PTSD Challenge

Recently my cousin San nominated me to do 22 push ups a day for 22 days consecutively, in support of the cause to spread awareness of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder among war veterans. I believe this originated from the USA but I suppose applies to veterans all over the world. 

I only swim and hardly do any gym work as part of my exercise routine, and as such, push ups are really not something that I would be able to accomplish with good form. I nevertheless decided to be a good sport and accepted San's nomination. 

I have completed 7 days todate and there is still much to improve on in terms of form and stamina. And that is the motivation, to get better over the remaining 15 days of the challenge. Come to think of it, I may just continue the push ups when the 22 days are over, taking a friend's advice to incorporate it into my exercise routine.

Cuz Shan, at Swensen's in Koh Samui, Thailand.

LBAF

I have a friend who is turning forty in about a week and he is not taking it too well I suspect. For the past few months, he has been lamenting about this new approaching milestone and how age is catching up, too quickly I might add. 

Another friend and I have been trying to lessen the blow somewhat. LBAF we say! And we are fine examples of that, if I may say so myself. As far as I am concerned, age is only a number and how one chooses to live life is what matters. Mindset is also important, and one that epitomises a positive outlook and enthusiastic disposition will ensure that one remains young at heart, regardless of what the number might indicate. 

So, as my friend starts a new decade of life soon, we wish him all the finer things that his forties will bring. All he needs to do is to keep an open mind and embrace the wonderful experiences that will come his way. 

Photo shot in Koh Lipe, Thailand.

Koh Lipe

Going on a holiday for the first time with friends is a somewhat interesting experience. Although we know each other well, a trip abroad is a more intimate experience and it is when one really gets to know the other on a more personal basis. 

I normally take a laissez-faire approach when it comes to such holidays. I let my friends decide on the flight plans, the travel itinerary, the activities to take part in, the restaurants to go to. I just go with the flow. Too many cooks spoil the broth is an adage I adopt when it comes to group travel, more so when it is a virgin trip with friends. 

My recent trip to Koh Lipe with Laura and Victor was one such trip. A beautiful island, though a tad troublesome to get to, it provided us with an opportunity to unwind and to relax amidst natural surrounds, with good company. Lazing on the beach on most days, enjoying meals with spectacular views, what more can one ask for. 

Victor, Laura and I at The Cliff, Koh Lipe, Thailand.

Trend Of Thought

Uncertainty is definitely not something that I wish upon anyone. In fact, it puts a damper on one's life. For the most part, uncertainty isn't an issue that I face too often as I am very much a decisive person. Unfortunately there are instances where certain things are largely beyond our control and it is during these times that I feel extremely challenged and in more ways than one, rather stressed. I suppose when faced with such a situation, the only thing that one can do is let fate take its course. Indeed, time will ultimately determine the outcome that fate has in store.

 

I actually wrote that first paragraph a couple of days ago and had it saved as 'draft' whilst I contemplated how to continue. In light of today's disturbing news about MH370, the very idea of what fate has in store comes to the fore. I have come to realise that whilst fate has certain plans for us, we too ought to play in role in charting our own destiny. Throw caution to the wind and live each day as it could be our last. Plan for the future yes but live in the present too. And make those decisions that need to be made!  

Food for thought indeed.


Photo shot at Intercontinental Samui Baan Taling Nam, Thailand.

Catch Up In Bangkok

My late father was employed at the same company all his life. Starting out as an office boy after Form 5, he left as the CEO of Bangkok Bank Kuala Lumpur after 41 years of service. That I believe is the epitome of loyalty and commitment. Through-out the years, we met many of his Thai colleagues who were posted to Kuala Lumpur. Of the many, we've only kept in touch with Khun Chatjai who was here during the last few years of dad's tenure at the bank. Now retired and back in Bangkok, we try to catch up whenever we are on holiday there.

 

I last had lunch with Khun Chatjai 2 years ago, with my sister to be exact, when we were in Bangkok celebrating my cousin Siew Yoong's birthday. This time round, a couple of weeks back actually, Mum and I met up with Khun Chatjai and his wife, Auntie Polly, over afternoon tea. Mum hadn't seen them in many years and it was a somewhat emotional yet happy meeting.

 

Keeping in contact with my dad's friends is a way of remembering him. We reminisce about our time spent together but most importantly catch up on the latest and what the future may hold. Such meetings, though short, remind us of the value of friendship and the necessary effort to nurture and maintain such bonds.

 

 

With Khun Chatjai, Auntie Polly, Mum and my dad's sisters, Aunties Anne and Mary at Dean & Deluca in Bangkok, Thailand.

