Healing

As with most sicknesses, you only begin to appreciate what the human body can withstand that leaves with awe. Of course, a better way would be to marvel at the athletes' prowess at the 29th SEA Games held in Bukit Jalil, Malaysia this month.

But after suffering two back-to-back bouts of food poisoning, I was surprised that a small bowl of mushroom soup could last me an entire day and I would still not feel famished in the morning the next day. Or that I could vomit and drive at the same time (on the way to work),and still last through a couple of hours (half day) or a hotel meeting. While recovering and healing with lots of tender loving care is an awesome feeling, it also made me very conscious now about my eating habits. There is often a set of preconceived societal norms when it comes to eating or social stigma when it comes to taking lunch alone. Of course, it doesn't help when people are on the edge and inquisitive about your lunch whereabouts.

It makes me feel a little better now to have an excuse to bring a packed lunch. I can eat in peace hopefully, and let them judge. They are of no value to me. The knowledge I seek, now I realise comes not from interacting with these bunch of colleagues, but from merely forming the connections so that I can network externally. As to the tools of the trade (the mass communications trade), it comes from watching and interacting with seasoned people and veterans such as the people from BFM, the people from TRX, and even those two in my team, an absolute pleasure to work with. Refinement and polishing is much needed in these two years (especially social etiquette), as well as more in depth handling of digital budget or marketing budget and drawing up these big yearly or quarterly plan.

In my three days of rest and inactiveness, I've learnt several things.

One: To always treat your body right. Eating is a fun and social event, especially with friends and family. But avoid binge eating (the suffering part kicks in later, with food poisoning as the worst case scenario and bloated tummy as the lightest penalty). When eating alone, even though it's a fast meal, avoid unhygienic stalls even though it's cheap. Even if it's cheap, it has to be of superior quality (e.g. Money Corner Food Court).

Two: Relax, learn and absorb over time, but always have a benchmark and a long term goal. I find short term goals very stressful as I have a complex that doesn't handle failure too well, especially if the failure is by a completely huge margin and not narrowly. Always remember your mentors (or those meaningful life quotes from past leaders and icons)  and what they taught you, and apply it.

Three: Have the motivation. When you have a new desire forming or a new interest taking hold, strike while there iron is hot. Don't sit on it until the excitement dissipates. Or at least document that thought, bookmark that page, save that video link, then come back and explore the idea again!

P.S. First time on drips. I wasn't scared as I expected the process and feeling to be very much like the blood donation procedure. All I remember now was actually the headache and the fever.

Thank you to everyone for being understanding about rescheduling all of the meet ups this week! And big hugs and love to family for the laughs, love and care, and hunny for the special sweet moments (multivitamins and vegetarian lunch and park visit in ththe afternoon weather)  and care too.

The 50s kids

Today has been one of the best days of my life. Besides eating at one of my favourite Japanese restaurant TWICE in a row for free, I am truly befuddled and stumped (in a positive way!) about how age is just a number for some people.  They really are people who are having a blast and living their life like no tomorrow in their 50s! Being and feeling young is not just for the youth, it is also for the young at heart!

They amaze and inspire me, that they continue to look so fresh faced and bright eyed, looking Many light years ahead of their actual age. I could only describe their lives as vibrant and happy, nothing else:) From the powerful and charming CEO, to the Director with a drive for life and daily cheerfulness albeit childless and single, to the well meaning middle aged couple who look every bit lively and healthy as me (perhaps even more than me!) and full of interesting stories, constantly peppered in Japanese.

It is today that I learned that my acquaintance can't eat beef, it is today that I learn that beetle collection is considered a very normal hobby in Japan, and that Malaysia is a beetle heaven for collectors, boasting some very large beetles. It is also the first time since my Sapporo home stay that I've met Japanese people to have a proper conversation with, and it was also interesting that they are from around Osaka.

There was no lull in the conversation and I realised how happy I was throughout the whole night, to be able to have that sit down dinner. Thank my lucky stars! It is true that (unless you are on a terrible receiving end), always treat people nicely because you can never anticipate who they will become  or who they know.

Lastly, I am really joyful that people actually love KL