By any measure, most weddings that we go to are pretty run-of-the-mill affairs. The same rituals, the same greetings; you go through dinner doing small chats because you’re invited. However, as I experienced recently, once you’re involved and the couple happen to be your great friends, it becomes such an exciting and wonderful event.
Eugeen and Winnie got married at a beachside resort a couple of weeks ago, and I happened to be his Kato (that’s super duper sidekick for you people who didn’t grow up watching 70’s TV comic shows) – best man, army general and dinner emcee. Some people say ‘one leg kick’. It was scary, exciting, fun, and I loved it because it was for two friends close to me.
It helped that the wedding was at a resort and we had to make a trip there. It felt like a short holiday and really set the mood for the weekend. As we haven’t gathered together for some time, it also felt like a reunion of sorts for our university mates.
The morning started off well enough with the groom’s dad giving us lads the lowdown on life’s three stages – dating, marriage, and kids. Mind you that was before breakfast, and I noticed we didn’t eat much after. When the time came, we had to drive EG out for a spin before coming back to pick up his bride. Well, we actually did two spins because there was no one to open the door for him the first time! Minor hiccups, but memorable J
We stormed the Women’s Tactical Front, taking on everything they threw at us, even though at some point it was more ‘WTF??’ than a tactical front. We endured oranges, push ups, ice cold feet, chillies, nursery rhymes and the rubbing of certain, ahem, bodily parts. All in good fun and great times, hehe.
The most meaningful part of the day for me though was the wedding ceremony. Standing beside my main man at the front, I couldn’t help but be welled up by emotions as I watched the bride walking down the aisle with her dad. Tears were in her eyes and I knew father and daughter must’ve had a good heart-to-heart right before. Their parents looked proud, and I’m sure they were. I don’t know how EG felt waiting for his bride, but I was enormously proud and happy for the both of them. At that moment, they felt close like family to me, and deserved nothing less than each other. The ceremony was simple, and yet very beautiful.
Emceeing for dinner was nerve wrecking as I had never done it, and it must have shown to the people who asked me why I was so tense. Mates, you try to be funny and witty in front of 30-odd tables! The butterflies were having a ball in my knotted insides. But it went well, everyone had a fun time and I’m glad my speech was well received. I had been working on it for weeks, revising and practicing with friends. I wanted it to be my present for EG and Winnie, and I wanted it to be good. Thanks goodness they all laughed!
I had lessons from the groom’s dad again the next morning with a reminder to quickly get one for myself too, but I took it all in like a soldier. It had been a great weekend, and it had been a fantastic wedding, what with all of us close friends taking part in the celebrations. I think all wedding should be at resorts now; it’s just so much more fun!
Monday, January 28, 2008
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
The Secret, Prayers & Goodbyes
The Secret by Rhonda Byrne talks about the power of belief; that if you believe you are already at the desired state, it will come to you and it will happen.
I read that book a while back, and while I believe in the power of positive thinking, I also think that good luck will come only if you try and work towards what you wish. Looking back at recent events that's happened to me, I can't help but see some parallels to what the book has been preaching.
When I first got back from the UK, I wanted to do something different and was thinking of going into sales for the experience. So I searched for jobs and got interviews through recommendations. I did my homework and I managed to become a sales executive, though in an industry which I have never even considered. I then discovered that it wasn't for me, and I wanted to switch jobs. I applied for positions diligently and told myself that I would like to have a new job by the new year. True enough, I landed a job with pretty good prospects and an attractive price recently. I start work very soon and I'm hoping it will be enriching. Both jobs were very near my house, which was also another thing I wanted. From another angle, everything fell into place at the right time, which was important as I was balancing several events.
I don't know if that Secret really works, or if it's just pure coincidence. I would like to believe that if you want something and put effort into it, luck will come your way. It may not be in a form you expected, but you need to open up your eyes and recognize it. You will arrive there, but the journey might take you to places new and scary. Just ride it and have faith.