Food

Indulging in food is indeed a favourite pastime, and when the company is good, the experience is always the better. I'd like to think that I am not a fussy eater, well maybe a little choosy at times, and I try to enjoy what is placed before me without being too critical. If I'm out having a meal, I want to have a good time, and being too critical lessens the enjoyment somewhat.

 

I do street food - would you believe I have the mobile numbers of the proprietors of two of my favourite hawker stalls - I like bustling coffee shops, the intimacy of smaller, independent cafes and bistros, I enjoy dining in nice restaurants, having teh tarik alfresco-style, the list goes on. Whether at home or abroad on holiday, meal times are something to look forward to.

The downside to all the food? I have to swim more, cycle more and visit the gym more. And still, am losing the battle against the bulge! So, the time has come to cut back on portions. Just a little sacrifice that is worthwhile.


Cat fish salad at Erawan Tea Room in Bangkok, Thailand.

One Of 1000 Places To See

I would say that the Intercontinental Samui Baan Taling Nam certainly lives up to its reputation as among the New York Times' bestseller '1000 places one ought to see in their lifetime'. The views are stunning. Whether viewed from a vantage point perched higher up or on the beach itself, one is constantly drawn to the seascape that unfolds before one's eyes at every turn.

 

I was very recently at the resort in Koh Samui, spending a couple of days of quality time with my cousins from Auckland, London and Singapore. Sited on a more private enclave, away from the touristic stretch, it served as the perfect spot for us to catch up on old times. Sure there were some glitches in service every now and then, but the beautiful vistas and ambience more than made up for it.

 

The setting puts one in a relaxed state of mind. It inspires us to appreciate the beauty of natural surrounds, it encourages us to be grateful for the opportunity to be there. Most importantly, it served as a catalyst for all of us to enjoy our time together, re-living our childhood memories, reveling in the present, and looking forward to what the future may hold.

 

 

Photo shot at Intercontinental Samui Baan Taling Nam in Koh Samui, Thailand.

Time To Choose

The time has come for us Malaysians to choose again. To choose who will lead us in the next five years or so. The ones who will chart our destiny as a nation. The ones who will shape our social outlook and how we relate to one another. The ones who will hopefully make us a better people.

 

Rightly or wrongly, we make decisions that determine our future, either at a personal level or from a wider perspective. We reap what we sow. At times, we make careful considerations while at others, our gut tells us which route to take. Whichever the case may be and however we reach our decisions, the important thing is to never regret the paths we have chosen. Hindsight is of no relevance in most instances, and it is much better to make the most of the opportunities that have arisen from the paths we have chosen to take.

 

Good luck my fellow Malaysians. May we determine our own destiny.

 

 

Photo shot at Ao Nang Beach in Krabi, Thailand.

Giving Thanks

I am one who believes that when one gives thanks and is truly grateful for the good in one's life, then more good will come of it. I appreciate the life I have as there are others who are less fortunate. Similarly, there are those who are much better off, and making comparisons serve no purpose really. To be contented is key. This is not to say that we should not aspire to do better. We should. What we shouldn't do is to compare and be envious.

 

I am fortunate in many ways. Sure there are areas of my life that are lacking but for the most part, I am pretty lucky. I am grateful for the good. I persevere and continue working to improve the areas that need betterment. An optimist I am.

 

A friend of mine posted this on Facebook a few days ago ... 'to win in a race is to get yourself ready in tip-top condition and confidence; to not worry about or criticise others who challenge you' ... how very apt. To concentrate on one's own path, charting one's own destiny. Thank you for these wise words my friend.

 

 

Photo of a temple in Krabi, Thailand.

Pristine Waters

Such pristine waters. I really love beach and island holidays, more so when the waters are pristine and the surroundings look as beautiful as in Krabi. I am not one to shy away from the sun when on holiday, and often get very tanned from spending days island hopping or lazing on the beach. The latter especially is what I consider bliss while on vacation.

 

I very recently received an invite from a good friend to attend his wedding in a pretty far off locale, a bit off the beaten track, even by my standards. I asked 'why the short notice?', the reply 'I just decided last week', and the wedding is in April. I am trying my best to work round my work-commitments in order to attend. My good friend aside, the destination is indeed very appealing.

 

So here I am keeping my fingers crossed that things will fall in place so that I can witness my friend's wedding on an island that intrigues me, one that I have not set foot on before, one that requires a fair bit of flying as there are no direct flights from KL, one that may open my eyes to even more beautiful landscapes.

 

 

Photo shot on the beach of Poda Island in Krabi, Thailand.   

