#2.

kalau aku lihat dunia,

kalau aku dedahkan cinta,

adakah bunga yang satu bisa memenuhi rimba..?

- London - Amsterdam , May 2011

Broken Friendships.

I parted with a lot of my friends once I left Alice Smith to finish high school at Charterhouse in Britain and at that time, I thought distance wasn't anything vital. I used to go back to KL on every holiday and we got to catch up on each other's lives a lot. But let's face it, everyone then had to move on to college and university which took up a lot of our free time. We had to juggle between studies and leisure and the former usually won.

Today, I met my best friend of 7 years. We used to sit beside each other since Year 2 and it was a shame that we could not pick up from where we left! The last meeting was a year back but we do call each other every now and then which we thought would suffice. Wrong.

I now know that even the best of friends CAN drift apart when distance comes in between them. When you meet new people and are exposed to new environments, you have the tendency to seek for new comforts and get close to people who can be temporary replacements for your best friends. Yes, you keep in contact with each other but one day, you won't realize you don't need your good ol' best friends that much anymore.

I had tweeted this before but I'll say it again. Everything starts off when you're comfortable with not talking or communicating to your other half (be it friends, best friends, whoever).

Cheers!

Homeboy.

Aku rindu expresi dunia,

Aku rindu luahan cinta,

Aku rindu keajaiban bunga,

Aku rindu ... dia.

- On flight New York - Chicago . February 2011.

Today's Inspiration.

During my last few months in Imperial, it was hard for me to meet a lot of my father's expectations. There were a lot of pressure about making it through and succeeding well. We didn't appear to look like we were pressured but within those last few months, I had a lot of talk with him regarding graduating with a first class degree because whether we live acknowledging it or not, it brings this indescribable sense of proud to every parents in this world.

Few months after that, upon joining my family's company, I noticed no one asked me if I ever graduated with a first class degree. They knew all along I've finished a degree but they wouldn't bother to know if it was a general degree, or a second class or even if I was named the best Imperial student (of course, I wasn't :p) . I realized that prior to joining the professional world, people want to see more of your credibility and there's more to this world than what stated on that piece of certificate. People want to see what we can do and changes that we can make.

...In the world which is doing its best, we run and run, without a halt, trying to grasp a small success. I'm so tiny, I'm so small, oh good lord, what have you got in store?

Watches.

Ordered two new toys today. 

By : Daniel Jean Richard


Limited edition piece; only 50 produced and each is numbered. Mine's lucky number 10! 

By : Patek Philippe


New collection of rose gold. It looks quite similar to this one Rolex my brother owns but I've always had a thing for Patek Philippe. :D


-


Both are on its way now. One's carefully in production while the other has been shipped an hour ago. I'm a happy man now, true, but I now have to work harder to make the loose ends meet. ;)

In Hong Kong. :)

I didn't realize my last post was exactly one month ago until I logged in! Ha-ha. 
-
Anyhow, I'm in Hong Kong now since I haven't been here since December. It's good to know Hong Kong is rapidly expanding & constantly developing. Some places I visited in December are no longer there when I revisited yesterday's evening. Good! 


Work in NY has stabilized and I've decided to work from KL besides the fact that my mom has been nagging every child of hers to NOT work or live so far away because... "what's the use to live in this house with empty rooms everywhere. I can only listen to my voice echoing everyday". In a way or two, I feel her. I wouldn't like to realize I'm in my 50s, with children (almost) all have graduated, started working are paving their own careers at different countries - mostly so far away - and I'm left with my other half spending the remaining bit of our lives together. Quite an elaboration over there...


The good side is that, I can also work from Hong Kong. :p And my parents won't say much because (1) Hong Kong is just 4 hours away (2) My brother currently works in Hong Kong and (3) Basically it's just so bloody nearer than New York or Amsterdam. My brother on the other hand thinks that with me around, he's happy for he gets a live-in butler. -.- Perfect statement for me to excuse myself to KL this weekend. 


We also attended our cousin brother's wedding last weekend and a lot of interesting moments came up - and mostly concerns both my brothers especially my 2nd brother. He's single, everyone picks on him, God knows why! But I shall save that for the next post.


This time, I'm pretty sure the next post will be up sooner than a month from now!


- God bless, God speed. -

My Pearl.

I went to Spain with B last weekend, but that's not what I really want to talk about. Usually, I don't shop (or let her shop) if we're on purely leisure getaway. If it's leisure, it's strictly leisure - if it's shopping, well, by all means... However, that trip was an exception. We've gone to tens of countries together throughout these few months but this trip was the first time I (actually) let her break the rule.


I knew Freida wanted to shop and she had restricted herself too hard for 3 days because 1) I wouldn't like it and 2) according to her, I've given her more than what she could ever ask for. How can I not love this lady, tell me? 


So I asked;


"You want to shop, don't you?"
"No no."
"You know I won't ask for the second/third time, right? ;) Let's go somewhere. Chanel? Fendi?"
"Nooo. Zara is so cheap over here. I'm fine with getting new coats or anything from Zara."


That was the first time I ever heard any girl declining Fendi (or even Chanel) for Zara. But I guess that was the key to the unbroken spell.


I took her to Chanel instead.

And I made the choice - which I think suited her best. This bag doesn't scream Chanel but people who know will know that it's a jewel. Likewise, she's a person who doesn't (or rather, won't) show people what she has - people who know will know, while the rest can believe what they want to believe in.


