New adventures and new transitions

Hey there! Got back from New Zealand over a week ago, where i thoroughly enjoyed myself.

Drove 500km by myself, went zorbing, schweebing, and freefalling in a wind tunnel on the 1st day in Rotorua, followed by sledging down some grade 3 rapids in the afternoon and a Maori cultural show at night. The next day, i went down to Hobbiton farms at Matamata, where the only remaining sets from Lord of the Rings were to be found (aka the Shire). The highlight of the day, though, was tubing down the underwater river in Waitomo Caves while seeing the glow-worms drift by ahead.

All in all, i am so glad that i did this, and proud that i did it all by myself. Had some truly unforgettable experiences. Many people ask me what zorbing is like, and it's like being inside a big gigantic washing machine of an amusement ride :) Sledging was fun, tiring, humbling (cos i obviously cannot survive without guides in rapids) while seeing the Shire and travelling through Waitomo Caves were truly one of a kind experiences that i couldn't get anywhere else. Truly awesome! Next time, i'm going back with H to do some tandem skydiving :P

Back on Planet Singapore, i'm currently preparing myself mentally for a big career move. I know i'm probably 99% ready, but my heart is still worried about the remaining 1%. That said, i also decided to make some tough calls on who i want in my new team, and it's NOT going to be easy to break the decision to my folks. Ah well, them's the perks of leadership i guess. Will definitely sleep over this over the next few days...

Ajantis is finally uploading some photos...

Long time no see you no see me

Hello! Been a long time since the last post.

A couple of quick updates.

Been meeting up with a lot of pals from secondary school and JC lately. Not by design... rather, it just happened. Guess i never got around to it because i was a very different person in school, and so i never felt a need to connect with my old school mates. But i'm glad that we got back in touch. It's amazing how much difference a little more maturity, confidence and self-assurance makes. The old me would have felt awkward, but the conversations with my old schoolmates were great, and i connected with a few of them.

Lately, an old secondary school mate also got back in touch. Have a little bit of history with this guy, because i used to bully him in secondary school. Been trying to get back in touch with him because i felt a little guilty i guess, and wanted to be proper friends. But i probably need to back off a little because he's been a little reticent in replying to some of my messages.

On a separate note, i'll be going to New Zealand in a couple of days for work! The best part is, i'm extending by two days and heading down to Rotorua. Itinerary as follows
1st day - Sledging, zorbing, schweebing, free falling (if you don't know the terms go search for it on google - hee)
2nd day - Walk around Rotorua, take a tour of the Shire (!!!!)

Am very excited :) Then, heading to London for vacation with mom and H 2 weeks after that. Yay!

After that, i'll need to continue my car hunt. Need to switch cars to a model more "befitting" my upcoming promotion (sigh). Right now, everyone has a different point of view on what car to buy. I've narrowed it down to the Lexus/Audi versus something more mid range like the Mazda 6. It comes down to whether i'm willing to pay 50k more for the wow factor. Seriously, i felt like such a country bumpkin in the Lexus. The saleswoman had to show me how to turn on the car, and use the keyless ignition. Nearly fell off my chair when i felt the aircon blow out from the seats (seat warmers, seat air-con .... stars and garters!). Well, still have a few more months before i have to blow a wad of money on another fast-depreciating asset!

Saw Dark Knight and Hellboy. Dark Knight was a great piece of art, while Hellboy was a better piece of popcorn. In some ways, Hellboy had a stronger visual imagery, that almost reminded me of Miyazaki's Princess Mononoke. Dark Knight, though, left me on the edge of my seat the ENTIRE movie, even when i knew what was coming. That made the tragedy of the situation harder to bear, yet more impactful. Go watch it if you haven't already!

Decided i would be stubborn and do the marathon this year since i didn't do the Sundown... Ran 2 hours and 20 minutes today! That's.... half the time for a marathon! :P

Ajantis has not blogged in a long time...

Blood + Sweat = Reward

Been spending a lot of time lately working on this one presentation. First time i was basically doing this kind of work by myself, albeit with LOTS of comments from everyone around.

Don't think i've worked so hard or long on something for a while, but it paid off. Got good compliments all around. Now to move on to the next presentation. :P

Flying a lot this month. Just came back from Kota Kinabalu, where i did some work, did some team games, and went snorkeling. Also played soccer for the first time in ten years and realised how i rusty i was. In the process, i also got smacked by a soccer ball in the face, and woke up with extremely tight hamsprings from running like a headless chicken around the field.

Unfortunately, i didn't get a chance to go parasailing due to the inclement weather. Oh well, will have to plan for another trip to Kota Kinabalu to do all of that, and also climb Mount Kinabalu!

Off to Bali this Sun for another round of meetings.

Life is otherwise mundane. Got to start shopping for a car, but that's the only big development at the moment.

Ajantis is just giving you a boring little update...

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....