It took me hurting eyes and fever to write this post, its still better than the flu the week before.

2011 was the year that i had the most fun, and although looking back i probably would have tried to change things, it was the most important year in my life considering that things that i’ve learned and realised that would probably would be the foundation of many years to come.

I’ve been contemplating on what the theme of my blog should be, and i was for sometime thinking of having a few blogs to highlight and touch on the different things in my life. But i realised that the over-arching theme is looking for happiness (thanks to Dalai Lama), and for that I realise that what i wrote, although different themes all points towards me trying to gain more happiness.

And in that sense i think should try to frame my posts around happiness and how these things help me gain more of it.

To 2012, its gonna be different!

As i live in Jakarta, transportation is a nightmare, what i can do in a mere 5 hours on anyday in Singapore, i could only possibly do it in 1 week in the Big Durian.

In October i exclaimed my happiness to my China suppliers when I woke up at 8am that morning, visited 2 factories in ZhangJiaGang which is in Jiangsu (North of Shanghai), then went to Shaoxing in Zhejiang (South of Shanghai) by car (a whopping 300km) , ate KFC and reached his office by 3pm.

In Indonesia, on the weekend, within the same time frame, i would have just gone to my favourite Japanese restaurant (13km) to eat lunch, and go home.

As I try to make my life more happier in Jakarta, i’m thinking whether the key is to live in the city considering that all my activities are there, and my office is very close by as well.

Or is it really just a luxury that i can do without? This is the burning question because right now, im trying to let go of luxury and focus on the real things.

This was when i saw this video on Africans having access to bicycles

Africa versus Jakarta. Both takes AGES to get anywhere but one is filled with cars and motorbikes, whereas the other one doesnt have any form of transportation.

But both fall under the problem of inefficiency which is causing great distress to the society. I could easily use the same message, and use Indonesia as a backdrop and it would be 100% related.

Is having a bicycle a luxury for the Africans so that they can spent more time doing the things they need to do?

The Art of Happiness by the Dalai Lama, he mentions that in developed countries, car is not seen as a luxury if you have the means to buy one. He doesnt go so far as to say its a necessity, but he does point out that it is not considered an item of luxury depending on your situation.

As i realised these points, i think to myself, is living in the city where i’d be closer to my activities and to my office a luxury? But more importantly, would this alleviate my standard of living/lifestyle here? And is this even more important than just being thankful for you’ve got?

(i was rambling when i began so i decided to start again…)

As I deal with Jakarta, i’ve come to a realisation that accessibility, convenience and efficiency might be at the core root of my restlessness with the Big Durian. 

I was in Singapore recently and the ease of doing things were just amazing, in just a mere 5 hours, i decided to

-buy organic soya yoghurt in an ultra overpriced supermarket that i’ve never been before

-meet Colin and had a good conversation with him

-met Qinghui and had dinner with him while Colin had starbucks

-met Colin again and went to buy the Okinawa Program book

-watched Rum Diaries in the cinema

This is impossible to do in Jakarta. Unless all these things occur in the malls, which is why Jakarta is home to super big malls where they offer everything and you never need to go out. But no matter how big the mall is, it would never compare to the ease and freedom of Singapore.

I’ve deduced that maybe my problem lies with the fact that I dont live in the city. And not living in the city, while all my activities are in the city is a huge huge hassle in Jakarta.

And right now, im so exhausted, there are so many things to do, but yet i dont have the time, it doesnt help im majorly procrastinating at the moment, but im exhausted and i should be given a break.

OMG this post is so boring, im gonna write another post which is way more exciting

QH, told me to blog again, ive been playing with the idea of blogging again, but my life has changed so much since 5-7 years ago when i was still blogging actively that i dont know what to blog about?

First and most importantly is the diversity of my life right now, no, it doesnt sound as interesting as that, rather, i have bigger concerns than just getting drunk or being in-touch with the latest “in-thing” (gadgets, shoes, wallets) these days.

For one, i work now, i have a 9-5 job, although many would refute that considering i take a lot more leave than a normal salaryman could. But with its perks comes its many many responsibilities and pressures.

Then of course i could rant about how i hate Indonesia, and how the government is not doing a single thing, the general attitude of Indonesians etc etc etc which probably constitute 98% of all conversations i have these days.

It could also be how im trying to turn this old rusty business into an efficient productive tight ship (crosses fingersssss). How culture of the business should be the strategy of the business. How ive been mulling and being super unproductive for the past 3-4 months lamenting on tactics when the key was strategy/culture. How I’m in such a lucky position to have the chance to create something which is an extension of myself.

It cld also be my many shenanigans around the region, getting a salary (although with a pathetic measly pay) PLUS the perks of unlimited leaves PLUS airasia 1-year-in-advance-bookings-super-discounts (im an airasia ninja fyi) gives me the opportunity to travel around the world (actually more like the region…) and do things i did not, cld not do before.

This year alone, ive travelled at least once a month! Woots, double Yay, and i would continue to travel every month till the end of this year!

So what should i write about? I dont know, QH told me to write about the books or music ive listen to. I find it really boring, why would you want to know what ive been reading or writing???

Wldnt it be more interesting if i told you that a girl i knew got into a major catfight, called me up at around 4am and ask me to go look for her. I met her and she was all bruised up, i had to go find a 24hour pharmacy to buy her some cream to apply on her bruises. Now that sounds more interesting rather than talk about this book called Delivering Happiness that promotes a whole new way of doing business that sparked my renewed passion and might revolutionize the way of doing business all over the world (but it is really interesting!)

I dont know, i just know i like to write about my shit, and be emo and stuff. Blogging is an awesome outlet, and the reason i stop is because i dont want people reading my emo shit, its not cool yo.

But here i am again

Oh, the main reason why Qh is probably asking me to blog is because we’re thinking on doing this 1 mth long japan trip next year, we plan to immerse ourselves in the culture, totally have a first hand experience on what living in japan is like. and of course totally getting smashed and hopefully chase some skirts!

The wonders of Kirin Beer

Wonderssssssssssss

What are the wonders of Kirin beer