Chinese New Year 2013 Greetings

My wish for all in the Year of the Snake.

 

As the Year of the Snake takes flight, may it bring you prosperity and good fortune.

 

When receiving good fortune, may you find it in your hearts to share it with family, friends and all those in need.

 

What goes around comes around. May your good deeds then reward you with success on the career and business front, love, passion and romance, great friendships, good health and fulfillment in life.

 

May you find time to travel, seek new horizons and experience the simple pleasures that life offers.

 

Gong Xi Fa Cai!

 

Kris

 

 

Take a balloon ride when in Cappadocia, Turkey.

Taking Flight

I always start the new year with a sense of optimism, the new year takes flight so to speak. There are aspirations to attain, new challenges to conquer, and motivation is at an all time high.

 

Work hard and play hard. That has always been a motto of mine. This year, I think it should be work hard and play even harder. Enjoy the little pleasures in life. Take a little more time to smell the roses as they say. Be in a good mood as much as I can.

 

There is much to look forward to. The jigsaw puzzle of life to complete. Yes, indeed.

 

 

Balloon ride in Cappadocia, Turkey in 2010.

A Step At A Time

A step at a time. Good, sound advice. Trouble is, I like fast results, rapid decisions, quick reso-lutions. So taking things one step at a time is something that I have had to come to terms with, something which I have had to learn to do. It certainly is not easy let me tell you, but I am getting there.

Sometimes taking things slow yields wonderful results, at other times quite the opposite. I suppose the lesson to be learnt is to experience the journey. What I do know is that good things seldom come easy. We need to work for it, put in the effort, demonstrate how much we desire it, have the tenacity to stay the course. And dare I say it considering it is not one of my better virtues, one ought to be patient too for the desired outcome to eventuate. My good friends would say, 'yeah right, he knows this in principle, let's see him put it into practice'. Trying, I am.

So, I am learning to enjoy the journey and not focus too much on the outcome. Of course, we all want the best possible outcome. I visualise it, and I hope to actualise it, but in the meantime, all I want to do is to enjoy the process. Wish me luck!

Photo shot in Antalya, Turkey. Having a drink after a tan and swim in the sea.

Mother's Day

Suk Harn and I celebrated Mother's Day last Sunday with Mum with lunch at Reunion at Bangsar Village. I come from a large extended family and whilst big family gatherings to celebrate special occasions are always enjoyable, sometimes, it is nice to have a quiet celebration on a smaller scale.

With Mum's birthday coming up in a few weeks, I decided to do a double take on the celebrations. Unlike last year in Turkey, I did not go on a holiday for my birthday this time round. Instead I am using the funds to take Mum on a trip to Seoul. My mother is a die-hard fan of Korean dramas, so this would be an apt destination for a quick jaunt. Some sightseeing, some food, some shopping, meeting up with a friend or two. An easy-going trip I hope it will be.

Some friends have lamented the fact that I seem to be traveling almost every month this second half of the year. I reply with a response that I learnt from my friends Suan Bee and C Hun ... 'if not now, when?'.

Photo courtesy of my sister, Suk Harn.

Birthday 2011

A friend, Celia from Spain, reminded me on Facebook that I was in Turkey last year for my birthday. We met on a tour to Aspendos, near Antalya, on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey. I was supposed to be in Shanghai this time round but plans fell through. I suppose it is a blessing in disguise as I have another plan up my sleeve for next month. It's meant to be a surprise. So we shall wait and see.

I started today doing the morning news at RTM and then headed straight for a swim. Other than training for the swimming leg of the Bali Triathlon relay end of June, I am also working to be fit enough for a project involving my photographer friends Peter and Evelyn. The latter is another one of my self-motivation endeavours which for now shall remain private too. Next up was shopping for our Nepal trip in September with my cousin Lynette. Who would believe we could spend almost two hours just getting the basics. It is good that we are starting early. I gather I will need much preparation for this particular trip. I am not one who usually roughs it out on holiday, so it will certainly be an adventure. A nice dim sum lunch resolved our hunger pangs after the shopping.

