Friday, December 18, 2009

Its -11 degrees Celsius

...outside but weather.com tells me that it feels like -22deg Celsius thanks to the howling beastly wind. This is the coldest weather I have ever lived in and its quite weird. Cant wait for the snow storms In February. There is ice on my Vicotrian semi-bay window panes. I am prep-ing for an unprep-able final tomorrow in a warm bed and thinking of all the books I can devour after I am done with awful phase of B-school. 


Thursday, December 17, 2009

Snippets of Wisdom

from our LEAD class - 


"Nothing is worse than procrastination.. It's better to make decisions quickly and be right seven out of ten times than to waste time trying to achieve the perfect solution. To stick one's neck out and do the right thing is obviously best. But the second best is to take action, make a mistake and learn from your action. To take no action is the only unacceptable behaviour for ABB managers" - Percy Barnevick (Europe's answer to America's Jack Welch

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Quest for Inner Ring

CS Lewis's very relevant take on corruption - 


To nine out of ten of you the choice which could lead to scoundrelism will come, when it does come, in no very dramatic colors. Obviously bad men, obviously threatening or bribing, will almost certainly not appear. Over a drink or a cup of coffee, disguised as a triviality and sandwiched between two jokes, from the lips of a man, or woman, whom you have recently been getting to know rather better and whom you hope to know better still-just at the moment when you are most anxious not to appear crude, or naif, or a prig-the hint will come. It will be the hint of something which is not quite in accordance with the technical rules of fair play: something which the public, the ignorant, romantic public, would never understand: something which even the outsiders in your own profession are apt to make a fuss about: but something, says your new friend, which "we"-and at the word "we" you try not to blush for mere pleasure-something "we always do." And you will be drawn in, if you are drawn in, not by desire for gain or ease, but simply because at that moment, when the cup was so near your lips, you cannot bear to be thrust back again into the cold outer world. It would be so terrible to see the other man's face-that genial, confidential, delightfully sophisticated face-turn suddenly cold and contemptuous, to know that you had been tried for the Inner Ring and rejected. 

And then, if you are drawn in, next week it will be something a little further from the rules, and next year something further still, but all in the jolliest, friendliest spirit. 
It may end in a crash, a scandal, and penal servitude: 
it may end in millions, a peerage and giving the prizes at your old school. 

But you will be a scoundrel.

The quest of the Inner Ring will break your hearts unless you break it"

We were discussing fraud in our accounting class, and our fantastic professor (who makes accounting dynamic!) ended the class with this quote. 

Friday, December 11, 2009

A Thoughtprovoking Discussion

In our LEAD class, we were made to read a bunch of 10 year and 20 year memoirs of the HBS Class of 1976. The ensuing discussion in class was thought provoking. We went on to desribe our personal take on 'what is success'. It was an almost touching experience to hear how my very accomplished classmates measure success. And let me tell you it wasn't just coming to HBS or getting awards. 


One said his immigrant grandfather taught him that true success can be measured by how many people attend your funeral. Because when you die, people don't owe you anything, except for respect. Another said, success cannot be achieved if you pursue success. Instead if you pursue happiness, success will follow.  Yet another said that maybe success is not just about yourself and is actually about striving for the success of others. I wont go into mine, because I think anybody who reads my older posts can pretty much get a sense of it. In fact, someone had written my thoughts better than I had ever did almost a century before me - It was Kipling with his poem 'IF'.

People brought in many personal philosophies into the discussion that made it very touching. Some refused to comment, or share their goals in life, some talked about them openly. I think this was the first entirely meaningful, sans-buzzword, sans trying-to-get-class-participation-credit, sans-faff class i have sit through at HBS. 

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Simple Pleasures

I have 2 amazing books to read over Thanksgiving - Winterson's Lighthouse Keeping and Murakami's The Elephant Vanishes. I am as excited as a 5 year old would be on Christmas Eve, waiting to open her gifts. I wish it was perfect weather to go with these books. There are plenty of wooden benches beneath maple, birch and other trees here, which are so forlorn - yearning for someone to sit on them. But the cold is just too bone chilling to read sitting on them.

