Oh boy. Am totally drained right now. Just managed time to get some breather before things ramp up again.
And this is exciting times for me.
The order came down just 40 hours prior. All the instructions I had was summed up in a 10 minute phone call and a couple of documents to review. I am given two days to make my way half way around the world to take on a new project.
So I had less than 2 days really to get all the paperwork ready, the travel arrangements, and multiple phone calls to gather as much information I can. That doesn’t give me much time. For every piece of info I got, spawns more questions. Oh well, I’ll just have to deal with the what, why, who, how and when along the way.
I slept about 5 and 2 hours the last 40 hours. So I am mentally and physically drained right now. I will have time to catch up on the much needed sleep on the long flight ahead.
I just love the job! All the adrenalin rush are just the sort of stuff that gets me all motivated.
When I first heard of this project on the grapevine, I was already … wishing that they will pick me to take it on. Hehehe … frankly, I was confident I am the right man for the job. My project team just managed to pull off the last delivery which beat the rest of the world to the tape. Really, it was an amazing feat and caused a lot of jaws drop. You just need a few good and committed folks throwing all they have. Yeah, the team surprised the aviation industry. Kekeke … next time you are asked to pay extra for excess baggage, remember Ben OK?
So I’ll be away for the next two weeks. The mission will not be too difficult — just nail the scope and develop a delivery plan. Should be a walk in the park, I think. Been there done that before.
What excites me is not just the work but the destination is going to be exciting … the best place in the world I would want to be! There will be a lot of learning … and most importantly of all, it is a culinary mecca I am going to.
I think I am gonna gain a few more pounds by the time I get home. And I will have lots to share with you all too!
Just a couple of hours ago, Suanne and I went out for late night supper before she sends me off to the airport. Gonna miss the gal … and also the boys. They gave me a huge hug. Gosh, I did not realize that they can lift me up off the floor. LOL!
Suanne and I went to Jubilant on No 3 Road. It is our favourite late night supper place. I wanted to get some comfort food before I leave and spend time with Suanne.
Wasn’t really hungry actually. We got a bowl of large congee. It is plain with some dried scallops. The dried scallops are not really there for taste. Just for show and so that they can charge a bit more.
Got the above for the first time. Never came across this before. Can’t exactly remember the name. I think it is something like deep fried pig intestines and pineapple.
That name sounded interesting and it turned out to be a good choice.
It is a thin layer of crispy intestines — crispy on the outside and soft and moist inside. It was nice dropping a piece into the congee and eat it from the congee … or even eat it by itself.
Beneath that is some pineapple pieces. It seems like they are from canned and sweetened ones. Canned or not, it was a good contrast to the intestines.
Suanne’s favourite is the deep fried tilapia. It was a bit boney on some part but on the parts that were really deep deep fried, it was crispy and “heong”.
We had too much. Bill came to about $21.00 with tips included.
Ooops, gotta go … they just made the boarding announcement!
Must be Taipei you’re visiting 🙂
I was thinking that too! Have fun, be safe Ben!
Have a safe trip Ben! If it is Taipei, you have to go to the night markets – but I don’t need to tell you that. lol
Have a great trip and look forward to Chow Times blogs from far away eateries. The world leaadrrs need to just talk food more; peace and harmony will be the order of the day. Yes? Cheers:-)
Yes! We are all about food. Amen!
Hmm, Taipei is certainly not a culinary mecca. Hongkong is more likely 🙂
Hi Hans: Whoa … I have to warn ya that there are a LOT of Taiwanese on chowtimes. So when you said that Taipei is certainly not a culinary mecca, it could rub some of the folks the wrong way. LOL! Ben
in a movie about eating, this would be a flashback about ben’s life coming to be what it is now. *mutters swear word* i wish this entry lead on to more of what u were about to do.
i really enjoyed this entry ~ suspense?
I’ll guess Singapore.
Actually Singapore’s not on the departure list so I’ll guess Hong Kong.
=) There are no direct flights out of Vancouver to Singapore. That’s why you’ll never see it on the departure list. People flying to Singapore will have to transfer either in Taipei (China Airlines), Hong Kong (Cathay Pacific), or possibly Seoul(Korea Air(?)).
I’m guessing Singapore as well.
Hi Ivy: I like your reply to Travis. Shows that you know the flights in and out of Vancouver (which is not many!!). Ben
Godspeed, Ben San !
So next time I’m cursing to pay for extra check-in luggage, I’m supposed to think of you ? [wink]
Hey, excited for you. Good luck on the project.
Errr… Hyderabad? 🙂