The Right or Wrong Move

You know when you look forward to something so much and when you get it and to only realize that it's not meant for you - have you been in that situation?

I think I am right now. Don't quite know if this was the right move! So many uncertainties. So many questions? So many "What If's"! So many "So"??!!

I think I'll give it a year. You know what they say - Home is still Home no matter what!!

Loewy Bar @ Oakwood, Mega Kuningan

So, this is the beginning of my nightlife blog entries. Last week I went to this place called Loewy - for 2 reasons - one is because it's got a real good socialite crowd and second coz it's just across the street where I live :)

This place is insanely fantastic. The profile of the crowd is quite transparent - expat males with local girls looking for expat men. Now, when I say expat, I mean Westerners. Yes there are Asian expat's but the girls are after the Westerners.

Nevertheless, the crowd profile is pretty decent and quite a friendly bunch. These are some of the pictures of the outlet. It has a beautiful interior look and feel - Malaysia has much to learn

The bar is owned by a group called Opco Group. They also own Domain and Portica in Senayan City Mall. My next destination would be that so will keep you all posted.

Black Circuit Lounge

I remember when I first came up with the theme "Black Circuit" for Johnnie Walker in Malaysia. It was back in 2005 and I was still working in Leo Burnett Advertising working on the Johnnie Walker brand. I had a vision for the brand in Malaysia and I remember the people that were involved in this revolution - we were such a good team. Of course there were some people who are claiming that they had something to do with it then but it's all crap!

Then in November 2009, I had a completely new vision for Black Circuit. I told my boss and the agency that my vision is, "Johnnie Walker Black Circuit needs to be so exclusive and private and hard to get in that in 3 years, people are willing to buy tickets or passes to the event / party. And that people would actually sell their invites coz it is so exclusive and hard to get in!!!"

Guess what - in less than 8 months, people are actually doing it already! Who said Black Circuit had no future!!?? It's time to take it regional and I will do it!

Why Weren't You There???

Like seriously, are you freaking kidding me? After all that I've done - that's what you gotta say?!! Give me a freaking break! I'm not one who wants to witness disaster! Not after what I've been through to create history! No Thank You Jose!!!!! Your failure will be my success and only time will prove that! I swear - I will!

I've got too many good things on my side! Things could have been so different!! So different!! But you messed with the wrong dude!

Friday Night in Jakarta

This is probably my first Friday night in Jakarta which I have to myself:)

So I have the liberty to plan a night out with some mates who are visiting from Malaysia for a nice chill out session.

One of my buddy - Sam Middlehurst from KL is here working as well for the week so am catching up with him. I haven't seen this kid for the longest time and so a catch up is definitely way over-due.

Probably grab a drink at one of those trendy bars in Jakarta - either Lowey in Mega Kuningan or Shy Bar in Kemang.

Either way, you will all see pictures next week.

HAPPY FRIDAY!

My Home, My Sanctuary (Temporary)

My first blog about Jakarta obviously needs to be my latest bachelor pad - so to speak but I tend to live my life a family man! I found this really nice and comfy condo very near the office - can't walk though. I live real Hollywood style - the name of the property is "Bellagio Parkway Residence" - yes! the Vegas Bellagio chain. How cool is that! It is connected to the Bellagio Mall so you can imagine what I do on the weekends. :)

This is what you see the moment you enter the apartment. Immediately, you see the dining table and the living room.
This is the plasma screen in my bedroom facing the bed. Somehow, I must have a TV in my room or else I can't sleep.
This is my bed. It is really comfortable. I am actually using the 2nd bedroom as my room coz the master bedroom doesn't have a TV. I compromised on the attached bathroom.
This is the common bathroom (which is now my bathroom but located on the outside). So cool.
And it has a tub. Mmmmm!!!!! For the record, I had no control over furnishing and color scheme as it is a fully furnished unit.
This is my living room where all the movie watching and hanging out happens!
The selling point in choosing this unit - the 42' Philips LCD TV with home-entertainment system by Philips as well. Feels just like home.
This is the 3rd room which is my office. No work gets done here.
This is actually the master bedroom and this is the bed. It's kinda small for me but it can fit 2 people. More suitable for my parents, etc.
This is the master bedroom bathroom. It also has a shower screen area.

