Mission: Impossible

And so the journey of the accidental consultant continues. You know this is cliched when you hear ppl say "you learn along the way". Never more so with this line. Upon my attachment to my first project (more of that later), I quickly learnt / realised that the consulting line is similar to that of those super agents working in IMF, (not the higher-than-any-national-debt Intl Monetary Fund type, but more the uber cool espionage type Impossible Mission Force). You see, firstly you have a "profiler" that looks at profiles of all the available "agents" (us), views and compares the agents according to their strengths and skills and what nots to then match them to available "missions" (projects). When I was briefed bout my upcoming project (no we didnt get it from shades or tape recorders that blew up after 5 seconds), I already had a stupid grin plastered on my face as the bloody Mission Impossible tune was blasting in my head!

To my project...obviously nothing I could / would talk about except it involves the implementation of key HR services from one place to another. May sound like Russian Opera (read: I dont give a shit!) to others but it definitely tickles the HR afficionado's fancy for sure, or I think! Now the irony to it all is that the client is one of the places I would love to work for too, which I applied as well and is in fact Malaysia's TOP place to work (so says some survey). So unique is this project that us "agents" are "embedded" with the client where the mission will take place, meaning I get my gears and accessories from here as well (ie. email address, laptop, smart cards, similar holidays etc). It also means I am hardly ever at home base in Uptown, unless I am there to "claim some ammo" (literally do my mileage and claims!). Lets just call this project, "Project Kerang" (pic).

Already I was considered lucky as this project requires me to travel...it was in fact THE REASON I chose it in the first place. And right before my first salary, I am required to fly with my team to the Middle East, specifically DUBAI on the 20th! But funny enough, and cliched as it may sound, timing is in fact such a bitch! I fly smack on my mum's birthday, plus THE AIESEC EVENT OF THE YEAR (no, its not some National Committee election, but the AIESEC Msia Awards Night - acronyze it and you get AMAN which is PEACE in Malay, yup...the WORD for AIESEC!) and following that a combined birthday party of several close friends in a suite at Berjaya Hotel! You would think you ll get a natural rush of excitement at the mere thought of business class travelling for work...but not surprisingly its a bit lacking in me this time! :(

Try as I might to get an ounce of excitement...I wiki-travelled and googled about Dubai and at least knowing its a shoppers paradise kinda pleased me a little. Ok got even perkier knowing that there is H&M too! Of course lets not mention the skyscrappers and many man made islands of which Nat Geo has been showcasing far too many times! However before this I got excited about the mere mention of the Burj Al Arab...but blame it on the mood, or the fact I dont even have a freakin camera, or that I am missing several major events...the feeling is just not there!

Connecting the DOTS

Mini tarts: Thanks to the sweet and lovely messages for those of you who thought it was nice to send sms'es on someone's first day on the job! It definitely melted my heart. And for those who always never fail to shower me with positive vibes wrapped with hugs and smiles and kisses to someone who was at wits end with his misery the past few months...needless to say it kept me going! And for those of you that predicted right and who need to say this...you can all collectively say this out loud so that it smacks my face real hard... "I TOLD YOU SO!"
Here's to a super journey in corporate Malaysia...

When I returned not too long ago (which sounded awkwardly wrong!), AIESEC UM invited me and Eric to share our AIESEC experiences, focusing on our working abroad journey. Now this was after we both went to an exchange participant preparation camp in Port Dickson (they call outgoing and incoming trainees that now...whats next, LEGAL IMMIGRANTS / LABOR WORKERS??).

The PD sharing was short, but it was great because the content of our experiences (although shorten dramatically to 7mins each!) gave the future ambassadors an inside and insights into whats it like going for a work abroad experience. We both enjoyed the attention given too (who wouldnt!), and shortly after that came the UM sharing...this time the crowd were the new members.

As I am always gaming for a difference, wandering how could our sharing be different than any other 'reintegration' sharing...I suggested to Eric that instead of presenting it alone, we should try to do it together. Themed "Connecting the Dots", we thought it'd be cool to share our experiences through our perspectives / dots. It would add heaps of leverage on our unique experiences together, plus doing things a little bit out of the box. Now who would ever have a sharing like this, our different lives intertwined through connected dots such as Chief Delegates for our delegation to our first national conference, rejected Local Committee Presidents, 'recycled' National Committee members and team mates in AIESEC Malaysia, facilitators in an Asia Pac conference and then...our work abroad experience at two neighbouring countries, Belgium and Germany. And now, sharing this story filled sojourn across continents in a lecture hall where it all began (at least for Eric).

