Extended Family

I was telling a friend a few days ago that I was just in Hong Kong to witness the nuptials of my cousin Faiman and Camil, to which this friend commented that I had an extremely large extended family. I think that for some in my generation, a sizeable extended family is not too uncommon. Both my parents have numerous siblings, my grandparents too. The question is whether we make the effort to nurture relationships with such family members. 

The truth is, there are many relations whom we have already lost touch with, otherwise, my family would be even bigger. My aspiration is always to keep in touch with those who I have established relationships. It is not always easy. There are time constraints, at times language barriers, there is the distance for some, apathy from others, well, we can make as many excuses as we want to. But for those who make the effort like I do, I reciprocate. And the nascent bonds at the onset hopefully develop into long-lasting ones. 

There are those who are averse to building such relationships. I am not one of them. And as time catches up with us, the more I realise how important it is to have such family in my life. And therein lies the promise. 

Camil and Faiman at their wedding at Tin Shui Wai in Hong Kong.

Guilty Pleasures

Sometimes it is the simple pleasures that offer us some solace from the stress that is part and parcel of our work day. I get irritated easily, especially when deadlines are not met, when co-workers or collaborators are lackadaisical, when carelessness leads to delays, when clients are indecisive ... that's quite a list, no wonder the irritation. 

Anyway, back to my point. In times of stress, the simple pleasure that comforts me is a snack, a guilty pleasure no less. I can always count on a teh tarik, or perhaps a bag of chips, or a bar of chocolate, even better a slice of cake or multiple handfuls of cookies. Not entirely a healthy habit in the minds of the health-conscious but I am more than happy to indulge myself.

I don't smoke, I don't drink, but I have my share of indulgence. And if it puts me in a better disposition, I think why not? A few extra laps at the pool later will have to compensate. 

Toasted bun with butter and condensed milk plus a milk tea at Tsui Wah in Hong Kong. 

Catch Up In Hong Kong

I was recently in Hong Kong for my cousin's wedding. I made it a point to arrive a day earlier from Kuala Lumpur before other members of my family so that I would have some time to catch up with a few friends, two Malaysians who live in Hong Kong and two locals. 

I have always been one to realise the importance of nurturing friendships and keeping in touch, and whilst our busy lives may prove challenging to do so, a little effort and proper time management help. Some forward planning - locking down dates and times to meet ahead of my trip - made it possible to catch up over a meal. Food aside, the highlight is certainly the conversation. Updates on the latest changes in our lives, personal revelations and the like, you get my drift. 

In the age of connectivity via social media, such gatherings in person are catalysts for maintaining the momentum online. The trick is to find a few minutes here and a couple of minutes there of free time, to just send a short message to say hi. We can then take it from there.

Mong Kok MTR in Kowloon, Hong Kong.

Penang Fam Trip

I was in Penang recently for a fam trip organised by Penang Global Tourism. Happy I was to have been able to meet and establish new friendships with wedding planners from Singapore and Hong Kong who were invited to see for themselves what Penang has to offer as a destination for weddings. 

Though rather hectic, it nevertheless gave us the opportunity to get to know one another and to visit the many venues that can host weddings, be it beach weddings, heritage or cultural celebrations. I also took the opportunity to extend my stay by a day in order to catch up with our local wedding partners in Penang. Some of these vendors have been long-time partners of weddingsmalaysia, and many have become good friends of mine. Having said that, we also look forward to nurturing nascent relationships that we have recently established with our newer partners. 

Over coffee and cake, we had the chance to catch up on the latest happenings, both in our work as well as in our personal lives. Taking the time to connect is always worthwhile.

Afternoon tea at D'Fat Mona Lisa Cafe in Penang, Malaysia.

Reunion Trip To Bali

In recent years, my close friends from boarding school and university have tried to vacation together once a year. A couple of years ago we were in Kota Kinabalu, last year we returned to Adelaide where we first met, and a few weeks back we were in Bali.

 

Having been friends for more than 25 years, we have become accustomed to our various habits as well as idiosyncrasies and traveling as a group is pretty much a well-coordinated affair. Of course we now have 2 teenagers and 2 kids in the group too, which requires some compromise, but good friends will often make the necessary adjustments.

