Hat Yai Express

The weekend before fasting started, I took leave. Intention was to complete my diving course but that was not to be. Ted came home Friday afternoon and surprise me with 2 tickets to Hat Yai that night. We have been talking about backpacking across Asia for the longest time, ever since he got our Osprey.

So now we got the chance to do so. I was excited immediately. We tried to book rooms from  the internet but failed, so in Ted's words... we rock & roll to Hat Yai.

Everything about the trip was an adventure. Arrived in Bukit Kayu Hitam in the wee hour of the morning before we get to cross the border. Arrived in Hat Yai at 7 am and after 6 failed attempts to get a room, we ended up in a travel agency and finally got a room in Hat Yai Central. We got a room with no windows so day and night were no difference to us.

Too early to smile

For the next 3 days, we ate, walked, enjoyed each others company.....one of the best holiday I ever had.

everything fried and serve with pulut on the side

Trying to make the sotong kering

Our favourite shop in Hat Yai...7 Eleven

We even made new friends on our way back to KL. Ben (a musician, just like Ted) and Osla who were transiting in KL on their way back to UK got on the same bus we did. We became fast friends, and in KL for about 6 hours, Ted played host to them. They flew back safely that afternoon and hopefully had a nice memory of KL even if it was briefly.

Hat Yai was a wonderful surprise for me. I said it before, any trip can be wonderful, if you are surrounded by great company....

Reunions Week

I read somewhere that true friends are the kind that remained close to you despite long absence... when you finally meet up, you pick up where you left of, never questioning why you never kept in touch in the first place.

I am so blessed this week that I had not just 1 reunion with some old friends but 3 reunions. Each one was special in its own way, filled with old stories and some new ones.

Last Sunday 27th March, I had brunch with the girls from my time in Seremban. Even though there were 2 missing girls, we had a ball of laughter. Old gossips intermingled with new ones. Airena picked a great place where we can enjoy good food and company. Cindy and Kerith took time away from their families to spend with us and it was a long overdue get together. None of us had changed much, still close knit and chatter box as always. It was great to see that all of us are in good places.

Then last Tuesday 29th March, we gals went to watch Lat Kampung Boy The Musical. Though it is not really a reunion of sort, but I caught up with Zila, Airena, Ai Leen and Sheela. I laughed so hard, my head hurts. Harith did an awesome job. He is a great entertainer for sure but with Lat he proved that he is also a great writer and director.

And tonight I caught up with a long lost friend Raoul. He disappeared a year ago. I heard rumours about him and tried to contact him but somehow he never returned my calls nor answer my messages. 2 days ago, I suddenly got an sms from him, wanting to meet up. When we finally did tonight, it was great. we talked and laughed.... he is still the old reliable Raoul that I know.

Friends are hard to find, even harder to maintained when you moved apart.... but you know you have a true friend when despite the distance, the love and the care never dwindled.

2 Weddings & A Reunion

10102010....what a day it was! We woke up in Setapak post-Tulip-Journey the day before. Laze around the apartment feeling the anxiety of the day ahead. Mostly because I have no idea of what to wear for the 2 weddings that day, partly because I will be reunited with some old friends which I haven't seen in ages....some more then 10 years. But thank God for the CWAKA Rovers that spend the night, my anxiety was masked and I did not have any panic attack.

We left for Aqasha & Zura's wedding in Sg Besi a little over 2 pm and Ted drove like a mad man, praying we won't be late. We miss a turn into the area which turned out to be a blessing. As we arrived at the roundabout into the Taman, we ran into the Groom's convoy and ended up joining them at the bride's home.

Aqasha looked regal in yellow surrounded by the turquoise-theme entourage. Mel and I immediately made our way up to see Zura, who looked radiant & glowing in her matching dress. She was calm and composed and beautiful.

Aqasha recited the Nikah in 1 breath and we rejoiced. So happy for them and now we can't wait for the reception on the 25th December!

We rushed back to Setapak after that to get ready for Mus's wedding. Surprisingly I remained calmed thinking of the reunion. Turned out my anxiety was just my imagination....met up with Zila, Liza, Nizam, Mark, Madi, Abg Jeff and Kak Lin....and a few others and we took off like we were never separated. The biggest surprise was that Sharm was there and it was lovely to see her again.

Mus & Halina made a perfect looking couple, equally gorgeous and regal. I shall not be able to list down the VIPs in attendance as there were many.... and a lot of the guest were star-struck! To me the whole thing was an event as there were many foreign Astronauts, not forgetting the Royal Family of Saudi of Arabia. My friend Mus has come a long way since our days in Manipal. So very proud of him. Another proud fact is that Halina's dress was created by my Georgian friend Ariff.....I am just blessed with talented and well-known friends.

We had a bit of a child-like fun when Mark suggested we take pictures at the VIP table, Dias and the wedding cake. Felt like old time....days when we were young again. Those were the days of reckless behaviour, innocent fun, unlimited possibilities! ....We never lost that child-like feelings!

Aim For The Stars

Aidil Fitri has reached 7th day. So far, I have only visited 2 homes, excluding our parents' home ... Both time, the visits had been extended till the wee hour of the morning. And in both occasions, I witnessed not only the bond of friendship becoming closer but also big ideas discussed.
Every success story started of from ideas. I was made to see in these 2 occasions, I am surrounded by brilliant friends with big, innovative ideas... I have a feeling that I will witness a couple of success story in the future. I am tingling with excitement...




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Passionate Living -NEXT Coach in Action

Ted is starting his journey as NEXT (Neuro-Empowerment Experiential Training) Coach finally. Set in Gunung Senyum, Sir Ted and the Pelopor Adventure Team Malaysia will be guiding the Yellow People into caves and more importantly a journey into themselves, in the next 4 days. This is one of many beginnings he had taken... One that he had taken multiple times and become so familiar with. One that he is passionate about and would not give up, even though it was paved with many obstacles and failures.
The only difference in this journey is that he finally get to create a training that he solely dreamt of ... It had come out from decades of experienced being in contribution and countless sleepless nights of readings and writings.
 Ted is so passionate about training, that it can only be compared to his music, his cooking and Aiman. After all, aren't they all...training, cooking, music and his son.... are about being in contribution to happiness and building relationships and bonds that are positive? Creating a future with people that truly cares... To talk the talks and walk the walks.
I am so proud of him at this moment and he made me love him more. I am just happy to be in his space, and to experienced the true meaning of being passionate...

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