Triumph over Evil!

Truly, I am fascinated by Ms. Rowling's vast, deep and wonderful imagination. The characters
she created with Harry Porter is truly remarkable &  gripping!

I guess in life you will meet and encounter the likes of Harry Porter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger.
Harry being the accidental hero, the boy who endured pain beyond imagination but still has the purity and goodness in him to do nothing but righteousness. 
Ron as most of us can also relate to, is most of the time meek and scared to face difficulties, yet to discover his true heroism but stumbles 
along the way with bravery to seek his true self. 
Hermoine not only uses her intellect but also her heart to think, living 
with the mantra of "impossible is nothing".

Through the series of her books, Rowling weaves her characters amicably into the storyline. You see them grow up, you see them fight 
internal struggles, you see them fight against all odds and importantly you see 
them triumph! Like most predictable heroic-storyline, the good always prevail over evil. While the concept is not new, I believe it is equally important to reinforce
in this day and age.

Everyday we hear more bad news than
good. Evil minds and hearts are more rampant than ever. Good, righteousness 
seem to fade behind evil. The bigger and stronger powers are bullying the 
smaller, meeker - leaving them defendless and easily over-powered.
It seems less and less people are interest to 
stand up and fight for what is right. 
Most of us are more confortable to hide behind our walls of safety -
playing the spectatorrather than taking the active role of changing one's fate.

Through it all, there are those brave enough to stand up to change fates. 
Some through littles gestures, some through years of preseverance, some through
outright battles:



1. Rosa Parks became the first African American to refuse to give up her seat to a white passenger in a bus. Her small action sparked national controversy but importantly demonstrated how a single refusal of giving in can change the course of history.



2. Mahatma Ghandi was the major political and spiritual leader of India that led the country to its Independence against British Rule. He resisted tyranny through mass civil disobedience, firmly founded upon ahimsa or total non-violence — which was one of the strongest driving philosophies of the Indian independence movement and inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the world. 1 man with a simple act of non violence changed India's fate forever.



3. Malcolm X, a man that has been called many things: Pan-Africanist, father of Black Power, religious fanatic, closet conservative, incipient socialist, and a menace to society. Less of a hero
behind shadows of the great Martin Luther King, Malcolm X - self educated himself in prison,
chose to change his fate from a street hustler to an awakened political and spiritual activist.
Though his speeches and actions were considered controversial to many, he chose a far more
outward approach in speaking his mind and fighting his course.



4. And finally, the greatly revered His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama - Tenzin Gyatzo. A spiritual leader forced into exile by the new superpower of the world China who claimed 
Tibet to be a territory of China. 
His Holiness together with his closest aids fleed to India and resided there ever since. 
Living to true Buddhist teachings, His Holiness not for once approved of fighthings
and bloodshed against the Chinese. Instead, he has only preached love, 
happiness and harmony. He taught his fellow Tibetans to persevere and show utomost compassion to the Chinese in Tibet regardless what they 
have done to them. (I mean, this guy is seriously amazing!!!) 

There can never be triumph for the bad guys. Only good can prevail. And though it may take years, it is worth to believe in good and stick by it.
But till then, it is worth every single drop of blood to fight (passively, actively, indirectly) for what is right. Triumph then will be wholesome, complete and true.

Thank you Ms Rowlings for teaching these simple theories which are slowly being forgetten these days...
 

The right to defend myself..

2 years ago, I had an interesting "encounter" with someone dear to me. I was betrayed, very badly. At that point of time my world crumbled, I'd never imagined that person would ever harm me so badly.
The single most important bond of trust was broken - forever. The one thing I still thought I had with my family would change forever. I was very well aware that that moment would change all our lives forever and it was inevitable, un-reversable.

Back ten, I was very angry. I was very hurt. I spent endless nights thinking what went wrong and how could 
something like this happen. Though the person blamed everything on me, I ensured I'd reflected on what
she said to examine if it was true. It all seemd so twisted but at the end of the day, my fault of not, I had to pick up and rebuild my world, my family's (or what's left of it) world.

