Beijing

Last week I went to Beijing for some work stuff, and had the chance to stay at the new yet-to-open Conrad Beijing. Beijing were suffering from incredibly terrible pollution. Tree days before I arrived, the pm2.5 reading from the US Consulate was in the 700s. But The maximum reading was set only to 500. When we got off the plane, the smog was thick and it smelled like burning trash.
However, the day after we arrived, the sky cleared up. The reading went down to health level.
I wonder what was the magic?

Back to work

Back from Bangkok on the 6th, and jumped right into my new position on the 7th. Chaos! I miss Thailand. Why can't life be 1 long beach vacation?
The new position is challenging by the fact that I am still doing my projects, with added responsibility to managed a shamble team, fix the unresolved problems I inherited, start a new relationship within a political tug of war between 2 departments, and many more. I am exhausted already and it has only been 2 weeks.
Birthday was spent quietly. It was Jenny's 40th BD. I tagged along for the celebration. But Saturday, we had a group for dinner at Jesse and drinks at the Apartment. As you get older, that's all you need as birthday gift and celebration. A nice meal with some friends.
I was up north in Shijiazhuang last week during one of the worst pollution. Smog was so think. The pollution reading when off the chart literally. Beijing and surrounding areas were basically covered with a layer of thick particles. Disgusting!

Hua Hin Hyatt Regency

I know... But when I have 2 free nights and $200 bucks to spend, (thanks to Paul and Kirrily), who is Hilton again?
Just a couple of days to relax by the pool before heading into Bangkok. Made an appointment for my first Vichy shower experience tomorrow morning. So excited.

Happy New Year 2013

2012 just came and gone in a flash. It was overwhelmingly fast!
We spent the NYE at Hilton Zhongshan with friend/General Manager Rachel, and her husband Mark who came up from Cambodia. It was so great to finally visit her. Rachel spent last year preparing for the opening of the hotel. It was such effort and nice to be able to see it in person. Wish her all the best with the hotel.
Today, we traveled from Zhongshan to Hua Hin Thailand. In fact, I am writing this at the lobby bar. How civilized to have a vodka tonic under the ceiling fan and surrounded by fresh warm air.
A well deserved break, so I said.