All work, no play = boring Shanna
Yup – I just checked. I have a pulse and I am breathing. Barely keeping my head above water, but breathing nonetheless.
I have been traveling and ridiculously busy this October. I fly tomorrow to London and then to Marrakech for trade shows (and a few days of fun). I’m bound to meet interesting people and do something more fun than sit at my computer and work ‘til my eyes bleed!
So sorry to neglect the fun part of my life and all you fabulous people. On the bright side of working like a mad woman – ??? – Um, I’m thinking of that one. Let me get back to you. ;p
More posts will be coming soon. I’ll probably even draft some on the plane!
A Week in Singapore
After spending two weeks in Laos to train new staff and conduct further site inspections and analysis of our Laos properties, I headed to Singapore for the first of three trade shows within a month’s time.
Before this trip, I had only spent a few hours in Singapore; it was a long layover between my Asian and European travels last year. I arrived in the early hours of the morning, took a nap and then power shopped for a pair of jeans, a few shirts and a haircut. Didn’t leave much of an impression on me. Although I do remember enjoying the airport – very user friendly.
On this recent trip, my colleague, Guy and I stayed at the Ibis Hotel which for such a budget property was good only for the free wifi and plentiful breakfast buffet. If you’ve ever stayed at an Ibis, you’ll know that it is short on amenities and luxury. Very basic. But free wifi is always a bonus in my book, so that scored major points.
I’ve given you a picture of our “home” for the few days of the trade show. I always share a booth with Apple Tree’s sister company, Exotissimo. The show was decent, although I had too many non-essential appointments to qualify it as a terrific success. At some of these trade shows, the computer system spits out appointments. Unfortunately for me, that meant that some of the buyers didn’t even send clients to Asia at all. Big reason not to go next year.
I stayed on for an extra night simply so that I could go shopping. I had a list of things to purchase, and by golly, I succeeded. Sadly, I mostly shopped for work clothes, as the clothes I brought with my to Vietnam have been over-worn or ruined in the wash. It’s pretty sad that that was the mission in Singapore, the shopper’s paradise. I peaked at a few fun things, but time was too short. I only managed a pair of jeans. Gap’s jeans have always fit me nicely, and so that side-track lasted just 20 minutes.
Nevertheless, Zara, Gap and Marks & Spencer did me proud and I was able to stock up on some essentials for work. Black pants, collared shirts. Enough to tide me over until I visit San Diego in February. I can’t wait to go shopping in a normal environment where I understand the sizes and I know easily what fits me! That and I can shop for fun clothes too!
I did spend a little free time in Singapore and believe it a destination to come back to with some fun girlfriends. I’m sure Mette and Sarah will be game. We can shop like queens and party at night. I was surprised to see such a large international crowd. All good fun for a future visit!
Back from QUIET Laos
I returned home tonight after a two week absence, a business trip in Laos. Hanoi is still hot an humid. I thought it would be much cooler by now. I’ve been hearing that October and November are great months here.
After two weeks of hearing a horn just twice, my ears were immediately assaulted with the incessant honking of trucks, cars and motorbikes, of “Hey, I’m on your right” type beeps and “Move over asshole!” sounding full horns.
While my apartment was super stuffy, I could see that Hien had stopped by earlier in the day to spruce up my apartment for me. I’ve got 3 vases full of roses, nicely placed about my apartment. All my laundry has been done and my bedding looks fit for a hotel advertisement. Hien is one of the angels in my life. She takes good care of me (even if she does ruin my laundry from time to time!)
Laos is an incredibly peaceful place. Even though I couldn’t work as efficiently as I would have liked (the internet connection th…ere…is…s…o…..sl….ow!!!) I did accomplish what I needed and managed to have some fun in the meantime. I ate too much, got plenty of good, sound sleep, and squeezed in just a few moments of shopping.
You can find some photos of Laos HERE !!!
Traveling soon…for work
It’s a long story as to why, but considering I wasn’t granted my vacation time this month, I’m very eager to travel for business this fall and thankful my job includes such opportunities. I’ll get to spend two weeks in Laos, a week in Singapore, a week in London and most exciting, a week in Morocco – Marrakech, specifically. I can’t wait. I need a break. If not an actual break from work (which it won’t be, save a few extra days in Morocco), I need a break from Vietnam.
After nine months of living and working in Hanoi, I have taken just 2.5 days of vacation. One was an extension of my trip to Berlin in March (work). And the other 1.5 (the .5 being a Saturday) was a long weekend in Bangkok in July, as you remember, where I did a health check and shopped for business clothes. Nice break, but not exactly vacation. I was on a shopping mission – for work. That’s pretty much what has consumed me..work work work.
I’m sorely disappointed in my lack of free time, in my lack of knowledge of the culture and the people here in Vietnam, other than the expat community. While I have made many wonderful friends here and am gaining excellent professional experience, my life is not as well rounded as I would prefer. I just spent today, Sunday, my only free day of the week in “recovery” mode. I woke up super late – past 11am. I am exhausted. I’ve enjoyed my coffee, done some writing, watched two movies, received a visit from my friend Mette and am now back at my computer with the movie 27 Dresses on TV (love that one) in the background and writing again. Not super productive. And now feeling guilty that I didn’t attend to work at all today, but refuse to feel guilty for not doing work on my one and only day off. But when tomorrow comes I’ll regret not doing work today and then…..Vicious cycle.