So, as you can see, things are comfy for me here in Jakarta. And I am actually quite well taken care of by the company I work for. Who says alcohol bring bad habits!!!

Jakarta, Jakarta, Jakarta

I've been missing from the world of blogging! I know I know. I've been bad. But I have a valid reason. I am now a resident in beautiful Jakarta. Yup! Yup! You better believe it. Took up a job here which is quite challenging given the nations landscape and work ethics so it's gonna be fun fun fun!!
Been in Jakarta for over a month now. Liking it so far. But i must say that pollution here is terrible. Every morning I wake up with a throat that is sore and a weak body. But after a shower, all is back to normal until I head out of the door and face the world of Indonesia.
I will constantly update my blog about my life here as there is plenty to say. So watch out for this space people. Expect loads of pictures about bars, club and lounges. Food Food Food (btw I'm on a no-rice diet) and people people people!!
See ya

Inspiration

I found this to be really sweet and touching. It made me shed a tear and that proves I am human with true emotions. Now, I want to share this with the world.

My Name is Rose

The first day of school our professor introduced himself and challenged us to get to know someone we didn't already know. I stood up to look around when a gentle hand touched my shoulder.

I turned around to find a wrinkled, little old lady beaming up at me with a smile that lit up her entire being.

She said, 'Hi handsome. My name is Rose. I'm eighty-seven years old. Can I give you a hug?'

I laughed and enthusiastically responded; 'Of course you may!' and she gave me a giant squeeze.

'Why are you in college at such a young, innocent age?' I asked.


She jokingly replied, 'I'm here to meet a rich husband, get married, and have a couple of kids...'

'No seriously,' I asked. I was curious what may have motivated her to be taking on this challenge at her age.

'I always dreamed of having a college education and now I'm getting one!' she told me.

After class we walked to the student union building and shared a chocolate milkshake.

We became instant friends. Every day for the next three months we would leave class together and talk nonstop. I was always mesmerized listening to this 'time machine' as she shared her wisdom and experience with me.

Over the course of the year, Rose became a campus icon and she easily made friends wherever she went... She loved to dress up and she reveled in the attention bestowed upon her from the other students. She was living it up.

At the end of the semester we invited Rose to speak at our football banquet. I'll never forget what she taught us. She was introduced and stepped up to the podium. As she began to deliver her prepared speech, she dropped her three by five cards on the floor.

Frustrated and a little embarrassed she leaned into the microphone and simply said, 'I'm sorry I'm so jittery. I gave up beer for Lent and this whiskey is killing me! I'll never get my speech back in order so let me just tell you what I know.'

As we laughed she cleared her throat and began, ' We do not stop playing because we are old; we grow old because we stop playing.

There are only four secrets to staying young, being happy, and achieving success. You have to laugh and find humor every day. You've got to have a dream. When you lose your dreams, you die.

We have so many people walking around who are dead and don't even know it!

There is a huge difference between growing older and growing up.

If you are nineteen years old and lie in bed for one full year and don't do one productive thing, you will turn twenty years old. If I am eighty-seven years old and stay in bed for a year and never do anything I will turn eighty-eight.

Anybody can grow older. That doesn't take any talent or ability... The idea is to grow up by always finding opportunity in change. Have no regrets.

The elderly usually don't have regrets for what we did, but rather for things we did not do. The only people who fear death are those with regrets.'

She concluded her speech by courageously singing 'The Rose.'

She challenged each of us to study the lyrics and live them out in our daily lives At the year's end Rose finished the college degree she had begun all those years ago.

One week after graduation Rose died peacefully in her sleep.

Over two thousand college students attended her funeral in tribute to the wonderful woman who taught by example that it's never too late to be all you can possibly be.

REMEMBER, GROWING OLDER IS MANDATORY. GROWING UP IS OPTIONAL. We make a Living by what we get. We make a Life by what we give.

