Life (Part II)

The Pride of Life

IT's strange how things happen...and its hard to swallow the saying that everything happens for a reason, especially the prickly-gnawing-painful ones. Coming full circle in several angles of life, matters of the mind and heart are often the hardest to embrace but yet most unforgettable. This entry is dedicated to all my loved ones whom I've unintentionally taken for granted or have somewhat deprioritized over other work.

Mum+Dad, thank you for your unconditional love and attention, care and sacrifices. You often mentioned that it is only when I have kids of my own that I will be able to fully understand the extend of care, worry, relief, love and disappointments that you have carried with you the moment I was brought into this world...but I have realised that now, I don't need to have kids of my own to learn that. Kids are a blessing in more ways than just being there to fulfil one's engagement in parenthood; a check on the to-do list in life. Our relationship all these years have been weather-proofed and now in my new calendar cycle of life, yet our adventures have not ceased to take centrifugal elements around the family unit....even though if may not appear ideal. I know our bonds are tight. As your love-child (ahem), thank you from the bottom of my heart for always being there, being square and fair. How do I honour both of you ever? I guess it's something not said or exchanged in material things...it's by my actions and just living in honour to both of you that I hope will be my way of saying I love you too, Mum, Dad.

Fellow sibs, A and T-- I'm fiercely protective of both your well-being since we were kids. Growing up hasn't been fairy-berry but the tears, smiles, snuggles, giggles and snores we'd shared under one room in our L-shaped bed did liven the pyjama party excitement we had with the crazy cousins! :) At times I had felt wishful for a sister... at times!-- but can't say I'd trade both u boys for any other. ...wellllll....except that one time, I traded T for another player during the beach handball competition at JYF camp-- u can't play for nuts la, bro! LOL! Nonetheless, more importantly, I know our brain waves are all connected --we're made of the same shxt. Wonger!!! 

T: Am proud of you making a brave decision wrt a brand new direction in your life with Lara. Good job there! 

A: Thank you for being there in welcoming me home, sharing your space. I reckon it's pretty cool that we can share an overlap of "me-space" without each getting fidgetty. Being in a silent conversation with you has been and still is quite an epic experience. It's like you do know what I'm thinking and saying without actually saying anything. Pretty cool, huh?

 

I appreciate you boys for the best u both have been and I respect you both for the men u aspire to become. U have my sincerest support!

My once closest companion, K, who has now stepped out into another stream, remember that He is watching over you dearly. K, A and J will be fine. They are growing up fast too. It still feels like only yesterday we were fussing over the iphone apps and your "hall of fame" collections. I hope that you are in a happy with new experiences before you. I guess I'm yet to understand the realm you're in but I'm pretty sure you're in a happier place.

 

Good morning, 2012!!!!

Bersih 2.0!

9th July 2011.... marked 2 very significant events in my life, the first of which I watched as history unfolded before the whole world, right from my very doorstep.

Downtown Kuala Lumpur was unrecognisable as thousands of opposition leaders and supporters filled the streets in a chant for a free and fair election and transparent votes. As it is an amicable plight to highlight this coalition's objectives, the whole city was in a shutdown as preemptive measures to manage this so-called "illegal rally". From midnight onwards, the police had already begun their road closures at major road entrances into KL City. This caused a massive inconvenience to hundreds more thousands of commuters and road users who asks merely for a comfortable alternative. Afterall, it is a weekend! Families have family functions, weddings, prayers for the coming of age, school-going children's extracurricular tuition classes, ballet, piano and swimming lessons, etc. I was on the road to Ipoh at 745am that fateful Saturday morning, to attend a public health presentation. Fortunate to miss the entire drama, watching it from the window of my Iphone as pictures and videos are posted on facebook is just appalling! Masjid Jamek, Puduraya, Chinatown, Pasar Seni-- all too familiar roads were filled with armed forces, shooting tear gas and water canons at protesters and supporters. Unbelievable!

In light of a call to CHANGE, the Bersih 2.0 campaign had clear objectives. Execution can be improved but nonetheless, objectives of awareness met. Bersih (Clean) 2.0 http://bersih.org/ is not meant to antagonise or demonize...but to create a united voice with peace and a stern professionalism for Malaysians to speak up together. I sincerely hope and pray for the future of our generations as our decisions today will impact their's.

Bersih, in the Malay language, means clean (noun), to clean (verb). With this regard, something closer to home brewed a cleansing! I was literally cleaning out my home in efforts towards a huge move from an apartment into a townhouse. All happened over last weekend, after returning from a work do in Ipoh. Oh what a feat! This was my own version of Bersih 2.0 as this is the 2nd time I'm moving in the past 8 years. Phew! It was my final night at 6C, Fern Lodge Apartments, Taman Tan Yew Lai, KL. So much has happened indeed-- smiles, laughs, tears, frustrations. Hot and Cold!

In a moment of packing paralysis, a tsunami of nostalgia crossed in a blink and a flash of neurons as I stumbled upon a stack of old photos from high school and college days- oh how youthful personalities they were in those prints! Truly, we only have 1 life! One life to do and experience everything! Cherish the loved ones like family and dear friends. Seize all opportunities to better ourselves. Learn to live life as it comes and make the best of it. Open our mind's eye to make positive changes consciously and detox as much negativity.

