December 23rd – Day 2 (aka Continental SUCKS!)

Again at Newark airport…this time waiting on standby on the 1:20PM flight. Again, oversold so of course, again, we couldn’t make it. Once again, I ended up camping out at the Service Desk as Ricky fumed away.

Oh, and get this...

1. Continental cancelled all our return flights again...with no explanation

2. Even though we had a confirmed flight for 12/24, that was also miraculously cancelled

3. They said they couldn't guarantee that we can get our CONFIRMED flight back because "corporate" is no longer allowing for oversold flights

We called for the manager, and the people at the service desk just ignored us, telling us to use the courtesy phone. So ask I sat on the floor rechecking our return flights, Ricky used the courtesy phone and we waited and waited and waited and all we got was, oh well, it's going to take a while. Finally, Ricky called Continental, got a manager on the line and managed to rebook the flight. So much for not overselling flights anymore "per corporate". We were still on the oversold list, but at least our flight was confirmed!! (We hope...)

December 22nd – Day 1 Hawai'i Trip

We missed the plane!! Once again, Ricky decided to leave for the airport at the very last minute, trusting that his driving skills will get us to the gate just in the nick of time. Since that policy had worked in the last 20+ years that Ricky had been speeding to airports, he didn’t see why it wouldn’t work today. Unfortunately, the Friday before Christmas is the busiest travel day of the year (duh!) and the check-in as well as the security line was incredibly long. We were late already, plus with the million people at the airport there wasn’t much that even the airline staff could do for us.

When we finally got to the check-in desk all they could do was book us on the next flight. To our dismay, they told us was going to be on December 29! Hawaii is just too popular a destination!!! As we contemplated the possibility that our trip would be cancelled and calculating our potential losses, our check-in agent informed us that we could be put on standby for the 1:20PM flight (or original was 7:50AM). A little hope is better than no hope, therefore, we agreed. For the next few hours, we hung out at the Newark Liberty Airport, having Sanku chicken for lunch and trying to entertain ourselves as much as we can.

The time came for the 1:20PM flight and we knew things looked bad when they called for people to give up their seats because the flight was oversold. In the end, we could not get on the plane L. From 2PM to 4PM we stayed at the service desk, trying to rebookour flights. Finally, we were put on standby again for 12/23 and confirmed for 12/25. Then came the issue of our baggage.

Our check-in lady had informed us that if we don’t make the flight, our bags also won’t make it. Unfortunately, as we have now come to expect from Continental, we found out when we got to Baggage Services (another floor) that our bags have already flown off to Honolulu. Well! Since we still plan to take the trip, we’ve decided that fine, just keep it there and we’ll catch up with it on 12/24 or better yet, 12/23. Then Baggage Lady said, oh wait, all your return trips have been cancelled!! I was about to cry, I was so tired from waking up super early, then waiting in the airport all day, then losing our luggage and then this!! But that’s life…Ricky and I vowed to avoid holiday travel at all costs from now on. In the end, the baggage lady was nice enough to help us rebook our flights for the way back. Ricky and I slowly and sadly made our way home.

What a miserable, nasty day

When days start bad, they usually stay bad...

I woke up at 8:30AM because Ricky forgot to set the alarm to wake up. Sure, I know I shouldn't blame it on him, but I specifically asked him if he was going to set the alarm before we went to bed and he had said yes. So sadly, I had to run around like a headless chicken and get ready within 15 minutes, which turned out to be around 20 minutes.

As I ran off to work, I thought...well as long as I don't have a 9:30 meeting, I will be fine. I didin't remember if I had a 9:30 meeting. It was the weekend!

First, as I was crossing the street this car turning right almost hit me. Oh, I wasn't jay walking, not this time...I actually had a WALK signal. This old lady drivng the car lowered her window and scream, "you wanna get your ass hit?" I was in too foul a mood to just take it and walk off, so I yelled back, "YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO LET PEOPLE WALK!!" She said, "I HAVE A GREEN LIGHT!" Umm...lady, do you know how to drive??? Pedestrians always have the right of way!!! ARGH, how's that to a cheery start?

Then, I got to the PATH station and I knew something was wrong. The platform was incredibly crowded. Yet, a 33rd St. train quickly approach so maybe I caught a break. But no, once I got on, the conductor announced that due to smoke between 14th and 23rd street the train was to be rerouted to WTC. So I could get off, and the next train may end up going the same way, and be even more late. Or I stick it out and go to WTC and take the E, or course, I just wanted to go, so I stuck it out.

