Good Times

Of late, I have been looking back at some of my travel photos of the past year and the many experiences that I have encountered during those travels. Re-living some of those memories often brings a smile to my face. It brings me back to moments when life was carefree, a point in time where one is in a happy disposition, appreciating all the good that life has to offer.

 

This is a photo of this past New Year's Eve dinner I shared with friends in Taipei. Though the food was good, it was the company that made the evening such a memorable one. It is often said that the people whom you travel with, make the journey. How very true. Common interests, differing views, camaraderie and banter, all add up to a holiday that enriches one's life and outlook.

 

As I continue to re-visit some of these photo albums, I look forward to flashbacks, memories that have made a mark, some exciting, others serene, some somewhat sentimental even. Good times indeed.

 

 

New Year's Eve dinner at Orange Shabu, Da-An, Taipei in Taiwan.

Harvest Low-Hanging Fruits

I've spent the best part of 2015 so far, reflecting. Reflecting on how I can make life a little less stressful and a little more happy. The process has been slow and cautious, but absolutely necessary, a point driven home after having had to deal with extremely stress-inducing situations for the past three months or so. Some of my colleagues who work with me will attest to that as they too were embroiled in the fiasco of sorts. Well, we are now at the tail end of the unrewarding experience, and I can't wait for it to be over. It has also reinforced my decision to really only work on enjoyable projects and with like-minded people henceforth.

 

The second half of the year will be spent streamlining the work that I do, with the aim of making life easier and allowing me more time to appreciate the pockets of free time that I so rarely have. More importantly to strike a better work life balance.

 

As a good friend of mine often reminds me, time to ourselves is a much precious commodity.

 

 

Photo shot in Tegalalang in Bali, Indonesia.

Childhood Memories

For most, childhood holds many wonderful memories that we reminisce whenever we get together with those who we spent much time with growing up. From being an infant to mid-teens, I would spend many a weekend and school holiday with my cousins Siew Yoong, Wui Ken and Kiat Ken. We would spend entire days at Lake Club - swimming, playing imaginative games that we created, reading in the library, watching Sunday movies. We would spend time at our homes playing board games - Fun Fair, Sorry, Monopoly, Cluedo and a host of others that I can no longer remember. At one point, we were crazy over the Decathlon computer game. We would hangout at A&W in PJ State.

 

These memories in a way have played a big part in helping us remain close over the years. The relationship that we enjoy today is testament to the effort that we have put in throughout our adult life, but is certainly amplified by the bonds that we nurtured as children.

 

Here's a photo of Siew Yoong, Kiat Ken and our friend Tsu Shien at A&W recently. Both my cousins were visiting and as per normal practice, a visit to A&W is always a must. We got particularly excited when a photo opportunity arose with the A&W mascot. Despite our age, not that we are very old, such an opportunity was met with much enthusiasm and great laughter. Young at heart we shall forever be.

 

 

Photo shot at A&W in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.