Goal

I always need something to look forward to. Be it a celebration, a holiday, a sporting event or just a casual dinner with friends. I like the anticipation. Come May 2012, I hope to be participating in the Singapore triathlon. My wedding industry and RTM colleagues, friends, cousins and I have managed to put together four relay teams for the event and we plan to register soon. Hopefully we're not too late and there are still spots left for us.

I do the swim leg and the Bali triathlon last June was my first foray into swimming in the sea. I enjoyed the camaradie with my teammates and fellow competitors, that is after I got over the initial apprehension about swimming in Jimbaran Bay! Since then, I've continued swimming regularly just to keep in shape. Now that we have plans for the next race, I've stepped up a gear in terms of training. I need to get my team off to a good start. In Bali, I raced with Richard and Lee Kuen. This time round, my partners will be Bunny and Lee Kuen. Our other three teams would comprise Chin Lai, Kok Ang and Ai Ling, Siew Yoong, Nigel and Katherine, as well as San, either Richard or Nabil and Soorya. We just need to sort out the biker for the last team and we'll be ready to register.

An event such as this provides me with a goal to work towards. It keeps me disciplined in terms of exercise. It keeps me motivated and energised. When I am doing laps in the pool and boredom starts to creep in, I think of the transition to my teammate for the bike leg and how well I need to start off the race. My friend Ray who does the half-ironman tells me that the sea in Changi is choppy. That's certainly another challenge to conquer.

Photo of Richard, Eileen, Lee Kuen and I after racing the Bali Triathlon.

Birthday 2011

A friend, Celia from Spain, reminded me on Facebook that I was in Turkey last year for my birthday. We met on a tour to Aspendos, near Antalya, on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey. I was supposed to be in Shanghai this time round but plans fell through. I suppose it is a blessing in disguise as I have another plan up my sleeve for next month. It's meant to be a surprise. So we shall wait and see.

I started today doing the morning news at RTM and then headed straight for a swim. Other than training for the swimming leg of the Bali Triathlon relay end of June, I am also working to be fit enough for a project involving my photographer friends Peter and Evelyn. The latter is another one of my self-motivation endeavours which for now shall remain private too. Next up was shopping for our Nepal trip in September with my cousin Lynette. Who would believe we could spend almost two hours just getting the basics. It is good that we are starting early. I gather I will need much preparation for this particular trip. I am not one who usually roughs it out on holiday, so it will certainly be an adventure. A nice dim sum lunch resolved our hunger pangs after the shopping.

A much needed nap later, Mum, Suk Harn and I headed out to Siang Lin's advanced birthday and thanksgiving party. It was great catching up with a number of friends whom I have not seen in quite a while, particularly those from the advertising industry. My birthday and Siang Lin's are only two days apart, and since today is actually my birthday, I got a cake and a song too, despite my telling her earlier that it was not necessary in view of the fact that the event was much more of a thanksgiving party on her behalf. All in all a pretty fab day I would say.

Photo of me enjoying a birthday lunch on a beautiful spring day in Istanbul last year.

Chinese New Year Feasting

OK I've done a count. From the eve of Chinese New Year till today, the 13th day of the year of the Golden Rabbit, I've feasted at 17 Chinese New Year-related meals! And that is not including the 4-day holiday I took in Samui! There are still 2 more days of festivities to go and I've got 2 more dinners set. I should therefore hit 19 by Chap Goh Mei. That is quite a lot of food.

Just today alone, being a public holiday, I enjoyed 3 major meals. It started with an early lunch with my friends Yoke Choo, Tony and Soon Kok, the former two ex-Genting, the latter still Genting. Dim sum and Waxed Meat Rice started the ball rolling. From lunch I headed straight to an afternoon tea hosted by our family friends, the Khaws. Roti Jala with Chicken Curry, Seri Muka, Layered Cake and Fruit Jelly; I didn't even dare try to take on the Mee Siam. An afternoon nap later, it was off to Chinese Treasures at Sime Darby Convention Centre for an 8-course banquet dinner hosted by an uncle from my Mum's side of the family. It was a wise move on my part therefore to have gotten in a swim this morning right after I completed the morning news at RTM. The exercise in a way relieves me a little from the guilt of such indulgence. I think more swimming and gymming will be required over the next few weeks to shed the excesses.

The thing is, what is a celebration without food? Chinese New Year is a time when we renew ties with family and friends, mostly over a meal, or more accurately, numerous meals. Communal feasting enhances kinship, promotes camaraderie, creates memories. And when the company is good, the experience goes up a notch too. It is a blessing and we should be thankful. I guess what I am trying to say is I look forward to more feasting over the remaining days of the Chinese New Year celebrations. I hope you do too!

Photo of Waxed Meat Rice.

Radio News

A lot of people ask me why I bother getting up so early in the morning to present the news on radio, Traxx FM on RTM to be exact. I mainly do it out of interest. I call it 'money for little treats', some extra pocket money to spend on myself.

When I first started back in 2003, I was doing as many as 5 blocks a week. A block back then consisted of presenting 2 news bulletins within a 3-hour time frame. It has since evolved into 5 consecutive bulletins on the hour per block, which is why I have decided to do only 2 blocks per week; out of interest as I say.

Still, it is relatively rewarding. I enjoy it. It keeps me abreast of what's happening around the world and in the country. I have made some friends. There are laughs every once in a while.

