Hamburg vs Jakarta vs Singapore

I had been asked this question often: "Where do I prefer?"

I had always liked my host city and they'll ask for the reasons.

Hence, in my own (layman) ways, I will try to list my own criterion and scoring system (10 being extremely satisfied and 1 being least satisfied).



Surprised! I always thought that I had preferred living in Jakarta to Singapore but my scoring says otherwise. It struck me that each criterion had an equal weighting. But some criterion are definitely more important to me while some might be irrelevant. Hence, I decided to add the green column on weightings.



Now it makes sense - I do like living in Jakarta in many ways compared to Singapore; and clearly Hamburg more than Jakarta.

An interesting point for comparision: In Jakarta, some companies install a "punch-card" system to track employees working hours, particularly those who are often late or leaves early.
In Hamburg, companies install a "punch-card" system to ensure that their employees are not overworked, otherwise, they (the employees) will be called up for counseling. So much for welfare!

Work Travels

Been busy at work, numerous trips. Fortunately, some meetings are in the heart of the cities and am able to catch a few photos while there. Otherwise, most trips are straight to meetings from airport and back to airport upon meetings.


Vienna


Home in Hamburg


Paris


London


Amsterdam

Golf, AGAIN!

No, not been playing, hence "missing" the game.

Hamburg is pleasant, but have been too busy with work to do anything else.

So what is there to write?

5 things I learn in golf:
1. Be brave, take risks early
2. Driving far is good, putting well is everything - Starting well is good, finishing is key
3. Follow instincts
4. A positive mindset improves the game
5. Focus to play offensively, not play safe.

All is applicable in work and life.

Bye Jakarta!

Big group at Kamboeng Goela


Friends from JSO


With distributor at Cork and Screw


With the gang at kitchenette


With golf buddies at Cengkareng (played 91)

I will miss Jakarta

I told my friend that when I first came to Jakarta, I had brought only one luggage. After 4 and a half years here, I have about 400 to 500kg of luggage to be brought back.

He said that when I came here, I was alone, and now I am leaving with 2 sons.

Truly words of wisdom.

I will miss Jakarta, and my friends here.

Another achievement!

Nicholas, born 8th Feb 2011, 7.42am at 2.48kg, current photo.



Gregory at 5 min old in 12th Feb 2008

Don't they look alike?



Both brothers will celebrate their birthdays together in future. Good for me, buy one cake, celebrate for two.

Which is the greater achievement?

Had my first eagle at golf today. Gading Raya, Hole 1, 474meters, blue tee, 2 on, one putt. How amazing! -2 under par! I am still wondering how I had hit 250 meters for my driver and 220 meters for my 3 wood (my average is 220 and 190 respectively). I was only 1.5 meters away from the hole on the green. What an achievement!

But compared to my good friend cum neighbour Dennis' (Head of an MNC here, see his photo in Mount Bromo posting) "achievement", his too has some "bite":

He had finished watching soccer in Kemang at 1am. Took a wrong turn and ended up in Pondok Indah, found a highway but ended up in Serpong. Went up the high way and ended up at Taman Mini (in direction of Bogor), U-turned, cried for joy when he saw "Cawang", and ended home after 3am. 2 hours on roads past midnight and at high speeds can cover an equivalent distance of Singapore to KL. By the way, Kemang is less than 8km away from our home.

In Singapore's terms, it's like staying in Orchard, was watching soccer in Marina, took a wrong turn to Havelock, up the highway to Jurong, U turned and reached Woodlands, then back to Orchard from there!

Both are rare occurences that took strokes of luck and numerous possibilities to make near-impossibles happen, so which is the greater "achievement"?