World of Acronym

October 22, 2006 Leave a comment

 
I am really not a fan of acronym. Often, it puts me in an awkard situation during a decent conversation. I look stupid if I don’t know any of these acronyms mentioned. But again, KNNBCCB, who cares right?
 
Despite my dislikes for acronym, it entered my life at an early stage. When I was young, like most Singaporeans, I attended PAP prep-school. There, we were taught the concept of time "AM" and "PM". Next, I had my PSLE and GCE. Those were the days of BGRs at BK or KFC and before I can figure out the topic, I am enlisted by CMPB (NS) and slogged thru 2 years of BMT and SISPEC with LPPL people. Thought life would be better after ORD but I was wrong – I start getting deductions from AIA, IRAS, CPF, PUB (later SP), M1, SCV etc. Can’t afford COE and ERP on ECP or PIE, I prefer to stick to my SBS and MRT.
 
Afterall, I gotta to save up for my ROM and HDB. Of course, KK didn’t come until 2 years ago. Life has been good to me till far… Started my boutique agency at RCB and now working for BAT with SHA 141 as a GAD… . Who says life is complicated when you have acronym? SMS, MSN, MMS…Communication made simple? Haaaa… I really want to puke now.. I dunno how to teach my son all these ABC…just let him sink his time in PSP or his favourite H5 videos while I watch my favourite CSI series.
 
Man, I do hate acronym. (I attended a forum last month in HK with 26 unknown-to-me acronym, i felt so out of place!) Especially when they are not localised (every country or culture has their own). Here is a list of common acronym that you need to know:
 
1) LASER – Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation
2) AM / PM – (Latin) Ante Meridien, Post Meridien (meridien meaning mid-day)
3) AIDS – Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
4) ETC – (Latin) Et Cetera
5) BLOG – Web Log
6) WWW – World Wide Web
7) HTTP – Hypertext Transfer Protocol
8) SOHO – Small Office, Home Office
9) YAHOO – Yet Another Hierarchically Organised Oracle
10) AD / BC – (Latin) Anno Domini – "In the Year of the Lord" / Before Christ
 
Enough said, watch out for your PSI back home.
 
 

Filed under Jo's Thoughts

1 Year of Blogs

October 19, 2006 Leave a comment

Come 23rd Oct 2006, my blog celebrates its 1st birthday. 94 blogs and 16600 visitorships (an average of 320 visitors per week)…quite a good turnout I must say. To be honest, I never thought of writing so much (yes, I am talkative..but not typekative).
 
Really want to backup some of these blogs… I have so much good time reading them. Just spent 1 hour indexing my 1 year labour…man, this blog has certainly grown…and I never know when I will stop blogging. It feels kinda sad when I read Tracy’s friend’s blog a couple of months back… In her last entry..she wrote about her cancer..telling us that that was her last blog. She has passed away since. 
 
There are things in life that you just hate to exit. There are times when I wished that I can live within the movie or book…to be part of their life. I love the movie "LOST"…at the end of each season, I would miss some of the characters…like how I would miss my friends. Wanted so badly to see and hear them. This is call "attachment". At times, when the reel connects the real.. the feelings & emotions can be so real. 
 
Guess this blog is just another way for me to connect with my friends out there… And this blog wun be possible without all of you! Keep all the activities going! And I shall have more stuffs to write and gossip!
 
Hope you have an enjoyable time with me. Looking forward to another great year.
 
 
2005
October 23      52 Weeks with Elkan
October 23      Elkan Unwrapped Presents!
October 24      Yifu Wedding – The night Yifu shed tears
October 25      For My Shanghai Knight & Kitty (Francis is the kitty!)
October 25      WHY I STARTED BLOGGING ONLY NOW
October 26      Numbers of Our Lives
October 27      The Special Lot – Friends from Joo Chiat
October 28      The night when I rejected Elkan twice.
October 28      Steamboat Party
October 31      Really "Bread" Habit! (Updated)
 
November 02  Roving Clouds, Shooting Stars and Fireworks
November 02  Halloween Night
November 05  Am I paying for movie or commercial?
November 06  I Drunk the Most
November 07  The Season of Love
November 11  The Amazing Trip – Malacca
November 14  34 hours in Malacca
November 17  Knowing when the rain is coming…
November 19  Short Film by people next door
November 19  What Car is Yours?
 