We thought it went really well, although our ending was rather hurried which resulted in a rather not so good ending after all, at least for us. Not to mention some who took my constant proclamation of "how our dots connected", it got people to curiously suspect if we're both trying to publicly come out of the closet twogether!!!

Anyways, apparently the DOTS seemed to be connecting again...


May 2006 - Eric's first trip visiting me in Bonn. Our sojourn across Europe (mainly Belgium/Germany) became a monthly affair.


Sept 2007 - Same shirt, same company...the dots get connected!

I think I can safely say I owe my current job to him, as it was he who suggested me to send my cv to his current employer. I noted that I consulting isnt me, what more from the Big 4 which I never fail to shun whenever it comes to interesting opportunities, but what the heck...and voila...before you could say "Con+inSult=Consult", I got the job!

The pics were taken from our company's recently organized Impact Day, an annual community service activity. It was held the Friday before I officially began. We were at a disabled childrens home that housed several adults and old folks too. I thought it was a nice way to break the ice by joining the group early, despite not officially on payroll yet ;) Plus its doing a little bit of good for the society which will definitely get any ex AIESECer / Interact'er on board anytime!

Business analysts to consultants to managers to partners...on that day we broke ranks and built hope.



Impact Day - Kirtarsh Handicaped And Disabled Children's Home

How things can change...

Mini tarts: Ok it has been FOREVER! Things has definitely changed for sure...but lets hope this blog shall continue with a new zest.

"How things can change!"

That statement hit me reall hard the moment I got news that my original offer to continue working in Germany got cancelled! I was told before I left by my supposed future boss to enjoy my hols back home. I even had tran-fuckin-sition! I left 2 thirds of my belongings in Bonn! Once home, I waited anxiously for the unconfirmed official offer...and after inquiring about it one week upon arriving, I got the worst ever reply. A warm, pleasant lady boss (supposed i thought) replied in the most cold, cruelly blunt way stating that they will not pursue the offer. Why? She promised to call to explain...but didnt. Very professional...PROFESSIONALLY BITCHY! I was left ruing what could possibly be a great future with the Yellow Company. At the end of the day, I was understood that my old dept bitchhead played a part in it. Bless her...

"How things can change!"

This was the 2nd time I was offered another position within the same company, albeit a different role. Alas all was not well too as again, the offer was cancelled. Excuse this time was they cant justify hiring me over a local. Err...ever heard of globalisation??

For this, I even went to Singapore for a face to face interview for the role in Bonn. Job scope was given, team mates told, everything except the legal paperworks. 3 days later and I called the Singapore office...only to be told of that stupid excuse. Strike 2...

In between, an offer within Malaysia (Yellow company again) which I rejected for the one in Bonn promised to get back to me if the Bonn thing didnt happen. It didnt, I got back to the Malaysian one...and no replies! 4 weeks later, another mail...this time saying I would be surplus to requirement. Strike 3...

"How things can change!"

This statement reflected how my life, which at one point was happily confirming the fact that I would be embarking a permanent role working abroad and building my life abroad, reacts to a broken dream, cruelly shattered by office politics! Who would have guessed it would become my worst nightmare!

Staying at home reflecting all this didnt help either. I will always end up being all furious and disappointed and really upset. Dream career down in the dumps, living abroad dreams crashed...i didnt even bothered bout the fact that most of my Zara's are still in Bonn! Having a pressuring mum didnt help either...plus situations at home made things much worst! At times my parents didnt want me to return to Bonn at all...confusing me sooo much more!

I didnt feel like going out...thanks heaps to some close friends who did pester me in the end (forking the bill out was definitely a good way...I owe them for sure!). I didnt bother replying mails or updating my friends abroad. Mood wasnt there at all...

