What is Valentine?

Guys.., forget valentine!

Girls..., Dont be spoilt..

Does anyone know what exactly the meaning of this day? and how a man can understand it?

Fitness by the Beach

One afternooon, a Thursday afternoon in late January 2008. We did photo session. This was for fitness features for Ohlala Magazine. We proposed Novotel beach as the setting. Editor in Chief Edward smith brought a senior fitness instructor, her name is Myrna. She is originally Lebanese who spent years in Canada, speaks fluently Arabic, French and of course English, pretty imposing.

When the photographer and the editor came late, she complained. While we were waiting for the photographer, she tried explaining me the importance of BEING ON TIME.

Well, I hope they got nice pictures, as i saw from the Nikon 80 LSD, I think it's gonna be excellent. I request to the photogrpher not to shoot the pillars of La Perle Restaurant, because it is seemed ugly during low tide.


See... we eventually play the ball, a huge ball...


I dont know, what was she doing...

from left, Edward Smith, Editor in Chief Ohlala Mmagazine with the photographer, Myrna, fitness & Aerobic intstructor, Eric and Mohamed, my colleagues, both from Sports & Lesiure department.

Internet on Vacation

I had problem with internet connection, both at my flat and office. It was about a week ago (I don’t remember the date), all emails in our office were stuck. The following day, I read GND and Bahrain Tribute, reporting there was mass internet disruption all over Middle East. It is said, some underground cables in Mediterranean Sea were damaged. Those cables, link Middle East to Europe. Some medias reported the problem was also problem with cables in Egypt. I don’t know, which one is correct. You know, sometimes, media is too absurd.

In fact, this trouble made my internet connection very slow within this week. Notice from our HR Dept, we would be having this problem for the next 10 days. Can you imagine that? But last night, I had a pretty speedy connection in Cinnabon when I had a tea with Rizky.

Today, the connection remains very slow, even though we are able to send email. We should realize how important internet is. Our life is so reliant on technology, particularly IT. And eventually after waiting several days, I am happy to post this.

Perhaps, post modernism believers would say, internet needs to take rest for a while, some even say… it wants to take vacation… whatever…! I want internet back and speedy.

Magical Soeharto

Most of my friends in Indonesia text me, today, updating the latest condition of Soeharto, former president of Indonesia. This authoritarian leader passed away, today. He had been ailing in a hospital in the capital, Jakarta, since January 4 when he was admitted with failing kidneys, heart and lungs.

"Tadi, sqitar jam 1 mantan presiden Soeharo meninggal dunia..."

"Pak Harto akhirnya meninggal.."

"Suharto meninggal tadi sore"

(Suharto has passed away...)

Above are some text i received and of course, this news is definitely become one of the headlines over the world. Some blogs of my friend has been reporting a series of his stories, and hundreds of Indonesian bloggers had paid attention on his latest health.

Most bloggers, including me, are interested to post articles on Suharto. I was previously not interested in writing anything about him, but because those sms, I am currently bloody posting a comment on it.

I just wonder, Suharto is still a strong figure. You can see lots of people, not only in the country but also bloggers around the world pay attention on him. Posting his news, and even my friends sent me sms, some of them expressing condolence.

In a televised address, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono called on "the people of Indonesia to pay their last respects to one of Indonesia's best sons ... who has done very great service to his beloved nation." Yudhoyono's office declared a week of national mourning. Can you imagine that.

About a week ago, I watched a talk show on Al Jazeera English Channel, three Indonesia activists were brought to the tv studio in Doha, Qatar. They were debating about Suharto's court.

Believe it or not, you gotta agree with me, that Suharto is still ruling, he ruled your opinion over decades, he has been ruling our attention for the last 3 weeks, and even he died, he is currently hypnotizing you to read this useless posting. I got you...!!!

A magical Suharto...

Everyone left, but....

Almost half of Indonesian hotelier left Novotel Al Dana Resort. Some of them finished the contract, others resigned. and here are the ones who remain cool, working at the resort.

Suka and Agung, both are Balinese. Suka is a receptionist and Agung is F&B Attendant at La Perle Restaurant.

Rio, me and Rizky. Rio is a senior F&B Captain and Rizky is F&B attendant.

Marcia, originally from Jakarta but had been living in Bali for pretty long time. She is currently a sales coordinator.

me.

Ratna (left), F&B Captain at La Bellevue Lounge Bar, Novotel. Utie (second from left), Rosa (third from left). Utie and Rosa are no longer working for Novotel Bahrain.

My broken heart Valentine Ad

Visual below is my rejected ad. GM doesnt like it.

To me, its perfect. I guess it will be different in the market, where most hotel will depict picture of flower, cople, cake, heart-shaped sweet, buffet decoration, buffet station, nothing special...

But GM wants something more real, exposing a couple of lovers, something like that. To him, this ad is too novotel, he wants to expose only small novotel logo int the corner. The main visual should be replace with something related to the symbol of love. "see last year ad, something similar with it" he said.

Hmm, pretty hard to gain a new idea, and i run out of time. We worked on it during Ashoora holiday. With this very tight schedule, i dont know weather we can match what he expect .

But what to do, we have to think about it, think..think.. think...

God, give me a creative...

Yalla, work..work, work...

2008 Novotel Al Dana Resort's Pledge

The Novotel Al Dana Resort is Bahrain’s only deluxe resort hotel which combines classic and contemporary Arabian culture, represented in its architecture and facilities. In 2008, the resort continues to improve its services as well as upgrades its facilities in order to make your stay all the more pleasurable.


A perfect Place
The hotel is perfectly located just minutes from Bahrain international airport and diplomatic area, which makes it ideal for quick business trips to the kingdom. With its private beach and fitness centre, Novotel is also the perfect place to relax.

Room for Everyone
At the Novotel, there are 174 elegantly designed rooms and suites with an authentic Arabian feel. Some of the rooms have been built over the sea, offering stunning views from the balcony. The conference centre at Novotel is an ideal location for business meetings, press conferences or even private functions such as weddings. It accommodates up to 250 people and coupled with the catering offered by the hotel, your event is sure to be successful and memorable, no matter what the occasion.

Luxury Experience
The pool at the resort is unlike any other in the Kingdom, elegantly designed and with its own waterfall it offers guests a unique experience that helps ease their minds and takes them away from the strife of everyday life. The poolside bar gives you the opportunity to cool off while sipping on your favourite drink as you sit in the water.

Culinary Delight
Novotel also gives you the opportunity to enjoy the food at any one of their four fine dining outlets. Al Yacout offers the most authentic Moroccan experience on the island while Zytoun offers you the chance to experience a taste of the Mediterranean. La Perle offers the finest in seafood dining while La Bellevue gives patrons the opportunity to sit down with friends and family to enjoy a drink with panoramic sea views.

For information, call 17 298-008.