Family and Weddings

There has been a series of weddings since Dec 2013. Every month since then. Hence my travel to Penang in Dec 2013, Melaka in Jan 2014 and the recent trip to Terengganu. (February wedding was in Selangor.)

I don't know about you, but I love family weddings. Yes, it may be not be so much 'fun' for the parents/host but somehow I feel that it seems to always bring the family closer together. The pre wedding chores and to do list may be two pages long but the get together to get some of the things done can make a seemingly impossible task sorted out with some fun and laughter thrown in. And during the event day, family members automatically play their role without having the task 'assigned' to them.

The last wedding in the family took us to Terengganu for my nephew has chosen a bride from Dungun. There wasn't much for us to prepare since the bride's family is the host. Except for the preparation of the gift or hantaran. So it was an easier time for us. But what I like best about this trip is that it was also like a family outings for us. We put up at two homestays near a beach. Even though the water was not safe for swimming, it was a beautiful beach nonetheless.

Everyone who was there agreed that it had been like a family holiday; with the stroll on the beach in the early morning, the kids playing on the sand and the barbeque nite after the official events. The europhia was not the same when we were in Penang. The homestay was in the middle of nowhere. What has changed in the equation was the beach and perhaps the barbeque. 

So we all decided that we will plan for a family holiday near a beach sometime in the middle of the year.  Perhaps an island holiday. With snorkling and fishing. Its not the sort of thing that we do as a family. I know that some family make a yearly tradition of going on holidays together. But not us. Except for that all girls   trip to Jakarta way back in ... err... 2000? But its never too late to start a a delightful yearly event, eh?

I don't know about you, but I love my family. The whole nine yards! (Forgive the pun. There are nine of us sisters and brothers!). We may have difference in opinion at time but we never had a serious big fight! 

My wish (doa) is that all of our children will have an equally if not more happier times with their own siblings as well as their cousins and that they will have a wonderful relationship as their parents with their sibblings. Aameen. 

One step at a time

I think I have mention a few times some of the things that I plan to do upon my retirement. The one that have been mentioned a few times are the travelling and photography.

Well I must say that the travelling has started way before my retirement. Right after my eddah ended in fact. That was in late November 2013. Let's see. First of course, I went back to my home town in Johor or Batu Pahat to be exact, to visit my parents. Thats all the way down south.  In early Dec I attended a 3 days Development Program in Melaka. And then I went all the way up north to Penang for a family wedding. End of Dec 2013 and early Jan 2014 I went to umrah in Madinah and Mekah with my two sisters. When we came back there was another family wedding in Melaka. The following week end I made another trip to my home town. And then the trip to Hong Kong with my two girls at the end of Jan and early Feb. Soon as we were back I made a trip all the way down to Johor Bahru with a stop over in Batu Pahat on the way back. And this week end there is a family wedding in Terengganu.

Phew! I have never travelled so much in the last 3 years compared to last 3 months. Probably the last 5 years. The last time that I travelled like almost every week end (and that was only domestically) was during my first stint in Consumer when we organised the Sales Event in all the major town nationwide.

Anyway, no travelling has been planned for March and April. Yet. But you just may never know. A friend has just been bitten by a travel bug too and has started making plans to travel to all the states in the peninsula. And I may just hop for a ride with her...

Well, its not just all 'play' from now on. I have other big plans too. Other than travelling and camera clicking I mean. But that is going to take a lot more homework (literally) and  I am not ready to tell-all yet.  

Anyway, I am rather happy with the way things has got along so far. Alhamdulillah. And I am also starting to re-establish relationship by meeting up friends who have been rather neglected with my absence from the social scene. I know they fully understood my position and were truly supportive but hei, that's exactly why the need to meet them up in person to express my appreciation. 

Oh, have I mentioned that I have taken up cycling? Yup! Never too old for this activity. Starting it slow though. Will be awhile before I will be racing on the highway. Tee hee.

Going to call it a night. Another 'busy' day tomorrow. #jgnjeles

Assalamualaikum and Good nite everyone. 

Maaf Zahir Batin.

       

Reminder to Self : 25 Nabi/Rasul

The Road Less Travelled

Why Robert Frost took the road less traveled by Andy Anderson at www.backpackingdiplomacy.com

“The two roads diverged in a wood, and I, I took the one less traveled by and that has made all the difference.”- Robert Frost (The road not taken)

After reading this poem a few times, it is right for one to wonder what exactly Frost was thinking when he etched these simple yet convincing words onto his paper.  This poem has become a source of inspiration for millions who look to his words as a way of being ‘adventurous’.  I think that Frost’s message for us goes deeper than just adventure.  I think that he realized much about life, and the path that it has set for us.

The above excerpt presents the reader with a choice between two separate paths.  Both leading to different outcomes.  The first path, the most taken.  Is trusted, tried, and true.  We know that it is safe, and leads to ease of living.  The second path, is not tested.  Few take the path because there are unforeseen obstacles lurking in the shadows.

