Each of these writings came about for its own reasons, collectively they are musings linked by my fascination with fate, choice, chance, faith, forgiveness, forgetting, freedom of expression, appeasement through prayers, adherence to rituals, trolling for miracles, pursuit of happiness... (Amy Tan - The Other Side of Faith)
I did not start 2014 with much anticipation, honestly - I thought it would just be like the previous year or the year before last. You know with life's normal ups and downs, so normal and cliche that they become a flat line. Unexciting, Mediocre.
4 months into the year, I suddenly feel that I may have either treated my life too shabbily or I have underestimated life's potential.
Well before the year began, I thought it would be hectic and unexciting - hectic with work stuffs being in a new role and all; unexciting because I don't foresee myself doing something different, something I haven't done before.
I got the 'hectic' part right - work drives me up the wall some days, white hairs spotted, dreams/nightmares about work related stuffs, so on.
As for unexciting - thankfully I got it wrong :) Some of the firsts I have done this year - from joining a kickboxing class, completed a 10km fun run walk to trying out new cuisine. More later, now I gotta get packing for my next trip ...
(and oh, I am one of the firsts to depart from the new airport - KLIA2!)
“This new day has greeted us with no rules; unconditional opportunity. Do not dilute the power of this new day with the hardship of yesterday. Greet this day the way it has greeted you; with open arms and endless possibility.” ― Steve Maraboli,
Many people will find TNB's ad this year so true in their families, especially when you have cross-generations gathering.
In my household, even when the dishes are already nicely served, it is quite a challenge at times to distract my nieces and nephew (i.e. those born in/after the 90s) from whatever activities they are indulging in - online games, videos, social media, so on so forth. Hmm... maybe I should ask mum to do what the grandma did in the advert.
Kia did a tri-series of ad, see if you can catch the humour AND the moral of each story.
There are a couple of other ads as well, but the following short story caught my attention while I was researching for this entry. Good one.
Whether you return home (as in your parents' home if you are not staying with them) daily or once a year, do know that you really do not need to wait for the right time. For this I am grateful to my family, that I can just go home any time; that I don't even need to give them a call beforehand to make an appointment. I know there are people around me who have misunderstanding with their parents or siblings; and because of the grievances and hurt they have avoided going home, even during festive times like these when reunion is the main theme. I wish that they will be healed from the bitterness, blood is always thicker than water; and that their families will be reunited once more.
May you have a new year filled with love and joy, have a 马(mar)velous year!
About a year ago, I have blogged about the CNY ads that were aired locally. In fact I made two blog posts about it.
To continue the 'tradition', let's look at what we have for this year of the Horse.
First up and my fave, 'Young Hearts' brought to us by Petronas.
Personally this ad reminded me that there is always a child within us. I always complain tell people (consciously or otherwise) that how my mother (she is 73 this year, bless her!) is becoming more and more like a child; so much so it seems like I have switched roles with her, I sound more like her mother these days.
At the same time this ad as heart warming as it is, brought a tinge of sadness to my heart as I wonder whether I will ever have that someone to grow old (and young again) with; or whether I will be alone to the last of my days. *deep breaths* No thinking about negative stuffs, live each day to the fullest and be happy the best I could.
Ok, next up - the Lion's Club did a different take on CNY advert last year - this year they are back with the sequel to 'The Promise'.
It's a sad ending but a good reminder of how some of our parents are abandoned and not cared for. This brought to mind the recent development that a filial piety law was to be passed in the country to protect aged parents. It is a shame if you ask me that a law needs to be passed for a virtue that was supposed to be part of our heritage; a trait that was supposedly built-in within us.
Coincidentally I have just finished reading the book by Amy Chua - The Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother. In one part, the author highlighted the contrast of the Western and Chinese cultures. Some of the Western parents would hold the thought that their children are not 'obligated' to care for them when they are old, the children's obligation is only to the next generation and it goes on like that. On the contrary, the Chinese (or most Asian) culture had it that just as the parents have worked hard to care for and nurture the child, the child 'owes' it to their parents to take care for them the same way. Personally, I am skewed towards the Chinese behaviour (if you can call it that) but I do not feel it is because I owe it to them; rather it is 'just because'. Just because they are my parents, I will care for them. No why, no questioning of whether they have done anything to merit my love and attention for them, just 'just because'.
(Hmm... this post was supposed to be about the CNY ads for the year... let's get back on track)
I think somehow, good touching CNY ads can't run far from linking in with family ties and filial piety, here's the one from Eu Yan Sang.
And this one from Naga DDB is funny, 2014 is not a good year so it is to be replaced by 2013A ... aiyo, like that also can ah?! LOL
Stay tuned for the second part of this in the next post (which hopefully I will complete before the 15 days of celebration end next Friday, today is the 9th day in case you lost count).
马年亨通，万马奔腾, wishing all a happy and prosperous new year.
31st August - the day Federation of Malaya declared her independence from the then British colonial rule in the year of 1957. (Later on 16th September 1963, Malaysia was formed by Federation of Malaya, Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore.)
