Layoffs

We received an internal memo informing that layoffs will be carried out this week. The firm has a solid reputation on the street but nevertheless, this is an entire economy on a downturn - not a particular company not a sector. I am blessed to not be affected but the experience was a first and very surreal for me. I no longer see colleagues' names that were there on the company's directory last week. I saw empty desks as I walked around the floor. Teams were called to conference rooms and briefed by their MDs.

Wall Street layoff/firing typically goes like this:

- HR calls you to a conference room
- They tell you that you have to be let go and the severance pay that you'll get
- You can't get back to your desk. Not even to pick your jacket or personal belongings.

Moving on

I've done arguably the boldest thing in my life today.

Vacation Ideas

Not sure what to do during my one-week off before Christmas. Several ideas in this belt-tightening period of a recession

5-night cruise in the Caribbean
- very cliche but can be economical and relaxing
- need someone to go with though

Solo road trip from Las Vegas to San Francisco
- My best holidays so far are road trips
- Can be pricey with car rental and Gas

Montreal
- 1.5 hours from NY but flight can be expensive
- Amex has a flight + hotel deal for $1200

Brother left for the UK after spending a month in NYC with me. Feel sad.

Newcomers Adjust, Eventually, to New York (NYTimes)

I find some truth in this article:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/27/nyregion/27arrival.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin

Look Who's in Town

Two Sundays ago, I came to me that my brother's rent in Aber for the next five weeks of doing nothing would cost more than a return flight to New York. So I bought him a ticket to fly in on this past Sunday.

Ramen

I used not to like noodle in soup until I came to New York and tried the ramen in the Ramen bars around Manhattan.



This one picture above is from Minca Ramen Factory in the East Village.

I'd rank the following two as the best Ramen places in the city.

1. Ramen Setagaya
2. Minca