Of course, it helps when you've got the power of prayers on your side. I'm not particularly religious by nature, but I do feel blessed that I've got loved ones praying for my well being and protection on my journey. I'm sure it works in ways that are beyond me, but I'm appreciative nonetheless.
So, I said my goodbyes yesterday to my team during lunch. I never thought I'd be quite sad as I've only been there a short while, but I was. I guess it's because they are great, fun people - and I was the only male in the team...hehe. I'll miss my partner the most; working with her was such good fun. The sales environment wasn't too bad either with its liveliness and great energy. I hope the friendships made will be lasting.
Oh well, time to learn from the past, move on and look forward!
I read that book a while back, and while I believe in the power of positive thinking, I also think that good luck will come only if you try and work towards what you wish. Looking back at recent events that's happened to me, I can't help but see some parallels to what the book has been preaching.
When I first got back from the UK, I wanted to do something different and was thinking of going into sales for the experience. So I searched for jobs and got interviews through recommendations. I did my homework and I managed to become a sales executive, though in an industry which I have never even considered. I then discovered that it wasn't for me, and I wanted to switch jobs. I applied for positions diligently and told myself that I would like to have a new job by the new year. True enough, I landed a job with pretty good prospects and an attractive price recently. I start work very soon and I'm hoping it will be enriching. Both jobs were very near my house, which was also another thing I wanted. From another angle, everything fell into place at the right time, which was important as I was balancing several events.
I don't know if that Secret really works, or if it's just pure coincidence. I would like to believe that if you want something and put effort into it, luck will come your way. It may not be in a form you expected, but you need to open up your eyes and recognize it. You will arrive there, but the journey might take you to places new and scary. Just ride it and have faith.
Of course, it helps when you've got the power of prayers on your side. I'm not particularly religious by nature, but I do feel blessed that I've got loved ones praying for my well being and protection on my journey. I'm sure it works in ways that are beyond me, but I'm appreciative nonetheless.
So, I said my goodbyes yesterday to my team during lunch. I never thought I'd be quite sad as I've only been there a short while, but I was. I guess it's because they are great, fun people - and I was the only male in the team...hehe. I'll miss my partner the most; working with her was such good fun. The sales environment wasn't too bad either with its liveliness and great energy. I hope the friendships made will be lasting.
Oh well, time to learn from the past, move on and look forward!
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Happy 2008!
Well, there goes another year. Whoosh...just like that. Time really does fly supersonic.
Many ups and downs for me this year. I packed my backs and returned home after two years abroad. The final days in Reading was a blur of packing and rushing to get my affairs sorted, but I remember vividly the moment I touched down in KLIA. After the usual "we will jail you for bringing drugs' speech he said, "To all Malaysians, welcome home". I almost cried. Never had such words sounded so comforting.
However after just weeks I started noticing so many things wrong in my own country that I've never noticed before or were just ignorant about - the lack of decency and manners, materialism, the selfish pursuit of money, how we're still so far behind in public infrstructure, how funny some of our leaders are, among other things.
On a personal front, friends seem to be so engrossed in chasing money and success that I seem like a hippie lost in translation in 2007. I found myself at a slightly different frequency when conversing and in issues of interest. Fitting back in was suddenly a bit difficult at times. I mean, there's more to life than your boss and wanting to be rich right? Jeez, lighten up a little. And keeping up with friends who have moved up the ladder was a challenge as well. Somehow the mamak and hawker food is no longer good enough. The likes of La Bodega and Delicious is the standard now. Goodness. How do people save money these days? I guess time abroad has changed my priorities and thinking slightly.
Job searching was also a vast ocean that sometimes seemed to drown me. I didn't know what I wanted to do, and couldn't close interviews that I went to. There were times I was so lost and didn't know what to do. I wanted to start my own business and did experiment with it for a while, but I realized that it was very difficult to do alone and too crazy to risk it blindly. In the end I found work, but quickly realized that it wasn't for me.
Damn hippie right? All I want is love, peace, fun, and like...chill...dude. I think everyone should hug each other more. Seriously.
