Lucky Lucky, No Go Helsinki!!!

Plane due to arrive in Moscow got diverted to Helsinki last night. Luckily, CPH SM have to go to Helsinki. Cant imagine that i will incur the wrath of stranded passengers for a 19 hour delay. But it was interesting to see and be involved in the preparations of such diversions. But yah, weather’s a bitch in Moscow, so expect one or two more diversions in the near future. Now, in Frankfurt still waiting for the BIG STRIKE coming soon which may hinder our operations here. But we’ll see…. Swamped with work as usual….still trying to find ample time for a leisurely shit, but still cant. Never a dull day in dull Frankfurt city.

Batam trip…. Pre-Frankfurt getaway

This was an eye opener. It has been a long time since i’ve visited Indonesia and it is my first to Batam. Many have told tales that Batam has great seafood, attractive resorts, cheap shopping and more. Well, i didn’t shop much and the seafood dinner was pretty average i must say. But the company was fabulous. A holiday is nothing if you don’t have good company.

In the ferry going to Batam Island

 Trip was nauseating but met a long time friend on the ferry.

Break with Teh Sosro. Probably the best bottled tea in the world!!! Heaven!!

 

Nasi Ayam Penyet... Indo style... The chicken portion is so small!!!

The seafood dinner.... size of the prawns was about the size of my pinkie

 

Our short term crib - Holiday Inn Batam Resort

As you can see already, the trip evolved predominantly around the food theme, which explained my explosive in gain weight back from this trip.

But it was priceless…

Cold Cold Summer day in Frankfurt….brrrr

Surprisingly, weather here has turned for the worse. Raining heavily the whole day and feeling cold all around the house. Planned to bask in the sun by the river during my Only off day in the whole week but seems that i have to shelve that. Going back to work tomorrow and hope that the imminent and anticipated strike will not happen….if it does….well wel, it will be abusy day again…. till then…for now, i gotta warm myself up….brrr

Be yourself, because life is too short for you to be others

I’ve got this quote while watching a movie Step Up 2 and i thought it is so apt to act as a reminder to myself and to others reading this. Many times in our lives we live, work and play to emulate and please others to get ahead in society. Many of us during some parts of our lives are forced to ‘play the game’ in the corporate world so that we will get promoted or for the lesser objective of being popular or well liked. We winced on someone who stands out differently, who is ‘too slow’ or ‘cant adapt’ to society and the norms or to the ‘organisation culture’. Often, we follow so that we get accepted and most of the times this is unconciously done. We accomodate but at times overaccomodate until we lose sight of ourselves, our beliefs and who we are…i’m guilty of that too. I’m glad that i chanced upon this to remind myself and i am me….Unique me. I do things differently, i think differently…. Society may not accept but at least understand and appreciate that there is diversity all around. Without this special characteristics in everyone of us, the world is so much less fun, complicated and diversified. There will be so muc less discovery and tolerance.

On a second note, life is indeed too short for us to do things we do because it helps us get by…Every second ticks into oblivion if we do not act now and change our attitude to do what we really want…. What we have passion about…what we believe in… Respect to those who have chosen to be themselves, to do things they believe, even if the things you do are not in accordance or in disharmony with mainstream society’s perceptions and beliefs.  At least, You Are Yourself…

Live Your Dream, Believe in Yourself and Have the Passion in what you Do

I encountered this ad in German TV about this guy who sang Nessum Dorma so well, it made the audience teared. Went to YouTube and found this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiRBWCnJufA&feature=related

This shows that people will excel if you believe in your own talents. Normal people can excel too. The world have different talents. More importantly, have the passion in anything you do and have dreams. Dreams are what inspire oneself to go beyond boundaries.

Kudos to Paul Potts, Winner of Britain’s Got Talent. You are an inspiration to all.

1 Month Anniversary of being posted to Frankfurt!!!

Yes, it has been a long drawn month here in Frankfurt. Lots of activities and happenings. Lots of ups and downs too. Probably still early to evaluate on things and situation here. Should be able to get a clearer picture soon. Work’s been interesting, but realised that it is also quite overwhelming for me. Still trying to catch up with some unfinished work now. This job is really challenging man. City is quite boring. Nothing much to do and i havent had the time to venture elsewhere in Germany, which is quite sad really, knowing the nomad nature i am. Been exposed to the German language and getting the hang of it. For now, Happy one month syai!!! You survived the German Jungle!!!

