Well Done

Well done Eileen and Richard! Four years and counting. Without fail every year, my dear friend Eileen writes a blog post to mark her wedding anniversary. It is a humourous yet insightful take on their marriage and how their relationship has evolved over the years.

 

For those of us who had the privilege to be at their wedding in Bali, it is an affirmation that love can indeed be a wonderful journey for two. We have traveled with them through first-hand accounts of their experience, through Facebook posts, photos and chats, through writings on Eileen's blog. Suffice to say, we are happy for them and for the positive-vibes they generate.

 

Most importantly, they offer a message of hope, that no matter what the circumstance, the effort put in to nurture a relationship can bring with it a multitude of rewards. Here's Eileen's take on their four years of marriage... http://midnitemessages.blogspot.com/2013/08/4th-year-anniversary-roaring-tiger.html . Congratulations again my friends!

 

 

Eileen and Richard in Bali, Indonesia, shot by yours truly.

Eye Opening Experience

Eileen and Richard were back in town a couple of days ago en route from Yangon to the Maldives and we had a chance for a quick catch up over supper. Whilst we keep in touch regularly over Facebook, catching up in person is definitely much more personal.

 

I always enjoy listening to the both of them as they regale me with tales of life in Myanmar and the interesting circumstances they find themselves in from time to time, both in career and personal lives. I'd like to think that I am adventurous enough to visit emerging countries on holiday, although I have yet to head to Myanmar, a sore point with these two friends of mine, I find it hard to imagine having to live and adapt to the challenging environment over a long term basis. For this I have to take my hat off to the both of them. First Cambodia and now Myanmar, I wonder where next.

 

I guess I better make it to Yangon soon for a visit before they head off somewhere else. I am sure it will be an eye opening experience, one that will be seen through the eyes of my good friends who will be more than happy to show me round.

 

 

The three of us on a beach in Bali, Indonesia.

Dad's 3rd Anniversary

Today mark's the 3rd anniversa-ry of my dad's passing. How time flies. It doesn't seem that long ago that dad got sick and succumbed to the side effects of treatment a few months later.

 

This photo was taken on our last holiday together. We made a trip to Phnom Penh to have a look-see and to visit my friends Eileen and Richard. And here we are having a drink at Raffles Hotel Le Royal.

 

I always have a chuckle when I think of what dad would have said whenever I find myself in amusing situations. My family and relatives remember his compassion and patience. I unfortunately have not inherited nor nurtured the patience he possessed. Maybe in time. Every now and then, dad appears in my dreams and gives me some instructions, which I then relate to my family. Well, think I better go clean those pipes of his ..........

 

 

Mum, Dad and I at Raffles Hotel Le Royal in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

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.

At The Right Place At The Right Time

My good friends Eileen and Richard are relocating to Yangon from Phnom Penh. After a couple of years in the Cambodian capital, a new challenge beckons for the both of them, an opportunity that was too good to pass on. So to the land of Aung San Suu Kyi they head.

It must be an exciting time to make this move. Recent political developments signal a gradual return to the international stage for Myanmar and being in the midst of it all will be an experience of a lifetime. A case of being at the right place at the right time.

So all the best Eileen and Richard. I now have an excuse to visit Myanmar sooner rather than later. Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay, places that I'd like to see. The Road To Mandalay, an experience I want to save up for.

Eileen, Richard and I at Echo Beach in Canggu, Bali, Indonesia.

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.

Holidays

I often get asked how I manage to afford time off for regular holidays. Here's the deal. I still work while on holiday. I allocate at least 2 hours a day to answer emails, write and so forth. I am not one who likes to be deluged with work post holiday, so I would rather get some cleared while away. I am disciplined in that way.

Since beginning of June, I have been working for approximately 3 weeks followed by a week's holiday or thereabouts. Seoul done. Bali done. This cycle will run through beginning October and I am certainly looking forward to another 3 trips. The downside to all this is the intense work rate during the 3 work-weeks. Although I still have my off days, I do work half the time. I've noticed too that I am even more task-oriented and those working with me have had to roll up their sleeves and pull up their socks even more, so to speak. I am pretty sure they like the peace and quiet when I am away. They can then work on the list of tasks I leave them with peace of mind, without my constant scrutiny and demands, though I still keep in close touch via email.

Even though rather stressed at times, I ain't complaining, as I still manage to find time to swim at least 3 times a week, gym twice, read, network socially on the internet, coffee and dinner with family and friends, even a movie every now and then, plus 2 blocs of newsreading per week at RTM. Suffice to say, I have no time to waste. And there is always that upcoming holiday to look forward to. This I know for sure though, a 3-week-1-week cycle may be a tad ambitious. Well, come November, perhaps I'll have a re-think and see how a more reasonable cycle may be attained. In the meantime, it's full steam ahead.

Working in the coffee house of Ubud Inn in Bali, where I am joined by my friends Shirley and Richard.

Do As The Locals Do

When in Rome, do as the Romans do, so they say. When in Bali, do as the Balinese do. With this in mind, we headed to Pasar Senggol night market in Gianyar one evening to sample Babi Guling and Bakso.

Gianyar, not too far from Ubud, reputedly has some of the best Babi Guling in Bali and whilst I am not particularly a fan of pork, some of my travel friends are. I settled for Bakso at a nondescript stall and this I have to say - it is important to have a diverse travel experience. Being willing to try streetfood is often rewarded with a memorable experience.

A simple but tasty meal, good company and an authentic atmosphere, what's not to enjoy?

L to R : Our guide Putu, Richard, Eileen, yours truly, Uncle Lui and Auntie Lillian. Photo kindly shot by Shirley at Pasar Senggol in Gianyar, Bali, Indonesia.

Bali Triathlon 2011

I have always believed that if I put my mind to it, almost anything is possible. Case in point, the Bali Triathlon. What started as casual banter with my friend Eileen, an enthusiastic triathlete, ultimately turned out to be an extremely enjoyable and satisfying experience.

My team-mates, Richard (bike) and Lee Kuen (run), and I (swim) combined to race our first triathlon relay in Bali last Sunday, 26 June. Granted, we only participated in the sprint distance, it was an achievement nevertheless considering it was our first try and we did reasonably well, finishing in 16th place among all the teams taking part.

I had taken the effort to train for the past six months in the pool but no amount of training would prepare one fully for a swim in the sea. In fact, I only had one training swim in the sea the afternoon before race day but that allayed some of my concerns as the waters of Jimbaran Bay were relatively calm and not as cold as I had expected. I had a great time during the race per se. Apparently I came out of the water in 12th place, and we definitely swam more than the original distance as there were claims that the transition buoys shifted positions. What I didn't train for was the run on the beach from the water to the bike transition area. Although only 800m in distance, I struggled as I don't normally run, not even on the treadmill in the gym. I'll have to be better prepared next time. Yes, next time. We are already planning for our next race, so exciting and fun this experience was.

Photo of Richard, Eileen, yours truly and Lee Kuen shot by Shirley Hoo at Jimbaran Bay in Bali, Indonesia.

Countdown To Bali Triathlon

Here's a photo of Eileen, Richard and I the last time we were in Bali last October. This time round, we will have to take another photo, including Lee Kuen too, as the four of us will be participating in the Bali Triathlon this Sunday.

Team Journeys For Two @ Eileen, will be racing the Olympic Distance whereas Team weddingsmalaysia @ yours truly, Richard and Lee Kuen will be racing the Sprint Distance Relay. The event will be a first for Lee Kuen and I, and together with Richard, we just aim to enjoy the experience and complete the race. As for Eileen, well, let's just say she is ultra-competitive despite having fallen ill due to overtraining. Knowing her, she will still put up a good race. And to document it all, we are happy to have Shirley joining us on the trip and we've asked her to just snap away as she likes.

I am also particularly looking forward to the few days of R&R after the race. Good food, good company and pleasant surrounds, Bali is always a favourite of mine.

Photo shot in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia last year.

Christmas In Saigon

I wasn't particularly in the Christmas mood before leaving KL earlier in the week but am definitely in the spirit here in Saigon. The streets have been dressed up, the restaurants have been fully booked and the people have been coming out to celebrate.

I would say that witnessing the Saigonese come out onto the streets and celebrate with such gusto has been a highlight of my visit. Horns blaring, the chaos of people on motorcycles jostling with people on foot, the way they party with reckless abandon, is an experience not easily forgotten.

We had a seafood Christmas lunch at Ngoc Suong, recommended by Leticia and Tjun Hong, and then a Christmas dinner of Hue cuisine at Mitau, the professed choice of Eileen's and Richard's when in Saigon. I ended the evening with a hot cocoa at the rooftop bar of the Rex Hotel, enjoying the retro songs crooned by the resident band, backed by the sounds of horns as well as the hustle and bustle of the surrounding streets below. As I took a slow walk back to my hotel, I marveled at the colonial architecture of City Hall, beautifully lit up, a perfect backdrop for photos of both the locals and tourists alike. And I said a little thanks for the opportunity to be here at this time of year. Merry Christmas Ho Chi Minh City!

Photo shot at the lobby of the Rex Hotel in Saigon, Vietnam.