The past 9 months have been a time of adjustment and ironically finding my place in my own home. It hasn't been easy, what with no one that shares my experience. Some friends have mentioned that I've grown quieter, less fun and happy. I guess I have in some ways. It's hard when you're lost and can't find the answers, but I think I've almost come to terms with life right now. I feel more settled in and less anxious about what comes next. Que sera sera I guess.
For 2008 though, I want to try my best to live everyday in happiness. I have faith that things will bloom well and it will be a great year. I have always tended to measure my life in terms of the kind of person I am to my loved ones, rather than in career or monetary terms. So, for this year, I want to:
Many ups and downs for me this year. I packed my backs and returned home after two years abroad. The final days in Reading was a blur of packing and rushing to get my affairs sorted, but I remember vividly the moment I touched down in KLIA. After the usual "we will jail you for bringing drugs' speech he said, "To all Malaysians, welcome home". I almost cried. Never had such words sounded so comforting.
However after just weeks I started noticing so many things wrong in my own country that I've never noticed before or were just ignorant about - the lack of decency and manners, materialism, the selfish pursuit of money, how we're still so far behind in public infrstructure, how funny some of our leaders are, among other things.
On a personal front, friends seem to be so engrossed in chasing money and success that I seem like a hippie lost in translation in 2007. I found myself at a slightly different frequency when conversing and in issues of interest. Fitting back in was suddenly a bit difficult at times. I mean, there's more to life than your boss and wanting to be rich right? Jeez, lighten up a little. And keeping up with friends who have moved up the ladder was a challenge as well. Somehow the mamak and hawker food is no longer good enough. The likes of La Bodega and Delicious is the standard now. Goodness. How do people save money these days? I guess time abroad has changed my priorities and thinking slightly.
Job searching was also a vast ocean that sometimes seemed to drown me. I didn't know what I wanted to do, and couldn't close interviews that I went to. There were times I was so lost and didn't know what to do. I wanted to start my own business and did experiment with it for a while, but I realized that it was very difficult to do alone and too crazy to risk it blindly. In the end I found work, but quickly realized that it wasn't for me.
Damn hippie right? All I want is love, peace, fun, and like...chill...dude. I think everyone should hug each other more. Seriously.
The past 9 months have been a time of adjustment and ironically finding my place in my own home. It hasn't been easy, what with no one that shares my experience. Some friends have mentioned that I've grown quieter, less fun and happy. I guess I have in some ways. It's hard when you're lost and can't find the answers, but I think I've almost come to terms with life right now. I feel more settled in and less anxious about what comes next. Que sera sera I guess.
For 2008 though, I want to try my best to live everyday in happiness. I have faith that things will bloom well and it will be a great year. I have always tended to measure my life in terms of the kind of person I am to my loved ones, rather than in career or monetary terms. So, for this year, I want to:
- Love more.
- Be a better son and brother.
- Be the best friend you've ever had.
- Be more charitable.
- Be a great boss (I still have dreams of my own business).
I hope that everyone will have a smashing year ahead and live life to the fullest. Take risks, do something scary once in a while, and take more time to actually talk to each other. Life's too short to live with what ifs and regrets. :)
See, so 60s hippie.
Happy new year!!
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Kin Kin Spicy Pan Mee
This is for the chilli and pan mee lovers out there. If you're one of those who are already immune to the hot-bum afterburn that accompanies every spicy meal, then this is definitely the place for you.
The place: Restoran Kin Kin
The location: 40, Jalan Dewan Sultan Sulaiman 1, Off Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, KL.
The food: Pan mee and kick-ass (or burn-ass) chilli.
I was introduced to this place a few months back by a buddy who assured me that I'll enjoy and boy was he right. I've been back every so often since for the pan mee that it has become a bit of an addiction.
The restaurant serves pan mee, in both dry and soup versions. The pan mee itself isn't much to shout about, with lashings of the normal minced pork, ikan bilis and greens. It does however come with a poached egg. At Rm4.80 a bowl, it's not the cheapest grub in town too especially when the portion isn't very big. I personal polish off two bowls everytime I'm there.
