The Original Singaporeans

In the future, if ever I look back on this period of my life, this bunch of people would forever live on in my memory. It's not that we were super close, in fact we are scattered all over the world, but somehow when we get together the feeling is always warm. It reminds me of my first day of work, or even before that when I went for my interview, Stella was the first person that walked by and smiled at me. Then on my first day, doing the introduction rounds, everyone was so warm and friendly. Turns out Cindy and I worked at a previous company together before. Weiling sat near me and we had regular lunches with the team. We had such fun on my first summer party, when Rina did a split in the middle of the dance floor. When they started moving to other offices, to China, to Malaysia, we would still hang out whenever they visited or when I visited. Patrick, Desmond, Eric, Ivy, Vivian and Adeline were so hospitable on my first time to Shanghai. When they started moving to other companies/jobs, we would still have outings and meetups (like yesterday's) and stay in touch through Facebook. Can I now dub us "the original Singaporeans" of Booking?

When you talk about company culture, this is really what tugs at my heart and why I'm still here, doing what I do. Although almost all of them have left Booking, but Booking was where we first met. No matter how much the company will grow and change, when I think of Booking, I will always think of this bunch.

Seasons Greetings

It's a quiet Christmas this year! But today the office was surprisingly overflowing with Christmas love and spirit! Nicole's birthday is on the 26th, so we gave her a little cake and a card and some shopping vouchers to spend at the post-holiday sales!!

In return, or rather before that, we got some handbaked goodness from the kitchen of Nicole!

Followed by Christmas potluck lunch in the HR room!! :D

Now how did you spend your Xmas eve? We are now heading for a BBQ family gathering at Nettie's sister's house, and Christmas lunch at my home tmr!

Till then, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone who reads this!! :D

BAM! 4000 Arrive in Amsterdam

Much of last week was spent in Amsterdam with department meetings, catch up with friends, and of course ended with the huge ass party. Over 4000 attendees from all over the world, you can imagine the scale of this event. Everyone went cray cray when it was announced that we would all be receiving an iPad mini for Xmas :D But let's let the pictures do the talkin'!

The event ended on a high with an enormous party. The theme was Fairytale Winter Wonderland. I went dressed as a white cat, last minute scraping my plans to go as a unicorn haha!

In and Out of AMS

I think I'm slowly getting used to long haul flights. I slept so much throughout both flights that I didn't even have time to get through one whole movie. The Fab4 in Europe together, how awesome was that! Though it was a short trip, we got to know ourselves better (i.e. that we cannot survive 3 days without Chinese food, that I definitely need conditioner if I don't want dreadlocks, that zero degrees ain't that bad). Seriously, the highlight of the trip was awesome French Fries and a random hour at a brick wall outside a police station (long story...colleague's iPhone got pickpocketed). Ahh..the little things in life that amuse us.

Off to AMS!

Flying off tonight to Amsterdam for annual meetings and the big big Xmas party! If you're wondering what I've been up to recently.....

Hur. Nah actually I only started to pack yesterday. Obviously I overpacked, but better more than less! Who knows if the flight will get delayed/cancelled due to snow storms *fingers crossed*!

The fun thing about this trip, although short, is that everyone (i.e. the Fab4) will be coming with me! Whoohoo!! We already planned our party outfits : Winter Wonderland Fairytale theme. Let's see if the actual outfits match up to my drawing haha:



Cafe Review: Penny University

Spent a tiring Sunday househunting with Irene and Nigel. We had an agent drive us around to view 9 properties in 4 hours...phewwww~! Met up with Nettie at the last house, then we took a stroll down Telok Kurau and East Coast Road. Just by chance, we walked past this almost hidden cafe and decided to give it a shot.

Housed within the Peranakan Hotel on East Coast Road, Penny University is not pretentious. You know your coffee or you don't, there are no fancy coffee names on the board. Pick your espresso, with/without milk, iced or not, so you really gotta know what your drink is. There are some selections of tea and tarts as well. I'd say its a chill place to hang with friends for a cuppa in the afternoon, enjoy their company, the music or the free Wi-Fi.

And when the sky darkens, just pop next door for some awesome pasta and pizza at my favorite Al Forno Italian Restaurant (which I did of course). Burps!