job, but somebody's gotta do it... |
|
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| Out with the old... |
[May. 22nd, 2005|11:01 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  happy | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Rollin' -- Limp Bizkit | ] |
Out with the old...
And in with the new...
She was a classic and I always wanted one of these old school GTI's. I bought her originally to learn how to drive on the wrong side of the road. She was with me a bit longer than I had anticipated but some things I definitely won't miss are:
- Freezing inside the windshield and wearing gloves in the winter cuz the heater didn't work
- Continually topping up the radiator fluid because of a mystery leak
- The exhaust buzzing like a beehive everytime I accelerated past 4,000
- Fan and power steering belts snapping an hour before the passport office closed, a day before I'm due to fly out to Germany for an important meeting (and racking up almost $200 of taxi fare)
Then again, can't say the start of my new ownership has been all smooth sailing. Car itself is brilliant, but in the first two months I've encountered the following:
- A 70 year old lady giving me shit for waking her son up every day cuz my car's noisey and subsequently threatening to dent and scratch my car if I continued
- Bimmer after Bimmer wanting to have a go
- People giving me the finger and calling me a wanker -- just because (bling isn't big everywhere in England)
But despite these minor setbacks though, the best part is waking up every morning, looking out the window and seeing this...
 |
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| P.O.'d!!!!!! |
[Apr. 22nd, 2005|10:39 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  pissed off | ] |
If it's one thing that fucks me off, it's losing at cards.
Only good thing about poker night is getting back into my car and caneing the shit out of it as redemption. |
|
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| Saigon to Hanoi |
[Apr. 19th, 2005|09:12 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  nostalgic | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Jacqueline (Always better on holiday) - Franz Ferdinand | ] |
2 weeks and its over. What a trip. From bustling Saigon to the cosmopolitan Hanoi and everything in between.
When I first arrived, I experienced serious culture shock. I had work on my mind and held on to my hard edge. My fists were clenched, my brow furrowed. I missed my creature comforts, I missed my home. Gradually, the white knuckles disappeared, my upper lip relaxed. I embraced the culture for all its differences and started enjoying the ride.
Bustling city life, buzzing-beeping mopeds, war history and underground tunnels, floating markets, tranquil beaches, trying to surf sand dunes, intoxicated death swim on a booze cruise, bargaining over 10 bucks for 2.5 hours for custom suits, police raid on our ‘street meat diner’, staring at rocks for 5 hours on a boat and heart attacks riding any form of transport.
But despite all this, where was this amazingness everyone raved about? I gotta admit I struggled to see what all the hype was about at first.
Until we entered the northwest. Where we trekked through the Sapa region and met with the local hill tribes. Now I saw it. A country within a country. A primitive sub-culture that lives off the land, in simple huts and longhouses. Their electricity generated by foot-wide streams at hydro points. Their rice milled using a water pendulum system. Their bridges made of rotting planks and suspended by yarn.
Despite the lack of material wealth and the adversity they've faced, they're the kindest and most generous people I’ve met. When we as spoiled Westerners are fighting everyday for that extra 0.5% pay rise to save up for that flash new watch or that shiny set of wheels, these people are fighting for basic survival. We couldn’t finish our lunch, so we gave a sniffling 5-year our uneaten bread and fruit and she stored it in her little purse to share with her family back at the farm. Even our hobbit guide Chi refused the $3 USD tip we offered after showing us water buffaloes, ducklings with chicken fathers, and sharing some of their local homegrown stash.
We saw a lot in not a lot of time. An extra week would’ve been ideal. As little as it was, it was enough for me to once again realise how lucky I am and to really appreciate everything I have.
Out of our 14 days, you could throw out 13 of them and just keep 1 day. In fact, just 9 hours. That time in Sapa was worth it alone. And enough to make Vietnam a truly amazing and unforgettable experience. |
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| Singapore |
[Apr. 16th, 2005|01:16 am] |
| [ | mood |
| |  Elated | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Avril Lavigne from the PC next to me | ] |
There aren't many places that I would visit again, but stuck here in Singapore for 12 hours, I'm *definitely* coming back.
A melting pot of cultures. Chinese, Malaysian, Aussie, English and every race you can imagine.
