Near two months into my job, I am indeed starting to get the hang of it, though the main bulk remains a short distance away. Being a marketer in UOB Travel, NATAS is seemed as a real test. Everyone in the company said, “You go through NATAS, you can handle everything”. As such, I can actually feel the pressure as NATAS starts drawing closer. Like each and every event I’ve known, the ‘behind the scene’ behind these events were never an easy job. It’s like a ‘台上十分钟, 台下十年工’ thing. You prepare months in advance, just waiting for that 3 days to be smooth sailing and over. Needless to say, the fruit of the seed is what I’m working towards, but the planting of the seed, growing of it through sweat and ‘blood’ is what I have to go through. Given the same ‘me’ few years ago, I would dread it happening. But the ‘me’ now is entirely different, I look forward to the stuff I get to learn, look forward to meeting more people along the course of this rough road.
I like what I’m exposed to and am actually happy to know what I’m in for. Never mind those possible sleepless nights, hectic days and what-nots. Doing what I’m doing now is never what I thought I will be doing when I’m young. Yet, this pursuance of this industry I called it, made me feel that the word ‘impossible’ is really never impossible. In where I am, I encounter lots of first times. My first time doing advertising, in print, online and even on radio. More interestingly, I’m even exposed to below the line advertising such as ATMs screens, SMS, mailers etc. Just take ATMs for example, it used to be just a plain machine where I draw my cash, something I wouldn’t want to visit so often (each time I visit, money is gone). But now, after learning what a ATM can actually do, from drawing cash, offering advertising at its most customized way, through the interactive screens we always see at the top of a ATM, I found myself in a amazed state. I was amazed to what marketing can do to people through even the most unexpected ways.
What’s a better learning tool than someone who is so experienced in the field itself. Meeting different people make me feel more absorbed in my work, allowing ideas to flow endlessly. I am not supposed to have my brain stuck in a jam, instead, given the environment, I am considered the soul of the department. I like how I am not restricted to a chair, a computer and a desk and off you work. I like how I can influence and be influenced by people in the most creative ways and learn through the craziest ideas I’ve ever encounter. I like how meetings can be so bombastic and insane that at the end of it, I turned inspired.
With NATAS just weeks ago, my role this time round is an entirely different side of the coin as compared to the previous ones. I left my shell of being the top sales person with a high job satisfaction to being a totally newbie in what I’m tasked for. This event means the world to me. It’s like my baby. Imagine you single-handedly plan for this event, with absolute no assistance. From booth design, to booth layout, to advertising, to co-ordination etc. I must say I look forward to my nightmares because I know after these nightmares lies a rainbow so colourful that I’ve been waiting for. =)
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Club Med Phuket
Blame it on Club Med Bali for not having a very wonderful first impression of Club Med Phuket. Oh well. Nonetheless, it didn’t fall short much from our expectation as we progressively realize this short getaway was a much needed one, much due to the fact that we know we had been and will be piled up with work. Let’s start off with my clever ‘strategy’ of making full use of Club Med NATAS offer of offering Adult 1-1 promotion. Bought the land package (without the air ticket) and book budget air tickets (with only one check in luggage) ourselves, in the end, it was a great deal. For your information (benefit of my readers), NATAS is having a 2nd Adults stay free again promotion this coming August, therefore, find out more from me if you’re interested.
My first time taking Air Asia. I must say I was actually looking forward to it because other than the shitty Tiger Airways, no other budget airline can be worse, as so I thought. Indeed, it exceeded my expectations. The procedures, the web check in, the stewardess, the menu, the seats, the food, the in flight shopping and last but not least, the experience. All in all, Air Asia became my favourite and most preferred budget airline in one instance of travel one way with them. Definitely a feat for them, and a budget airline that I would recommend it to all my friends.
But in any case, we hoped and prayed for good weather. It turned out God opposed us. DAMN!!! We were greeted silently. It was an unexpected type of reception we received as compared to back in Club Med Bali. It informed us that we had to lower our expectation for the days to come for sure. Imagine a bad weather topped with a cold reception, we thought it’s near over until the room arrives. Comfy bed with a rather nice room with lots of space. So much space, we turned the sofa bed into our ‘wardrobe/cupboard/hanger’. Its toilet, as compact as usual with their usual fragrant shampoo and body wash. We wasted no time in getting our stomachs filled and oh well, the food was rather disappointing, except for the nuggets. It turned out to be a further let down when we realize supper wasn’t available in the resort, and there’s only one restaurant serving all three meals unlike the two restaurants we dined back in Club Med Bali (alright, I know I shouldn’t compare). Rained continued mercilessly. We simply rest and relax in our cosy new ‘home’ before dining dinner and enjoyed their show. Of course, who could have missed the bar. With all inclusive as their main highlight, we spared nothing. It’s only a pity we could no longer drink as well as our hey-days.
