Endearing

‘Endearing’- (adj) inspiring affection

After the ‘Balik kampung’ experience, I’ve finally woken up from my slumber. It finally dawns on me that it’s a brand new start to the year- 2.0.1.8. - and another chance to get it right, do things better and improve myself.

‘Slumber’ - (verb) literary sleep
Figurative The village street slumbered under the afternoon sun.

This year’s CNY will burn brightly in my memories for days to come. Because of my faux pas (French, literary false step; blunder in social etiquette), this year one of my strongest resolve is to not say anything negative to criticise people, especially using comparison. I made a grevious mistake of praising one person by putting down another person. This embarrassing blunder reminded me that as much as we like to compare qualities and personalities, life is not a competition. If there is something you want to point out, point out something good about the person. Focus on inner qualities wherever possible (instead of typically focusing on appearance, especially if you already know the person moderately well).

If you really want to please someone, the most deserving people are your parents and elders. Making them pleased/proud/happy/satisfied is one of the best deeds one can commit, and commit to. When we were children (and even now), they have and will always go to great lengths to brighten and cheer us up, doing their best to not purposely disappoint us when circumstances see fit. Of course, all done at the risk of spoiling us rotten:) Thankfully, I now know and learned another important quality: the ability to be understanding. It’s a blessing to have understanding parents, understanding children, an understanding partner/spouse, understanding friends, understanding bosses, etc. Being understanding may yet be the most underrated quality on earth- definitely something we should prize more than beauty or youth, as these things don’t last forever.

The reason why we love children so much is because of their gregarious, good-natured, enthusiasm and fun loving self. He or she is inquisitive, keen and wide eyed, yet easy to impress, laugh and play along with, regardless of circumstances. At first, we had zero connection and avoided each other like the plague (we were even staying in the same hotel!). With the inclusion of charming, beautiful and brave Joana however, the ice was broken. They became temporary ‘worshippers’ of me and Jolin, sticking with us wherever we go and carrying out all sorts of fun little games and generally proving us with good entertainment with their funny natures (not device related!). I’m still surprised that they opened up to me as I’m way older. And all I did most of the time was to lie around and read books. However, I didn’t tend to use my phone as much, and as such I’ve always been fully present and engaged when they did talk to me. That’s part of the secret to connect with older folks and young kids- offer them your attention and be fully present. It’s a little harder with adults as we have so many  distractions and short attention span, but it would work (like magic!) if all parties concerned put in the effort to truly connect and break away from their devices!

I want to be worthy of these young kids idolising and worshipping me (even though I know it’s just a phase and all done in good humour:). To be where we are, a bit of sacrifice has to be made. I can’t afford to flop around and stick to the status quo, even if I’m staying in the same company and in the same position, my knowledge and my management skills should improve steadily and significant enough for me to move on to a better or more challenging position.

Every little contribution counts! This common phrase is always seen in donation boxes and charities, but I think it’s a perfect perspective to approach life with. When you do something worthwhile, you contribute. You contribute to your family, to your work place, to society, and to mankind! What I’m doing at the moment is actually contributing to the Malaysian society and economy (as the pitch goes!), there is a feel good factor to this noble cause (for undertaking these daily cumbersome tasks), and a splendid bicker-free, mind-game and politics-free core team members who care about getting the job done right. Of course, I miss the mentorship, the funny teasing and great humour of AK+tech team days, but I’ve gone very far from there and will continue to step forward, not look back (except for the memories), and keep the best of the lessons I’ve learned there over the two years.

It’s a great privilege whenever AK speaks to me (nothing really important at all though these days!) or when I bump into the team accidentally again at some event. The greatest of all of course is the friendship I manage to keep with Edward and Fadz. We still connect and laugh easily together:) And go on the occasional trip. There’s nothing more that I could wish for!

Here’s to positive words!
Here’s to a fresh hard working attitude and mindset!
Here’s to good work ethics and motivation!
Here’s to good health and exercise!
Here’s to love, love all year round from family and friends!

Rainbows (2018!)

This year’s resolution is to travel more and enjoy life like there’s no tomorrow:) It is an easy one to achieve as I zero in at the sweeter side of life, instead of focusing on the typical goals like losing weight etc. It’s only the 10th of February, but I’ve been making the rounds! JB, Melaka, Krabi (Thailand), and now Sibu+Kapit for CNY.

I’ve also promised to travel to Japan on 3 ocassions- Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Hokkaido with Edward and Fadz; Fox Village, Cat Island and Deer Island with Jolin (if this ever comes true), and just anywhere in Japan with N-kun.

N-kun makes me really happy these days. Even showing up (despite knowing that I have no time for him) just to drive me home in heavy traffic. The traffic was so much more bearable and almost unnoticeable as we share light hearted laughs at completely random things while in the car. To top it off, the week before- our Krabi trip was very eventful, with all sorts of unplanned surprises and challenges- yet we still manage to overcome them and (eventually) return with some fond memories. Throughout our relationship, we’ve been through ups and downs. If one were testing the waters by cautiously dipping their toes in, our waters had gone through great whirlpools and drought and floods (all imaginable and unimaginable situations)!

There is a quote that goes, ‘You can’t have a rainbow without a little rain’. I’m always delighted when I get to see a rainbow appearing or close by (the same excited/happy feeling when I get to ride a bike). The rainbow is a great reminder that all good things require a little patience and enduring effort or challenges.