Bad Mood Day...

All because of people around me. I had tried to contain my anger but I failed today. Maybe it's cos I'm very lacking in sleep.

Although I feel that they deserve it, I'm feeling guilty as well.

Conscience pricking...

Just Another Thought About My Romance Life...

For those who knows me well will know what 'adventures' I always experience while I'm overseas. However, everything only happens when I'm out of Singapore. Flirts, flings (non-physical ones, in case you're wondering.) But in Singapore, nothing of the sort.

Is it because we tend to be more 'fun loving' when overseas and conservative in Singapore? Or as per all the fortune telling goes, my romance is all overseas?

After all these years, I can't help but wondering, is my life only all about flings and nothing permanent? If so, won't it be very saddening? (Not that I'm looking to chain myself down but still...)

*Ponder Ponder...*

A Great Trip...

Yup! I'm back from the ever so wonderful Hokkaido. Had a good trip with everyone of my tour members enjoying it. We (My guide and myself), received plenty of compliments from our tour members.

I was under a lot of stress before I left for the tour. I have problematic passengers and non-mandarin speaking passengers. There was already a complain against me over some stupid matters even before I flew. But I was assured by A** that they have allocated their best guide for me. But still, the stress is present. I'll never know until the whole trip is over. I requested from A** to have the guide fly over and receive me in Tokyo instead of me processing the transit alone. 3 days before my departure, I received the confirmation. I will hand over in Tokyo. My guide is coming.

I was assured again and again that my guide is of top calibre and I have little to worry about. I was told to look out for a young and charming guy at the Narita airport.

Upon arrival, I gathered my group and came out into the arrival hall and searched for my guide. I have never seen him before and A** didn't have an updated photo of him to show me. So I did what I normally would. Scan the whole arrival hall for someone who looks like a guide and fits the description. But it's not easy. Cause the arrival halls are normally full of guides.

Then I sported a not-so-tall guy with the A** placard. But on it is 2 colored logo different from that of my group's. Our's yellow but only a pink and a purple logo is pasted on the placard. Our eyes met and then I realise that he's most prob my guide and him realising that we are the group he's expecting. Without time to introduce ourselves, we rush the group to the domestic check in area and proceeded with the re-check in of the luggages. After we ushered the last of the group to the escalator leading up to the security clearance then did we do a proper intro.

He immediately decided that I shall be known as Wei Wei instead. I let him be lah, since I am also used to that name as it is what I am known as to my cousins and relatives. That was my baby name since young. It is a name that my closed ones know me as.

So I pointed out the problematic couple and the special requests of the group. He immediately whip out his mobile and started making calls. First to settle was 2 vegetarian meals. Next was a request for western style room for one of the passenger. I have a lung cancer patient on hand. And she is rather weak. Her daughter had brought her out on this trip. I only knew about her condition that morning when I met up with them. He really managed to arrange for all that throughout the trip.

By the next day, I had became his '亲爱的'. He's actually a 37 year old Taiwanese who had came to Japan 13 years ago to study and work in Japan. He treated me and of course my passengers very well during the whole trip. By the 3rd day, I have passengers asking me if we're old partners or friends. One of them even asked if we're a real couple! But the truth is that I don't even know he existed before this trip. Guess we look pretty suspiciously close together...

But as per the main common character of all tour guides, he's a sweet and smooth talker. He was constantly addressing me as '亲爱的' throughout the whole trip and introducing me as his '可爱的领队' to everyone, the fellow guides, the people in the shops, the hotel staff, everyone! And he always have his arms around me, be it while waiting for our passengers to come back or even in front of them. He was very gentlemanly, always carrying my stuff and buying me things. He even brought me to have sashimi after we checked in the group into the hotel. Of course I have to drink with him in return. (Not that I mind. I had my favourite brown sugar plum wine. Which he insisted that I have 2.) We had 2 rounds of sashimi and he introduced me to the other guides and tour leaders. He also paid for some of my shopping and whenever he was treated to things like melons and strawberry ice, he never forgets to get another one for me. And at one of the shop where we normally bring passengers to buy the chocolates and biscuits at a discounted price, he refused to let me pay him for the stuff that I took as well. Saying that it's ok course '你是我最爱的'. And he emphasied that he doesn't treat everyone the same way. '我不是对每个人都这么好的哦。' So I guess I can't really blame my passengers for thinking that way.

He was really very caring throughout the whole trip. Mixing around with the passengers and making everyone feel that they're treated equally. He specially bought me fresh sea urchin sashimi, abalone and clam at the Hakodate Morning Market. And he actually notices what I like. He was really very sensitive to details and I guess that's what makes him the Ace guide in the company.

He surprised me by ordering my favourite salmon roe rice with a mini ramen for one of the lunches which is not included. When I came back from the ladies, he said that he had already ordered my lunch for me. He realised that I love the salmon roe rice and he also knows that I love the ramen from that stall. So he ordered both for me. But all in mini size. How sweet. Ha...

We had very good tacit understanding for a first time partnership and everything went surprisingly smooth. We could read each other's mind and guess what was to be expected next even without mentioning it to each other.

He taught me more about the skills of people handling and the things I should take note of while tour leading. He even made me hold the mike and do some simple commentary to the passengers in the coach in supplement to his. It ended up like he takes care of the cultural and sightseeing commentary and I'm incharge of introducing the must try snacks or food in each destination. He even made me sing a duet ('选择') with him at one of the Kaiseiki dinner event during the trip! I had NEVER given a commentary, not to mention sing in front of the group. It's all a first. I almost died. But he was by my side helping me along the whole time. He also taught me more Japanese and giving me a chance to practice it. I really appreciated it. I learnt a lot during this trip with his guidance.

Our partnership was very well received by the group and we had plenty of compliments from them.

I had a great trip and a great 'あなた' for 7 days.

Even though I've never addressed him this way but 'あなた'、いろいろありがとうね。実に楽しんだ。じゃあまた、会いますね！

Out to the Ever so Lovely Land...

At the airport again. To Hokkaido this time.. Will be back in 7 days time.. Wish me luck and Fun!!!!

Thousand Knives... On My Back...

I just found out that I was sabotaged. By who, dunno. Why, dunno. How, dunno.

Now I feel so angry.

My 'GREETINGS' to those who sabotage me just cos you're so free. And more 'GREETINGS' if you make my life so bloody difficult.

If you're jealous that I'm so friendly with your colleague and think I shouldn't, then MORE 'GREETINGS' to you.

Anyway, I'll be leaving at the first opportunity I have. And when that time comes, Good Riddance to all of u BI*****, BU***** and not forgetting BA******...

The Peace Before the Storm...

It's like a dead town over here in office. No calls, no bookings, no enquires...

Scary.. So scary how things is going to change so drastically in a matter of weeks when the preparation for the NATAS Travel Fair will come underway...

Just hope that all will be fine.. And I will be able to avoid the start of it...

Upcoming Trip

Okay. Miracles (tiny ones) do happen. I'm going to Hokkaido. 2 weekends before the horrendous NATAS Travel Fair. Thought my bossie is not going to release me but well, she did.

But 1 bummer. I'm not gonna see flowers. It's a different itinerary. SAD.... Would have traded anything to see my fields of lavenders and sunflowers but well, at least I dun have to be in office when the whole craze starts. Hopefully. Hopefully they don't wait till I'm back to start.. Keeping fingers crossed...

And looking forward to the trip with my new lavender PSP and plenty of Hotspring baths!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!