As I was looking at the calendar, it suddenly struck me. There's only 9 more days till Christmas! Christmas was, and still is, 1 of my favorite times of the year. There's just something magical about it, the whole Christmas spirit, Christmas air to it.
In light of this, I've decided, to dedicate a post each day, till Christmas, towards people that have made an impact on my life. That being said, there's definitely more than 9. So don't take it personally if you're not one of them posts. I still cherish your presence in my life.
First and foremost, I'd like to talk about my parents. I know, it's cheating 'cause it's technically 2 persons. So my parents. The couple that brought me to this world.
Looking back, nothing much really stands out. Just flashes and bits and pieces of the past. I remember, as a kid, dad was my idol. I used to follow him around, be it just outside the house at the garden, or cross states for dog shows. Dad was a huge fan, and a breeder wannabe. He never made it to the super leagues, but he still has some decent stock at hand. I remember going for shows, and looking at them dogs compete. Once, he got me a pet at the show too! Sometimes, I'd sit with the dogs while he and his friends went off to do whatever they did.
One of his friends, Dr Dave, had this big house, with a room that was fully air-conned, just for his dogs. And he used to throw huge get togethers, especially during Deepavali. His mom too, was a very very nice old lady. As life would have it, they both drifted away, that marked the end of my Deepavali feasting. Another friend of dad's used to be in the furniture industry, owning his own business. Once, we went to find him in Klang, and he brought us for a great seafood dinner, amidst the pouring rain.
Growing up, I wasn't too close to mom. My earlier memories of her was that she would be giving tuition practically everyday after school dismissed. As I aged though, me and mom started growing closer, while my relationship with dad started falling apart. Suddenly, mom seemed to give more relevant feedback that I could relate to better. Life was pretty decent then.
Till it came to a startling stop when dad got admitted into IJN. Well, he eventually came out, relatively unscathed. The whole ordeal changed us, as a family unit. I had to step up, and take over dad's daily routine of cooking for mom and ferrying her up and down from school. Well, of course I didn't do much actually cooking. Grandpa did the cooking during the weekend and tupperware-freezed them for me. I did, however, learned to be confident driving on my own (I already had a valid license back then. Just never really drove long distance, alone)
Fast forward to present.
I realize, as I age, I've come to appreciate both my parents, as flawed as they may be. For all their faults and shortcomings, they raised me to be the best I can, to the best of their abilities. Despite times where I wish they would change certain traits/characteristics, I'd not swap them for anyone else to be my folks
Saturday, December 17, 2016
Thursday, December 15, 2016
of Friendship and Expectations
As I age, I'm starting to discover a bit more about my likes and dislikes. Recently, I came to an epiphany, that I hold friendship very dearly. I treasure all my friends.
Of course, a definition of a friend is differs from person to person. There's friends, and then there's friends. I know people who are more than acquaintances, but less than a true friend. Mom always did say, that there are 4 windows of openness/transparency.
There's those that we say hi and bye and make small talk. I'd label those as acquaintances. Like a pyramid structure, they form the base as they have the biggest numbers. Many colleagues fall under this category. Or quite aptly named, work mates. The main common ground or topic of conversation revolves around work and all its accompanying evils. Note of interest, is that bitching about work, be it the boss, the clients, or the situations faced, always seems to make time pass faster. Too much though, is a source of negativity, discontentment and de-motivation.
Then there's those that we do hang out with during our private time. This group I'd call friends. The next step up from the base. These people are the ones that you have more conversations about regarding interests outside of work. Some of my friends were upgraded, for lack of a better word, from work mates. And these kind of people are a bit rare, in that it's not often you'd become friends with colleagues.
Next up, are best friends and close friends. People I might not meet often, but every meet up is a gem. They not afraid to criticize you, or give you feedback, both positive and negative. This group of friends you, I'd tend to open up more to. Yes, I've been known to have trust issues. But this bunch of whackos aren't about to betray me, nor stick the knife in my back.
Last, but not least, are friends that inevitably become family. Family, that is non blood related. At the peak of the top, you can definitely expect the number(s) to be small, singular even. Family stick by you at all times, through hell or heaven, and come out a blazing. They'll always have your back, regardless of how idiotic you were.
With all that being said, I treasure every friendship. Not many get promoted beyond the ranks of acquaintances. All those who do though, even if I don't talk to them on a daily basis, i truly treasure them. I'd always try to make time for them, whenever they reach out to me. An eye for an eye. I'd expect the same from them. I suppose, while I get that we both have our own lives, I don't expect to be dropped like a hot poker the moment someone new comes along.
Here's when we're getting into the gist of the post. Long winded? Quite possibly. I'm a bit sore, seeing how I treat someone as a friend, only to be semi ignored in light of a new romantic interest. Oh I'm not looking to compete in that regard. Hell, I'd even expect to not have that much attention. But to be downright ignored? That's the part I'm upset about. Yes yes, I'm being childish and throwing a tantrum. The point is, you, yes you, made me feel that you only remember me when you need something from me.