"How things can change!">
In the pursuit job hunting in Malaysia...despite being overly confident yet the very desire to find a suitable, yet challenging company to suit my own personal and professional needs seems to be a huge obstacle for me to find that RIGHT job/company. Every single day waiting for a response equals to the ego glass getting thinner and thinner, ultimately making one losing the confidence that used to maketh the person in him. It definitely brings on the humility test! You ask yourself if you re even worth it! Its during these times words of encouragement from friends really, and literally pick you up!

Each day that goes by, felt like eternity in the job hunting world. Job portals, classifieds, networks, head hunting firms...tried all of it! I am just damn picky when it comes to jobs as much as I am picky on them girls.

"How things can change!"

More than 20 hours of interviews and several more interesting options, I have now embarked on a new journey with the ideal company which I believe suits my needs and wants and everything more. Its weird that I for one never thought of myself working in the consulting line...always thought it was a job that kills of your social life just so you can put up your nose real high and say "I'm a CONSULTANT for so and so..."

But nearly all the company that responded to me were in consulting, or so they said! Turns out...some of them were mere disguises...like a Sales job disguised in Consulting! Like, I so hate having a set of targets to achieve! Dont get me wrong...targets for sales vs career targets/goals are very different!

Ultimately it boiled down to two companies. One had me meeting my team leader on one day, a phone interview the next day with its managing director, a further interview with another director, managing director and HR on another day...boy, everyone except the cleaning lady interviewed me! The company is a well known headhunting firm but they re opening up their consulting branch within the APac region. Suffice to say, theres gonna be a lot of SALES (or Business Development) work involved. When they offered me...a desperate me would have just took it!

Nevertheless...I decided to reject it, hoping the answer which I so wanted will come. The answer came...positively! So after the endless wait...the roller coaster of emotional rides...the humility and ego shattering moments, I am up and running again...and hopefully will this blog too!

So where am I now?

Businessweek for September end issue placed it tops of their 50 Best Places To Launch a Career.

Although the survey was rather surfacial and very US centric. Plus, its for the bean counters, not the consulting line. But we all jump on cheap publicity anyways...

My nose aint high...but I can kiss my social life goodbye! Guess theres gonna be more adventures coming from "The Accidental Consultant"...how things can change indeed!

My last swipe to the Yellow Company...well I am not a bitter person. But despite only a year there...I bled YELLOW! I loved the job and most of the people, the culture and even Bonn! I was gonna be the rare breed that was gonna be loyal. I was so gonna be that super employee which have the critical skills they re yearning to find. Alas...it was not meant to be. Their loss then...

Farewell Bonn, thanks for the memories!

29th June marked the day I would leave Bonn (by this time its nearly 2weeks later!), finally over and done with the most exciting year of my life. It also was smack in the middle of the mass exodus of numerous trainees, each one holding dear to one another in our rather big trainee community. Seeing that I was officially one of the longest trainee there still, plus the fact that many more from my 'gang' (we ll get to that later) were leaving shortly after me...we (as in the 'gang') decided to do like a series of farewell parties! Among others were numerous nights out clubbing, 'last' dinners and drinks with so and so, farewell lunches in office cafeteria and my personal favorite, the last minute themed "Tropical Beach Party" which was off the hook!










A sample of Tropical Beach Party photos...for more go to my FACEBOOK link here


Now, firstly on the definition of my 'gang'...I once had a real honest conversation with a Dutch chick who first labeled us the 'gang', namely me, Ana, Natasa (both Serbian hotties), Camilla (Indon hottie) and Segala (Brazilian dude hottie). Truth be told I was also closer to many, many more (Shook, Jennie, myself in the mirror etc), but visibly it seems the 5 of us were always seen as a group. Nothing bad or good, just the realization of an external perspective of how closely knitted was our group...despite the wrong numbers. Nevertheless, it doesnt help to stop distinguishing this group when we organized the series of farewells which were of course, meant for us.

Anyways, coming back to the final hours leading up to 29th June.

On the night of the 28th, the plan was at one of our (make that THE ONLY) Bonn club, Hausbar.