December 01   My Adventures with Taxi Drivers
December 02   Working for "Sweat and Blood" Money
December 10   Did I sign for a Package?
December 10   Singaporean’s Stupid Queuing Habits
December 17   O-Biang Dress-Up Party at Katong
December 24   Wahbiang Moments of the Year!
December 26   Wahbiang Christmas 2005
December 29   Conflicting Services by Telcos
 
2006
January 01       Looking Back, Moving Forward
January 08       An Eventful Rainy Week 1
January 10       My Funeral
January 15       The Sun is Out
January 21       When Old Friends Gather
January 21       To Give Or Not to Give
January 28       The Tale of a Lost Umbrella
January 28       Nothing but a Metal Box
January 29       On the 1st Day of Chinese New Year
 
February 05     The Day I Fell in Love with my son
February 06     And when she smiles…
February 07     Today is 31st Hock’s Day
February 10     Wedding Seasons
February 11     A Reason to Celebrate, A Reason to Spend
February 13     Election Time
February 13     Thank You My Buddies
February 19     My 20th Companion in 10 Years
February 28     1 Week at the "Whore of the Orient"
 
March 03         Travel Blog – Day 1 in Shanghai
March 04         Travel Blog – Shanghai Day 2
March 06         Travel Blog – Shanghai Day 4
March 06         Travel Blog – Shanghai Day 3
March 07         Travel Blog – Shanghai Day 5-6
March 13         Back to Norm
March 19         Nostalgia
March 22         Taking Pride in my Job
March 23         Turning Points in Life
March 29         A 2nd Visit to Shanghai
 
April 08           5th May – It is Official
April 12           The debut of "CHubby Joe" Comic-Strip
April 16           Good Easter Weekend
April 22           A Warm Farewell (at Caffeine)
 
May 02            An Island Mall
May 08            A Luggage of Wishes and Luck
May 12            It’s so hard to say Goodbye
May 14            Keeping up to their pace
May 15            Earthquake at Joanne House
May 21            1st 10 days
May 22            Meanwhile back at Hotel 25…
May 23            Somewhere Out There
May 28            Kiss Goodbye
May 28            A Small World
 
June 12            Moving House, Cutting Hair
June 17            Last Year, This Day – My Birthday
June 22            Independence
 
July 02             No Mood for Blog
July 16             The Future is Here
July 18             Visitors of my Blog
July 23             Lost in Translation
July 23             Lost in Translation II
 
August 07       Reunion & Departure
August 09       Happy Birthday Singapore
August 13       MSN with Francis Chay
August 13       The 3rd Visitor of My House
 
August 17       Meijie Celebrates 31st!
August 23       The Arrival of Grey!
August 29       The City of LuthorCorp and Superman
August 29       A Black Day
 
September 03  Origins of "Common Phase"
September 07  A Multinational Meeting
September 10  The Number that Changed the World
September 15  Calling Your Names
September 16  Elkan 1st Day in School
September 23  Elkan’s 1st Surgery (20th Sept)
September 23  The Hexagon Link
 
October 15      Home Trip (28th Sept – 9th Oct)
October 18      Happy Birthday 2 You, Son.

 

Filed under Jo's Thoughts

Happy Birthday 2 You, Son.

October 17, 2006 1 Comment

 
Dear son,
 
My little prankster, I dun know when will you get the chance 2 read this. Perhaps, your mum can read this blog 2 you at bedtime.
 
Guess what, you are 2 2day! This means we have been 2gether for exactly 2 years! Mmm…not exactly 2 years in terms of time spent…(if you minus away all the weekdays, my stay in Shanghai and your little trips 2 Malacca.) I was a little fearful that you have forgotton about me when I have 2 be away in Shanghai for so long. It seems that the "Joe Standee" at your house works! Just remember that "Daddy" is not my name or the name of that standee…it is more like an affection title between us both. 
 
