the roads are getting nearer
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Wednesday, November 22, 2006
` Wednesday, November 22, 2006

I can't wait to go to Krabi!

Air tickets on Tiger Airways - booked.

3D2N resort accommodation - booked.

Number of dollars blown - $400.

Cost of getting excited at the prospect of chillin' out - PRICELESS.

(3) comments

Friday, November 17, 2006
` Friday, November 17, 2006
Why would I suffer fools twice over?

I've had it with this particular recruiter who had been testing my patience with a series of unprofessionally conducted conversations over the phone. So much so that for a rare moment in time, I was actually so pissed off that I fired a rather strongly worded email to the company within a span of 5 minutes. It's definitely been awhile since someone's tested my temperament.

I cannot comprehend just how annoying some people can be, assuming that there should be a basic level of courtesy and humility when speaking over the phone. And not be aware of it or do something to mitigate the obvious lack of EQ especially in a customer-facing job like hers.

Do not assume that people are more than willing to spare 5 to 10 minutes of their working hours waiting patiently over the mobile phone line while you hem and haw over your database, explaining to you who to contact in their HR department when they aren't the receptionist, or a HR personnel for that matter.

Do not start a conversation abruptly by mumbling your name and directly questioning a person's work history even though you have the details smack in your database. Lastly, do NOT quote a good friend who works in the same firm who was probably providing a well-meaning business lead that was not meant to lead to such a meaninglessly irrelevant waste of my time.

Yes, I am ranting here. Like I said, it's been awhile. Hell hath no fury like a woman angered.

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Wednesday, November 15, 2006
` Wednesday, November 15, 2006
A Tribute to the Conrad Tokyo

Why would I devote an entire blog posting on a hotel? Because, put simply, I would declare it to be the BEST hotel I've ever had the opportunity to bunk in for a meagre night. For free and getting upgraded (this being mega-mega-plus).

Raves:
- Immaculate, sincere guest service officers who go out of their way to assist (eg. thoughtfully explaining the different gadgets found in the room).

- Ultra-modish front-desk reception with high ceilings and a potentially great lobby lounge with the Tokyo skyline in full view ("potential" was used since I didn't have time at all to indulge in its ambience).

- GORGEOUS out-of-this world room with an almost full-length window facing the very upscale Shiodome building landscape. Large and super-comfy twin beds. Funky bathtub with complimentary rubber ducky for a companion in a massive bathroom with a separate rainshower cubicle attached. Luxe freebie toiletries. Plush towels and robes. Plasma TV. Beautifully presented bite-sized munchies. The list can go on.

- Close proximity (right below the hotel) to the subway and the Yurikamone line towards Odaiba (my favourite repeat-visit shopping haven).

Rants:
- None. Zero. Zilch. Nada.

This is the point when I regret giving up frequent business travel and accumulating all the Hilton points to redeem stays in the to-die-for rooms at the Conrads around the world because in reality, they cost an absolute bomb unless you're feeling extremely indulgent. SIGH.

Posted by Picasa

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` Wednesday, November 15, 2006
I LOVE TOKYO.

It's great that I got to round off possibly the last of my soon-to-be-minimal business trips with Tokyo, favourite city of all time. It never ever gets boring for me there. Give me a ticket to anywhere in Japan anytime and I'll be up for it in a heartbeat. The city always seems to be leaping along a step faster than anyone trying to catch up with its pace of change and the concept of 'all things new'. I'm breathless from experiencing all that I could in a short span of a week.
P.S. Shopping at Narita Airport was, to say the least, unbelievably excellent. They seemed to have overhauled and revamped the terminals a fair bit since the last time I visited in December 2005. Forget about stockign up on the snacks, cosmetics and what-not souvenirs in town. Just pack a spare carry-on and gorge yourselves silly with the numerous shops at the departure terminal's shopping mall. Prices for snacks are slightly lower too. Possibly answering the call of all Japanese skincare fanatics, Shu Uemura and Shiseido products are not available in the duty free shops priced way below the Singapore counters. All I can say is: get ready for shopaholics heaven (or credit card nightmare) just hours before stepping onto the plane home!