 

Spending a few days together on holiday always cements the friendships that we have nurtured over the years. It gives us the opportunity to talk and hangout without the distractions of work and our busy daily lives. It is also a testament to the strength of our relationships that individuals from Petaling Jaya, Penang and Hong Kong can commit to time off, converge in Kuala Lumpur and then head to Bali together. Here's to more holidays in the years to come.

 

 

After dinner at Bebek Bengil in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia.

Chinese New Year Together

After having been friends for 27 years, it may come as a surprise that lunch on the 4th day of Chinese New Year this year was the first time all of us have spent the celebration together. This would not have been possible had Ken Lin and Sally not come down to KL from Penang. We then managed to convince our Hong Kong friend Elsie to fly in for the weekend from Kota Kinabalu where she was having a holiday.

 

As this was only decided in the week leading up to Chinese New Year, thanks also has to go to my friend Emily who secured us a table at Oriental Pavilion, Jaya 33. Suffice to say, the restaurant was extremely packed but that made the festive atmosphere even more enjoyable. Most importantly, it gave us all the opportunity to embark on the Year of the Goat together, carrying with us the aspirations that we hope to attain individually and as friends.

 

It is pretty rare for a friendship to have survived almost 3 decades. Much effort has been put in to nurture the relationships that we all share as a group, and while we may have gone our separate ways somewhat after completing our studies, the dedication and commitment to keep in touch have enabled us to remain good friends. And this one ought to appreciate.

 

 

Group shot at Oriental Pavilion, Jaya 33 in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.

Annual Chinese New Year Reunion

For the past seve-ral years, I have been privileged to be invited to an annual Chinese New Year reunion dinner among good friends that is always held at Overseas Restaurant in Imbi. Ranging from 3 to 4 tables, it is a very merry affair, with good food, a copious amount of drinks and most importantly the company of a group of wonderful, accepting friends.

 

Kudos needs to go out to the recurrent organisers, who year after year, without fail, send out the invites, manage the RSVPS, make the reservations, order the food, purchase the drinks and remind us with periodic updates of the impending celebration. Testament to the friendships that we have forged throughout the years, other than those of us living in the Klang Valley, some came from as far as Penang, Singapore, Hong Kong and Shanghai for this year's get together. A boisterous crowd we were, with happy sentiments set to last us throughout the new year ahead.

 

As the Year of the Goat beckons, I plan to dedicate the new year to nurturing and cementing friendships, particularly ones that have brought much meaning to my life.

 

 

Reunion dinner on 14 February 2015. Photo courtesy of Lim Han San.

Cousin In Taipei

My cousin Lincoln, originally from Hong Kong, has been based in Taipei for a couple of years now, as he is a co-owner of Artista Perfetto, a café which I managed to visit when I was in Taipei for the recent year-end holidays. I often make it a point to catch up with friends and relatives, when they happen to be in a city which I am travelling to.

I am one who values family ties and when that is reciprocated, then I will make every effort to meet whenever possible. I surprised myself at the relative ease of locating Lincoln's café, considering that a sense of direction is not one of my strongest suits. And having decided to drop by impromptu, I was lucky that he was at the café, despite it being his day off.

After having taken the obligatory photographs documenting the visit to be sent to our extended family, we had a good chat, among others, on life in Taipei and its attributes that appealed to him, prompting the decision to set up shop in a city away from home. Though only a short visit, it definitely gave us an opportunity to share news on the latest happenings in our lives and those of our families.


With cousin Lincoln at his café Artista Perfetto in Taipei, Taiwan.

Chance Meeting

It is not often that good friends happen to be in the same place at the same time, and with that create an opportu-nity to meet and catch up over a meal. I was in Penang last weekend for a wedding, Ken Bin and Cordelia happened to be there too for work, and so we took the chance to have dinner with Penangites Ken Lin and Sally. Over the course of dinner, we sent photos to our close friends Yean Mun in KL and Elsie in Hong Kong, providing them with an avenue to be part of the gathering virtually.