Friday, November 20, 2009

Flag Day at HBS

Flag Day is an important section event. It's the day we hang our national flags in our classroom. The # of flags raised in my section is 30; i.e my section mates come from 30 countries. Unfortunately, HBS's policy dictates that the Taiwanese national flag should not be put up. Fortunately, for my Taiwanese classmates, we hung the Taiwan Olympic delegation's flag. That diffused the uncomfortable situation a bit. To introduce our flags, we give a 3 min fun presentation of our countries - quirky facts, trivia, a bit of patriotism thrown in. The below hilarious map surfaced during the USA presentation, all in good fun. Notice Africa doesnt even exist!


Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Are You Here Yet? -2

I know the heights of egotism and pomposity is to quote oneself. But i cant help it, I want to remind myself a promise I keep making to myself. I need this reminder ever more so here at Harvard, to not get drowned with all the work and the many ways one can spend time here. Eastertide, here goes all over again  March 09, 2009


You have to be a Jack of all trades. Being a Master is overrated. You need to be able to sing a ditty, dance the lindy hop, discuss the Palestinian situation in Middle East, solve a cryptic crossword, be content with your own company,be comfortable going to parties alone, steer a sparkling conversation over lunch, climb a peak - kilimanjaro or kinabalu - once in a while, run a marathon, swim a kilometer, backpack across continents, be kind to the dog or the kid, know all about wines and yet remain a teetotaler, know all there is to know of cigars, and yet remain a non-smoker, learn a language, give a dime to the old man selling tissues, canter and gallop with your horse. To all this, you need to have a sense of humor nothing can diminish, a goodness nothing can tarnish, a soul that is free and that transcends all this and everything.  Are you here, yet? 

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Professors & Rankings

My 'homeroom' professor , the professor who is sort of the assigned 'spiritual' guide to our section, has been ranked #44 in World's Top Business Thinkers this year!

Wednesday, October 07, 2009

Bob McDonald P&G CEO at HBS

My husband asked me to attend this talk without fail. And being a dutiful wife, I did just that. And here is my report -

Bob McDonald talked about his 10 maxims for leadership, a work in progress through his many years of leadership in the Army and at P&G. I have condensed a lot of points and hence may not be as eloquent as his speech. Anyhoo, here goes -
  1. Have a purpose in life. My purpose has always been helping people. That is why I was a Boy Scout, then went to West Point and subsequently the Army. Then I joined P&G because the purpose of P&G aligned with my purpose. It was touching lives and improving life. He listed the P&G core values, etc.

  2. Everyone wants to succeed, success is contagious.

  3. Putting people in the right job is one of the most important jobs of the leader.

  4. Character is the most important trait of a leader. By character, I mean (a) putting the needs of the organization above your needs. Have ambitions for the organization, not for yourself. (b) Integrity - at P&G we dont cheat, steal or lie. And we don't want people who do that. (c) Taking Responsibility - In West Point, for any problem or issue, there are only 4 answers - 1. Yes, sir 2. No, sir. 3. Sir, I do not understand 4. No excuse, sir. And I learnt through experience that the correct answer is No, excuse Sir whenever you mess up. Even if the causes of the failure were outside your control. Take responsibility. (d) Choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong. Whenever something is turning out to be easy, think again. Maybe you are doing the wrong thing.

  5. Diverse groups of people are more innovative than homogenous people. We want our people to be exactly like our consumers. Diversity is key to innovation. And innovations are more about connecting the dots than straight lines. Inventions never get used for what they were meant/designed for. For, example, Graham Bell designed the telephone as an aid for the hearing impaired. Marconi meant the radio to be used to communicate from a ship. Certainly not for entertainment on land! Father of IBM's most famous quote is "I think in future, the United States of America may need one or two computers." P&G also uses the Platinum Rule (as opposed to the Golden Rule: Treat otheres as you want others to treat you): Treat others as they want to be treated.