Photo of Angkasapuri where Wisma Radio is located, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

News On Radio

I've been presenting the news on RTM's TraxxFM since 2004. Over the years, I've done a number of weekly slots but at present am down to twice a week in the mornings from 6am to 9am. That means waking up at 4.30am on the days when I am rostered.

A lot of my friends ask why I bother. Well, the main reason is that it is an interest and I still enjoy it. I have also forged friendships with some fellow presenters and editors, past and present.

Friends and family know that I have varied interests, and this is just one of them. I ponder every year-end if I should continue, and I invariably end up renewing my contract. I suppose that goes to show that there is still motivation to get up in the wee hours of the morning in order to make my trek to Wisma Radio, Angkasapuri.

Photo of some of the presenters and editors at G.Krishnan's farewell party.

First Day Back At Work

Yesterday was my first day back at work at That Special Occasion. A good start to 2010 as it was relatively busy, especially in the afternoon.

Also had the pleasant surprise of being paid visits by 3 of our industry colleagues. Anizah of TrulyScrumptious! and Natasha of The Peak Xperience brought clients over and Lyn of My Bridal Florist came by with a thoughtful New Year's floral gift basket. I hope such mutual collaborations will continue throughout the year.

Today sees me getting back to my other 2 jobs, weddingsmalaysia as well as doing the news at RTM. It always takes a bit of effort to get back into the groove of things after a short break, but I am looking forward to what's in store. Smooth sailing days ahead!

Photo of gown by That Special Occasion, courtesy of Kid Chan Studio.

Orang Utan

I was watching the National Geographic Channel. To be perfectly honest, I don't normally watch this particular channel. The only reason for doing so earlier this evening was to catch 'Among The Great Apes With Michelle Yeoh'. There has been quite a lot of press about this documentary of late and I always try to watch when it involves Michelle Yeoh ...... something about the 'Malaysia Boleh' spirit; yes, yes, I've been presenting the news for too long on RTM Radio! Ha!Ha!

I've been to Kota Kinabalu quite a few times but always end up in the city, the beach at Tuaran, Kiulu, the outlying islands and Kinabalu National Park. Have never been to Sepilok despite there being the world-famous Sepilok Orang Utan Sanctuary. My good friends will tell you that I am not an animal-enthusiast but I did learn a thing or two from the documentary.

Firstly, one must have a true calling and passion to be a vet, ranger, research assistant and the like for a cause such as the orang utan sanctuary at Sepilok. Secondly, we often overlook how beautiful our country is in terms of landscapes, as evident in the breathtaking locations that were featured. Thirdly, we seldom get to hear about the good work carried out by those trying to make a difference. I definitely have a better appreciation now.

Photo taken from Sabah Tourism.

Pleasant Sunday

It's a Sunday, it's Raya, it's 12 noon and I've had quite a pleasant day so far. I've been up since 4.30am, normal routine for a Sunday when I am on morning news duty at Traxx Fm. Got done with news, wished the nation Selamat Hari Raya in the process and was out of RTM by 9.15am.

A requisite Sunday morning swim under overcast skies later, a lazy breakfast followed. Apple and aloe vera juice, a Hawaiian pizza, yes you didn't read wrong, it was pizza, and a soothingly rich Milo, perfect complements to the Travel & Leisure South East Asia magazine that I religiously read every month.

I've still got a number of things to accomplish today - coin an original Raya greeting to text my friends later, hit the gym to work off all the calories from Shino and Gordon's wedding banquet last night, if I can be disciplined enough to do so, some writing to complete for the October updates of weddingsmalaysia.com. But first, a snooze beckons. A friend of mine recently remarked that not being with someone doesn't mean one can't have a good life. There certainly is some truth to that, so for now, it's all about loving thyself ... myself that is.

Photo of breakfast.

Hair Crisis

After a few notably serious recent posts, thought I'd be a bit lighthearted this time round. I'm facing a small crisis, a hair crisis that is. You see, my hairstylist of the past few years, Shane, has scooted off to Australia in search of greener pastures. I used to pay Shane a visit at his salon, just a few roads away from my office in Desa Sri Hartamas once a month, plonk myself down on a chair and let him work his magic. I try to practise what I preach. As an editor, I have my viewpoint; as a designer, I have my aesthetic; and I always prefer that advertisers and clients allow me my creative freedom. Similarly, I believe in giving creative-types a freehand when I employ their services. My standard greeting to Shane - 'Do whatever you want with my hair'. My only criteria is that it not be too unorthodox so as to get me into trouble with security at RTM and not too expensive so as to burn a big hole in my pocket.

With Shane gone, I am in search of a new hairstylist. My modus operandi - just walk into a relatively swanky-looking (yes, I am shallow at times) yet affordable salon, ask for an artistic director or senior stylist, preferably the former rather than the latter (hmm, this makes me sound rather elitist), deliver my 'Do whatever you want with my hair' speech, and hope for the best. Tried 1 last month, OK but not so great. Tried another tonight, better than the last. Will see what comments my hair elicits before deciding whether to stick to number 2 or proceed to potential hairstylist number 3.

One thing is for sure, if you ever see me in a cap like what violinist-extraordinaire Dennis is wearing (not that there is anything wrong with Dennis' hair), you will know that my giving a freehand to a potential hairstylist has gone terribly wrong haha!

Photo of Dennis of Mosaic Music Entertainment and I shot at Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur.