From shabu shabu to Szechuan hot pot and dim sum

Clockwise from top left - B with a selection of dim sum, the dim sum trolleys (I miss those in UK!) and dessert (mango pudding and sago)

Szechuan hot pot! (Note the amount of chilli removed from the hotpot beforehand on the right of the photo - and it was still super super hot!)

Tokyo

A fantastic city!!!! We were spellbound by the bright neon lights and shops, mesmerised by the tranquility of the gardens and gaped at the hustle and bustle yet orderly fashion of everyday life. It is absolutely amazing how one can walk along the busy roads surrounded by branded shops and skyscrapers, then as you turn into a sidestreet, encounter little lanes of small shops or traditional eateries, or even stumble into a huge park which seems so far away from the traffic and hectic schedules just a street away. The food? Absolutely yummy and healthy at the same time (yes, can you believe it?). We tried shabu shabu (including all-you-can-eat for 2 hours!), sushi, sashimi and yakitori.

Even after just two hours in Tokyo, we promised that we would return. Four days went by quickly... We visited the shrines at Meiji-jingu and Senso-ji, enjoyed cherry blossoms at Shinjuku-gyoen, visited Imperial Palace East Garden and Roppongi, checked out the shops at Shinjuku, Harajuku, Omote-Sando, Ginza and Shibuya, and took an early stroll at Tsukiji fish market (also enjoying the freshest sashimi - first time I've had a sashimi breakfast!).

We still have a list of things we would like to see/experience - kabuki, Noh drama (though perhaps I'll save that for Kyoto), Akihabara.... However, after four days and complaints from our feet, we needed to recuperate from all that walking! We will be back though!!!!

I will upload all the photos and captions in the next week or so together with more details on the visit, but here are some for now...

Enjoying a walk at Shinjuku-gyoen...
Cherry blossoms at Shinjuku-gyoen

An early morning stroll to the Tsukiji fish market - the tunas were about my size!!!Hachiko the faithful Akita



















Bright lights at Shimbuya

Food poisoning

A minor bout of food poisoning signals that I have definitely arrived in HK! :) Just kidding - B didn't suffer the same although he pointed out that his stomach is probably immune to it by now.

After trying to sleep off the feeling of throwing up previous day's food, I managed to get relief only after the non-medical method of sticking a finger down my throat. Mind - I really did try not to do it but nothing else helped. Instant relief. Yummy food does come at a price. Has it put me off scoffing my face? I was careful to eat light today but I'm sure I'll revert to my holiday 'diet' soon!

Anyways, we're packing for Tokyo - we're off tomorrow for a four day break!!!! Yay!!!! Going from one densely-populated-people-sardine-sandwich-with-skyscrapers-and-neon-lights-city to another rather similar city (from what I've read). Sharpening my elbows even more to get me through the city!

Arrived in Hong Kong

Shanghai-nese food for lunch... Yummy siu long pao!








Katsu don for dinner










Starry starry Easter lights at World Trade Centre...

Belgo Centraal

Catching up with colleagues from Australia, Malaysia, Spain and Netherlands...

Spring Ball 2006

View of the dancefloor

James, Sarah and Mollie

Wrong camera setting.... Blurriness isn't alcohol-induced - honest!

What's in a job title?

Associate, Analyst, Consultant, Manager, Director, Executive, Assistant..... What is in a job title?

At the moment, I can either let people know that I'm head of my department here (to get the ooh's and wow's) because that elicits an impression of heading a department of 10 people. Or quickly add that I am the only person in my department since my team lead is on holiday (to put some context around it). So really, I am the Analyst/Assistant/Executive/Lead - pick whichever title suits the occasion; it doesn't matter because they're the same. Would it be wrong to do one or the other? I prefer to point it out in case people think my opinion is the 'be all and end all'.

I remember being impressed by someone I know who announced himself as Chief Editor, then someone pointed out that he was the only person in the team - so he is the journalist/editor/chief editor all in one. I looked at an organisational chart once which had six managers names' - I then proceeded to ask how big their teams were and who reported to them. They gave me a blank look - yes, they are managers but no, they don't have a team - it's just them. At that time, I had the stereotypical view of a Manager being well, a Manager to a team of people. I know better now - 'Manager' is a title that can be used generically from managing people to managing technical infrastructure.

Some people strive for a job because of the job title. An ex-colleague persuaded me to join his firm. He told me money would not be an issue (which I took in with a BIG bowl of salt!) and I'll get a better title. But when he started talking about the job responsibilities, it was no different to what I currently have. So why would I uproot from my current firm where I have spent reasonable time structuring my career and ensuring that most of the right people know my career path, to start from scratch again at a different firm? Perhaps I may be paid more to start with, but that's not a long term view. The title would sound more impressive when I introduce myself at networking events, but it's just a title.

