Staff Party 2009

Every year, after all the hard work and strained energy, the staff of Riche Monde take a well deserved break and head out of town for some wacky-tacky, fancy-spanzy 2days1night away from the hussle and bussle of the city. For us, this is a real treat away from computers, paperwork, printers and phones (well mobile not included). It is a retreat where we let our hair down, fold our sleeves and pants, take off our shoes and just chill......
This year, we ventured to Bukit Tinggi and stayed at Berjaya's Comlar Resort. The weather was pleasantly cool and the resort - dude, I was in "Pa'ris"!!!!!
This is Colmar Resort and the view was breath-taking man! The building, the people, the weather - it was Pa'ris mate! Suddenly I had the urge to learn, know and speak French!

Le recours était si beau qu'il ne s'est pas senti que nous étions toujours en Malaisie (for those who don't know French - ahem! ahem! it means - The resort was so beautiful that it didn't feel that we were still in Malaysia)

Even the people that worked there were polite and very helpful and always smiling. They are definitely not people from Penang, KL or Johor. KL not so bad la - it's the other two that is bad!

This is the "Wishing Well" that is planted smack center of the walk way of the resort area as you walk toward your rooms. I threw in a coin and wished something - let's see if that comes true! I'm obviously not gonna say it here coz then it wouldn't come true.

Now, a team that works together very hard, also plays together - extra hard!! We had some team building games that required alot of energy and stamina - yea! freaking rite! bunch of people who deal with alcohol expected to sustain high level of energy and stamina. Give me a break but guess what - we did it. We were competitive (that's how we crush our enemies) and we were tackful with the task. Reminded me so much of Amazing Race Asia where you sabotage clues so that others don't find it. Here you see Enyr trying to do the hulla loops.
And in this task, 2 of us were to walk ahead while another walks backwards - trick is - our feet was tied to each other. So, we just blady hell carried the Hot mama!!!
The carpet toss was great - it's hard to explain but essentially, its how far you can jump and how many people can stand on 1 4X4 carpet without touching the sand area. Here you see Joo jumping for her life!
The 4 people slipper - you guessed it - stick it in and walk together. Obviously some are just beginning to learn to walk properly.

After all that games and treasure hunts, it was time to celebrate. Of course the winning team was the one that I was in - not because we were good or anything but coz the MD was in the same team so it's obvious who wins if you want to get into the good books - just kidding!!
The theme for the night was Back To The 70's,80's,90's and this is our MD - Frederic Noyere. Yes he's french so he was right at home at this resort. Fun dude and we had a blast with him by the pool, in the pool and out of the pool - in a decent way!!! You freaking dirty minded morons!!!
Our celebration includes food and "mother load of alcohol"!!!! We had everything you can possibly imagine - Johnnie Walker, Hennessy, Bailey's Smirnoff, Moet, Wines, etc.

These are the true beauties of the company really - except for Francis and Lim - don't know what they are doing here in the picture.
Here we have from left to right - Shirley (suppose to be Irene Cara from Flash Dance), Melinda (the biker chick) and Juanita (i'm still trying to figure out what she was). But nevertheless, all looking extremely stunning.
The wonderful ladies at a glance.

So, when you mix high beat, energy draining games followed by dinner with s%*t loads of alcohol, the following is what happens!! Reminder - we all work together so we are all practically brothers & sisters - KEEP THAT IN MIND!!!

Rachael and her tweety bird sleeping costume. She wanted the attention on little tweety hence the covering of the eyes!! Like we can't recognize you!!

Kar Wai - just had to get some sleep after loosing his slipper (which he never had to begin with), his mind with alcohol and his pride in the pool!

Enyr representing ya''ll

ME - representing ya'll

Carol & I - after the whole dinner and drinks, we all needed to cool down so we headed back to the resort and had more drinks.

Kok Leong representing ya'll

Ivan representing ya'll

Joo & Sylvia - before the grand slam pool action!

The newly promoted Andrew Khan - he cheated during the 5 sec shot - he opened his mouth but kept his teeth together - CHEATER!!! Uncool!!

Kar Wai & Shirley ....................................picture speaks a thousand words!

We really do care for Andrew but when he's drunk, it's all about having fun! Some might say its CLM (career limiting move) - Joo & I say it's CD (career disaster) - ha! ha!

One big happy half naked and fully wet family!

When we were still dry! The idea is to get yourself wet on your own so you don't get thrown into the pool.

As the night started, Jeff and Ashu looking very sober. Should have seen them after!!!

Left to Right: Joo, Melvin, me & hot mama Jessie.

In the end, the whole trip was fun. I won a LV handbag from the lucky draw and exchanged it with another colleague for an iPhone 3G - cool huh! I told you we are a good company to work for!

Hopefully next year's staff party has more dry shot rather than wet shots! These are pictures that are for public viewing. All the private viewing shots are safe and shall not be releases EVER!!!

Good-Bye to a Colleague

A colleague and a friend - Foo Ken Vin - ex-Brand Manager of Hennessy V.S.O.P. - recently moved on with his career path and we had a farewell party for him at De-Lux Nightclub in Ampang Park. Why De-Lux - simple - because it's a business partner outlet with Riche Monde and they are willing to organize a nice buffet line for us.
Ken Vin served as a brand manager for 3 years and I've known him for 2 years out of that 3 years - not because we were both arrogant but I've only been there for 2 years:) Nevertheless, he is one dude that has never had an angry look or a pissed off look. He is always smiling and forever accommodating. He now works with GAB serving as a Brand Manager for TIGER beer.

As you can see, we were both into hip-hop hence the hand sign.
And that night, many talents were unleashed and many were shocked with the many talents that the company has. Some could really sing while other could really drink.
This was Ken Vin's farewell gift - a HUGE HUGE HUGE bottle of Hennessy with everyone's signature on it and he promised that this bottle would never be opened for whatever reason. But we all know how long that will last. Have you ever been in a situation where you and your mates were having a blast and suddenly you run out of booze and at that time these are your options:

1. Accept the fact that there is no more booze and call it a night; or

2. Break open all the limited edition / special edition collectors pack and keep the party going

My choice: Number 2!!!

In this picture, I'm with Kar Wai - who is replacing Shirley who is going for her maternity and will only be back after 3 months. The girl is Juanita - she works with us and was also a college mate back in Metropolitan college back in the 90's.
And this is "hot-mama" Shirley. Even when she is pregnant, she can still kick out a mean tune and put everyone to shame in the singing talent department. She will be missed.

Good luck Ken Vin and I'm sure you will kick some butt in GAB! See you at the Tavern real soon mate!