Despite all, in spite all, I am proud to be a Malaysian. Saya anak bangsa Malaysia :)
We were taught to sing the national anthem since young - and each time now, I sing it again, I could feel tears well up - because of the Malaysian pride.
Negaraku
Tanah tumpahnya darahku
Rakyat hidup, bersatu dan maju
Rahmat bahagia, Tuhan kurniakan
Raja kita selamat bertakhta
(My translation below)
My country
My native land
The people live in unity and progress
God grants blessings and mercy
Our King rules in sovereignty
Video of the national anthem - performed with a nice twist; video made 2 years ago, hence the 54th year credit message at the end.
As it says for our theme this year - Malaysiaku Berdaulat, Tanah Tumpahnya Darahku (My Sovereign Malaysia, My Native Land).
Long overdue post of the cruise holiday I took with mom almost 2 months ago.
Note: Could be photo-intensive post. There would have been more if I had had my camera with me.
It was the first time both of us go on a cruise. Mom had mentioned to me a couple of times before that she heard it is a lot of fun going on one. As much as I wasn't convinced, I figured it could be a great holiday choice for her - as she is not able to walk for long distance, she does not really enjoy relaxing by the beach, she detests shopping (except for groceries perhaps, but still she can't walk for long before complaining of leg pain).
I got a pretty good deal, a buy-one-free-one package so it was about MYR2600 for the two of us with our choice of the Ocean View Stateroom. The package also comes with return coach transfer between KL and Penang, which is a plus point. I do not mind driving to Penang, but would prefer to have at least another capable driver. The journey on the road takes about 6 hours one way.
So off we go...
On the coach, heading to Penang
Crossing the Penang Bridge
Here we go
Our room
Just relaxing
Being on-board the ship, we didn't do much besides eating, sleeping, chilling at the pool deck, watching shows at night... we practically did nothing except to just relax. I even had time to catch up on my reading.
Just enjoying the breeze on the pool deck
The acrobatic show on the 2nd night
We did pretty well on the first day - but when we awoke the next day, we started to feel a little seasick. Thinking it was not serious, we just put medical plaster on our belly buttons. I learned this trick whilst on a trip to Jogjakarta some years ago, shared by our local guide which had helped my friends curb their motion sickness. My mom claimed she had heard of it too. We did just that but few hours later we still felt uneasy. We had no choice but to take the anti-motion sickness tablets. Thankfully I managed to get it at the eleventh hour.
Spotted in Phuket
Krabi town centre - iconic traffic lights
Enjoying our seafood tomyam at one of the local restaurants in Krabi
We got off the ship on the 2nd and 3rd day at Phuket and Krabi. As I have said, mom don't do beaches or related water activities, so I have planned for us to go to town these two days, to just take our own sweet time to check out the places. Managed to sneak in a superb and relaxing (yes! this word again!) Thai massage session in Patong town, Phuket. In Krabi town, we found the local morning/wet market and bought lots of fruits from there. Prices were reasonable and the fruits fresh. We had mangosteens, lychees, rambutans and pomelo! We had a feast.
Disembarked, leaving the jetty on the coach - and it rained for the first time during our trip
Overall it was a good trip, spent quality time with mom. I know I may not have spent much time with her, except for those grocery shopping weekends. I am I have this chance to travel with her, to bring her to see the world outside her own little space. I know how hard her childhood had been (she was born in the midst of World War 2), how she had and I told her before I will give her a better life the best I can.
Oh, with the cruise package, we actually got a free 5D-4Ntrip to Hangzhou too! We just have to buy our flight tickets, wonderful as Hangzhou is a place I had wanted to visit in China. As the Chinese says, "Paradise above, Suzhou-Hangzhou below 上有天堂，下有蘇杭". Am keeping an eye on cheap airfare.
For the benefit of my non-Malaysian readers - these toys inspired by the recently screened (and screening still) animation "Despicable Me 2" were given free when one purchases a set of McDonalds kid's meal (Happy Meal). The toys are released in batches and they sold like hot bananas cakes!
So overwhelming were the fans/collectors that the toys sold out before end of the first day of the batch launch. So many hearts were broken, so many souls were disappointed - Happy Meals had become Sad Meals boo hoo hoo.
Congrats to those who managed to grab one or two or three (how can you get them so fast and how to eat so many Happy Meals???). To those who missed out, well...
Got me a new friend - Tim Giggling. Got him today to cheer myself.
Been a very trying week at work. The last few days, I can't count the times that I almost lost it and thisclose to give up; but I know I gotta grit my teeth and carry on.
Better times will come. Friday's almost here. Hopefully I will get the time to write that now-overdue post of my trip. Stay tuned and I hope your week was better, if not, it will be.
The haze season is back. With a vengeance. Thankfully the last two days were quite breezy, so the air index in Klang Valley improved compared to over the last weekend. Johore and our southern neighbour, Singapore are having it much worst.
