Live, Laugh and Relax

There are some good and sad moments in 2009. I am not going to rehash all the details here..... Suffice to tell, I thought I knew it all about life and self. Obviously, my life journey is still an ongoing process. This humbles me and it makes me appreciate all the life lessons i have learnt so far.

I became myself through a lot of processes: setbacks, heartbreaks, intense sadness, bitter mistakes, disappointments, failures, limbos, wild, angry, prayers, patience, peace, support, extensive readings, loss of people I cannot live without, loss of my pets that left me reeling, endless conversations with family and friends about life, friendship and relationship, loyalty, understanding and acceptance. I understand that you have to make mistakes to find out who you aren't. I think, its true that we always tend to think that we are right in all matters however it is important to understand the bigger picture. By being holistic, i have come out to the other side, more evolved and more compassionate. In a sense its very empowering. I accepted it all in my strides...faults, foibles, mistakes, truth, consequences, accountability and responsibility.

We will be leaving 2009 soon. May 2010 be more peaceful and joyful to all. As Oprah famously said " Live your best life" and why sweat over the small stuff....Live, Laugh and Relax.

Sayonara 2009 and Selamat Datang 2010. May this year brings us good things in life.

Just Because

These are some of my favourite pictures. Just because its the end of 2009, i am sharing them with you. Nature is eternally beautiful, however it has many faces -- beauty, serenity, life force, survival, savage, raging tempest, angry earth, inferno fire and water disaster. When nature is in one of its moods -- one one can stop it!!! Nature is our greatest gift -- enjoy and appreciate it.

A day at the Beach

It has been ages since I went to the beach. Our beaches are beautiful. Adopt a beach in Brunei and make sure it stays clean and beautiful. Our beaches are the best gifts we can give to selves and future generations. Enjoy the pictures below.

Bali-O-Bali (Part 2)

I love Bali and I think I will be back! Enjoy the pictures folks :-)

Frangipani -- favourite flora amongst locals

Beautiful Balinese carving

Trying to entice visitors to buy souvenirs

Majestic Mount Batur

Traditional village Panglipura

Beautiful Beach

Soaking my feet

That says it all

Bali-O-Bali (Part 1)

I went to Bali recently with one of my closest friends. We had a blast. Bali is an enchanting island and visitors are spoiled with beautiful landscapes, cultural products and friendly locals. These are some of my favourite snapshots of Bali -- enjoy folks.

My hotel room

A Balinese lady making a basket

The finished products

Traditional Balinese village

Balinese idol

Kopi Luwak for coffee connoisseur


The lighter side of Bali

Reflection

For the past two days, I followed Oprah's interview with Whitney Houston on the Hallmark channel. I thought Whitney Houston was very patient to stay in a bad, bad marriage for such a long, long, time simply because she took her marriage vows seriously. The holy matrimony should be taken seriously however the two people in it must take each other with love and respect. In the end, after so many emotional hard knocks, she took the plunge and got herself out of a very toxic relationship. It was a beautiful day when Whitney Houston finally found her real authentic self. She realises that respect is crucial in a relationship and she deserves someone who respects her. Whitney Houston has found her groove back - yeah!!


Wow!!! I had that light bulb moment after watching that interview. We have the potential to survive hard knocks in our lives if we have the faith in God and selves. I thought Whitney Houston is one amazing woman. She has come a long way and has come out of the tunnel stronger and wiser. However, upon reflection, I don't have to look very far for such a woman. I can name a few good women in my life whom I think are truly amazing.


B.B.F is such a woman. I am always amazed by her largesse. She is truly authentic and one beautiful spirit. Thank you B.B.F for being real and for sharing your wisdom with me. I will write about other amazing females in my future blog. So, watch this space.

Stay Tuned

I Am Here

In case you are wondering, yes...I am still standing. I know that it has been a long hiatus since I last put words onto print. I have been busy with work and other stuff. I shall try to write more regularly, after all when I decided to blog, my intentions were to write on the good, the bad and the ugly stuffs that affect me personally.

I was talking to Rx earlier about the possibility of a 'collaboration with a past' but upon reflection, i think she is right. To stir up a hornets' nest is not recommended. I shall bow to her wisdom, after all, she has my best interest at heart. 'The wise will always stay the course' is a good adage for this particular situation. Thanks Rx for your honesty.

There are many interesting moments that I want to share with you dear readers, but they can wait. I am Here, enough said.

Watch this space

Bangkok, Thailand

I went to Bangkok, Thailand with Best, Best Friend after a wonderful trip to Vietnam. We were well-equipped (face masks, different arrays of vitamins) in the face of the spread of H1N1 pandemic. Despite the H1N1 hoopla, we had a wonderful time there. We stayed at Baiyoke Sky which is the tallest building in Thailand. These are some of my favourite pictures from Thailand.

Our favourite - tea with milk

Bird's eye view of Bangkok

Thailand galore

The hustle bustle of Bangkok

That says it all!

Ho Chi Minh: Part 3

The lighter sides of Ho Chi Minh can be seen in the following snapshots. Enjoy! :)

Motor cycles are the usual mode of transportation in Ho Chi Minh

Beautiful handicrafts

Shopping at Ben Thanh market

Variety of grains sold at the market

Something to make you smile

Ho Chi Minh: Part 2

Ho Chi Minh City formerly known as Saigon has a very colourful past. The Chinese, the French and the American played various roles in shaping its history. We have heard about the 1,000 year of the Chinese domination, the French colonialism and the American and Vietnam war.
We all knew how the war ended!! The Vietnamese won the war. We went to Cu Chi tunnel which was one of the most complicated and sophisticated underground tunnels for the Viet Cong Red Armies and one of the fiercest battlegrounds during the war.

