London, Paris, Kuala Lumpur

Back from my trip of London and Paris. Went over to meet a family friend who is studying there. Sad to say, i have nothing much to rave over March Europe Trip. It could have been the weather, which was nothing short of miserable. Overcast, leaky and moody European weather. I am officially a "sunshine girl" and having to walk across the River Seine in 4 degrees with wind and rain is not romantic. I auto-muted Louis Armstrong's "La vie en rose" which had been playing in my brain just a week ago.

I must be going old. I had zero fun in Europe. It was supposed to be my BIG BREAK before my travelling for work regime sets in. I went to Paris Disneyland which was nothing short of disappointing. I was never a big THEME park kinda girl. It could have been the company. My travelling companion was a distraction at best. Monsieur Mickey was no where to be seen and madamemoiselle Minnie was a 4 foot tall waitress at a Disney cafe, which begs the question, is a child in there or a really short woman? She was still the consummate hostess of course, sometimes bringing wholesome family entertainment dangerously close to "Moulin Rouge" when she allows Captain Hook to lift her skirt to reveal rodent underwear.

I did the Louvre, which i walked through mechanically. There were only 3 things i wanted to see there. The Mona Lisa, Venus De Milo and the Matyr. Popped by the renaissance paintings and that was it. I didnt want to do the whole touristy "let's comb this place gallery by gallery". I figured 300 busts of Roman and Greek emperors/conquerors/slaves/mistresses were enough for a lifetime.

I didn't buy anything in LV or Gucci or Chistian Dior even if it was the FASHION capital of the world and typical me would have bought at least something totally bourgeouis and extravagant.. but honestly darlings.. I didnt feel like it.

I am boring. Totally.

I travel to KL every week. Monday morning I am in the office till 6pm then I catch the 8pm shuttle to KL. Get to my hotel by 10pm then Tuesday till Thursday i will be in KL. Thursday nite I catch the 7pm shuttle back.

Here's the glamourous bit that you would want to gossip and make you feel miserable about your current job status:

1. I travel SIA return First class ( even if it's just a bloody 45 mins flight)
2. I get a Limo from the hotel to pick me up from the airport. They do the whole "Name on
sheet of paper in marker" thingy.
3. I stay at the Mandarin Oriental, which is clearly the Best hotel you can ever stay in KL.
4. I have a permanent room on the 19th floor overlooking the park and the concierge will
welcome me and check me in personally as i get out of the car.
5. I have my own set of toiletries and running shoes ready when i check in complete with my
favourite fruits and a bath drawn for me.
6. My meals are fully paid for on the corporate AMEX.
7. I get my own driver to zip me around appointments.

Here's the reality bit so you should really feel lucky, but it's not fodder for gossip with your girlfriends lah:

1. I am shit tired. Travelling is no fun. There is a reason why they fly you First Class and put
you up in swanky hotels. Because most people, who have done it, wouldn;t want to do it
EVER.
2. I am away from family and friends. SO out of touch i am with family and friends, i can't train
with my team mates, i can't hang out with my friends, i don't really see family much. In KL,
the only people you see are your colleagues and your clients. You don't actually have the time
or opportunity to nurture and start new friendships and relationships. I am going to be single
for a REALLLLLLLY LOOOONGGGGG TIMEEEEEE........
3. It's terribly lonely. Even with the butler drawn bath, lobster thermidor (which my dad insists
i eat, every now and then) and the 400 thread count sheet with the goose down pillows, I
don't sleep well at night. Hardly... not good.
4. You schmooze with the market movers and players, but sometimes professional schmoozing
is just profession schmoozing, it's all about business, no proper conversations with zero
business justification takes place. It's all about time and money. Kinda sad.
5. NTV7 is my favourite channel now. Enough said.. i miss local TV.. enough with the Bloomberg
and CNN and Al Jazeera lah.

Overall verdict: The grass is always greener on the other side. But make the best of what you have. Stop cribbing bitches.