New Journeys

Embarking on a new adventure, be it a new job, an overseas posting, a change of career, a fledgling business venture, an upcoming holiday, a budding relationship, marriage, parenthood, the list goes on, is always a time of excitement and trepidation at once. The unknown is thrilling but also reminds us to be cautious as we take our first few steps.

 

Of late, a number of my friends, both here at home and abroad, myself included, have been in such a position. For me personally, I see such new journeys as an affirmation of the wonderful opportunities that lie ahead. While we may tread with a bit of caution as well as exercise some patience, the potential rewards are what makes the experience so exciting.

 

May we all be accorded with faith and positivity.

 

 

Photo shot in Hahndorf in South Australia. 

The Unexpected

Two wake-up calls in three days. On Tuesday, while relaxing by the pool on a public holiday, I received a message informing that a classmate of mine had passed on suddenly from a heart attack. Then yesterday came the devastating news that Malaysia Airlines MH17 enroute from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur was shot down in the Ukraine/Russia conflict zone, with all onboard perishing.

 

If there is a lesson to be learnt from both incidents, it is that the unexpected is very much a part of life. It makes us realise that life can be fragile, and that our journey is perhaps one that is linked to a life that we are destined to live. Indeed, we ought to love and appreciate those closest to us, we ought to live each day as it comes, making each day count, we ought to be open to new experiences, and be willing to take chances, we ought to have a positive outlook, be unafraid of getting hurt, we ought to take steps that we have always aspired to take but have yet to do so, we ought not to delay doing things that we can do today, instead of waiting for tomorrow. We ought to travel and see the world.

 

In times as such when we feel burdened by the sense of senseless loss, we are reminded to seize the day, carpe diem.

 

 

Photo shot in Bali, Indonesia.

Cosmic Forces

This weekend must be one of those where the cosmic forces teach me a lesson. An inspiring event, and advice gleaned from a seminar I attended, both seemingly conspired to serve up a great lesson in life. Who would have thought that these two instances, unrelated and positioned at differing ends of a spectrum, would be so impactful, leaving me with much to ponder and think over.

 

The ability to visualise and courage to ask for one's aspiration to be fulfilled is something that I have encouraged myself to do for some time. I was reminded today that for this to be more effective, one has to be more resolute, more focused, and to ask with a greater sense of purpose.

 

Such advice could not have come at a better time. An event which I experienced by association this weekend, has been an inspiration, serving up a large dose of the power of hope and faith. Coupled with the words of wisdom shared at the seminar today, they certainly act as a much needed catalyst to work towards a more fulfilling existence in the future.

 

 

Photo shot at Ku De Ta in Bali, Indonesia.

A Spring In One's Step

I was having a rather thought-provoking conversation with a friend on how different people react to disappointment and how our different characters play a role in the paths that we take in the ensuing aftermath. Well, perhaps aftermath is too strong a word to use, but you get my drift.

 

Needless to say, we all have our varying degrees of strength, fortitude and tolerance, and how we cope and rebound very much depends on our personal resilience. Life comes with its share of setbacks and disappointments, some significant, others less so. The challenge really is to overcome the negativity that may arise from such unpleasant situations, and forge towards potentially better experiences that lie ahead.

 

I am by nature an optimist. As such, I mostly accept such setbacks as lessons to be learnt and mistakes not to be repeated. And once I come to this frame of mind, I am able to pick myself up and soldier on. Being cautious is a good thing, but throwing caution to the wind in my opinion is even more important as one embarks on a new path. Yes, we take baby steps initially, but my temperament is such that it doesn't take long for me to walk with a spring in my step again. So, who's up for a walk?

 

 

Photo shot at St Martin-In-The-Fields in London, United Kingdom.

Elaine's 40th

It's been a whirlwind of celebrations for my family of late, the most recent being cousin Elaine's birthday. Apparently turning 40 is a big deal in Australia, and Elaine made the decision to return from Adelaide to Malaysia to celebrate with the extended family. To paraphrase her, the intention was to mark this milestone in her life with the people who have been instrumental in her journey of the past 4 decades.

 

So with Dave, Nate and Matthew, as well as Lynette, Auntie Mary and Mel by her side, Elaine welcomed family and close friends at The Ming Room at Bangsar Shopping Centre for a luncheon to celebrate the occasion. It was also an opportunity to catch up with the extended family, as it is never easy to see everyone on a personal basis during such short visits back to KL. Well, a couple of weeks is not exactly short, but when there is so much to do, see and eat, and considering that we come from a rather large family, meeting almost everyone at one location, what more during a celebration, is the perfect scenario.

 

The highlight of the event was certainly Elaine's speech. Touching and genuine, she made it a point to relate how each and everyone of us, in one way or another, have been part of her journey in life. There were some teary eyes in the room, and most importantly a sense of family. So, as you embark on a new decade Elaine, here's to more fulfilling encounters to come.

 

 

Dave, Elaine, Nate and Matthew at The Ming Room, Bangsar Shopping Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Kiat Ken And His Food

My cousin Kiat Ken was back in town from London for our cousin Honn Ken's wedding recently. Having grown up in Malaysia, he makes it a priority to enjoy as much local food as possible whenever he visits. A creature of habit, Kiat Ken often wants to head to places he frequented as a kid. We always plan ahead, and try to pack in as much eating as possible into his itinerary.

 

His trip this time was for a mere three days. Apart from the wedding festivities, pre-wedding dinner, lunch reception after the wedding ceremony and celebratory banquet, we managed to also sample fishball meehoon soup, steamed chicken, durian, roti canai, sweet meat, Famous Amos cookies, sago gula Melaka and teh tarik, not bad for a less than 72-hour visit. The only stop we missed was bak-kut-teh, so that's something to look forward to the next time he returns.

 

There is no shortage of Asian food in London, but I guess there is nothing like the food we have here in Malaysia. I for one, never take that for granted.

 

 

Kiat Ken and I at Prosperity Bowl in SS2, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.