The MEC Digital Academy

So, this is my 3rd week staying in Singapore.
Don't worry, I'm not here for holiday. I'm working - if that makes you feel better.

In a simple way, this is the new thing that I need to explore. The network, the work atmosphere, the client and also the people.
From my work world perspective, digital media/advertisement is rapidly growing in my hometown. But the client in my market is pretty hard to accept that digital is the 'next big thing'. So yes, we (me and one of MEC Interaction guy from Philipines) are send here to learn more about this market. Otrherwise, Singapore is our SEA regional office. That so, yes, we're here. Working and learning - I'll write later for the fun part.
We are the first batch of the academy on SEA. There's 2 markets that participate in the first batch, Indonesia and Philipines. So there is me from Indonesia and Ninoy Gonzales from the Philipines.

Here he is:

Ninoy is a really nice partner. We share stories, experience - back in our market, and also food. Yes, we're a huge fan of good food. But not the expensive one :D

He has a lot of positive energy and excitement vibrant. You will feel his excitement, curiousness, happiness when you're talk or discuss with him. He can make your lunch taste worse than his, just because he's so happy about his lunch. 

There's one time he said to me: "My lunch is soooo good. Now my happiness level is increase to 11". Yep, he's that expressive.

Worst thing happen, we can't finished our discussion in 2 hours just because there's a lot of distraction during the session. Most of it, is about our campaign back in our market.

Overall, yes, I got a perfect stranger becoming my partner in this academy.

I learn a lot on this academy. About how their work, their client, their way of think, their vendor, their structure, their day to day behavior. Things that I can bring back home and implement it right away.

Takes me couple days to overcome the communication gap with my colleagues. And.. My mentor is really a soft talker. But now it's getting better. 

I really want to give Ajay and Mas Gemi a big bear hug because sending me here and experienced all of this stuffs.

By the way, I really miss my team back in Jakarta. I miss hanging around and doing all the dance with Fina and Mei. Having a nice short conversation with Mas Gemi - yea, at the end it will be another curhat session between 4 of us.
I miss Ajay so much. No one can beat his competitiveness.
I miss my one and only cranky grandmother, Rohan. I really miss hiss 'rempong' - ness, his annoying comment, and his stressful face.
Whatevs - I miss the whole 24th floor resident.

That's it for now. Will update the fun part later.

XO,
Tika