The Way, The Art & The Beauty…

  After a rather long absence, I am finally able to sit down and pen my next blog. It has been approximately … months. Now after a many long weeks of neverending work, and work that will continue to have no apparent end, I can now take a breather as I disappear from work for a week.

I can’t seem to remember the last time I wrote something. In fact, there was one time, I wrote this blog, but after half an hour and I added pictures in it as well, the whole thing disappeared! All my thoughts were gone and I could not write it down again as it would just not be the same. So now I am writing it in Microsoft Word, then only copy it into the blog. *sigh*. Anyway, as one of my friends and ex-colleague requested a blog from me since its been a very long time from my last one, here we go then…

Let’s start with August, a month full of…work. figures… The whole company flew to Bangkok to attend the Regional Conference, met up with my close counterparts from Hong Kong, Stephanie & Thomas. They were in the same group as me n Persis during our New Staff Training back in 2005, and may I say, what a group we had! All full of energy, laughter and fun!!! We wanted to share our happiness with them so we told them bout us being a couple. Thanks to them for their blessing too. What can I say bout Bangkok? For one, stuff there’s quite cheap, especially the morning market, “Chat Chut Chat” which is one of the biggest markets I’ve ever been into! You can practically get lost in there man! Visited the new Paragon Siam Mall, fantastic and classy. Saw one of my future cars…hehehe.

Anyway, back to August, to be honest, I can’t recall much wut happened. Haha! Basically my usual trip to Ipoh was on the cards. September came and things looked brighter as it was my FIRST Anniversary with me dear. Initially I had to crack my head on what and in what way could I give her a memorable 1^st Anniversary. It was not tough…it was DAMN tough! Finally, somewhere, somehow a call we got from our ex-colleague seemed to be the icing on the cake! As sh   e had extra vouchers, she sold us one, a one night stay @ The Avillion, Port Dickson. I t was EXACTLY one year ago that we officially ended our courtship and began a new life as a couple @ The Avillion! More so, we got to stay at the Water Chalet, and to even Imagine or Dream of staying there is like to never come true as it is VERY DAMN EXPENSIVE to stay there man! BUT for those who have never stayed, I strongly encourage that you make it one of the places to visit in your life. You will not regret it! Food’s good, setting of the resort is absolutely Fantastic! Calm feeling when you’re there and its just………….GREAT!!!

Then it was back to work where I eagerly awaited the Conference held at the end of September. Exactly one year ago, I emceed an event for the very first time and now it is my honour to master the ceremony with my same co-emcee, non other than my beautiful darling, Persis. She is my mentor, the one who thought me how to become an emcee and cause of the close r/ship we have, it makes mastering the ceremony more meaningful. In fact, it was our BEST performance to date! Yes, I am not ashamed to boast about it as I am extremely proud! More important, I was glad that we could put up a quality performance for our friend and colleague, Nic who was the one who organised this event and entrusted us in this job. Thanks Nic!

October came and we prepared for more events in November and December. My greatest achievement in October was clearing ALL my Annual Leaves I had in store for 2005. As this year I’ve been working many weekends, I accumulated extra day offs and have used a lot of them and not touch a single Annual Leave of 2005 which is due to expire this year. That is why I’m on leave now and able to write my blog, and will be on leave the second half of December! Hahaha!!!!! Even applied leave for January as I’m going to Hong Kong! Hahaha!!!!!

Though it is so, financially I was not so sound. Firstly, I had decided to get a new phone as my old one was halfway Resting In Peace. So a budget I had to budget for. Then one morning on my way to pick up my dear, just 100 metres from her house, BANG!!!!!!!! An accident happened. So furious I was that I chose to sit in the car, take 5 deep breathes first before going out to see wut happened. Did all the police report, called my mechanic to get it fixed, and had to call the insurance company. SIGH! This is why I always advise to never get into an accident. It causes SO SO SO SO much unnecessary time wasting and frustration! I had to even apply a day off a few weeks later to renew my license, and settle the insurance part etc. bloody irritating! So my car cost me lots of $$$$, but I still had to get a new phone or else I can’t call anyone. So more $$$$. Then in mid October I went to Ipoh, on the way back, the radiator was wayyyy too hot! It was faulty and we stopped by at Ulu Bernam rest stop, Nic opened the lid and the hot water splashed out! So dirty…anyway, we drove to the petrol station next door and just kept pouring new water into the radiator, at least it’ll last until I got home. Next day, another trip to the mechanic. More $$$$. After that was fixed, the very next day I felt the acceleration was a little cranky. Back to my mechanic and $$$$. It was this time I contemplated on getting a new or second hand car. But now seeing that things are fine, I would put that on hold. $$$$ is a real bugger!!!

Anyway, in Ipoh, we went jungle trekking up the hill, as the path was all heading up. My stamina already out so it was a real challenge! Woke up at 5.30am and headed there. While walking, felt my stomach calling for nature! Thought I could wait till I got to the top. Kept on walking and suddenly, the wind blew, triggered it more. Finally tak boleh tahan, surveyed for a spot, made sure no one was coming this way, fortunate I had a bottle of water in my hand, and thus proceeded to make an investment to ensure the beauty of nature remains intact! To my frens out there, if you’ve heard bout it but never tried it, I hope you will as it is NOT an overrated experience! :p

Alas, November here we come. A dreaded month with many things going on. Recently we had a meeting among my team and we commented on each other. Pros and cons. For me, I was said that I needed to control my temper. Haha! Thinking back to my childhood years, I NEVER thought I would be so fierce! In fact I do not realize it most of the times. I wasn’t like that when I first began my job.

Guess accumulation of work frustrations + balancing my personal and professional life + family commitments + many side work entrusted in me as only a mere handful are able to carry these tasks out well + blah blah blah etc etc etc… = Stress = Emotional distress = Losing my temper = unhappiness = could Kill someone = lost of the identity of the individual formerly known as Mah Jee Onn………………………..

My advise are always simple, family and loved ones must always come first. Once you lose your job, you can always find another BUT once you lose your family or loved one, there is NO other…

Life is short. Do we wanna wake up one day and realise my years in my 20’s are GONE? And I am old now with the only remembrance and memory which were working, working, working…and working. OR do we wanna have a balance in life so that in the future when we have a family, our kids will realise they have a father / mother and not treat you as a Hi / Bye person.

Finally, I will end my blog here today. Think I’ve said a lot in this few months. May all of you have a Happy Holiday, Happy Deepavali and Selamat Hari Raya!

“Whenever something unfortunate occurs,

  Something fortunate follows up,

Just like a coin that is two-sided,

Life has its Yin & Yang whom we’re guided,

Do not frown for too long when luck goes awry,

For its experience and outcome would end up beautifully,

Happy Anniversary my dear for you are graceful,

With a charm so gentle and smile that’ll make me drool,

We have moved on from the one year period since the start,

With much more challenges and happiness in our parts,

I hope and pray the day will come,

When we could live a life together as one…”