Nobody said it was easy

Today’s a downer… Swamped with work that needs attention… I havent had the time for a proper meal as yet. But i will persevere on…. this is the only way to learn and be better. Cant give up now. Anybody who views this and thinks that working in management is simply delegating, you are wrong. It is a tough resposibility and job. All encompassing. For my TSM bros viewing this, just want to pre-warn you that you probably have not time to shit man. The moment you reach home, you go to bed. No appetite at all… sigh… it’s been a rough day… miss my darling and home…

Shocked by Primark ethical practices

I just watched BBC news special news program which focuses on fashion retail companies and their ethical practices. They went on an expose on Primark, which till now believes in ethical practices when it comes to their apparel wear. Little that i know that this low cost fashion retailer, so famous amongst Londoners thus far would employ child labour in India to do their embroidery. Really changes my perspective of Primark. I, for one is someone who do not believe in having child labour to produce goods. That is why i do not buy GAP clothes. I watched John Pilger’s espose on GAP with great interest previously. GAP exploits kids and workers in Indonesia, paying them only US$1 a day and making them work for like more than 12 hours a day. They have no rest whatsoever. This is not right people. Such expose really makes me realise that companies really exploit people for a profit. This is the evils of capitalisation and globalisation. The disparity of rich/poor is getting greater when we, as consumers continue to vouh for these products. So next time, remember to ask where does your product is made from. Remember, this is your right as a consumer.

 

In retrospect, when i pondered on the Primark expose again, i began to wonder if these children is being deprived of this ‘opportunity’ to work, will they be worse off. What if, this child labour provides them the liberalisation to partake in this globalisation process and chain. They too have dreams, and for some, partaking in work at an early age may be an avenue for them to reach that dream. If we, people in the developed world begin to cut away from these products, will they then fall by the wayside as now they have nothing to survive. Governments in the developed world always encourage the governements in the developing world to invest in education for the young. But in reality, this is not happening. Many children in the developing do not have such access to these amenities. So what happens to them now? As we, people in the developed can beso swayed to makea decision to boycott,we may inevitably counter the very motivation to help kids and poor people in the developing world.

 

I am really becoming confused…better donate more money directly to the poor…. but then again, many organisations are exploiting charity also… More next on this.

This is the complex world….sadly.

Turkiye!!!

Utomost respect for Turkey for giving their all for the country they love!!! I was at RosMarkt watching the quarterfinal match between Croatia and Turkey. Post match happenings was so exciting and vibrant. City of Frankfurt was temporarily transformed into Istanbul!!!

The prematch beat

Post Party atmosphere. They partied all night

How Lucky we are in this world

I was walking aroung Zeil, a famous shopping street in Frankfurt, minding my own business when i saw a crowd gathering at a sidewalk. Attracted and curious on the happenings, i joined in the crowd. There i saw two men, a Jamaican and a German playing speed chess. Each having a total of 3mins to beat each other thru checkmate or killing most no. of chess pieces. i thought it was just another frivolous game or gimmick for people here to get donations on the street. Beside the players were boards which had German words written on it.  Curiously, i asked someone beside me what it meant. He said, ” the Jamaican guy is playing chess and trying to earn enough money to help raise for his father’s cancer treatment. Father has been suffering from cancer for a long time and is dying. Gutted for him but also reflected that i’m very lucky not to have been in such a situation. Sometimes, people forget that money and chasing thecorporate ladder is not the most important thing. Family and loved ones aremost important. We also forget to give back to those who are more unfortunate than us,struggling to get to get a grip on their lives, having to suffer in silence. Many have no voice, no avenues. Some resort to desperate measures. Others resigned to fate, withering away into obsolence. Funny enough in corporate part of Frankfurt, therein lies the reality of the opposite world, trying their best to get help and assistance. How lucky some of us are….