I am so proud of you, my son. You are the product of 2 really creative lovers who got together because of a mahjong game. And I heard from mum that you are becoming a monster lately… Okay, apparently, the adults are expecting you 2 behave like them. I know it is hard 2 understand "baby commands" like "mummum" (eating), "bongbong" (bathing), "sheshe" (peeing) and "ooiooi" (sleeping). 2 be honest, I am bored 2…I did thought of teaching you more cool words like "bigbig kalinda", "cheeky meijie", "fatty gareth", "bamboo juliana", "clumsy tracy" and "angry joanne" etc. I am sure you attract more kisses, laughters and hugs if you can master them.
 
Oh yes, for your own good… please go and master "sexy mummy" first… She will play more "purple dino" for you 2 watch.
 
Strangely, my son… you are so small yet you have such a strong influence over the adults. Over time, these "aunties and uncles" have picked up your little body language and sounds. You are a natural magnet but a soft-hearted one. Seeing you reminded me of my past as a child. It is a rediscovery for me…bringing me back 2 my roots…remembering how I was back then.
 
Son, you are ever so friendly, adorable, cute and polite 2 new faces…yet…like you dad and grandfather, you prank on your closest ones. Some thing can’t change. You will grow up being a soft-hearted person who loves your family and loved ones more than you care about yourself. This is you, our legacy.
 
Sorry for not bidding farewell during my last home trip. You know, it is so hard 2 say goodbye 2 you. Your tears, your calling of "daddies" just break my heart. Perhaps, you will never know… I miss you so much…and enjoyed so much whenever I am with you. Your mum says I need not 2 take care of your pampers and feeding. I guess that must be the reason. (You are certainly getting 2 heavy and difficult 2 maintain now… Granny and mum are complaining about their health… You kinda drove them up the walls all day, huh?)
 
Boy, you are just so lucky… Look at you 2day… The center of attraction! You just had all my favourite girls surrounded you! Man, daddy is jealous…wish I can be in your spot 2. Get out of those girls company and spend more macho time with the uncles. People on the street are still calling you "mui mui". Man, I wish I knock some sense into their head – YOU ARE ALREADY 2 AND THEY STILL THINK YOU ARE A GIRL???
 
Oh yes, I must complained on your behalf.. These nice aunties brought you 2 Crystal Jade for dinner and you are served nothing but boring blend congee for your birthday dinner?????? Urghh… if daddy is there, I would have treated you a nice mud pie or roasted chicken. I hope the guests have the same congee like yours 2.
 
And son, you screwed up the gift opportunity. Heard that you are given the freedom 2 pick any gift at Toys R Us 2day… (it was my wish since young!)…and you ended up picking nothing for yourself???? Didn’t you see Xbox 360 or PSP Games? What were you thinking??? Chasing the air again? You know…such offer doesn’t come back again.
 
Okay, my prince. Me got 2 go. Enjoy the monkey I gave you… (dun let mum or granny took it away). And dun you dare be the monkey 2. You already have the Harry Porter’s scar on your forehead this June. Just stop there…you aren’t wolverine.
 
Happy birthday 2 you. That is the only time you can really put a real "2" in that.
 
Love,
 
Elkan Daddy, Shanghai
17th Oct 2006, Tuesday
 

Filed under Family

Home Trip (28th Sept – 9th Oct)

October 14, 2006 1 Comment

 
There is only one home in my mind – not one that is made of bricks and cement. My home lies in the presence of my friends and my loved ones. Home can be anywhere, be it in Shanghai or Singapore. Nothing matters more than spending good seconds with those I share my life with. As long as I am in the company of my loved ones, I am home.
 

I made a surprise trip back home 2 weeks back. I spent 10 good days in Singapore – knocking doors in the early hours to surprise my loved one (my wife, my mum and my friends at Caffeine). Despite being away for just 5 short months, I couldn’t help but notice these changes:
 
1) Taxi meter starts at $2.50 now + $2 peak-hour charge!
2) My Eunos Estate has been repainted in orange! (Ugly shit!)
3) There is a strange looking tunnel where the old National Library sat.
4) New extended underground shopping at Cityhall!
5) New cafe outside Caffeine – Black Canyon (Nice food, I had my last meal there!)
6) NTUC Golf-Course is open at ECP (who cares!)
7) Singapore Discovery Center is open! (free tickets from Hovman!)
8) New National Museum is open!
9) New Kallang PIE flyover is open!
10) New shops at Eunos & Tampines MRT!
11) In-Box5 at Funan is closed!
12) New wake-boarding + 360 Cafe at East Coast Lagoon!
13) Vivocity opens!
14) The new Ikea at Tampines – still building
15) Yixi and Meijie are getting thinner. (Are you 2 fasting this month?)
16) Yifu and Ivy’s tummy are getting bigger. (One is pregnant, the other started jogging with Yixi)
17) Duuk got a new house at AMK. Juli got a new tattoo.
18) Jimmy, Richard, Francis and Gareth got new cars. (What happen to COE?)
19) Hovman is MBA now! Francis Goh is getting married!
20) Joanne, Lusia and my wife looking more radiant now.
21) Kalinda and Tracy got more curves ~ Sexy! (Just stay clear of Guofeng ok? I never say Mingliang…)
22) I came home with a new promoted title: GAD! (Sadly, it also means "Go And Die")
23) Elkan can sing and he can dance… but still wearing pampers! (Dear, try to toilet train him)
24) The bloody haze is back! (Trust me, country mates – China has cleaner air now!)
 

It was a very packed but fruitful trip. There were quarrel, fights, hugs, tears and lots of kissing and singing. You can’t imagine what I have done in those 10 days but I must say, it was such a fulfilling home trip…I couldn’t ask for more. (See Pix: The pictures say it all!)
 

Unlike my last departure in May, there is no dramatic goodbyes and teary hugs at the airport. In fact this time, I walked through the departure gate alone. It is not that I am unpopular or being plain heartless (stopping my friends from sending me off), it is just that I have a group of friends who are just too good to set my tears off. Yes, I am becoming a softie – even saying bye to a 2-year old boy can be so difficult and painful.
 

Gladly, this time round – there is no Elkan, no Felicia and no friends. Just a lone ranger, taking bold steps and left Singapore (for Shanghai and Hong Kong). No broken hearts, no regrets. I cherished every second spent back home. Every day is a memory.
 

Yes my wife, i remember Elkan’s farewell words to me "Daddi, Wo Ai Ni". (Just dun confuse him with Chinese-English-Singlish conversation).
 
See you guys here with me this Christmas.
 
p/s (Thanks Meijie, Joanne and Tracy – you guys tahan lots of my cranky moments.)

Filed under Wahbiang

Elkan’s 1st Surgery (20th Sept)

September 23, 2006 Leave a comment

 
Blog by: Bobo
 
The day started early at 4.30am where ELkan gets his last milk feed before
surgery. A sip of water before 7.30am and by 9.30am, we arrived at the
hospital.
 
There were quite a number of kids at the waiting room. Elkan was reluctant
to change into the surgery gown, struggled a lot. He wouldn’t let the doc
touch him too. He was very afraid that his granny and me will leave him
alone. Kept hugging our legs. Just like what he did when we brought him to
the childcare.
 
After 5ml of sleepy syrup, he started smiling and swinging his head. He was
mumbling "star star.. star star" After 10 min, he was giving the gas mask
(strawberry flavored) and 2 mins later he was sound asleep.
zzzzzzZZZZZZZZz… …
 
The surgery took an hour. He slept for another 2 hours after that. Had some
milk when he woke up and was ready to walk around slowly. After he was able
to pass urine and walk on his own. He was discharged!
 
On the way home, he vomited on the cab… again. Guess he was still weak and
stomach couldn’t hold the food well. Once he was home, he was happy to with
his bear bear again!

