2016

It's the first day of 2016 and here's to a great year ahead in all aspects of life. The good wishes and optimistic sentiments that have been reverberating since yesterday I am sure will have a positive impact as the year unfolds.

 

Starting off the year with a healthy breakfast, a short stint in the gym followed by a swim, is my way of putting in place an aspiration to live a healthier lifestyle henceforth. Having said that, there is also much enjoyment to partake in and indulgence is still very much part of my nature. Let's just say I shall try to strike a good balance.

 

As we embark on a new year, I look forward to rewarding experiences and encounters, and I sincerely hope you will be a part of such memorable occasions. Happiness and good health to all!

 

 

A morning swim.

Festive Season 2015

This festive season has been a whirlwind of activities, mostly of the eating kind though, with the extended family and close friends. Communion over food makes such gatherings more meaningful, enhancing the festivities with a sense of belonging and camaraderie.

 

As the year draws to a close, I am grateful for many things. A relatively good year in terms of business and career. Friendships that have been nurtured and strengthened. Even closer family ties. Some travel. Strength of character when overcoming challenges.

 

Most of all, I think I have over the past year, become more comfortable in seeing life in a wider perspective. And perhaps have even taken to embracing the adage que sera sera. Let's see what 2016 has in store.

 

 

Christmas decor and presents.

Childhood Buddies

This year has seen me spending more time with my friends from primary school. Having kept in touch on social media, we are meeting more often in person, and for a good cause too - exercise.

 

Morning and evening walks from time to time when the weather permits, have enabled us not only to stay fit but also to rekindle friendships that were nurtured when we were kids. It is one thing to say "let's meet up for a walk and another to actually do so". It takes motivation and a conscientious effort to cajole each other to participate.

 

Meaningful conversations during the walks and meals after have given us the opportunity to carry on from where we left off decades ago. In a way, our friendships have taken on a new perspective. There is a sense of appreciation, a stronger camaraderie. A purpose to understand each other better and further enhance the relationships that have been rekindled.

 

 

With Shah, Ranjit, Yee Li, Sharon and Wendy in Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Inner Resolve

Being optimistic is something I was having a chat about with a friend last week. I'd like to think that I am an optimist by nature, and for the most part, having a positive outlook is a trait that I very much nurture.

 

The ability to stay upbeat, assured and affirmative is a good thing. As life throws us challenges and obstacles every now and then, the inner resolve to continue moving forward instead of letting apathy set in is essential. Hope and faith are allies that we ought to count on to help us through trying times.

 

And whenever I sense a hint of negativity creeping into my psyche, I always remind myself that the best is yet to come. Indeed.

 

 

The London Eye by the Thames, United Kingdom.

The Road Ahead

Sometimes one can get disillu-sioned when the road ahead seems unclear and one's positive outlook begins to dim. It is during such times that wise words from a good friend are much appreciated.

 

Apart from comfort and encouragement, such words reverberate with what we have known all along, that we must stand by our principles, our somewhat high expectations and remain hopeful despite the current absence of light at the end of the tunnel. To put oneself in a position of compromise whilst may work in some situations, it is best avoided if it affects one's mental well-being.

So I came away from a supposed business meeting yesterday with something much more personal. Thank you my friend for the wise words.


Drottningholm Palace in Sweden.

Mooncake Festival At The Wongs

During the recent Mooncake Festival celebra-tion with the extended Wong family, my aunts and uncles invited their former neighbour during their time living at Eberwein Road in Kuala Lumpur in the 1950s, over to dinner. I believe they used to hang out as teenagers and now decades later, it is good to see the rekindling of such a friendship.

As time passes and as we age, we tend to value relationships much more. Be it with loved ones or good friends, we tend to make more of an effort to keep in touch and spend time together.

Perhaps it is because we reminisce more often as we grow older.


Family and friends during dinner in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.

Weekend Catch Up

My cousins Siew Yoong and Kiat Ken were in town last weekend for the mooncake festival. Despite it being a whirlwind visit, we did manage to spend time together, much of it catching up over meals.

 

Having grown up together in PJ as kids, there isn't a need to do any sightseeing when they visit. The plan is always to indulge in as much food as we can. Case in point, having arrived from the airport close to 11pm, we headed straight to Kepong for a midnight Bak Kut Teh supper.

 

Here's a photo of the 3 of us, happy to be together, happier to be sharing a wonderful meal.

 

 

Photo shot at Restoran Ka Ka in Kepong, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.