Crazy

The crazy things we do sometimes. Here is a photo of me together with Eileen and Richard, stripping and then jumping into the pool during Leticia's and Tjun Hong's wedding in Bali. We had of course come prepared with our swimwear and had been willing to add to the merriment if the opportunity arose. To get others into the pool, some need to dive head in first, but in our case, we just leapt.

It is moments such as this that makes life fun to live. 'What the heck' is a motto that I sometimes live by. Those within my inner circle know how I can let my hair down if I want to and I only share such situations with those whom I have come to know well.

What is life without a little mischief now and then, don't you reckon?

Photo by Jim Liaw, courtesy of Leticia and Tjun Hong.

Encounters

My friend Eileen describes herself as MARCOMS chick, wedding planner by day, writer by night, triathlete on the weekends and soon to be crusader of those in need. By and large, that certainly is an apt description.

Currently residing and working in Phnom Penh, we keep in touch via Facebook, email and during her periodic trips home. Most of all, I keep track of her musings in two of her blogs. Her newer one entitled 'An Encounter With ........' is an honest take on the lives and perspectives of everyday people. I find it an immensely interesting read. Her other blog 'Messages At Midnight' is more personal in nature but no less riveting.

We share a common bond in expressing some of our thoughts through words.


Photo of Eileen, her other half Richard and I in Bali, Indonesia.

Whatever

When travelling in a group, I try to adopt the 'whatever' attitude. Too many cooks spoil the broth as they say and as such, if I am not responsible for the itinerary, I normally just go with the flow.

Lately, for the past 2 years to be exact, I've taken a liking to travelling with Tjun Hong, Leticia, Debra, Richard and Eileen, good friends of mine who happen to be in the same industry in which I work. We share similar interests, a wicked sense of humour, good taste; we all love to spa, though Eileen would need some cajoling to join the rest of us.

I've done Bali with all of them, twice. I've done Phnom Penh with Eileen and Richard too. I look forward to more sojourns. No firm plans as yet ... after all, Leticia's and Tjun Hong's wedding celebrations ain't over yet, there's still the big party in KL on 23 October. A possibility would be June next year for the Bali Triathlon. No, I am not competing, but Eileen may be, and we'll be there to cheer her on ... an excuse for the rest of us to go eat, go spa and go shop, in the guise of being supportive friends!

Photo of Tjun Hong, Leticia, Eileen, Richard and I at Ibu Oka in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia.

Leticia & Tjun Hong 10.10.10

What a fab wedding it was. There was much anti-cipation, there was much suspense. And boy were emotions running high. All amidst the beautiful backdrop of Villa Pushpapuri in Ketewel, Sanur, on the beautiful island of Bali.

I came away from the wedding with one thought in particular, and that is, regardless of the circumstances, whether within our control or out of our hands, a wedding is really all about the power of love and friendship. Nothing else really matters. It is the experience for the newlyweds and how they share it with all present that makes a wedding memorable.

I take my hat off to Leticia, Tjun Hong and their planning team. The attention to detail was impressive. Their effort to make all of us feel comfortable and part of their big day was clearly evident. And I'd like to think that all of us also reciprocated in our own little way in making it a little bit extra special for the couple too. Much congratulations again Leticia and Tjun Hong. And yes, it was a truly wonderful experience.

Photo of Richard, Eileen, Debra, Leticia, Tjun Hong and I.

Sate Lilit

Arrived in Bali yesterday where Eileen, Richard and I are spending a few days eating our way round Ubud before heading back to Seminyak for Leticia and Tjun Hong's wedding this weekend.

Here we are savouring sate lilit at the Gianyar Night Market. Yup, we can go high end, we can also do street food, plus everything else in between. Same thing for accommodation. We've been in Ubud for two days and we've stayed at two different resorts. Ubud Inn which is more affordable and the luxe Maya Ubud Resort & Spa.

A few more friends arrive tomorrow. And more eating beckons, in particular Seafood BBQ at Jimbaran Bay tomorrow evening.

Photo of Eileen, Richard and I at Gianyar Night Market, Bali, Indonesia.

Pre-Wedding : Leticia & Tjun Hong

This photo was taken on Friday, 16 October 2009, the day Leticia and Tjun Hong legally became husband and wife (you can read about it here). I was really honoured to have been invited to the ROM lunch then and am again honoured to have been invited to Bali for the wedding next month.

