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!!

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.

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 :)

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.

The golden month

December 2, 2007

I mentioned in the last entry that I was expecting Matt B's arrival. Matt was a good friend from work back in Chicago. He was one of the two people at DDB that I think
would appreciate the culture differences. Matt proved my assumption was right.
Initially I was planning to hang out with him throughout the trip. Just a week before his arrival, I got a job offer and had to start on a short notice. So, the whole plan was cancelled and Matt had to wander on his own most of the time. But he never ceased to impress me. In deed, he was doing great on his own.

So, Matt, my hat's off to you. And I hope to see you back here again next year.

Last Friday was my last day at work. After 5 weeks at work that seemed like forever, I finally called it quit. As much as I like working, or call myself a workaholic, I do have limit. I can tolerate long hours of work on occasions, but not every day until my dedication has become part of job description. It seems normal here that business hours could be extended into to midnight or 3-4 am in the morning. Employees don't complain because other companies are doing the same thing. I can't help but wonder why people work this hard but the country doesn't go anywhere. Why is Thailand still a developing country? (note: it's my sarcastic joke, you don't need to find the explanation.)

Anyway, my life theory is hard work brings success, overwork brings death.

By the time I got burned out from work, the other job offer came along. It's from an Australian design consultancy company based in Bangkok, offered me a Design Manager position. My new job responsibilities include managing people and overseeing all the work. I won't design anymore, which is perfect because I will have time to do my own work for my own company.

The best of all is I feel like I'm back in the States again. DDB has a great work culture that's become my standard of what the company culture should be. The Australian company offered me the perk and benefit similared to that and beyond. They allow employees to be off on both Thai and Western holidays. It's the kind of company I want to work for. It's the company that cares about its own people that, in turn, will be awarded by great work from people with appreciation. I for one, believe, great work comes from happy people.

The end of the year is right around the corner. December is a month of long holiday break and celebration. Bangkok at this time of year is looking great with holiday light decorations and out-door beer festivals across the city. The weather is decent. It's cold enough that I'm thinking about wearing kneel-high boots to work. (not common here) I love Bangkok in December. Tim and I agree if the weather is like this
all year round, we will never want to move elsewhere. Tim is also doing so great on his new role at Citibank, which reassure us on our moving home decision. And myself - things are coming together after rough months of adjustment. I'm feeling obtimistic about my future. I'm hoping I will fit in at a new place so I can end my job hunting. On the next entry, I will update you about my new job and my journey down on a remote Island, South of Thailand.