Family Holiday

My sister Suk Harn recently gave my Mum and I a treat, a two week holiday in London, Stockholm and Istanbul. Having been based in London for almost a year, the plan was for us to spend some time travelling as a family towards the end of her one year working stay in the English city.

 

For me, it was a return trip to London after two decades, to Istanbul since 2000, and a first sojourn to Scandinavia. For Mum, it was a trip down memory lane as she read law in London, with her most recent visit being a business trip with my late father many years ago. The other two cities were new places of interest for Mum, and all of us certainly looked forward to the trip.

 

An all expenses paid trip, other than shopping money, is something no one can refuse. All three cities provided wonderful experiences, sights to behold and food to savour. Most importantly though, traveling together as an immediate family allowed us to strengthen our bonds, even more. We look forward to my sister's return next month. Rest assured, more holidays will be in our plans.

 

 

Photo taken at Drottningholm Palace in Stockholm, Sweden.

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.

A Good Guest

A good guest is one who doesn't complain. Instead, he or she appreciates the effort put in by the host, and makes it a point to enjoy the food, the drinks, the atmosphere, the company. You've been invited to a party, so why complain when you can have a good time. It's all in the mindset if you ask me.

From a personal standpoint, the rule of thumb that I advocate is that if you have nothing good to say, then don't say anything. And if one is deserving of a compliment, then I offer words of appreciation and encouragement. As a guest, I often put myself in the shoes of the host. Wouldn't you want your guests to have a good time, wouldn't you want them to love the food you've prepared? If one sees it from this perspective, then one will be more likely than not, more appreciative.

And my golden rule? If the host has personally cooked a meal, I never ever ask for salt and pepper or any other condiments for that matter, if they are not offered to me. We ought to respect the chef's culinary skills, don't you think?

Photo of a sidewalk tea house near the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, Turkey.

A Good Host

A good host is someone who makes the effort to ensure that his or her guests have a good time. Take a dinner party for instance. Sure, good food is always appreciated. Drink too for that matter.

For me though, I look at the other little details. An sms reminder a few days before the party with a teaser of the planned menu. A text of the address so as not to lose our way. Pairing drinks with the appetisers and main courses. Coffee for the coffee drinkers, tea for the non-coffee fans. A variant of decadent chocolate after another for dessert. Most of all, does the host give up the best seat in the house? Does he or she forgo place settings if there aren't enough to go round?

I may be in an industry that celebrates special occasions but I readily admit that I do not necessarily have the required patience to host a party that pays so much attention to detail. That's why I love working with my industry friends who are event planners for they are the ones who can carry out such functions with aplomb. But going back to why I am writing this post. Well, I had the pleasure of being invited to a dinner party last week that inspired these musings. Here's to that perfect host.

Dining alfresco in Istanbul, Turkey.

Reminder

A friend just lost a loved one to an accident yesterday. Another reminder that we should live life to the fullest. This sad news is compounded by the fact that my uncle also left us last month in an accident. Fate shocks us without any warning.

We always remind ourselves to make every minute count. In reality, we seldom do that. Most times, we get bogged down with work, with the schedules we have to adhere to, with the deadlines we have to meet. Only when we receive shocking news do we take a step back and reflect.

My friend Lee Kuen posted this on my Facebook wall in response to my reminder to live life to the fullest ... to make time for people whom we hold dear in our hearts, and to pursue dreams that we have long cherished. Hear ye, hear ye.

Photo of a minaret of the Aya Sofya in Istanbul, Turkey.

Decisions

I am pretty decisive by nature. Be it in business or my personal life, I seldom pro-crastinate, I generally am quick to take a stand. I make firm decisions and don't normally waver.

These past few months however, I have been going back and forth, back and forth, back and forth about one particular issue. It's business-related and I think I am guilty of letting sentiment get to me. Mixing sentiment with business is not what I normally advocate and therein lies the dilemma now that I've let it creep into my decision making process. I now seem to have conflicting emotions about which route to take. It varies depending on my state of mind at a particular instant. Which is why I am going to make it a point to take some more time to think it over.

Perhaps Bali will knock some sense into me ... while lazing by the pool, watching a sunset perhaps or maybe during a relaxing massage, common sense will prevail I hope.

Waiting for dinner to be served in Istanbul, Turkey.

Reflect And Learn

I find myself in one of those moods. Looking back at what might have been, what could have been. What if I had chosen another route when I reached that particular crossroad? I find myself in such a temperament from time to time.