What's special and separates this restaurant from the rest is the chilli. It is oh-my-gawd so good. I'm not sure what they put into it, but I've seen pieces of fried lard (chu yau char) and I think that's what makes it so fragrant. Served in containers, the chilli concoction is a bit flaky and sticky, waiting to knock your socks off. You decide how much you want to put into your pan mee. I started with 2-3 spoonfuls, but nowadays I tend to put 4-5 heaped spoons into my bowl.
How to eat chilli pan mee 101:
Step 1: Look at your bowl and decide how much chilli you want to put in.
The place: Restoran Kin Kin
The location: 40, Jalan Dewan Sultan Sulaiman 1, Off Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, KL.
The food: Pan mee and kick-ass (or burn-ass) chilli.
I was introduced to this place a few months back by a buddy who assured me that I'll enjoy and boy was he right. I've been back every so often since for the pan mee that it has become a bit of an addiction.
The restaurant serves pan mee, in both dry and soup versions. The pan mee itself isn't much to shout about, with lashings of the normal minced pork, ikan bilis and greens. It does however come with a poached egg. At Rm4.80 a bowl, it's not the cheapest grub in town too especially when the portion isn't very big. I personal polish off two bowls everytime I'm there.
What's special and separates this restaurant from the rest is the chilli. It is oh-my-gawd so good. I'm not sure what they put into it, but I've seen pieces of fried lard (chu yau char) and I think that's what makes it so fragrant. Served in containers, the chilli concoction is a bit flaky and sticky, waiting to knock your socks off. You decide how much you want to put into your pan mee. I started with 2-3 spoonfuls, but nowadays I tend to put 4-5 heaped spoons into my bowl.
How to eat chilli pan mee 101:
Step 1: Look at your bowl and decide how much chilli you want to put in.
Step 2: Load the chilli in and delight in how beautiful it now looks. The colours...ahh..
Step 3: Mix all of it up and be prepared for the fire that is about to burn you into a sniffling, sweating mess.
Step 4: Finish everything up, including all the tissues you can find, and enjoy the light-headed sensation from the fiery torture you just went through. Smile. You survived. :)
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Quickie
recent happenings on the home front:
1. i'm still trying to get used to sales and the tactics needed in the battlefield out there. i feel like i'm too logical and not zany and creative enough sometimes. so many things to remember and learn too. it's gonna be challenging. i need to be more thick-faced!
2. one of my sunday-morning-trek-and-breakfast buddies decided to ditch us for chinese girls in the mainland and to co-habitate with his boss. need to find a replacement.
3. had a real bad case of the runs last weekend. must have been a 'jampi' from uncle lim for crapping in his casino. it didn't help too that i had to run 5.5 km for charity while relying on 'po chai' pills to hold everything together. i barely survived.
4. i realized that there are many, many bloody rich malaysians out there. so bloody rich they don't know what to do with it, so they go to genting and throw it to the dealer. aunties and uncles, next time please throw it at a better angle - my pocket is about 45 degrees downwards ok?
5. been spending good quality time with family and relatives. i'm turning into quite a family guy. no complaints though it feels good. :)
6. i'm missing the quality of life in the UK a tad bit. but i miss the ales and pub food more.
7. and i miss you buddies still living there la, hehe.
8. i was pleasantly surprised to receive a letter from the tax dept telling me to expect a cheque on the way! WOW. now let's see if it will really arrive.
1. i'm still trying to get used to sales and the tactics needed in the battlefield out there. i feel like i'm too logical and not zany and creative enough sometimes. so many things to remember and learn too. it's gonna be challenging. i need to be more thick-faced!
2. one of my sunday-morning-trek-and-breakfast buddies decided to ditch us for chinese girls in the mainland and to co-habitate with his boss. need to find a replacement.
3. had a real bad case of the runs last weekend. must have been a 'jampi' from uncle lim for crapping in his casino. it didn't help too that i had to run 5.5 km for charity while relying on 'po chai' pills to hold everything together. i barely survived.
