Durian

I am not a great fan of durians. I do eat them but normally only do so if friends or family organise a durian 'makan session' or party. For me, the company and fellowship are the incentives, rather than the king of fruits per se.

 

This past year, I've probably only had durian four times. The first and second when Mum and Auntie Anne packed some back from the market and pasar malam respectively. The third when my friends Shirley, Bunny and Nabil suggested we do durian for dinner at Donald's Durian in SS2, and the fourth when Auntie Linda and Uncle Jeff treated the extended family to a durian party of 30 fruits.

 

Whether the durians are of supposed top-notch quality or at a bargain of RM1 each mean little to me, as I always enjoy them as they are, with the people whose companionship make such gatherings memorable occasions.

 

 

Nabil, Bunny and Shirley at Donald's Durian in SS2, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.

Pre-CNY Dinner

Shirley, Bunny and Nabil have been friends of mine for a long time, particular the former two, who were my colleagues when I first started my career in advertising. Through the years, our friendships have become stronger and more personal. We have each other's back and no topic is off limits.

 

We make it a point to meet as often as we can, a meal at least once a month or at the worst once every two months. Other times, we keep ourselves updated on each other's lives via a Whatsapp group. And with Chinese New Year just round the corner, a dinner was of course a must before we went our separate ways to celebrate with our own extended families.

As always good food was the perfect complement to great company.


Photo shot at Noble Mansion in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.

Surprise Celebration

I was recently invited to a surprise birthday party for my good friend Bunny. I am always game for a surprise celebra-tion and accepted the invite without any hesitation, after all, what better way was there to spend a Sunday evening.

 

I would have to say, the organisers of the party, Chris and James, accomplices of Bunny's other half Nabil, did a remarkable job, pulling off a spectacular surprise, but more importantly, a meaningful celebration for the birthday girl. From the biggest challenge of keeping everything under wraps to the tiniest detail, the party unfolded smoothly, giving Bunny the opportunity to mark another milestone with family and close friends.

 

For me, the success of a party very much depends on the guests and their relationship with the one whom we were there to toast. A celebration, whether big or small, sophisticated or casual, can only be a memorable one if friendship, love and camaraderie are in abundance. And on that Sunday night, all three were clearly evident.

 

 

Bunny, Nabil and I.

Optimism

This month has been one of celebrations. I am thankful that my family and friends have taken the time to mark my birthday by enjoying meals with me. I appreciate the good company and relationships that we have nurtured over the years, and certainly look forward to many more celebrations together.

Good friends are hard to come by. I have a handful, my inner circle so to speak, and they always have my back in any circumstance. These are the friends who know me inside out, they enjoy the good but also have to put up with my flaws. I do my best to reciprocate.

As I embark on a new year of life, I carry with me an optimism, fueled by all the best wishes that have come my way these past few weeks. Thanks y'all!

With Nabil, Bunny, Cassandra, LC and Adeline at One World Hotel, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.

Port Dickson International Triathlon 2012

It's good to have an aspiration to work towards. Case in point, the Port Dickson International Triathlon 2012 last Sunday. First and foremost, I am no triathlete. I can't cycle nor run to save my life. I can however swim and I have been part of tri-relays on three occasions now. The first, in Bali June last year and the second, in Singapore in May. We took part in the sprint relay, the former with Richard and Lee Kuen, the latter with Bunny and Lee Kuen as my team mates.

This time round however, my friend Ray, a previous Iron Man participant on the comeback trail, registered me as his team swimmer in the Olympic distance relay. That would mean moving up from 750m to 1.5km between the Singapore and Port Dickson races. Apprehensive I was but I always relish a challenge. So train harder and more often I did in the month leading up to race day in PD. With much encouragement from my friends, I set myself a reasonably achievable target of finishing the swim leg in under 40 minutes. My friends, in particular my team mates Ray and Wei Min, thought 30 minutes might be possible.

Suffice to say, I completed the swim portion of the race in 31 minutes 21 seconds and our team finished a respectable 30th in the men's relay, and 64th in the overally relay event out of a 109 teams. Happy I was to have managed the Olympic distance tri swim leg, in a pretty good time too by my standards. More importantly, my team mates were happy with the swim. Being the first leg of the race, I always feel that it is necessary to get them off to a good start, so there is pressure somewhat. Ray and Wei Min did very well too, and we were more than satisfied with our performance, our first as a team. An enjoyable race it was and I am sure there will be more to come in the future. For now, I have to continue training. The best swimmer in the race was 10 minutes ahead of me. There is still some catching up to do. Another challenge to conquer indeed.

