The Wait is Over...

Finally, halal pork!

Check it out in your friendly neighbourhood store.

Running into Peak

Some events are actually nice to have them, but an actual nightmare when it comes to actually running them. While some events, you think are a breeze to handle until the organizer from your nightmare came alive. One VIP event was one such event that came to past recently and was glad it did. The logistics arrangement was a sheer nightmare. Had to do all the security screening, as some high level officials were gracing the event. It was no doubt, “star/minister-studded”, if I could put it that way. Although it wasn’t a major event, but the background work was time-consuming and even blood sucking to a point, with some people refusing to cooperate and even sneered that I was being troublesome. I guess they just don’t understand that it wasn’t me, but a requirement from the legal departments of the state.

Well, you can’t change the mindset of people, but you can change the attitudes within you. Just have to be thick skin and bite the bullet to get the tasks done. At the end of the day, it was the words of appreciation from the people whom I liaised with that made it felt all so worth it. Some may say words are cheap, actions count. However, it’s the heart-felt words of appreciation that really gave a great deal of satisfaction in my role as a hotel liaison.

The event finally ended and it was by no means, impressive to see so many VIPs lurking in the hotel. All of us were excited, fascinated and wish for more of such events. Nonetheless, I think that one such event in a year is quite enough, considering all the preparation that I’ve to go through.

As if one such event in a week was not quite enough, I had a wedding event where the liaison has been pleasant until the wedding planner from my nightmare (yelp!) came about. One of the first greetings that came from her was: “If I had been their planner from the beginning, I wouldn’t have recommended them to hold it at your hotel!”

So can’t believe these words came blabbing from her mouth. As I quieten down, I started to recall that I had in fact recommended her to my couple. Oh no, what have I done to myself? She continued: “I guess my words probably came as a shock to you. As a wedding planner, I… blah blah blah….”.

Double disbelieve! While trying hard to prevent my jaws from falling, I was literally shouting in my head: “What is going on here?”.

By the power of the Holy Spirit, I managed to force a smile and replied: “Oh no, it’s ok. I’ve worked with wedding planners before. I know.”.

Suddenly, as if realizing I was not being intimidated or stressed out by her demands, she changes her tune and said that I’ve probably worked with number of wedding planners before and have probably done a hundred weddings already. A-hem! Ha…! :) I just kept quiet, smiled and just let her continue talking who she think I am. What followed was a series of arm-twisting and her commenting at how inflexible the hotel was. When the couple arrived, she continued the same demands to put pressure on me in their presence. It must be God doing His work as I managed to remain clam, composed and still personable to my couple. I oversaw the event personally on Sunday, rushing between church and hotel to prevent the planner from doing any tricks up her sleeves. I was glad the event went smoothly. I was literally over the moon when my couple personally thanked me this morning upon their check-out, for all the arrangement I made for them when they were not in Singapore. The warm feeling I felt was something that money can’t buy. They had checked out to return to Japan.

Up and coming would be the series of training programme from a reputable airline (hmmm….. :) ) from overseas whose billing issues are yet to be resolved (alas!). Need the mighty hands of God to move things and perform a miracle. Well… I so love November…. I so love December too….. Need to do more self-talk and prayers to get me through this period. Think I also need to retreat to the beach to read a book or do QT. Just me and God. Ok, this Saturday is it!