How to save RM 900 in 15 minuttes

Yesterday I found out how to save more than RM 900 and it only took me 15 minutes.

I was on my way to the airport, running out of the front door. I realised on the way to the monorail that I have forgotten something important at home, so I ran back, got my stuff and was out of the door in 15 minutes.
I got on the monorail and got to the bus that would take me to the airport. I just missed the previous one but they departure every -like- 20 minutes (That would be when the bus is full). This bus was not full, so I waited maybe 15 minutes before I was on my way from KL Sentral to the airport.

Close to the airport there was kinda heavy traffic and the bus was driving very slowly. I started to be a bit stressed. In front of the airport main entrance there was a taxi that, despite the huge signs, was unloading for a customer and thus blocking the entire traffic flow. After unloading and waiting for the customer to fumble with the money he finally sat in his car and slowly drove away, making room for the other cars and my bus to pass and park further down the road.

I ran
I ran really fast.
I got to the counter and the nice check-in lady explained to me that the flight had already boarded and that I hadnt even checked in. It was out of her hands now, but I could go to the service counter. As I had no bags to check-in maybe they could get me on my flight. I tried, but no. By then, the status of the plane was already "departured" even though it was still in the airport. But they had closed the gates, removed the stairs and all that.
I understand - I usually curse people who cant be on time and thus delays the flight for the joy of everyone.

(Its a system one cant mess with. This is Malaysia, curse the foreigner who tries to bend the system, to mess with the authority of the staff. They follow orders and there are rules. This is the time of the day where they have the sense of being important. Its annoying, but I kinda understand. If I hated the world, I would probably become a security guard or a part of the administration staff dealing with tax or unemployment -or something else that are really important to people- just to get back at the world. Maybe even a dentist muhaha.)

Ok, right.
Next flight; tomorrow.
Price; RM 225 in the airport (later I discovered that it is 210 incl. airport tax if I bought it online).
Updated days of vacation/diving; 1
Health status; still with a terrible cold, making it quite possible that I cant go diving anyway. 
Quick Cost/Benefit analysis; no. Its not worth it.

Those 15 minutes
Those stupid 15 minutes!
... had I not gone back. Had I just gotten in the previous bus. Had I just checked in via my phone when I was in the bus. Had there been no jam. No, actually I cant blame it on the jam as it was only heavy traffic...

Truth is, I should have walked out that door 30 minutes before.

So, one might say that I just lost RM 550 in flight tickets.
One might also remind me that I just lost a nice vacation at Koh Lanta aka Paradise on Earth.
One might also note that I just missed the opportunity to meet a new dive friend from Sipadan - which I actually was looking forward to dive with.
Most would probably bring my attention to the fact that I just lost the opportunity to see mantas - as they were spotted the day before my vacation and yesterday as well.

But,
I would say that I just saved approx RM 900 worth of diving and accommodation on Koh Lanta - maybe even more if one take food, beverages and Thai massage into account!


 No I mean it,


seriously...


It was actually a good thing that I missed my flight with 15 minutes... 


..... I just saved RM 900 ....










Right? .....









Dammit







;-( 

Sound Logo inflation

Enhance your consumer based brand equity, strengthen your brand associations and build your brand value with sounds. Sound branding, Sound logos, Sound Strategy and Brand universe are buzz word and can make companies throw thousand (if not millions) at the new hip sound bureaus that pops up all over the western branding world.

http://www.premiumbeat.com/ bear witness to that sound logos are getting generally accepted amongst companies and private persons. Who doesn't want to have personal sounds for e.g. their smartphone? Buy your personal sound here for approx $30.

Is it necessary for a company to customize (or “co-create”) a unique corporate sound and spend valuable resources on something that, now, can be bought off the shelves? Consumers might not hear the difference anyway – what is the difference between Mercedes-Benz expensive “uh-uhh” or Intels oldie “dam-dam-dam-dam” or McDonalds “da-da-dam-da-daaa” composed by Justin Timberlake and Premiumbeats premade-off the shelves-sounds?

I think I know the answer… Do you?

Its a long way to the top if you wanna rock and roll

Climbing a mountain is easy. Dont read too much about the challenge, pack your back (and consult more experienced people if you are in doubt of the packing list), and go.

The Kinabalu mountain is located in Sabah, Borneo and is 4095 m at Low Peak, where climbers ends to see the sunrise.

Everyone can climb Mount Kinabalu - thats whats the guidebooks saids.

I am about to agree - but not quite. It is true that no mountain-gear or special climbing skills are needed, one can hike all the way up. However, it is a must to be a bit fit and it is a must that you are willing to hang in a robe on the steep mountain side almost 3800m above ground (its only dangerous if you let go).

But besides from that, you will do great!