Some say it is not healthy, since we cannot change the past. I think it is good to reflect, re-think it through, and hopefully realise that there is no right or wrong. Whatever decisions we make in life, we live with them, we learn to live with the resultant outcomes, good or not so good. That is the lesson to be learnt.

So as I sit here and brood, I'd like to think that I'll be in a better frame of mind tomorrow. There's much to be savoured in life.

Photo shot at Taksim Square in Beyoglu, Istanbul, Turkey.

Selamat Hari Raya

My wish this Hari Raya is firstly for all to be safe on the roads and secondly for all Malaysians to be as one. These are lofty aspirations, easier said than done, but I shall keep the faith that they are possible to achieve, hopefully sooner rather than later.

I always feel that come Hari Raya, Deepavali, Christmas and Chinese New Year, it is time for renewal. Time to shed the wounds of the past and start afresh. To look forward to better things ahead. To see what life has in store for us. A new chapter so to speak.

Selamat Hari Raya to all!

Photo shot in the beautiful Blue Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey when I visited in April this year.

Being Cruel To Be Kind

Sometimes one needs to be cruel to be kind. It is never easy taking a tough stand, particularly when it involves those who we love. But when circumstances demand it, then it needs to be done. One needs to be the guiding light when our loved ones are blinded by irrationality.

Now, I do not profess to be perfect in any way. Nevertheless, I am well aware that practicality and reason have a role to play in how we live our lives. When something isn't right, I never find a way to justify it to the contrary. I'd much rather address the problematic issue at hand, no matter how awkward doing so may be.

It is never pleasant having to deal with such situations. Who wouldn't rather bask in a happy and harmonious cocoon? But life throws us curveballs, and there is really no avoiding them. We just have to face them head on and hopefully, we'll emerge stronger and better.

Photo of a minaret of the Aya Sofya in Istanbul, Turkey.

Lucky

I am always on the lookout for experiences that make one realise how lucky one is. I'd like to think that I live a pretty good life. Of course there are those who are better off. Similarly, there are those who are worse off. I make it a point to count my blessings. Nevertheless, I am human after all and every once in a while, I find myself wanting more.

There are voids in my life that I would like to fill and some things are best left to work themselves out. It is during these times of self doubt that I look back on all the wonderful experiences that I have encountered in life. Some of which were orchestrated, others which I chanced upon.

This beautiful setting overlooking the Bosphorus in Turkey welcomed me after a long walk up a rather steep hill in Anadolu Kavagi. I had contemplated whether to trek or not but decided to do so, despite objections from my tired legs. I'd say the effort was worth it.

Photo shot at Anadolu Kavagi, near Istanbul in Turkey.

Que Sera Sera

A good friend of mine was working on a project on my behalf for the better part of half a year. It was a very nice gesture as there are moments every now and then when I feel relatively jaded and uninspired to pursue some of my aspirations. We all face challenges in life, some obstacles larger than others, some mountains seemingly too high to climb. Nevertheless, it's wonderful to have friends who are willing to lend a hand, no matter how arduous the task at hand may be.

I have come to realise that sometimes, certain challenges are best left to work themselves out. We may have tried too hard, or perhaps we may not have tried hard enough. Maybe the timing wasn't right. There are a host of reasons that can wear us down if we analyse it too much. My friend thinks that the project was a dismal failure. I think not. I appreciate the effort and enthusiasm.

So I shall say this ... que sera sera, whatever will be, will be. And when all else fails, we rely on faith and hope. That I think I still have in abundance.

Photo of me at Cafe Mesale in Istanbul, Turkey.

Close Shave

My mum and two of my aunts were driving along Karak Highway yesterday afternoon when a 100-foot tree uprooted itself and crashed into their car. The entire bonnet was crushed. I hate to imagine what would have happened if they had driven just a split second faster. Fortunately all three of them were not injured, shaken perhaps but unharmed.

A close shave as such is a wake up call of sorts. It reminds us that anything can happen in life, good or bad. It reminds us to thank our lucky stars. It reminds us to live life to the fullest on a daily basis, appreciate our loved ones, and not take anything for granted. It reminds us not to let unhappy events of the past hold us back from embracing the happiness that is to come. It encourages us to pursue our aspirations now rather than later.

There is a lesson to be learnt.

Photo of Gulhane Parki in Istanbul, Turkey.