When I met another ex-colleague, we compared notes on some of the job titles in the firm I'm with, with her current company. Executive, in our firm, refers to someone with 3 to 6 years experience (different to the Executive Board, which is of course the 'powers-that-be'). In her current company, Executive is the level of a Director. When I carried out a project in US, I was meeting Vice Presidents of this particular company - which I had thought meant that they were on the Executive Board. I then realised that they would actually be the level of Senior Managers in my firm. Important people, no doubt, but not the Executive Board equivalent I had in my mind.

Interesing how job titles can mean so much yet so little at the same time.... Does it actually matter?

Objectivity

I read in the news here recently about a national airline cutting jobs as a result of multi-million losses which led the company to leverage its air routes with another air carrier, thus significantly cutting back on its routes and hence the job losses. When I then read news from the national airline's base country, there was no mention of the multi-million losses. Instead, the news was such that it sounded like a sensible idea to leverage the routes - nothing about the huge losses. I wasn't surprised, as who wouldn't want to limit the amount of bad news within the country, right? It happens everywhere, but especially more in certain countries.

I then wondered whether there was such a thing as objectivity anymore. I wouldn't be surprised if the latter country accused the news agencies in the first country mentioned of trying to paint a bad picture of the latter country etc etc. It wouldn't be the first time this happens, rightly or wrongly. News agencies are supposed to be objective and provide us with facts and figures, however this is often tainted by personal and political views. Does it matter which fact they omit to report? Would it be better for the person/company/country concerned if certain figures are intentionally or unintentionally forgotten? Was there a reason behind the emphasis on certain facts?

We do it in our everyday lives too. Remember how when I was younger, my mom wanted to know who had higher marks than me in school. I thought it'll be better to say who had lower marks than me (which may be a shorter or longer list depending on whether you're talking about primary/junior school, secondary/high school or college). :) We are supposed to try and be objective when it comes to appraisals, reporting, etc - but can we be truly objective?

Fondue

My first fondue bourguignonne, aptly eaten in Switzerland. Our ignorance showed when we thought fondue was well, fondue! With melted cheese. Imagine our surprise when the waiter brought along the pot with oil rather than the melted cheese. It was then we realised there were several types of fondue - fondue moitié-moitié and fondue vaudoise are cheese fondues eaten with bread, fondue bourguignonne are meat fondues (ie cooked in oil rather than cheese) and of course, you have chocolate fondues too!

The meat fondue was good though, no regrets. The four of us who had ignorantly ordered fondue bourguignonne thinking it was of the cheese variety made up our disappointment for not ordering the cheese fondue with....ordering a portion of the cheese fondue to share! :) Yummy yummy yummy...

Some pictures from Zurich

Switzerland from the air...

From the land of clocks and watches - the famous railway station clock (the second hand symbolises the signal used by the railway master to tell the train when to go.

Hello from Zurich!

Arrived safely yesterday evening and took the chance to stroll around the centre, predominantly Bahnhofstrasse where all the big brands are. Says a lot when some of the stores don't display their prices! Had my first steak tartare yesterday too - not sure if it's Swiss; thought it was of French origin! Oh well, it was good anyways. Will post pictures later on. Have to get back to the course now!

Switzerland here I come!

OK, so this was taken in Leicester Square. I am sure I will be able to see this (and more) in Zurich. Leaving Sunday for a week-long business trip. I expect Switzerland to be covered in powdery snow for a winter wonderland experience (yes, yes, supposed to be working but no harm in getting some joy when looking out the window, right?). Somehow my mind associates skiing and Switzerland together. The weather forecast put a dampener on that though - forecast is similar to UK for next week - no snow. Sigh. Determine to have fun no doubt (oh, and work smart too!).

Sliding Doors

Everytime I take the Tube, as the buzzing alert starts to go off followed not long after by the carriage doors closing, there is always someone who rushes in (or try to rush in) at that very second to squeeze into the 10cm (and slowly decreasing) of space. I see that everyday I take the Tube - without fail.

Why is that? It's central London, so there's always one train every 3mins or so. Does getting to your destination 3mins earlier really make that much of a difference? Fair enough if you're rushing for another train at the other end, but I often wonder how many of these people actually have another train to catch. Or is it a streak of competitiveness in people to try and get the earlier train wherever possible, regardless of time (and safety - seeing some people putting their limbs at risk as they try to stop the doors closing!).

As I wondered aloud to my colleague today, he reminded me of the film Sliding Doors and how catching an earlier/later train could potentially change people's lifes. I thought more about it and realised that there have been instances in extreme cases where catching the earlier/later trains affected lives. Take the July 7 bombings for example. Some people reported that they would have caught a particular train/bus but couldn't make it in time. Similarly, some people unfortunately were caught up in the explosions because they caught the train they wouldn't normally have.

Mismatched expectations

What do you expect from friends? (Friends here to include family, ie the important people in our lives! :) ) Do you expect to receive what you give? Is it wrong to expect anything from your friends and instead, you should expect nothing? When a friend asks for a favour, do you think it's silly of them to ask - of course you will help! Or do you think it's only right to ask because it shows respect?

