Diary of an Ex-Pat - LT

The OB road is not a smooth gradual incline, and I had only just discovered this yesterday. After what seemed to be a glimpse that I will be seeing more game time, yesterday was similar to the chandelier crashing down upon the stage, lights exploding etc. What does an OB do when there is nothing to do? I found out the long way that the internet is actually quite limited and will get boring in 4.8 hours. However, I did resist playing fantastic contraption. I even forwent being discreet and blatantly surfed the net without making any effort to conceal the window when someone walked by.

The thing that frustrates me most is when they promise you a mountain of work and then immediately afterwards the so called promised mountain never appears. Kind of like waving a schmacko in front of dog. I can has schmacko?

What was suprising yesterday was the party planning committee meeting. I kid you not. There are such things in an office. Yes and I have to admit, 'The Office' do have very accurate stereotypes. So basically I just sat through that rather bemused. I doubt any of them would have understood the humour I was experiencing if I were to explain to them what was going on in my head. Also, the manager of some other department who sits behind me, to whom I have never been formally introduced to - nor will it be any easier to now introduce myself due to the time gap - has been experiencing PMS or some sort of study related stress. From my sources, ie just listening to the chatter that goes on from time to time, he's studying for his masters and has a paper (only 3000 words, can you stop crying?) due soon. So he's really sensitive to noise that emanates from shredders and just PMSed just then to someone else, whilst I was typing. Draaaammma.

Diary of an Ex-Pat - LT

How does an office worker spend their weekend in a foreign country? Why doing laundry of course! What is there to do for an ex-pat in a foreign country, especially when that foreign country is Hong Kong? The answer is shop. But ah, there in lies the problem. What if the answer has been exhausted. What if there is no more shopping to be done? My friends, the answer therefore must be "shop when x is not equal to been there done that".

So I must admit, the weekend did go by pretty quickly when all I did do was a bit of shopping and a whole lot of lazing around, waiting for laundry to finish.

Moreover, at the beginning of my second day in my quest to gain CEO status from the lowly ranks of an OB, I at first encountered a wall. The very same wall that the protagonist of Run Fatboy, Run hit. Even in a bid to prolong the work I had to do, by doing it slowly, there was hardly anything to do. So you may ask "Question - how does the OB continue to climb the ranks when there is nothing to do?" Answer - Discretely send an email to the entire department, declaring the copious amount of free time you have on your hands. As a wise man once said (if not quoted from the bible) "seek and you shall find".

Whilst I don't think I am quite at the next rung of the OB ladder, I am quite happy to be doing things that are actually related to the department, rather than the OB data entry work.

Like Evian wasnt fucking expensive enough already - AT.

6th December- SC

Yesterday was Finnish Independence Day.

No Freaking way! - DW

O.M.G
This is Snejana: she is massive in the fashion world.
This proves that with a little bit of styling, awesome photography and lots of money, we all have a chance at stardom.

OMG!

Diary of an Ex-Pat - LT

Today I must stress the importance of office ergonomics. If you wish to survive the 40 hour working week on a continual basis then you should follow some simple guidelines.

Eyes are in grave danger. Think about it. You stare at a screen for 8 hours, and probably go home and stare some more. To alleviate any stress your eyes may be undergoing, follow the 20:20 rule. That is, every 20 minutes, stare out something about 20 feet away for 20 seconds, do a few eye exercise movements and carry on working. Who would have thought something so effortless could give you the edge to go the extra mile...

Secondly, posture. The way you sit can affect muscular strains particularly in the lower back and on the neck and shoulders. A rule of thumb is to raise ur chair so that the knees are slightly lower than the hip and that the back rest is firmly supporting your lower back. If your feet dont rest flat against the ground after this height adjustment, find some foot rest to substitute. Flowing on from the 20:20 rule, just take that opportunity to adjust your seating position as well so that no single group of muscles are under continual stress.

On another note, I think I have reached another tier on the OB-meter. After being taken under the wing of someone in my department, she has decided to further try and integrate me. From there I have met others like her and will continue to stay within this group. If I had any authority, I would instantly just promote the lady that first gave out a helping hand because that is so obviously a trait that a manager would require so that the team will work for them. Anyway, back to the observations. How do I know that I have reached the next level of OB? Well, it is because others in the department have decided that I am trustworthy and capable to handle other bitches work.

Diary of an Ex-Pat - LT

One must realise that the office in itself is an environment with its own distinctive characteristics, much like how capital cities are defined by some prominent features. In this regard, the heart of the office should be defined by its watercooler. Ah, the classic anonymous watercooler where the workers can take a moment to exit from the frenzy of deadlines to gossip. In my two days at my new place, there is indeed a set ritual for which office workers decide to 'coincidentally' take their breaks for the chitchat at the office pantry (which by the way has no powdered milk tea =O ).

Also, as with any society, there is a hierachy from which one must begin their journey in a company. I dub the first tier 'OB'. Whilst the older generations, i.e. our parents, will recall the days of being an OB as the "office boy", I would like to rephrase this term - "office bitch". And ladies and gentleman, that is the base rung of the office worker ladder. As I have recently discovered, as you become friendly with your micro-society/department, the degrees of OB advance and slowly you become integrated and trusted to handle more and more arduous tasks. And that my friends, is the path which I am travelling in my quest to conquer a foreign office environment. Sadly, any tertiary education I have received so far have proven useless as tools to get ahead. Hrm.

In other news, my phone refuses to recharge itself. And the exchange rate has made what were once attractive sales into prices which are still debatable.

Gossip Girl s2 e13 Promo

For those of you that are up to date with Gossip Girl, you wouldn't want to miss next weeks episode!!

Diary of an Ex-Pat - LT

Ok maybe its politically incorrect to call myself an ex-pat but whatever, this is the birth of my online diary. A spur of the moment memoir for all those who miss me and have a vested interest in my day to day well being and random adventures.

Today I had day 1 of training, and it was actually quite enjoyable. Alas, I cannot go into explicit detail as there is a code of confidentiality.

However, I did get the chance to explore the sales and shops of HongKong. Seeing the new shit that I could cop before Ambrose gets here is seriously priceless and tempting, but realising I don't have the cash to do so is saddening.

I would post up pictures but I haven't taken any.

I live in a place the size of my room in Australia. My initial thoughts are that living by myself seems quite alright, though I am worried about laundry and possibly, POSSIBLY not enough money to even sustain life ie. food. So I might be a skinny bitch when I return =O

Terry Richardson for Vogue Paris- DW

Terry Richardson.
Occupation: Photographer/creator of sex images
Terry Richardson is a genius. He recently did a photoshoot wtih Calibre, so yes men, go into calibre and get the take home catalogue. Richardson is known for his simple white backdrops and the ability to make his objects come out, and be themselves. (JT + disco ball included) He's one of my favourite photographers, and his is why:
Carine Roitfeld (Genius of french Vogue aka. Editor in Chief) + Terry Richardson + LV Lingerie = SEXUAL

Enjoy.

Shit (Balance) Bricks - SL

Sambomaster - LT

three chuck two chuck one chuck nun (chuck) - AT.

Rachael Yamagata - LT

The first minute is idle chat, but interesting nonetheless.

Personal favourite. (Edit: I must admit that this is not the best live version)

Blank Label- DW

Preliminary shots for Blank Label shoot. Blazer, Blank Label; Singlet, AA; Tights, Topshop.

Shame it was a gloomy day. Everybody watch this space! :)