I need to work harder this month, don't I? ;)

So She Got a Shaun Leane.

I feel bad for my girlfriend for not being able to make it to her birthday party that I personally organized. It was one of those moments when you finally realized everything is in God's hands. You can just plan. And plan. And plan. 


I was in Amsterdam on that very day hoping I could make it by catching the evening flight out to London only to get the news that there was an urgent management meeting with fellow BODs and cousins. I felt worse when never once did she call/text me to pester. Heh.


Putting that aside, I'm more than happy to extend my belated birthday wishes to her with lots of prayers for her success in life, to have dreams that are only filled with happiness, and multiplied good lucks all life long. 


I shall write your name in the air and breathe you in. Love you, B!

T_T

I used to spend a lot of time with my eldest nephew just because he reminds me a lot on how I grew up. Although our parents differ, the way my sister & her husband raise their children up are just as painful and strict like how my parents did.


Lately, I haven't been calling him with the excuse of being too occupied at work. :p He didn't buy that, obviously.


Ryan : Wah now Uncle Ayis has girlfriend you don't even want to come to Seoul.
Me : Wah Seoul isn't near!
Ryan : Excuses. I asked Uncle Imy when are you going to be free...
Me : and he said..?
Ryan : He said when you've broken up with your girlfriend.


I don't know whether to appreciate my brother's existence or to... :|

What Life Means to Them.

After sometime, I realized I hated to linger around people who complain on a daily basis. It's the confidence that they've to rebuild, and put more efforts to make things better for the future. 


Well if things are really too bad, change them the way you want them to be. Don't be too engrossed doing the talking that you've forgotten you've to walk the talk.

Possibly being the youngest with the least experience in the company,I try not to set a boundary too wide between me and my subordinates. Yes, my post may be higher but that doesn't bring much of an impact because they know better. When we first branched to New York, I had quite a hard time to choose whom to bring along and whom to leave behind in Europe. 


It was a battle between two things; leaving behind experienced workers to bring the company to a great new level AND bringing along experienced workers to make the new branch a success. 


I had the consultations of the former chairman (the father) who now prefers to only do consultations for us the fourth generation (yes, the company goes a longgg way), entertain his lovely grandchildren and travel with his dear wife. And, I realized a lot of people hesitated because at 40+ , it was quite hard to start over at a new place - what would their wives do, how would their husbands react, can the children cope with a new education system... And, at that time, I realized my cousins & I could (we aren't really in a very friendly-jolly relationship) actually sit around the round table and had meetings for almost a week straight - it wasn't a smooth set-up. We were all breaking our necks day and night; meals were forgotten, love-lives were put aside, etc.


But the manifestations after that were priceless :)


For some reasons, now, I prefer not to talk too much. Actions over words. And I really don't like to be a bossy boss (because I wouldn't like it if it's done to me) but it really takes a lot to be one. My cousins are honestly better ones (with more experiences) in the market. Sometimes, when you deal with used-to-be efficient workers whom then worked earnestly and sincerely, but now have turned to a group of people who are lacking in efficiencies and a lot of others, you have the tendency to close one eye and hope they'll change. Well, at least, that was what I did. Oooh wrong; some people, when being given with a dose of ignorance, they take that as independence when they're free to do whatever that they want - a green light!


My job is like the love of my life, the company is my baby. But this doesn't just applies to me or a few other. I think everyone should be honest at work, be faithful & sincere both to your work and your company and give your all to bring both work and company to greater heights. Plus, it really takes quite a lot of courage and anger for a superior to stop thinking about your potentials and no longer expects much from you; which doesn't sound good either.


"If you can't make them respect you, make them fear you". True. Slowly unmasking...

Why is it that there are a lot of people out there who try so hard to prove that they are different? When people make new year's resolutions, they point out the efforts are rather passe, when people listen to classical music, they talk about their class in choosing music genres, etc.

Frankly, it doesn't matter if we lead our lives the way everyone else is. So what if the thing we do is also done by millions other people? 

Talk about saying you're different - there are also millions of other people who say the same - that they are (also) different from the rest. Pshaw. 

Graduated!

Came late but I was still in my joyous mood. Thanks friends!

Ushering the new year.

Aside from everything, I think one thing that challenges me the most when working is the travelling bit. I've to travel consistently between New York and Amsterdam which eats up 7 hours of my life everytime. Then, I'll have to make time for B & lil sister in London and free my schedule to go down to KL as often as I can.


Luckily I'm young! And this body can still function and cope well with all those long distant flights. 


I hope this year of Rabbit will be an even more prosperous year than how I remember the year of Tiger was. More dreams come true, brims with potentials, expansions of opportunities, wider corporate networks, more time to get down to Earth and remember God, even more rooms for love.


Dare I say that I'll not like travelling that much in 4-5 years time. Very time-consuming & energy-draining.


How has your New Year been, all? 


I hope mine will start off being productive at all aspects in life. Extended some of my last year's resolutions which I didn't manage to achieve.


- Purchase 2 properties (I only bought a penthouse)
- Join races at least monthly (didn't have much time, I only raced 4/5 times last year)
- Increase profit margins by 5% (only managed to increase yearly profit by 3.87%)
- Make more time for The Edge . :p 
- I will not look at other girls and say "B, why don't you cut your hair like hers?" 
- Grow my hair long, no matter how not-professional it'll look.
- Not take life too seriously.


Share yours.