It was the eve of my departure...also the eve of Ana's birthday. Hence the double celebration...but I was obviously muted and quiet (till Put Your Hands Up came out!!). I was 'surprised' by a special gift by my buddies...it was a book of memories aptly titled "You know you had Leben mit (life with) Bonnie when...", and ppl will include individual memories shared with the recipient plus a photo. This went along with a pictorial book of Bonn, which all trainees would have and will get ppl to sign their names and write nice (sometimes forced) things bout the recipient. It was definitely a gift worth cherishing for me...


Me all 'shocked & surprised' over my gift ;)
Me and Segala, one of the contributors and producers of the book (who 'hid' it well from me!)
awwwwww...


Ana, person behind the book.

The other book...i changed mine from Leben in Bonn to Leben MIT Bonnie

Me and Shook...i ll miss her!

The 'gang' that went to Serbia, with the inclusion of Tanja

The sexy and good looking Coordinators Team! It was one hell of an office having them! Segala, me and Lisa (the coolest German chick you can find!)

Me and my successor...Michelle



The following day, everything was normal except for it was my last hours in Bonn. While all partygoers were trying to focus at work, I was busy packing. I had to leave from Bonn to Frankfurt Intl Airport at 6pm, leaving an opportunity for one final farewell with anyone that can make it to the McD's in front the train station at 5pm. Now, heres the deal...prior to this moment I didnt have any chance to reflect on my whole years experience here simply cuz for 2 hectic weeks, it was filled with unexpected interviews among unexpected interviews...one of which provided me an offer upon my first interview! So after heaps of meets and interviews (for my last day, I had FOUR!!), plus the verbal offer certainty of you coming back to Bonn again but the agonizing wait for HR and work permit confirmation, one definitely had no time to get all emotional. But then came that Friday, 29th June...most of my friends on Gmail chat had their nicks like "Farewell Bonnie" and "Goodbye Bonnie :(", it hit me that this WORKING ABROAD experience is finally OVER! Life as an AIESEC Trainee is DONE! Then upon seeing Segala's nick which sounded something like above...it just hit me...all the memories, friendship, job and experiences in one year that could all got mashed into a huge ball smacked right at my head!

For the 1st time abroad, not even during my first farewell...I CRIED!!! And I cried like a pussy! It was the sobbing, nose blocked type! And it was a good 20mins till Jennie Lee called and said, "Hey, I got your tickets!" (we were both taking the train to Frankfurt, a decision I didnt regret!)

Anyways, over and done with the tears! Hurried to McD's with Antoine Frenchboy cum chef extraordinaire who was such a buddy to fetch me over there! Although I didnt expect many to come (well, secretly I did!), slowly one by one arrived. In the end...there were 25ppl that came...it just made me the HAPPIEST!! You know your last moments whenever you re leaving will be the most cherished and memorable, so these guys and girls definitely made it all special for sure! I ll remember each of their faces as I hugged/kissed them one last time! Thankfully I had enough Malaysian postcards to give to all of them as my parting gift!

Arriving at the train station was rather rushed...but it was the most poignant scene I ll ever remember!! I always told myself that if someone cries when you leaves, you definitely were a huge part of their lives.
I will always remember the scene at Gleis 3 of the Bonn Hauptbahnhof...for it will remain etched in my memories forever!

The fact that nearly all my trainee friends were there, having some of them cry for me was a little too much. And to think, the only people I made cry were just ex girlfriends! I began to think if its surreal or just plain drama! Didnt help much with a very ON TIME train, I had to rush all the hugs, missing out on some! But with an eye of the whole scene all the time, it was just hard not to miss Natasa's and Shook's red eyes, Ana crying in one corner while someone was consoling her, Segala trying to hold it...it was the moment I stepped into the train with Jen. As the door closed, I managed to snap a final photo (which was crappy)...and I thought I controlled well, but when the train left...I was crying like a pussy again, this time on Jen's shoulders! This time, it was loud...real loud!
In Gleis 3 of the Hbf, part of the crowd that sent me off ;(

"Today, my heart melted into a puddle..." It was Jen's last minute addition to my Leben in Bonn book, which pretty much summed up the whole day. It was just the sweetest thing at the moment, was glad I spent my last hours in Germany with her!

First ever German AIESEC conference & Justin Timberlake's Concert - Part 3 (finale of a 3 part series)

Mini Tarts: Again...wayyyyy too late for an update. By the way...am back home in Malaysia. More on that in the next postings.