Fresh after the incident, I went to Denmark with my husband. He urged me to meet his
clairvoyant - Marriane. He said she had an urgent message to pass to me and I desperately needed healing. Now, I was shit worried that I would get into some gibbery, table banging, madly possessed women situation - but it was the total opposite! It was such a normal
"sighted" experience, everything was calm and soothing, she spoke normally and didnt shake or flipped her eyes upwards like what you would see on TV. 
Bizzarely speaking, I enjoyed the session so much. Importantly, I received an 
amazing experience that reduced me to tears! (literally sob like a baby!)

She connected me to my dad. Yup, my dad passed away so he's dead. And no, he didn't appear
out of thin air but he spoke to me through Marriane. She told me "your dad is here and he wants
to talk to you"...The moment she said that, I felt so much warmth and love in the room, as if
I went back to my childhood - the feeling having my dad by my bedside while he told us bedtime stories...I cant describe it I swear!  
I was so overwhelmed with emotions I cried and cried. (Imagine finally not having a conversation with your dad after 18 years!) Honestly at that moment I was still
skeptical so I asked questions no one else in this world except me and my dad - he knew the answers! (Freaky feelings started draining out of me, overcomed by awe and pure happiness)
He told me he was sorry. He was sorry for leaving us so early, he was sorry he couldn't give me the life he promised and importantly, he was sorry for what my sister has done to me...
The last apology meant so much to me I broke down even harder.

For the longest time I thought my dad had only 1 favourite daughter. She was the one  he confided in the most, he was the one that had the most, she was the one he saw as his real daughther. And to hear him say that he was truly angry at what she has done to me -
it finally changed the ways I saw things...

As I said earlier, I had blamed myself for causing this to my family. I had blamed myself for
aggravating my sister to act the way she did. But that day, when my father finally said all those
things, for once in my life - I felt I truly belonged to my family. I was never invisible.

The point I am trying to make here is, I can never change what has happened. But I am proud of the fact that I tried to reflect if I had caused all this. Surely I did in some ways, but I am dealing with the consequences, I am willing to move on.

I hope she too can... one day

Again, I have learnt that nothing in life is permanent. God gives and God takes back. Just remember to face it - no matter how hard it is. There can never be equal scores in life and there is no point to keep count - be the bigger person and ultimately the happier person

 

To be truly thankful...

A couple of years ago, I'd earned much lesser than what i earn now. Back then, I would still manage a mini shopping spree to reward myself once a month and holidays abroad. I was quite debt free and had more than enough for myself.

Fast forward to present day-  my debts are enourmous, I shop only during sale, I go for more expensive trips and inevitably, I have so much 
lesser to spend.

But money aside, we never know what and when is enough. We never know when to say
"It's ok, I'm quite happy with what I have"...most of the time, we look at others and envy their fortunes and good luck. As the famous Chinese saying goes "Yat kar ng che yat kar sze" - literally translated as one never knows what happens in another family.
It's so easy to want to be someone else, it's so easy to blame your current situation, it's so easy
not to see what you've got is so good compared to others.

Being so human, we always fall into the trap of wanting more. Though it is all fine to have a vision and not settle for status quo, 
I believe most of the time, we must also learn to be thankful for what we have. 
I would always imagine a situation if I was God (not trying to play God, excuse the pun!)
- I create beautiful things for all my children, I give them what I think it's best for them, I create
a world for them otherwise they will never have. But each and everyday, I hear them
complain and whine about all the things I had given them.
I think I would be quite pissed off if I was God. But as God is all omnipresent and overly-nice (maybe he's getting mean and pissed off these days with all the epidemics and catastrophes happening!) we are seldom punished for being utterly ungrateful.

There are times where He knocks you on your head and pushes you hard onto the ground.
There are times He raise you up and keeps you up high in the air
There are times where He smiles and laughs with you
There are times He nudges you to push on.

If only during all those times (if not every other day) we can remember to say "Thank you"...

Many Islands of Thailand

Thankfully, Peter works in the travel industry which allows us to travel to alot of places for free - most of the time, we are talking about excellent hotels and resorts.

Since Peter is still in Bangkok, my visits to him can be utterly boring if we would stay in the city forever. Pete would always arrange for a nice trip out of Bangkok secretly and surprise me later!
Bangkok's amazing geographical location allows the city folks to unwind at nearby islands and resorts - most of them only 2-3 hours away by bus! 