  6. Ineffective strategies, systems and culture are bigger culprits than people. As a leader, when things go wrong, investigate processes and strategies first. Not people.

  7. There will be some people in the organization who will not make it on the journey. This is a difficult admission, as much as I am an optimist and an idealist.

  8. Organizations must renew themselves. The most important thing you will learn at Harvard is 'how to learn'. P&G wouldn't be celebrating its 172nd year this October if it hadn't constantly renewed it self. In 1980 (when Bob joined P&G from the Army), P&G's overseas business is 25% of the total. Today it is 60%. It had 60k people. Today 130k. It had zero billion dollar brands. Today it has 23 of billion dollar brands. It has 20 half a million dollar brands. (Quick aside: These 43 brands make up 95% of their profits. So Bob joked that what the other 180 brands were doing is a question he asks everyday and joked about cutting brands!)

  9. Recruiting is the top priority. We have a culture of promoting from within. This is why, I am here today and try to be here at HBS every year. This is why I am going to talk to you after this speech. Because, I am looking for the future CEO of P&G.

  10. The true test of leadership is the performance of the organization when he/she is absent or after he/she departs. He gave the illustration of how the true test of your parenting is how your teenager behaves when you are absent or on a holiday.
I found him to be very down to earth and personable. In response to certain Q&A, he asked the person to email him so that he can get back to him with more infomration! I mean how often does the CEO of a $80 billion dollar company does that?

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Aldrich Art & Life's Little Things

The other day, I remember walking along the halls of Aldrich and coming across this piece of art I found quirky and yet haunting. I shan't quote it just yet because I want to get it exactly as the artist said of the piece. Tomorrow, I will go in search of it. And I will quote all of it. It reminded me of life's little things. A reminder to not be buried in the hurry burry of everything, and to marvel at the strange fates at work  that brought me to Harvard, to Aldrich, to that hallway, standing at that very art piece on the cusp of the beautiful moment that will be so full of comprehension and beautiful simplicity.  

 

If I Could Tell You, Auden

.... If we should weep when clowns put on their show,
If we should stumble when musicians play,
Time will say nothing but I told you so.

There are no fortunes to be told, although,
Because I love you more than I can say,
If I could tell you I would let you know. ...


I always always always end up connecting with Auden's magical, lyrical haunting poetry. No matter what I read or don't. 

Saturday, September 19, 2009

W.

Shock of the week - to find out that of all the famous people in the world, George W. Bush was from my section. 
Just one question. Why?

PS: Mitt Romney was too.

Friday, September 11, 2009

First Day of Serious Classes

Today has been the first day of serious classes. And you all may or may not ask, "How has it been, H?" and other variations questions. Well it depends -


On Cases & Classes - 
I like it a lot. I think, I am going to actually like my 'fluffy' classes quite a bit- LEAD (Leadership) and Maketing. We also looked at a case of Lapdesk, a for profit social enterprise in South Africa. I haven't been as concise and articulate as I wished to be during class. But, I will get there. I better as 50% of my grade is dependent on the quality of my comments. 

On Diversity of Classmates -
The sheer number of things my classmates have achieved in their 'personal' time was plain outstanding, their careers, I felt needed some room for diversity. Most had followed the consulting and private equity route, if not the IB and private equity route. So much so that I quickly realised that I was the exotic diversity candidate at Harvard, the 'poet'! Where are the promised chefs, the Olympic triathletes? Sure I have a section-mate who wrote Broadway musicals and another who was a surgeon. But we make a small motely band of "poets". 

On Everything Else -
Consulting is huge here. The first day, BCG clogged my mailbox with awesome umbrellas and a personalised note from the CEO. Not to be outdone, the second day, Bain & Company sent me(and all other RCs) super cool water bottles and email Ids of real people, urging me to contact them. That's all very flattering I am sure.  But it makes my search to tread the path lesser traveled rather challenging.  The array of social, club activities is staggering. The skys the limit. Being the old bore, I have opted out of all the bar-disco-club nights. But I fancy checking out plays in the Sanders Theater, making full use of the collection at Lemont and the archives at Widener across the river. I plan to go to university stand-up comedy and dance and plan to row or dance. If it's all free, that is, as I happen to be in a financial mess. 

