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)
Even though I have been missing (a lot) for the past 363 days from my blog - I figure I still want to end the year with a post. 2014 was a year of firsts - as I have mentioned here.
First time joining a kickboxing class (and sticking to it for the past 6 months!), first time doing a fun run/walk (only 10 km but still an achievement!), first time travelling to Hangzhou, China and parts of Europe (both without signing up tours) ... the year was dotted with many more first times. It was also a year with lots of ups and downs, of laughter and tears - I have attended a couple of weddings, celebrated a handful new births and also a few more wake services.
Highlights of the year (amongst many more memorable moments):
Clockwise from top left: Doraemon Expo - introducing mum to Doraemon, Hangzhou trip - beautiful place, Melaka food trip with buddies - burp!, Port Dickson retreat - a gift from a dear friend, Europe (Netherlands, Belgium & Germany) - thumbs up, my (annual) Singapore trip to visit bestie.
Clockwise from top left: PESS (alma mater) 100 years celebration fun run, Chinese New Year celebration with family, church camp in Taiping with mum tagging along, my farewell party with the office people (after 5 years, it was a difficult decision), road trip up north to Penang and Perak with guest from HK, celebration dinner enjoying KL sunset view.
Malaysia, as a nation, went through a trying year - with 3 unforgettable aviation-related mishaps, most serious flood in 20 years. Of course, there were triumphant moments which we should not write off. All these made part of our history, part of who we are. Let the happy moments teach us to be grateful for what we have and let the sad ones teach us to be strong and courageous.
Came across these words of Anna Quindlen just a while ago:
Knowledge of our own mortality is the greatest gift God ever gives us because unless you know the clock is ticking, it is so easy to waste our days, our lives.
I seriously need to relook at how I can control my emotions better, right now I think my EQ is almost zero, if not negative. Someone once said whenever you are angry, your IQ becomes zero (人愤怒的那一瞬间，智商是零，过一分钟后恢复正常。).
Trying hard to control my anger and emotions at the workplace today, I failed miserably. Two separate episodes today.
First episode in the morning was still controllable, breathe harder, breathe deeper...
Second episode - my hands were shaking from the wrath. Someone once asked me why I have the patience to teach children but not adults. I guess the difference lies in the attitude of the learner. I do not mind knowledge sharing but if the person (especially adults!) is not keen to learn - it just gets to me. 'I don't know' is not the reason we are unable to accomplish a task, it is an excuse to not try. Everyone has to start somewhere, I am not born with it either.
You know what Benjamin Franklin once said - Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.
Anyway, for now I am going to consistently remind myself the 3 Ps - POSITIVE, PATIENT and PERSISTENT. Made this doodle this morning and put it right in front of me at my work station.
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.
Few Saturdays ago - I thought I had some time in the morning before I go to class (I teach Malay language in a children's home on Saturday evenings) so I decided to drive around the neighbourhood.
Lo and behold, I did not know there is this one stretch of road, not very long, maybe a little short of 200m, quite near home. As soon as I (randomly) turned into this road - I was mesmerized by the sight before me. So much so, I have to quickly (and safely) stopped my car by the road and took a shot.
It started to drizzle when I stopped my car but as soon as I started my drive again, it began to pour. Just in time, and if you look closely you may spot some raindrops on the windscreen.
I love roads like these - so calming and serene. I wish more roads in KL are like these.
I felt better after the drive, cleared my mind a little.
I had recently been handed an entirely new portfolio at work - everything seems so foreign to me. The unit is new, even the unit's head (my boss) is new, the system is new (to me - but according to my boss, not many people out there understands or knows how to use it any way), the lingo is new, the seating is new (how I missed my old cubicle). It is a real challenge, and I was feeling frustrated and angry with myself as I can't seem to pick up these new things as fast as I anticipated - aging?
There was even a point at time that I nearly wanted to give up but I made a promise (to myself) that I will stick it out, hang around, persevere, give it my best shot, fail and try again and fail and try again... 2 years - that is the timeline that I have set and if in 2 years I do not achieve what I set out to do or justify my HOD's faith in offering me the portfolio, then I may really have to consider to make a move.
All these frustrations had been building up for a while. (It still does now) But I know I can make it, just have to continuously build my strength day by day, step by step. And perhaps, when I become too tired to tough it out, which is very likely happen to recur in the next 2 years - I just need to take a drive down the beautiful road again, that I may find STRENGTH in SERENITY.
You know what they say:
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.
--Reinhold Niebuhr
Wow, my last post was more than 2 months ago! I have been having problems to access my own blog. My page on Google Chrome just does not display the sign in link - and I couldn't figure out the way, except if I blog via my mobile or like now, I use another explorer. Yet I still have a footnote down on the left corner that says 'Error on page'. So keeping my fingers crossed, I hope this gets posted in the end. I have been up to quite a bit of stuffs lately - more in the line of reflecting about my life - past, present, future. Contemplating on what I want to do and/or to be and checking my current standing to see how far off I am. Basically just lots of thinking. So, for the time being, I may blog less (also due to demands in the workplace plus some year end plans which will keep me occupied) but I am still around, striving my best to be the best I can. To all who read my page, thanks for hanging around and I wish you well. Shalom Ending with a photo I took recently, while driving home from work (it is not often I could go home while the sun is still hanging around)
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...
Some things came up, a bit out of the blue and I have somehow be thrown off my track. Hence, the promised-but-delayed post on my recent trip, which has somehow become not so 'recent'!
Anyway, as I was still stuck in the office today, finishing some work, the view outside got my attention ...
After I the took photo above, I continued with my work and the next moment when I looked out the window again, the nice hues of the twilight moment were gone, the sun has set. While on the drive home, I was pondering about life, about my life... you know how these things go. You are going through the routines of life and suddenly you are 'inspired' to think about these things.
This reminds me how our days are numbered; how life could be so short that when we are too busy rushing about we do not stop often enough to smell the flowers (or take nice photos of the beautiful sky!). I am feeling more lifted now that I have thought it through, it's like getting a new lease of life. Yup, the problems are still there, the complications are still apparent, the solutions not yet in sight but life's much more than that, surely. Life is about being, about making it all worthwhile.
Ending this post with these verses from Psalms (I have not been a disciplined Bible reader but these verses will be what I am going to meditate on for the next few days at least):
As I stood there in silence — not even speaking of good things — the turmoil within me grew worse…We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing. We make our pile, and then we leave it. Psalms 39: 2,6
P/s: Though the tone of this post sounds a little downbeat, but I am actually feeling most liberated.
In the space 4 days I have been to the hospital twice - to visit 2 of my friends' mothers who were warded for different reasons. Life is fragile - that is definite. Life is unpredictable - that is definite. Life is beyond our control - sometimes. Life is in His hands - always.
On the drive home from the hospital just now, an *old song (Your Love) keeps playing in my head:
Where can I go from Your Spirit? How can I escape in Your love?
Your love for me is deeper than the sea and higher than the heavens above
Where can I flee from Your presence, Now that You abide in my heart
My heart is Your home, Your temple, Your throne so what could ever keep us apart
Your love is higher than the heavens. Your love is deeper than the ocean
Nothing in creation can take me away from Your love
Your love, there is nothing greater. Your love there is nothing stronger
You came to me, gave Your life
So I could be free
*It's probably not that old but I first heard it almost 10 odd years ago, perhaps it is more recent, my memory fails me a fair bit these days.
Ending with an edited photo of today's morning sky
Even in the midst of life's fragility and unexpected turn of events (for better or worse in our eyes) - let us not forget who is truly in control. HOPE is alive. And every day, EVERYDAY there is a reason why we live - there is a reason why we can still face today, tomorrow...
Workaholic defined:
work·a·hol·ic
/ˌwərkəˈhôlik/
Noun
A person who compulsively works hard and long hours.
If you are wondering whether you are one, check these 10 signs and mark your ticks:
I still remember those days when I get out of the house early morning and don't get home till 10-11 at night, which translates to 12 solid hours of work work work (plus an hour or less of lunch break). Crazy times when I did not get to spend time to have a proper meal - breakfasts at the work desk (still do!), rushed/quickie lunches and missed/late dinners.
I am just glad those days are over (I hope). Well, the reason I worked so long hours those days was partly I was a fresh graduate back then - being wet behind the ears - I strived and gave it my best that I may learn as fast as I can, especially when I had more experienced peers reporting to me. The other reason was because I had a demanding superior - who was an utmost perfectionist yet who seem to leave everything to the last minute. Enough said.
I am still learning, but as I age, I have garnered more experience and also am able to dictate my own working pace. I still work hard but I have also learned to work smarter.
The recent news of a Chinese man who died due to overwork is not new....it had happened before, and I don't wish it to happen to me. As much as I want to have a more comfortable life (who doesn't?), I have also learned that contentment is bliss and work-life balance is really, really important. Important not just to keep our sanity and not just preventing one from turning into a zombie - important to our health and affect other areas in our lives (eg: relationships) too.
So to my friends who are still trapped in their work - I hope you will find liberty real soon. Remember, working long hours does not translate to working hard.
/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:
Last weekend saw the nation entering into a new era. On 5 May 2013, Sunday, Malaysia held her 13th General Elections.
I shall not detail on things that happen but all I can say is that I have never realised how much I love the country until that moment last Sunday.
It was 5pm - the gates to the polling station was closed. Supporters from both coalitions gathered near the main entrance and sang the national anthem. It had been some time I had sung the 'Negaraku' with so many fellow Malaysians - I did not see people of different backgrounds, races, religions, cultures - I only saw Malaysians.
I love you, Malaysia, tanah tumpahnya darahku
The results of the 13th GE did not leave many people too happy. Since the results were announced, most (I'd say) friends' FB profile picture had turned black...
Meanwhile I had this up as my cover photo to encourage fellow Malaysians not to lose hope.
I have just changed it to a sunrise shot I took this morning. It is always darkest before dawn. Morning is here.
With the uncertainty of global economy and the increasing challenge to do business, many organisations resort to cost cutting measures to stay in business whilst maintaining, if not, increasing net profit.
Most often than not, when cost cutting is involved, first to be on the chopping board is personnel cost. Coming from a finance background, this is the scenario that we often observe.
With that as the background of this post, (I know I know, I seldom blog so 'seriously')...let's move on to the gist.
My Head of Dept approached me today and passed me a letter. *suspense* Oh, it's the letter from HR stating our annual increment for the year. This is early, usually we will only get this in June (financial year end is March). Well, it could only be good. And by good, it far exceeds my own expectations. I am thankful, and am glad that my hard work was noticed and rewarded.
Thank You, Lord! Never lacking, never too much, always enough.
Well...one 'battle' won, another to go - bonus! I am not sure how much I will be getting, as we do not have contractual bonus, but I am guessing, hoping it won't be too bad.
For these blossoms, to share a time of togetherness through rain and shine at my balcony, speaking of which the weather these days is so hot. (Highest today is up to 34°C. Makes me just wanna hide indoor!) I wonder if you are just like me. As I grow older, I find that the friends I have are becoming lesser. New friends are made every now and then, but friends who have stuck by my side through life's seasons may just be that couple few. Yet, I am grateful for them. The Chinese says 人生得一知己，死而無憾 - meaning you will have no regrets in life if you have had a confidant. How is a friend and confidant different? A friend may be a confidant, but a confidant is definitely a friend. A confidant is a trusted someone who helps one to reveal the inner thoughts or intentions. Deep, eh? So, do you know who is your friend? Who is your confidant?
How's your day? Is it good? Not so good? Couldn't be better?
Any day can be a good day, even in the most seemingly hopeless circumstance, something good is there. Maybe the good is playing hide and seek with us, if we seek it hard enough, it is sure to be found.
Photo taken from my car while I got stuck in a jam
Took mom for her CT scan yesterday. I got a bit panicky when I had to sign the consent form for the hospital to proceed with the scan. I just prayed in my heart that there will be no complication. She had to be given IV of a contrast material for the scan to work. The material might cause allergy, ranging from rashes to difficulty to breathe.
We waited for our turn for almost 2 1/2 hours. The hospital was crowded that day.
When mom's turn came, I went in with her, as she could not comprehend Malay or English, and none of the staffs on duty could speak Chinese. When she settled down, I went to the waiting area. She was in there for about 15 minutes. When she stepped out from the room, she was shivering as the place was cold...other than that, she was feeling alright. The nurses helped her to clean up and ensure she did not have any allergy reaction. (A patient just before her had asthma attack right after the scan)
The mainstream adverts (a.k.a. commercialised commercials?), there are a few that I found to be different yet meaningul.
First one - an advert by Lions Club Damansara Metro Short Film
Asian/Malaysian/Chinese culture had it that we rarely utterly 'I Love You' to our family, to our parents. Watch this video by Naga DBB to see what they want to hear...
The Chinese celebrates the Lunar New Year over a span of 15 days. Today is the 10th. With few more days to go, how do you plan to celebrate your New Year? To me, personally, the New Year is beyond gatherings to "eat drink and be merry", it is about building and rebuilding relationships with family and friends, with our loved ones, with people who matter to us. 珍惜，惜福·。
A notebook/sketch book - Shayne said I always like to doodle here & there, so she gave me this so that I have a 'permanent' place to house my work. Thanks, Shayne!
Check out the Valentine's bunnies I made... forgot to take a shot of the contents (chocolates!!!) before I gave it out.
Whether or not you celebrate Valentine's Day, I still would like to wish you that your days ahead be filled with love.
And now these three remain ~ faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is LOVE. (1 Corinthians 13: 13)
First & foremost, today is the eve of Chinese New Year, Happy 除夕, everyone.
CNY ads pull the heart strings at the same time they exuberate warmth. Every year, some big Malaysian corporates & GLCs will have special ads created for the season (have put up some on here).
Which is your fave? Mine is the one from Bernas...
Bernas' 加飯
Petronas' 豆福花
Maybank's 不怕跌倒，才能屹立不倒
A very different take, entertaining and educational is Maxis' series of 爺爺 (grandfather) stories on CNY traditions, some of which:
Keep it sticky