 

As we reflect on our decades-old friendship, we have come to realise that our efforts to stay in touch throughout the years have indeed kept our friendship intact. Whether celebrating birthdays or festive occasions, going on holiday in groups or just mindless chatter on our Whatsapp group, we certainly have been part of each other's lives since our teenage years.

 

We have made plans for a group holiday next April, with all present, kids in tow. Though it's still quite a number of months away, the enthusiasm is very much already evident. Still, we'll be meeting for birthdays and festive occasions between now and the trip. And with each meeting, I gather the level of enthusiasm will indeed elevate in tandem.

 

 

Ken Bin, Cordelia, Sally, Ken Lin and I in Penang, Malaysia.

Cousins

Those who have read my most recent previous post would know that I was in Hong Kong with my extended family for a holiday last month. Apart from my Mum, aunts and uncles, seven of my cousins came along for the trip.

 

It is always great fun travelling with my cousins. We get along well and we have similar interests, in particular when it comes to food and shopping. As we meet often when home, either for family dinners or get-togethers, we have pretty good relationships and this makes travelling in a group much easier to navigate.

 

I travel with different groups of cousins from time to time. The dynamics vary from group to group but each trip is an enjoyable experience in itself. When we know each other well, understand one another and make an effort to be considerate, such holidays always turn out well.

 

 

Here we are after having 'milk tea' in Sheung Wan, Hong Kong.

Hong Kong Holiday With The Thoos

Every year, we head on a holiday with 'The Thoos' - my Mum's side of the family. This time round, sixteen of us made the trip to Hong Kong for six days of food, shopping, sightseeing as well as catching up with our Hong Kong relatives and friends. Despite the occasional stressful situation, such a trip is always a wonderful experience, an opportunity to create memories that last a lifetime.

 

Bonding with my aunts, uncles and cousins helps us nurture even better relationships, further cementing already strong family ties. Traveling in a large group fosters compromise and understanding, encouraging one to put the interest of others first before one's own.

 

One thing is for certain on such trips, much laughter abounds. Here's to the next 'big' trip come November, to Bali for my cousin's wedding!

 

 

All set for the flight to Hong Kong, at LCCT, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Felix and Ting

When my good friend Felix whatsapp-ed from Taipei last month asking me if I would be available on 26 April, my immediate reaction was 'You are getting married!'. I was right. Despite the short notice, I was determined to attend. I first met Felix when we were both students in Switzerland years ago, I was working a winter season in Leysin and Felix was attending a hotel school there. We would often cook up a storm at my staff living quarters, both of us craving for some Asian food, he Hong Kong cuisine and me a taste of Malaysian dishes. We've kept in touch over the years, and would make it a point to catch up over a meal or two whenever he came to KL or when I was in Hong Kong.

 

I was happy to be invited to the wedding and I thought either Hong Kong or Taipei is just a short flight away. A few more messages later and I was advised that the wedding would be in Guam. I am always game to head to a new destination, but work commitments and flight schedules were a challenge, no matter how enticing the exotic images of Guam were. Once I told Felix that I would do my best to be there, I was determined to keep my word. With no direct flights from KL, I relied on the services of a travel agent who I must say was extremely patient with me. I kept demanding for various route options, trying to strike a three-way balance between work commitments, getting there on time as well as cost. It took a whole two weeks before we agreed on a route that would take me from KL to Singapore, then on to Tokyo before finally arriving in Guam. A trip that would be 22 hours to get there and 26 hours to get back.

 

The verdict? Totally worthwhile. To be present at a good friend's wedding, a milestone in his life, is an experience that we will both share for the rest of our lives. Spending time with the newlyweds and their immediate family for a couple of days will strengthen the bonds that we have already nurtured, and I hope that our friendship will continue to hold strong in the years to come. Once again, congratulations Felix and Ting and may you enjoy everlasting happiness. It was an honour and a pleasure being invited.

 

 

The newlyweds emerging from Aqua Stella Chapel at Hilton Guam Resort & Spa, Guam.

H&M

H&M has finally hit our shores. I was privileged to be invited to the VIP Opening Night last Thursday and am pleased with the outcome of my shopping spree. I was disciplined and didn't go overboard. Still, I was extremely happy with my purchases.

