Flight Schedule Nightmare

What a bloody nightmare both on a personal and a working perspective today was!

Work - I sent my second handover notes and got whacked for something that I was occassionally asked to assist someone. I am merely outlining the issues for whoever to follow up and BANG the new HRD (Mdm Judge) just whacked a reply. This seemed to be her style. Overwhelmed with work and to show she is on top of things, she read and simply reply without analyzing something through. Not the first time she has replied to an email in this manner and that's why I have a feeling if she continues, she is going to drown ...

Flight - didn't get the tickets to Sey. Sent sms. Finally received a call that says change. I went to Air Sey website and through enough there is a summer schedule. Shit I tell you. At 4:20pm I had to rush to Silk Air office who was nice enough to change tickets for me with no penalty charges. However, I cannot get flight on Thursday which means I have to overnight Singapore Wednesday and then on my way back, the schedule ETA Singapore is too late for any connecting flight on the same day. So I have to stay either until Thu or Fri ... I am booked Fri but standby Thu as Thu is currently full. Annoying!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Table Griping

[Comic cover from one of the Iron Man limited series - loved the cover but not so much the interior artwork or storyline]

The day started tense thanx to Ands. I asked them again n again to get the paperwork done. Guess what? Never bothered to clean anything up ... again ... after 3 months and so many rounds of checking ... I get a sense of deja vu ... similar to when I first arrived ... and had to deal with Orang Juice Boy ...

Then it got worse. Ands came and asked for approval to sell! I said no. I already told him so that MD said no until legal are cleared. What's his response? Childish blackmail. He said we will create bad rep to the market if we do not sell. I asked him why he went and advertised that we are open when he knew we have no licence. He even had no plan for launching party but yet want to sell. In conclusion, I told him that the bigger picture is the parent company. Logically we rather lose some goodwill with this than one of our HQ competitors use this to sabotage us ...

He didn't look satisfied. So I said it is up to him. If he wants to, he can call MD directly. He walked away ... and of all days, he had a stiff neck. I wondered if he is blaming me for not sleeping well last night as well. He is such an oddity!

Lunch, I needed a break. So I invited veggie Jules and Hans. We had a nice simple Pizza Hut lunch with more veg than anything else. However, as we poured the second round of Italian soda, Jules found ... a fly! We called the waitress. She didn't know how to respond. She called another lady who looked like she was going to cry! Geeeeeeez .... there was no one in-charge because ... apparently somebody was on holiday. How the heck!

Welcome to MEDAN - Hahahahaha!

Well, I ended the day staying back for nearly 2 hours to clear some things. I tried to enquire about going home early i.e. 15th but Bu Hui said no.

I have no idea if she realizes that latest will be July 5th ...

Sigh!

Makan Makan Makan ...

The day started like most weekends in Medan. I want to sleep in. So I forced myself to sleep late at 1:00am and what happens? I was up before 6:00am. I lazed around and when I finally checked, 6:36am

Did a little exercise and watched DVD until Mr. Eng came by with the new Sr GM, Mr. Wong at 9:00am. This is meant to be breakfast only

Except we yakked so much that breakfast ended 11:00am and Mr. Eng asked for another drink

We went to Dante Coffee @ Cambridge ... and that stretched until 2:00pm when Mr. Eng declared he is feeling a bit hungry

Where next?

Duck King - as per Eng. We had noodles and hot tea. Then more yak yak until about 4:45pm. Thereafter, a quick shopping at the bread shop and I headed home about 5:15pm

Mesell came by next at around 6:00pm

Thank goodness I did some exercise before Mesell and the hot tea helped. I actually managed to digest some. We did the bank at Sun. We walked up and down to buy some stuff for Mesell and by the time 7:00pm rolled around we are cool to go ........ BUFFET!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hehehe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

See?

Food food food ...

Sad to say, though early, service was still horrendous at JW Marriott and quality of cooking has gone down the hill once more.

But what the heck? This is my final round at JW Marriott coffee house buffet before I leave this company

Other than all these eating, nothing significant happened today ... and hope nothing will ... I need these quiet tiring days more n more ... sign of age, yes? Hehehe!!!

