In a whirlwind, somewhat

Been asked why no updates for a month, so here we go.

I got thrown into a whirlwind of work ever since I got back from Xinjiang, mainly in Shanghai and Beijing. All new pitches, Fortune 500 companies, dynamic, strategic-thinking clients, a pleasure to work on those. I begin to appreciate and realize the benefits of sticking around the interactive agency world. So many times in the past year I was been tempted to switch sides. Today, we are told by existing and prospective clients that we understand the internet game like no traditional agency does. I will be speaking at the Johnson & Johnson North Asia Media Conference next month, sharing with the top 100 executives how to engage consumers online. They cancelled their own advertising agency to replace them with our presentation. That feels good. I wish my Mandarin was better to really blow them away. Our work with Pepsi in China is paying off, we showcase it and blow people away. Pepsi is changing the rules of youth marketing and we are part of it. How foolish was I to have doubts in Dec 05 about canceling the Vietnam holidays, when Clement and I pitched the account. It took a great amount of EQ to stay motivated and focused. I was depressed and lonely, and started drinking alone at home, like never before. Every call from people saying how sorry they felt, made things worse. Today, when a friend goes thru the same, I know better.

I’ve been asked about the men in my life, so I guess I finally owe a more complete update. My match.com stint, fueled by the sudden eagerness to date again, is well known to all friends. I was deeply amused and surprised how embarrassing my dates found it to admit that we met through a dating portal. I ask how different is it from meeting at a dinner party or at lai kwai fong. I’m not sure where the stigma comes from, as you do find normal people there. I’m the proof of it ;)

All right, so a number of dates; met online, through friends, my travels, dinner parties, sports. And after all that dating and initial excitement, I realise I don't really know what I want..

I muse and think that having been married is my favourite mistake to date. It's perhaps the proverbial 'I got it out of my system'.

I have learned to treasure my independence and freedom. It gets reinforced when I meet women after women – all married, all so unhappy. I meet a Russian girl who tells me I’m successful in my career, but flanked it on the personal side. I smile on the inside. Her husband reads his papers at breakfast when she talks to him. I concluded that marriages should not be entered forever, but for 5 years at a time. But that’s another thought I will elaborate on it after replenishing my wine supplies.


Missing sound single female company has been the one biggest downside of living in HK. Ann’s enthusiasm and spirit of making the weekend wonderful and re-bonding affair for all friends. Monika’s positive energy and thinking. Brenda’s cause to changing this world and living for higher causes, yet be sporty and sporting a drink and a man hanging off her shoulder. Dean and Soraya’s next movie project and finding the beautiful ideas in life. I miss Catherine’s grounded comments, especially just before we are about to do something crazy. I miss Annie’s next yogic, cosmic travel plan. I miss Marjan’s laughter and the fact that she never takes herself seriously. I miss Eliza hating my blog and trying to put me in place. Amongst those, I deeply miss Raph’s crazy ways of living his life and occasionally roping others along the way for many LOLs and sheer fun. I think I’ve lived in Malaysia too long and left too much good stuff.

I sat down with a bottle of a really good wine one night and realized that missing what you left behind and looking too hard for a replacement is not a good combination. I decided to channel my energy and thinking into avenues that will a) help me develop more as a person and b) help other people. In line with that, I started Mandarin classes last Monday, twice a week, intensive and private lessons to get to some conversational level in the next 8-10 mths. Next, Karolina got me into salsa, which we both fell in love with. Next, I signed up for creative writing course at the City Uni of HK, starting in Aug. Lastly, an advertising magazine was praising an Amnesty International campaign which I found fascinating. I contacted them in HK and going for a briefing next week to see how I can get involved.

Closer to home, my sister is arriving this Thursday with her family of 4. I tried going grocery shopping today and realized I have no idea what they eat. I like to cook Japanese and Thai, but have doubts if typical Polish boys would do what School Projects did to Jamie Oliver. I have no idea if they drink coffee or tea for breakfast. White or black?

We will hang around Hong kong for a week, and I will later meet them at the Rainforest Music Festival in Kuching (Malaysian Borneo). I blogged about it last year July 05, as it’s a wonderful festival, which will mean even more to me this year, as a come-together point of so many close souls.

For now, this warrior soul is going to get prepared for next week's battle.