4. i realized that there are many, many bloody rich malaysians out there. so bloody rich they don't know what to do with it, so they go to genting and throw it to the dealer. aunties and uncles, next time please throw it at a better angle - my pocket is about 45 degrees downwards ok?
5. been spending good quality time with family and relatives. i'm turning into quite a family guy. no complaints though it feels good. :)
6. i'm missing the quality of life in the UK a tad bit. but i miss the ales and pub food more.
7. and i miss you buddies still living there la, hehe.
8. i was pleasantly surprised to receive a letter from the tax dept telling me to expect a cheque on the way! WOW. now let's see if it will really arrive.
Saturday, August 11, 2007
yoohoo!
i haven't been blogging for a while now as i've been sorting out some stuff in my life. well, most of the stuff involves getting a job...but it's funny how that can lead to an emotional ride that brings you through a rollercoaster journey of searching, excitement, disappointment, depression, uncertainty and happiness. thankfully it's turned out well in the end and i'm hoping that it will be even better days ahead.
i don't really know what to write about at the moment, so i'll just word-doodle for a bit as a warm up to get back into the momentum. i think writing is like exercise; you've got to keep doing it or it will be difficult to pick up the pace again. when i started blogging, i also started to notice more things and was more aware of stories/issues to talk about. but when i took a break, somehow it felt like there weren't many topics that were particularly interesting to me.
maybe it's because i haven't been cooking since i came back home la. nothing to stir my culinary interests and make me want to cook. i think it may be due to the unfriendly kitchen in my house too.
emmm...ok don't know what to write anymore for the moment, hehe. happy days to anyone who read this post and thanks for still coming by! :)
i don't really know what to write about at the moment, so i'll just word-doodle for a bit as a warm up to get back into the momentum. i think writing is like exercise; you've got to keep doing it or it will be difficult to pick up the pace again. when i started blogging, i also started to notice more things and was more aware of stories/issues to talk about. but when i took a break, somehow it felt like there weren't many topics that were particularly interesting to me.
maybe it's because i haven't been cooking since i came back home la. nothing to stir my culinary interests and make me want to cook. i think it may be due to the unfriendly kitchen in my house too.
emmm...ok don't know what to write anymore for the moment, hehe. happy days to anyone who read this post and thanks for still coming by! :)
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Free Food - Our Biggest Vice?
In Malaysia, it seems that almost everyone is into food. We love to eat, and we're always on the lookout for grub that is better, tastier and more exotic to satisfy our tastebuds. We head out to the latest restaurants, the newest dessert shops and try out ever-changing flavours of the month. Having said that, good food doesn't always come cheap and so we are also constantly on the look out for cheaper places as well. The Chinese phrase "peng, leng, jeng" (cheap, beautiful, great) sums it up nicely. What could be better than to have great meals without burning a hole in the pocket, right?
Right. But sometimes, I think we take it way too far and start displaying a really ugly habit whenever a type of food comes about - free food. Okay, I know not all of us are like that, but those who are so blatant in their conduct whenever free food is available really make me feel ashamed to be Malaysian at times.
There I was with mom at the Mandarin Oriental hotel in KL to attend Maxis' AGM yesterday. The hotel itself is very nice and posh, and I'm sure it has played host to many important guests, foreign dignitaries and other VIPs. As we walked towards the registration hall we passed the refreshment area where a sumptious lunch buffet was laid out for Maxis guests to enjoy before the meeting started. There was a big spread for the huge number of people there and it was expectedly crowded.
We registered, got our stickers to identify ourselves as shareholders and walked back out to the refreshment area. It was then that I saw all the skills that would put waiters and petty thieves to shame.
Firstly, a lot of them didn't have stickers on them. So, either they stuck it under their clothes, or they weren't there for the event in the first place. If they were there just for a free lunch, they certainly were enthusiastic about it. Moving with such gusto from fried mee hoon, chicken, pastries, cakes, etc. to coffee and tea, you'd think they were on an Amazing Race roadblock challenge trying to beat the other teams. Or maybe just wolfing down the food before it runs out.
