what happens when the old becomes the new again?

Just when I thought I could wind down after a Singapore marketing trip last week, I find out I have to go to Jakarta and Bangkok next week. I guess this fully justifies my trip extension in Bangkok to go raid Chatuchak again.

Funny how as you get older, you get fairly set in your tastes and ways and you keep going back to the same places. I have a very specific set of things to do in Bangkok - where I've trekked to every year for the past 3 years to pay homage to Chatuchak, Platinum Mall, the tailor at Amari Watergate and my favourite Thai restaurant.

Similarly if I ever go to Singapore, it will be a beeline to that Singapore seafood restaurant at the Singapore Flyer and Takashimaya's Nespresso for my coffee pods. In Paris, it will be the food hall at Galeries Lafayette, that quirky colorful shop at the base of the Sacre Coeur and the signature Laduree on the Champs Elysees.

So, in that respect, how would you view a possible decision of going back to a familiar place in your career? Arguably, most things are different, but some things will likely be the same. Would you deem it as mere nostalgia, a sure sign that what you actually should be doing is keep moving on and away?

We grow as human beings. I am still too young to have learnt the lesson that sometimes you may grow back into a place which you thought you have outgrown. But I am learning about it, and I hope I will make the right choice when it boils down to crunch time.

There are a lot of things I miss - it's now just making sure I can handle facing the things I don't like which I'm positively sure are still there, in addition to returning to the good that has changed much, and to be (hopefully) instrumental in charting a course that goes nowhere but upwards and onwards.

Or in an oft-quoted wise man's words with almost always a solemn look on his face - "To infinity and beyond"

Good Morning Sunday

It never fails to amaze me how different things can get in 5 years.

5 years ago, a person I never thought would cheat, now suddenly has put some doubts in my mind about his integrity.

5 years ago, a guy who used to hate *with a capital H* going clubbing or for any club events - is now making a living attending those parties.

Few years ago, A and I were seated in the grandstand, equipped with caps and flags in the F1 spirit. This year, I just want to rest and rest ahead of the busy on-the-road schedule again. Yes, Singapore Tues to Thursday - the only saving grace is we have managed to book ourselves the Ritz Carlton instead of dodgy Fullerton and cheap ass looking Swissotel.

*shakes head*

And have I changed for the better?

God only knows.

Waiting for our compensation announcements is what I do now, rather than waiting with bated breath to see whether I got a Distinction or Credit in International Trade and Investments.

If the money's good, I'm allowing myself a "reckless"-type purchase - having rationalized that I don't want to work so hard and make it to my mid-30s and THEN only have a mid-life crisis and spend WAY more money - so might as well buy that sportscar now.

He he he. Cross fingers?

Heading to Bodega for brunch with S on cloudy Sunday morning. Spirits are up, and determined to enjoy the day before the terrible week starts.

Have a good Sunday!