It then turns out, that today was one of the few few few days that I actually did have a 9:30 meeting. ARRGHHH!!! I walked in at 9:50 or so, yes very late, but luckily before the meeting moved to focus on my department so I was blessedly ignored for a good 30 minutes. No one gave me a hard time about it, but I feel bad about being late.

To add to the misery, I have this horrible cold and my nose keeps running, and running. The sniffing gave me this pounding headache so I was just generally miserable. Then of course on the way home, the train once again gave me trouble, being stalled on the tracks for at least 30 minutes. I need to sleep early and get this day over with!!!

Picture of the Day

St. Paul's Convent School - This is where I attended 3rd and 4th Grade in Hong Kong. I recall them as some of the worst times of my life. While I did fine grade-wise, I was considered a bad student because I often forgot to bring things to school. Photos, some book, something or another. Worst of all - in the eyes of the teachers - I didn't care. Australia taught me to relax, and I never really gave that up. Haha..thankfully, my parents mostly agreed with me rather than the teachers.

Team Lunch

I organized a team lunch for my team. I wanted it to be great, I really did and planned weeks in advance. The one mistake I made was to trust the admin I was working with with the details. Not only did she recommend a restaurant that does not allow for reservations, I had trusted her when she said that I did not need to worry, that a reservation was not necessary.

The whole team turned up for lunch on Friday and I learned that not only was the restaurant packed, they cannot seat parties larger than 6 at one table. I was utterly embarressed. Of course I felt that everyone thought that I was the one who couldn't even plan a team lunch. Yet, at that point, what could be done? Thankfully, others familiar with the area was able to recommend a restaurant close by that happened to have space for 15. We all walked over and ended up having quite a good time. This was despite the excitement of the fire alarm going off and firefighters coming in to fix the problem. Oh yes, very interesting indeed. On a up note, I did get a starbucks gift card as part of the gift exchange game we played. I'm sure that's something I can put to good use.

*Sigh* what an ordeal!!

Company Holiday Party

Just came home from the company holiday party. It was surprisingly lively! Granted the place was packed with 1500 people but the nutty dancing indeed took me by surprise. All in all, it was a great party the weather was perfect for it and the turnout was great. Open bar, great food, from an indian buffet to a carving station, to a pasta buffet. The dessert also proved delicious...nothing can beat chocolate covered strawberries! Most impressive was the location, La Capitale, a swanky function hall with beautiful domed ceilings and massive golden pillars. The building, oddly set in the middle of Chinatown on Bowery and Grand is simply beautiful. It was nice catching up with workfolk. Although I avoided making a fool of myself on the dancefloor...I still had plenty to drink and almost surprisingly, a lot of fun. :)

December 11 2006: Picture of the Day

Fields of flowers in Hokkaido - We went to Hokkaido mainly to see the lavender fields we are only in bloom for around 3 weeks in the year. These are not lavender, but they are beautiful aren't they?

Laundry

I hate doing laundry, hate hate hate hate it. While I know that it is a necessity of life, to me, it is the most brainless, boring housework there is. The most evil of the evils.

Sure I know it's easy enough to put the clothes into the machine then move them to the dryer, but then comes the folding. Facing a seemingly endless pile of clothes and folding each and every piece one by one, no shortcuts. Then always coming to the bottom of the pile with a missing sock or two, just enought o irritate. My back starts aching and shoulders tense every time. Once when it waited until it was late at night to start the laundry, I actually cried as I folded my little mountain of garments. Tears streamed down my face as I lamented the fact that I was tired and sleepy but could not sleep until I clear my clothing off my bed. I feel tense even writing about it and imagining the situation.

*Sigh* I really need a cleaning lady to come help out, the house is such a mess but I just don't have the motivation or ability to keep up with the grime.

2006 Holiday Letter

Ricky and I are attempting to write a holiday letter this year. Since Power and Influence, in which the Professor professed the benefits of using such a tool to keep in touch and keep a network strong. Of course, there are no sinister motives for me to write such a letter, more just to keep others abreast of our lives. Here's the outline I have so far:

Cecilia

Work related
Graduated Columbia Business School
Started work at Citi Cards

Fun related
Went to to Peru for Spring Break
Traveled to Hokkaido wtih mom

Ricky

Work related
Started work at Morgan Stanley (March)

Both
Going to Hawaii for a wedding over Christmas

It's not very balanced is it? Well, I'm still brainsorming.