Photo courtesy of Ooi Wei Min.

Singapore Sprint Triathlon Relay

The MetaSprint Series Singapore Triathlon was the main reason I was in Singapore last week. My cousins, friends and I fielded 4 teams and we did reasonably well - out of 25 teams, we finished as follows, Team We Try Harder 12th 1:27:47 San 14:55 Nabil 38:30 Soorya 30:28; Team weddingsmalaysia 16th 1:34:57 Kris 16:46 Bunny 40:22 Lee Kuen 33:43; Team New Friends 19th 1:38:45 Siew Yoong 26:24 Nigel 42:14 Katherine 26:22; Team Hiplist 21st 1:45:14 Chin Lai 20:28 Kok Ang 42:21 Ai Ling 38:40 - a pretty satisfying result considering we are amateurs and just competed with the aim of finishing the race.

This was my second attempt at a sprint triathlon relay, the first being in Bali last June, and was therefore less daunting. Although I swim regularly, doing so in the sea is vastly different from the more secure surrounds of a pool. It challenges me to perform out of my comfort zone. Committing to such a race also gives me something to look forward to and acts as a catalyst for me to train and keep in shape. It requires discipline to a certain extent as I don't want to let my team-mates down, seeing that swimming is the first leg of the race. It is always a thrill if I am able to give them a good start. In Bali, I was 12th out of the water, this time I was 9th. Although I was competing against different swimmers, I am still pleased. The Singapore swim leg was also longer, 750m against 500m in Bali, and my average swim time also improved. Always good to know that the hard work put in has paid off.

The best part of the experience though is the camaraderie amongst the twelve of us. We hung out at dinner on the eve of the race, we encouraged each other, we shared in the enthusiasm, we cheered each other on, we patted each other on the back for a job well done. Moments like these are what such races are about for me. I certainly look forward to more races in the future. Who knows, a move up to the Olympic distance perhaps?

Photo of all of us after the race in Changi, Singapore.

New Year's Eve

2011 has come and gone and I am in a reflective mood this New Year's Eve. Instead of braving the crowds downtown, I am spending the evening at home, after having just returned from a Japanese dinner with my Mum and sis. I suppose I can consider last night's dinner at Bunny and Nabil's as the party to end the year, with much merriment and good friends. Tonight is more about spending quality time with my family.

2011 has been good to me. I've been relatively successful on the workfront. There were some hits and misses, but I can't complain when I look at the bigger scheme of things. There is always room for improvement and that's what I shall be aspiring to do next year. This year has also been good to me travel-wise. Seven holidays in all - Chinese New Year trip with my family to Koh Samui, company trip to Hatyai, celebrating Mum's birthday in Seoul, participating in my first triathlon relay with good friends and cousins in Bali, surprised my cousin Siew Yoong on her 40th birthday in Bangkok, returning to the family village in China, trekking in Nepal with my cousin Lynette to mark her milestone birthday. I hope to top that in 2012, or at the very least equal it.

Most of my resolutions and aspirations for the year have been met. A few, I did not attain. These are the ones to work harder towards from tomorrow onwards. Yes, there are still goals to achieve, dreams to realise. As the curtain comes down on 2011, I am grateful for the good times spent with family, friends and industry colleagues. I am thankful for good health. I appreciate the experiences life has accorded me. Here's to an even better year in 2012.

Turning prayer wheels to cast away sufferings, at Boudhanath in Nepal.

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.

Balanced Diet

I am trying my best to have a balanced diet and it is definitely a chore, albeit a necessary one. I am instinct-ively an unhealthy eater. I love decadent desserts, I love fastfood, I love super sweet teh tarik, my favourite style of cooking is deep frying, I like my food salty, I am not a fan of plain water, I don't fancy anything wholemeal, I love to eat out, you get the picture.

For the past year or so however, I have been making a concerted effort to be a bit more health-conscious food-wise. I am not extremely disciplined but I gather a bit of effort is better than none at all. And most regrettably, I have given up my all time favourite drink, Coke! It used to be a staple for me but it has now been relegated to once in a blue moon. Sigh.

