Bummer!

It's the weekend! I miss the office already.

To be honest, it's only the work-with-my-colleagues hours that I miss. I don't quite miss the no-sleeping-in and I love doing random things with my housemates on weekends :) If only I can have colleagues-time + housemates-time continuously, that would be a superb combination!

Columbia Road Flower Market

Photobombed by Ginger the Cat....

Post conference, it was all about a good rest over the weekend. Hence the visit to the flower market! You'll go crazy with the choices of flowers. 

Phtotoshoots by: Iman

You cannot put a dollar value to this

Here's a story about the ever-growing respect I have for my colleagues.

We've just wrapped up the biggest Asian Conference in Europe, and we ended on an extreme high. I definitely would not trade the experience for any other thing in this world nor could I expect it to be any greater than it was. It was just perfect. Definitely worth the fever and sleepless nights, and I'll do it again a million times. 

My Managing Director. I believe the firm has hired only the perfect fit for that position. Take it from me, he is just out of this world. He's there with a goal and a purpose, leading a subsidiary that has potential to grow. And if you could go through his head, you'll fall in love with his determination to turnaround a Bank that is not (very) known in Europe, to one that is ranked as one of the top picks for Investors today. In a year! Just how?! 

He has the best and only the greatest team with him. He is one who would make sure the team works hard and plays hard all at the same time, a team he connects so very well with. If anything, he had brought in a team that is driven to aim super crazy high, ready to go through anything with him and get work done in an aggressively-professional (is that even a word) way.

I work for a team that is never ever short of acknowledgement, and of course comments when things aren't done right. Trading is an aggressive world I once thought was only suitable for guys, but after 5 months, I've not only fallen in love with the team, but also with what I do. I wake up everyday, eagerly excited to face the team that I look up to and have so much respect for. I have a team who believes in me more than anyone else I've worked with and encourage me to strive up that corporate ladder although I know I'm not even a quarter the superstar sales(traders) they are. Coming from a person so high up, I must have done something right somewhere, even if it's small. I'm just grateful he opened my eyes to see it and made sure I knew it too so that I won't miss the moment.

Past 3 days, my respect for each and every one of my team member sky rocketed to a whole new level. They gave me an experience that no money can buy and showed me that a team, no matter how very small, is able to host and organize the biggest Asian conference in Europe and make multi million dollar trades** within that time span if you want to make it happen. You won't be able to do it alone, but my Boss taught me that it is possible if you have a team with the right work traits:

1. Intelligence/Smart (comes in many forms, from knowledge to your ability to adapt to different situations)
2. Hard work
3. A team player

When you have teammates with these traits, size does not matter anymore. We're an Asian brokerage based out here in London and on our tiny trading floor we have only one Korean expert, one Taiwanese expert, one Indian expert, one Asean expert, one Australian expert, one Middle east north africa expert, sales traders and corporate access experts. They covered it all with just a small team. I look at them and I am grateful to be a part of the team, to be a part of their journey and to be able to learn from the best. To be a part of an awesome team that truly believes in me and is always generous with priceless advice. Thank god I got through that scary interview, as this that I have right now is definitely worth any interview. Indeed I have a lot to learn from these guys!

I could go on to write every detail from my meetings with the corporates, clients and my team throughout the conference. But I reckon, some things are best left for a special happy place in my memory. My main purpose was to make sure I document it because today is a day I woke up feeling so very blessed and overwhelmed, and I truly missed them.

WELL DONE AND CONGRATULATIONS TEAM ON THE AMAZING CONFERENCE!! YOU GUYS ROCK! 

Sigh. I just love my colleagues and my job. 

**Disclaimer: Only an expression, with no relation to any actual figure

startup rush

My bosses wear sport shoes to work and they come in to work before the sun is even up. I wear jeans to work every other day because it keeps me warm and allows me to work comfortably. We're no start up, but our culture surely reminds me of one - the casual attitude in the office in some aspects in order to achieve one goal. Efficiency.

We're a small team of 10 sales and salestrader combined that make up this entire susidiary, our office is literally just a floor and we almost work like a start up being this small. Especially so with the potential to grow even bigger in the future. Hence my mountain-high respect for my colleagues' ability to manage the growing-deal numbers.

This week is a lot of rolling up our sleeves, seal the boxes, shifting big boxes from the office to the hotel, running around between hotel and office to settle trades, rushing between office and the airport to get on a flight for mini conferences out of London and getting the coffee for guests in the office.

We may not see a lot of each other during hectic times, but you definitely feel them close as we keep the group chat on Bloomberg running, checking up on each other (thank god for Bloomberg Anywhere!!). Some have come down with the fever and flu but powering through alright! I look at them and I just feel so very thankful to be a part of them :')

Living out of a Sofina the next few days - in between meetings, office and hotel.

Our CEOs, Analysts, Corporates have all started flying in and we had a really good booster meeting from the CEO first thing this morning. Welcoming event starts today and then the big kick start for our flagship event tomorrow!!

Snow Alert

Some parts of the UK are now on alert and are predicted to see snowfalls! The temperature has seriously plummeted recently and when it does, it's uber cold. 

Since it's an important week coming up, and no one is allowed to fall sick, the hat has made its appearance! :)

Decisions

Making a decision is never easy. Making a crazy decision is just energy consuming! Of course if it's for good things, the thinking for it all are worth it. Opportunity costs generally translate into sacrifices in a human world.

This year alone there were a lot of big decisions to make, and I  must say it's a year filled with a lot of crazy roller coaster rides. I've just realized now that the year is coming to an end rather quickly - in a couple of weeks we're in 2014, and we've got a crazy week ahead of our flagship event. It's really all very exciting but at the same time, I feel like I'm running towards a finishing line that just gets further and further as I still have loads to tick off my to-do list for 2013. All in a good way of course :)

One of the crazier decisions I've made this year was to start working before I finished my Masters at the peak of summer and 18 hours of fasting right after I signed up to do 2 final projects for my course. I almost gave up halfway - too exhausted. But it will never in a million years, be a decision that I regret making. In fact, it was the best most hectic adventure I've ever decided to embark on! Only that, I was sleep deprived for that couple of months. Thank god it all paid off with a Masters award to bring home, Alhamdulillah.

6 weeks away from the new year, I have missions that I want to try and achieve (maybe more of a to-do list to clear up! Lol!). At the same time, a dream I want to hopefully chase and yet another big decision to make and fully digest.

Baby Dior

Came across this at Harrods and gosh....it's gorgeous!

It's the Baby Dior couture for a 6 months old, and apparently it's selling fast. I can't help but ask how much was it. One. Thousand. Three. Hundred. Pounds. (sweats) It uses the same material that is used on adults' dresses, so you'd imagine some yummy mummy out there wearing a matching pair with her Princess baby Dior.

I looked at it for a while and thought, it's very simple, yet it's so elegant and pretty all at the same time. Made me wonder if one would buy if it looks exactly like that, feels like that, as simple as that. But a local brand? Honestly, I see many Malaysians come over to London to either get hantaran stuff or baby stuff. I've always wondered why, but dare not ask....just in case I am actually one of those, when my time to kahwin and get a baby comes.

...Ok I know there're more choices, VAT claims, more stock...haha ok, I'm shooting myself in the foot now.

The power of a high end brand. Well sometimes, there's something about its top notch quality that any of its loyal customers would come back for no matter how simple a design is.

On that note, if anyone wants to get this for my future kids next time, I'll gladly receive it with open arms :D #justsaying

Nak fly

Watching the aviation stocks this week ahead of their results announcement (next week) is making me want to travel. MAS. Air Asia. MAS. Air Asia. MAS. Air Asia. Malindo. I shall save my comments on them for work and investors.

All I can think about right now is getting a ticket to fly.

Christmas holiday is coming up and also the new year, now that's an absolutely valid reason to buy a ticket out to...somewhere, anywhere! I could do with some sun and the beach. Yeah, I'm a beach person. Could do with a super great happy company and loads of eating and walking in the parks too. I love parks!! I love lights and fireworks and tall buildings too and....

Ok. For now, annoucements and news on destinations that would move stock prices could help with the fantasizing too.

Stir me up, (Peanut) Butter (Cup)

I was very attracted to this bottle of peanut butter that said Stir Me Up, so being the hantu roti that I am, I bought it to give it a try.

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When I opened it, it was...liquid alright! The peanut butter oil was separated from the peanut butter itself and to get the best taste for your sandwich, you've gotta stir em well baby!

 

Oh my sandwich! This peanut butter has become my favourite now (ok, I love Skippy too), it is soooo damn freaking good. Healthy too in case you think those oil will kill my stomach cells. It's made of 100% natural peanut butter, with no added sugar nor palm oil.

 

This is the best part! THIS. It's a freaking sandwich shop in New York!!

Sandwich + New York.

Ahh...the most perfect combination for a girl like me who LOVES bread and New York.

I AM SOLD.

Muffin Man

Fussy. I am. But only when it comes to my set of scones. No one should be allowed to have their first try at scones, with butter.

Clotted Cream is the ONLY way to go! I'm fussy like that. I have a habit of ordering scones when we go out for teatime. But this one, I can eat all day and all night. Every minute. Everyday.
One visit, I ate five. Not because the scones were crazily awesome, although I must say they way they toast it all crisp and soft and golden at the same time is fab, but because the clotted cream is just perfect, full stop.

THE MUFFIN MAN.

Try it and tell me you will never go anywhere else.

It has become my must-go-to once a week ever since my Masters days. 