Anywhoo…I apologize that my blog has not been that exciting lately. I am just as disappointed as you are. I am disappointed that I haven’t kept up with all of my friends as I like to do…I am WAY behind in my e-mails and letters. I’ve been a sucky friend lately to those of you who live outside Vietnam. I wish I could share all sorts of exciting things, cultural differences, strange foods, travel stories, etc., but the fact of the matter is, outside of the office, not a whole hell of a lot happens in my life right now and I’m sort of stuck in a rut which I desperately want and need to find my way out of. My blog is titled “On The Bright Side” not just because my last name is Bright, but because that is truly the perspective I want to keep in my life. However, the only bright side I can see is – that which doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger. Yet I’m more tempted to say – that which doesn’t kill barely lets you breathe. And sadly, that’s a little more how I feel than the usual Ms. Peppy, Ms. Positive, Ms. Bright. I know I’ll bounce back. I know I’ll find my rhythm. I just don’t want it to take another nine months of my life. Nine months! Aaarrggghh!
Checking Out
And here is another thing we would never do in our culture. Give a 3 day resignation notice by e-mail. This forwarded email landed in my inbox and I honestly could not stop laughing, as I have never seen anything like this and would never imagine handling things this way…
Dear Mrs. D,
Excuse me that I have late news for you.
I am sorry that I can not tell you before. I need to resign from my work or check out from your company.
I have a very good opportunity from a big company in Luangprabang.
Thank you very much for the 3 years experience and I am very happy in working with everybody.
Best regards,
S
And that was just it. Can you imagine?
I am becoming a nan.
OK. So here is something which doesn’t happen in the U.S. – like EVER. For our team in Laos, we’ve been looking to hire a Sales & Marketing Manager because I’m not able to do all the work in Hanoi and it’s important to have someone who connects with all the travel agents there and manages the reservation staff. We first started with a Vietnamese guy who used to work for one of our properties a few years ago. But there was concern that he would not be able to deal well with the Lao people and that ultimately, he would not succeed.
Our second option was a Philippino gal, but again, the Lao owners thought that a Lao person would be best. Finally they came up with a candidate who has had some really spot-on experience and who will be able to pick up the job nicely and easily. She finished her contract at the end of July and was planning to take two months off, one reason being to attend a human resources training course. Her start date would be October 1st. A month later than we want and need, but nonetheless we found a candidate everyone agrees on. So yaaay.
I prepared all the paperwork with her offer, we all agreed on the salary and the morning I sent her the paperwork to sign I got this e-mail message (totally a surprise and out of left field):
Thank you Shanna.
Just want to let you know that today I am be coming a nan. I will stay in Temple for two week, I will be able to access to internet very limite.
Forget the misspelling and any thought this has to do with Indian food… becoming a nun was the last thing I expected her to say. And I certainly thought she would sign her papers before she would be unavailable for two weeks! I had to clarify with the Lao owners if this was something normal, acceptable…what this was really. The answer was that it is more of a cleansing ritual, washes away all the negatives, helps you gain a clear mind and a cleansed soul so that you can move forward in your life in a positive way.
While that all sounds very nice and zen, I was still left shaking my head. These are the kinds of cultural lessons no one prepares you for. They just pop up and you have to learn how to deal with them. Me personally, I would never prioritize my life in this way, and therefore did not appreciate being left hanging. But everyone else around me seemed ok with it, enough so that it made me feel like I was overreacting. So, I took a deep breath, talked to Buddha and told him that this gal had better sign our papers once she gets out of the temple. I am still waiting for the official signature, but have at least received an e-mail from her which tells me she’s back online this Monday.
Oh the joys of working in a foreign country. Never a dull moment!
Thank you for your kind reply
UPDATE 8/5/09: I just had to share this one today. It may even be better than the Italian e-mail…
We understand that we have booked this booking a long time, but clients so late reply to confirm us.
So, we are very sorry to say CANCEL this booking because our Clients have decided to changed this trip. Therefore, we apology this inconvenience Cancellation and looking forward to hearing your early reply with acknowledgement.
………………………………………………
Thank you for the acknowledgement of your confirmation.
Thanks with best regards,
I will endeavour to reply to your email on my return.
Thank you so much for your kind information.
These are actual comments from e-mails. I have the pleasure of reading these types of comments in e-mails I see everyday exchanged between reservation agents in Laos. Long story as to why I am auto-copied on the exchanges, but if nothing else, the e-mails give me a good chuckle everyday. Here is the typical…
A: Please kindly confirm the following booking.
B: Thanks so much for your booking. I’d like to confirm your booking:
A: Thank you for your kind confirmation.
B: You are welcome for the confirmation.
But today topped the cake. I could not stop laughing when this one came in:
Dear All,
Please treat the above clients as VIP Treatment as they are very important (Italian) – I have just been informed by agent today that they are now complaint everywhere for slowly check in and they do not want to wait too long.
Therefore, please try to do the best for them to avoid any problem for us.
A – please hurry up prepare their immigration formality to avoid any delay for them.
B – could you please serve them in house wine for them during Dinner at X as compliment from “Y”? And prepare separate table for them from another passengers.
C – please kindly inform your guide at Z to do the fast check in and do the best services for them. prepare separate table for them from another passengers during meals.
Thanks all of you in advance for your kind co operation.
Aside from being hilarious to me, it hopefully serves to all as a warning how well the staff are aware of problem customers. Clearly this group of Italians are just too impatient. Can’t be bothered to wait for anything. And they don’t like other travelers. I find this hard to believe, as Italy certainly runs at its own pace and most Italians love a good group of fun people! But I guess when folks travel to exotic places and are far away from home, they step outside the mold and get uncomfortable in new surroundings. Too funny, though.
Thanks you for kindly reading this information. Your kind comment is most welcome.
Thank you with best regards,
Shanna