Coming down was actually the hardest part - or the day after going up the stairs to the hotel room.

No matter how exhausted, no matter how much the body aches - one has to continue. Because there is no other way. There is something about a challenge like that. The point of no return.

I believe that one must set oneself challenges like that once in a while. We live in a society where we can alway call a cap - or pay someone to do things for us. We are never faced with situations where we HAVE to continue, even though our mind and body tells us no. I think we are spoiled.

In math class in early primary school, I remember that my teacher told us that no matter how many 9's one puts on 0,9, it will never become 1. It will always be less.
I later came to think of it and realized, that sometime one has to cross the line in order to know where it is. If one always stays on the safe side, one never know exactly where ones limit is. It will never become 1.
I think that it is important to know ones own limits - otherwise how can you answer the questions: What can you do?

At least now I know I can set myself a goal, keep the spirit up during the journey and enjoy it - no matter how much will power it took at some points.

"Mountain Climber" is on the personal CV!

What rather than Where

I was filling out this survey yesterday regarding my future expectation in the labour market. I was asked to rank the parameters most important for me when looking for jobs. I choose things such Career Opportunities in the Company, Company Image, Start Salary, Managing Style, and Location.

I am a stereotype of my generation; A global citizen that is confused about all the choices that is possible in this world, because she believe she can be whatever she want. In career settings she thinks about myself before of others – the worst fear being to wake up one day and discover that realization of one self is too late. Well educated, years of work experience and awareness of what to offer. Egocentric, Global and Spoiled. That's my generation.

So, I was brainstorming about future jobs – not for now but whenever I finish my thesis and all that. I start to feel the stress already; a new era in my life is approaching fast and I have to be ready in order not to waste time. Location seemed to be my most consciously preferred parameter. However, I realised that the criteria that defined Location was not as I thought. It was not about distance from my original home or which country I want to see.

Unconsciously, I chose large urban cities – regardless of country and regardless of distance from my original home. As I see myself as an urbanised person the type of city is more important than location in the world. It fits more into my perceived self to live in an international, urban capital, than a small to medium sized town in Denmark, placed as far away from the capital Copenhagen in terms of Location and Theme as possible.

I would rather live in Singapore than in Struer.

 VS

I did this! IGEM2010

This is what I have been working on the last two month at the Danish Embassy in Kuala Lumpur where I am working. The article is posted on the Embassy's website.

DANIDA PAVILION STOLE THE ATTENTION ON IGEM2010
The Embassy can modestly say that the IGEM 2010 was a great success for our companies. The four day event attracted nearly 80.000 visitors and created much attention and activity for the Danish Embassy's participating companies.

During the four day event the DANIDA pavilion was visited by many important persons such as Malaysia’s Prime Minister, the King, Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water Datuk Peter Chin, Department Minister of Energy in Brunei and The Vice Director of China’s National Energy Administration together with the Director of China’s New Energy and Renewable Energy.

The pavilion was very well visited by IGEM’s approx 80.000 visitors in total which created a lot of activities for our participating companies.

Activities at the DANIDA pavilion included a Technical seminar with company presentation and presentation of the four exhibiting components under the DANIDA programme; the book launch of “Wonderland ..beyond the bin” a book that documents the solid waste management in Malaysia by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government.

An entire day where used by the environmental NGO umbrella organisation MENGO had arranged various activies such as Launching of Books on Indigenous People, SEMAI Traditional Dance and Video showcase of Micro-Hydro Electric project (Tahabas).

We also had a great response in the EU Pavilion where three Danish companies exhibited. Here the three companies stole much attention with technologies to manufacture valuable products from palm oil waste, composting containers and biodegradable household products.

yes, this is me... :)

Kucing and the Rainforest Festival

Thinking long term

As you know I'm working mainly with assignments in the three sectors of water (cleaning, recycling, and reduction of use), green building and energy efficiency + renewable energy/wind power.

I'm really impressed of all the cool products there are developed to save, reuse and store energy even just in building materials. Textiles can cool a room down with only use of direct sunlight (imagine buildings with glass panoramas' having new curtains and saving the air-con bill), glass can clean it self which make it prettier by also incredible resource-saving in cleaning and maintenance and thin discrete solar cells can contribute to the power supply decreasing electricity bill and resources used for making conventional electricity.

The spare-heat from the busy air-cons (in e.g. server rooms) can be used to heat the water in the building. Wastewater can be rinsed and purified for use in toilets and washrooms. And all rooms could have sensors so the lights are only on when people are in the rooms.
The indoor air can be cleaned and reused, reducing large amounts of CO2 and making a more healthy indoor climate - which, who knows, may save some sick-leave days at work.
Its a big bill in the short run but in the long run much money will be saved on reuse and efficiency. Think long term, Malaysia (and all you other people!)