Wow. Just wow. |
|
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| Vietnam bound baby!!!! |
[Mar. 31st, 2005|12:38 am] |
| [ | mood |
| | excited | ] |
| [ | music |
| | It's Like That (Leaving it all behind) -- Mariah | ] |
Everyone who's ever been has raved about it. Not overrun with tourists like Thailand. Not dodgey like Cambodia. Untouched enough for the serious travellers. Even the veterans still talk about it.
I thought I hung up my backpack. I thought I had enough.
I guess I was wrong.
London to Saigon on Friday. 2 weeks to get to Hanoi in the north. Then back to London.
Whole new culture. Whole new language. Whole new experience. And nothing but the essentials.
Let's do this. |
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| M-I-A not K-I-A |
[Mar. 20th, 2005|01:26 am] |
| [ | mood |
| |  Knackered | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Galvanized -- Chemical Bros | ] |
Funny how time flies by. Has it really been two months since I've last posted? Where've I been and what've I been doing? Good questions. A lot of it has been the mundane stuff, details I'd rather not bore you with and frankly, quite uninspiring. These days it’s all about greater responsibility, more accountability and getting pulled deeper into shit.
It's been hard for me to really have much creative inspiration when I'm spending as much time on the road as a 350lb trucker and feasting on Road Chef at rest stops with my other 'Caution: wide-load' comrades. My In tray has never been fuller and it seems like I could stay day and night for weeks and still not be caught up.
I feel like I'm contained within the confines of these boxes. I wake up in a boxy room. I go to shower in a cell shaped like a tall box. I enter my boxy office building. I sit in an office shaped like a box, hold meetings in boxes and stare at a radiation box for 8-10 hours. Then I go home to stare at another retina-burning idiot box to allegedly switch off. The world is so full of curves, bends and seductive shapes and we're surrounding ourselves with a shape as inspiring as a bowl of bran flakes.
I just want to say fuck it and leave it all behind, at least for a little while. It's not burn out (I know what that really feels like), but temporary escapism. Ever since the beginning of this year, I've had this urge to do something rejuvenating. For some reason, I’ve envisaged myself sitting cross-legged atop a rugged mountain looking down on a lush green valley whilst the wind whistles by and refreshes me somehow. Just to sit there and take in the silence, the smells and the jaw-dropping views.
Don't get me wrong, there've been some good things that have happened since I last posted. Good times with visitors, befriending some new Londoners and I even got the keys to my new ride finally and have been blasting around the country-side with the top down. But this determined focus that I’ve built up lately means that there hasn’t been much enjoyment along the way (must admit tho, slipping behind the wheel of a roadster helps a lot). Everything seems rather routine but I kinda like the predictability.
That little furry Groundhog was right. Spring seems to be here and my Seasonal Affective Disorder is gone. And in less than 2 weeks time I'll be immersed in a whole different culture and getting back to my hippie roots. Getting away from being a lifestyle whore , keeping it real again and remembering the important things in life. Thank gawd I have good people around me that are patient and understanding of what’s going on with me these days.
Vietnam, here I come. |
|
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| 2004 Reflections |
[Jan. 3rd, 2005|06:16 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| | Reflective | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Confessions remix -- Usher | ] |
Another year passed and what an eventful year it’s been.
Highlights:
Extended holiday in Vancouver thanks to HR screwing up my visa. Being homesick and wanting to move back as soon as I got back to London. Toughing it out and being promoted to a more exciting division. Finally passing my advanced driving test (3rd-time lucky…Doh!). Meeting some London Friendsters for the first time. Surviving another company x-mas party. Being dragged out by Jeree604 and Absoluteshine to celebrate my b-day (twist my rubber arm boys…!). Ringing in the new year with Shine, xquisiteqt, and Shamu (they couldn’t get enough of the Vancouver party scene obviously… lol).
Lowlights (life wouldn’t be as interesting without these):
A bad year health-wise for my family: moms got shingles, grandfather had a spill, and the hardest was hearing that grandmother passed away on Christmas day (God bless and may you rest in peace). And my friend's restaurant burned down on X-mas as well.
Home for the Holidays
Despite the family health problems, the holidays couldn’t have been better. Every time I return to Vancouver, I realize what I’ve been missing and see things in a new light. Like a stranger in my own hometown and not knowing where the new Best Buy is for bargain DVDs.
Suddenly little things don’t matter in my life as much. The brand of my jeans, the latest gadgets, the need to have 24-inch biceps. Even sports cars don’t appeal anymore and automatics are more convenient. My interests now lie in square footage, chocolate brown hardwoods, and stainless appliances.
