Much ado since blogging

Ok. This is probably be a somewhat longish post. Many things to blog about

First up, went to the company convention in Orlando. The convention was in some ways, as expected, but in other ways, eye-opening. It really affirmed that the company was much bigger and different in some ways than it is in Singapore. In some ways, it's almost more about the franchisees than about the company. And that is how it should be.

After that, went to NYC to spend some time with H. Got to run in Central Park, hang out with Fish in Park Slope, and catch some really good Broadway stuff. Rent was probably the least impressive, but at least now i can say that i saw it on Broadway before it closed. Avenue Q was clever and side-splitting, while Cat on a Hot Tin Roof was pretty interesting. Gypsy was hands-down the best production though. Patti LuPone was absolutely amazing, surrounded by a first-rate cast. This was the first time seeing an actress get a standing ovation in the middle of a production.

Also got a chance to get some really good food at Gramercy Tavern, as well as check out a weird place that sold all kinds of flavored rice puddings. Add to that a trip to Coney Island and see it in all its denuded glamour. Kinda like an old run down pasar malam lost in its old glories. But still fun.

It's funny how NYC grows on me every time we go there. I like it a lot more now, but i'm still not sure i would visit.

Got back and dove straight into work, then flew to Tokyo for a meeting. Tokyo was fun, but intimidating (as usual) due to the relative lack of English-friendliness. The meeting went well, and i managed to impress the bosses there at the meeting, including one i chatted with for 1 hour on the way back to the airport.

Makes me feel good about my job, and also makes me feel very fortunate to be where i am today. Somehow, i've managed to perform well through all the various situations i get thrown in. Recently, i was headhunted for another job heading up a medium sized company in the entertainment industry. Even got the job offer (surprisingly enough), but i love my job too much to consider leaving. Lucky. That's me.

Anyway, got a few more travels coming up. Have never travelled so much before, although definitely not as much as the regional folks in the company. But am starting to run through all the movies on the plane... even had to watch the lifestyle shows!!! There are perks to travelling so much though. I now get first dibs on aisle/window seats, and access to the lounge with good food. The little victories of being on the road :)

Ajantis is a roadie, not a road-warrior....

Believe the beguine

So i turned 31 last Friday the 14th of March.

Even though i didn't organise my usual dinner with friends, and didn't do the customary birthday dance with Jitterbugs, it was extremely heart-warming to get all the well-wishes from friends near and far, and from colleagues in the office.

Over email, over phone or sms, over msn, or even in person... i appreciated each and every one of you that took time to say a simply happy birthday. My colleagues even bought a surprise birthday cake and sang happy birthday in front of the entire office!

Turning older has never been so much fun. Thanks everyone. I felt like the luckiest person on earth yesterday.

Ajantis is embracing the 30s and looking for his zoot suit....

Jumping at the JAM side

Another SEA Jam is over. 7th SeaJam for me. Has it been that long?

SEA Jam socials were definitely more fun this time. The level of dancing was less uneven, and the Beijing dancers were mostly all quite good! Didn't get much out of the classes (as expected). Next time, i'll either go as a follow, or just take privates.

It was nice to hear Frankie talk again about his life and career as a swing dancer. Amazing to see the guy still hale and hearty at 94, although it is also sad to see how he does slow down somewhat with each year. Got to ferry him in my car. A little bit of a cheap thrill, but how often can you say that you've driven someone who spoke to and danced with Ella Fitzgerald!!! He also showed this pretty amazing clip... I'll never look down on tap dancing again :P

H was here the 2 weeks before SEAJam. A very pleasant time together. We didn't have any big fights (for the 3rd trip in a row!) and we talked a lot more about H setting up a bakery up here. I'm still a little wary of the huge investment required, but H's promised to do a lot more homework this time. Anyway, this was also the first time i couldn't completely tear myself away from work, which made me feel a little guilty. H was fine with it... his easygoing nature is part of what makes our relationship work. We even spent the last night watching some swing clips after i came home from Frankie's talk. Even though H doesn't like to dance, he has a great appreciation of dance and of music, so it was nice to share this time and this interest together on the night before he flew off.