:)

Why aren't all new build houses installed with such things? And why aren't old, poorly isolated houses upgraded? It is very expensive here and now, but in the long run the consumer will save a lot of money on energy + they will have a much better indoor climate in the houses.

Green voices in Kuala Lumpur

Yesterday I went to the magazine Asthetics’ Creative Culture Series (vol.2) which had the speakers: Tengku Jamidah (co-founder of the green indie fashion label, We are Ultra; The clothing label Macbeth; and Malaysian Nature Society.

Continuing CCS vol.1’s topic about creative culture, the overall theme of the evening was focus on environment and all speakers had one thing in common; how each of them focused on sustainability from their own standpoint.

We are ultra are making recycle bags and products from waste and try to spread movements such a using recycle design objects and activities such as guerrilla gardening. They catch new eco-trends all around the world and spread them through their blog.

Macbeth footwear started with Blink 182 and is picking up in Asia as well. At Library in the Curve, Kuala Lumpur, three local musicians had taken on the Macbeth idea; Vegan footwear. The concept is to produce fashion items that is not only sustainable when it comes to recycling and carbon footprint but also is based in the idea of all species are equal and no negative impact on animals should occur. What is interesting about Macbeth is not the design, but the new wave of rock-stars being role models for a more conscious way of living through the ideology of changing the world by starting with yourself.

Malaysian Nature Society tries to make nature preservation cool among the young generations. They fight for the rights of preservation of Malaysia’s rainforests and the unique biodiversity that is found nowhere else. By raising awareness about the lack of political support to preserve these fragile eco-systems they use channels such as Bodyshop to spread the word. People in Malaysian Nature Society not only fight the hard and unsexy causes, they try to make it trendy too.

The Library struggled with holding the event simultaneous with the World Cup. The speakers had a hard case overruling the games and the ongoing shouts and outbursts from the regular guests. None the less, Creative Culture Series provides interesting topics and a good forum for discussion and meeting people. Next time in October no World Cup is intervening, and I am looking forward to see what the next topic is about.
Follow Creative Culture Series on facebook

comparing sound concepts

It really seems like two of my favorite bars here in KL have found the right concept. Without thinking about it I have subconsciously chosen two bars who have a very clear sound profile.
I am talking about Pinchos and Twenty-one in Changkat, KL. The bars as such is ordinary bars without special events or theme-night. They are what they are: two bars with totally different sounds.

Pinchos is a tapas restaurant, which has a clear Latin/Spanish theme. Interior, colors, food and drinks all contribute to the Spanish/Latin atmosphere. The music is the last and important detail to Pinchos' profile. All music share the vibes of Latin America and Spain, by rhythm and by language. This attracts a lot of Spanish-speaking expats to the bar, who adds the last element to the theme. You come here to meet people, to talk and mingle. To meet new friends.

A bouncer meet you when you walk the two stairs up to the restaurant terrace, he makes sure that guest in this club are probably dressed with long pants and closed shoes. The international "backpacker suit" is not allowed. To reach the bar one takes the stairs which has a fancy alone standing glass railing. The heavy pumping bass wraps the white leather interior in a sophisticated slightly arrogant atmosphere. You come here to to dance, hang in the bar, to score and to show off. The music makes a big difference; only at the outdoor terrace is it possible to have a conversation, inside the music is to loud to exchange more than the usual short get-to-know-you-conversation.

Music is a large dimension on concept building, music; it add last dimension of experience to the concept and bind emotional reaction to the place. Imagine how the bar would perform if Pinchos started to play David Guetta/ Fedde Le Grant inspired music in their tapas bar, or if Twenty-one began to play Margarita or Gloria Estefan in theirs. The profile would vanish like ice cubes in a hot drink and guest will get confused disappointed and eventual have finished their last drink. Music make the bar exclusive in who they are.

The expat society

Expat society is quite something. Everyone wants to know everyone here in KL. Everyone introduce everyone. The biggest problem is to actually remember all the people's names and remember to follow up on the new friendships.
Here a friendships is knowing a person and being friendly to the person. Nothing more. So one can imagine that the conversations round the lounge sofa table with icy cocktails and decorative ashtrays is lite and enjoyable. Its relaxing and tensing in the same time.

It is as though the "past" life does not exist. The stories from home, the life, friends and companions are not a part of the discourse. Maybe its been ruled out because it is not relevant, maybe its been ruled out because we dont really want to think about reality outside KL. Here and there are two worlds that does not naturally interfere each others. What does it matter that she has no friends back home when she has 100 here? What does it matter that he has a girlfriend at home when he acts single here?