Worldwide For You

If you're a Malaysian, you would have seen this a lot.

 

The only place I see this here is on my screen saver. Here in the London office today, we have moved on to become Worldwide For You - prior to the North Asia conference next week. My colleagues' ex colleagues from different offices have come in to help with the preparations and I have to say, the office is so meriah and ceria like hari raya!! I love it, the energy and the whole works of it :)

CIMB-RBS merger has done a lot of good, definitely a splendid move! I can never say enough of this, but I love my RBS colleagues with all my heart. They are amazing, intelligent, so focused on one goal for CIMB (post merger) and really, me being the one who came in from CIMB, I felt so welcomed in their 'territory'. They are so united and I'm grateful that I am part of the team! One thing I know for sure is that I will one day go back to the KL office bringing back a good set of experience that I have learned from them. And if only I could shift them all to the KL office with me too.

 

A plus point, it's a good mix of guys and girls on the trading floor for the next 2 weeks! Wooot! :) 

OFFICIALLY

a MSc Financial Engineering graduate, Alhamdulillah! :):):):):):):):):):)

Relieved! Thank you very much for the crazy happy email Imperial!

No studying for a while now, I'm happy working.

Broker who tweets

The office before Twitter IPO went live on the stock exchange...

"Do you tweet? Read tweet? A tweet? Hahaha!" (Ok I didn't get the joke)
"Erm...yeah"
"What do you think of Twitter (stock code: TWTR)?"
"I say... long it, a good stock. I think it's a good buy (if you have the money)..."

It spiked up to 80% higher within minutes of its debut!! Shizzle manizzle baby! We were having this disccusion about tweeters (people who tweets) that get excited when being retweeted back by a celebrity or someone prominent.

My boss turned to our colleague and said "F***!!! I bet you, it's trending on Twitter now. All you got to do is a have Alia as your broker, she said long". Of course he meant that as a joke, I don't have the proper skill believe me.

I've always wondered if I'd make a good broker. Honestly? I don't think so. I love playing pick and guess and making calls, but I don't think I'll ever get sleep if I make a wrong call even if it's not the end of the world. I will feel bad!

If I longed the wrong call for example, I'd probably wait for it to breakeven or I might actually just find a way to hedge that position (whilst making more wrong calls along the way), and until the position is covered only then I'll get some sleep. Maybe. I'm not surprised if I do go up to the Investors and profusely apologize even. Haha!

Gosh, I love working where I am right now :) ...Although I don't plan to sit for that licensing exam when I get back to KL.

Disclaimer: Whatever comments I make on market or stock, they're all my personal independent view/guess. I do not represent the firm or anyone in anyway, at all.

Halal chics

I just found out that the chicken supply at Terrace Bar in Harrods is halal! Hip hip hooooray! :))

I am such a hantu chicken, it's as if I'd die if I don't get em meat everyday. Such a meat eater I know, no offence to the vegans. I don't fancy that many greens, and through experience, it doesn't keep me full for too long. Karma's sooo going to hit me right back when I get my own kids and they don't eat vegetables. It's ok, I still have time to find tricks to get em to eat their greens.

On that note, I've always wanted to try the breakfast at Harrods but never made it till tea time. So we went a little earlier and tried it out. I got the Salmon and I have to say, you'd better keep that stomach proper empty before your visit. It's HUGE but it's good!! 

Maids of Honour

I've found my Maids of Honour guys!! :)

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In Surrey!

It may be just look like a little cafe opposite the bus stop, right outside Kew Gardens, but it turned out to be one the best in the neighbourhood! A few of us decided to have tea here after getting great reviews from some and truly, it did not disappoint.

Buzzing with people, I realized that their customers were a good mix of locals and foreigners. Clearly we Asians were being a bit of a jakun with our cameras clicking away, excuse us. I love the set up of the cafe - it feels like you're having tea in the living room with the fireplace and carpeted floors and the floral curtains all around. Definitely a must-stop-by place if you're around the area! What with Kew Gardens just outside of it, it's just a perfect combination on a bright sunny not-too-wet a day :) 

I'm soooo gonna miss UK for their yummy scones next time!

Anywhere....but here

Remember this?

Life is all good and dandy when you have Bloomberg Anywhere. You can literally log in from… anywhere. Even if your clients bump into you at the beach somewhere in Hawaii and ask you for stock information, you’ll be able to show him instantly the price movement past 6 months. You’ll be a star!! Invention of the century some say.

Mmm hmm…Until British weather gets too cold and disfigures my swollen finger and this goes on for an hour.

Scan

Scan

Bad Scan

Power Down

*shuts down and resets*

(Please) Swipe Finger …God, I’ve swiped so much, I think I’ve almost cleaned the screen with my swipes

Scan

Scan

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S…

Forget it, Market is closed already and I'm still struggling to log in.

(the OCD me can see fingerprints all over the device)