Add to such an effort some regular swimming and I guess I am doing pretty alright. But one thing's for sure, I am always looking for an excuse to reward myself. Rewarding oneself, isn't that what the good life is all about?

New Year's Eve BBQ at my friend Bunny's.

Optimism

The start of a new year is always a time of optimism. 2010 ended well and 2011 has been great thus far. Yes, we're only a few days into the new year and I am feeling upbeat.

I spent the last few days of 2010 with good friends and I spent the first few days of this year with good friends too. Optimistic friends I might add. Good vibes are perfect catalysts to get one into a positive frame of mind. And a positive outlook is the best way to experience what 2011 has in store.

There is so much to look forward to. New clients, exciting projects, new business deals, family, friendships, travels, why cupid may even strike if the fortune tellers hold true. Whatever life sends our way, I truly believe that the only thing one can do is to embrace them, experience them and perhaps learn a lesson or two. Only then can we grow and come to the realisation that we ought to appreciate the encounters that fate brings. Indeed, life is to be lived.

BBQ dinner hosted by Bunny and Nabil on New Year's Eve.

Befrienders

We went to the Befrienders Kuala Lumpur 40th anniversary charity dinner last Saturday. By we, I mean 2 tables worth of friends of mine - some from the wedding industry and others whom I have known for many years - who were kind enough to support a good cause.

Auntie Mary has been a past Chairman of the Befrienders, and when she calls, we try to respond. Other than filling 2 tables, That Special Occasion also donated an evening gown as a lucky draw prize. It is during such events that one realises the good work done by so many good samaritans, often, volunteers who contribute tirelessly yet remain in the background.

During the dinner, a friend remarked that she'd like to start a charity of her own, a soup kitchen perhaps. I'll definitely chip in if, or rather, when it comes to fruition.

Photo of Bunny, Joanne and I.

Meaningful Experience

My friends Bunny and Nabil recently cycled from London to Paris as part of a convoy to raise funds for charity. Being cycling enthusiasts, it seemed the perfect vehicle for them to make a difference whilst enjoying a sport and pastime that they loved.

Such meaningful experiences are what some of us look for in life. Something that ignites a spark, inspires us, that lends meaning to the sometimes mundane lives that we lead.

I had lunch with Bunny upon her return from Europe. She's already planning for next year. An even more adventurous but extremely arduous challenge. Surely something to look forward to.

Photo courtesy of Leon Lin.

Monthly Lunch

We lead such busy lives that sometimes we tend to neglect our friends. Bunny and I, and to a lesser extent LC, go back a long way. We've been friends for many, many years. Bunny and I started out as colleagues. LC did some design work for us when we were both in media. We've become good friends over time.

We've recently decided to meet once a month at the very least, all 3 of us. A monthly lunch so to speak. To ensure that it takes place without fail, we pen down a day for the next rendezvous immediately after a lunch date. So far so good. Our immediate aim is to lunch at every restaurant at The Gardens in Mid Valley. It will take us quite a while I reckon.

We reminisce about the past, talk about the present, and plan for the future. The future of course is what we look forward to. The many aspirations that we wish to achieve, the myriad of experiences that we hope will touch our lives. If we do not share our dreams, no matter how lofty, with our good friends, who do we share them with?

LC, Bunny and I at Purple Cane at The Gardens in Mid Valley, Kuala Lumpur.

Wise Words

I had lunch with a friend at The Yogitree at The Gardens in Mid Valley yesterday. Upon entering, the first thing that I noticed was their inspiration wall.

‘It’s not work if you love what you do’ – sometimes yes for me, sometimes not, depending on whether anyone pissed me off. ‘Park your car in the box provided and walk the rest to your destination. It’s good for your heart and good for the environment’ – that I did do, but due to massive traffic because of the public holiday in Selangor, premium parking was the only solution. ‘Good health = Joyful living’ – couldn’t agree more! My favourite? ‘Take this weekend off … unplug from the world, no TV, no computers, no handphones’ – possible I reckon except that I need my notebook and handphone!

Little quotes like these make us sit-up, take notice and hopefully put into practice. That’s why I snapped the photo Bunny!

Photo shot at The Yogitree at The Gardens, Mid Valley, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.