Source Code ... the Movie

Oddest thing this morning ... Rids came in ... said he was no longer on leave as there is a change in his relative's travelling plan ... then he presented me with a box of wedding cakes and 2 wedding invitation ... imagine inviting people who do not even know whoever is getting married! Apparently he said that is the culture here. Will I go? I am not sure yet. I may as I have never been to one of these events before ...

Aside from this, it is business as usual as my new GM is acting as odd as ever ... now telling people he is open for business ... when his ticketing staff cannot even process 1 sale smoothly ...

On a personal angle, I went out with Mesell ... she did her personal things ... I bought the 2 BB for Seds n his wife ... they were going to charge near 10% if I use credit card ... so I jumped to the bank n got the necessary withdrawal ... 3 rounds ... and went back n bought it

Then it was to the cinemas to choose a movie for the neck ... finally we had bits n pieces at KFC ... my tummy is still having that too much chilli sensation from lunch ... I normally could pack it all in but not today ... cos today ... maybe it is a flow through from last night and the last few nights of excessively spicy food ... better cut down ... and focus on my exercise from tomorrow onwards ... cos tonight ... it is MCDONALD's ... YES YES YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

EOs

What's the absolute highlight today aside from a yummy RIB LUNCH at Warong Tekko? Just finishing a 90 min session with 3 ladies from local college - discussing ideas on how they as a fan club can mobilize and organize an event of their own

I missed these types of activities the most - sharing and working and getting young people to dream - so they do not limit their horizons

Thanks ladies and all the best to your JYJ dreams!

American Idol Finale

Today here in Medan they broadcast this and of course, I came home and watched it. Guess who won? SCOTTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes! Mr. Handsome or Mr. Cutie Country Boy. He is a real goody-two-shoes and not afraid to let the world know. Good on him.

[Artwork - Dale Keown's PITT]

Shang Jakarta

As usual, I woke up before Cory ... searched around ... had a panic attack when I realized I threw away my return ticket print out! So much for my sense of focus lately, yes?

Thank goodness Lion has a downtown office ... it was grand ... like a banking hall ... the queue was fast ... I spent less than 15 min ... taking my number ... lady served me with no fuss ... she asked me if I want to check in ... I took another number ... and was served by the cutest lad in the whole hall ... and he was equally as efficient ... all in brilliant experience!

When that was done ... Cory actually agreed to go dine at Shang. The place was amazing. Maybe it is because I have not been to somewhere luxurious in ages! Hehehehe! Cory said he only knows the drinking zone as that was where he was invited never to the restaurant

But the restaurant was certainly a wow factor. It was crowded! And the spread was everywhere. I had a great time tucking in ... but upon reflection, actually the food wasn't that good and that's the problem between buffet and ala carte

I had a mixed Asian, then Indian, then Chinese BBQ and interspersed with small desserts! I was so full and struggled to finish the coffee! Hehehe!

And finally ... my trip to the airport was perfect ... no delays in plane for once. Thank you Lion Air! A perfect end to a perfect trip to Jakarta

We did have the usual fights but it wasn't as bad ... I still have my doubts about where we are going ... I am trying hard to maintain the ability to enjoy the present instead of thinking about the future too much ... sigh!

Quiet ...

(Jim Lee - from his classic X-Men to Void of WildCATS)

As usual, I woke up early while Cory was asleep. But then again, there is his constant waking up through the nite, snacking from the fridge - more J Co doughnuts!

By the time Cory got up and fixed a hot drink for both of us, it was more than 10:00am

The good thing is he did start doing some housework. So that was pleasant. Hehehe!

And what else did we do for the rest of the day?

Honestly I could not remember. I know what we did was drive around a lot. We checked some mirrors and for some medicals for him ... but we didn't do much shopping ... and there was no movie ... AAAAAARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lunch was in this shop next to the medicals. It was some simple local food - nothing spectacular but nothing bad either

What did we do for dinner? Hmmmmmmm I did remember ... we going out for a drink. It was quite funny. Cory decided to go home and freshen up first. We did that. Then we drove down to Sarinah ... to this place he was telling me about ... but unfortunately they were wrapping up soon ... so we had no choice but to hop back in the car and drive up to our usual Batik Mall of Sarinah Mall ... and the old Chilli's gone ... replaced by a billiard joint ... kinda dead though the place ... boring ...