A much needed nap later, Mum, Suk Harn and I headed out to Siang Lin's advanced birthday and thanksgiving party. It was great catching up with a number of friends whom I have not seen in quite a while, particularly those from the advertising industry. My birthday and Siang Lin's are only two days apart, and since today is actually my birthday, I got a cake and a song too, despite my telling her earlier that it was not necessary in view of the fact that the event was much more of a thanksgiving party on her behalf. All in all a pretty fab day I would say.

Photo of me enjoying a birthday lunch on a beautiful spring day in Istanbul last year.

Thanks 2010

2010 has been a year that made me realise the important things in life. I lost my father in January to cancer and his passing reinforced some of the lessons he taught me - the importance of family ties and kinship, integrity and to live my life as I deem fit as long as I am happy.

2010 has also been one where I have traveled much. Bali twice! Hong Kong, Singapore, Penang, Kuching, Ho Chi Minh City and the most significant, my solo trip to Turkey for my birthday. To see the world is something I always find inspiring and I hope to see more in the year ahead.

2010 also made me understand that some friends are more worth having than others. I appreciate the good ones, and I will certainly discard the ones that have done me wrong. It's the time of year to say 'good riddance to bad rubbish' and to be truly thankful for those in my inner circle who accept me for who I am and who put up with my nonsense.

2010 has made me a stronger person, one who faces challenges head on, who embraces the opportunities to scale new heights, who relishes new experiences, who tries a little harder to find the missing pieces in life.

2010 has been a milestone in more ways than one. Thanks for the good times and the not so good.

2011 beckons!

Photo of Suk Harn, mum and I at Pho 2000 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam over the Christmas holidays.

A Good Guest

A good guest is one who doesn't complain. Instead, he or she appreciates the effort put in by the host, and makes it a point to enjoy the food, the drinks, the atmosphere, the company. You've been invited to a party, so why complain when you can have a good time. It's all in the mindset if you ask me.

From a personal standpoint, the rule of thumb that I advocate is that if you have nothing good to say, then don't say anything. And if one is deserving of a compliment, then I offer words of appreciation and encouragement. As a guest, I often put myself in the shoes of the host. Wouldn't you want your guests to have a good time, wouldn't you want them to love the food you've prepared? If one sees it from this perspective, then one will be more likely than not, more appreciative.

And my golden rule? If the host has personally cooked a meal, I never ever ask for salt and pepper or any other condiments for that matter, if they are not offered to me. We ought to respect the chef's culinary skills, don't you think?

Photo of a sidewalk tea house near the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, Turkey.

A Good Host

A good host is someone who makes the effort to ensure that his or her guests have a good time. Take a dinner party for instance. Sure, good food is always appreciated. Drink too for that matter.

For me though, I look at the other little details. An sms reminder a few days before the party with a teaser of the planned menu. A text of the address so as not to lose our way. Pairing drinks with the appetisers and main courses. Coffee for the coffee drinkers, tea for the non-coffee fans. A variant of decadent chocolate after another for dessert. Most of all, does the host give up the best seat in the house? Does he or she forgo place settings if there aren't enough to go round?

I may be in an industry that celebrates special occasions but I readily admit that I do not necessarily have the required patience to host a party that pays so much attention to detail. That's why I love working with my industry friends who are event planners for they are the ones who can carry out such functions with aplomb. But going back to why I am writing this post. Well, I had the pleasure of being invited to a dinner party last week that inspired these musings. Here's to that perfect host.

Dining alfresco in Istanbul, Turkey.

Leap Of Faith

Sometimes one finds oneself in a situation where one has to decide whether to take a leap of faith. In instances where facts and figures are part of the equation, it is an easier decision to make. The level of uncertainty rises when one has to only rely on gut feel and instinct. And the reality is that when the resultant outcome will be of a big impact, for better or worse that is, then whether to jump or not takes on such bigger proportions.

It's true when people say 'you only live once'. And if you subscribe to that motto, then perhaps a leap ain't such a big deal. That is if one is willing and ready to accept the ramifications.

Yes, I am rambling, in the hope that by rambling, I may find some light at the end of the tunnel. Perhaps I should just bite the bullet and hope that the outcome is a pleasant one.

Photo shot at Yoros Kalesi in Anadolu Kavagi, Turkey, with a view of the Bosphorus meeting the Black Sea.

R & R

I am heading to Bali for some rest and recreation, and of course to attend a wedding as well. Some of us are arriving ahead of the wedding in order to have a little holiday ... laze by the pool, do a spa session or two, indulge in the food, some shopping perhaps.

Leticia and Tjun Hong's wedding? On 10.10.10. It'll be exciting and it'll all begin with the rehearsal dinner the night before. Definitely looking forward to that.

Post wedding? I'll be staying on for a couple more days for more rest and relaxation. Bali here I come.

Photo of the Gulf of Antalya, Turkey.

Reminder

A friend just lost a loved one to an accident yesterday. Another reminder that we should live life to the fullest. This sad news is compounded by the fact that my uncle also left us last month in an accident. Fate shocks us without any warning.

We always remind ourselves to make every minute count. In reality, we seldom do that. Most times, we get bogged down with work, with the schedules we have to adhere to, with the deadlines we have to meet. Only when we receive shocking news do we take a step back and reflect.

My friend Lee Kuen posted this on my Facebook wall in response to my reminder to live life to the fullest ... to make time for people whom we hold dear in our hearts, and to pursue dreams that we have long cherished. Hear ye, hear ye.

Photo of a minaret of the Aya Sofya in Istanbul, Turkey.

Decisions

I am pretty decisive by nature. Be it in business or my personal life, I seldom pro-crastinate, I generally am quick to take a stand. I make firm decisions and don't normally waver.

These past few months however, I have been going back and forth, back and forth, back and forth about one particular issue. It's business-related and I think I am guilty of letting sentiment get to me. Mixing sentiment with business is not what I normally advocate and therein lies the dilemma now that I've let it creep into my decision making process. I now seem to have conflicting emotions about which route to take. It varies depending on my state of mind at a particular instant. Which is why I am going to make it a point to take some more time to think it over.

Perhaps Bali will knock some sense into me ... while lazing by the pool, watching a sunset perhaps or maybe during a relaxing massage, common sense will prevail I hope.

Waiting for dinner to be served in Istanbul, Turkey.

Reflect And Learn

I find myself in one of those moods. Looking back at what might have been, what could have been. What if I had chosen another route when I reached that particular crossroad? I find myself in such a temperament from time to time.

Some say it is not healthy, since we cannot change the past. I think it is good to reflect, re-think it through, and hopefully realise that there is no right or wrong. Whatever decisions we make in life, we live with them, we learn to live with the resultant outcomes, good or not so good. That is the lesson to be learnt.

So as I sit here and brood, I'd like to think that I'll be in a better frame of mind tomorrow. There's much to be savoured in life.

Photo shot at Taksim Square in Beyoglu, Istanbul, Turkey.

Selamat Hari Raya

My wish this Hari Raya is firstly for all to be safe on the roads and secondly for all Malaysians to be as one. These are lofty aspirations, easier said than done, but I shall keep the faith that they are possible to achieve, hopefully sooner rather than later.

I always feel that come Hari Raya, Deepavali, Christmas and Chinese New Year, it is time for renewal. Time to shed the wounds of the past and start afresh. To look forward to better things ahead. To see what life has in store for us. A new chapter so to speak.

Selamat Hari Raya to all!

Photo shot in the beautiful Blue Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey when I visited in April this year.

Plan To Have No Plans

Some friends have been asking if I have any plans for the Hari Raya break. Here's the deal, I plan to have no plans. Actually, that's not quite true. I do plan to sleep in. I have a dinner firmed up.

I seem to be sleep deprived. Working late nights has caught up with me and I intend to sleep as much as I can during the long Raya weekend. I am going to make it a point not to pack too much into the couple of days other than having a dinner with family friends whom I haven't seen in a while.

Of course there's always the pool. Deck chair, magazine, sunglasses; bliss. It will have to do for now if I can't get to a locale as seen in the photo above. A silver lining? October is not too far away ... a week-long holiday beckons.

Photo shot in Antalya, Turkey.

