It was supposed to be an easy Friday and I went to attend a team meeting in the afternoon to relax. It ended up with a lot of hassles. I didn't expect to receive salary notice today but did get it. It's so unfair and I should say it a discrimination given my real performance. The increase is much lower than inflation rate, I actually will have less real buying power than last year. My employer is really into a big trouble given so many competitions all over the world. However, at least, I won't feel guilty to take Hawaii Airlines to go to Honolulu for vacation next month.
Talking about vacation, I could sense many people thinking I might get compensations from some other organizations, otherwise I wouldn't have needed to promote for them on social media. In addition, an average middle class man like me shouldn't have had the behaviour to spend almost 15K for 20 days vacation in Scandinavia in July, 2015. First of all, I planned that trip for 10 years; Secondly, I love traveling and am willing to spend money for this hobby; Thirdly, I used to be a relatively rich kid compared to others around me, even today, my life is so mediocre, I still can't get rid off my spending behavior for something you might not think worthy.
I started checking my credit card history for my trip back to Scandinavia after 20 years. I paid every penny out of own pocket:
4/23/2015: 2 tickets for me and my son - 2 x 1,006.9 = 2,013.80
4/27/2015: Hotel Rooms in Uppsala & Karlstad: 124.03+104.21= 228.24
5/18/2015: Hotel Room in Oslo: 511.67
5/25/2015: Hotel Room in Malmo: 116.88
6/17/2015: Hotel Room in Goteborg: 226.62
6/29/2015: Hotel Room in Copenhagen: 305.44
7/6/2015: Scandic Hotels in Uppsala: 17.13
7/6/2015: Olearys Karlstad: 64.52
7/7/2015: Scandic Hotel Karlstad: 20.55
7/7/2015: Ri Villa Romana: 76.34
7/8/2015: La Sangria: 168.07
7/10/2015: Salt & Sill Deli: 59.15
7/10/2015: Radisson Blu: 151.98
7/13/2015: Apca Parking: 24.8
7/13/2015: Auberge Du Bonheur: 100.15
7/13/2015: Radisson Blu Goteborg: 170.30
7/13/2015: SAS Hotel: 298.26
7/15/2015: Auberge DU Bonheur: 272.81
7/15/2015: Hotel room or meal at hotel (can't recall): 230.08
7/17/2015: Hotel in Odense: 201.71
7/17/2015: Victors Pa Lilla Torg: 123.11
7/17/2015: Crowne Plaza Amsterdam: 55.09
7/17/2015: Meal: 129.45
7/17/2015: Meal: 92.57
7/22/2015: Scandic Klara: 73.10
7/22/2015: Hertz: 882.54
7/22/2015: Seatac Parking: 191.69
8/21/2015: Hertz: 82.08x2
9/9/2015: Hertz: 130.25
9/30/2015: Hertz: 136.87
10/12/2015: Hertz: 47.72
Above listed were charges to my credit card, total is 7,285.05. Majority went through Expedia. As I shared, I have been 14 years long loyal user, they may give me some discounts when I book hotel and air tickets. In addition, I noticed several of their senior officers being Swedes and SSE graduates. However, I am not sure if they were actually hired because of my promotion of Sweden in 2006. Definitely, my passion and appreciation of Sweden aren't because of them but other Swedes I knew back in early and middle 90s.
In addition, I also used my debit card a lot in this trip because my credit card didn't have chip.
Total adds up to almost 3,000 bucks. I also exchanged 2,000 bucks worth of foreign currencies. So, total cost for this trip is at least 13,000 bucks, all out of my own pocket. It's a lot of money and has caused me pretty tight financially in the past half a year but I never regretted. Every time coming back from Sweden, I had a big change and it has been always inspirational. In 1992, I learned what modern economics really was; In 1996, I got rid off the desperation to become so positive, which actually has benefited me till today; This time after coming back home, I suddenly felt walking out of the forests, every puzzle became a kids' toy. I really appreciate several Swedes and Chinese-Swedes I met during those trips, especially her, I met at Sergels Torg in such a wonderful August evening. Anyway, listening what I said in this clip I filmed at Gamla Stan last summer, you will understand.
It is such a shame, you did this to me while Sweden opened her arms to me again... Do you think I will forget? Never.
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