We had a few drinks each and then I bought McD - worst bubur ever - and went home to chill out - it was after midnight anyway - we watched one of those bitchy reality tv before bedtime

So all in, quiet, isn't it? Hehehe. Good night

Flight time ...

[Jim Lee - my favorite artist from the 90s thanks to his Uncanny X-Men and subsequently the X-Men spin off title before he moved to Image and subsequently joined DC]



The morning spent at office passed by in a blur - 3 hours were all I had - I rushed downstairs hoping to meet my temporary neighbour, Ong but unfortunately Sugs was there already

After that, we went to office and took him to Tea Garden for a drink and official discussion about his resignation

And then BANG in 2 hours, I was at the airport waiting for my flight to Jakarta - Sat to Tue - a long time for me - finally!

Airport Medan was the usual mess it was. I waited in a line only to be told to go to the next line. Other porters barged to the front. In the end a local chatty old man barged to the front with my ticket and we got it done together

Unfortunately he trailed me all the way to Jakarta!




I thought to escape him via the lounge. I did check HSBC website but when I was there, the person in charge said no more. ARGH! Damn you HSBC website administrator!


But for once, no delays! We got onboard and arrived in Jakarta with no incident. Also no cuties to oogle at - boy or girl. Sigh! Thank goodness for my book.

At the other side, after landing, Cory messaged that he was at the workshop and would be late. So I was standing in the airport that has no AC, on a hot afternoon, with no place to seat, humid weather, and starving because I had no breakfast or lunch!

My mood was so wonderful ... NOT!





What else happened after I finally had my ride?

Nothing. That's right. Nothing. We went home, showered and went to the car workshop. It rained heavily, there was massive jam. Took us 2 hours to reach. We had lunch in a roadside shop ran by 2 brothers. Then trudged back and waited some more so that when we finally reached home, it was well past 10pm and I was controlling my mood not to snap at him

Thank goodness for the roadside satay vendor that parked outside our rented home. It was soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo yummy the chicken satay sticks. One of the best ever I have had from these roadside vendors if not the best

And finally we collapsed into our new bed for the first time together. Hehehehehe!

More food tasting ... more swelling of my belly!

Dear Diary - had a busy busy day. I went up to Berastagi and it was all fine. I liked it like that. I got in a good session with the Burnt Man on sales and ops issues. Then did a spa review with Mari Man


After that, we had food tasting with 2 chefs. One chap offered his sandwiches the highlight of which is the bread rather than anything else. The other, pastry round 2 and I had the most amazing cookies. Yes, cookies. He still insists his specialty is cake but from the taste of things, it is cookies and biscuits because last week, his strongest was biscuits too!

After which, it was an interview for Ants new Sales Exec ... and to my joy, when that was done, I tried to find Ants and Burnt only to discover they were asking and discussing with each other the challenges in each other's division and helping each other out! Isn't that just wonderful?

Do I want to write negatives? Nah, let's keep today a happy day, yes? Hehehehe.

Nite!

Quiet day Sunday ...

Dear Diary - another weekend in Medan and I decided to keep it simple with nothing much. As expected, I went to bed late like 1am but woke up again around 6am


Had a quiet time reading tons of online comics, updating my blog - this blog - and watching miscellaneous stuff cos found out we have TLC on ...

Lunch with Sugi - weird incident. We went to the Kopi Gayo shop at the golf putting place ... it looked surprisingly deserted - we asked they said it was open - we took the menu - a chap came and said only fried rice/ noodles/ fries available - we asked what happened and he said all fired - we ordered the rice

He came back and asked if we had ordered drinks we said no. Instead of taking our orders, he left

Only to return like 10 minutes later and said food is available from 4pm. If we want anything, it is only fries!

