Exhausted

I'm very very exhausted. To be honest, i didn't have time to sit down and enjoy for the last 4-5 weeks. It is really killing me.
First, came back from Malaysia, i was off for almost 2 weeks, lots to catch up, that was fine. Then, meeting after meeting, disaster after another, i was staying late almost everyday, to finish all the work, and doing all the artworks which i'm not supposed to be doing-(is the graphic designer's job), i was so exhausted, my weekend was spent recovering from the week, and the stress in organizing year end trip for my parents, has to move out because the landlord increase our rent, problems after another...i nearly snapped.
Last week was also hard on me. I didn't think my job description including being insulted, they are really getting on my nerves. I can't sleep well, i can't think straight, i'm always thinking about work!
This is the reality, when you are doing a great job, they don't give you any compliments, instead they push you to the edge and make sure you will deliver the same thing, this is cruelty. A little compliment will do me good, and do them no harm.
Today, i have a million things on my list, clean up the house, work, prepare my portfolio, prepare for my trip to Jakarta, .......i wish i have a peaceful and relaxing weekend.

My birthday at Cherating Club Med

You know i almost forgot my birthday yesterday, was talking to HIM on the phone, it was eleven at night, and he said he will call me back just minutes before 12/00:00, i just realised ' is my birthday tomorrow', i couldn't believe it, i didn't remember my birthday.

So, today, i decided to do something special to 'reward' myself, since the bag i want(from all saints) sold out(which supposed to be the birthday present I'm buying for myself), i went to the Spa and make the next available appointment at 12. It was only 10 and i had another 2 hours to spare and alone(both bro and sis in law are busy with their children, so are my parents, and my sis joined the teenage club), i packed my bag with books, went to the beach and find the nicest spot underneath a coconut tree. Listening to the waves, the birds, lying under the Sun, the strong wind blow, the smell of fresh grass(rained the night before) i stayed for 2 hours, alone, reading and was having a good time by myself-brilliant.

Went straight to the Spa afterwards, chose the essential oil that i like, and walked to the Balinese cottages. I was lucky i got the one facing the beach, so, needless to say-fantastic. It was 50 Min's of absolute heavenly experience, and guess what, i got addicted to it, i couldn't wait for another one. Spent the rest of the afternoon at the beach again, read, and swim. I never thought i could be so relax on my birthday, i don't have to worry about a single thing, i guess that was the best thing i can get for myself this year. Went for another manicure and pedicure session afterwards(i was addicted), and met up with all my family members later to have dinner.

I realised my Mum was away for quite some time, and this chef walked towards us and was asking us how was the food and bla bla bla, and then he turned to me, looked me in the eyes and said "hm...you are 24 years old", i already knew what was going to happen, i begged him not to do it. Soon later, a bunch of people walked in, with a cake!! and sang the birthday song in front of everyone in the restaurant!!! all i can do was hide my face with my hands, i really thought it was embarrassing, and make an awkward smile. I don't know why i hate it so much and i could not believe, all i could think of right there was how my mum's going to embarrassed me in front of everyone in the restaurant, but i didn't think she was just trying to make me happy-i was such an asshole.

The rest of the evening went by quickly, i went back for a shower, met up with everyone again, had a drink, laughed at my 2 nephews, and now sitting in the hotel room, with my sis asleep next to me-that's it-my 24th birthday.

(remarks: i wrote this on my birthday in the hotel room, i can only find the time to post it now)

Happy Birthday to me.

Happy Birthday to me,
Happy Birthday to me,
Happy Birthday to me,
Happy Birthday to me!!
24 Years old. I count down on my own at Cherating Club Med, in my hotel room G2104, with my younger sister asleep next to me, Him on the phone, lap top on my lap.
This is Me.

Euro Cup 2008

I have to say I've spent quite a lot of money on Europa Meister(Euro Cup) 2008. Went out with colleagues, have drinks, dinner, it is not cheap to support a team!! Since England is out of the race, i figured i have to support another team, who else can it be?? of course is Germany!! The fever was everywhere, in the office, on the street, everybody was so excited and..........optimistic. To be honest, I don't think German team is as strong as for example: Spain, Portugal, France or Italy,(OK, FRANCE was knocked out quite early from the tournament) but somehow i feel that the-----fighting spirit, the bond between the players is so great that it can overcome the skill! If i compare player by player, English players are far more better than German players in terms of skill, but somehow when you put all English players together, they just can't make it work(see Lampard and Gerrard), hopefully Capello is going to sort it out.

Back to Euro Cup, i have to say it was quite an experience to watch the game here in Germany when the team is playing in the Final. The game started at 8:45 pm, but we were already sitting there, drinking at 4:30, or else you would never get a seat(is FINAL), it was fun! with German Music-some say horrible, and everybody chatting, cheering- is like holiday in Mallorca, there is no other place i would rather be! And just before the game, everyone started singing the national anthem, (you know the usual procedure before the match) everybody was standing, holding each other's arm(with strangers), singing really loud-it was very emotional, you can see the pride, the passion, and the spirit in their eyes, Unbelievable. Everyone was so supportive, like they said-'Die Hoffnung stirbt zu letzt'- the hope that never dies. Trully.