Diving back into work now, and enjoying it. Been talking a lot with my boss about changes for this and next year. Kind of intimidating, but that's part of what stimulates us to learn and grow.

As a break from work, we all went to Harry's last night to hear this amazing black singer on his last night. On the last number, Route 66, he did an awesome call and response wit the trombone player. You had to be there to appreciate it, but it was pretty amazing. Oh, and me and Miss T also scandalised our friends and half the bar with our ribald Foucault repartee. Ah Miss T, how much less fun life would be if you weren't around.

Ajantis will go have a slippery nipple with a screwdriver and a screaming orgasm with T now....

Storm before the wind before the calm

In the blink of an eye, Chinese New Year is here again.

Every year it seems a little bit less festive. The family still meets up, but it seems like less of an event every year.

I used to recall being really excited as Chinese New Year came around. It was a chance to see everyone again, play some buan luck (teochew version of blackjack), get ang baos, eat food, staying up to see the yearly CNY special. But i guess that kind of faded after my grandmother passed away, because she was the point around which my family congregated.

Nowadays, i still see my eldest aunt and cousin once in a while, but that festive environment will probably never come back.

Still, as i sit here typing this post, i am grateful for all the memories i have of Chinese New Years past. Here's to memories that are yet to come!

Ajantis is full of CNY treats....

Entrance to the Maha la o ja

Places i still wanna visit
- New Zealand (to go running in a big ball down a hill!)
- Vietnam (before it gets all touristy and stuff)
- England (and most of Europe)
- Customised African safari (where you pay a load of money and fly in and out of places as you choose)
- Herrang (and i keep saying that!)

Work's been ultra-busy lately. I guess it's what i'm paid for. Taking on another department in 2 weeks, and one more in a few more months. But that's part of the training i guess. Part of me still boggles at how much responsibility and opportunity i'm getting, but now's the time to do it, while i'm still young.

Young. That's an interesting term. I'll be 31 years young in less than 2 months. Bizarre. I can seriously barely remember being in my teens anymore. College years are a lot more vivid for me than my JC or secondary school years. Maybe that's because i took away a lot more from college...

On other fronts, have been on alittle bit of an eating binge but that's par for the course with CNY coming up i guess. went to Relish recently. Had a good, yummy burger with sarawak pepper sauce and bacon. Nice decor with high roofs, and good juicy meat.

Also went to Lawry's in Hong Kong. USDA prime rib. Seared on the spot for you. YUM. But i've had enough beef for a while.

Going to Dubai in March, which will be interesting, but more importantly, H will be here in less than 3 weeks. Yay! followed by SEAJAM! Double yay!

Ok time to konk out and end this series of random sentences

Ajantis is a little zonked...

This week was good... and then sucky

So this week started out well. Slowly felt like i was getting a handle on my job scope, decided to take on a new portfolio in Feb as part of my career progression, and even got a full time personal assistant again! Equally important, someone in my team who was having trouble with his job finally got his act together with some coaching from me. A manager also expressed his appreciation for helping him to secure some help for his team. Little things like these, where i can have a positive impact on someone's life, always make me feel good about my job and what i do.

Other good things that happened during the week : got an offer from a headhunter, so it's nice to know that my resume means something in the world out there; had a really good swing fling for the first time in months!

So yeah, the week was trending well, until someone stole my wallet this evening at the swimming pool. What's frustrating is that this is the 2nd time i've lost my wallet there, AND i was especially careful this time, but apparently someone filched it out of my bag when i turned around to shower for literally 5 seconds. What's also frustrating is that incidents like this just completely tarnish my faith in that weird thing we call human nature. Someone returned the wallet, sans money, and of course, some friends asked if i suspected him. But by that time, i was just too frustrated to think about it. What upsets me the most is that i took off something of great sentimental value and placed it in the wallet since i was swimming. So OF COURSE it's gone!

Ah well. I will eat my stress away the next day or two. All will be well. I know that. Life will go on. I have a good life, and i will be thankful for it. Thanks for listening friends...

Ajantis is frustrated but still wants a half-full glass...