God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage... If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.
'Good friends are like stars..... ......You don't always see them, but you know they are always there..

Who Are You? Who Am I?

The world is changing and is becoming more demanding and the pressure of lifestyle and coping, gets tougher to keep up with. Does that mean, we change who we are to fit in or do we find that place where we fit in with our current beliefs and principles in life? I would think the latter.
Recently a very close and dear friend of mine made not 1 but 2 mistakes. Something that she thought she would never do and in fact critised when others did it but recently she found herself in those exact same shoes - not once but twice. She realised it was a huge mistake and almost immediately she also realised the reputation she had brought onto her.
On my end, I was very disappointed to learn that she did something that we all believed was a cheap act for attention. I never once thought that she would do such a thing. I care for all my friends and she is definitely a dear friend so my diappointment and sadness reaches another level.
So much potential but this proves, that those who you think are friends turn out to be nothing but useless bastards and bitches. True friends don't let you do those things and will stop you from making a mistake. These are not your true friends.
I just hope and pray that she realises it and comes out of whatever dilemma she is in right now.
For now, all I can do is lend support.

The Future of India

I think India is moving into a more funky public transport system. But my question is: How long will this last given the quality control that is in place in India? Food for thought:)

Universal Studio Singapore

I was like a little kid high on sugar running around Toys'R'Us - that was me in Universal Studios Singapore. To be honest, it wasn't all that great compared to the one in America but to be fair, it just opened up in Singapore and so they need time to get things running and operating well. Overall, I was impressed on the warm hospitality that the people who work there demonstrated to us.
The run down is as follows:
1 Day Adult Pass - SGD$66 (but you get in return a SGD$10 Retail Voucher and a SGD$15 F&B Voucher) - so technically the cost of the entry ticket is SGD$41
The rides that were open:
1. Mummy Ride - absolutely recommend this as there are loads of unexpected-ness in this ride
2. Juraccis Park ride - pretty cool. Legs hanging.
3. Shrek 4D - worth the experience - its 4D!!!
4. Tea Cup - ok la to get high without alcohol
5. Monsters Rock - nice musical
The other rides were under maintainence but if they were open, the double coaster would have been the BOMB!!!
There are loads of street attractions too that are worth watching. Just check out the pictures below. I will definitely head back next year when everything is full swing.
And those who think you can resist buying things from the gift shop - think again! I got suckered into it!
Enjoy

The Theory of Intelligence

I don't know if this can be explained any better. Check it out! This is humor from the 80's but yet makes complete sense.



'Well you see, Norm, it's like this . . . A herd of buffalo can only move as fast as the slowest buffalo. And when the herd is hunted, it is the slowest and weakest ones at the back that are killed first. This natural selection is good for the herd as a whole, because the general speed and health of the whole group keeps improving by the regular killing of the weakest members. In much the same way, the human brain can only operate as fast as the slowest brain cells. Now, as we know, excessive intake of alcohol kills brain cells. But naturally, it attacks the slowest and weakest brain cells first. In this way, regular consumption of beer eliminates the weaker brain cells, making the brain a faster and more efficient machine. And that, Norm, is why you always feel smarter after a few beers.'

Hail Australia

Many people claim that they do the best that they can do to deliver what can be best delivered within their ability. Did I confuse you with that statement? Good, now read this - my new mentor - Australian Prime Minister - the world should be more like him and all the leaders should lead like him - WITH BALLS!
This is what his speech was a few months back to his fellow Australian's!



