Back to the pre-internet age

The internet has stopped working since 2 p.m. yesterday until now. Thought I would be fine at work, but actually I was completely frustrated. My work depends too much on the cyberworld. I am addicted to google and I use dictionary.com rather than physically flip through the dictionary when writing a draft testimonial letter or whatever stories. I am used to the silent communication via email. I can track on the did-list from my sent folder. However, for the past 12 working hours it made me feel like a prisoner.

Interestingly, this situation made me feel grateful to the internet evolution. Of course, it brings the world closer and drives the business faster in a cost effective fashion, especially for the remote management like the company I'm working for. Instead of phoning and faxing 3 times to Malaysia and twice to Scotland (like I did today), these can be done within a few emails. Also, instead of sending the 3 research girls to get trained on the new software in the UK (well, they would be happy to go if this really happened :-P), they can do that via the video conference. The internet fee is a flat rate (imagine my int'l call & fax fees!). But that could not happen because of the internet's broken link. It seems that we have turned back the clock to the ice age!

But, because of the internet, I seem to lose some skill - verbal communication. I feel more comfortable to email people enquiring something, chasing the work, tackling painful issues etc. That's why today I got so energy depleted after a few phone calls. How funny - the way I speak is not as organized and professional as the way I write it. Well, but have you ever emailed your colleagues who sit next to you? I am sure you are like me....

I am keeping my fingers crossed that tomorrow the internet is back!

Long (almost) lost friends

I'm sick today. I hate to see myself call in sick and unable to complete my tasks...But anyway, if you are sick, just admit it, sleep in and relax.

Later in the day, I got better and started working. Automatically MSN is one of the things I switched on when I'm online, suddenly I was pulled into a group chat. These girls (plus a guy) are the best friends from the university. We are now scattered away to different paths. And things are so different from the uni's days....

This chat just reminded me the good old days - I missed the scene at the uni's cafeteria, where our heads gathered and had the deep analysis of most possible topics (guys, professors, the bitches, our moms, futures etc) and ten thousands of advise we offered one another to solve the entanglements. To tell you the truth, this is the friends I feel most comfortable, trusted and happiest. I let my guard down to be me, so me, really me!

What had happened after we finished the uni in 2005?

Por works in Silom as a secretary for a Japanese company and I joined her building later after I ended my tourism career (but there's rare chance to meet...how awful!)

Kok works in the not-so-city area for one of the influencial energy suppliers in Thailand

Bell had to leave her development career in helping HIV/AIDS patients to work in Dubai and fly around the world to make passengers happy (but maybe not for herself)

Peung ended her marketing and journalist job and flew to England for the MsC in Marketing

Mim kissed mom & dad's business goodbye and pursues her beloved International Relation studies in Nottingham

Jay goes back to his hometown to be a professor, works on translation, poetry and at the same time a student at Thammasat

It must have been fun if we could meet up every evening after the long tedious work, but the reality hurts. What seems to be our most pleasurable thing to do likely drifts away from our reach. We've never been out somewhere far together, or had dinner with everyone of us together etc. How funny - even this afternoon, it was a pure luck that almost everyone of us attended, but not everyone...but yea, we talked about us ALL.

Gosh....I miss you guys...when will we meet again?

-sniff-

Confusion in the today's chat :-P

Where do you belong?

You Belong in New York City

You're the energetic, ambitious type. And only NYC is fast enough for you. Maybe you'll set yourself up with a killer career Or simply take in all the city has to offer.

What City Do You Belong In?

My Fifth 19 photos

Your small cash is for the betterment of these handicapped dogs...