What Have I Been Up To?????

It's been awhile since I last blogged. I've just been soooo caught up with work and personal stuff that blogging just became less of a priority. But there are people that I made a promise to - that I will update my blog so that they can read what I've been up to.

So, question is, what have I been up to?? And the list begins:

1. I got engaged and am getting married in August

2. I sold all my cars

3. I moved to Jakarta, Indonesia and have been working here since July 2010

4. I suggested some bar names for a friend who is opening a bar in KL and they liked it. So, look out for Chip 'n' Dale

5. I'm the Head of Marketing for Diageo brands in Indonesia

6. I tried resigning but got rejected. I now spend 1 week in KL and 1 week in Jakarta and still handle Indonesia

7. I kick started Johnnie Walker's F1 lifestyle events in Jakarta and the first big party is on April 16th 2011. Venue: Classified to the privileged few.

8. My family is a family now

9. I have a mother-in-law who loves me to bits. And her daughter - even deeper bits.

10. I realized who my true friends are now

11. I recognize who the users are too.

12. I learned that distance is for those who really can disconnect from the world. I just can't!

13. I don't want to be in a top post in my career. I want to be as grounded as I can to make a difference to a brand

14. I appreciate Malaysia traffic now

15. I rarely drive these days - Jakarta traffic not friendly at all.

16. Malaysian's are ALOTTTTTTT smarter and have thinking power - go figure.

17. Jakarta is a heaven for men. Once happy hour is over, it's hell for those who work here.

18. Everyone is friendly - too friendly that nothing happens.

19. I love my Blackberry

20. I don't like the iPhone anymore

21. We own an iPad now purely for games

22. I need to get back into the popularity game in KL - thru the cash game

23. I am thinking about kids already

24. I have a long way in my career

25. I am freaking good at what I do and I won't compromise or defer!!

26. I will always own Black Circuit - hahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!! And Cyril too!!!!!!!

27. I have 2 best friends who have my best interest in their heart

28. I no longer need to pay full price when buying luxury cars :p suckers....

29. I no longer need to apply for bank loan to buy a car :P suckers....

30. There is nothing wrong with you - it's everyone else that is weird and retarded.

Wow! All that only took me 2 minutes to list out and now I'm tired. I'm sure I can cook up a list if I went on but I will stop for now. So, everyone, I'm doing absolutely freaking awesome.

Thank you all for being there for me. For those who aren't here anymore, I wish you all the best. No stress. No anger. Life goes on!

A Sight for Beauty

The New Jaguar on display in Pacific Place Mall in Jakarta.

The Ever Famous "Samy"

You gotta be proud of our leaders when their communication skills are sooo good that any mistake done is accepted due to their lack of credibility. Malaysia - truly a country where you don't have to be educated or even have gone to school to become a Minister! Check this out - no wonder why we are the laughing stock of the world!

Famous quotes by the one and only Samy Velu....

1. Samy Velu quoted on Pos Laju:- " BESOH KIRIM, HARI INI JUGA SAMPAI"

2. On TV when trying to say he was ashamed, he said:-"Ini prekara sangat memalukan saya dan kemaluan saya sangat-sangat la besar"

3. Samy said in a ceramah - "Kita akan bina satu jambatan wuntuk worang2 kampong di sini" Then one pakcik asked, "Datuk,sini takde sungai, buat apa bina jambatan? and Samy gloriously replied, "Kalao takde sungai,kita bina sungai"

4. Samy's most favourite quote on the news for the decade is this:- "Toll naik sikit,banyak marah saya. You worang ingat semua ini toll saya punyer bapah punya kah!

5. Semasa krisis air: " Semua worang diminta jangan membuang aiyerr..!"

6. Tentang masalah social: "Worang2 muda sekarang banyak suka hisap dade.."

7. Semasa kempen derma darah di Sg.Siput: "marilah kita semua menderma dare..."

8. Semasa memberi ucapan di pelbagai function: "Selamat datang saudara-mara semua" (It should have been saudara-saudari)

9. At an opening ceremony for a new building: "Mempersilakan Datin Paduka Rafidah Aziz naik dari pentas wuntuk membuka kain "

10. P.L.U.S. = PUNGUT LEBIH UNTUK SAMY - that is why Samy can use the PLUS helicopter whenver he wants to.

11. The world greatest joke - "Kita akan bina roket pigi matahari"....reporter responds - "Tapi Dato, matahari terlalu panas untik didekati"...Samy responds...."Itu tade masalah...kita hantar waktu malam:

Slide Baby Slide.....