Signs of maturity?
-Possibly.
Getting closer to the big 3-0?
-Probably.
I now spend less on myself and more on the people that matter in my life. Like my dad who’s become one of my best buds to hang out with. He’s shed the fathering-at-a distance Chinese approach and we now have a Brady Bunch relationship. We chat about mobile phones, car trends, debate about his need for a 50-inch projector tv, and even openly about family issues. I’ve probably learned more in these 2.5 weeks than in my previous 28 years knowing him. Even after practically abandoning my parents (from an Asian perspective), they still welcome me back with open arms. A son couldn’t ask for anything more.
2005 and Beyond
What started out as a 6-month adventure in a foreign land has turned into a 3 year-stint in the UK. It’s a shame you have to move away to see the beauty of Vancouver. The clean air. The space. The natural splendour. The cheap, quality eats. But most importantly, the people. More than ever, words like heritage, roots, and family values bear more importance.
So what does 2005 hold? No doubt it’ll be a year of major changes and exciting projects on the horizon. It’s going to be busy, but I know it’ll be worthwhile. Especially now that I can see the bigger-picture perspective and have something to work towards.
Hope you all have a healthy and pleasant ’05 and miss you guys big time!
Pics to come as soon as people send them to me...*cough cough* |
|
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| Homeward Bound |
[Dec. 1st, 2004|08:09 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| | excited | ] |
Home is where the heart is.
15 days to go, and I'm home. |
|
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| At Last.... |
[Nov. 9th, 2004|07:22 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  chipper | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Flat-six engine ripping through Variocam | ] |
Today, the weather looked like this in London:
It didn't bother me, cuz I finally passed my Advanced Driving Test today, which means next spring, everyday will look like this:
And this:
I have a feeling that I'm gonna have A LOT of visitors next summer...
And I suddenly have to book a bunch of offsite meetings... |
|
|
| Alfie |
[Nov. 7th, 2004|10:08 pm] |
If there ever was a movie that guys can relate to, it's Alfie. Most guys will sit through and start reflecting and pondering your ways. It makes you think about the way you’re living your lifestyle, your past relations, and the eternal question of: Does money, style, and a flash car = happiness? Not quite as nostalgic and engaging as Eternal Sunshine on the Spotless Mind, and Jude Law is a dick in some parts, but it addresses living in the fast-lane from a male perspective for once.
Think of it as the Bridget Jones for guys. And the best part is, it doesn't have a Hollywood ending.
Guys living the rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle (you know who you are); and girls who want an insight into a guy’s psyche, check it out. |
|
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| Stuttgart Wilkommen |
[Oct. 21st, 2004|08:49 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| | Knackered | ] |
| [ | music |
| | It's Gettin' Hot in Here -- Nelly | ] |
Almost a year since I was back in Deutschland. Last time I was here, I was confined to my sterile room cuz of a nasty flu bug. All delirious, what else am I supposed to do except watch tellie? After 11pm though, German TV takes on a whole new meaning.
Let's face it, we all stereotype. The Asians are hard working, materialistic, and math smart. The Brits have stiff upper lips and love tea. The French are just plain rude. And the Germans... they love their machines and engineering.
According to German TV, cold steel goes hand in hand with hot flesh. Where else in the world would you see naked women driving around in go-karts, sprawled over jacked-up cars, and descending in hot air balloons and fan-powered para-gliders? And who could deny the sexiness of a bowling alley while Nelly’s “It’s getting hot in here” plays in the background and the transvestite dominatrix commercials that cycle every 2 minutes. Americans have their "plumber" and "pizza delivery" porn, so I guess each to their own...
And, in case you’re wondering, no, I wasn’t selecting the "special pay TV channels". |
|
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| A Maelstrom of Thoughts |
[Oct. 11th, 2004|02:41 am] |
| [ | mood |
| |  confused | ] |
I’m at an assembly, outside a military school beside the tennis courts. It’s blue skies above and a flag rips violaently in the wind. There’s an announcement being made over the p.a. system. It’s loud but muffled. And as usual, I’m not paying attention.
The man’s tone rises in intensity. He’s almost yelling now. A sense of panic is in his voice. Suddenly, the walls of the white building behind me blast open. Chaos is everywhere. It’s even ripped out a part of the green-wire fence surrounding the tennis courts. Out of nowhere, two lions burst out of the building and everyone runs. A boy, about the age of 9, and I, start running through the holes in the wire-fence and out into the country.
