Hey, Jenny Here

I’m packing for another trip…and I thought since I’m on the road so often, it’d be fun to go into the weirder (but necessary) stuff I carry with me on every trip.

1. Earphone tips

Earphones are almost as crucial as a good music player. I love flying but without the right stuff, it sucks. Without my music, I get headaches on planes—and I can’t get good music without a good pair of earphones. Besides, I’ve lost count over how many times I’ve lost half my earphone on the immigration checkpoint belts. Weird? I guess…A colleague commented on my collection but he was pretty happy when his earphones disappeared on the immigration belts half an hour later.

2. The Splash Defender

It’s the paranoia talking, but traveling with this makes me feel a lot more comfortable. In flood waters, this will safely hold an iPad, phone, a change of clothes, documents and passport. When the Jakarta floods hit a couple of months ago, we had an important meeting and I couldn’t—didn’t want to—say no. Or even reschedule. The people of Jakarta were getting around just fine, and I didn’t have a legitimate reason to stay away. The meeting turned out well—we eventually won a major account and as long as I have this bag, I am also well equipped for business development activities in every flourishing flood-stricken country in the region.

3. Bottles of stuff

Moisturizer, SPF and hand sanitizer are complete essentials for Asian travelers. I love everything about Asia but chances are, it’s pretty hot. It’s usually clean enough but if you wanna get (or involuntarily end up) off the beaten track it can sometimes it can be pretty unsanitary. But with these, you’re good to go!

4. Parrrrty, social and corporate hairbands!

A complete feminine accessory, but Hairbands Never Fail Ya, when you can’t locate your favourite (any familiar) shampoo brand in developing nations and when the hotel shampoo wrecks your hair. I carry these 3 in my bag for flexibliity—one for night, one for day and one for work, and usually all 3 can go with anything I’m wearing.

5. Eclipse Mints

Just cos delayed flights, traffic jams and back-to-back meetings were never a good combination.

How is American country music NOT totally awesome? Lovin Taylor Swift, Shania Twain and…this girl is so rockin’!

• Friend: I'm in love with her. I love her so much.
• Me: Yeah, too bad she couldn't make dinner! Hey OMG you should TOTALLY text her a really cute message or picture of a really cute animal or something...
• Friend: Or give her a rose...
• Me: OMG. Or. A rose! Awesome.
• Friend: I wanna give her a rose.
• Me: DO IT!
• Friend: ...But I already gave her a rose. I want to give her another rose.

I thought I was pretty good with spicy till I tried this small roadside place! Crying and eating but it was too good to stop! Am dying to go back to Bandung so I can eat every single meal in this off the beaten track tiny restaurant!

We got serenaded by a dancing transvestite with a (pretty noisy) rattle, which was awesome and SO hilarious! I’m pretty sure she scrounged the rattle from some bins outside the road.

Next day…finally done with 2 days of presentations! Great feedback too—so everything was the best it could ever be! There’s something about the end of every project that enhances every sensation—food tastes better, breathing is deeper, music sounds twice as great! Almost ran back from the conference room to my room for a totally uninterrupted couple of hours kicking back in the room garden.

This place didn’t taste as great as Bajak Laut but had a hilltop view to die for! Everyone was totally soaking up the romantic atmosphere and wishing we weren’t talking oil and gas.

Working by the poolside and lying back in the deckchair during screen breaks!

<3

Top ten pick up lines we can use to get it on, audit style:

10. My trial balance just won’t balance without you
9. You are the debit to my credit
8. You are my material weakness
7. You don’t have to give me a query to generate my love for you
6. My pbc is ready and a date with you is the only thing on my request list
5. You may have an unusual configuration but you still meet my test of one.
4. My sametime status may say I’m busy, but I’m available for you
3. Usually I just pick random samples, but you’re an exception
2. You give me the same feeling as when a client files…Pure Joy
1. You must be a custom report because there is nothing standard about you

P!nk - Just Give Me A Reason

Love the honesty in this song :)

Chinese New Year has been completely crazy. Dashing in and out of the office (when Hayden’s with his dad), parties (when I’m not passed out in bed) and bed (when not at the former two).

Spending Chinese New Year looking at ways to get secure fuel supply to 40 million people in rural Indonesia is as good a CNY as you can get, I’m thinking.

Heading out for dinner and then to a jazz bar later…first real shot at relaxation in a while. And then back to Jakarta tomorrow.

Happy CNY! <3

(via taylorswiftlyrics)

Regina Spektor - Fidelity

Can’t believe I just found this girl existed! And her live performance rocks!