June 8th-10th, Lueneburg (somewhere near Hamburg).

I finally was able to chair an AIESEC conference in Germany. Always wanted to do it simply cuz you re in AIESEC for darn long, you just wanna see how its like working for it in another country... and to simply increase my German friend base :) Always the selfish dude...oh yeah, if I do manage to inspire or motivate more than 1 people, that ll be a bonus! And of course, to show what we Malaysians are made of!

In short, it was definitely the MOST TOUGHEST chairing experience ever simply cuz I was working with people who have never know me before and thus, many expectations were brought into the mix. In contrast to chairing something in Malaysia or even Asia Pac, where people would already know you somehow and thus command a teeny bit of respect...here I have to build them all in the first day I met the trainers for ice breaking cum expectation setting. On top of that, it was harder too since much of the agenda was settled and the team selected already...so merely this "chair" role was purely of symbolic purposes...although that was changed as I did wanna assume a large amount of responsibility.

Nevertheless, I did get to know the team much better. They were such a big sport too...very open and direct with their feedback which i totally appreciated. Help eased up things on the opening day, then everything was presumably smooth sailing. The crowd was pleasing too (on the eye as well)...but I guess on lots of the trainers perspective, I could do much much better on the timing (what was I thinking, its Germany for goodness sake!). However...a question on do you wanna end things on time when conference mood is on a high or do you wanna begin sessions on time cuz the agenda says so...??? Tough pick, one has to make the decisions and usually not ALL will like it.

Sadly, this is the first conference I ve chaired where I went off knowing that delegates response was awesome to me, but cant be said for all the trainers. It was a gut feel...but hey, we all learn! It was definitely an eye opener for me...would love to do it again for sure! And am glad that the people I met there will be friends for life!

Heaps of pics can be seen here







J Timberlake's concert - 10th June

Me and Blondie Natasa were counting down the days to this event! Sadly, due to delayed trains right after the conference I had to miss the opening act by Natasha Beddingfield! DAMN!!
Nevertheless, arrived just in time for JT to open with FutureSex/Lovesound...the concert was a AMAZING, FANTASTIC and definitely ABOVE EXPECTATIONS!!! The best part was the surprise inclusion of Timbaland...he came!! Did a cool 30min solo as well!

The 2.5 hour spectacle was just simply of the hook!! The crowd was HUGE, although most of them were sitting (hello...who sits in a freakin concert man!).

JT did almost ALL his songs from his new album, some from his first effort and ONE from an N'Sync number!! No doubt Sexyback got the biggest cheers (it was the last song of his set, before an encore), but Nat was anticipating Cry Me a River while I was waiting for My Love. It was worth every euro of the ticket price (all 46 of it!!).

Cool thing was one of Timbaland's number had images of skyscrapers from around the world...and Petronas Twin Towers was there!! Woo hooo!!!

I didnt had soooo much fun in a concert before...and JT did it for me!

Links to THE DANISH WEDDING pics

Finally they're here!!
Below are the links to some really gorgeous pics of the LeeDixon's wedding in Copenhagen.

Renbin's Picasa pics
My Facebook pics

Heres a sneak peek at a few of them...

A Danish Fairytale Wedding, 1st-2nd June - Part 2

Mini Tarts: Below is the speech I wrote (plagiarized too) for the wedding. As the wedding was void of any religious or spiritual elements, I was given the honor to live out my once in a lifetime fantasy of being a priest/minister, by preciding the union of both my good friends, RenBin and Rolf. Symbolically, they changed their last names to LeeDixon. Congratulations newly weds!

The Introduction of the Ceremony and Couple

"Blessed with an amazing weather, a beautiful scenery, a dashing prince and a gorgeous princess...not to mention some kids making some noise in the background, welcome to this wonderful fairytale. We are gathered here today to participate in the most time honored celebration of the human family, uniting a woman and man in marriage.

We are priviledged to witness the union of two beautiful and wonderful people, Rolf and RenBin, through their very own unique celebration and public acknowledgement of a love they have for each other.

On this day you are specially invited so that Rolf and Bin would be able to share with us of their journey from PAST, to the PRESENT and to the FUTURE.

My name is Bonnie and I am proud to be given this honor to precide over this beautiful wedding.

From the PAST;

It was three years ago from this date, their passion and love started and brought them together, along with hopes and dreams shared. The location was Malaysia, the land where its beautiful and exotic, where it is a potpourri of cultures and traditions, where the modern urban blends with traditional rural...and apparently where the Danish men steal our women!

The past also brings us to Denmark, the land of serenity and fairytales. And the fairytale continues with a deep, profound respect for each other, while breaking down cultural divides and sacrifises made, their love and passion grew till the day a question of lifelong commitment was asked 1 year ago to this date.

Which brings us to the PRESENT;

As we come together on this day, Rolf and Bin wishes to project a unique celebration which is simple yet oozes charm and elegance with their closest few; their family and good friends. They also wished for this celebration to be void of religious and spiritual elements as Rolf and Bin envisioned a ceremony that brings the truest meaning of what a wedding is indeed all about; the union of two souls, the coming together of two individuals, whose hearts and spirits are entwined as one.

It is through this union they both perform an act of faith. This faith can grow and develop and last, only if Rolf and Bin both decide to make it so, and not guaranteed by any religious or spiritual ritual.

And through this commitment made today, Rolf and Bin now desire to profess before us all, their special guests, of their intentions to take the journey of life, heading to the FUTURE together...fuelled by dedication, love, joy and lots of laughter.

I would like to take the opportunity to introduce the King and Queen of the day, expressed in a way which the both of them know I do best, through a poem. It may be from a personal point of view, but I am sure you will agree on some points.

" Words are hard to describe who is she
Thats Bin to you and me
Smart, sarcastic, sweet and even strict
Echoes all in country and district


I know her back then in 2002
From uni mates, AIESEC colleagues, even the same classes too
Through common interests in humor, food and trends
It was how we became the best of friends

She longed to be a film and fashion critic
She ought to open a cinema or a boutique
I knew she was unique with her fashion back then
Remember her strange, fringe only blonde strands?

Now he was the 3rd Dane to come to KL

The girls (and some guys) fell immediately under his spell
Us guys thought he was such a thorn
Cuz the girls were always curious abut his horn

Through football our friendship started
AIESEC activities, he's very dedicated
Outgoing, helpful, wise and very driven
He often never expects anything in return

Since they met, she captured his heart
From that day on they never part
On this day their union is best acclaimed
From the moment they changed their family name

I am glad and proud to play a small part
Of how this fairytale begin to start
It has finally come to this very day
'I DO' is all thats left to say"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Introduction of Wedding Vows

...we now proceed to the next part of the ceremony. The time has come for Rolf and Bin to exchange wedding vows.

Dear guests, we are now priviledged to participate and witness the public acknowledgement of bth Rolf's and Bin's love for one another. Lets hear their dedications before us all. I would like to invite the groom to proceed first, followed by his beautiful bride.

~~~~~~wedding vows~~~~~~~~

May Rolf and Bin keep the vows made between them on this day. And to solemnize their profession of love for one another and to declare their union, we proceed to the witnessing the exchange of rings.

Exchanging of Wedding Rings

Deeply seeped in tradition, this circlet of precious metal is justly regarded as a fitting emblem of the purity and perpetuity of the union of two souls. We are reminded that the ring represents the circle of eternity, fashhioned as to have neither beginning nor end. Let it serve the meaning of this partnership to bring the both of you closer together and to last forever.

We are also reminded that the precious stones are so incorruptable that it cannot be tarnished by use or time. Then let this mean that the love of Rolf and Bin be incorruptable in its purity and will remain as precious as always. I would like to invite the best man to deliver the rings.

Announcement of HUSBAND and WIFE

As the rings have been placed, the vows have been declared, thus this union have been solemnized. May Rolf and Bin find happiness through this union, may they live faithfully together, may they remain ever loving and compassionate and may their journey be filled with the joys of life. Let it be known that a relationship isnt counted by the number of years shared, but the number of times you laughed, kissed and embraced together.

Now through the responsibility vested in me, I stand before your family and your close friends to (it was here that the generator died...leaving an eerie silence without music to accompany the last moment)...

I now pronouce you HUSBAND & WIFE. You may both kiss..."