Company Trip 2013

The teams from weddingsmalaysia and That Special Occasion were in  Krabi earlier this week for our annual company trip. Looking back through the years, we've been to Siem Reap, Hatyai, Penang, Bali, Phuket and Kuantan, and we have a great time year in year out. What's there not to enjoy while on holiday?

 

I typically decide on the destination based on a number of factors. How well we've done during the year, how often my colleagues have pissed me off in the past twelve months, good deals on flights and accommodation, some place we've never been to as a group, sufficient diversity to meet the group's varied interests, good food, some shopping, spas to visit.

 

Our accountant and I have also decided that next year's destination will largely depend on us meeting sales targets set. So teams, you know what to do!

 

 

Photo shot on arrival at Mercure Krabi Deevana in Krabi, Thailand.

More Than Shopping

Let me start by saying I love to shop when I travel, in particular when I am on the lookout for something authentic to purchase, items that reference the place that I am visiting, a product from a local brand, locally made hopefully, even better if crafted by an artisan rather than mass manufactured. However, shopping isn't the be all and end all of a good trip.

An original experience, a lovely view to take in, eating as the locals do, a gastronomic meal, spiritual enhancement, and many more intangible encounters add to the journey. These are the experiences that stay with us when we reminisce years later.

As 2012 comes to a close, I am grateful for the many journeys travel has taken me on the past twelve months. I look forward to even greater ones in the year ahead.

Beautiful view of Bangkok's skyline from the terrace of Zense at CentralWorld Bangkok, Thailand.

Sandwiches

I like my food. For the sake of vanity, I do try to watch what I eat but for the most part, I throw caution to the wind and just indulge whenever the opportunity arises.

Thing is, when one indulges all the time, well, let's just say the midriff tends to become problematic. So I try to swim as much as I can, I try to do some cardio however much I dislike cardio, I try to do some weights. I guess one has to put in some effort.

The challenge? To make sure 'em jeans don't get too tight at the waist haha!

Sandwiches galore at Dean & Deluca in Bangkok, Thailand.

Erawan Shrine

When in Bangkok, I always make it a point to worship at the Erawan Shrine. This time was no different except that I was even more conscientious. I prayed at the shrine every day. I have aspirations to fulfill and I place my faith in the divine. I also have much to give thanks for. Gratitude and appreciation I believe will lead to even better experiences in future.

I normally stay at the Holiday Inn Bangkok, which is practically a stone's throw away from the shrine. OK, I exaggerate. It is a pleasant short stroll away. The shrine is perpetually packed, so I try to go either early in the morning or later at night to avoid jostling with the crowd. But still, some jostling is required no matter what time of day. A lit candle, twelve joss sticks, floral garlands and prayers to the four-faced Buddha leave me with a sense of hope.

To have faith and to believe. To trust and to surrender to what fate has in store. Ask and one shall receive. And when aspirations are met, give thanks. Say a little prayer indeed.

Crowds at the Erawan Shrine in Bangkok, Thailand.

Birthday Bash In Bangkok

I was joking with my good friend, saying that his birthday week-end festivities in Bangkok were akin to a destination wedding. There was a pre-birthday bash dinner the night before, the birthday bash itself, followed by a post birthday bash brunch the next day. It was a wonderful way to celebrate and I had a great time as I always do.

I got into Bangkok last Friday morning, one of the earlier guests to arrive, and was happy to be invited to dinner at fab italian restaurant Zanotti. It was a very nice prelude to the birthday party on Saturday. Up on the 17th floor of CentralWorld, Zense offered a fantastic view of the Bangkok skyline at dusk over pre-dinner drinks. Dinner amongst good friends in an intimate setting made the celebration a meaningful one, particularly during this milestone of significance. Sunday brunch at The Sukothai was a smaller affair as some friends had headed off to Hua Hin, but no less enjoyable.

This occasion reinforced a few things I already knew. Good friends are hard to come by and when they do, we should nurture and cherish the friendship. Good friends are those whom you can be open with, without the fear of being judged. Good friends are the ones who make it a point to consider your likes and dislikes, and then plan to make one's stay as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. Good friends are those whose birthdays you look forward to celebrating again come the following year.

Table setting during the birthday dinner at Zense, CentralWorld in Bangkok, Thailand.

Life's Lessons

Today is a day of coincidences. I received a Facebook message from an acquaintance telling me how well she could relate to some of my blog posts and how comforting some of my musings could be at times. And then a bit later, a chat with another acquaintance touched on how life throws us curve balls every now and then, and the fact that the only way to respond is to face these challenges head on and move forward. He is quite right indeed.

I call it a coincidence as all three of us seemed to be rather philosophical today. Sometimes, these little chats come in handy. Another friend of mine would likely conclude that it is the universe sending us a little 'pick-me-up'. I tend to think so too. Perhaps we send out subliminal signals and in turn come these encounters that help us keep the faith.

