A good race in Melbourne

In recent times, my interest in sports had vaned a bit. I'm getting cynical at sports. I've lost hope that our Malaysian shuttlers would rise to the challenge of doing the country proud. I've seen enough of rivalry in football to say now that Man Utd is leading and I'm happy with that, but its no longer earth shattering news to me. Basketball doesn't hold its grounds anymore when Kobe Bryant and Le Bron James entered the game. I know they are good, I've seen them play but somehow its just not the same anymore. Tennis still holds a special place in my heart, and my heart broke with Roger Federrer after the Australia Open. Olympics came and went in 2008 and my takeaway from that was China had invested loads of money and time to be able to hold its head high and announce to the world that they had arrived and ready to rumble with the big boys. To me, sports had became too commercialized, where every sportsman dreams to be good so that they can put their name out for endorsement. That's the whole reason why there are multimillion dollar endorsement out there up for grabs for those who had made it big.

But today's F1 race at Melbourne was different. It showed that underdogs could win on their debut. Although, to be there in F1 is a multi-billion investment but to hold your head high as a newcomer in a sports that had faded in its claims, that was the winner. I still love Ferrari but then, I'm going to root for Brawn Mercedes after their fantastic debut with a bailout equivalent to what AIG had spent. Hello, newcomers!!!!!!!!!

Serendipity

Serendipity, in an English dictionary it means the faculty of making fortunate discoveries by accident. Have any of you ever experience such an incident? I'm a romantic person at heart although I may think I'm a cold bitch. But give me romance and I can assure you, I'll melt. I remember the movie I once watched, Serendipity, aeons ago. Its about a chance meeting in a shopping mall and a date later, decided to leave their relationship to faith. Like how all romantic comedies are, the couple in question had a happy ever after ending. Since then, I always looked around for my own serendipity. I always try new things and new activities with the hope and chance that I'll experience something like this. Also, it does keep me occupied over the weekend.

But the movie was made in 2001 and after awhile, I had given up hope that it will happen. I had given up that very idea, to be honest. I had met people at clubs, work, office, gym and even at coffee places. Some are interesting, some are self centred, some are friendly, and some are boring. An interesting mix of people that I had met and got to know. There are some I remain contact with and there are some I save their contact details as "Do Not Answer". But there is one chance meeting I'll never forget.

I was in Thailand July last year and as some know, I had ended up going there with a couple. Not that I have anything against traveling with a couple, just that 6 days of being a bloody big light bulb nearly put me off the trip. I did persevere after all. Nothing was going to stop me from enjoying the trip I had looked forward to since January. After 4 nights of changing places, meeting people at the bar or at the beach and chatting with them, the 5th day that we were there, we decided to go rock climbing. It was something that I was super adamant to do. I had heard so much about the limestone cliffs in Krabi, it would be hell if I miss scaling it.

After we decided on the rock climbing school, off we went in the afternoon to climb and scale those damned slopes. We met a lot of different nationalities there and we chatted with everyone. It was fun and the guides had asked us to join them that night at their bar called Last Bar. It was literally the last bar on East Railay. Some of the people we had met there had said that they will be there as well. So you can imagine my excitement at having different people to mix around with!!!!

After dinner, we went there. It was really a nice place and the best part is, the bar was built on stilts and thatched roof and it has an open air seating area. My type of laid back hangout joint. I loved it so much there that I didn't mind that I was left alone to stare at the stars above. It was a clear sky mind you. The funny part was, the people we had met earlier in the day, didn't show up. So that's how I ended up staring at the stars that night. I wasn't drinking much that night as we have an early day the next day of traveling back to KL. But I was longing for something to do and talk. The couple had already settled themselves down to an intimate chat and I was feeling really left out. It doesn't help that the tables surrounding us are groups and they left us (me) alone. :(

However, I noticed at a table across our's, there was a guy that had stared at me a couple of times. I just gave a smile back in return. I just thought it was funny that he was alone when before that there were a bunch of girls at his table as well. I was itching for conversation by then. There is so much of stars that I could count and hope to see a shooting star was diminishing!! So I approached that guy and asked for a stick. And in his exact words, you can only have it if you sit here with me. Fair enough, and I happily obliged. That's how my relationship with serendipity started. A chance meeting in a foreign place, where the people didn't turn up and his friends had turned in early for bed. If his friends had stayed on, I wouldn't have approached him. Had my climbing acquaintances showed up, I would have been occupied. So, quoting him, "We met in a really nice place, Railay Beach at a really cool bar called The Last Bar, and PJ had to put up with me ever since then."

What is a Relationship?

I've been constantly asking myself that question. What is a relationship? What is it that constitutes a relationship? What makes a man and a woman to decide to commit to each other? What makes the opposite attracts each other in the first place?

We are currently living in a fast paced technology world where everything speeds up, patience run thin and expectations are high. Do we still have the normal dates where guy picks girl up from home, "interview" with the parents, bring girl out for dinner with flowers and send her home by midnight, and steal a kiss by the door before the father opens the door? Do we still have a conventional date? And what are the dating rules now? Sex on the first date? Sex on the third date? No sex till marriage? Is there still a first date?

The dating rules have changed over the years. Where once the guy will ask the girl to be his girlfriend, with the same serious face as proposal. Now, its a chance meeting in a bar, dancing together, chugging down shots, more dancing and then, a kiss and you leave the bar holding hands, exchanging phone numbers, loads of flirty sms-es and viola, next date will be a romp in bed. And then, moving in together and before you know it, they are together for donkey months. When they finally decided to get married, they'll divorce within months of the marriage. Does that sound familiar to you? Has it happened to someone you know or you yourself?

So what makes a relationship last? Are there clear and set rules? Fundamentally, what is a relationship?

30 days mark

Let's see, its almost one month to the new year and what have I done so far? I went to Australia for 2 weeks and I've got a new role to come back to at work. In fact, I've done quite a fair bit of traveling in December 08 and January 09, to the point that my friends asked me first where am I instead of what I'm doing. As I had mentioned, I was in Siem Reap before Christmas, headed down south for Christmas and then, work for 2 weeks and I was off to Australia for 2 weeks.

I really racked up some travel mileage over the last 2 months. I had really enjoyed it though. I had seen poverty in 3rd world country and went off to metropolitan city and then to a developed country with abundance of land and resources. Its really 3 different places with very distinct atmosphere and feel. I'm glad I had the chance to experience it all. But my last trip was an eye opener for me.

Coming from Malaysia, I had known Asian countries and I haven't travel to a Western country before (Singapore doesn't count!), going to Australia was a totally different experience. I thought summer in Australia would be hot and it would be nice to sit by the beach and get a tan. Boy, was I wrong when I stepped out from the plane at Melbourne! Melbourne is really a quirky place which I come to like a lot. You can experience 4 seasons on a summer day and it switches from cold to hot back to cold in matter of hours. The other thing I couldn't get used to was the fact, sun sets at 9pm!!! Also, I noticed that drinking is the unofficial national sports which all Aussies enjoy. The other thing that got to me was their barbie. I really enjoyed the barbie and drinks that I had the chance to experience with some friends. Although I did see a lot of the country in the span of 2 weeks, I had the most fun hanging out at a friend's backyard, enjoying the barbie with a VB and playing monopoly after that. Its one of those simple pleasures that I can never get enough of. By the way, I can do a mean burp now whereas someone I know can practically fart all night long!! A symphony of wind :p

After Melbourne, I was in Geelong to meet some friends and to do Great Ocean Road and to see the Twelve Apostles. Now, that bloody pile of rocks a bit disappointing but beautiful nevertheless. After 3 days in Geelong and a dose of cricket, we flew to Sydney. Met with some more friends and more drinking ensued :) However, I was insistent to take pictures with the Opera House, Harbour Bridge and to walk to Darling Harbour. Also, I wanted to feel the sand of Bondi. I did all that and more. Oh well, I am a tourist after all ;)

After that, a road trip to Brisbane was a scenic drive with cows and sheep and more cows and sheep. I think I saw more cows and sheep on this trip than I ever have in my whole entire life. But along the way, I got to see Big Banana and Big Prawn. I've always wondered what's with the obsession with all things big. Oh well, to one's own I guess. We ended up in Byron Bay for 2 nights. I fell in love with that place. Its a small laid back town that has interesting pubs, shopping street and cosy small town feel. Its a fantastic place with one of the best bars I've been to and a superb beach. What more can a girl ask for?

We headed north again to Gold Coast. I get to cuddle my koala here and be upclose and personal with kangaroos. I even went to Movie World to have a bit of Hollywood glamour in Australia. I'm just disappointed I didn't get to see Tasmanian Devil from Looney Tunes there. That would have made my day.

So all in, it was 2 weeks worth of being a tourist and I saw a bit more of Australia than I could possibly imagine. I can't wait for my next trip back to Australia :) After all the fun activities of the past 2 weeks, I came back to KL for CNY. I refused to be disowned on Chinese New Year. Thus, I've decided to do what every dutiful daughter would have done, come home for reunion dinner and usher in the Year of Ox with as much fanfare as possible. After all, who can resist the lure of receiving ang pau (money!!) and a good feast with it too~~~!!

So to all, Happy Chinese New Year, Gong Xi Fa Cai. May the Year of Ox brings happiness, health and wealth and may all have an Ox-picious year ahead.

What is it that we want?

Let's take a count, who, at this moment now, knows exactly what they want out of this life? They know exactly what is the charter right in front of them now and know exactly what they will achieve 2 years down the road? I don't know. I never knew. I have had made plans and I've seen it crumble in front of my eyes in a split second. So now I asked, would you still plan?

I don't know about you but I still try to plan but as I have noticed, sometimes life has its own charter. We might not get what we want out of it. Heck, I might not even get 50% of what I had planned. But in the end, we will reach somewhere. Like they say, enjoy the journey while it lasts. At least, live not to regret the things you had done.

I remember a story a friend had told me. A couple met and got married quite late in life. Both were in their late 30s. They had a blissful married life and was blessed with a cute daughter. But what happened was the husband passed away about 3 years after the marriage. He was diagnosed with cancer. Now, the wife was heart broken that she is now left alone after finding love and needing to take care of the daughter on her own. I'm not sure about their financial capabilities, but that aside, she was angry at the husband for passing on so early. In fact, her remark was, she couldn't believe he had wasted his life when he was young that he couldn't spend more time with her. Actually, the hubby was a party goer, drinking, smoking a lot. But that was where they had met, in a club partying. But yea, you do clean up your act after you have settled down. But you can't regret your past. If the husband had lived healthier, they might not have met. Its easy for me to say that as I'm looking on as a third party.

Would you have lived different lives or changed your lifestyle knowing that you might have a slight chance of possibility of meeting someone you want to share your life with, not knowing when and not knowing how?

That's the question I'm asking myself. Would I be like the woman, all angst and bitter about the husband's death? Or, would I be forgiving and reflecting back on the good memories? If and when I had chosen to settle down with someone.

A new me!!

I took the plunge, I finally did, I cut my hair~!! Ok, I didn't literally cut it on my own, I left it to my trusted hairstylist to do that. I'm not that brave to meddle with my hair length. But it has given me a fresh look and I haven't had hair this short for the last 6 years. :)

What do you think about it?

A brand new year

2009 has officially dawned on us. I'm back to work on the 2nd day of the year. Things are quiet in office and we all gathered to go out for a long lunch. Oh well, it wasn't that long, only 1.5 hours but better than being back in office after a hurried lunch.

The start of 2009. No, I don't have a new year resolution as I still haven't achieved what I had wanted to set out to do in 2008. That's to be debt free. I'm just about there although not quite yet, but I'll make sure that I achieve this is in 2009.

Reflecting back on 2008, I'm happy with the stuff that I had done, no regrets on actions I had taken and with that, I'm moving forward into 2009 anticipating a fantastic year ahead. 2009 for me will be a year of change and anticipation of bigger things to come. I can't wait for the challenge of change. Let's bring on 2009.

Merry Christmas and Happy 2009~~!!

Merry Christmas.. Ok, I'm officially late by 2 days but whose counting. Anyway, its been a busy 2 weeks. I spent last weekend in Siem Reap and back to work for 2 days before going off to Singapore for 4 days. I shall blog a bit on Siem Reap. It deserves a whole chapter on its own :)

The Year That Has Been

2008. I would remember my 2008 for a couple of things. My travels for one, weddings would be another, work would be the third and the people I have met the fourth.

In 2008, I've been to Krabi, Thailand, Pulau Weh, Indonesia, Perhentian and Singapore. Before the year is out, there will be Siem Reap on my travel list. I'm starting 2009 with another travel :)

This year also turned out to be a record high of weddings. I started the year with Kah Mei's wedding, Shukreen's wedding in Perhentian, my niece's wedding, Mei Fong's wedding, Gwen's wedding, Michelle's wedding, Charles' wedding, Emily's wedding, Loke Meng's wedding and I'm ending the year with Zafry's wedding. That's 10 weddings and I miss 2 out of that. Sorry Charles and Loke Meng. However, I had fun at all weddings and I still say I admire their courage to commit to each other for the rest of their lives.

For me, work this year has more downs than ups. I have organized a new record high of farewell lunches and dinners for my colleagues. Louis, Francis, Terry, Razim, Eileen, Goh, May, Jane. I'm going to end the year with yet another farewell for Gwen. I'm missing these folks for they had made work fun for me. In the end, I became somewhat of a hermit because these folks no longer around. The beginning of the year till mid of the year was the unhappiest period for me. From then onwards, I couldn't progress and move forward from it all. I tried, I really tried and the harder I try, I got tired and frustrated. In the end, there is no more satisfaction derived from the hardwork and effort I had put in. Yes, it had sowed and reaped yet it doesn't bring a smile to my face. Not anymore. I've made up my mind and I've decided next year, I'm changing to a new role and I'm moving towards a different environment. For better or worse, it would be a fresh start for me. Also, I've decided to go back and study. That means, I must first study for my GMAT.

And lastly, 2008 marks the most significant point. The people I had met throughout the year. People I had met on my travels, people that I had met from work, friends I had made along the way, old friends that I had not spoken to in 10 years or more, friends who had been by my side for aeons. I think in the end people marks the essence of life. People from different walks of lives relate differently to things and there is so much to learn from them. I have never failed to be impress by people. It is them that had made a difference to my life.

And lastly, December 10th marks a new addition to my family. Lil Jacob. However, he is having breathing difficulties now and he is in the Baby Care Unit, ICU version for the babies. I'm very very worried about him. Everytime the phone rings, my heart stopped. I'm afraid of bad news and I would give anything to ensure he gets home safe. I'm praying hard that Lil Jacob will survive this and I hope he will grow up strong and tough.

Living my life

In all honesty, I have thought I would have no regrets on how I live my life. I would have thought till now, I have broke free from whatever bonds, imaginary or real, that ties me down. Surprisingly, I had never really broken free. I thought I had. I thought I did.