After passing through registration, enjoying canapes and a cocktail, it was time to hit the men's floor. A couple of fittings later, I checked out with a jacket, a pair of jeans, a pair of shorts and two t-shirts, with a 20% discount to boot. I could have easily bought more but didn't want to go over budget. There's always the chance for future visits.

I first got a taste of H&M in Seoul and then later in Hong Kong. Their apparel fit me well and most importantly speak to me in terms of design. More will make it into my wardrobe no doubt.

H&M's storefront in Lot 10, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Photo courtesy of Veralyne Ng.

Reunion Trip To KK

I've just returned from a reunion trip in Kota Kinabalu over the Merdeka holiday, with my good friends from university days. At the request of some of them, I am going to defer from saying how long we've known each other. You see, we are rather sensitive when it comes to age. Suffice to say, it's been quite a long time. I first met Ken Lin and Ken Bin when we were in boarding school at Immanuel College, Adelaide. We then got to know Cordelia, Yean Mun and Elsie when at The Flinders University Of South Australia a year later.

Though we are no longer as close as we used to be, we still make it a point to celebrate special occasions and milestones together. Birthdays, Chinese New Year, Christmas, weddings. In fact, I was best man at Ken Bin and Cordelia's wedding, and then again when Ken Lin married Sally, the latter now the seventh member of the clique. With Elsie in Hong Kong, Ken Lin and Sally in Penang, and the rest of us in the Klang Valley, it takes time and effort to get together. Whilst we have travelled together in groups of different configurations over the years, this was our first holiday together since our final year at uni. Back then we were just six uni students on a trip to Kangaroo Island. This time round, we were seven adults with three kids in tow, with another younger one back in Penang.

Short and compact the trip may have been, it was still much enjoyable. It gave us the opportunity to rekindle friendships, reminisce and spend quality time together. Bonds that we formed years ago remain till this day. We just need to work on keeping our friendships alive. Certainly an endeavour that will be worthwhile.

Elsie, Yean Mun, Cordelia, Bin, Lin and I at Mount Kinabalu National Park in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.

Prayers

I was in Singapore this past Wesak Day. Having known so ahead of time, I had given notice to my cousin Siew Yoong that she would have to take me to a temple for prayers. So to a temple we went on that Saturday afternoon.

It is possible that it was the first time I've visited a temple in Singapore, and what a good day to do so. I have much to pray for and I don't hold back. Ask and you shall receive is my motto. I am embarking on a new journey of sorts, so a little prayer will certainly help.

Now that I've requested for divine help, I shall keep the faith that my prayers will be answered. To have faith indeed.

Photo of a temple near Temple Street in Hong Kong.

Breather

I was having a truly busy day, back to back appointments at That Special Occasion, reviewing layouts for Journeys For Two 2012, discussing write-ups for The Hiplist 2012. Add to that scouring for fabrics on Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman and a hectic day it certainly was.

Fortunately, I am one who knows how to steal a bit of time to recoup. You see, we were to be having a birthday cum farewell dinner later in the evening for one of my part-time team members, Kar Yik, who is relocating to Hong Kong for work. Another colleague of mine had ordered a cake and had entrusted me to pick it up on the way back to the office from fabric shopping. So to Bisou at Bangsar Village I headed. And whilst there, I thought it would be nice to order a heartwarming, hot soya, enjoy a cupcake, and take a half hour breather.

That's one of the priveleges I enjoy being my own boss. Take time out when my schedule permits, the little pleasures in my sometimes rather stressful work life. Sure, I often complain but when I have some peace and quiet to reflect, I wouldn't have it any other way. I like being my own boss. At the end of the day, I think the pros always outweigh the cons.

Indulging in a cupcake at Bisou, Bangsar Village, Kuala Lumpur.

Tea At The Ritz Carlton, Hong Kong

Whenever the opportunity arises, I would make it a point to meet with friends if I happen to be in the city where they live. With their busy schedules and my relatively tight travel itinerary, we would always plan ahead and block dates and times, determined to catch up on the latest goings-on in our lives.