Quote:
IMMIGRANTS, NOT AUSTRALIANS, MUST ADAPT. Take It Or Leave It. I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on Bali , we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Australians. This culture has been developed over two centuries of struggles, trials and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom. We speak mainly ENGLISH, not Spanish, Lebanese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society . Learn the language!' Most Australians believe in God. This is not some Christian, right wing, political push, but a fact, because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our culture.' 'We will accept your beliefs, and will not question why. All we ask is that you accept ours, and live in harmony and peaceful enjoyment with us.'
'This is OUR COUNTRY, OUR LAND, and OUR LIFESTYLE, and we will allow you every opportunity to enjoy all this. But once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about Our Flag, Our Pledge, Our Christian beliefs, or Our Way of Life, I highly encourage you take advantage of one other great Australian freedom, 'THE RIGHT TO LEAVE'.' 'If you aren't happy here then LEAVE. We didn't force you to come here. You asked to be here. So accept the country YOU accepted. Maybe if we circulate this amongst ourselves, WE will find the courage to
start speaking and voicing the same truths.

Seven Pounds - Seven Hearts

I'm very critical when it comes to movies. I'm not a huge movie buff but when I do watch one, I want to make sure that it's worth the time and effort.
I just finished watching Will Smith's Seven Pounds.
I'm not afraid to admit it - it made me tear and very close to crying. It's amazing how one can be truly sincere in life.
In this movie, Ben played by Will Smith has a dark past that destroyed his life and has caused him to live a life of guilt. With no other option to redeem himself, he sets out to help those who are in need - truly in need of life.
I must say that, someone who gives his heart up so that someone else who is on a count down to death due to heart failure, someone who gives up his eyes so that a blind man can appreciate the colors of life and giving up his liver to the dying- I can't think of anyone in my life that would do that. Heck! Even I will think twice before doing it.
The show really moved me emotionally. I realized that life is precious but giving life to someone, is truly a gift and a blessing. This movie kept my heart at the edge of the cliff and it skipped a beat just watching the selfless act of Ben.
Would I give up my heart like he did? Probably not to a stranger but for my family- without a doubt.
Love all and forgive all because life is too short to hate. Besides, we are all on borrowed time on earth so why waste it.

Don't Turn Back

I've always wondered if time is really the essence to life's problems? When they say that time will heal, how long do they really mean? Is it a day? 2 days? A month? A year? Or 10 years? Or perhaps never??!!
I guess that in some matters, time is the essence but those are just some. What about matters that really pierce emotions? Matters that puts your heart to a massive test? Matters that test your endurance of pain and suffering? Rather dramatic I've become.
I guess what I'm getting at is, if time does heal, then do you think that perhaps:
1) What happened in the past is something that we can now smile about as life's experience and not be sour about it?
2) Reconsider the decisions that we've made and re-decide?
3) Truly give what seems so right another chance despite havin failed once? Besides, life is all about risks right so if one person is willing to take the leap, what's the harm right?
It's been a couple of months and what seemed possible to do then, now, after giving it time, doesnt feel right. If two people are for what ever reason insecure, then wouldn't it be nice for them to battle insecurity together? To make wrong right? To build a home and not just a temporary structure to sooth the moment? To be able to fall back with confidence that the other will catch?
I miss those. I really do. I've seen past it all. Life is short - really short. It doesn't matter who was wrong and who was right. What really matters is that - what could and should have been right, is just hopes and dreams at this point. Is there hope inside me? Always! It's hard to give up on something when you feel so strongly about it.
Reality might strike and make it happen or I could just spend the rest of my life hoping, but that's just being human isn't it?
This country is truly home. It was home when I was a child. It was home when I was a teenager. It was home when I was a young adult. It was home when I was abroad studying. It was home when I was abroad working. It was home because it was where my family was! But, the question remains- will this be home for me now that it's time to build a family of my own? Will it give me the same warm feeling as it did or will it be a place where I would feel more pain than ease? A good thought to have - and in fact, when pain over-rules happiness, do I really wanna live here?
We'll see! Right now, I just want you to know that, although it's only 1% of hope, but it's still hope.
Make it or you break it!

Another Shot Perhaps?

Do you think that another shot can be given to us?

Pain Pain Pain

The day that I thought would scar my entire life, came and went and it definitely left a scar on me. I went for my surgery last week and it was not an experience that I would recommend anyone. Prevention is definitely better than cure anytime and any day.

So, about a month or so back, I began to get this lump on the right side of my neck every time I eat. I ignored it at first but it begun to hurt and it was getting worse. So after several medical tests, it was confirmed that I had a stone in my sub-mandibular duct. So surgery was planned.

