Sunday, December 28, 2008

I've lost my wisdom...

December 28 2008
5:50 PM

I had it removed on Friday, my wisdom tooth. The tooth did not bother me but according to my full-mouth X-ray, it's impacted so my dentist suggested the tooth to be extracted.

It was a complicated procedure - about 2 hours long. At some point during pulling and drilling and pulling (again) process, I was beginning to question my decision -- well, the tooth was doing fine underneath my gums for over decades ---and causing no troubles --- but why do I trouble it? Should I not trouble the trouble, until trouble troubles me?

Anyway.. after the surgery, I felt a bit silly with my decision --my jaw bone got swollen and I expected my facial inflammation in the next 24 hours.

It's December and this month has always been my favorite. It's the month people are giving and sharing happiness to one another. But it's also the time I sit down and look at my wish list - things to do before I die. The list is not long at all,
in fact, it has only one wish--- but I can't accomplish it yet.

Hope you're working on your wish list too. Don't loose hope and stay out of troubles. Some day we'll get to sit down and share our dreams altogether.


No matter where you live, I'm wishing you a very happy life in the year 2009.

Nothing beats 'good family, good lover, and good friends'

Happy New Year
apple

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Taking a break

NOVEMBER 2 2008

Bits and pieces
Chicago trip SEP 18 - OCT 5 2008

Things I've figured out from the trip;
That Bangkok is now my home.
That my parents are my top priority.
That I was happy.



Due to my family emergency, I'll take a break from posting my update until further notice.
My mind has been occupied with my mom and her surgeries since I've been back from my trip.
However, I do not want to talk about it.
I know I'll always have your support and I appreciate that.

So, until things're coming together again, the blog will be shut temporarily.

apple

Saturday, August 30, 2008

Logo Design - Reflection

August 30, 2008

Logo Design
Client: Major Development Public Co., Ltd
Product: The first super luxury condominium in Pattaya 'Reflection'
Website: http://www.reflectionpattaya.com/


Reflection Version A - Reflection of its uniqueness




Reflection Version B - Reflection of its location





Reflection Version C - Reflection of its sophisticated architecture





And the winner is....


Sunday, August 24, 2008

OOPS

Did not mean to be away this long...I just had a lot to do during these times - mostly catching up with my old friend 'da booze' .....Back in June, our sister company had a grand-opening party and our given brief was to design a catchy invite.
So here it is - the invite was silk screened on a sheet of canvas (placemat size), wrapped in aluminum canister. And the canister was packaged in a custom-made paper box. The challenge on this assignment was not only to create an eye-catchy invitation but we also had to stick with given production budget . Guess how much it cost to make each of them?











The answer is
It cost only $3US!!! - even less than a cup of 'grande' latte or cappuccino at Starbucks.

Then came JULY, seemed like my life in July was involved in only a couple of activities - partying and shopping. It was that
mid-year annual sales - you know like the ones in Chicago but more festive. Every mall I went lured me away with oversized FLASHY RED bargain signs and inviting numbers like '70% off' ...Omigod... some malls even had its sale going on until midnight. So that's that. Thanks to its marketing/advertising departments, I wasted my whole month on the shopping spree. Very productive(!)


Last but not least, my Chicagoan friends, I'll be in Chicago from mid SEP - early OCT for a vacation. Hope we can meet up and
paint the town red. See ya soon!

Saturday, May 10, 2008

Chicago

There are places I'll remember
All my life though some have changed
Some forever not for better
Some have gone and some remain
All these places have their moments
With lovers and friends I still can recall...


In memory of you....
Fall 2004




















The following was written on March 23, 2007 - part of my diary that'd never been published...

Bangkok, City of Angel
March 23, 2007

8 days ago:
8 days ago, we left Chicago. I was teared up while the plane was taking off as I suddenly realized it's happening - we're leaving and it's real. I was looking out the window, then said good bye to Chicago, my soon-to-be old and rusted memory....

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

'I'll never get enough of you'

Hua Hin Trip
May 4-5, 2008
Head counts: 5 little monkeys and 10 adults (try-to-be)
Mission: Living life

The outcome: Food testing tour

Journey #1 Hideaway Resort
image from the web site



The 'Hideaway' sign that looks more like 'Amway' from this angle.





surrounded by pool


One of those little monkeys (guess which one is it?)



Journey #2 'Bann Ta-Le-Dao' Resort
(The house of The Ocean and Star)

The entrance




Reading corner - perfect for the afternoon coffee and a quick nap


The route to our suite - which sits next to the sea...


yet has only a swimming pool cut in between


view from our suite


So long!

