Birthday 2015

The last time I celebrated my birthday with Ken Bin, Cordelia, Ken Lin, Yean Mun and Elsie was during my 21st in Adelaide, when we were in university. If my memory serves me, I think my friends from boarding school, Mike and Ching were also present then. Fast forward to 2015, and in Bali no less, I had the good fortune of celebrating another birthday with the same friends from university plus Ken Lin's wife Sally and their kids Leticia and Lenora as well as Ken Bin and Cordelia's children Brandon and Bryan.

 

I am not one who typically celebrates with a party and cake, and for the past many years, I've kept it to quiet, intimate dinners with family and friends. In fact, I am prone to being in denial when it comes to aging, something that my close friends will attest to. Truth be told, I had the candles on the cake removed before this photo was taken haha! And although a different version of this photo exists, a version with the candles intact, it shall remain safe in my hard disk drive, away from prying eyes!  

 

The company of these 'old friends' during my birthday this year was indeed a blessing. We grew up together during some of our most formative years, and have had enduring friendships. For the most part, there is little of each other that we don't know, and little that we don't accept. Here's to longevity of friendships and many more years of celebrations.

 

 

At Villa Heliconia in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia.

Thankful

I am thankful for my family and friends with whom I cele-brated my birthday earlier this month. Numerous meals with great company are the hallmarks of a wonderful birthday.

 

Whether it's dinner at a restaurant, coffee at a bistro or a home-cooked meal, each has its own merits and I appreciate the thoughtfulness of those closest to me. I am not one to initiate my own birthday celebration, in fact, there have been years where I just let it pass quietly while on holiday, but when close friends invite me out, I tend to say yes. With my inner circle, there is no pretence, and most importantly no need for small talk.

 

This year, I need to mention Tze Han, Leticia and Tjun Hong, who together created a home-cooked dinner to mark the occasion. Much effort was put in, and the resultant celebration was indeed a meaningful one. To one and all, much thanks again and here's to lasting friendships.

 

 

Tjun Hong, Tze Han, Debra and Leticia.

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.

Birthday Wishes

I thank all - family, friends, colleagues - for your birthday greetings. I hope I managed to respond to each one of you personally, whether in person, on the phone, via text or Facebook. Your kind thoughts are very much appreciated.

I am thankful for the encounters of the past year. There were highs and lows, success and failure, the multitude of experiences that life has to offer. Through the good times and not so good times, I am grateful for those who have shared those moments with me.

I look forward to the year ahead and the fulfillment of all your well wishes. Although the past year has been relatively good to me, there are always better things to experience, greater aspirations to attain. I shall be putting my best foot forward. The best is certainly yet to come.

Two rainbows, a sign of good luck, sighted during dusk at Chisapani, Nepal.