Contentment

I had a conversation with a friend lately where I brought up the subject of contentment, how some of us never seem to be contented and instead, continuously go in search of something better. Whilst there are times when something better does come along, more often than not we are left disappointed. 

There are those in a good job who decide to quit and take on a new challenge, despite already being in a good position career-wise. And those who are seemingly happily coupled but who may stray. Or those who feel that they are in a rut at a particular point in life and just want to breakout out of the monotony they seem to languish in. 

At the end of the day, I guess we really ought to rely on our gut to tell us what route to take. Being rational may or may not be plausible, and for me, trusting my instincts will always take precedence. Certainly, one of the more intense topics to chat over tea. 

Artwork in Beijing, China.

Olympic Park In Beijing

With the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympics coming up next month, it seems appro-priate to have visited the Olympic Park in Beijing a couple of weeks back. 

I remember vividly watching the 2008 Olympic Games, awed by the stunning images of the Bird's Nest and the Water Cube, venues in which the best in the world showed off their athletic prowess and revelled in their performances after much training and sacrifice. To see these architectural feats in person is indeed an experience that I am grateful for. 

When upfront with these innovative structures, one gets a sense of inspiration. Inspiration to move forward with faith and hope, embracing the challenges and rewards that life has to offer. Indeed, I see such inspiration as a catalyst to work towards greater things in life.

Trying to run at the Olympic Park in Beijing, China.

A First To Beijing

Travelling with friends for the first time, even good friends I might add, is a somewhat delicate expe-rience. Although we may know each other well, being in close proximity and having to navigate the decision-making process for almost a week, is a challenge that will either strengthen our friendships or otherwise. 

Having accepted an invite to visit Beijing with two friends leading up to the Hari Raya holidays, the intent to keep an open mind and to be flexible in terms of sightseeing and food was a wise move, resulting in an immensely enjoyable trip, and friendships that are now on an even more solid footing. 

With this visit to Beijing being a first for me, I appreciated the care and effort taken to introduce me to the city and its many attractions as well as its cuisine. Attention to detail is a boon when travelling with a hotelier amongst us, and the opportunity to experience the hospitality of two of the leading hotels in the city is something to remember. A progressive city that values the past, lovely weather and good company make for an enjoyable trip indeed. 

Johan, Brennen and I at Today Art Museum in Beijing, China.

Big Group

Going on a holiday with the extended family can both be an enthu-siastic as well as a stressful expe-rience. Last year, almost twenty of us 'balik kampung' to China to visit some of our relations at the family village. In a few months' time, about fifteen of us will be heading to Danang and Hoi An, in this year's edition of the extended family holiday.

I was initially undecided about whether to go this time round. But after some cajoling from my cousins plus a bit of tacit pressure from my Mum, I signed up. In fact, everyone else had already booked their flights much earlier. You could say 'better late than never' as I was the last one to confirm my participation.

Now that I have made up my mind to join the group, I am looking forward to the trip. I get along with those who are to be my travel companions for the six days, so it will be an enjoyable experience. Sure, there will be some stressful moments, something that is inevitable when traveling in a big group. But the positive experiences will more than outweigh the little hiccups.

My Malaysian cousins and I with our Chinese cousins in Nam Tong, China, last year.

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.

Bike Ride

My Malaysian cousins and I were treated to a bike ride around the rural countryside in our home village of Lamtang during our recent visit. Unlike our Chinese cousins, we rarely ever get on bikes here, so, it was a bit of a thrill for us pillion riders.

When in rural China, do as the rural Chinese do. No helmets! As we wound our way through hilly roads, one could not help but marvel at the beautiful landscapes, picturesque views that no camera can capture in its entirety.

After an hour's ride, a massage awaited. Certainly a good way to spend an afternoon.

Our small convoy in Lamtang, China.

Dwellings

Here is a photo of the old family home of some of my relatives in Lamtang, Huizhou, China. They of course now live in slightly more modern dwellings, a contemporary-styled 3-storey building built right next to these structures of yesteryears. But up to a few years ago, these age-old cottages were home.

When touring these cottages, I feel a deeper appreciation for the lifestyle we have in Malaysia. The simple comforts we so often take for granted are a luxury to many rural folk. It is therefore comforting to see that some of these modern conveniences are now accessible to my cousins, aunts and uncles, nephews and nieces, in our little Chinese village.

As a touristic visitor, we always look out for an authentic experience. I encountered a few during my recent trip to Lamtang. And these experiences certainly offer a different perspective of life, urging us to truly appreciate the good things that we enjoy in our lives.

Photo shot in Lamtang, China.

Family Ties

It is perhaps apt that my family's trip back to our village in Lamtang, Huizhou, China coincided with the impending Hari Raya holidays. Such celebrations are times when family ties come to the fore.