A year has passed since that fateful day and I am grateful to have been part of the wedding plans of these good friends of mine. The bride has even given me permission to slap her if she becomes too much of a bridezilla, and I say this with much love! Being a wedding planner herself, Leticia is one for perfection, well, as perfect as one can get to I suppose. I designed her wedding gown, as I did for our other good friend Eileen last year, though they are polar opposites when it comes to what they want (yes, you can read about it here). For Leticia, let's just say I did what I was told, she's that adamant, and even I have to admit that the gown turned out really well, though I did have my reservations at the onset about whether the design would be suitable for a beach wedding in Bali. Now, I love it and I can't wait for the reaction of all the wedding guests when they see her in it. I also did the bridesmaids' dresses, a pocket square for the bridesman (you did not read wrong!), altered both fathers' shirts to fit better, as well as designed outfits for the mothers, not to mention attire for industry friends who've been invited to the bash too. That's a whole lot of work, and that's not counting the bride's additional outfits. Having said that, it was a total pleasure, and I am not saying that just because that's what one does for good friends. Ask Debra about the invites and I am sure she will say the same (that in itself warrants a post as long as this).

This is by far one of the most enthusiastic weddings I've been involved in. There's the wedding proper in Bali, and there's the bigger bash back home later. And boy, do Leticia and Tjun Hong know how to get us all excited. We have received in total, 6 newsletters leading up to the big day, keeping us informed of developments and whetting our appetites for what is to come. For now, our attention is all focused on Bali (read Eileen's take here). Thanks to Richard, our itinerary (by our, I mean Richard, Eileen, Debra and I) for our pre and post wedding holiday is all set, thanks to Leticia, our spa sessions are all booked, pre-thanks to Jim in the hope that he'll capture some great shots of us and not only the bride and groom (since we've made a huge effort to dress according to the theme!). To Shirlyn and Leonard, good luck to the both of you when we land in Bali, you'll both be responsible for perfection to say the least! And Shirlyn, we have received strict instructions to refer to you for all our needs haha! And to Cindy, just make Leticia look beautiful and all will be good!

When all is said and done, I am writing this post purely because I know Leticia and Tjun Hong will appreciate it, in particular Leticia. She is one sentimental person, much like me. I will not be surprised if she prints this out and files it in her scrapbook. Then years down the road, she may just whip it out when we're all having one of our 'makans' and we can have a good laugh.

For now, here are some thoughts of the bride herself, and yes, I do have to remember to bring along the customised passport the soon-to-be-weds designed and printed for every guest, now that's what I call making sure your guests are well prepared and taken care of.

Leticia's thoughts :

Packing For A Destination Wedding

Dream Or Nightmare

The Countdown Continues

Love Is

Photo shot at The Dining Room of Carcosa Seri Negara in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Best Times 2009

2009 is almost up! It's scary how time flies. I'll be having a quiet New Year's Eve, spending time with family at home after having gone for a massage earlier this morning and then a swim under the blazing hot sun at noon ... need to maintain 'em tan lines.

My across-the-miles shrink paid a whirlwind visit to KL the past few days and we had a tete-a-tete yesterday. The outcome? My new motto for the new year ... life is short, go for it! I also thought I'd share my 3 best moments in 2009 ... fave of all, spending time with friends leading up to and during Eileen and Richard's Bali wedding in August; 20-year partial reunion with uni friends in Kota Kinabalu, also in August; putting my new motto into action yesterday.

Happy New Year everyone!

Photo of Leticia, Debra, Tjun Hong, Eileen, Richard and I on the eve of Eileen and Richard's wedding, shot at Ku De Ta in Bali, Indonesia.

A Wedding Planner's Perspective

Those of you who read my post entitled Eileen And Richard in August would know that I was privileged to attend their wedding in Bali.

Here is how the wedding unfolded in Eileen's own words as appeared in The Malay Mail, a wedding planner's perspective of her own nuptials.

It was indeed a pleasure to be part of such a special occasion.

Photo of part of 'the gang' as mentioned in Eileen's article in The Malay Mail.

Eileen And Richard

Those of us in the wedding industry sometimes get jaded after having attended one too many a wedding. More often than not, attending a wedding also means working the event. It is therefore a welcome change when we get to be present as guests, more so when it is the wedding of a good friend and fellow industry colleague.

Love, respect, hope and the power of friendship are what I came away with from Eileen and Richard’s wedding last evening at Kayumanis Nusa Dua, Bali. The love that brought both these individuals together as one, the respect they devoted to their parents, the hope that we all get to experience love of this magnitude in our lifetime, the mutually affectionate friendships that all of us share with the bride and groom, these were the affirmative vibes that permeated the atmosphere of the casual yet poignant wedding.

As I reflect on last night’s celebration, one particular thought stands out, and that is, those of us who are wedding practitioners are very much enthusiastic guests. We revel in the joyful mood, we make it a point to dress in accordance to the theme, we are game and participate when a good-natured situation arises. In short, we embrace the celebration, having as much fun as both the bride and groom have, being catalysts to a successful fete that both the newlyweds have planned so hard for. Here’s to the both of you, Eileen and Richard!

Photo shot on the beach at Kayumanis Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia.