Dawn of a New Age

I ain't no penny no more.

On March 22, a year was added onto my 24 years on Earth. And for some reason, I wanted to welcome it silently (to the dismay of my comrades). I don't know, the thought of celebrating my birthday on a Wednesday, moreover a workday, sounds very depressing. This is indeed apart of my belief system ever since I was a kid: I believe that birthdays are best celebrated during the weekend. It's more relaxing. You get to party harder. You get to sleep past 12 the next day. It's better, better, better!

Anyway, I would still like to thank those who remembered my birthday, and wished me well wishes via SMS passed midnight. As such, I would like to apologise to the same group of people for the late replies (exactly during lunch the next day), because at midnight on my birthday, I was asleep!

And yes, this old baboon is never too old for gifts! I was overjoyed when my parents showered me with a Secret Recipe cake and my VJ brother with the BMW Sauber shirt. My comrades, always in good taste, gave me an aromatherapy set, a Zegna belt, a pair of Zegna Sport sneakers, a street-inpired red shirt, and a dim sum lunch at Star Hill.

Ah birthdays. No matter how older you get, on that day, you always feel like a kid again. Yippee!

Mess With The Bull and You Get The Horns

Padan muka

One of the things that I really like about Greener Pastures is that they gladly enroll you to trainings to which, I feel, helps you become a better employee and person as a whole. So if we were like sparse screws and bolts and plywood, Greener Pastures will put you through a machine and turn you into a cabin. Or a car. A wooden car that is.

Anyways, last week I found myself in this very inspiring Leadership course with several of my colleagues. And one of the things that we had to do was role play. The premise was to determine how well you (the boss) can handle your employees. So, infront of the class, I found myself igniting some Oscar genes in me to become a boss for the day.

Come in, I said. My colleague came into the classroom. How are you today?

"Whatever."

(Whatever?) I want to discuss on your performance. It has improved tremendously. In fact, your sales has increased 20% last month.

"Whatever."

(What???) Lately, you have been receiving 15 to 20 personal calls per day. I feel this is unprofessional.

"So?"

(What the???) I need you to reduce your personal calls. Especially during office hours and via the office phone.

"I don't care. It's none of your business."

At that point, my stress levels went on volcano mode. It totally erupted and I don't know why. But the fact that in several minutes, I was facing a totally rubbish employee who gave me attitude with a capital A, and what the hell? Did he want to get fired???

And that was exactly what I did. You're fired!!! Perhaps I watched too many episodes of The Apprentice, but at that point, it felt good to do that. But I realised I did not solve anything, and said, I take that back. I reacted with my emotions and I should not have. I sense a lot of hostility from your end, why is that so?

To which my colleague responded, "I don't have hostility. You're the one with the problem."

To which I said, Please leave my room. And when he did, I felt like throwing a letter knife into his back. Over and over again.

When the acting hoopla was done, I sat back at my desk and pondered how the hell can I handle difficult people just like that without going amok. How ah?

Pride!

Greed:	Medium
Gluttony:	Medium
Wrath:	Medium
Sloth:	Low
Envy:	Low
Lust:	Medium
Pride:	High

Take the Seven Deadly Sins Quiz

According to the Devil, I got pride oozing out of my ass. How. Very. True.

1. Greed - What luxury item did you last purchase?

I don't think any of the items I have purchased could be considered as luxurious. My definition of objects in the luxury category include 1) a villa in Capri, 2) vintage high-end timepieces, and 3) a black Ferarri. Give a good six years and I will get back to you on this. ;)

2. Gluttony - What is your favorite food?

Oh my! Do I have to choose??? Ok, if I have to boil it to one type of cooking, it would have to be Thai. I love spicy/exciting/sexy food. Bland food are for the sick.

3. Wrath - What makes you angry?

People who never learn.

4. Sloth - when are you at your laziest?

I know this is really wrong to say, but during bulan puasa, dude! I get so lazy! (Haiyoh, the Devil is smiling now...)

5. Envy - What makes you green?

Very successful and established people. Don't get me wrong. I find this type of envy really healthy, because it drives me completely.

6. Lust - What/who do you lust over?

I lust for many business ideas that is creative and original, and that can make me gazillions of dollars! And I lust for the one who can accept me for who I am.

7. Pride - What are you most proud of?

I am really proud of my father. He struggled so hard to be where he is. For that, he is my source of pride. :)

(To Shopper Mom and Babe: Thanks for tagging me!)

Lose Face Value

Can you feel the love tonight?

People say that first impressions are important and correct. Well, I hope not!!!

This morning, during my first ever meeting with THE MD, my tummy started to make loud noises. Like REALLY LOUD NOISES!!! I remember nodding my head, staring at my MD’s face, and scrutinizing every facial movement to see whether he noticed it too. Grumble grumble! Haiyoh, did he hear that???

I looked down in my diary, scribbled some important facts here and there, and then noticed that the tea lady finally strolled in the meeting room with a delicious spread of pastries and coffee. Tiba-tiba, my direct boss who sat next to me whispered, “Go grab some and eat. Your stomach is bising.”

HAIYOH!!!