They don't even have shrimp in Australia

They're called prawns...not shrimp. So where does that phrase come from (shrimp on the barbie)? No idea.

I had a great time in Australia...One of the top employment attraction drivers for Australians is good work-life balance - and it showed. I was impressed by their easy-going attitudes and all the great legs everywhere. Though, they aren't too happy about drunk people being in their bars...so our group got kicked out of a few places (this may surprise you, but it wasn't because of me!). I got quizzed by every doorman...how much have you had to drink? When was it? What was it?

I went there for work - stayed the weekend for a music festival. Good times all around...though I left exhausted and only had a 6 days before I took off for India. I even got an work-related award!

For work, we rented out a boat and spent an afternoon on a booze-cruise. I also was able to meet up with a buddy I knew while I lived in Peru.

Thanks for reading.
Much love,
Jake

Japan, Australia, India...in one month

And I didn't take any official days off work...how's that! Well, I was in Japan for pleasure, but we had 4 days off for Chinese New Year. Then off to Sydney for work, where we have our APAC Headquarters (though the 'HQ' is moving to Singapore). We had our 2011 kick-off...and when everyone is in the same city, lots of boozing ensues. The past week I was in India for more work functions and took the weekend to see how Delhi gets down, and check off the Taj Mahal.

Here are some pics from Japan..which is a fascinating place. I just got the feeling walking around there that they are all playing on the same team. Where in China they are pretending like they are playing on the same team, but they're apathetic towards the team. Singapore isn't really playing, they're just caddying. Vietnam you feel the ambition in the air...like they are all in try-outs, wanting to make the team. India, well, they can't really play because they are all looking for a way to be the coach. That's the best way I could describe it. I'm not too sure about my reflections other than Japan as I just made those up now...but I recall walking around Japan thinking it feels like they're all playing on the same team, which was motivating.

Japanese were polite...verging on friendly. The girls dress like seductresses. The food made me want to eat all day. The "maid cafes" were disturbing that they're in business and people pay lots of money for bad food/drinks just to sit around in what feels like an elementary school. The bars/clubs were a maze. The bullet trains made me want to slap America for not already having high-speed rail throughout the country - really America?? Really? Falling far behind indeed. Let's at least borrow money from China for cool shit...

I went to Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka - all fabulous places. There is a saying for those who have visited a lot of cities...that they all seem the same. Not Tokyo. Tokyo is in a different league.

Much love,
Jake

Guess which is what

Okay...here's an easy game to play: Guess which is what picture...ready...set...go!

1. This is a guy pushing a dog in a stroller in Singapore.
2. Grandpa DeBerry
3. An entrance to a club I went in Japan...had a crazy night out till 4am.
4. Singapore, earlier today.
5. My roommates and leftover guacamole.
6. An aerobics class that happens in the plaza outside my building on Wednesdays, full of old Asian women.
7. The Japanese restaurant from the infamous fight scene of Kill Bill.

The Case of the Disappearing Shoes...

Just a quick story on my Tuesday this past week…though, a couple notes before: In Asia, everyone takes their shoes off before entering an abode. I guess we do that at my parent’s house and many other friends’ places…so it’s not too odd. Also, we have a shoe rack outside – I live with 2 other people in a condo, with security guards outside, a pool, little gym, barbeque pits…a very nice place. About half are Singaporeans and half are foreigners. Also, since I live in Singapore, I don’t think twice about leaving my nice new black shoes outside. There is only one other apartment on my floor…two elder Singaporeans whom I never see.

During my time in the States, I got dress shoes, one black pair, one burgundy pair. After two weeks back, I’ve received some compliments on the shoes – which makes my day because I’m not known for my taste in apparel or ability to dress myself.
Tuesday morning, I’m dressing up because I have a client facing meeting later in the day (at the American Club no less). I walk out to put my shoes on, having left them outside…and they are not to be found. My first thoughts go to…oh, they must be in my room. After a thorough search, they are nowhere to be found! “Damnit! I just bought them! WOW…things CAN get stolen in Singapore.”

6:15pm – Not a bad time to be home from work! Good for me - you see, my last year I rarely left work before 7:00. I walk up to the guard house to share my plight and alert them to the shoe fox...and oh, wait...no...really?...that can’t be...crap...this is awkward. I speak up, “I had a pair of shoes stolen from my place last night AND they look a lot like what you’re wearing.” Dumbfound looks all around.

That’s the punchline. The guard to my condo was wearing them. He ended up saying the cleaner of the condo found them and gave them to him - he clearly would not steal them. He took them off…revealing he doesn’t use socks…and gave them back to me. Management of the condo is conducting an investigation apparently…but my nice shoes now go in the house.

Some more pictures from home

Anca$h Tripod in 'Merica!

I've been very negligent. A quick update...I was working my butt off during the last few months of the year. I'm doing business development in Asia and that means bringing in money. Good news - I hit the annual target set out in the beginning of the year! Because of that - I rewarded myself with a trip home to see family and friends.

Some of those friends were the Ancash Tripod. If you followed my blog while I lived in Peru...you will recognize these guys! We met in Boulder, Colorado for New Year's Eve. Frank is almost done with his Master's in Social Work. Vishal frolicked around South America for about a year climbing things - he has just started his Master's in Public Administration. Both are happy...though I wouldn't expect to find them any other way. "If you're not having fun, it's your own fault."

Nee How!

Just got back from China for my 4th time in the last 6 months. Appears like China is in the press a lot and Americans are using it as a scape goat for the problems in America. I'll save my opinions for another post.

Part of my job is getting to go around and visit companies. For instance, in this last trip, I visited IBM, Ford, GE, and Exxon. Last time I was in Hong Kong we hosted a meeting at the Disney office. Here are a few pics from my trips there.

I'm learning a lot and working a lot. Across the next month I'll be rather negligent on putting up posts, as I have been for the year. I'll do a better job in 2011 of sharing my experiences out here. Some of these are from Hong Kong - though the Ford and General Electric are from their offices in Shanghai!