My good friend from uni, Elsie, invited me to tea at The Ritz Carlton when I was in Hong Kong last month. Kudos to her for taking the time to queue up in the morning to make reservations, an effort which I much appreciate. A leisurely afternoon tea amidst elegant surroundings, soothing musical notes from the twinkling of ivory keys, a perfect setting to reminisce about the past, chat about the present and plan for the future.

The tasteful ambience, the slightly hazy but still arresting view, the stylish fare and the company of a good friend, all make for a wonderful tete-a-tete. Certainly a memorable part of the holiday.

Photo of Elsie at The Ritz Carlton, Hong Kong.

Patience

A good friend of mine gave me a pep-talk yesterday about the virtue of patience and how perhaps I should embrace it in some areas of my life. I would be the first to admit that being patient is not one of my better traits, particularly on the work front and some aspects of my personal life.

My instincts always tell me to move fast, be decisive, take action. Procrastination is not something I take kindly to. Admittedly, impatience has cost me somewhat at times in recent years past. As such, learning to be a bit more patient is perhaps an effort I have to make. Knowing that different individuals have a different pace, different mindset is well and good, being able to compromise and have a better tolerance level is something that I will have to become better skilled at.

The aim really of this endeavour is to become more laid back and less stressed, have a more balanced perspective. It is a challenge somewhat but what's life without some challenges to improve ourselves? One step at a time I suppose is a mantra I should adopt. And as my good friend would say, let the good chi flow with a positive attitude. Wish me luck.

Photo shot in Hong Kong.

Friends In Hong Kong

A holiday is made extra meaningful when opportunities to meet up with friends whom we haven't seen in a while arise. I had made plans to see Felix, Elsie, Anna and Arjuna prior to my trip to Hong Kong, but catching up with Phoebe was a pleasant surprise. Felix, friends since my working stint in Leysin; Elsie, friends from the time we were at Flinders; Anna, my business partner at That Special Occasion and her hubby Arjuna; Phoebe, friends from hotel school at Le Bouveret.

I'd have to thank Facebook for facilitating the catching up. Just a couple of messages and I had set up a dinner with Felix, supper with Elsie, lunch with Anna and Arjuna. And when I arrived in Hong Kong and posted that I was enjoying the cold weather, Phoebe's other half and my good friend Danny who is based in Dalian, quickly commented that she was back in Hong Kong and that I should call. As luck would have it, we managed to meet the day before she flew back to Dalian.

Good friends are few and far between and I always cherish the catch up sessions, no matter how much trouble we have to go through to meet, no matter how much advance notice we need to give one another, no matter how fleeting or lengthy the meeting. More so when we live so far apart. We've shared many wonderful memories during our time as students, matured together as we entered adulthood, have been part of milestones in each other's lives. Such bonds that have been nurtured over the years enable us to be lifelong friends, and seeing each other whilst on holiday is always an added bonus.

Here I am with Phoebe. I met up with her the couple hours I had between my cousin's wedding ceremony and banquet.

Ming And Roy's Wedding Banquet

Wedding banquets in Hong Kong start really early! We were told that guests would start arriving by 6pm and we duly did so too. Mahjong games were underway, and the couple were on stage posing for photos with family and guests alike. Throughout the photo session, Ming and Roy would change into different outfits, ensuring that a variety of 'looks' were attained. This photo shows the couple right after the cake cutting. Ming and Roy did the cake cutting twice, a real cake during the pre-dinner photo session which was then served to guests who had arrived early, and a ceremonial one during the dinner itself.

Three hours of photos and serving tea to relatives who did not make it to the morning ceremony later, dinner was served at nine amidst an enthusiastic celebratory atmosphere. A change of outfits, a spectacular walk-in with confetti, various slide shows, more changes of outfits, a performance by a magician, the groom singing, a toast on stage, table to table toasts with an entourage of almost fifty, and more photos.

It was an eye opening and enjoyable experience.

Photo from left of the parents of the groom Uncle Tung Sang and Auntie Meng, Mum, Auntie Mary, Ming, Roy, Uncle Chee Peng and Auntie Anne during the wedding banquet.