Wednesday, April 27, 2005
Say Yes To Sleep
Nyquil is my new best friend. We shall travel all over the world together. I highly recommend it to those jetlaggers out there. Nothing beats over-the-counter drugs!
Tuesday, April 26, 2005
Here Fishie, Fishie
Today was the first day of the tradeshow. I can’t believe that such events exist in this world, let alone have so many people interested in seafood. It’s like a Star Trek convention, but with fish (not like I’ve been to a Star Trek convention before, okay?).
It’s a little bit frustrating for me since I don’t know too many people yet in the industry. And with a name like mine, people tend to forget it easily. Tsk. Tsk. Anyway, I’m glad that the EU is not my area. There are just too many people from different areas to deal with. I'm also quite a retard when it comes to understanding people with strong accents.
I’ve also met my overseas marketing representatives from China and Japan. I just came back from having dinner with them. I’m very glad to be working with nice people, both locally and internationally. Let’s hope that the feeling is mutual.
It’s a little bit frustrating for me since I don’t know too many people yet in the industry. And with a name like mine, people tend to forget it easily. Tsk. Tsk. Anyway, I’m glad that the EU is not my area. There are just too many people from different areas to deal with. I'm also quite a retard when it comes to understanding people with strong accents.
I’ve also met my overseas marketing representatives from China and Japan. I just came back from having dinner with them. I’m very glad to be working with nice people, both locally and internationally. Let’s hope that the feeling is mutual.
Sunday, April 24, 2005
Le Hotel
It’s 9:24 p.m. Brussels time. What did I do all day? Sleep and watch MTV.
I slept at around 10 p.m. last night. I woke up when my sister-in-law called. I thought it was early morning already, but it turned out it was only midnight. I stayed up until 2 a.m., watching CNN. I woke up at around 8 a.m., but decided to take advantage of free day and slept in. Hence, I didn’t wake up until 1 p.m. By that time, I decided to not go to church or do anything touristy. I just stayed in the hotel room and relaxed. Thank God for cellphones; I was able to call Pen and finally have someone my age to talk to. *SNIFF. It’s lonely here! LoL. Now, I understand why business people take their families with them on business trips. If anyone wants to join me in Hong Kong, please make travel arrangements now! My bribe? You get to stay at 5-star hotels!
Although, I found out that hotel ratings don’t mean much in Europe. Hell, I don’t even have internet connection here in my hotel room. I have to dial out to the U.S. to write on here. Tsk. Tsk.
I saw/heard some French-speaking Asian people. Cool deal. There is also an Esprit store across the street. I don’t know if I’ll be able to see that store open while I’m here.Work starts tomorrow for tradeshow booth set-up. My two overseas marketing representatives from Japan and China will also be here by tomorrow. During dinner, I was the only one reppin’ the Asia region since all the European reps are already here (and yes, I said “reppin’”!).
What I’m trying to figure out right now: How does one become a better participant in a group conversation when he/she can’t relate to anything they’re saying due to generation and experience gaps? How does one maintain his/her personal values without being a party pooper (ex. How do you avoid second-hand smoke and being around drunk people? Why do you have to pay 22 euros when you only had spaghetti with clams for dinner while everyone else had an entrée, wine, and coffee?)? I knew things were too good to be true!
I slept at around 10 p.m. last night. I woke up when my sister-in-law called. I thought it was early morning already, but it turned out it was only midnight. I stayed up until 2 a.m., watching CNN. I woke up at around 8 a.m., but decided to take advantage of free day and slept in. Hence, I didn’t wake up until 1 p.m. By that time, I decided to not go to church or do anything touristy. I just stayed in the hotel room and relaxed. Thank God for cellphones; I was able to call Pen and finally have someone my age to talk to. *SNIFF. It’s lonely here! LoL. Now, I understand why business people take their families with them on business trips. If anyone wants to join me in Hong Kong, please make travel arrangements now! My bribe? You get to stay at 5-star hotels!
Although, I found out that hotel ratings don’t mean much in Europe. Hell, I don’t even have internet connection here in my hotel room. I have to dial out to the U.S. to write on here. Tsk. Tsk.
I saw/heard some French-speaking Asian people. Cool deal. There is also an Esprit store across the street. I don’t know if I’ll be able to see that store open while I’m here.Work starts tomorrow for tradeshow booth set-up. My two overseas marketing representatives from Japan and China will also be here by tomorrow. During dinner, I was the only one reppin’ the Asia region since all the European reps are already here (and yes, I said “reppin’”!).
What I’m trying to figure out right now: How does one become a better participant in a group conversation when he/she can’t relate to anything they’re saying due to generation and experience gaps? How does one maintain his/her personal values without being a party pooper (ex. How do you avoid second-hand smoke and being around drunk people? Why do you have to pay 22 euros when you only had spaghetti with clams for dinner while everyone else had an entrée, wine, and coffee?)? I knew things were too good to be true!
Saturday, April 23, 2005
First European Day
Bonjour from Brussels!
I got in at 7:30 a.m. today. Since I want to make sure jet lag doesn't get the best of me, I've already done the following instead of sleeping in my hotel room:
European men? Still looking.
I got in at 7:30 a.m. today. Since I want to make sure jet lag doesn't get the best of me, I've already done the following instead of sleeping in my hotel room:
- switched to Euros
- ate a Belgian waffle
- ate Belgian chocolate
- visited Grand Place
- saw Mannequin Pis (U.P.'s Oblation still tops my list of best nekkid statues)
European men? Still looking.
Thursday, April 21, 2005
Packed
I'm packed. Nevermind that I still have all of my toiletries in the bathroom...I'm still trying to figure out where the hell I'm going to stuff them all in my already full 26" luggage. Don't even try to suggest my carry-on because that's already full, too. If this is the situation I find myself in for a one-week trip, dare I even think about what it will be like when it's time to pack for Hong Kong? I'm seriously considering bringing two luggages for that trip, but I just don't know how I'm going to manage to get in/out of trains and whatever transportation I'll find myself in with so many things. It's a problem only because we don't get reimbursed for drycleaning/laundry. Blasphemy!
But for now, it's all about Brussels. I'll try to blog using my cellphone when I get to my layover. If not, I'll be blogging from my hotel room. Have a great weekend and wish me luck that jet lag doesn't get the best of me.
But for now, it's all about Brussels. I'll try to blog using my cellphone when I get to my layover. If not, I'll be blogging from my hotel room. Have a great weekend and wish me luck that jet lag doesn't get the best of me.
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