Come what may: Embrace Bersih!

Summer Bummer

I woke up this morning and it says 13th June 2011 on my watch!
A Black Monday! Where the hell was Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr and May???

A French Quarter

To the moon and back. It's been 4 months!!

Am surprised to find myself here again with some thoughts ironically crossing the mind's freeways as I'm sat in the midst of a brainstorm session in the confines of a sterile meeting room. This time last year, I was on a flight out to the land of jazz music and yummy beignets. This year, fate finds me crossing paths with Yann and Laurent Recife, who are both travelling through Asia as they prepare for their relocation to Brazil next month. Kudos to both of you in your next brave adventure and I wish you a great life ahead. We hope to see you either in Brazil or in Malaysia again next year! We'll go check out Angkor Wat then! :)

As I reminisce on the unforgettable relationship I had with New Orleans, home to the French Quarter, I find the uncanny resemblance of where I am again in this french connection. French Quarter. French men. Recent launch of budget airline, AirAsia, to a new route: Paris, France! In retrospect, it's been somewhat a monstrous feat as incredible intensity of events bubbled and fizzled so quickly since my last entry-- a few babies were made (none mine), lovers burnt, heartfelt memories etched. Til now, brief breakaways to WeHo & Vegas in August and Bali in October are both still on my 'like' list so far! Johnnie Walker is also my new favourite mid-week hydrating partner and thanks to F.O. Eric, I've acquired a taste for the Espresso (without milk)! Again the french-y contribution by this final quarter of 2010.

Am pretty chaffed with how the waves of cosmic energies have influenced a few turns. Astrophysics does exist and affects all of us in more ways than we think/expect...although we can't see it, it's there. like magic! Reconnecting with a dear friend J after himself being to the moon and back on his 40th anniversary has proven just that. We totally lost contact for almost 4 years and then I got a missed call from him. Got to his voicemail and we reconnected -- picking up from where we left off. Amazing! The earth does move under our feet for a greater purpose, responding to forces unbeknownst to us, actually like it's working for us, for our own good. I learnt from J that there's no missy difference being 40-- The air is the same apparently. Lol! Feeding my addictions of True Blood trails, I guess being 100 years old is also worth the living when love prevails. I am a misery -- Maroon 5..

Where will the currents take me with only 31.5 days left to this checkerboard on the calendar tagged 'Month of the Year for Parties'-- ZoukOut, Christmas, New Year, Octopus, etc.... and how will the New Year's sparkle attract and exhibit the collective Qi? From Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu, Cameron Highlands, Beijing and Singapore! It already looks like Fun is taking shape.... I can hear exhilaration! To those who will be a part of this (some may not even know it yet)-- you are totally crazy (too)!!! I shall attempt to stratify a countdown. Are we ready??

Once a year...

...once every 12 months, there's that window of time standing still for Me.
It's the time of year for...either a birthday (to celebrate getting old), a pay rise, or a time to pay respects to the dead, that casts a wonder why we go this way or that way in waves. Reflections bouncing back at light of day or off the moonlit night. I know I care enough. But is it ever enough... when I can just tell myself to give up?...because nobody else will give a damn, even if I work harder at it.

Take a chill pill, or smile a little-- they say.
Much has interrupted the way that voluntary muscle cracks across my face.
Encouragement, acknowledgement, recognition, love, hope of Germany's win at the WC 2010, finding a carpark on a crowded Sunday morning at the park, the first 5 mins after yoga class....death, traffic jams, intolerance, frenemies... and rare but simply, someone else's smile.
It is the time to rethink, reconsider, refocus and reborn. Take a listen, I say.

When good people come into my life, they're such a joy. Bless them.
When Life springs up a surprise that takes you miles out of town, appreciate it.
When distance makes the heart grow fonder. Embrace the journey.
When God takes over... let Him.

Unusual You

Nothing about you is typical
Nothing about you is predictable
You got me all twisted and confused
It's so you

Up 'til now I thought I knew love
Nothing to lose and it's damaged cause
Patterns will fall as quick as I do
But now

Bridges are burning, baby, I'm learnin'
A new way of thinking now
Love, I can see, nothing will be, just like it was
Is that because

Baby, You're so unusual
Didn't anyone tell you, you supposed to
Break my heart, I expect you to, So why haven't you?

Maybe you're not even human 'cause
Only an angel could be so unusual
Sweet surprise, I could get used to unusual you

Been so many things, when I was someone else
Boxer in a ring, tryin' to defend myself
And the private eyes to see what's goin on
That's long gone

When I'm with you, I can just be myself
You're always where you say you will be
Shocking 'cause I never knew love like this could exist

Tables are turnin', my heart is soarin'
You'll never let me down
Answer the call, here after all
Never met anyone like you

Baby, you're so unusual
Didn't anyone tell you, you supposed to
Break my heart, I expect you to, So why haven't you?