Here are two amazing locations:
1. Koh Samet: (my pick!)
- Nice local island which is still quite "virgin" to the rape of foreigners. Though many resorts are already built, you see more locals (Bangkok folks out there for a weekend break) than anyone else. Also, they still have beach bars all along the coast where you can chill listening to the sounds 
of the waves or just gazing at the moonlight! Also the island itself is has a forest reserve which
you can track around easily

Pete & I chilling by the beach at night!




2. Hua Hin:
It's funny how Scandinavian the town feels. I'd almost thought I was in DK with so many Danes, Swedes and Norwegians there. Again, Hua Hin is just a couple of hours away from Bangkok. Very much more developed compared to Koh Samet - as the government is really pushing for this destination to attract foreigners to buy homes, build their dream homes, etc. Honestly, it feels sort of like Phuket - minus the cheesy go-go bar girls or katois. The beach sucks - i mean seriously sucks! (close to PD standards if not worst) The plus point is there's so much to see, do around Hua Hin town that helps to distract the need to chill by the beach.
Anantara Resort is a must check out! Hilton Hua Hin is alright..


"Seriously, Asians shouldn't try to make Danish Pastries!!"

That building is where we stayed - mini villas, awesome!!
 
Bridges with little gazebos, lovely!

Guide to a funfilled wedding

Happy endings to weddings always starts with a painful beginning, trust me it's all 
worth it! 

1. Choosing the Man:Make sure he doesnt get cold feet, make sure he is useful, make sure he knows 
how to 
calm you down when you're freaking out about every single thing about your wedding. 


Man - my wife is freaking me out! She broke down crying when I told her Im loosing
more hair!


2. Choosing the Location:  Depending on your family and the 5 million other people
you need to satisfy - but putting that all aside, when you finally do find the place make sure the sales rep of the location/hotel/etc is reliable - better if she/he is a push over so you can negotiate for more freebies! Run constant checks on them to 
see if things are working out fine and if arrangements are made according to 
WHAT YOU WANT and not WHAT THEY CAN DO. Malaysians are exceptional 
to say "no can do" for everything before they even try! 
We chose a beach wedding - so be practical with your clothings! I blew my RM300 shoes on the sand and now i can't wear it ever again!  


Breathtaking!

3. Deciding who to invite: If you're bold enough not to be disowned by your
parents, avoid relatives and 5000 noisy children you don't even know from your wedding. Sweet talk your mum (easiest target),  promise a compensation-family-dinner after.
I opted for a very small wedding (according to Asian standards!) and we both invited
our closest dearest friends, not to mention people who knew how to have loads of fun!  


sober..

drunk

almost unconsious...

4. Avoid getting your husband's drinking pal as MC for your wedding:  
trust me, mine turned out to be quite a disaster! jokes you make when you're out
having a drink on the brink of getting drunk CANNOT BE ABSOLUTELY recycled
for weddings! Dirty jokes aside, lame comments and crude words can be fun at a birthday party but not at a wedding! 
Geez, I would have killed him if I was drunk enough! 


seriously, i looked like i was having fun with this MC, but look closer, i had a knife up my
skirt - - - owwwwww i can kill him

5. Have your husband surprise you: Now, laundrying your love story
(how you met,how you fell in love) is usually quite 'shy' for most Asians. But having
a totally sweet, romantic Gwai Lo husband like mine speaking his heart out about
his love to me and dedicating a 5 min speech to me I swear reduces any girl to
tears (not to mention spoiling your make up, but who cares!)


God, you created a fine man!! What piece of art!

6. And finally have fun with your guests!: As most Asians weddings will
have it, whenyou attend as a guest - usually you give your ang pow, sit down and eat
and bugger off. Peter and I decided to have fun with them and make them be a part
of the wedding. We played a simple game that got all the guest up on their seats
laughing, cursing and importantly having fun! And of course, if you're too broke
after all the wedding expenses and can't afford to pay for entertainment - get your
guest to entertain you!

doing the YMCA -  i must say it was most amusing to see Alex dance!

What a way to start of a great life with my husband!
A night to remember - 4th November 2006..