Then, there were aunties with such deft hands that they could juggle two plates - filled to the brim with puffs and mini cakes - on a single palm! That's four plates per auntie man...and there were a lot of them. It was amazing seeing them balance all that food while waltzing through the crowded room avoiding collision and spillage. I think waiters in training could learn a thing or two just observing them.
But the one that takes the cake was something my mom pointed out to me. This auntie was taking out a plastic container from her handbag! She was there to get some take-away! I was really shocked that some people would actually do something like that. I know that a lot of people go crazy at buffets or open houses and start hoarding food like there's no tomorrow, but I have never actually seen people bringing their own containers to tah-pau.
It was quite sad to me to notice such a state of things. That the purpose of the event wasn't even about food in the first place, that most of the people there were so kiasu about sampling every morsel - it really makes one wonder why we behave that way. The saddest thing of all for me though, was how it seems to have become an accepted habit and no one seems to think it inappropriate. I mean, you're at a company's AGM ok, not an eating competition.
I can understand that in certain countries people are starving and will fight for anything that remotely looks like food. But we're not poor or hungry, we're educated, we live comfortably and if you can be a shareholder in a company, you can definitely put food on the table easily. Do we really have to bring ourselves down to such a level?
I just hope this habit doesn't result in an image of Malaysians that shows us as foodie freeloading hogs without respect to others. But if that's what we want to project, well, Malaysia definitely boleh-lah.
Right. But sometimes, I think we take it way too far and start displaying a really ugly habit whenever a type of food comes about - free food. Okay, I know not all of us are like that, but those who are so blatant in their conduct whenever free food is available really make me feel ashamed to be Malaysian at times.
There I was with mom at the Mandarin Oriental hotel in KL to attend Maxis' AGM yesterday. The hotel itself is very nice and posh, and I'm sure it has played host to many important guests, foreign dignitaries and other VIPs. As we walked towards the registration hall we passed the refreshment area where a sumptious lunch buffet was laid out for Maxis guests to enjoy before the meeting started. There was a big spread for the huge number of people there and it was expectedly crowded.
We registered, got our stickers to identify ourselves as shareholders and walked back out to the refreshment area. It was then that I saw all the skills that would put waiters and petty thieves to shame.
Firstly, a lot of them didn't have stickers on them. So, either they stuck it under their clothes, or they weren't there for the event in the first place. If they were there just for a free lunch, they certainly were enthusiastic about it. Moving with such gusto from fried mee hoon, chicken, pastries, cakes, etc. to coffee and tea, you'd think they were on an Amazing Race roadblock challenge trying to beat the other teams. Or maybe just wolfing down the food before it runs out.
Then, there were aunties with such deft hands that they could juggle two plates - filled to the brim with puffs and mini cakes - on a single palm! That's four plates per auntie man...and there were a lot of them. It was amazing seeing them balance all that food while waltzing through the crowded room avoiding collision and spillage. I think waiters in training could learn a thing or two just observing them.
But the one that takes the cake was something my mom pointed out to me. This auntie was taking out a plastic container from her handbag! She was there to get some take-away! I was really shocked that some people would actually do something like that. I know that a lot of people go crazy at buffets or open houses and start hoarding food like there's no tomorrow, but I have never actually seen people bringing their own containers to tah-pau.
It was quite sad to me to notice such a state of things. That the purpose of the event wasn't even about food in the first place, that most of the people there were so kiasu about sampling every morsel - it really makes one wonder why we behave that way. The saddest thing of all for me though, was how it seems to have become an accepted habit and no one seems to think it inappropriate. I mean, you're at a company's AGM ok, not an eating competition.
I can understand that in certain countries people are starving and will fight for anything that remotely looks like food. But we're not poor or hungry, we're educated, we live comfortably and if you can be a shareholder in a company, you can definitely put food on the table easily. Do we really have to bring ourselves down to such a level?
I just hope this habit doesn't result in an image of Malaysians that shows us as foodie freeloading hogs without respect to others. But if that's what we want to project, well, Malaysia definitely boleh-lah.
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