Frost, expressed how he took the road less taken.  One he knew would be more difficult.  One he knew would have ups and downs.  One he also knew would be an adventure.  A journey of a life.

I find his concluding statement in that sentence to be the most inspiring.  ”That has made all the difference.”  To me, Frost’s statement here is a statement of rejoice.  Expressing gratitude for all the turmoil and challenges that life has thrown at him.  He could have lived the easy life, he could have settled for something less, but he didn’t.  He went above and beyond.  He tested himself, and he was a better man for it.

Frost is known for the last two lines of his poem, but there are other great one liners, such as “long I stood” or “sorry that I could not travel both.” Even the two lines, “Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back,” express his deepest thoughts and convictions.  See, I think that Frost knew the consequences of his decision.  Every life decision has consequences.  He stood long pondering for he knew that his decision would be final.  We cannot choose two paths in life.  We must choose the one we see fit and do our best to make it work.  As he said, “way leads on to way,” not everything in life is an end, but everything builds off of something else.  He also knew that once he exposed himself to the untamed, he’d never be able to return to simplicity.

In many ways, I think that travelers face the same dilemmas.  We are often torn between choosing a life path that best suits us.  On the one hand, we see what average people in society do. On the other, we see a destiny of dreams before us.  We see everything that we have ever dreamed of being and more.  It is just often difficult to work towards, which is why we ‘stand’ for so “long” pondering our outcomes.  When we pursue our dreams at full speed, we know that we can never return.  We can never recapture the simplicity and innocence of life.  We are exposed to a different dimension.  We doubt if we should ever come back.

Frost’s message is a powerful one.  The two paths can represent a number of things metaphorically.  Perhaps, Frost knew that pursuing the more traveled road would be living someone else’s life.  Not his own.

He realized that life wouldn’t be as easy.  He knew that there would be new challenges and obstacles along the way.  Frost also knew that his new path would lead to personal glory.  He realized what few ever do: true freedom comes only from living your own path.

                    

Traditional Medicine

                 

The Last Goodbyes

Every year there is this Convention that I used to organise for my department and this year I was invited as a guest for the dinner. It sure was good to be seated and not worry about the running of the event for a change. Organising such a big event is no easy feat. 

I was initially nervous about attending the dinner as there will be a special mention about my retirement. I was afraid that I would embarrass myself by crying on stage in front of 700 people. But alhamdulillah, I was cool and composed even to my own surprise. It must be to the fireworks that accompany the food presentation by the resort. I just love fireworks. And it must have set my mood right. Anyway, I didn't want to miss this event as this is my last opportunity to meet so many people before I make my final exit from TM. All those people who used to work with me especially from the states.

 

Some people have asked what I plan to do next. And some have even kindly commented that I didn't have to leave as I can still contribute to the company. Well, my priorities and focus have changed over the last couple of years and the reason events. And I must say that I can certainly contribute in my ways out there. Its time to give back to the society. Who knows we will still be working on a common ground again some day!

Just want to thank everyone for the lovely time. The wonderful words. The beautiful gifts. And the promise of continuous friendship.

Doa kan saya agar di beri kesihatan yang sempurna, rezeki yang halal dan ilmu pengetahuan yang menafaatkan.

Aameen.

Trip to Hong Kong

Well. What can I say. I have to admit that I had fun. 

Hong kong has never appealed to me as a holiday destination before. I think of China and Singapore rolled into one and pushed the country way at the bottom of my holiday list. 

But I have asked my girls to choose where they wanted to go and Hongkong was on top of their list. They wanted to go  and see a real life panda. And go on the rides in Disneyland and Ocean Park.

And so Hong Kong it was.

I must say that it has been a rather interesting trip and a pleasant brand new experience. 

And contrary to some it is a good time to go during the Chinese New Year as there were more events apart from the usual attraction and tourist destination. Like the spectacular Lunar Year fireworks at the Victoria Harbour. There was also the annual New Year Parade with floats and stuff but we missed it. That must have been colourful. But of course there were huge crowds which we have to put up with.

What do I like about Hong Kong? The variety of activities within travelling distance. The excellent MTR, the transport system. The clean public restroom. Every place that we went has its unique attraction. And also it's only 3.5 hours flight from Kuala Lumpur.

                             

But my most memorable take away from this trip was the time I spent with my girls. Its our first trip together since their father passed away. I was just so happy to see them excited to see a real life panda for the first time and enjoyed the thrilling rides. Their beaming faces when they wore the mickey hat or the panda hat will stay in my mind for a long time. 

I feel truly blessed and grateful that my two girls have a lot of care and respect for each other. It made me feel secure and warm inside with the fact that they not only have me to depend on but they also have each other. Allah is Great! 

And I can still hear my late husband words saying a few weeks before he died that "we have good kids...". Yup. We do. Alhamdulillah.

Semuga Allah menjadikan anak2 kita anak yg solehah

Anak2 yg sentiasa beriman dan bertaqwa kepada Mu ya Rahman

Dan beramal ibadat kerana Mu ya Rahim

Aameen.