Seoul Searching

This September, Joey and I are indeed going to Korea to have our authentic Bibimbap and Beef Bulgogi lunch, then have coffee at the actual coffee shop used in Coffee Prince then end the afternoon with a cruise at Han River. At night, we will go to Nami Island, the site of the famous Winter Love Song telenovela.

It sounds so surreal and like some made-up stories but its not. My boss had just given me a free trip to Korea for some R&R with my husband as a birthday gift!

The weeks before my birthday (August 30) had been so hectic because of our transfer to our new home at Manhattan. I told everyone that my birthay celebration will be on the 6th of September instead and it will be at the new condo.

But then, surprises just kept on coming my way...

1st Joey gave me an LV bag -- my greatest bag ever!

2nd, my team gave me a surprise birthday celebration on the 28th of August. They came up with the concept of everything KOREAN. So, they all dressed up as characters from various Korean movies and telenovelas I've seen. I have to guess which movie they represent then I get a chocolate for every correct guess I made. Then they gave me this really delicious chocolate cake after singing happy birthday.

3rd, they had a 2nd surprise on the same day by making me find clues and answer questions from different people in the office. Of course, being stratregic planners, its still all under the Korean theme. I got to collect pictures from various Korean telenovelas when I answered the questions correctly. Finally, it all led to the brainstorming room where Lynne, my boss was waiting. They docorated it in Korean theme with a wish tree containing various birthday wishes from different people in the company. And they prepared gifts with meaning which they gave me one-by-one.

4th, the surprise didn't end there. They made me form the puzzle at the back of the Korean pictures I got. What I saw is a bigger picture of a girl in Korean costume and the last question asking where can I enjoy great Korean food and the sights of Korea. The answer is Korea of course. Then my boss said she is giving me and Joey a trip to Korea as a gift! I got so overwhelmed it filled-up my heart to the brim and welled up in my eyes.

Lastly, we had the most sumptuous Korean lunch in the office! They ordered everything from a Korean restautant at Thonglor and its really delicious.

And so we are off to Korea for some R&R. I think our "Seoul Searching" will be worth the trip.

To be grateful for: All kinds of surprises -- big or small.

The Brain Factory

I consider my Strategic and Account Planning team as the BRAIN FACTORY in our company. Work can get crazy that we can have as many as 8 brainstorming sessions in a day and write as many as 85 proposals in a month! The creative juices just have to keep on flowing as we can't just say NO, we won't do it.

And yet despite of all these insanity, this is one job that keeps my sanity. Every proposal released is a masterpiece and well-thought off. And it is such a rewarding experience when it gets approved and then we get to see our ideas implemented.

My Thai and Filipino teams are my treasures in the office. I found real diamonds in them. Here they are in an artwork rendered by Kam.

From top left, going right then down to left: Jane, Lara, Andrew, Fon, Kam, Pid, Kat and Vi.

Meet the Brain Factory!

To be grateful for: Finding skills and talents in people and having the chance to hone them.

A team that really works together.

A creative working environment.