Filed under Family

The Hexagon Link

September 23, 2006 1 Comment

 
Many times, you may find yourself working with someone who may know another friend of yours. It could be until years later when you 2 realise the link. It is a strange connection – Some call it "Fate" while others would call it a "Small World".
 
A hexagon is a 6-sided triangle. It was believed that everyone in this world is somehow personally linked (not more than 6 layers)- through friend-of-friend connection. Of course, the easier way of putting this notion across is through this common term "A Small World". For me, I prefer to use a sexier term "The Hexagon Link".
 
To identity this link is not easy. The easiest way is to attend a big business networking event or a friend’s wedding. You will find common speeches like "Oh yes, I know him! He used to be my supplier!" Amazingly, in my own wedding dinner, I managed to identify more than 20 links in just 1 night of 500 guests. What can I say, Singapore is indeed a small place.
 
Now in Shanghai – a place where I would least expected to uncover any link – I found 2. One who knew my wife (in 1997, Lasalle) and the other who knew my cousin (in 1990, London). Isn’t that scary? I am working with people who knows my family.
 
I have then done a list of my own "Hexagon Link"… I am pretty amazed.
 
Some close linkages – identified only after years later
1) Scott (my colleague) met Leon (my cousin) in army
2) Scott (my colleague) met Michelle (my cousin-in-law) in Canada
3) Polly (my wife’s poly pal) and Randy (my friend’s ex-beau) are cousins
4) John (my army friend) and Shin (my wife’s uni pal) are ex-lovers
5) Jimmy (my sec. pal) and Shin (my wife’s uni pal) were colleagues
6) Zhibin (my cousin) and Raymond (my friend’s ex-beau) were schoolmates
7) Sean (my colleague) and Chester (my cousin) are friends
8) Franklin (my shanghai colleague) met Qianqian (my cousin) in London back in 1990
9) Darren (my shanghai colleague) met Felicia (my wife) in Lasalle back in 1997
10) Chris (my friend’s bestman) and Joanne (my friend) were classmates
11) Francis (my uni pal) is working for Bettina’s uncle (my colleague’s uncle) in Shanghai
12) Gareth’s mum (my sec. pal’s mum) and my Godmother are sworn-sisters
13) Mrs Ng (my sec. teacher) is my wife’s uni friend’s aunt 
14) Leon Lai (the famous singer) was my cousin’s HK classmates back in the 70s
15) Alicia (my shanghai colleague) was my aunt’s student back in Lasalle in 1996
16) Felicia’s cousin (my wife’s cousin) taught Kalinda (my poly pal) in her secondary school.
17) Elaine (my freelance) and Felicia (my wife) were colleagues back in 2001.
18) Sean (my colleague) and John Yap (my army friend) met while doing volunteer work!
  

Filed under Jo's Thoughts

Elkan 1st Day in School

September 16, 2006 Leave a comment

 
Blog by Bobo:
 
(Tuesday, 12th Sept 2006)
Today’s a happy day for Elkan (so far lah). Brought him to school. He was a
little reluctant to step in until I make the first move, then he followed.
He smiled brightly most of the time. Other parents’ first impression was:
"Wah…. what a handsome boy!"

Very quickly, he settled down on the floor and played blocks with other boys
his age. Most of them can say their own names. And they are very friendly to
him. They offer him their toys and keep saying hello to him.

He waved his hands to asked me to sit beside him to play but I told him to
play with other boys. And he did. Then I told him: "Mummy going to work, ok?
You kiss mummy can?" He gave me a quick kiss, waved bye bye and went back to
his friends! Guess he was eager to play with them lah.

So I left him with mum. She’ll sit around for a while then go market after
he had his first meal there (breakfast). Think he should be fine lah.
Heee… Enjoy the pixs!

 

Filed under Family

Calling Your Names

September 14, 2006 1 Comment

 
I was chatting with a friend about naming my son and how the name Elkan came about. Then, I remember those days when we were young, it was cool to have an English name. To be honest, at that age, you dun really understand what’s the difference between an English name or a "Christian" name. As long as you have a pet name, you sounded "cooler" than your usual dialect name.
 
No one really cares the origin of their names.. be it Chinese or English. Perhaps, only your parents would know why they gave you this name. But again, how many parents out there would explain the rationale of the name to their child?
 
Guess most of you dun know about this. My aunt gave me this name "Joe" when I was in primary 2. (Haaa..people in my Secondary School would call me "Joey").. Somehow, I am that "man in the street"…. I have grown and let this name "Joe" embraced and shaped my character. I guess I am that street man..that common Joe. Guess I look like a "Joe" too.
 
Every name has its own character and personality. Some names gave you that negative feelings while some names can be your favourite. Name is an important brand identity. It got to match your family name and that face of yours..It is very diifficult to judge what’s a good name and what’s not. But it is easy to judge how well the person carry his/her name. Some names just dun work well with the face or the personality.
 
Well, let’s see what’s the meaning behind these familiar names:
 
Joanne – (Hebrew) God is Gracious
Felicia – (Latin) Happy
Tracy – (French) Road, Path
Lionel – (Old French) Young Lion
Joe – (Hebrew) From the name "Joseph", God will Increase
Sam – (Hebrew) To hear
Gareth – (Old French) Gentle, Enclosure, Watchful
Ivy – (Greek) Plant, Wine
Juliana – (Spanish) Soft Hair
Jimmy – (American) From the name "James"
Serene – (Latin) From the name "Serena", peaceful calm
Francis – (Latin) Free
Echo – (Greek) A greek goddess with beautiful voice
Elkan – (Hebrew) Belongs to God
Xavier – (Arabic) Bright, new house
Jacob – (Hebrew) Held by the heel
Kalinda – (Sanskrit) Sun, Name of Mountain
Randy – (English) From the name "Randolph", Horny
Martin – (Latin) From Mars
 
 

Filed under Jo's Thoughts

The Number that Changed the World

September 9, 2006 Leave a comment

 
"Fear" & "Insecurity" are powerful mechanics. If applied well, one can make lots of money using these mind-controlling device. (Look at sales of weapons, life insurance, anti-virus software etc). People do spend lots of money chasing the concept of "assurance".
 
Mention this 3-digit number to anyone on the street and picture his/her emotions. 911 is a brand of fear, wars and bloodshed. 911 is a brand that gave a superpower the rights to invade any foreign soils (which pose its national security). 911 is the brand that most government would like to associate itself with – using this opportunity to align itself with the greed-driven superpowers. 911 is the brand blur the lines of freedom fighters and terrorists. 911 gives authority the best excuse to implement anti-human rights act.
 
911 isn’t just a date for remembrance. It is a concept of branding. Making the man-in-the-street to believe that their lives are no longer safe and the world clearly needs a division between the good and the bad.
 
Back in 2001 when 911 happened, it took me quite a while to swallow the reality of "terrorism". Why would someone like Osama would launched a personal attack against an superpower? And if Osama isn’t a head of state of a nation, what gives USA the rights to invade countries like Iraq and Afghanistan without consulting the united nations? And what took a superpower so long just to locate one person? Come on, you found Saddam, didn’t you? (Question, Saddam didn’t send those suicide plane-hijackers or has any of those WMD, right?)
 
On the contrary, if you think like a businessman, you will realise some parties stand to gain more in the long term for waging this global war against a concept call "terrorism". For oil or other blood money (like sales of weapon – inspired by movie "Lord of Wars" by Nicolas Cage), this new economy may just do more good to the superpowers. Imagine other nations started spending more good money to stock-up their defence inventory. Isn’t that how some people suspect the anti-virus business – you released more virus so that people buy your anti-virus product. Of course, this is baseless…but such a possibility..may happen in reality.
 
Let’s think of the other extreme (like a businessman). It is common for big MNC to cut manpower to improve productivity and introduce new business model. If sacrificing 2 towers and 3,000 lives can propel sales, power and presence, why not just do it? After all, you need an excuse to justify an act of horror. Isn’t that one of the tactics in the Chinese’s 36 Strategies?
 
5 years have passed and no news of the man who gave 911 a whole new meaning (it should be listed in Oxford dictionary too). The governments around the world are using this beautiful excuses to terrorize their own subjects. If Osama killed 3,000 innocent people on 911. Then, I would say the superpower nation killed more people (including their own soldiers and other civilians) by raging this war on a global scale. What’s more, this gives them an excuse to penetrate any region and regain its dimming "Global Police" status. What’s next? Iran and North Korea? Overnight, our superpower nation is a global hero again.
 
People are a bunch of forgetful lot. Once in a while, a small bomb will appeared again… like a virus… And this create a reminder for you to renew your belief that you need a "big brother" in this world to protect your safety. You started paying money for the new "anti-virus" program (airport security tax, social support to send in more troops, the acceptance of unlawful imprisonment-without-trial etc). Osama can never be found cos’ if there is no virus, there will be no business. Question is: Who funded these activities and "virus-building"?
 
Like a staged-drama, SARS & bird flu appeared in a timely fashion when Asia was getting global recognition for its presence as the new Economy and Superpower. While the west was undergoing their activities on "terrorism", the east was undergoing a never-seen-before bio-threat. Are there more than it meets the eye? Surely, cos’ these bio-threats somehow slow down Asia’s progress of being the new leader of the new century. More money to be made? – weapons & vaccines. OR it may just be another coincident…
 
At the end of the day… it all boils down to "branding". You do not need to hard sell the cold facts to gain presence and money. All you need is a concept and a number – 911 – Celebrating its "5th Year of Fear of Ignorant Acceptance" this week.
 
I say, cut the bush, end this senseless war, fire Osama and stop killing innocent lives. The numbers just don’t add up. Just wonder why the 2 Bush Presidents so keen to rage wars with Iraq – Perhaps there is a deeper agenda behind that we all dun know. The war against Iraq may never be about 911.
 
True evil lies in the convincing face which you recognise as friend. (For 2nd view, go watch the other news network or the DVD Fahrenheit 9/11. Watch it with an open mind..dun trust all content. )
 
The Da Vinci Code may be just a fiction. The mystery about the "Bush & Osama" may be the greatest tale ever told.
 
 
 

Filed under Jo's Thoughts

A Multinational Meeting

September 7, 2006 Leave a comment

 
Almost every month, I will be in Hong Kong meeting my clients. But this trip is very different.. it is an assembly of multi-nationalities and interesting people. The 3-day forum has finally ended…and somehow, I kinda miss some of them. There were about 30 of us – 17 nationalities – (French, Spanish, American, Philippino, Indonesian, Singaporean, HongKonger, Malaysian, Australian, Indian, Swiss, Japanese, Korean, Taiwanese, English, Russian, Mainland Chinese) – Wow, it sounds like a mini "World Bank Meeting" over here in HK. Of course, we aren’t in the banking business… we are smokers, remember?
 
The Hong Kong host did a superb job in blending all of us together. It was a fantastic meeting and I walked away with lots of experience. The people are dynamic … all masters in their own areas. It was all work and fun…3 packed days and 3 entertaining nights. There were times when we cannot understand each other’s language and that created a lot of jokes in the forum.
 
For example:
The French said "Let target the freaken fryers" (what he meant was "frequent flyers")
The Chinese said "Women has lower penetration" (what he meant was "market penetration for the female")
The Swiss said "We must fuckers" (what he meant was "stay focus")
The Russian said "It will be a intimate challenge" (what she meant was "ultimate")
The Singaporean said "The pig is nice" (what I meant was "the peak has a nice view")
 
There are 2 ways you can pronouce the word "multi" (mul-T or mul-tie). Of course, this is something even the Europeans and Americans couldn’t agree on. So last night, the host specially prepared a "multinational drink" for us.

Right after the drink, everyone in the forum agreed on the pronunciation. The drink added a new meaning to the word "multi".

We all had a MaoTaiNational Drink. (Enjoy the pixs)

Filed under Life in Shanghai

← Older posts

Newer posts →