Of course, a definition of a friend is differs from person to person. There's friends, and then there's friends. I know people who are more than acquaintances, but less than a true friend. Mom always did say, that there are 4 windows of openness/transparency.
There's those that we say hi and bye and make small talk. I'd label those as acquaintances. Like a pyramid structure, they form the base as they have the biggest numbers. Many colleagues fall under this category. Or quite aptly named, work mates. The main common ground or topic of conversation revolves around work and all its accompanying evils. Note of interest, is that bitching about work, be it the boss, the clients, or the situations faced, always seems to make time pass faster. Too much though, is a source of negativity, discontentment and de-motivation.
Then there's those that we do hang out with during our private time. This group I'd call friends. The next step up from the base. These people are the ones that you have more conversations about regarding interests outside of work. Some of my friends were upgraded, for lack of a better word, from work mates. And these kind of people are a bit rare, in that it's not often you'd become friends with colleagues.
Next up, are best friends and close friends. People I might not meet often, but every meet up is a gem. They not afraid to criticize you, or give you feedback, both positive and negative. This group of friends you, I'd tend to open up more to. Yes, I've been known to have trust issues. But this bunch of whackos aren't about to betray me, nor stick the knife in my back.
Last, but not least, are friends that inevitably become family. Family, that is non blood related. At the peak of the top, you can definitely expect the number(s) to be small, singular even. Family stick by you at all times, through hell or heaven, and come out a blazing. They'll always have your back, regardless of how idiotic you were.
With all that being said, I treasure every friendship. Not many get promoted beyond the ranks of acquaintances. All those who do though, even if I don't talk to them on a daily basis, i truly treasure them. I'd always try to make time for them, whenever they reach out to me. An eye for an eye. I'd expect the same from them. I suppose, while I get that we both have our own lives, I don't expect to be dropped like a hot poker the moment someone new comes along.
Here's when we're getting into the gist of the post. Long winded? Quite possibly. I'm a bit sore, seeing how I treat someone as a friend, only to be semi ignored in light of a new romantic interest. Oh I'm not looking to compete in that regard. Hell, I'd even expect to not have that much attention. But to be downright ignored? That's the part I'm upset about. Yes yes, I'm being childish and throwing a tantrum. The point is, you, yes you, made me feel that you only remember me when you need something from me.
Wednesday, December 14, 2016
Indoors
So it's a bright sunny day today. Yet, here I am, stuck indoors. Why? Downside of being in the service industry, is that if your service area includes and extents beyond your home country, you'll still need to be available. Plus point? I get to claim an additional day off in lieu. So it's not all bad.
Since I'm stuck indoors, I might as well make the most out of it. This includes doing the laundry (yes, it's done. Clothes out sunbathing right now), mopping the floor (I'll get to that in a bit) and get some hardcore cooking done. (Hardcore as in, anything other than my usual steaming or blanching)
Don't get me wrong. I've no qualms cooking. Just that, with the schedule I keep (work and gym), it's hard to do more complicated cooking. The upside to this is that my cooking is super simple, and quite healthy (well, no oil goes a long way!). The downside? Lack of variety and diverse flavors. It's like being in prison, you get the standard meal. EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.
That being said, the goal is to shed as much KG in as short a time as possible, with the word sustainable in the foreground. At the same time, up the fitness level (much easier when you lighter). So to shed them blubber, minimal carbs. Which, totally sucks, because being Asian, means meals revolve around carbs. Go to any hawker center, you'll see the wares are either various kinds of noodles, soup or dry, or rice. Think: pork noodles, prawn mee, chicken rice, mixed rice. See my point? An uphill battle, for sure!
Right. I've ran out of steam for now. Time to get back to earning that cold hard cash that makes the world go round. Ah money, gold. Can't live without 'em!
With that being said, I've just discovered an old song: Where Are You Now - Honor Society
Ciao~
Since I'm stuck indoors, I might as well make the most out of it. This includes doing the laundry (yes, it's done. Clothes out sunbathing right now), mopping the floor (I'll get to that in a bit) and get some hardcore cooking done. (Hardcore as in, anything other than my usual steaming or blanching)
Don't get me wrong. I've no qualms cooking. Just that, with the schedule I keep (work and gym), it's hard to do more complicated cooking. The upside to this is that my cooking is super simple, and quite healthy (well, no oil goes a long way!). The downside? Lack of variety and diverse flavors. It's like being in prison, you get the standard meal. EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.
That being said, the goal is to shed as much KG in as short a time as possible, with the word sustainable in the foreground. At the same time, up the fitness level (much easier when you lighter). So to shed them blubber, minimal carbs. Which, totally sucks, because being Asian, means meals revolve around carbs. Go to any hawker center, you'll see the wares are either various kinds of noodles, soup or dry, or rice. Think: pork noodles, prawn mee, chicken rice, mixed rice. See my point? An uphill battle, for sure!