So lunch was actually at Nelayan, Merak Jingga - had a lovely time over eating - 50% discount w HSBC card ...

And dinner was at JW Buffet - it was so full that there was no place - a first for them

9th already and there goes the diet - when I am in Seychelles, I am going to exercise like MAD! I need to lose 1kg and be 86kg yes yes yes!!!!!!!!!

Busy Busy ... All Social ...

I didn't get much sleep ... guess I was all excited ... we even reach office at a time when we normally would just leave from the house ... hehehe ...

Announced to my core team over a breakfast meeting at the usual tea garden next round - Rudy, Ridmin & Han Cin

And then spent the rest of the morning clearing work like emails etc, reviewing P&L and Sales proposals ... noticed that perhaps the GM Burnt man is not detail oriented even though he seemed to put in long hours ... maybe that's why he was never a GM inspite of his years of experience and paper qualification?

I did submit the working days sheet to Hui and Karns ... see when is my last day ...

And as for social ... at noon I left for Sun ... had black coffee at Starbucks and surfed for 2 hours ... Nelayan with Jerni n Ida ... then to Cemara to meet Hui for a nice Soursop juice ... home to shower ... then to Cambridge for final shopping bits for Seds ... home and went down the road at 10:00pm for late roadside dinner!

Great day!

Sense of Relief ...

It's Friday night ... I just came back from a heavy dinner with Ah Pat ... we had a nice feast at Spageddy's ... really good fresh mushroom soups ... and I had a Coca Cola and a mixed appetizer - calamari, cheese and soft shell crab fritters!!!!! Yummy!!!! And no, this is not the sense of relief ....


I am talking about my resignation. After so many months of deliberation, last weekend, I was with my folks, we talked. I talked to my Cory ... and after many rounds of talk n talk n talk ...

I DID IT ... I emailed my resignation to MD and copied new group HR Mgr this afternoon ...

And that's how I feel - relief, excited about living in this world again! It is the right move!

Too much thinking

What a day! I kept on thinking if I should resign and when is the best time ... while trying to juggle the rest of my workload that seemed to always be increasing ...

This is the first time I want to leave without a good job or any solid reason ... I just cannot connect to Medan or Musim Mas ... first time in any country and/ or city ...

I still don't know but I will make a decision before I fly to Africa or when I come home, I guess ... sigh!

Berastagi and Bombing

This morning, the weather was brilliant. Clear and crisp - not too hot with a light gentle breeze. As we drove through the township, when we cleared the bulk of buildings, all the trees and the hills look so sharp that it was just amazing!


The day at Berastagi was nice enough for once especially in terms of work. The only downer were the emails from the MD. Other than that, work was pleasant. The food tasting was a complete lost though. New chef presented 3 desserts - he proclaimed his strength is cakes but from the base, to the cream, and the flavour - everything was pedestrian. And the worse part is he didn't even taste and know the quality of items he presented - tasteless maraschino n local raspberries and the chocolate was off already! We give him one more chance to impress us next week

And now, GM the Burnt Man BBM if I heard the gossip or rumour that there is a bomb defusing at JM Medan. I said nothing yet. I just checked internet. Nothing. But wow there are so many bombs in Indonesia!

Shit! Makes one wonder about staying here versus Malaysia. Time to consider Malaysia, ya?

Bad News x 2

Doreen - she didn't show up for work. I thought she was either ill or taking leave as she was pregnant ... and she has off and on been off ... one never knows, right?


Then later we found out that her mother's house where she usually spends her time was robbed ... by GUNMEN! That was scary for me. They said potentially housekeeping in collussion because normally they do not open the gate until drivers arrived. But that morning, they opened early and the gunmen forced entry

Han - I received a strange SMS from Kar Girl, HR Manager. Here in Indonesia they loved their BB. I was going to treat it as a normal forwarded message but it was short n odd enough that I asked her. She said Han got robbed!

Apparently after work, she dropped her cute kid to tuition and heard something like punctured tyre. As she rolled down her window, someone came to rob her! SHIT I tell you

Medan is getting way too dangerous!