It's only been 5 days, but I feel distant from my old life.     

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Thucydides said

Thucydides said, "The secret of happiness is freedom. And the secret of freedom, courage"


I often thought that I ranked 'way above average' when it comes to courage. Not the kind of  'let's jump off a cliff for a skinny dip' courage, or 'let's sleep in a haunted house' courage, or 'let's do a 100m bungee jump' courage. Nay, not that kind of courage. 

Rather the kind of courage that doesn't think twice to confront a misbehaving stranger on a bus, the kind who doesnt hesitate to call the cops on some random jerks on the buses trying to molest women, or the kind who doesnt take it low at work be it a colleague, or my boss or his boss if I dont like something (and hence is often not well liked). 

But, at times, I have this nagging doubt that I am courageous not because I am aware of the precariousness and the dangers of my actions, but rather, I am foolish and naive to know of them. Or lack the tact and sauve to tackle the situation. So am I still technically courageous? 

I am confused.

Advice & Wisdom

"He advised those who had no government of themselves never to taste of things that tempt a man to eat when he is no longer hungry, to drink when his thirst is already quenched, because it is this that spoils the stomach, causes the headache, and puts the soul into disorder."

Thursday, July 09, 2009

Welcome Party Antics

Yesterday I came across an unfinished post recollecting the embarrassment I and my cousins put my sister through in 2001 while receiving her at an undisclosed airport in Arizona. It was loads of fun planning the whole sham. It was winter vacation. I went to my uncle's place in an undisclosed great American suburbia in Arizona. So, did two other cousins from up North and Canada. My sister was the last to fly into Arizona. So, we all put our heads together to make her feel very 'welcome' by organizing a welcome procession at the airport.

Banner

Every welcome party, needs a banner. So, the first task was to make one that screamed "Welcome Name-of-Sister!" I employed the talents of my uncle's 3 year old, Cousin A to come up with the artwork to 'decorate' the screaming letter written in pencil. She scribble mysterious things that vaguely looked like lop sided flowers with wings, dogs that looked like a horse with three legs ("it hurted it's leg and it dropped off"), stick figure and other such crap that parents gush about when kids like A draw them. In case u dint get the idea, she did a disgusting job out of it. Which was the general effect we wanted of course. To hold up the banner, we glued the banner to two tall twigs we found in the backyard.

Garland

Garlands made out of money are  a common gesture in India. So, we decided to make one with monopoly currency. My aunt though was a fly in the ointment. She absolutely refused to allow us to waste good Monopoly money on this mad sham. So, we just glued cut white paper with dollar sign. The skilful artwork was again provided by the 3 year old Cousin A (who by now is beside herself  with self importance as we found her talents crucial).

Music

Cousin Ash (all of 6 years found his toy plastic drums (the kind that you sling around your neck for marching bands) meant for 3 year olds. I dug up a toy cymbals that made quite a ruckus.

The Welcome

Uncle drove us to the airport. He was armed with a camera. We are a very mature family, I suppose. The welcome party consisted of my uncle, 3 year old Cousin A, 6 year old Cousin Ash, 26ish Cousin K, 31ish Cousin G and myself. My aunt politely opted out of this sham.

Anticipation was high as we waited at the arrival gates.

We caught sight of her. She was a 30m away.

She waved.

I signalled.

The hideous, lopsided paper banner with glue stains and Dali-esque artwork was popped up and unfurled to full glory.

My sister blinked.

We chanted "Welcome, welcome to Name of Sister"

She stopped.

Everybody stared.

Cousin Ash added the background score. He began thumping his heart away on the plastic drums.

Everybody stared some more. Some sniggered. Others shook their heads.

This was a lot more embarrassing for us than I thought it would be, but oh heck, damn the torpedos, full speed ahead!

Meanwhile my sister was wildly looking for an escape route.