Rain continued to greet us early in the morning. Even thought we REMEMEBERED to bring our sports shoes this time round (finally something worth mentioning in comparison with Club Med Bali when we forgotten to bring track shoes), the weather did not support us. Rubbish indeed. The entire day, the rain turned into showers and coming on and off. Nevertheless, we decided to make full use of our time and money – swimming and gym. This may sound common to most but trust me when I said it feels as though I lost 30 kg out of them. That will show you how ‘often’ I exercise.
What we looked forward most is the next day where we head out to play. Patong! Shit the rain of course. We managed to get ourselves a transfer (100 baht cheaper) and head to Patong. We departed earlier than agreed previously because the girl can’t wait to shop. Oh, you know, GIRLS! Jungceylon – she makes me feel that’s a shopping paradise. In the end, it’s the supermarket that we shopped the most. We almost squeezed burst my backpack and yet, we still had to carry three big bags of tidbits. What to do what you have a shopping queen as a girlfriend. I have resigned to my lovely fate long ago, which is why I’m loving it.
Let’s Relax Spa was next. Our nightmare arrived while we’re happy dining in Swensens happy. RAIN AGAIN! Trust me, I hate walking in the rain in flip flops. Imagine getting dirty, sandy, yucky water seeped into your flip flop, polluting that ‘supposed to smell nice’ foot. Oh my. That few minutes of walk felt like years to me. My cursing and swearing finally came to a stop upon reaching the spa. Inside, tranquility filled the atmosphere which kind of soothes my previous angst emotions. Trust me, the next time I hit Thailand again, I will visit Let’s Relax. Their treatments are so heavenly that it entirely re-energized me, except for the facial one which to me, is kind of a waste of money.
We had for some seafood. Walking down along Patong Beach invites recollections when we both were in the exact same route separately years back. Coincidentally, we went to the exact same shop we dined the last time we visited Phuket. We ordered like a total of 6 dishes. It was awesome, except for the dishes she ordered (=p), somehow. LOL. We continued to explore the route and it wasn’t long before we got boring and brought some supper back ‘home’ in our ‘mission’ to get fat!
It was snorkeling the next day. We managed to get our lazy bums out of the bed and signed up for the snorkeling lessons. I am very sorry for perhaps, spoiling my girl’s trip but I simply can’t stand having those rude and couth Chinese in the group. Each time they speak, I feel like slapping or punching them. Grrr!! Nonetheless, our first snorkeling trip together and it was fun. They brought us to Chalong Bay where we took a ferry out to a nearby island, probably 40 minutes away. We snorkeling for approximately 40 minutes and it was definitely not enough. However, the total experience of snorkeling with the girl was a very fun and memorable one.
By the time we headed back, it was noon and we finally played some sports, many sports of course and just in case you thought we’re very fit, no, you are wrong. We played Tennis, Basketball, Golf and Soccer. Each not lasting more than 15 minutes. LOL. Yes, our ‘mission’ is to get fat, so what do you expect. The entire experience was brought to an end just like that. Like they always say, time flies when you are enjoying, and I cannot help but agree with it totally. The night shows with the funny music and sounds like ‘Push! Push!’ and ‘In Phuket!! In Phuket!!’, that definitely got the girl laughing. Plus the cute little young ones from Mini Club, oh how we love this place actually, plus the nightly slacking and watching of Nat Geo, awesome. Now that we’re back to reality, we really dread because we really done nothing but enjoyed the entire Club Med Phuket totally. Till our next holiday…..
My first time taking Air Asia. I must say I was actually looking forward to it because other than the shitty Tiger Airways, no other budget airline can be worse, as so I thought. Indeed, it exceeded my expectations. The procedures, the web check in, the stewardess, the menu, the seats, the food, the in flight shopping and last but not least, the experience. All in all, Air Asia became my favourite and most preferred budget airline in one instance of travel one way with them. Definitely a feat for them, and a budget airline that I would recommend it to all my friends.