We’ve quickly transitioned into a sun-burnt yellow-gold forest. Old wooden and barb-wire fences are everywhere. The boy keeps yelling at me that the only way to survive is to outlast the lion and keep running. It only has short bursts of energy. It can’t endure.
Eventually, I get my speed up and I’m flying down the hills. Now he's struggling to keep up. Effortless leaping and bounding over fallen trees and logs. Fatigue doesn't exist in my legs. I’m in the zone.
Then I wake up.
"Phew, what a dream. Wonder what it all means..."
I've obviously got a lot on my mind these days.... |
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| Leave it to a Footballer to say this... |
[Oct. 10th, 2004|04:44 am] |
| [ | mood |
| | Hungover | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Hardest Button to Button -- White Stripes | ] |
Had to post this cuz it made me chuckle:
"People say I wasted away my fortune.
I spent a lot of money on booze, birds and fast cars.
The rest I just wasted."
- Former footballer George Best who went bankrupt in 1982 |
|
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| 2 Weeks in HK |
[Sep. 1st, 2004|08:07 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  Jet-lagged | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Burn -- Usher | ] |
I've never been a fan of the place. The crowds, the noise, the rudeness, the lack of greenery. How shopping is the city and country's national pastime. Worst of all, the air conditioners drip on your head every 3 metres. Not my idea of a relaxing or enlightening holiday. When I went initially, I wasn't looking forward to it.
I wish there were stories of jetting off to exotic, tropical places, but unfortunately this trip was for familial obligations. It was about bonding and for the first time, understanding my familial roots better. I always thought my family was ultra-conservative and traditional Chinese. How wrong I was.
Apparently I come from a background of international mystery, senior military officials, and men who frequented dancing clubs. How much of it is true, I don't know. That doesn't matter. What's important, is the time that was spent downing copious amounts of MSG, engaging in deafening conversations over dim sum, reuniting with an old buddy, and of course keeping up *international relations* in LKF....
My grandpa was in the hospital after a nasty accident a month ago. When I arrived, he didn't recognize me or know where I was from. It was hard seeing such an optimistic and jovial guy confined to a burns ICU. Meals administered through tubes and he could barely speak. By the end of my two weeks though, he was teaching us how to bet on the ponies, was diving into his soya chicken stir fry, and didn't need a nurse to support him when doing his business. At 86, he's on the road to recovery.
I had reservations when I first went. I knew it was the right thing to do. But seeing my gramps make such a speedy recovery, and good times with eccentric relatives, I never thought I'd say this:
I can't wait to visit Hong Kong again.
When? Who knows.
But next time I plan to visit our family home on the mainland, eat monkey's brains, and stand on the Great Wall of China. |
|
|
| Thank You |
[Jul. 15th, 2004|02:18 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  relaxed | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Thank you -- Jamelia | ] |
Just wanted to say thanks to everyone's encouraging words on my second-to-last post. Unfortunately, I double-entered that LJ entry and deleted the wrong one by accident (with all your comments!).
I've been doing much better now. Mom's got the use of her arm back and is squeezing my Pivotal stress ball to work her fingers.
No, I haven't disappeared. I haven't forgotten about you. Still reading your posts. Just been really busy playing superhost. Almost every weekend in the last 3 months I've had visitors. IE. about 27 trips to Bath and Oxford lately.
Also, started my new job last month, so been on my best behaviour. Little number-crunching. More creative(ish). And less of a roller-coaster.
But, I will miss these classic expressions:
1) "Jay, this project is number one. Put this in the pole position."
2) "I'd like to park my bicycle........right.................there!"
3) "Make no mistake.....Our cocks are on the block!!" (My all-time favourite)
And yes, he really did say all of those |
|
|
| Wimbledon |
[Jul. 13th, 2004|04:05 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| | chipper | ] |
Haicut: $35
Checked-shirt: $75
Fine Italian merino sweater: $95
Centre-court seats at the Wimbledon '04 Finals: Priceless
Thanks Pen for scoring us the tix!
Enter the finalists...
Coin toss
View of Centre Court
Every serve and forehand Roddick hit, the crowd gasped... He was that powerful!
Federer the champ, and Roddick the loser (even though I was gunning for him!) |
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