Life is an irony – I am now doing best of what I used to hate most. Over the last 2 years, I have taken more than 50 flights – over 200 hours. And I am working in the tobacco industry. Have I got rid of my fear of flying and dislike of smokers? Not at all, I still detest people smoking in my face and I am still nervous on every flight I take.

Many headhunters asked me how I ended up working for Ogilvy in Shanghai - It is always the same answer I gave them. A wedding dinner in Shanghai changed my life (and affected many others). Back in 2006 May, I had the most comfortable life – running my own studio with a group of very passionate friends. Those were the days of love and passions. No matter how late we worked every night, every day was an enjoyment. We were a small agency but we grew a sustainable business of 2.5 years. Month on month, our accounts were growing. We had steady growth and we were working great.

 
Why Shanghai? Looking back at my old blogs of March-May 2006 – I needed a "change" badly. I am no longer challenging myself and I am hungry for a new adventure. Coming to Francis-Echo’s wedding dinner was more like a holiday trip with my family and friends. I have never expected to extend my career in Shanghai.

A casual chat with Francis and Hovman at the old XiangYang market changed everything. March 2006 was my 3rd trip to Shanghai – it was also that trip that I fell in love with Shanghai. (not the night clubs – but the lifestyle and weather).

Francis was telling us about a potential opportunity and asked us if we are interested. None of us took his offer seriously. I just replied I love Shanghai and really love to stay here. I still remember the last departing conversation we had at Huai Hai Road, Francis told me "Give me 6-9 months. Prepare yourself. I get you an assignment here." I casually replied "Sure. I be here."

That was it. One week later, Francis arranged a meeting between my future boss and me. It was a quick 15-minute meeting at Regent Hotel Singapore. And I was offered to fly back to Shanghai the following week for another meeting. After more than 7 hours of meetings (in 2 days) – I was offered a position. And 5 weeks later, I was here.

I remembered my 1st month in Shanghai – it was very demoralising and uncomfortable. Many times, I asked myself "what the fuck I am doing here". It was this experience that taught me the reality of separations and the preciousness of family-ties. For more than 14 months, I lived without my family and wahbiang clan. It was painful not having Elkan by my side. I felt the emptiness – Gone were our usual Sat nights at Hotel 25 or supper at Eunos Kopitiam. I missed my old brothers – Meijie, Jimmy, Yifu, Duuk and Gareth. MSN, Skype and Spaces were my connections to them.

It is ironic. The job which emptied my personal life, filled those void with the most beautiful and priceless experience. My stay in Shanghai changed a lot of my perception about China. It also confirmed many life assumptions that I had before. Being with a big MNC isn’t as grand as I thought – in fact, I concluded that my own small agency in Singapore fared much much better. It was just a different set of games and turfs. The fundamentals are the same.

Most importantly, this journey fulfilled one of my school-day wishes – that is to work with the Great Ogilvy. I love Ogilvy like the way I love Caffeine. It is a name that I strongly believe in and a name I feel proud carrying. Like what my old intern, Steven, would said – "Ogilvy is a Legend." I couldn’t agree more.

Felicia knew about this – I missed a great working opportunity with Ogilvy
back in 1999 – and it was one of the big regrets in my career path.
By fate and pure chance, I was united with Ogilvy 8 years later. And I was
glad that I entered at a good level – a role that allows me to
perform and prove my worth.

Time passed fast, in a blink, 24 months have flew by. Just when I finally settled myself in Shanghai – I was "ordered and offered" to move to Hong Kong. It was a painful 6-month struggle. For many moments, I came very close to give up the HK offer. I kept swinging "yes and no" within myself – that frustrated the people around me. Finally, last Thursday (after 6 months), I ended my struggle and signed the letter. In less than 30 days, I will be moving – From 东方明珠 to 东方之珠.

Will I miss Shanghai? An astounding "yes"! If you look back at my life over the last 24 months, you will only see images of fun, excitement and love.  I met a group of people that I want to keep as long life friends – Rebecca, Alicia, Calvin, Nick, Franklin, Clare, Angela, Hong Ai, Johnny+wife and a bunch of "Malaysian kakis".  And I am blessed to have Francis, Echo and my cousin Yei who accompanied me throughout my lonely weekends. Not forgetting my frequent visitors – Joanne, Hovman, Scott, Desmond and Kalinda who filled my house with so much joys whenever they were here.
 




While it is too early to say goodbye, I just want to jot down my feelings tonight. Sigh, guess it is time to start packing. This time, my new adventure starts closer to home.

When my cousin Yei text-messaged me last week about an earthquake in Sichuan, I never expect the seriousness of this incident. I was in Singapore, setting up a booth for my client. And when I returned to Shanghai on Friday, I went back to my work. I have no chance to read about the earthquake or have any idea how bad it was. Not until today.

China touched my heart today. I have never seen a nation so united, so full of compassion. The power of their unity in this dark hours moved my heart. I can never understand their loss and tears. But I can feel their grieve. It is one of those rare moments when you see a nation together. Being a foreigner here, I admire their love for their country and their people. I felt so small in their presence.

At 2:28pm today, China observed a 3-minute silence. My colleagues stood still for 3 minutes. One by one, they stood up and bowed their head in silence. It was a sight that I can never erased from my mind. Their silence was loud and powerful. I felt so guilty (cos’ I was in the midst of my presentation call with a client). The strength of their silence empowered my teleconversation. It was almost impossible to even whisper into the phone. I have to cut my client short and hanged up the phone. I felt so bad about my disruptive conversation that I sank low on my chair and observed the silence.

Just now, I had dinner with my cousin, Yei. He told me about a fund-raising TV show on Sunday. When he was talking, I could see the sad emotions in his eyes. He was on the verge of tears. It was very emotional for me to see my "cold-hearted" cousin displayed so much emotions in his speech.

Back at home, I watched today’s footages on my TV screen. For that 3 minutes, every car, train and people on the street freezed their steps to observe the silence. A very touching sight indeed. (All karaokes, cinemas, concerts, entertainment joints are closed for 3 days) This is what makes us human. It is a side of China that I never knew. The Chinese people (no matter how materialistic they can be or how uncivilised and ill-mannered they can be), is one united nation. They love their country like no other. Everyone I know is pouring his/her heart and effort to raise funds and donations for the 4 million homeless victims. (Feli and Tracy prepared 2 big bags of blankets and clothes for donations). At this point, there are about 71,000 dead or missing people out there.

Sigh…it is really heart-breaking to watch any news today. Even the big websites are turning black.

Compared with Myanmar, the Chinese government reacted fast to her people. Perhaps, it is time when the world should take another good look at China. This is a Giant who is often misunderstood – yet attacked for many bad reasons. If you look back at the last 100 years, China has really never attacked another country. (The USA-Iraq War lasted longer than 2nd-world war!) Sure, China’s past house-keeping methods were questionable but it helped to unite a nation of a billion people.