Maybe you're not even human 'cause
Only an angel could be so unusual
Sweet surprise, I could get used to unusual you

I can't believe I almost didn't try
When you called my name
Now everything has changed

Baby, you're so unusual
Didn't anyone tell you, you supposed to
Break my heart, I expect you to, So why haven't you?

Maybe you're not even human 'cause
Only an angel could be so unusual
Sweet surprise, I could get used to unusual you...

...speaks more than a thousand words...

Catching up.

Some like it light and easy. Some like it with a bit of lemony twist. Some like it cold and classy. And there's the rest of us who just like it with alot of fun! Been out and about with so much going on and tonnes to do daily that I've forgotten how therapeutic it is to download thoughts on paper..er..screen. My last 7 months has been somewhat sinusoidal. Isn't life about the ride? Let's see what's tip off my head. err...it's actually quite a blur. Maybe too many nights involving too much alcohol (again!). ha ha.

Catching up with friends is definitely the one most important incentive for me to get off work a little bit earlier that day or make more time for. El, Ra Ra and Rebecca in Singapore. Lay May who's occassionally back from London. Couzins Chris and Cherie from Melbourne. Anusuya from Perth. Karina from Beirut. Ann and Anna from KL. It strange that we take for granted our friends within country codes as we have to make appointments to catch up. Our life bubbles are growing larger and larger, the circumferences barely touching the edges. But as with best of friends, our epicentres are always connected.

So what's happening with who?
TAL gave birth to baby Megan.
Audrey gave birth to cutie Toby.
Em gave birth to baby Elena.
Elaine gave birth to babe Helena-Kate.
All mummy(s) and baby(s) are healthy and looking extremely good.
Phyllis got married to David. Both reek with lovebird glee every time I see them. O so sweet.
Jal and ML's baby boy is not a baby anymore. Big toddler boy now.
A string of ex-colleagues, George Yong, Donnie Leh, CK, David Hooi, Brian J, Tracy Giam have all gotten married within the past months too. Must be all that incentive money they've been earning lerr...may be kids are in the pipeline. Who knows. haha..
Jane and Ner also tied the knot in July. It was a charming intimate indian temple wedding with close friends and family. So was Angela and Sudha's chindian wedding. So funny seeing Sudha do all the Chi-Mui games early on a weekend morning. Rare occasion indeed. *giggle*
My best friend Ann and Stoney celebrated their 1st wedding anniversary this June! Woohoo!
Debbie Phang walked down the aisle to the sweetest man she's ever known. :)
Fellow Soton-mate Shu Hau also got married.
Wormie has relocated to HK with high flyer hubby! I miss you both!
The Strong Chongs, Vern2 and Pam came runners-up in TARA 2! Rock on girls!
Venus, Charmaine, Peter, got promoted at their respective work places.
Anis got promoted to Tai-Tai.
CJ got engaged. Jaime is preparing to get married.
Binh and Quan's angels are growing up so quickly!
Postcardie-Coelho-fan pal Jenn2 still sends me posties from wherever she is in the universe.
Steven got a new house. :)
Cheo got a new C200. Haih!
Pebbles, Hush and Ewoc are so big so fast! Running around, driving Ann nutty! but the cutest they are! Mochi is also becoming a karaoke queen. Have to always "Ssh, Mochi, Ssh!...

Equally sharing moments with darling friends who were in the valleys, changing jobs, managing special kids, going from "Married" to "Divorced", or from "Dating" to "Single" and some who've just stayed the latter for the safe and happy factor...Happily... I truly enjoyed our shopping/mani and pedi sessions & tea lunches... movies and wine dinners with great guy, gay and metro friends. Not to say the least, remembering our dear ones who've left us to be with the Lord. Bless your soul.

And of course, there are the new friendships...lightly douzed with cosmopolitans and mango martinis. Ok, maybe alot of it. And bottles of Beringer Sparklies and Lambruscos. I can't begin to list down all the new found friends from the AA and rehab (ha ha..NOT! Crazy ah!). New friends from the US, AU, Thailand, Indonesia, France, Germany, Austria, Norway, Turkey (I wasn't refering to the food ok!) and those from here at home. Looking back on our home made Comedy Nights, DVD evenings, house parties, dinners, quick-pick-me holidays and weekend aways.... I wish I had more time with everyone!

My top 10 favourite places with friends are:
1) Lake Gardens Bird Park -- Hornbill cafe
2) Bijou Cafe, Mont Kiara
3) Marmalade Cafe, Mont Kiara
4) Delicious Cafe, Marc Residency
5) Decanter, Damansara Heights
6) Restaurant 88, Aman Suria
7) Ma Maison Restaurant, Ampang
8) Cafe Cafe, KL
9) Vintry, Damansara Heights
10) Home.

I really miss and would like to see: The Wees and Ju-boy....soon.
Currently thinking of:
Steven who is spending sleepless nights moving his hoards from old to new house.
Vas who relocating south for a new job.
KC who's waiting to hear from a potential employer.
Brian who's having so much fun in Germany now! Not fair!
Allan & Nigel......simply la.

Sometimes it's *all* about work. Sometimes it's *not* all about work.
When you think about it, friends and family make all the difference.
It's kinda like a wake up call, really.
Where is my sea taking me?