We went to the Reunification palace - beautiful architecture. We also visited the post office which is also one of the most majestic buildings in Vietnam. A snapshot of Mr. Ho Chi Minh's statue located in Saigon square completes my collection of photos.

Cu Chi Tunnel

The Post Office

Reunification Palace

Government Building

The statue of the man himself-Ho Chi Minh

Ho Chi Minh City: Part 1

I went to Ho Chi Minh City recently with my best,best friend. I visited the city in the late 1990s. When I was last there, almost every women on the street were wearing the traditional "ao dais" and conical hats, even when riding their motor-bikes. I found the sight very charming. In 2009, the traditional clothes are replaced by western clothes....I can count a number of women in their beautiful traditional costumes. I am really amazed by Vietnam's rapid development and the impact of globalisation!!!

Despite the impact of development, I find Ho Chi Minh still charming. It was lovely to soak the beautiful Vietnamese's cultures, colours and sights. The people are very friendly. I think i will come back and visit Ho Chi Minh City again, definitely.

A woman in her conical hat

The water puppet show - not to be missed

The famous Vietnamese Pho noodle soup

Dragon fruit

Art is the pulse of the Vietnamese culture

Simple Things In Life

I have been enjoying my break away from work, work, work. I am so stress freeeeeeeeee. It's nice to feel at peace, have the time and space to just chill. The simple things in life are these - a nice hot cup of teh tarik, the time to enjoy my reading and to smell the flowers. Bliss!!

Teh Tarik

Ultimate indulgence - reading

Beautiful flora

A New Beginning

Unbeknown to anyone, I have been feeling all sorts for the past week or so. I have indulged and have been enjoying my disenchantment all by myself....is it so worth it???

Well, it was 'fun' for a while but i am so not into self-knocking myself. There are other important things that could occupy my thoughts, positive things that can make me happy. I have always teased a good friend of mine, Rx whenever she is talking about depressing stuff to stop it and instead of dwelling on it to just wonder why a particular stand of tree by the roadside is dropping its leaves...it always made her laugh...bless her!!

I have learned a valuable lesson this week. It's so lonely feeling depressed. Its not a good feeling especially if you kept it to yourself...i think it can be dangerous and it can bring self-harm in the long run if it's not brought out into the open. The worst thing about it is no-one knew how you are feeling inside!!! I realise that talking to someone helps. You have to deal with your anger or depression in a positive way. I did....i spoke to my cat about it!!!! I think, the cat understood and it was extra loving to me. Ohhh, the love of this gentle creature is so unconditional...i am so honoured and humbled by it.

Anyway, it is a beautiful day....the sun is bright and the sky is blue. I am healthy and i have the means to indulge my guilty pleasures (see my entry-Oct 2007). I am grateful for the blessings i have in my life. I am here. I am blessed.

Random

Have you ever feel a sense of disaffection?. And yet you can't talk to anyone about it?!!! There are definitely some issues that disturb me, maybe its my fault and for what it's worth, I am sorry. Anyway, let me deal with this 'thing' in my own time, it will pass and i will move on. I have been telling those nearest and dearest to me that, anything that make you feel good is always going to be drawing in more. However, i can't seem to shake these feelings of inertia, alienation and dare i say it depression!! I seem to be ok on the outside, but on the inside..its such a mess!!!

Anyway, I have the right to feel disenchanted and angry if I want to! It's not a crime and I am not affecting those i love with my foul mood. I must say that i have been very controlled. I should pat myself on the shoulders for hiding this thing well from others.

Don't worry people...I shall be ok. This feeling will soon pass.

My List

One true fact about me is that i love to make a list. It belies of an organised planner but in reality however, I make the lists but rarely complete them. However, I must say that there's nothing satisfying as finishing something when I'm done. Just check the item and the 'to do' is crossed off. Now, my best, best friend (BBF) is one of those people who writes her lists and she can actually complete her lists - yes, she is super, duper efficient but I am prettier!! :-p har!har!har!!!

Why do i keep making a list? well, lists are necessary for the times my memory decides to take the day off. BBF, Ns and Rx will smile when they read that particular sentence...hey gals, its not an admission to aging ok!!!

I make many lists. I will share some of them.

• Countries I want to visit
• Things to pack for a trip
• Hair products to check out
• Recipients of my home-baked scones
  
• Possible nicknames (BBF, Ns & Rx know of this!!)
• Collection of books
  
• Things to buy when i am mrs. multi-billionaire

I write my lists everywhere: in the car, in the bathroom, even whilst shopping and once at the vet while the cat was being vaccinated! Each month, i make a life-lesson list and i will highlight the best life-lesson for that month. Recently, i have a light bulb moment, i decided to do something that i have listed as to-do for years. I wrote, I finished and I conquered. Will write about that one of these days.

Watch this space.

Au revoir my love

My baby Cha Cha passed on 16 February. Her death was totally unexpected. I was absolutely in shock -- it didn't register that she died until two days later. Huge, fat tears rolled down my cheeks and it didn't stop for ages....

Cha Cha was 8 years old when she died. She brought a lot of love and joy to me. She was independent, strong, fearless and the so-called 'terror of the neighbourhood'!! Cha Cha - you will always be remembered. I loved you baby and I missed you always. Au revoir sweetheart.