I think it is fair to say that nowhere else in the world are extended family relationships more evident than in Asia. Whilst we have embraced some influences from the West, our Asian upbringing has somehow ingrained in us the value of familial kinship.

Some say that distance makes the heart fonder. I would say that this is true. Although I keep in touch with my mainland Chinese cousins every now and then through sms-es and phone calls, there is still much joy and enthusiasm when we meet in person, be it during their visits to Malaysia or our recent trip back to the village. We have fun, enjoy each other's company and often remind ourselves how lucky we are to have such bonds, family bonds.

Photo shot in the family home in Lamtang, China.

Balik Kampung

I've never experienced 'balik kampung', even during Chinese New Year, as most of my extended family live in Petaling Jaya where I live. Well, I am happy to say that I have finally experienced the anticipation and rush when eighteen of us, seven from my generation, headed back to Lamtang in Huizhou, China, last weekend.

My mother's side of the family in Malaysia still keeps in touch with many relatives in the village, with each clan making reciprocal visits over the past few years. I too am friendly with my cousins in China, despite my not being able to read nor write in Chinese. Fortunately, those from my generation speak Cantonese and I am able to converse in my limited Hakka to the older relations.

One thing I know for sure is that the extended family in Lamtang are extremely warm and affectionate. They go out of their way to make us comfortable. And we can sense their pride when we make the trek 'home' so to speak. When we arrived by chartered bus from Shenzhen on Saturday, they welcomed us with a 50-metre firecracker display which lasted a whopping eight and a half minutes. It was certainly a exciting way to start off the festivites of our visit!

Firecrackers at the family home in Lamtang village in Huizhou, China.

Confidence And Trust

My cousin in Hong Kong, Roy, will be marrying Ming in January 2012. When this news was conveyed to me during their visit to KL early this year, I offered them a gift of a wedding gown. They graciously accepted and I appreciate the confidence they have in my abilities. I say this because not all in my family have done so in the past. I always enjoy working on gowns for family members, it is fulfilling.

We have been discussing designs via email the past few weeks with sketches and photos sent back and forth. The design has now been decided and I am excited to embark on this project soon. Ming's kind words of 'I absolutely trust you' also makes me want to do my best.

I'll be heading to Hong Kong and China for a holiday come August. I intend to bring the dress along for a fitting then. It will be fun.

Photo of Ming and Roy shot in Kuala Lumpur in January.

Making Life Sweet

I had lunch with my friend LC yesterday. It was his birthday. It's easy to remember since our birthdays are only 10 days apart. We were born in the same year, share the same zodiac, and have both reached a milestone in our lives.

We talked about my recent holidays in Turkey and Hong Kong and about his impending trip to China. How we should really take the time to enjoy what life has to offer. And he reminded me of how he suggested that I change my motto for the year from 'Life is short, go for it' to 'Life is short, make it sweet', something which I blogged about in January.

I had had a horrid morning prior to lunch, in fact, I threw a fit in the office, on my first day back at work after holidays no less. What LC said put things in perspective somewhat. Perhaps that's why I went back to work in a better frame of mind and much was accomplished the rest of the day.

Making life sweet by having tea in such a pretty location in Istanbul, Turkey on my birthday.

Relatives In Hong Kong Part 2

I concluded my trip to Hong Kong with a dinner hosted by my mum's cousin and 2 nieces who live there. Relatives from my mother's side of the family are extremely warm, be it those in Hong Kong or those in Nam Tong, mainland China.

I have my cousins' numbers on my mobile and it is always hilarious when we text each other, I in English and they in Chinese, with my uncle in Malaysia acting as translator. Back and forth we will go forwarding messages. The necessary effort to keep in touch which is well worth it.

And when the texting gets a bit tedious, I just dial their numbers and chat in person. Fortunately they speak Cantonese, which is of course a great relief.

Photo with relatives in Hong Kong from my mum's side of the family.

Farewell For Now

The 2 years I spent in Switzerland in the early 1990s were some of the best times of my life. Having returned home, I maintained a close-knit group of friends who shared a common link to L'Institut Hotelier 'Cesar Ritz' where we studied - Danny, Phoebe, Patricia and Faizol.

Patricia has since moved to Brisbane with hubby Robert, and the latest ones to move will be Danny and Phoebe in a few days. Having done stints in Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu at Shangri-La properties, Danny will be assuming the role of Director Of Sales & Marketing at Shangri-La Hotel, Dalian in China.

To wish them well and send them on their way, I hosted a farewell dinner over the weekend. Faizol and wife Sonya joined us, with Patricia 'phoning in' all the way from Brisbane. A silver lining - I've got a new place to visit soon. Meanwhile, there'll be an alumni gathering of Cesar Ritz graduates this Friday, so time to catch up with the others as well.

Photo of Danny, me, Faizol, Chloe, Sonya, Phoebe and Wesley.