Jakarta is known for it's uniqueness. This is yet another cool thing that I saw. There is a mall called FX Mall in Central Jakarta. Besides the escalator and elevators, people have another option of travelling from the top floor to the ground floor. Check it out!!!

This is really cool. Tried it and felt like a little kid. I was amongst the people that wanted to go twice but the queue was too long la wei!!!

Rumah Kartunegara, Jakarta

Recently I was taken to this place called Rumah Kartunegara is a very remote but central housing area in Jakarta. You would never suspect that such a place exist in that area but it does. This place isn't open to public - only private bookings for wedding dinners, high-tea, corporate events and private dinners. The place is owned by an Indonesia royalty family who happens to be super down to earth. I had the pleasure of meeting her and I want to share her legacy with the world now. Enjoy!! The place is available to rent at IDR30million which is about USD4K per day :)

A View From The Sky

I agree that I have always been skeptical about people who fly and always take these photographs from the inside of the airplane. I've criticized, made fun and even make funny faces at them. But this view, I just couldn't pass up! It was truly a sight to cherish and treasure. This was on the way from KL to Jakarta!

A Visit To Surabaya, Indonesia

My job takes me places. When I was in Malaysia, my job took me all over Malaysia. And now that I'm in Indonesia, it takes me everywhere here. My market visit last week took me to Surabaya. This is such an under-stated city. It is the 2nd biggest major city in Indonesia after Jakarta. The city is vibrant and full of life.

I stayed at the JW Marriot of course - that's how we roll in Diageo. The room is real comfy. The bed was awesome.
Yes yes - it was awesome.
A hotel room with a tub and a shower says alot.
The tub - duh!!!
Pantry and mini bar - thank GOD they have beer!
We then went to have dinner at this place called Eclastic. Kinda like a pub/bar with love band. Pretty cool. But our food came from the restaurant next door (same owners) called "D'Kampeoung". Very traditional and super yummy. I will let the pictures speak for itself.
Super spicy dawg!!!!
Another super spicy meal but freaking yummy!!!!
Yet another.


I ended up picking Nasi Kuning with Ayam Sambal and Tempe Sambal.
Which immediately was followed by this drink called "Ice Manado" - made out of dairy milk, coconut, lychee and sprite. Excellent but not a good idea before drinking booze :(
This is Surabaya Town Square - something like TTDI plaza in KL but bigger and more happening places.
My agency people just happy to be drinking after all those market visits to "fun" places.
And of course the next morning, a nice hot cup of coffee was much needed to cure the lack of sleep.

Is It A Sign????

Lately, I've been having super-mixed feelings about certain decisions that I have made in life. As the days go by, I am more and more disturbed about my decisions and am beginning to think perhaps I've made a massive mistake.

So much uncertainty, so much confusion, so much hatred, so much rejection and most of all, so much mis-match chemistry in this whole situation.

Today, I received a fortune cookie with my food and this is the message that I got in it:

I think it's a major sign that eliminates any questions!!!

Singapore GP

This is the first year that I did not head to Singapore for the Formula One fever but I was there couple of days before the weekend and had the chance to see the streets being transformed into the race track. Amazingly organized wei! KL loose la! So sad!

Flying in Style

KLM ROCKS man!!! It is super cheap to begin with and then can afford Business Class somemore :)

Party in Jakarta

Went to this place called Imigrant in Plaza Indonesia. This place is amazing. The people are super freaking hot and WILD!!!!

Guinness 9-Ball Tour

When I first got to Jakarta, I had the privilege of attending the Guinness 9-Ball Tour Tournament held in one of the malls here called Mall Taman Anggerik. This is what I saw