2011 : Weighed, Measured and Found Absolutely Fabulous

Well well, the year winds to a close as we welcome 2012 in 2 days time. Has your year turned out the way you expected when 2011 began?

I certainly did not anticipate what 2011 had in store for me. The plan was to limit my travels and if possible not travel at all this year cause I was looking to save up enough money for a place to buy. No chance of that happening, as I soon found out.

Earlier in the year, I was kicking myself in February about missing a chance to attend a meeting in my company's headquarters in Sandefjord, Norway. But I thought to myself, maybe something better is in store. And it turned out to be true. In March I was able to go to Amsterdam for 3 days meeting (and I took additional 3 days off to travel around with my sister). Then what came up was even more exciting! I was approved to travel to Norway for subsequent meetings in May, June, August, October and November, for a bout 10 days each time.

And in between I went Dubai and Abu Dhabi twice in November and December for a total of 3 weeks. If I said I didn't want to travel, I would be lying! And for my company to send me over to attend these meetings, I feel blessed. Never in my wildest dreams would I have envisioned that I was able to jet off almost every month this year.\

All those trip earlier were for work, and I also managed to squeeze in 2 personal trips this year. First was to UK for my sisters graduation with my family. We stayed for almost 3 weeks and visited London, Paris, Rome, Geneva and Interlaken before flying back. Next trip was a small family trip to Sandakan, Sabah from which we then drove to Semporna for a few nights in the middle of the ocean.

So this year for me was a year of super ridiculous travelling. Some statistics:
- I have spent 50 hours in transit at Amsterdam Airport.
- Almost 50 days in Sandefjord Norway.
- More than 120,000 miles flown this year.
- About 90 days in a hotel.

But then, there is always more to life than travelling (for work or otherwise). I have made new friends. More friends have gotten married. Caught up with my friends (though much less than last year). Going thru my resolutions for 2011, It seems I achieved most of them except losign weight (cause of all the good food while travelling and lack of time for gym) and spending more time with my friends (same reason as earlier).

I shall look forward to 2012 with excitement (though I know there should be considerably less travelling). Wait, I'm not too sure about that as I have Bali, Bandung, Sabah, Singapore, Jakarta, Thailand, Vietnam, India scheduled for next year. And I should be looking forward to receiving the keys to my place soon. Hehehe fingers crossed, I would be able to move in by the first quarter of next year.

Anyways, I think I am a bit long winded here. I wish every1 a great year ahead and live prosperous!


Boodyboy, out!!

What Chinese New Year Means To Me

I've had a 2 weeks gap, from my previous post.
Thinking what should I be talking about next. It's been nothing siognificant or concrete for some time now. Not updating it constantly makes me feel guilty, but I do not want my blog to be a chore. It should always be something that I like to do.

Today is the last day of February. 2 months of 2011 has already flashed by me in the blink of an eye. Chinese New Year come and gone. THe time that passes has no meaning, unless we put something of value to it. So this time, I'm gonna write about wha CNY means to me. Every year, CNY comes and goes, but is it really important to me?



1. CNY is about reunion. The highlight of it has to be the reunion meal. In my paternal family, we have reunion lunch, as opposed to the tradition of dinner, on CNY Eve. This has never been emphasised more this year. Both my paternal grandparents have passed away and this is the 3rd year without them. This is also the 1st time there are only 6 people coming back to stay in my paternal grandparent's home in Triang, Pahang. 3 was from my family: me, pop and mom. 2 was an Aunt and her daughter, and 1 more uncle who came back without his wife and kid.

Just so you know, my paternal grandparents have 5 sons (2 deceased) and 6 daughters. At its peak, my grandparent's house would be packed to the brim filled with aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and etc.

This year, there was just silence. And at the end of the 1st day of CNY, I went back to my maternal grandparent's place in Malacca, and the other 3 remanining relatives went back to KL.
Silence.



2. CNY is about every1 getting together for a good meal, with family or friends. And in Malaysia, this dish is gaining more and more importance. Yee Sang.

Tossing this while saying good things/wishes for every1, is sort of a bonding thing.Sweet and sourish, its a great appetizer before the CNY feast begins.



3. Fireworks. never used to liekt hem since i was a kid. Always afraid of them. But as the years go by, I tend to appreciate them more and more. Not buying and lighting them up, but to enjoy and watch them light up the sky. Me, my sis and cousins have this fond attachment of going up to the grandparents rooftop in Triang, and just wait for midnight to strike. THen, all sorts of fireworks will be lighted up by the villagers. We'd just be there staring in awe...

This year, it was just me and my cousin on the rooftop. And Silence before the frenzy.

4. CNY means gatherings. A season of gathering. Its the best reason u have to meet up with ppl you always wanted to meet but never had the time. I had plenty of those, though there are still ppl i iwshed I met, but I should be happy. I caught up with many people that has touched my life int he past and seeing them makes me happy again!

5. And finally, CNY is about love. Why love? Is it because of Chap Goh Mei (Chinese Valentine / 15th day of CNY) or is it because the Feb 14th Valentines Day falls in between? Or is it the same time of year when all your relatives ask you when you are getting married and etc?

Its all of the above, and more... (to those who know the extras, you guys get to laugh at my expense)

But yes, CNY is about the time you celebrate the love of your entire extended family and friends as well. 15 days is long enough for you to get something done. And there should not be any Silence. CNY is all about noise, cause we believe noise is a sign of prosperity, vitality and overall well being for every1!

Boodyboy, out!!!

Happy Chinese New Year 2011

CNY is a wonderful time to meet up with relatives and friends. Good excuse to catch up, talk up, and drink up. Most importantly, SUIT UP to look your best!

=)




Best wishes from me to all your family & friends.
Have a wonderful weekend ahead, and drive safely!


Xin Nian Kuai Le, Wan Shi Ru Yi!
Zai Jian!!

As one window closes, another opens

Yes folks, I don't mean to boast, but I felt that this year has got to be one of the best I had so far!

I've had the chance to travel, meet new people, get closer to people I've already known.

Definitely in better mental health compared to last year. In terms of physical health, I guess this year has been my fittest year to date!

On the home front, I'll have to miss my sister for a few more months before visiting her in UK during summer 2011. My sister's absence meant that the nest is now pretty empty since I myself have moved out to live nearer to my workplace. But that has meant I would spend more of my weekends back at home to be with my parents.

Work has been good, in both places where I previously worked in KL and now in Shah Alam. I guess the career gods have been kind to me in giving me great colleagues and understanding bosses!

And I have my resolutions for next year!
1st would be maybe to lose 1-2kgs in fat, and toughen up at the gym. Lost about 10kgs this year and lost about 3 inches on my waist.

I resolve to visit Europe next year. Targetted countries are England, France, Italy at minimum!

I'd love to be closer to all the new friends I met this year. I've been exposed to many groups of ppl this year and I'd like to get to know them better!

Were there any downsides this year? Every year there are, but this year, it's all too trivial as I am going to look back at this year and remember all the great times and experiences I've had.
I'd like to thank every1 I've met this year as they all helped to make this a good year.

Lets hope for a better year in 2011!!

Here's to songs to party the last hour of 2010 away!
=)







Boodyboy, out!!