But in any case, we hoped and prayed for good weather. It turned out God opposed us. DAMN!!! We were greeted silently. It was an unexpected type of reception we received as compared to back in Club Med Bali. It informed us that we had to lower our expectation for the days to come for sure. Imagine a bad weather topped with a cold reception, we thought it’s near over until the room arrives. Comfy bed with a rather nice room with lots of space. So much space, we turned the sofa bed into our ‘wardrobe/cupboard/hanger’. Its toilet, as compact as usual with their usual fragrant shampoo and body wash. We wasted no time in getting our stomachs filled and oh well, the food was rather disappointing, except for the nuggets. It turned out to be a further let down when we realize supper wasn’t available in the resort, and there’s only one restaurant serving all three meals unlike the two restaurants we dined back in Club Med Bali (alright, I know I shouldn’t compare). Rained continued mercilessly. We simply rest and relax in our cosy new ‘home’ before dining dinner and enjoyed their show. Of course, who could have missed the bar. With all inclusive as their main highlight, we spared nothing. It’s only a pity we could no longer drink as well as our hey-days.Rain continued to greet us early in the morning. Even thought we REMEMEBERED to bring our sports shoes this time round (finally something worth mentioning in comparison with Club Med Bali when we forgotten to bring track shoes), the weather did not support us. Rubbish indeed. The entire day, the rain turned into showers and coming on and off. Nevertheless, we decided to make full use of our time and money – swimming and gym. This may sound common to most but trust me when I said it feels as though I lost 30 kg out of them. That will show you how ‘often’ I exercise.
What we looked forward most is the next day where we head out to play. Patong! Shit the rain of course. We managed to get ourselves a transfer (100 baht cheaper) and head to Patong. We departed earlier than agreed previously because the girl can’t wait to shop. Oh, you know, GIRLS! Jungceylon – she makes me feel that’s a shopping paradise. In the end, it’s the supermarket that we shopped the most. We almost squeezed burst my backpack and yet, we still had to carry three big bags of tidbits. What to do what you have a shopping queen as a girlfriend. I have resigned to my lovely fate long ago, which is why I’m loving it.
Let’s Relax Spa was next. Our nightmare arrived while we’re happy dining in Swensens happy. RAIN AGAIN! Trust me, I hate walking in the rain in flip flops. Imagine getting dirty, sandy, yucky water seeped into your flip flop, polluting that ‘supposed to smell nice’ foot. Oh my. That few minutes of walk felt like years to me. My cursing and swearing finally came to a stop upon reaching the spa. Inside, tranquility filled the atmosphere which kind of soothes my previous angst emotions. Trust me, the next time I hit Thailand again, I will visit Let’s Relax. Their treatments are so heavenly that it entirely re-energized me, except for the facial one which to me, is kind of a waste of money.
We had for some seafood. Walking down along Patong Beach invites recollections when we both were in the exact same route separately years back. Coincidentally, we went to the exact same shop we dined the last time we visited Phuket. We ordered like a total of 6 dishes. It was awesome, except for the dishes she ordered (=p), somehow. LOL. We continued to explore the route and it wasn’t long before we got boring and brought some supper back ‘home’ in our ‘mission’ to get fat!
It was snorkeling the next day. We managed to get our lazy bums out of the bed and signed up for the snorkeling lessons. I am very sorry for perhaps, spoiling my girl’s trip but I simply can’t stand having those rude and couth Chinese in the group. Each time they speak, I feel like slapping or punching them. Grrr!! Nonetheless, our first snorkeling trip together and it was fun. They brought us to Chalong Bay where we took a ferry out to a nearby island, probably 40 minutes away. We snorkeling for approximately 40 minutes and it was definitely not enough. However, the total experience of snorkeling with the girl was a very fun and memorable one.
By the time we headed back, it was noon and we finally played some sports, many sports of course and just in case you thought we’re very fit, no, you are wrong. We played Tennis, Basketball, Golf and Soccer. Each not lasting more than 15 minutes. LOL. Yes, our ‘mission’ is to get fat, so what do you expect. The entire experience was brought to an end just like that. Like they always say, time flies when you are enjoying, and I cannot help but agree with it totally. The night shows with the funny music and sounds like ‘Push! Push!’ and ‘In Phuket!! In Phuket!!’, that definitely got the girl laughing. Plus the cute little young ones from Mini Club, oh how we love this place actually, plus the nightly slacking and watching of Nat Geo, awesome. Now that we’re back to reality, we really dread because we really done nothing but enjoyed the entire Club Med Phuket totally. Till our next holiday…..
