Overdue updates and "Alone in Bangkok"

Wahlaueh, I have not been a responsible blogger. Neglecting this and the family blogs. Ooo, whip me baby, WHIP ME! :P :P :P

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New "old" job
Since end last year 2008, I have been back to the consulting line, to my first job in actual fact. One of the partners told me straight in the eye "Buaya, you are a sucker for pain, aren't you?". Yup, I'm now back to the stress of tight deadlines of proposals and deliverables, late nights, pizza dinners, etc etc. But this time, I do make it a point to walk off by 8pm, if I can help it lar.

One of my closest buddies asked me "Why why WHHHYYYY???". Well, I think consulting is in my blood. I thrive on pressure, gets excited with new projects, brainstorming (more like squeezes) and especially the thrill of proposal wins. Ok, that was my formal answer...

Ol'friend : (Lifted his glass of vodka and looked at me) "Ya, right... It's the young girls right? Liar!"

With friends like him, who needs enemies? :D

Baby Buayatte No.3!
The Buaya family is blessed with Baby Shushanna, born 15 Feb 2009. More on her at the family blog.

Alone in Bangkok
Buaya69 is now in Bangkok, my first trip to the City of Angels. It was a rushed trip, all decided within a 2-3 days by the higher ups. I'm staying at a serviced residence about 15 minutes walk to my Bangkok office, 20 minutes to Suanlum night market and 15 minutes to the (in)famous Patpong area...

Alas, I have been so busy that the only Bangkok I have largely seen is the view when walking to and back from the office. But I did go out for dinner last night. The hotel told me that it was safe as long as I don't go anywhere near the red shirts gathering at Sanam Luang, so I made a dinner trip to Suanlum night market. Man, the street food's cheap and good there. I had briyani-like chicken rice for THB30, fruit juice for THB20 and coconut meat with ice-cream for RM25. Bought myself 2 neckties for THB300 and THB99 but on closer look back at the hotel, the quality sucks bigtime but you get what you pay for, oh well...

Sorry, no photos. Didn't bring out my camera last night.

How about Thai traditional massage? Yet to try that here in Bangkok. Met one of the Indonesians staying at the hotel and she suggested two clean establishments walking distance away.

OK, that's all for now. Need to get back to work (on a Sunday!!!).

Buaya69 asks, "I wonder how the hotel pool is like.... must take the opportunity to exercise... or should I pig out at Suanlum again for dinner?"

My reputation precedes me

Girl manager: Boss, you free now ar?

B69: You tanya me like that, what automatic response from me are you expecting?

Girl mgr: Aiyah, no lar. I thot if you are free for the next 30 minutes, you can sit in this interview. We are, right now, interviewing this graduate for XYZ position. With your experience, you can give us a 2nd opinion whether she's a good fit.

B69: XYZ grade? I think you guys can handle that, right? You don't need me for that...

Girl mgr: Yah, true but for this candidate, I'm sure you are interested one. She's ex-Miss Malaysia finalist and a graduate. We are not sure whether this is really want she wants. Maybe you can interview cum counsel her like what you did to the others.

B69: The others were for manager levels lar.

Girl mgr: Yes, but she's ex-Miss Malaysia finalist... (Wink wink)...

B69: You are tempting me, aren't you? Bad girl bad girl...

Girl mgr: You buaya sifu mar, hehehe

B69: -_-"""


Buaya69 says,"We need some staff photos to spruce up this brochure..." :P

26/11 was my birthday and kaboom!

I am blogging from New Delhi, India.

I shall forever remember 26/11/2008. It was my 39th birthday, the day the Mumbai terror attacks began. I cried.

I have now been in New Delhi, India for 9 nights. I have gotten used to walking through metal detectors, car searches, security checks and even road blocks. These did not only occur at the hotel I'm staying in, but also at the office building and even some restaurants. Sigh.... sign of the times.

Every morning, I read the Hindustan Times, and there will be articles and articles related to the Mumbai terror attacks. The one that made me cry is about the bravery of Taj's staff. They served with their lives, shielding the guests from the bullets, hiding them to the very end. Read Michael Pollacks personal account at the Taj. Feel what he felt.

And then it hit me. Would I have stood in between and taken the bullet like what Rajan Kamble did? Would I have been able to focus on saving my guests when I know that my family is trapped in the hotel? (the family of the Taj's GM died in the fire. They were trapped at the penthouse).


Source

What would I have done? What would you have done? I don't know. But this I know. They MADE A DIFFERENCE and I salute them all.

"What is the use of living, if it be not to strive for noble causes and to make this world a better place for those who will live in it after we are gone?" - Sir Winston leonard Spencer Churchill (1874-1965)

Buaya69 cries with India...

Idiots!

I seriously think there's a shortage of talent in this country at where it matters the most. Sigh....