We all need some reminding that come what may, life goes on. Be appreciative and grateful when good comes our way. Do good too in return. Pass it forward as they say. But when the not so great hit us, we ought to be prepared to stand our ground and work towards overcoming the challenges that we find ourselves face to face with. Doing so only makes us stronger. It helps us build self belief and augments our self esteem. And then we'll be ready to live life to the fullest, without any regrets.

Photo of desserts at Evason Hua Hin in Thailand.

Gratitude

I was having tea with a friend today, my financial planner to be exact. We always have lots to talk about. Funds for the future. Enjoying life in the present. And reminding ourselves to be grateful for what we have in hand.

Being grateful for all the good things in our lives, appreciating what life has to offer, putting into practice the law of attraction indeed. Good attracts more good. Better experiences. More exciting travels. Greater fortune. Much more joy, happiness and love. Better health. Fulfillment of aspirations. Putting ourselves in a positive frame of mind, ready to attract and accept more good in our lives.

Having said that, we are human after all, and sometimes we go off tangent. Impatience. Having a short temper. Anger. Dwelling on bad experiences of the past. I am certainly guilty of all these. The important thing is to recognise these shortcomings and then keeping them at bay. So here I am once again, telling myself to be a better version of the old me, an enhanced, improved version. Aye to that!

Alfresco dining at Evason Hua Hin in Thailand.

Nothing Good Comes Easy

Sometimes we encounter perplexing situations which seem difficult to comprehend. A friend recently posted on her Facebook profile 'Why ah? I wonder what happened?' and we ended up commenting on how difficult it can be to understand a sudden change of events that we didn't see coming. Human nature will have us try to rationalise the situation but sometimes it is best to just let it go and move on.

I was also having a conversation with an uncle of mine, well an uncle by rank, but more of a contemporary in age, a while ago. Our chat led to a discussion on how we ought to look for a silver lining in every lousy circumstance that we find ourselves in. 'Everything happens for a reason', he said, 'we just need to find the reason'. What I took away from this conversation is that we must keep the faith, no matter how jaded we may be.

Whenever I myself am in a state of confusion, my friends will always tell me to forget about it, move on. Better things are to come. But I am stubborn. I always want to get to the root of the problem, the ripple that led to my being dumbfounded. I also don't give up easily. I am often of the belief that bad situations can be remedied if we try hard enough, and that nothing good comes easy. Only after doing my best but to no avail will I concede defeat. And when I find myself resigning to the fact that even my best was not enough, only then will I entertain the idea of throwing in the towel. And then my uncle's words will ring true, everything happens for a reason, and a silver lining I shall look out for in time to come.

Beautiful setting at Evason Hua Hin in Thailand.

Looking Forward

When a door closes, another opens. True. It rings true for those of us who face a closure, perhaps closure to a chapter of our lives. A new beginning beckons.

With closure comes relief, sometimes sadness, at other times elation. We end a chapter of our lives, whether long or short, and work towards the upcoming future with perseverance, faith and hope.

I am embarking on such a new beginning. I am grateful for the past but yet have to embrace the future.

Photo of beach in Hua Hin, Thailand.

Initiative

Initiative is something that I have become accustomed to. I take the initiative, whether for work or if it revolves around my personal life.

The good thing about taking the initiative is that one is in control to a certain extent. I know what I want to achieve and I go for it. Fair and good when one is in full control, where the resultant outcome of one's actions solely depends on the latter. It becomes a bit more tricky when there are other individuals involved, be it co-workers, friends, family members, a loved one, whose actions, inaction or lackadaisical response contribute partly to the outcome. As some of my friends would say, here is where one has to be patient. There are some areas of life that are beyond one's control. It's best to do what is necessary, to the best of one's ability, and then leave the rest to unfold, whether favourably or otherwise.

Patience has never been one of my better virtues. And being somewhat of a control-freak at times, alright I concede, most of the time, makes me easily frustrated when desired outcomes take too long to manifest. This is one aspect of my life that is a constant struggle, and one that needs constant improvement. I understand it rationally, but putting the good into practice can be difficult emotionally. Fortunately, I have good friends who know me well. I accept it graciously when they tell me off, when they give me a lecture when I exhibit signs of being unreasonable or insecure, when I gripe one too many a time. I appreciate their concern, their words of advice, their kind intentions. I listen and I try to improve. And occasionally, I succeed in feeling better and more upbeat. The challenge now really, is to get from occasionally to often.

Relaxing by the pool at Evason Hua Hin in Thailand.