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!!

2010: My year in Summary

January




Was still kinda bummed out about the poor year I had last year. Started my new job not too long ago, hence was busy in training and had no time for blogging.

Working back in KL meant early mornings and late nights, some which I almost forgot how it felt like. Oh and the pain of the traffic jams...

Took my 1st holiday, a 5d4n trip to Bali! Definitely had a great time with EC and my sister. Pics can be found in my FB album here. Highlight of the trip had to be when I got ambushed by a monkey in Tanah Lot and it took my spectacles.


February

Most memorable thing about this month was that I got into an accident and lived to tell about it. Its was after a good friend's CNY open house and I was about 200m from home when I fell asleep on the wheel.

Thankfully I wasnt driving fast, just veered off the road, went up the divider and took a 15 year old palm tree down. Airbags came out and well, the key thing is that I'm safe.


March

A lot of stuff happened in March. Super busy as well as happy time for me =)
Highlights include, watching the Zee Avi concert, Hot Air Balloon Festival in Putrajaya (pictures here) and also a day trip to Ipoh (pictures here)! Definitely a month of fun!

Oh we also celebrated Earth Hour back in my paternal grandparent's place in Triang Pahang. Night shots here.

Ran the 10km Subang Jaya Run with CKH!
Surprised even myself as I never thought I could cover that distance


April

Another month of pure joy! And 5 years of Boodyblog!

There was my Phuket trip with my sister and Rach (album here, here and here). Our flight was delayed and we just had enough cash left for some food while waiting, hehehe.

Then there was my overnight trip to Cameron Highlands with Stef and Yvonne (album here). Took the Teluk Intan - Sekinchan way back home. The thing i remember most was on our way back, I took them to see Teluk Intan's leaning tower and they told me it didnt lean enough. Funny thing about the tower is that I would stand to profit some money from it at the year end ;-)


May

Welcomed a new member to my photography family. My new fave, Sony Cybershot HX-5!!

Singapore overnight trip. This was super spontaneous. Friday morning itself decided to head down with my sis and got the ticket in the afternoon. Later at night, there we were in Singapore!
Definitely a memorable trip! (Album here)

Oh, I started my new job in Shah Alam this month as well. And I can say that I like this place very much!

Then next it was Siem Reap in Cambodia. Woots, finally a World Heritage site in my sights!
=)
4d3n at a very good guesthouse! Definitely a memorable trip which involved me wondering if I might survive a rocky boat ride! (Album here, here & here)

And last but not least, a photo outing with my friends to the KL Bird Park (Photos here)


June

Yes, the FIFA World Cup finally kicked off in June. Its a pity my fave team, Italy got knocked out early. But kudos to Spain who won with beautiful football.

June was a month where I took a guilt trip down emo lane, lol. But glad thats over!

Went up Genting for a good photo outing (album here) and the Trekked Broga Hill (album here) to prove my fitness
=)


July

yes, it was still World Cup month. Lack of activities.

Moved to my cousin's place in Kota Kemuning as it would be closer to my office. Joined my company's inter dept badminton tourney where we emerged champions!

Went to see the floral exhibition, Floria 2010 (album here) with KTJ and JL.
Also joined a new gym, REV fitness! Thanks to them, I've lost weight and have better body shape
=)


August

It was the moon cake festival and this year again, we went to Semenyih dam to try and get a good moonlight shot! It drizzled, but we did see fireflies! (Album here). Then went back to Triang again for my grandparent's Khong Teik, celebration of the time when the souls get into heaven. And also got invites for the Sony A33 and A55 launching in Putrajaya!

Started my 100Day burpee challenge at the gym, which ultimately helped me improve my fitness and conditioning


September

KTJ invited me to the players party at the ATP Malaysian Open at Mandarin Oriental. Met players like Soderling, Ferrer and Berdych!

Finally went to Macau and Hong Kong to visit my very dear friend, SQS. I've promised to visit him in HK since we both started working 4 years ago, and this year I finally had the chance to do so. I'm tempted to go visit him again in the near future! I spent 7d6n in the wonderful country.

Mizuno Wave Run 11km was also on the agenda. KTJ asked me to join the run with his friends.
I've never run 11km before, so this was a big test. Managed to complete it in 1hr.13 mins! Damn proud of myself!

My sister flew to UK to finish her Law degree. Will fly over there to see her when she graduates!

My last remaining grandparent passed away (maternal grandmother). May her soul RIP.


October

Was possibly my most quiet month of the year. Was just getting work done and going to gym. COmpleted the 100 day burpees challenge and damn proud of myself!


November

Finally conquered Bukit Apeh in Cheras/Ampang. Treeked for a total of 6 hours, but the reward was definitely the waterfall we stumbled upon! (Photos here).

Brazillian Guitar Recital at KLPAC was definitely a highlight as well. Celso Machado was a great act! And oh, the joy of meeting my ex-OSKT colleagues, never fails to bring me joy!

Went to Abu Dhabi for the 1st time! For work, but I managed to squeeze in some time to meet up with KL, who works there! (Photos here)


December

Not edited any of my December pix yet, but lots of highlights here!

1stly, enjoyed my birthday with many fair maidens (photos here)
NExt up, lunch with my Ex-OSK colleagues again, makes me super happy. Numerous dinner with my colleagues and a Secret Santa gift exchange.

Attended a Xmas Production at my friends church, CHC in Subang, was extremely enjoyable and the lessons learnt kept me grounded.

The next weekend, I went for the Malakoff 12km run with KTJ and gang again. THis time I finished my 12km in 1hr 17mins, still within my target. Malakoff's route was more challenging than the Mizuno earlier.

After that, later in that very same afternoon, met up with May and gang to visit an Orphanage. Good Samaritan Home in Klang. It was definitely a good experience for me, and I really enjoyed the fact that the kids are happy with what we could provide for them! Very fulfilling indeed! (Photos here).


********************

So that was my year in Summary! I guess this year was a pretty good year for me!
I just hope it gets better and more good stuff keeps coming up. All these wouldnt have happened without all my friends and family. They played a big part and will continue to do so!



Boodyboy, out!!!

2010 : Year in Numbers

Gonna try to do something like "TIME" magazine, where they give out facts by numbers. Lets see how it goes as I try to define my year with numbers.









365 - Number of days in this year





10 - Number of months I worked this year. Weight in Kilograms I've lost since last year.





7 - The number of pairs of footwear I've bought this year. The number of countries I visited.





8 - Holidays / Trips (min 1 night) I had this year.





RM 450.00 - My most expensive footwear this year: Vibram FiveFingers Treksport





RM 10.00 - My cheapest footwear: Blue Beach thongs from Bali.





> 25,000 km - Distance I drove this year





2 - Car accidents I got into this year: Thankfully I'm still safe and sound. Number of months I was unemployed. Cameras I bought this year. Runs I joined this year (Mizuno Wave & Malakoff)

45 - number of canned food about RM150 can buy!



13 - days left in this year. And not enuff time to spend it with the people I care about =)

Infinity - The amount of blessing / good luck I've received this year. Of course, there are times when I've been down, but this year has been good to me.


Boodyboy, out!!!