Being Cruel To Be Kind

Sometimes one needs to be cruel to be kind. It is never easy taking a tough stand, particularly when it involves those who we love. But when circumstances demand it, then it needs to be done. One needs to be the guiding light when our loved ones are blinded by irrationality.

Now, I do not profess to be perfect in any way. Nevertheless, I am well aware that practicality and reason have a role to play in how we live our lives. When something isn't right, I never find a way to justify it to the contrary. I'd much rather address the problematic issue at hand, no matter how awkward doing so may be.

It is never pleasant having to deal with such situations. Who wouldn't rather bask in a happy and harmonious cocoon? But life throws us curveballs, and there is really no avoiding them. We just have to face them head on and hopefully, we'll emerge stronger and better.

Photo of a minaret of the Aya Sofya in Istanbul, Turkey.

Malaysia Truly Asia

I met this Canadian family while on holiday in Turkey earlier this year. When I said that I was from Malaysia, their first response was to sing the ending of our tourism ad jingle, the part that goes 'Malaysia, truly Asia'.

It goes to show that the 'Malaysia, Truly Asia' ad has certainly reached many shores. I feel pride whenever it airs, whether on TV or onboard a Malaysia Airlines flight.

Despite the challenges that we may face as a country, I have faith whenever I watch this video.

Photo shot in a cave restaurant in Cappadocia, Turkey.

Lucky

I am always on the lookout for experiences that make one realise how lucky one is. I'd like to think that I live a pretty good life. Of course there are those who are better off. Similarly, there are those who are worse off. I make it a point to count my blessings. Nevertheless, I am human after all and every once in a while, I find myself wanting more.

There are voids in my life that I would like to fill and some things are best left to work themselves out. It is during these times of self doubt that I look back on all the wonderful experiences that I have encountered in life. Some of which were orchestrated, others which I chanced upon.

This beautiful setting overlooking the Bosphorus in Turkey welcomed me after a long walk up a rather steep hill in Anadolu Kavagi. I had contemplated whether to trek or not but decided to do so, despite objections from my tired legs. I'd say the effort was worth it.

Photo shot at Anadolu Kavagi, near Istanbul in Turkey.

Que Sera Sera

A good friend of mine was working on a project on my behalf for the better part of half a year. It was a very nice gesture as there are moments every now and then when I feel relatively jaded and uninspired to pursue some of my aspirations. We all face challenges in life, some obstacles larger than others, some mountains seemingly too high to climb. Nevertheless, it's wonderful to have friends who are willing to lend a hand, no matter how arduous the task at hand may be.

I have come to realise that sometimes, certain challenges are best left to work themselves out. We may have tried too hard, or perhaps we may not have tried hard enough. Maybe the timing wasn't right. There are a host of reasons that can wear us down if we analyse it too much. My friend thinks that the project was a dismal failure. I think not. I appreciate the effort and enthusiasm.

So I shall say this ... que sera sera, whatever will be, will be. And when all else fails, we rely on faith and hope. That I think I still have in abundance.

Photo of me at Cafe Mesale in Istanbul, Turkey.

Expectations

A lot of my close friends seem to think that my expectations are too lofty. That's true to a certain extent. I am not one to settle. I want the best. Having said that, what constitutes the best is relative. The best doesn't mean staying at a luxurious hotel when on holiday. It means putting up in a hotel that is clean and comfortabe, one that has character, one that is more intimate, one that is conveniently located, one that has affable staff. It doesn't mean always eating at the most expensive restaurants. It means having a meal at a restaurant that serves food that one enjoys, in the company of good friends.

I apply the same principle in my work as well as in my personal life. I don't expect to be perfect in what I do for a living but I do strive to achieve it. To always put my best foot forward. To shun mediocrity. I don't settle for sub-par friendships and relationships. Sub-par friends are best relegated to acquaintances. Sub-par relationships are best left behind.

Having meaningful encounters and experiences in life are what we should always aspire to. A cup of hot chocolate while waiting to board a ferry on the Bosphorus; now, that is one experience which deserves to be termed as one of the best.

Photo shot at Anadolu Kavagi in Turkey.