We were making our way towards her. Then the final touch – the paper garland was extracted from the plastic grocery bag.

She abandoned her cabin bag and tried to run.

Amused passerbys made way a little. 

Cousin Ash abandoned the toy drums and lunged at her thighs, I latched on to her shoulders. Then Cousin G, pushed the garland over her head. The welcome was complete. Needless to say, my sister sputtered with rage and embarassment or at least half a day. She thought we were all terribly unclassy and vulgar. Garn! I say, we had a load of fun, as long as it was someone else being welcomed.

Sunday, June 28, 2009

The Most Important People in the World

The other day, while I was driving past IKEA, a billboard caught my eye. A billboard announcing the sale of childrens' furniture. The hoarding read - "For the most important people in the world" - obviously referring to children. What struck me was what a load of marketing balderdash the statement was. At least in my opinion. When did the world gang up and decide that children are the most important people in the world? They ARE important. But surely they are not the MOST important? Look, it is a given that I would do just about anything to protect a baby.
 
But what about the old and the aged? Dont they figure as the most important? They have lived decades and have attained, hopefully, wisdom. We have many lessons to learn from their experiences, from their mistakes. We have wisdom to partake. If there were no old, there would no wisdom to teach the young. And what is a generation sans wisdom worth?
 
And what about women? Dont you think they are much more important? The stupendous depth & intensity of love that they are capable of.Surely we dont need a Mother's Day to remind us of all that?
 
I do love most children & all babies. But children aren't the most important people in the world.  


Friday, May 29, 2009

Meetings 101

In a meeting, if someone is not arguing with you, dont join the argument. Not even to defend your boss, Or boss's boss. Bosses can take care of themselves. That is why they are bosses. Its not a fisty-cuffs in the school yard. Its Machiavellian maneuvers in the board room.

The Lessig style of presentation is all nice and jazzy and gets you lots of attention usually. But not always. Sometimes, it looks shallow and like you haven't put in enough effort. Especially if you do not know the difference between Scheme and Fare. 

Which brings me to - there IS a difference between Scheme, Fare . Dont argue. Especially with policy makers. Especially with big honcho-policy-maker. It's foolish.

And my best learning - shut up. If you cant shut up, sleep. If you cant sleep, doodle. They will survive fine without your two cents worth. They have till date. 

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Wisdom & Humility

"I come to embrace it, to heartily concur, to affirm that one's title -- even a title like president -- says very little about how well one's life has been led," he said. "That no matter how much you've done, or how successful you've been, there's always more to do, more to learn, more to achieve."

~ Barack Hussein Obama


Tuesday, May 05, 2009

A Woman's Life

... is a taxing one. And it is an unfair one. Tomorrow, I shall rant. Today, I shall just be plain old sad. 

Monday, March 09, 2009

Are You Here, Yet?

You have to be a Jack of all trades. Being a Master is overrated. You need to be able to sing a ditty, dance the lindy hop, discuss the Palestinian situation in Middle East, solve a cryptic crossword, be content with your own company,be comfortable going to parties alone, steer a sparkling conversation over lunch, climb a peak - kilimanjaro or kinabalu - once in a while, run a marathon, swim a kilometer, backpack across continents, be kind to the dog or the kid, know all about wines and yet remain a teetotaler, know all there is to know of cigars, and yet remain a non-smoker, learn a language, give a dime to the old man selling tissues, canter and gallop with your horse. To all this, you need to have a sense of humor nothing can diminish, a goodness nothing can tarnish, a soul that is free and that transcends all this and everything.  Are you here, yet? 

Thursday, March 05, 2009

God Has a Great Sense of Humor

God has a great sense of humor. Almost the fiendish kind. I have known it more and more recently. But today, was just. Well, He just took it to another level, today. Eastertide, remember. Remember today. March 5th. You felt all these feelings within 10 minutes.

