The year that was - 2018

I'm not a goal setting kind of person and I did not set any for last year. But in the course of events that unfolded, 2018 has been a challenging year (in a good way mostly).

Season of Change

On 10th May 2018, a historical moment in Malaysian history was created. Pakatan Harapan, the opposition coalition, won the 14th General Elections.

New Year Shake Up

Just when I thought I had reached my comfort cloud, a crack of thunder occurs. Promising a bumpy ride for 2018.

To sum up 2017

It's the penultimate day of the year and a lot has happened in 2017, especially in the past two months. I'm not sure if this is a characteristic of aging, but time has been flying past really really fast lately. And every day in my last working week felt like a week in itself with insufficient time to complete what I had planned for the day.

The week that was

Today this blog is 12. And it's just another 5 days till the Lunar New Year. And another 3 days for my annual obligatory post. Time really is chasing me. The weekend is gone and I still feel like I haven't had my weekend!

But first, to recap the week that was.

31st Firsts - The Darkness and Scorpions

How could I have forgotten to include my first time seeing The Darkness live!?!

The Darkness live in Sepang - every bit like their records!

First Car Break Down of the Year

Today was an unexpected day off at home. I had full intention of using the spare car so that my car could go into the workshop to fix the air conditioner problem. However, when I wanted to head out, the spare car couldn't start - the steering lock could not budge. So I took my car instead and it was not meant to be.

Have not seen this buddy in a long long time... I miss catching ladybirds in empty assam bottles

The Apple Parable

I have an apple. I know it's going soft and bad. Although in form, it's still recognisable as an apple, but I know it is filled with maggots just shy of bursting through the apple's skin. The stench is nauseating and it is attracting bluebottle flies.

So the question comes up on what should I do. Do I:

1. Tell myself that I should be thankful for having the apple, take a deep breath and bite into the apple?
2. Shout out loud to my neighbours that there is nothing wrong with the apple and gulp it down fast although it tastes putrid?
3. Take the 50 sen a 'so called friend' has offered me for eating the decaying apple because money is all I can think of at the moment?
4. Trust in the apple blindly because at one time in the past it was a fresh apple (or appeared to be so) and things can't change that much, right?
5. Listen to my 'so called friends' and partake in the apple because they are also doing the same?
6. Blame the stench on every other thing under the sun besides the apple and continue to worship the apple?
7. Stir up a fuss that the pears were to be blamed for the apple going bad?
8. Throw the apple away and go to the supermarket to shop for a new fruit or fruits, if I'm feeling hopeful?

The point is, at the end of the day who is going to face the consequences of holding on to a rotten apple? And upon eating the rotten apple, who is going to get a diarrhea attack? The apple? Nope. It's me! Isn't the option that has to be chosen obvious?

God has given each one of us brains enough to discern what is good for our bodies. And if we keep choosing poison over nutrition, when shit hits the fan the blame lies with ourselves.

Happy birthday, Malaysia!

Happy 58th, Malaysia!

Malaysia celebrated her 58th year of independence

So much has rocked Malaysia in the past few months and especially the past two days. What the future holds for Malaysia, it's still unknown. But as a rakyat, I sincerely hope that truth will prevail and cleansing will occur. That good leaders (no matter which party they are from) who are God-fearing and have the nation at their heart, will rise up and right the wrongs. That the divide between the urbanites and the rural folks will be reduced and understanding between both will increase. That the Ringgit will strengthen and investor confidence will be restored.

There are so many things I hope for Malaysia but at the moment it seems like such a faraway dream. Nevertheless, I will pray for Malaysia and try to do my rakyat duties.

Selamat Hari Merdeka, Malaysia!

First Two Weeks

So fast! I'm two weeks old at the new place. As usual, when entering a new environment many weird and embarrassing things have occurred.

The End of a Chapter

Finally, the day has come and gone. Yesterday was my last day. It was like a time bomb and I had full intention of completing my outstanding work but the nature of our typical work day and volume of tasks just didn't allow it. So, reluctantly I had to handover the remaining unfinished business to my colleagues to follow up on.

Can't believe I managed to clear my desk and I can actually see the surface of my desk again!

The deed is done

After the decision was made, it was time for action to be taken. I always believe that talk is cheap, but action speaks volumes. I had been complaining to every one that would listen, for the past year (yes, it is June again!) and hadn't done anything much but reject other opportunities. Even if this would turn out to be the wrong choice, I think I owe it to myself to do something about my problem (ooh, the bad P-word!).

First step

Today I've taken the first step. Hopefully it's in the right direction. I'm excited as well as scared. But I have faith that things will work out.

The Pedigree of Love

It is true that we only realise how much we love someone or something when we lose or are about to lose them. For me, this 'realisation' occurred a couple of weeks ago.

Paw in hand

Brick and Mortar

This week we finally saw and felt the 'concrete' evidence of what we had known only on paper for the past two years. My first thought was "so small?" but I've come to realise that it isn't so small when compared with other places.

I loved the wood panel flooring and the bathrooms and the square bedrooms. There was an infinity pool and a sandy beach  between the four blocks, with a tennis court tucked in a corner and other shared facilities. But the best was probably the view. How I wish I could keep it but we need to do what we set out to do.

View from the balcony

I hope one day, I'll be able to keep something like this. It's not too small, it's just right for little old me and probably one other person.

Let's hope.

A Different Kind of Christmas

Christmas had come darting around the corner this year. Somehow there wasn't enough time (as always) for gift exchange shopping for the office as well as the annual family reunion. It's a pity when these tasks which were meant to be joyous becomes a chore and a headache. The spirit of Christmas is lost, albeit the celebration has become very much secular.

Gift exchange for office - amazing that I could keep to the budget

Good Friday

Today I'm thankful for:

1. our fourth training session - more visibility with the independent directors.
2. completing more and more assignments.
3. leaving office at 7.30 p.m. - the earliest for the past few weeks!
4. having Milo nuggets while driving home.
5. seeing light still in the sky.
6. Poppy and her enthusiastic welcome home jumps - such a big gurl!
7. Poppy having a proper house, safe from the rain.
8. Poppy's recovery after being shot by the dog catchers on Wednesday. She's surprisingly submissive to having to wear a collar.
9. the weekend! After murmuring in my head for the past three days, I have come to a resolve - I will try again and again. Knock and the door will be answered.
10. Zacky boy and his "hah hah hah hah hah".

Singapore Break and a Wedding

Friday the 18th of July, we packed our bags and flew to our neighbour down south. We got a little lost finding our way to the hotel but come on, who gets lost in Singapore? However, getting lost enabled us to discover that we were staying just a stone's throw away from the Singapore National Art Museum.

Reached Singapore!

Being Thankful: Day 100

Ah it's the 100th day!!! Eventful indeed.

I'm thankful for:

1. Surviving 100 days of brain rewiring.
2. First day of design thinking.
3. Meeting new people (and a familiar face from uni aisecer days).
4. Pushed out of comfort zone in the assignment by interviewing the man (or lady) on the street on their opinion of motorcyclists in Malaysia.
5. Attending celebration although we were half an hour late.
6. Ramen at Banraku in Avenue K.

The Right Choice?

So last week I turned down an offer which in every sense, with some exceptions, was a better deal. The basis for my decision was:

1. distance
2. environment - many unrelated acquaintances had some sort of negative perception on the place
3. learning experience
4. workload

However, now that I'm ladden with so much work in the new portfolio at my current place, I am starting to wonder whether I have made the right choice.