Right. I've ran out of steam for now. Time to get back to earning that cold hard cash that makes the world go round. Ah money, gold. Can't live without 'em!
With that being said, I've just discovered an old song: Where Are You Now - Honor Society
Ciao~
Past, Present, Future
So it's been quite a while since I last blogged, or wrote something for that matter. Some call it writer's block, some say it's a lack of muse. Me? They the same. Different names for the situation. Right. That's why I've decided to start blogging again. I'm hoping, that as therapeutic as this can be, it'll help get them creative juices flowing again.
I don't expect much feedback, or many readers for that matter, mainly because this is more for me, than it is for any commercial purposes/reasons. With that being said, let's get started on, well, me!
Just a short background information on me (yes, I'm aware it's beginning to sound like some interview process). Do forgive me if I sound rather self centered, or if I'm rambling. Sometimes, I just tend to go on a tangent.
OK! I'm 28 this year, whatever is left of this year anyway. In 2017, I'll be 29, and a year older, and closer to the big 3-0. Am I terrified? Let's see, not really? I'm feeling kind of desensitized to the whole thing. Relationship status? Single. Sexual preference? Solely batting for the other team, but, since I believe sexuality is fluid, I'm not writing off the idea of possibly getting it on with the opposite sex.
I reckon, the main reason why I never really had the time nor inclination to blog, was because my previous job hours were in the afternoon. Like, I'd start in the afternoon, and finish past midnight. Definitely wasn't conducive for any blogging. I changed jobs during the start of 2016, which also sparked the beginning of changes.
Let's recap the happenings of 2016, shall we? I find December a good month for reminiscence.
I started out the year with a new job, a new car, and a new gf. A few months down the road, we broke up. Life went on. Started doing stuff I've never done, like, attending my country's independence day assembly with friends. Signed up at the gym, and started losing weight and burning fat. Attended my 1st MPO performance with mom (this is recent! Just happened last week)
Now, I'm pretty happy with my decent enough progress in getting my health back. So much so that I actually signed up for the Spartan Race - Sprint that would be happening next year. My inspiration? American Ninja Warrior. That TV show ignited this desire in me to be in the best physical condition that I can be. Seeing contestants that are 30, 40 years old being able to overcome the obstacles and complete the course makes you feel ashamed about your own physical condition (AKA bad and out of shape)
Phew! That looks like some decent length. Michelle was right, blogging, writing in general, is therapeutic. Great way to organize my thoughts too and provides the illusion of talking to someone (prevents cabin fever! Or so I was told) There's only so much talking to one's own-self before people label you as being touched in the head aka crazy aka insane aka out of her/his mind.
With that being said, what was your 2016 like, dear readers of mine (assuming there's even any)?
And...... *drum rolls* I'm signing off! Till next time!
I don't expect much feedback, or many readers for that matter, mainly because this is more for me, than it is for any commercial purposes/reasons. With that being said, let's get started on, well, me!
Just a short background information on me (yes, I'm aware it's beginning to sound like some interview process). Do forgive me if I sound rather self centered, or if I'm rambling. Sometimes, I just tend to go on a tangent.
OK! I'm 28 this year, whatever is left of this year anyway. In 2017, I'll be 29, and a year older, and closer to the big 3-0. Am I terrified? Let's see, not really? I'm feeling kind of desensitized to the whole thing. Relationship status? Single. Sexual preference? Solely batting for the other team, but, since I believe sexuality is fluid, I'm not writing off the idea of possibly getting it on with the opposite sex.
I reckon, the main reason why I never really had the time nor inclination to blog, was because my previous job hours were in the afternoon. Like, I'd start in the afternoon, and finish past midnight. Definitely wasn't conducive for any blogging. I changed jobs during the start of 2016, which also sparked the beginning of changes.
Let's recap the happenings of 2016, shall we? I find December a good month for reminiscence.
I started out the year with a new job, a new car, and a new gf. A few months down the road, we broke up. Life went on. Started doing stuff I've never done, like, attending my country's independence day assembly with friends. Signed up at the gym, and started losing weight and burning fat. Attended my 1st MPO performance with mom (this is recent! Just happened last week)
Now, I'm pretty happy with my decent enough progress in getting my health back. So much so that I actually signed up for the Spartan Race - Sprint that would be happening next year. My inspiration? American Ninja Warrior. That TV show ignited this desire in me to be in the best physical condition that I can be. Seeing contestants that are 30, 40 years old being able to overcome the obstacles and complete the course makes you feel ashamed about your own physical condition (AKA bad and out of shape)
Phew! That looks like some decent length. Michelle was right, blogging, writing in general, is therapeutic. Great way to organize my thoughts too and provides the illusion of talking to someone (prevents cabin fever! Or so I was told) There's only so much talking to one's own-self before people label you as being touched in the head aka crazy aka insane aka out of her/his mind.
With that being said, what was your 2016 like, dear readers of mine (assuming there's even any)?
And...... *drum rolls* I'm signing off! Till next time!
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