Time Flies

Every now and then I find myself asking 'where did the time go?'. I was in Kota Kinabalu a few weeks ago, on a short holiday with a few of my friends from our days in uni. Here's a photo of me with Ken Lin and Ken Bin. We first met at Immanuel College where we did Year 12 and ended up going to uni together as well. We've been friends ever since. In fact, I was best man at both their weddings.

Now with two kids each, they are busy family men. I often find myself asking their children 'how old are you now?' whenever we meet. Their answers always scare the hell out of me. Time really flies.

Such encounters with the children also serve as a wake up call. I remind myself to work hard and play hard. I try not to put off doing enjoyable things, not to delay attaining aspirations. 'Time waits for no man' certainly rings true. So, go on that holiday. Take on that challenge that you have always wanted to tackle. Wear your heart out on your sleeve. That's right. Live life to the fullest.

Ken Lin, Ken Bin and I at Mount Kinabalu National Park, Sabah, Malaysia.

Be Healthy

I have had family and friends face health challenges. One thing that I have always believed is having an affirmative attitude when dealing with illness. Most of them say that a positive mindset plays an encouraging role in recovery.

When a family member or friend falls sick, it is important to rally. Finding a good balance between offering support and giving the patient space is a delicate process but well-meaning advice should be appreciated by the patient as well as care-givers.

It is during such times that one realises how lucky one is to be healthy. It also reminds us to take care of ourselves, eat healthy, exercise and have a happy outlook in life.

Photo shot at Mount Kinabalu National Park in Sabah, Malaysia.

Eco-Tourism Convert

Most of my friends would know that lazing by the beach doing nothing is my kind of holiday. And they would also know that I am not one who fancies trekking in the forest, camping or anything that is devoid of creature comforts that much. About the only adventure-type activity that I enjoy is white-water rafting, probably because I have an affinity to water. Well, my friends and I are heading off to Kiulu tomorrow for a bout of rafting and it's something that I have been looking forward to this whole trip.

I surprised myself somewhat today by thoroughly enjoying the treks we did at Mount Kinabalu National Park. Some of the lookout points were great photo opportunities and we had a good time preening and posing for the cameras, totally in touristic fashion. Surprising was the fact that I took interest in the flora and fauna, listening to the rangers where normally I would just wander off rather than paying attention to the knowledge being imparted. I have some beautiful photos as evidence!

I suppose one gets inspired and fascinated when surrounded by such beauty. My previous trips to Sabah have always been centred around Kota Kinabalu and its many beach resorts. Today was a departure from the norm. I tagged along, as 'majority wins' when traveling in a group. I have my friends to thank for perhaps initiating the eco-tourism convert in me.

Photo of Ken Lin, Elsie, Yean Mun and I shot at Mount Kinabalu National Park, Sabah.

Back Together On Holiday

You know a friendship is strong when after not having been on holiday together for more than 10 years, you still hit it off and do not get on each other's nerves. I'm on holiday with 3 of my friends from my undergraduate days at The Flinders University Of South Australia. We are in fact in Kota Kinabalu and the trip is to commemorate our friendship that has spanned 2 decades. We were supposed to be a clique of 6 but only 4 of us are making this celebratory trip. Still, it is rather quite an accomplishment considering that we have barely been in regular touch for the past few years.

So far, we have island-hopped to Sapi and Manukan and got sunburnt in the process, pink as lobsters we are. We have trekked at Mount Kinabalu National Park and marveled at nature's bounty, luckily for us including the Rafflesia, not only 1 but 2. We have witnessed sunsets that only Kota Kinabalu can accord. We have feasted on the freshest of seafood and sampled much of the local fare. But what really makes this holiday meaningful is just spending time together with those whom we came-of-age with. The transitional years from teenager to adult are etched in my mind and these friends of mine - Ken Lin from Penang, Yean Mun from Petaling Jaya and Elsie from Hong Kong (I know that Ken Bin and Cordelia would have joined us too if they could have) - form most of my memories of that chapter in my life. And whilst we may not be as close as we were before, they will always remain part of who I am.

Holidays always pass too quickly. We are midway through ours. We have had a wonderful time up to now, but realisation will soon set in that we will be parting ways again in 2 days. We will of course say how much we enjoyed our time together, which is true, wish each other well and promise to keep in touch more often. I will try to keep my end of the bargain and I hope my friends will too. Friendships like these do not come by easily and they certainly ought to be cherished.

Photo shot at the jetty on Pulau Sapi, Sabah.