Last Wednesday was my surgery and I was shit scared. Anything can happen during surgery no matter how good the doctor’s are especially when I’m going under General Anesthetics. Given my health complications, it’s a lot more hard and everyone needed to be more cautious on what is done to me. I also found out on that very morning, that I now have 2 stones that needs to be removed – one is 5mm in size and is deep inside closer to my saliva gland while the other is smaller and is closer to the mouth region. The doctor said that since he is putting me under G.A., that he will remove both so that it won’t be a problem later on.

I couldn’t eat that entire morning while I was being prepped for surgery. At 12 noon, the nurse comes into my room and gives me a robe to change into and after that she gave me a shot to relax my muscles. Then I was carted to the Operation Theatre.

I was beginning to get a little drowsy at this point but still conscious to feel pain. Once I was in the operating room, the anesthetic greeted me and this was when I got frightened coz it was a young Malay fellow. I asked him what happened to the other Chinese anesthetic and as I said that, Dr. Lee walked in and ensured me that everything is fine. They inserted the line into the vein on my left hand and then hell begun. They injected something that made me scream and tears started rolling out from my eyes. I vaguely remember yelling at that young fellow saying that something like “What the f%#k dude!!! Get someone who knows what they are doing!!” Then Dr. Lee took over and I was out after that.

When I came to, all I remember was that there were voices in my room but I couldn’t open my eyes due to all the drugs I was being fed. Mom told me that the surgery took 3 hours and I came out of the drugs around 8pm. It was nice to open my eyes to some guests in my room. I was in the hospital for 2 days for observation. My neck hurts but the pain killers were there to help minimize the pain.

Now, am at my brother’s place resting and recovering. The bandage around my neck is still there and the doctor said that he will remove it one week after my discharge date which is this coming Thursday. It’s hard to sleep coz it hurts real badly. I can’t move my neck much coz its sore in all places. I have to sleep straight facing up all night and can’t move much. Eating is troublesome coz it hurts when I chew. Every time I swallow, it hurts. Every time I cough it hurts. Every time I laugh it hurts. Every time I sneeze it hurts. Pretty much everything that I do, it hurts. According to my parents, because the surgery included cutting of some nerves and veins, healing will take some time.

It ain’t fun being in this position really. Life becomes so tough. I can’t go to work. I’m gonna have a scar on my neck. And it’s gonna take about a month or so for me to fully recover and heal and lead a normal life again. I must drink at least 10 glasses of water every day. I must control my alcohol intake because it is one of the causes of stone formation in the saliva gland.

And because I live alone and have no one at home to look after me, I’m staying with my brother and his family. The doctor said that I can’t do any hard work during my recovery so my brother and his wife and their maid pretty much handle everything for me and all I do is sit and watch movies all day.

Submandibular Salivary Gland Stones

I guess when you hit over 30 and lived 30 years of medical free lifestyle, it's time that visits to the local hospital becomes frequent. This week has been full of needles and pain for me. 2 weeks ago, I begun to get swelling on the left side of my neck but only happens when I eat food. So I didn't think much of it. Of course I wouldn't coz there was no pain at all. But in the last week, pain became a friend to me visiting me every minute of the day. The feeling of discomfort and pain rose to it's peak over the days to a point where I just couldnt take it anymore.
On Wednesday, I went to the clinic to check just what the hell is going on in there and was put through a CT Scan. Little did I know that it involved needles - I hate needles and injections. First the dumb ass nurse couldn't find my vein on my right hand so she inserted the needle and then pulled it out and then she says "Alamak! Miss lah." WTF!!! Now my right hand is swollen. So I told her to get someone who knows what they are doing to do this. Another lady walks in and does it successfully on my left arm. The scan revealed and confirmed that I do have a stone in my saliva gland the size of 5mm.
Went back to the doctor who then told me that there is also an infection which is why it hurts so bad so he put me on a 48 hours I.V. antibiotics. What this is - injecting the medication directly into my veins and it had to be done twice - once on Wednesday and one on Thursday. That was painful as hell coz it takes about 10mins to fully inject it into the system. Imagine have a needle in you with hot fluid flowing into the veins :( NOT FUN!!!!
Went for a follow up today and the doctor said that the infection in cured and now he puts me on another round of oral antibiotics for another 4 days and during that period, he hopes that the stone comes out on it's own - he is trying to avoid surgery coz being a doctor's kid and all, he is more carful with me. If by Monday the stone doesn't come out, then on Tuesday, I will need to admit myself into the hospital and undergo surgery. Then I will need to stay in the hospital for 3 days for post surgery recovery.
WISH ME LUCK! Do visit me ok! And bring flowers!
This is my CT Scan - cool huh!

500 Days of Summer

So, I finally watched the movie. I must agree that this movie totally relays love messages quite well. I mean, in the movie, Summer actually confronted Tom in the fall of their relationship - well, relationship for Tom but just another day for Summer.
It's definitely not another love story - as clearly indicated by the Director at the beginning of the movie. This isn't your typical "Boy Meets Girl" - "Girl Meets Boy" - "Boy and Girl Fall in Love - " Boy and Girl fight" - "Boy and Girl Fall Back in Love" ' "Wedding Bells Ring!". Nope, definitely not that. As the DVD says, Boy Meets Girl, Boy Loves Girl, but Girl Doesn't!
I get it that, in love, nothing is certain. But to say that absolutely nothing is certain - I disagree. On several levels, the movie potrays the true essence of a relationship. Tom falls madly in love with Summer but Summer on the other hand, isn't really looking for something serious and merely just wants to have fun with no strings attached. Hey! I'm all for that really. How rare is it that a girl can tell you that all she wants is mind-blowing sex and nothing more?
But what puzzles me is this - Summer and Tom spend quality time together. They go shopping together, have dinners together, attend a wedding together and of course, have that mind-blowing sex - obviously together. In my world, this all means that they are getting to know each other and are getting comfortable with each other. Then all of a sudden, she decides he's not the one for him or rather, she cannot see herself growing old with him? Puzzling don't you think? Maybe she realised that someone that she has spend all this time with isn't the one for her which is fine and I was okay with all that until - until the end of the movie.
Summer actually tells Tom that she is married - Hold On! But we thought that she didn't want anything serious - how do we know this? SHE TOLD TOM THAT! Kinda hypocritical right!
Then she goes on to say that the guy that she married, is someone that approached her in a deli and very briefly after that, they are married. So let me see if I get this: She knows Tom very well but realises that he isn't the one - keeping in mind that he never cheated on her, never lied to her, never betrayed her trust. But instead, she married someone that she doesn't know and who could turn out to be a psycho? Nice! I get it! Actually, I don't! I really don't!
If I can summarize this movie how I see it - don't bother getting to know someone that well! Instead, just marry him or her and hope for the best! Gosh! This is complicated!
If you ask me, marrying someone without loving that person and learning to love that person after the wedding - this is called ARRANGED MARRIAGE which I'm totally Okay with really. I mean, look at our parents - most of them are arranged and they are fine. But I think we should all be true to ourselves and accept that if this is what we want, then we shouldn't get into a love relationship. I know I have! In fact, I've even accepted the fact that perhaps I'm not made for a relationship let alone a marriage. Guess, my destiny is bachelorhood - seems to be a simple solution.
FATE - I still believe in this. If 2 people met - it was fated. If 2 people fall in love, it was fated. If 2 people get married, it was destiny. If they ever fall out of love, then it's in their own hands to fix it.
Maybe I'm wrong, Maybe I'm right! Whatever it is, people have their own beliefs and I shall not impose in what they think and feel. All I know is that, I'm happy. Not everyone can relate their life to a movie because movies are made for entertainment and not as a solution or an answer to a problem.
Adios!

Remote The Life

This is by far, the best remote control that I've ever seen and I hope that someone actually figures out how to make this a reality and produce the damm thing!