Whatever

When travelling in a group, I try to adopt the 'whatever' attitude. Too many cooks spoil the broth as they say and as such, if I am not responsible for the itinerary, I normally just go with the flow.

Lately, for the past 2 years to be exact, I've taken a liking to travelling with Tjun Hong, Leticia, Debra, Richard and Eileen, good friends of mine who happen to be in the same industry in which I work. We share similar interests, a wicked sense of humour, good taste; we all love to spa, though Eileen would need some cajoling to join the rest of us.

I've done Bali with all of them, twice. I've done Phnom Penh with Eileen and Richard too. I look forward to more sojourns. No firm plans as yet ... after all, Leticia's and Tjun Hong's wedding celebrations ain't over yet, there's still the big party in KL on 23 October. A possibility would be June next year for the Bali Triathlon. No, I am not competing, but Eileen may be, and we'll be there to cheer her on ... an excuse for the rest of us to go eat, go spa and go shop, in the guise of being supportive friends!

Photo of Tjun Hong, Leticia, Eileen, Richard and I at Ibu Oka in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia.

Dressing The Part

I think it is important to dress the part when one is invited to a wedding. The couple would have spent much time deciding on a theme, spent much funds creating an appropriate ambience to reflect the chosen theme, spent considerable fuss over their bridal party's attire to ensure that they too complement the setting. In short, most couples want a perfect wedding, and as a reminder of this milestone in their lives, perfect photos as well.

Which is why, we as guests should dress the part too. I do not mean having to splurge on attire. What I do mean is making an effort to look as best as one can be, in the spirit of the wedding one is attending.

I always feel privileged to be invited and if I make it a point to attend, then I embrace the role of a good guest wholeheartedly, and that means appreciating the good, ignoring the not so good, be willing to go the extra mile for the couple if requested to do so. Only then do we really become part of the wedding. And as for the dressing part ... well, a little vanity goes a long way!

Photo of me shot by Eileen at Leticia's and Tjun Hong's wedding in Bali, Indonesia.

Leticia & Tjun Hong 10.10.10

What a fab wedding it was. There was much anti-cipation, there was much suspense. And boy were emotions running high. All amidst the beautiful backdrop of Villa Pushpapuri in Ketewel, Sanur, on the beautiful island of Bali.

I came away from the wedding with one thought in particular, and that is, regardless of the circumstances, whether within our control or out of our hands, a wedding is really all about the power of love and friendship. Nothing else really matters. It is the experience for the newlyweds and how they share it with all present that makes a wedding memorable.

I take my hat off to Leticia, Tjun Hong and their planning team. The attention to detail was impressive. Their effort to make all of us feel comfortable and part of their big day was clearly evident. And I'd like to think that all of us also reciprocated in our own little way in making it a little bit extra special for the couple too. Much congratulations again Leticia and Tjun Hong. And yes, it was a truly wonderful experience.

Photo of Richard, Eileen, Debra, Leticia, Tjun Hong and I.

Sate Lilit

Arrived in Bali yesterday where Eileen, Richard and I are spending a few days eating our way round Ubud before heading back to Seminyak for Leticia and Tjun Hong's wedding this weekend.

Here we are savouring sate lilit at the Gianyar Night Market. Yup, we can go high end, we can also do street food, plus everything else in between. Same thing for accommodation. We've been in Ubud for two days and we've stayed at two different resorts. Ubud Inn which is more affordable and the luxe Maya Ubud Resort & Spa.

A few more friends arrive tomorrow. And more eating beckons, in particular Seafood BBQ at Jimbaran Bay tomorrow evening.

Photo of Eileen, Richard and I at Gianyar Night Market, Bali, Indonesia.

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.