To those who may not know, it has been years now - that at this time of the year, due to the direction of the wind - smoke from forest fires in Sumatra, Indonesia, will cause air pollution to hit unhealthy levels in several places on the Malaysian peninsula.
Though it is less hazy these few days, I can feel the dryness in my throat and my eyes feel so dry (plus the fact of I am working extra hard staring at my work PC for at least 10 hours a day, due to overwhelming work load and also because I will be away soon).
I have got a cute mask which I am definitely gonna use if I am outdoor. Cute, no? My friend got it for us during our trip to Bali some years ago as we were supposed to visit a volcanic area. The masks help to filter out the terrible sulphuric odour.
I have got the pink one!
Hmm...maybe I should it match it with a nice eye mask
Anyway, am really feeling kinda stressed out with things at work. That and also slightly demotivated over some Management's decision. Oh, well... can't exactly 'take-it-or-leave-it' so gotta live with it.
My day was brightened by a simple note from fellow colleague/friend. Thank God for placing people like these around me.
Took a photo, edited it and sent it back to her
Also 'helping' myself destress by thinking up of creative out-of-office auto replies, sent it to someone who commented "Nice one, Cheryl. But you are gonna get it from your boss when you are back, so don't try it!"
The auto reply I had in mind was "Nope, I am not around. Yes, I am having FUN!!! while you are sending me this work email. Boo!"
So, can't do that and back to the same oldboringnon-creative polite auto reply: I am on leave and will be back XXXXXX. Your email will not be auto-forwarded. Meanwhile, should your matter requires immediate attention, please contact: XXXXXX. Have a nice day."
Totally random blog post...I know. Thanks for reading to the end.
Nope, I have not seen the movie. The current situation at work now is just that - fast & furious. Work is piling, never ending ad-hoc tasks. Deadlines are continuously being brought forward.
Am just now looking forward to the coming weekend. Will be my first time to go on a cruise. Will be embarking in Penang, pit-stops at Phuket & Krabi. I have been to Phuket once, and I loved the place. Hmm, definitely on must-do list are food hunting! It's been some years but the taste of these are so memorable!
Waffles! Pic from my last trip there 5 years ago. In pic are two of my travel buddies.
Also, of late, I have discovered some other yummy Thai food which I hope to reminisce.
Super sweet mini pineapple, slightly bigger than my fist.
Luk Chup - colourful Thai dessert with mung bean paste as filling.
It will be my first trip to Krabi though. Perhaps I won't do much but just to chill at the beach. Not sure what to expect yet, but I am sure it will be both an adventure, and a memorable trip.
Now's the time to start the countdown. Sunblock - check, hat - check, comfy shoes - check, sexy swimwear - check, wait, uncheck! I am travelling with mom, oops. Lol.
Alright, boys and girls, ladies and gentlemen. Time flies, the cliche, but so true. School holiday's coming to an end, 2 more days to go.
If you have no inkling on what to do - bring your kids and the kid in you to the malls around town (I personally think we need to get back to nature more, but the weather in Klang Valley these days is still kinda hot, so I'd rather stay indoors).
You and your kids are spoiled with choices, you can choose to meet:
1) The Minions at Pavilion (Personal favourite)
/kä(l)m/ Adjective (of a person, action, or manner) Not showing or feeling nervousness, anger, or other emotions. Noun The absence of violent or confrontational activity within a place or group. Verb Make (someone) tranquil and quiet; soothe: "he lit a cigarette to calm his nerves". Synonyms adjective. quiet - tranquil - still - placid - serene - peaceful noun. quiet - calmness - quietness - tranquillity - serenity verb. pacify - quiet - appease - soothe - lull - quieten
Last week, I distributed a few of these in the office, to cheer up the stressful souls of fellow colleagues due to either work and/or life.
Keep Calm & Eat Chocolate
It is contagious! Found this on my table calendar today:
Amusing - where traders do their business by the railway track. Just before the train passes by, they will start to keep their stuffs and business resumes as usual once the train has gone by. The train passes the market 8 times daily.
Other than that, nothing much to explore here...if only the market is on a longer stretch or a more scenic one.
Train's coming...coming... gone!
Some of the stuffs you can get from the market
To get there: From Bangkok the train departs from Wong Wian Yai station. The nearest BTS Station is Wangwan Yai (20 minutes walk). From here you get the train to the end of the line at Mahachai. This train takes about an hour. At Mahachai, exit left of the train, then turn right into the market street. It’s a fishing port so you will see seafood everywhere. Walk to the end of the street and on your left you will see the river and the ferry terminal. You now catch the ferry across the river to Ban Laem. At Ban Laem walk through the market and at the street entrance, turn right. Keeping walking down this street for about 10 minutes and you will get to the station where you can take a train to go straight to Maeklong (1-hour long journey).
We didn't want to go through all the hassle, so we hired a van for THB2000 (flat rate/car) + THB1000 (for petrol/gas) for the 3 of us. The half-day trip covers Amphawa Floating Market and a boat ride there.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
-1.jpg)