One disbelief. 
Two Curiosity 
Three disbelief, the excited kind. 
Four Realisation 
Five Sinking  
Six Panic 
Seven Desperation 
Eight Panic 
Nine Desperation 
Ten Dread 

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Peter O'Toole's Oscar Speech

Whattay an eloquent speech. No tears, no thanking the whole world and its aunt. Just plain dignity.  

"... and i am honoured. The magic of movies enraptured me when I was a child. As i totter into antiquity movie magic enraptures me still. Having already bagged this baby, spared uncertainities prior to the opening of an envelope, I am able to think.

I think of our colleagues our old friends, now gone, who played their parts in this earn
I think of the sumptuous talents alive well
I think of the astonishing young, the gifted and able young men and women, of whom i grab energy in handful."

They gave him the Oscar for Lifetime Achievement. He is probably one of the 5 actors who deserved an Oscar for acting, but, alas, never did get it. The other 4 are Barbara Stanwyck (she made it all seem far too easy), Edward G Robinson (a phenomenol powerhouse of acting), Cary Grant (probably because comedy isn't so terribly appreciated by the Academy), Charles Boyer ( it's an unforgivable sin to have denied him one). 

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Arsonists

I just don't get it. Why would people start bushfires? Why? No, this is not a tirade. Put aside my complete outrage. This is me completely baffled by the psyche of the arsonists.  To relieve boredom, to bring chaos and excitement, to crave attention and recognition, I am told. Still, that's just too simple to explain away the psychology of someone who would deliberately cause such damage. Plus it's puzzling that Australia has so many skulking pyromaniacs. 


Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Decency Is Heroic

Gregory Peck was the best Atticus Finch there ever was and there ever will be. For me. And for Harper Lee, at the very least. 'Cos she said, her Atticus Finch was a role that allowed Peck to play himself. Peck. A quiet man. A quiet, decent man. He had to " put everything I had into it – all my feelings and everything I'd learned in 46 years of living, about family life and fathers and children. And my feelings about racial justice and inequality and opportunity". Peck was a decent man. The quietly decent kind. Decency is special. It is such an underrated virtue. Decency is heroic in these trying times. Hollywood, please, no remakes.

Friday, February 06, 2009

A Lethargic Soul

Sitting down to quote oneself is the heights of pomposity. But right now, I cant help recalling what I once said, " A bit o' sun, a gust of wind, a patch of blue skies, a twinkle in the eye and an insouciant soul are good things for the lethargic soul." 
Aye, I said it right. Today I need all of that.  Today is one of those days I am tired in the bones. 

Tuesday, February 03, 2009

Are You Afraid

My life's motto was compactly summarised in 4 beautiful lines at the base of the Jaipur Column decades ago-


In thought, Faith
In word, Wisdom
In deed, Courage
In life, Service

It is easier to carry them around as words engraved on a medallion everyday than to live them everyday. Especially the line that speaks of deeds of courage. And to find comfort I turn to Auden and he mocks at me from his grave - Pick up a fight, go to war. Leave the hero in the bar. climb a peak, fight a lion, let no one guess you are weak. 

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

MBA Updates

I have been accepted into the Kellogg School of Management (1 year program) as well as the Harvard Business School for my MBA.

I dont know which one to go to. It's an agonizing decision. Which one, dear reader? Which one? 

Some very mature ways of decision making I have resorted to -
- if I see two mynahs , it;s a sign I have to go to Kellogg. If I see three, I have to go to Harvard.
- if the bus arrives in the next one minute, i have to go to Harvard.
- if the leaf falls off the branch and touches my right shoulder, I go to Kellogg.
ad infinitum, ad infinitum,and so on.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

One Egg

There was a store in our colony where we did most of our grocery shopping. I often ran the chore of getting a dozen eggs from the store for Mother.  I liked that chore. I liked to feel eggy cool smoothness. Hunt for cracks. Jiggle 'em a bit. Pick the largest. I took my time. The owner didn't mind. He knew me since my toddler years and he let me select my own dozen eggs. 