Friday, April 25, 2008

BIG+BIH = Awesome

April 25, 2008

BKK International Gift Fair+BKK International Houseware Fair
TRADE: 17-20 APRIL 2008 / PUBLIC: 21-22 APRIL 2008
VENUE: IMPACT, MUANG THONG THANI, BANGKOK
---------------------------------------------------------------

Just so you know I'd put 'too' much effort in order to get some pictures from the International Gift/Houseware Fair to post on the blog as promised. I went to the fair on the "Trade" Day, and then went back again on the "Public" Day. I dragged my (heavy) camera along, just to find out it ran out of the battery. (GOSH!) So, I had to take a day off from work and went back to shoot some photos. It's the first time my blog showcases some cool local design. As you can see how WOww they really are, especially houseware - took my breath away just to look at a one-of-the-kind collection - and unbelievably inexpensive. I wish I had my own place now so I'd fill the space in with those furniture. Unfortunately they did not allow us to take a photo of the masterpieces. I've recorded everything into my brain though. The fair is held twice a year - Summer and Fall. Surely I would find my way back there in October!!











Saturday, April 12, 2008

Sliding Door

April 9, 2008
I've made it through another year!! Happy birthday to myself.

To make up for last month entry, I will write a couple this month. I wanted to write something for March though. The month is so important as March 15 was my one-year anniversary of being back home. From that day forward, my wanderlust has been risen up. Every morning, while I was doing my spiritual routine - sipping coffee and looking out the office's window, I was picturing the pretty lake Michigan on the horizon. Thinking what It would be like had I not decided to move back. Would my life be different? better or worse? If anyone has seen the movie "sliding door", you know what I mean.

A couple of days ago, my good friend from DDB delivered her bad news via email that was quite shocking. Another round of lay-off within the same year - and she was on that list. My team has got let go and it was quite sad they were part of my good memory at DDB. Would it have been me on that list had I still worked there?

Strange things happen in life.

To my boss, if you happen to come across my blog, you would have told me I made the right decision, won't you?


Next weekend I'm going to Bangkok International Gift Fair (BIG+BIH) to get inspiration for my own business. It's the coolest gift trade show in Thailand. I will write about it on my next entry plus some photos of cool stuff!



NOTE: Song-kran festival will start in a couple of days. And YES! we're getting 5 days off from work ..Woo Hoo...
If you you want to know more, check out my April 2007 entry.

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

My New-Year's Resolutions

(Leaving work at 6 pm sharp!)

February 20, 2008

Well well...thank god today is a public holiday. That means I will have all day writing my blog, emailing to friends, and having a long phone conversation with Tim, which normally we could spare only 5-10 minutes max. per phone call/per day.
'Work has been crazy'
I was under impression, when accepting an offer for a Design Manager position, that moving up to a management level would help me get out of work early. After all, my assumption is proved to be wrong. LOL.

I've been asked about my current job and a company I work with. To save my precious time corresponding, I'm going to post it in details here;

I've worked for an Australian Design Consultancy based in BKK. it's not a Design Firm, nor Advertising Agency. It's a company that provides a full range of design services to Aviation, Hotel, and Airport business. The company offers services ranging from Cabin Crews training(training courses and crews recruiting), Aircraft (Interior - seat, fabric, and floor design), Catering (food&Beverage, packagings, and menus) , Airport Lounges for world famous clients such as Cathay Pacific, ANA, British Midlands, Savoy Moscow, Shangri-La hotels and Resorts. All of the above won't happen without a great deal of visual communication. It's where Design department does magic on astonishing print work and presentations.

The great benefit of working for the company is an opportunity to explore a new business territory - to learn what's out there besides Advertising business. My daily job involves managing Design team, liaising with Project Managers locating oversea, and maintaining the look and feel of the company through print collateral.

So far I've enjoyed my new role. However, managing and dealing with people are a great pain. Sometimes I miss the time I could hide alone in my cube and designed creative work. My respected Creative Director said to me once I was fortunate to do the job I love and did not have to deal with others. I'm beginning to understand what she meant by that now.

Therefore my new-year's resolutions for 2008 are;
1. getting out of the rat race as soon as I can.
2. getting out of the rat race as soon as I can.

and...getting out of the rat race as soon as I can.


Happy Holiday :)

Sunday, January 13, 2008

Lanta Island

Jan 13 2008
Lanta Island

Here's some photos from the Lanta Island trip I had last month. A few photos were taken from my friend's house built on top of the hill. It was a nice get-away trip. I'm glad I decided to go.








There are so many social activities to attend to this month. Our friends from a far-away land keep coming here for
a visit. The last one will leave the country in Feb. Well, now I don't know what I'm going to do after they all left.
Last night we're up until 4 am to hang out with Tony. He's leaving tonight for Chicago and no doubt we'll miss him lot.