Happy holidays

Dear all,

Today was my last working day for 2009. To begin with, the office was rather empty as many had taken their block leave during the last few weeks of the year. On top of that, we have this policy where employees are allowed to leave at 3pm on the eve of every festive holiday, provided the Head of Department agrees to it. Our Head had no objection to policy though he instructed for at least a person from each team to stay in the office until six to take care of the fort, just in case. Unfortunately for me, I am in a team of only 2 members and my sole team mate was already on leave. In my last few working hours for the year, I nearly froze to death in the office as there was not enough body heat to warm up the division.

On this eve of Xmas (though we don't celebrate it), my family, completed with 7 members, had a wonderful Xmas dinner. The biggest compliments must be given to the chef i.e. my eldest sister. On the menu, there were:-

1. Roasted chicken thighs

2. Roasted potatoes

3. Roasted carrots

4. Roasted turnips

5. Roasted garlics and onions

6. Steamed brocolli

7. Yorkshire puddings

8. Stuffing

9. Gravy

10. Caramel for desserts

To no surprise, we were all very stuffed with extra large muffin tops! It would have been perfect if there were presents to complement the meal!

I'm rocking some beaches in Thailand tomorrow, hoping to re-energise myself before a crazy January which is approaching in a week time. I have so much to do in the first month of 2010 that thinking about it makes my head spin! I'm going to do myself a favour and forget all about banking and finance, and only think about tanned skin, sea water and wind rushing on my face.

Thailand, here I come to visit you for the second time this year!!

Merry Xmas and happy holidays :-)

Love,

jaygee

11 days til 2010

Since there are many 3-day weekends this month, I took the opportunity to try catching up with some of my friends, some who live nearby and some who reside across Europe. All are busy with their own things, let it be completing her degree, rocking culinary school and preparing for work project at a different part of the world.

One of my greatest friends who is luckily still in Edinburgh, has been extremely busy finalising her projects, preparing and rehearsing for presentations and revising for some of her final year exams. Thankfully the hecticness is slowing down since Christmas and the New Year are approaching and looks like all her effort will be paid off with trips to Ireland and London during the festive holidays. To think about it, I was in Britain for 4 years and I didn't even try considering Ireland as one of the places to visit. Maybe my next trip there. 2010 perhaps, before Britain imposes a visa requirement for Malaysians to visit the country?

During my tough times abroad, another friend of mine would try to comfort me by offering to make a traditional Spanish tortilla especially for me. I remember the tortilla being really thick, filled with only potatoes, wrapped in eggs. He, who used to take the same course as I did, decided to pursue something more meaningful to him, at that point it was working for a famous computer game company. Years have passed by and I was just updated by him personally that he had enrolled himself into a culinary school and is enjoying every single bit of it. Now he is to enter a cooking show whereby he is required to create his own recipe based on pre-determined ingredients. He has told me that his recipe is now finalised and he is ready to compete. I wish him all the best for the competition.

For this other pal of mine, he has been through a lot. Many take him for granted mainly because he is generally a nice person. Though shit happens to him, he does not get distracted and is always determine to reach his goals when it comes to his career. As a result of his hardwork, he has been recognised by his ultimate boss and now he is rather "promoted" to assist a project in India for at least half a year. It a wonderful opportunity to offer a person with so much potential, who I personally believe that someday would be the ultimate boss for some public listed organisation.

Me? Nothing major has happened to me lately, still doing the same things and still hanging out with the same people. Though I am going for a trip to Thailand (yet again!), as usual with another group of people. So many things to do before the trip and I'm running out of time. Probably will place some pictures up when I come back (provided I still have the urge to write).

Til the next time, Sayonara!