On one particular trip when I was 9, I laid them carefully in a paper bag and walked over to pay up. While walking, I counted them all over again. I counted 11. So I grabbed one more egg and added it to the paper bag. At the counter, the owner-uncle took my money. Before stapling it, he took a quick peek and counted. He counted 13. He looked up and looked at me. Or rather, he gave me a look. A very quiet look. A very very quiet look. A look that held me guilty. Without saying a word, he took one egg out and stapled the bag. 

I, very puzzled, opened my mouth to protest. I grabbed the bag and counted. I counted 12. I shut my 9 year old mouth. He gave me another look. Other customers witnessed this, convinced of my guilt. A nine year old cheat, their eyes said. But I didnt say anything. Nothing in my defense. What could I say?  I didnt know how to count? I counted incorrectly? I really wasnt stealing? After that day, he always counted my eggs over the years. And after that, i didn't like my chore any more. I was guilty every time I stepped in his store. 

It took just one egg to lose my credibility.

This ancient memory still stings - the helpless humiliation of being thought a cheat. That one egg quite simply wiped out any possible desire to really pilfer pennies or shoplift for real. And from that one egg stems my abhorrence to a situation where the integrity of my actions or motives are questioned and where I have to explain myself or prove my honesty. Because I know I shall do a bad job of proving it. As bad a job as on that day when I was 9 years old. 

So I choose to speak the difficult truths everyday. In any given situation.  Especially with people who are part of my life 24x7. And expect the honesty be returned in good number. And expect to be trusted. Always. 

Thursday, January 08, 2009

The Cure for Emptiness

There are days when you feel utterly empty. You will yourself to feel something. Anything, and yet you dont. Not a tingle. Not a whisper. What is the cure for those days? A change? A walk in the park at eventide? Getting a dog? Or a goldfish? Reading a book? Cuddling up to mom? What is the cure? Tell me right now!

Friday, January 02, 2009

Travel Agents

My parent's wedding anniversary was around the corner. In preparation of a surprise, i decided to go to ABC Travel Agents to get them a nice weekend holiday. The ABC happens to be the Walmart of travel agents in Singapore. Except that they are not as cheap as Walmart. (Which actually means that they cant be the Walmart of travel agents, but thats beside the point.). 

I had a bit of a nasty experience.

One chirpy day was spent being put on hold by their really advanced telephone system for 50 minutes, being directed to the wrong branch (they have all these silly branches which serve you depending on the region of travel, the mode of travel, your race, ethnicity, mother's name, last name, time of birth. No seriously!), spending 1 hour in the queue system (again supah advanced) and talking to the officer and then being directed to the correct branch, only to find it closed. 

The second day was a lot less painful. But, the prices quoted were..lets say, not Walmart cheap. In fact, M travels was doing a visa for $30 while these people quoted $58. The man called Jackson who was serving me wouldnt give me any packages other than those for just ONE hotel. Then AFTER paying the deposit, he says something suspicious "Your deposit is non refundable and we do not gurantee that you will be able to travel on these dates or gurantee a place in the said hotel". WTFudge???? I mean seriously, WTFudge????? Have you ever come across a travel agent saying, "you will have to travel on alternative dates as we dont gurantee these said dates AFTER taking a NON-REFUNDABLE deposit."

At this point, I stood up, snatched my money from him, l.i.t.e.r.a.l.l.y and stopped nearly short of swearing at him cuz I was brought up to be well mannered and polite to people who serve you. Then i told him how utterly stupid that statement was. He said I could take my business elsewhere.

Of course, after this, i took charge of this whole situation - entirely.

I gave him my money, agreed to his condition and walked out thanking him.

And 10 min ago, I see my Staff Club organising a trip to the same destination for a decidedly cheaper fare.

The Agony of Many Options

Suddenly i have a guzillion books that I have to read and are staring at me from my bedside table. The Known World, Cloud Atlas, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, Prozac Nation...just to name a few. And, i am so terribly excited that I could jump up and down on my mattress had I been 5 years younger. I want to read 'em all at once.

A new year and a new resolution to be more disciplined. That has saddled me with the burden of bearing the agony of many options and only one choice.