Em's Dailies..

Christmas Party Raffle Stuffed Toy Winner!
Originally uploaded by setyr.

I gate crashed at our EMEA office' Christmas Party! I missed last year's and so this was my first with the company. I won this doggie stuffed toy!

All the ladies came in dressed up like those Hollywood actresses, it was so grand! (see I'm easily turned Irish...they use the word 'grand!' for 'great!'.) The men were equally dashing..and yet the invitation said 'semi-formal'.

Cork office was fun & friendly. They all would ask how I'm doing and if I'm ok, and they all feel geniune to me.

Surprisingly, I'm popular with the guys even with my fully covered, winter long sleeved, checkered, everyday blue wool blouse. They all said, I have good excuse because I'm just visiting, and I was doing ok anyway (wow, what nice complements hahahaha). Although I absolutely don't have any idea if those were just devious ploys to a seemingly naive looking Asian, I enjoyed the attention anyways and I did perfectly blend well.

Everybody introduced themselves to me although I don't remember a single name hahahaha. Derek, Cork office' head apologized because he didn't realize I was still in Cork. I said 'no worries' (again, the Irish English for 'no problem or not at all').

This was open bar and everybody was just drinking to death! There was a live band singing country music and we all loved them. All the girls (me included) danced on stage. The guys started coming to the dance floor as the night went deeper and champaignes kept on pouring.

Went back to the hotel at around 1am half feeling sorry that I was about to miss the more interesting part of the party. Woke up at 4am with a headache and was off to the Cork airport for Amsterdam at 4.30am. While waiting for the counter to check-in, I felt my head was aching and I wanted to bang it against the wall. Everything around me spun but I held my ground, no hang over has ever beaten me before! This was emergency time for a can of ice-cold coke! I thought I was lucky I found a potato ship with vinegar flavor. Time and again, sour food and coke is my ultimate anti-hang over.

There was an announcement at around 6am that we will have a delay because Amsterdam airport suspended all air traffic due to strong wind. Further noticer will be every 30 minutes. Everyone was panicking except me. I decided to take a nap and with my stuffed toy as pillow, I had a powerful one. At around 7.30 they've announced that we would probably fly at 8am, pending Amsterdam airport's approval.

We did manage to fly after a 2 hour delay. As expected Schipol airport was crazy with all the backlog and delays. The weather was not good and it started to rain so I decided to cancel my Amsterdam sightseeing, besides I'm was in no mood to appreciate the beauty around me.

With little shopping and a cup of coffe, I sobered. My flight back to Tokyo was also delayed, as expected so I hang around Mc Donald's. The place was pretty cozy for my usual McDo image. At around 3pm all Tokyo-bound passengers via KLM were paged over at Gate F4.

It took us another 1 1/2 hours to board the plane and when we finally do, I was again sleeping like a baby, instantly waking for snack and food breaks. There was no space and my legs would hurt. Aside from that, I started to feel the nuisance of having to carry the stuffed toy. It was good company at McDo but I just didn't have the spare space. Anyways, I made it back to my home Saturday 2.30pm...what a long journey.

There was no rest for me because I had to dash back to Shinjuku Takashimaya to shop for tomorrow's ensemble for Tera's wedding party. Good thing the store's assistant chose everything well for me, so I practically had nothing much to do except fit. I left the dress, shawl and shoes in the office so I could just change there tomorrow. It was too late for a hair treatment appointment so I would just have to do that later. Same with my nails and I have to do a make-up trial for tomorrow. I don't want to be caught off-guard again, Tera said it was semi-formal. But I also don't want to look like a show-off.

# posted by Unknown : 9:24 午後

Lazy Review Afternoons
Originally uploaded by setyr.

I'm trying so hard to get focused on my PMP review.

This is my typical weekend for the past two weeks.

Two more weekends and yes, the moment of truth. I'm really hoping I pass the exam in spite all the distractions.

# posted by Unknown : 11:29 午後

The Silent River That Flows
Originally uploaded by setyr.

Ireland's color is green and this picture perfectly depicts what this country is all about. I get amazed sometimes at the thought that Ireland's tallest building is actually the Guinness Building in Dublin which is a mere 7 floors tall. It will soon be toppled over by a government building under construction just in front of The Kingsley in Cork which is supposed to be 16 floors.

Doesn't this fact clearly indicate that to be progressive we don't have to build skyscrapers? To be progressive we don't have to put up with all the cosmopolitan pollution? To be progressive we don't necessarily have to give up our personal lives and that leisure can still have a place in a progressive world?

Ireland has been thriving on its farming industry and yet it is one of the fastest growing economies in Europe.

Everytime I come to Cork, I get this serene feeling. I am influenced by nature to get a grip and keep in touch with my soul. And I just did that today, over lunch! I dropped by the convenience store to buy cookies, Doritos, Coke and water, had a stroll beside the riverbanks, took a leisurely seat at a bench and just feel the cold air around me. The silent river that flows in front of me passed on a distinct feeling of peace that only I can give to myself.

# posted by Unknown : 11:03 午後

Ireland's Longest Infrastructure
Originally uploaded by setyr.

Just a stone throw away from The Kingsley Hotel where I stay, I could see this very interesting infrastructure perfectly situated in front of this river.

I asked my Irish colleague and according to him, this is Ireland's longest infrastructure. This used to be a mental hospital until recently an accident happened, which turned into a scandal and eventually led to its closure. Now it serves as a hotel.

Very interesting. Mental hospital. Imagine how many unfortunate tortured souls lived in there. Well, on the brighter side, this building is actually one of the most adorable I've seen around Cork and perhaps in the whole of Ireland. This shows how the Irish have regarded mental health with utmost recognition and importance.

# posted by Unknown : 10:57 午後

Typical Cork City Saturday Night
Originally uploaded by setyr.

I went about my mini-shopping in Cork City yesterday (Saturday afternoon). I have to say that shopping for undies in Cork City is the only thing I really look forward to (shopping-wise).

Took a cab at about 4pm and I was surprised at the size of crowd this tiny city has on a Saturday afternoon. It was just crazy, the streets were filled with acrobats (just like these ones), all sorts of wannabe singers and clowns. All of a sudden I felt this cosmopolitan air.

Most stores, if not all, are on Christmas sale. Yes, Christmas is in the air here in Cork. Christmas carols, TV specials, sales, everybody wearing santa hats, children.

I was making my way through the thick crowd and then it dawned to me that I have temporarily forgotten what Christmas is like. Am I turning into a Scrooge??? I certainly hope not. It's just that with all the pressures at work and living in a country who regards Christmas as a mere 'cool thing' to celebrate, I for one forgot that Christmas is all about giving and caring and loving and being surrounded by all the people you love.

I chanced upon a Christian TV program this morning and the pastor talked about the greatest thing we could do for Christ this Christmas. He said we should give away our resentments to the Lord, whether those are resentments towards our friends, our work, our parents, brothers, sisters, ourselves, people who hurt us. Because if we don't let it go, it would be impossible to receive His gift of Christmas that is love.

I guess I'm overly being mushy here but it is always good to be reminded of the things that matter most in life. I was asking for some Christmas spirit a few days back, and coming here at Cork somehow my eyes were opened and my heart was reminded of my Christmas past and my Christmas present doesn't necessarily have to be different.

# posted by Unknown : 10:52 午後