1. Hot piping ramen going for JPY480. Beat that. 2. My favourite all-time "Ginza Bakehouse" counter at Shibuya for to-die-for strawberry shortcakes. Drool. 3. Shibuya draped in its night-time glamour buzz. 4. Asakusa's Sensoji temple. Ever bustling. 5. Shoes galore at the gleaming new Lalaport Toyosu mall. 6. It's Christmas time at Disney World. 7. Electical lights parade. 8. Crepes. The next best alternative to a proper meal that can be found in most parts of town. 9. Who can forget the gorgeous fireworks finale at Disney? Posted by Picasa

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Sunday, November 12, 2006
` Sunday, November 12, 2006
I've done the deed.

Strange how it always had to happen just before I hit the 2-year mark.

Boy, was it a painful decision to make and I had to make it 3 times over the years.


I had to literally hold back my tears as I broke the news over the phone.

It was really sad to have to leave the understanding bosses and manager,

And a team of multi-cultural personalities that I had grown rather close to.

But it was time to let go.

Time to embrace the unfamiliar and get out of the comfort zone.

Goodbye business travel.

Hello stark reality.

(2) comments

Whose Rantings Are These?

You're reading sPuTneeK's blog.

Need Prozac? Carry on reading for an alternative cure.

I've Been..

Satisfying the wanderlust fascination.
Slacking.
Sleeping.
Shopping (wayyyyyyyyyyy too much).
Reading NW, Famous and 8 Days voraciously.
Chillin' with a pint of good beer or latte.
Indulging in purposeful conversation.
Otherwise, I'm happy for you to leave me alone.

Blogus Alumnus

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Give Me The Passport Stamp!

  • Siem Reap
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  • Maldives
  • Bhutan
  • Barcelona
  • Uluru
  • Hokkaido
  • Dubai
  • The Greek Islands
  • Santiago
  • Cape Town
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  • Always Happy to Return

  • Tokyo
  • Melbourne
  • Bangkok
  • Bali
  • Koh Samui
  • Sydney


  • Much Better Than Travel Guides

  • TripAdvisor - reliable hotel and travel reviews
  • Sky Scanner - excellent European budget flight search engine
  • Smart Travel Asia - quirky travelogues
  • Seat Guru - advice on good airplane seats
  • Need It Now - last-minute Pacific driving and hotel deals

  • Mention-Worthy Hotels

  • Sydney: Shangri-La
  • Hong Kong: Conrad
  • Tokyo: Conrad
  • Shanghai: JW Marriott Tomorrow Square
  • Bangkok: Bangkok Marriott Resort & Spa
  • Phuket: Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort & Spa
  • Goa: Park Hyatt
  • London: The Waldorf Hilton
  • Vancouver: Renaissance
  • Bali: Conrad
  • Manila: Makati Shangri-La
  • Cairns: Mantra Trilogy
  • Taipei: Far Eastern Plaza Shangri-La
  • Seoul: JW Marriott
  • Melbourne: Grand Hyatt
  • Kuala Lumpur: JW Marriott
  • Koh Samui: Central Samui Village
  • Jakarta: JW Marriott
  • Hanoi: Sol Melia
  • Chiangmai: Mandarin Dhara Devi
  • Prague: Ramada Grand Symphony
  • Mallorca: HM Jaime III
  • New York: Millenium Hilton
  • Washington: The River Inn
  • Dublin: Trinity Capital
  • Langkawi: Sheraton Perdana


  • Earlier Waxings of Lyrical Non-Purposes

    xx March 2005xx April 2005xx May 2005xx June 2005xx July 2005xx August 2005xx September 2005xx October 2005xx November 2005xx December 2005xx January 2006xx February 2006xx March 2006xx April 2006xx May 2006xx June 2006xx July 2006xx August 2006xx September 2006xx October 2006xx November 2006xx December 2006xx January 2007xx February 2007xx March 2007