It was a great night, not a great match, but i trully enjoyed it. This is one of the night that i will never forget in my life.

Milan-part2

So, as i mentioned earlier, we were exhausted from the week, we set our alarm at 8 in the morning, and was looking forward to the breakfast buffet, however, we somehow switched off and went back to sleep.... the next thing we knew, it was already 11.30 in the afternoon, He was swearing a lot, because He loves hotel breakfast buffet... anyway, that's not important. Convinced by Yvonne that Navigli is very nice, so we hopped on the Metro underground, i was really suprised that they have a cooling fan at the metro station, very impressed, and wondering why can't London underground do the same.

It only took 10 mins to get there, walked out of the station and realised i didn't have my map with me, swore again, and decided to follow the 'flow'. Navigli is famous for night life, and i have no idea why we were there in the middle of the afternoon, but i liked it, it was quiet, relaxing, not a lot of tourists around, just some local sitting outside at the cafe, reading newspaper, having a cup of coffee, enjoying the Sun. We were both sitting there, looking at people, sipping water(too hot to have coffee), having lunch, just enjoying a quiet afternoon.

The afternoon went by quickly, we went back to the city, just walking and went back to Hotel to have Dinner and watched how the dutch were defeated.
Although it was short- 3days- i was happy it was stress free, i didn't worry if I've missed anything, i just went with the flow, and enjoying myself.

Milan-part1

I have to admit i wasn't that excited about Milan, i wanted to go to Florence and Rome, but there is no direct fight from Dusseldorf therefore i thought Milan is not a bad choice either, because i know how much He hates it if we have to transit.

I have always wanted to go to Italy, but somehow never managed, so i thought what's the best time to go? Since we want to celebrate our Anniversary, and i thought why not to Italy, and with this powerful excuse, He can't say NO.......haha

It was a hectic week at work, but i was busy socialising too, i went out with colleagues, watched football with my fellows, therefore there was no time to plan our trip. I started to pack my bags on Thursday night while watching 'gossip girl'(i'm so, so hooked on it), then had a big argument with Him, went to bed at 2am, but have to wake up at 5am to catch our flight, horrible. I spent all my time sleeping during the flight...

Finally, we arrived on time, the weather was extremely hot. I suggested to take a train which would have taken us 40 mins to go to city, but He insisted on taking bus!! which took us more than an hour. Still tired, didn't want to make a fuss, took a bus, sitting behind this annoying Ching Chong China man, talking relentlessly in a loud voice, in a language none understand (perhaps one of the dialects of Mainland China), i swear if He didn't stop me, i would have shout at the Chinese and shut him up, instead i looked out of the window. I didn't find it really interesting, or beautiful as one would describe the countryside of Italy( i later found out that Milan used to be an Industrial city and the airport is located at the 'ugly' side of Milan, hence the ugliness). Suprisingly, i thought it look a little bit like Malaysia, He said i miss home, maybe he was right. More than an hour and a 15 mins taxi ride later................

Luckily we are able to check in that early in the morning, exhausted, starving, i just grabbed the small pringle snack at the bar, finished it, and fell asleep on the big bed-it was 11 o clock in the morning. Then, the next thing i know, is almost 3, decided not to waste any more precious time, we headed out. Took a really 'old+slow' tram towards Duomo-the world 3rd largest cathedral, but was too hungry and got out earlier to find something to eat. Had some really terrible pasta, thought i could cook better. While walking towards Duomo, had some lovely gelati, felt really happy, and amazed when i walked through Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, the famous shopping arcade.

We went straight to the Duomo afterwards, and walked a million stairs to the roof terrace. We both nearly fainted, not because of the breathtaking Duomo but because it was uncomfortably hot! 35 degrees. We were both sweating like Hell. I knoe He can't take it anymore, so we went to a Cafe nearby. Can't believe it when i looked at the menu, the drinks are overpriced compare to Germany, though they serve you with crisps and olives, still, a beer cost you 8 euros(you can get a good one in Germany for 3 euros). Ya, what can i do, either die of dehydration or get a drink and sit comfortaly under the shadow. You know what i've chosen, i'm still alive. There you go-the roof terrance and front view of Duomo.

To be continue....

Are you getting what you deserved?

Went out with Sarah today, talking about our jobs, and how she is getting on with her new role, what we are getting paid..OK, we just vaguely talk about what we earn. I still find it difficult to talk to colleagues about how much i earn, and i find it hard because in a way i feel that we are competing with each other...don't you agree?
I think in order to get what we deserved, the relationship with the boss is extremely important,(of course if your boss is like David Brent(the office), you can forget about it, and quit as soon as you can) regardless if you are good at your job or not. I do think that it is very unfair to employees as the boss is not judging by performance but relying on the delicate relationship which never last.( think-how many of you have a great relationship with your boss and still keep in touch? NO!!!) I guess, instead of working hard, and focussing on our job, we should first start to learn how to please our boss, and there should be a DUMMIES-learn how to please the boss and get what you deserved!!!! and, there- there goes your promotion and pay rise.