I notice that many a time, we go out of our way a lot more for strangers. Do you find that when we promise to do something for an acquiantance, we make more of an effort to ensure we remember to fulfil that promise compared to promises to friends. When people are coming round, we rush around tidying the house and put their feet up in the living room whereas if good friends are coming around, we are happy to ask them to get their hands dirty and help us in the kitchen. Dates with friends are sometimes cancelled at the last minute for various reasons - sometimes valid, sometimes questionable. Is it arrogant to expect friends to keep to dates and promises? On the other hand, would you be considered foolish if you ensure you keep to dates with friends?

We make an effort to dress up when we are meeting new people. With friends, we are comfortable to meet in T-shirt and trekkies. We mind our P's and Q's with strangers whilst with friends, we're not as generous with our 'excuse me', 'please' or 'thank you's'. Is it because we don't feel comfortable around 'non-friends'? Perhaps we think our friends should already know when we're sorry or thankful. It's part of the almost-telepathic skill that friends have so there is no need to display manners in the traditional sense?

Do we do all these because we feel an underlying need to impress and be liked by new people, whereas respect or affection from friends is already 'in the bag' and we don't have to work at it? Or is it because we take friends for granted? We know that despite what we do - promises broken, dates cancelled, we will still be forgiven, because that's what friends do?

Is it the weekend already?

It has been one of those weeks..... Mid week, I was surprised to find that it was only Wednesday. So much had gone on that it felt like it should be Friday! But when Friday rolled around, there was so much left to do that I couldn't believe it was Friday!

What's been happening? It's been busy busy busy at work. But won't go into details here or it'll bore you! :) Hope all turns out well though! Went to watch Les Miserables with Beverly on Wednesday - was really good. It started out a lil disappointing but after 30mins, the strength and power of the singing started showing through. Was excellent. Another trip to the theatre on Thursday, this time to watch Woman in Black with colleagues from another team. Boy, was it scary! It was a good (or bad?) thing we were sat higher up, as there were a few bits when the audience at the front screamed and we couldn't understand what they were screaming at. (Was quite funny, actually!) Perhaps when I'm feeling braver, I'll go watch it again and choose to sit in the front rows.

Thank goodness it's the weekend though! I didn't really welcome it on Friday afternoon when I saw the big pile of work that I still need to get through, but like my dad said before, work will always be there....!

Steef's farewell dinner

How to make pancakes

What is a friend?

How would you define a friend? Someone you say hello in passing? Someone you call out for a drink? Someone you confide in? Someone you gossip with?

It's so easy to introduce someone as your friend but stop - really, what is a friend? Friendships form a significant part of our lives, yet it is easy to use the word 'friend' loosely.

To me, a friend is someone you can trust to tell you the truth for your own good even if the truth hurts. Someone you rely on to help you through obstacles life throws in your path. Someone you can talk to about anything and who continues to patiently listen to your ramblings. Someone with whom you share your good and bad times. Someone who is a shoulder to cry on. Someone you can sit comfortably with in silence without feeling the need to make up meaningless conversation. Someone you can be yourself with.

A friend is someone who knows when you need a hug. Someone who knows when to say thank you. Someone who knows how to say sorry and actually mean it. Someone who does not take you for granted. A friend is one who accepts you for who you are. "A friend is someone who knows us, but loves us anyway." - Jerome Cummings

On top of all this, even more importantly, a friend is someone who believes. I was challenged at today's Women's Breakfast to really think what friendships really mean and who really are friends. Colossians 3 encourages us not to lose sight of the key principles of friendship. There shouldn't be slander, lies, greed and jealousy. Fill it instead with compssion, kindness, forgiveness, love and humility. Many times, I thought it was obvious that Mr/Ms Popular in school had more friends. But as Proverbs 13:20 says "He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm." How encouraging that the Bible acknowledges that friendships should be wisely chosen. I say wisely because it makes it clear that we shouldn't discriminate in making friends - race, belief, gender, ability; yet wisely because we need to know who influences and tempts us away from the right path.

Whilst reading the various verses, I realised more and more how lucky I was to have friends who believed. Friends who prayed for me when I walked away from God. They may have been frustrated and impatient with me at times for not seeing the obvious and for not accepting Christ back. But they never showed it once. The gentle encouragement. Jo and Joanna....

Thank You.

Meeting up with ex MCers

Kah Yong came over to UK for a short visit so met up with him, Wei Hian, Jason, Kish and Lay Seng. When I told B I was meeting up because Kah Yong was here, B (sarcastically, or so I thought) asked if Kah Yong is married "because everyone else seems to be". (B seems to have this thing about how everyone else is getting married except us - as if it's my fault!) Anyway, within first 15mins of dinner, I found out... surprise surprise, that Kah Yong is indeed getting married at the end of the year. Hahaha. What good news! (And I'm also beginning to wonder if B's got some sixth sense now!)

Since the beginning of the year, more friends are getting married: Aside from those mentioned in previous post "Start of 2006".... Leena, Lucky, Amy and now Kah Yong!

iPod fashion for babies

Now even babies can be iPod savvy. Check out www.ipopmybaby.com. Hilarious! Matching iPods and babies - every parents dream!