Bonding one world with the other is difficult and it is easy to get lost in all the "introduction chats". I found myself paying less attention to new people and focusing more on the ones I already know. The need for depth and strong relations for me grows as the numbers of times the introduction chat increase.
I also found my self paying more attention to people I know is going to be here more than three-six month. It is hard to uphold relations when people are going home one by one and replaced with new.

Climbing up

There is much work. The AsiaWater 2010 exhibition just finished, Im working on a partner research for a Danish company, a market research of the ICT market is waiting along with a general look at a development project called Iskandar.
But everything is not hard work - or it is, but not at the embassy.

Its hard work to go climbing in the climbing studio Camp5. I have blisters on 4 of my fingers and very sore musles. Dont worry, we did not go high this time - instead we were doing what we call "bouldering". Going low, but practising skills and technique. Dont relax too much, because bouldering is actually more dangerous than real climbing. In climbing you have your robe, so you would never fall more than a meter. In bouldering you dont climb high, but you dont have a robe either. You can easily fall more than a meter with only the madras beneth you to catch you (at least if your bouldering partner is not paying attention to "guide" your fall).

I had a visit from a Dutch friend, that I meet in Laos, and he has been climbing for many years. He was teaching us some basics and he made it look so easy! He was a really good teacher but now he has gone again - so I need a new teacher. But I can feel that I get better - even though it cost me some blisters in my palms (aw putting shampoo in your hair in the morning is really not a easy thing!).

Sustainability and long term thinking

Malaysias new upcoming market must be any kind of sustainable initiatives. Most places in the region they dont know how to handle e.g. their waste and energy supply.

This results in largely wasted resources and damage to the earth. Lots of garbage are lying at the beaches, in the rivers and in huge dumb-sites without membrane to prohibit the chemicals from dripping down to the ground and CO2 to rise in the air.

Some hotels at the beach dont even have sewers, and all the tourist's s*** goes directly into the sea. Thats why some hotels remains empty, they couldnt keep their customers because the beach is so nasty they went bankrupted. Its really short term thinking...

Generally in Malaysia they dont think its necessary to isolate their buildings, why? Its warm already! Rockwool e.g. fights a brave fight to make entrepreneurs, architects, engineers and workmen realise how much energy they can save, if they isolate. The cool air from the expensive aircon goes right through the windows and walls and more aircons than actually needed are installed in the house to make up for Malay's crazy craving for coldness.

My new home, KL style

I have now ended a two month vacation; 10 days in Thailand at Koh Pangan and Koh Tao, 10 days in Vietnam, and 10 days in Laos. Then approx 25 days in Copenhagen.
Tomorrow I start work again. This time it is not school, this time it is an internship.

I am going to work at the Danish embassy in Kuala Lumpur in the commerce department. What exactly I am going to do I have yet to figure out. I only know the highlights not the details.
I arrived yesterday and had a great time with the Danish girl that Im going to replace. We meet a group of her friends and suddenly I was introduced to ten party people who all works as interns or in regular jobs here in KL. Most of the internships are at a six month period but mine is at twelve.
The network here is great and everyone love to get to know new people.

 

The view from the common room

Twelve month... One year. What a year.

deciding whats important

Now I have been in Copenhagen for two weeks. In 10 days Im leaving for Malaysia. Im going to work in Kuala Lumpur for one year as a trainee. Seeing other countries is a must now, I dont want to stay in Denmark, I want to go! I only I could bring my apartment, my friends and my family with me.

It is hard to put a finger on thing I have learned, but one thing is for sure:
When I came back I had a small feeling of missing out of all my opportunities as a student at CBS - I missed all the networking events, all the important guest lecturer, all the activities which would put me in connection to important people which I felt fatal to my future carreer. Then I read the student magazine CBS Observer - and it gave me this stomach ache. Its focused on all the successful students with own companies, great jobs in the pipeline and really high grades...and I felt guildy for not already have a great carreer, my own company, and a certain, predictable future.

I had to force myself to think back and re-feel some of the feelings of happiness and freedom I had along my travel in Vietnam and Laos. I met people who sold everything and went around the world for the money. I met people who quited their jobs so they could live out an old dream of biking from the Chineese boarder down Laos, Thailand and Malaysia to end up in Kuala Lumpur. I met people who lived 4 month in a bagpacker city working in a bar and 6 month as a firefigther in US year after year - and the firefighter job was only to earn some money for the next 2 month travel. I met people who fell so much in love with the country that they opend a small shop only to get enough money to eat every day. People can be happy with small resources; carreers, money and fame are not needed to gain that.
I learned that one can have a great life without a super carreer, super job and huge paycheck.
If I am going to have a great carreer, a super job and a huge paycheck it is because my interests and my impulsive and unknown way through life is going to take me there.. not because I have a tre or five year carreer plan, a mentor and a psychologist to get me there!