No Time To Waste, No Time For Nonsense

I've recently made it clear that I have no time to waste and no time for nonsense. Be it in work or relationships, it's just not worthwhile dealing with individuals who have a chip on their shoulder, who have baggage, who are generally rude and who have no knack for diplomacy.

I've come to realise, though I should have a long time ago, that I need to rid my life of these negative elements in order to be in a better disposition. A more positive outlook is in the works. Yes, I am a work-in-progress, not perfect but making improvements along the way.

As a start, surrounding myself with happy, positive people!

Photo shot while having lunch on my birthday on the terrace of Midpoint Restaurant on Istiklel Caddesi in Beyoglu, Istanbul, Turkey.

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.

Cold Turkey

I think I am going cold turkey from missing Turkey. 8 days is a relatively short period of time to visit a country but Turkey has left a lasting impression on me. The beauty bestowed on the country by Mother Nature speaks for itself, for any which way one turns in many a place, one is greeted by a postcard perfect setting.

I suppose the beautiful spring weather, particularly in Antalya and Istanbul, contributed to the positive experience. The strong sun and warm weather in the former was great for sunbathing and swimming in the Mediterranean whereas the cooler days in the latter albeit still with much sun, made walking to the various sights comfortable and having tea alfresco watching the world go by very enjoyable. I also made a few friends while in Cappadocia, fellow tourists whose company I was privileged to have enjoyed. We are keeping in touch and will surely share a tale or two from time to time.

On a similar note, I find myself re-tracing my footsteps whilst in Turkey every once in a while since I've been back home, and the flashbacks more often than not bring a smile to my face. I went solo on this trip and I found myself telling a friend that perhaps visiting Turkey with someone special would have made the experience even more profound. Well, who knows what the future may hold. But till then, I'd always welcome another trip there, solo or otherwise.

Photo shot from the deck of the hotel where I stayed in Cappadocia, Turkey.

Birthday 2010

This has been a very special birthday for me. It's 11.20pm Turkish time, on 2 May and as I reflect on my day, I can't help but feel how fortunate I am to have had this experience on holiday.

This trip is significant. It's my first solo trip in 2 decades, a birthday treat for myself, a rite of passage of sorts. Whilst a fairly seasoned traveller, travelling alone can have its pros and cons. One is free to decide on what to do and what not, what to see and what to give a miss, what to eat, you get what I mean. One also has to be more resilient and careful. More importantly, one has to be comfortable in one's own company.

I've come to realise that I am grateful and thankful for the many opportunities that have come my way. Be it in work, in relationships, life in general. I appreciate what I have experienced. But there's no harm in wanting to encounter even better experiences in future. So as this trip to Turkey comes to a close, I fly home to Malaysia with renewed hope, with fresh aspirations. With much faith that come next year, another trip beckons, one with a different circumstance, a better disposition, perhaps with some company and a more fulfilled presence, one that will certainly enrich.

Photo shot at the Aya Sofya in Istanbul, Turkey.

The Bosphorus

The Bosphorus is so scenic that one has to see it to believe it. I had the pleasure of taking a cruise on the Bosphorus Strait a few days ago and it certainly left a lasting impression.

From the historical palaces, monuments, mosques along its European and Asian shores to the towering bridges that span its width as well as the quaint villages that line it, each reminds one how lucky one is to have the opportunity to encounter such an experience.

The furthest stop of the cruise was Anadolu Kavagi. Trek up the hill in this little village and one is greeted by a view of the Bosphorus meeting the Black Sea. All I can say is that it is simply exhilarating.

Photo shot along the Bosphorus in Istanbul, Turkey.

Istanbul

I have been in Istanbul for 2 days. This is a solo trip, my first since the last one 2 decades ago, a birthday treat for myself, and somewhat of a rite of passage as well.

Istanbul is infinitely beautiful. The historical, architectural and cultural attractions. The scenic beauty of the Bosphorus. The exotic food. Their tea drinking tradition. Turkish delights. The like-minded awe that fellow tourists delight in.

Of course, tourism comes with its downsides as well. The crowds. Aggressive carpet shop owners and pushy restaurant touts, a minority, but still a nuisance. The upsides definitely outweigh the downs though. I head off to other parts of the country for a couple of days. But am looking forward to returning to Istanbul for a day and a bit before flying home. There is still much to see and do here.

Photo of the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey.