I wanted to blog to recount the day I left for Perth three years ago on the memorable 16 July 2003. I didn't want "the day" to slip my memory so I thought I'll just document my random thoughts for the day or perhaps my melancholic feeling. Well, come to think of it, it wasn't all that bad actually, at least I've fulfilled one of my many dreams to study abroad.
Anyway, I woke up early, this time, I wasn't going to the airport to catch my flight but I wanted to text a good friend, Pung a farewell note before she flies to Beijing. It was already past 7 am, so I assumed she would have already arrived at KLIA to catch her flight to begin her exciting yet challenging auditing career with Shangrila group. However, unlike other nomads in the desert, she would be a hotel nomad; staying in different parts of the world wherever "Shangrila Hotel" can be located. Pretty interesting, pretty fun & pretty enjoyable :) but it would be better if only she doesn't need to work hmm!
"Work+ travelling= not so fun after all" :p
(Continued on 17 July 2006)
Just as I'm typing this in the office, one of my colleagues is busy sharing his recent Beijing holiday with another colleague. I can't help but eavesdrop because he was so beguiled by the historic city. My parents visited Beijing some years back and other parts of China as well but they were definitely not as excited as him :) To summarize, my colleague is an Indian, can't speak a word of Chinese - but no problem - enjoyed his trip-so fascinated with the big city - awesome- Chinese government encouraged the people to speak English- plus point to visit China- city is very developed - lots of people -expatriates included - high spending power - high technology- in a couple of years, China will take over most industries-not true all made in China products are cheap & lousy products- can be sooooo expensive - varieties of food - Northern, Southern way of cooking, you take your pick - must try Peking duck- Palace is so huge - can't finish touring the entire place - conclusion - will visit China again!!
My say: "It depends which part of China you are visiting hahaha....outskirts, oh no....not another trip but cosmopolitan cities like Beijing and Shanghai....yes, sure thing, another trip please.....I've never visited China but intoxicated with stories from my parents. Their version, "No, not China.....somewhere else perhaps LOL :)"
So, Pung....I bet you're going to have a fantastic time in Beijing or in the hotel :) Have a good time ya!
Coming back to the eventful 16 July.... the sky was gloomy; it was a cold drizzly day that could very well described my emotions at that point of time. My family sent me off at the airport although I've told my sisters (& their young ones) a thousand times to go straight to work. It must have been a working day if I remember correctly. I told myself that I wasn't going to cry but tears welled up in my eyes when I hugged my mum. I don't know why I was so sad, perhaps because I wasn't sure if I'll be uprooting or not.
I asked God to grant me the strength to start anew in a place where I could find solace and so I did, I found a very lovely & quiet place called "Perth". As I walked to my uni everyday, I'll stop along the way to admire the beautiful flowers i.e tulips, roses and I can't remember what else haha..... and thank God for giving me fresh air, lovely breezy weather, beautiful beach and wonderful friends from different parts of the world. I think we probably had our reservations and qualms of accepting another person's lunch/dinner invitation (and pot bless gathering!!) initially but the warmth, laughter, sharing and the genuine friendships had indeed brought us all closer although we were of different nationalities. For the record, I think Hidaya hasn't been cooking since she came back to KL coz she's super bz and as for me, I'm super lazy coz my mum cooks for the family hahahha :)
Here also, I really want to thank Ing Fui and her family for taking such good care of me while I was in Perth. They made me feel so at home; Aunty never failed to cook very nice Chinese food for me and it was really sad that they have uprooted to Sydney for good now.
Anyway, on 16 July 2006, it was a totally different kind of feeling. It was the wedding day of Chee Hooi and her hubby, Sean at Cyberview Lodge Resort. It was such a lovely holy matrimony; a garden wedding wow!
Once again, tears welled up in my eyes, this time, not because of farewells but because I was so happy for my dear friend. As she walked down the steps.....she was so stunningly beautiful in her white wedding gown. Her face was glowing and Sean was, needless to say, dazzled by her beauty & grinning from ear to ear to receive his bride :)
The wedding was simply great! I wanna have a garden wedding too.....but how to install air-cond in the garden haha......no fan, no air-cond?? hai yorrr.....Also a time of reunion with my fellow colleagues from PwC. Awesome wedding, small, private but cosy!!
Ok....pictures....my favourite phrase, "One day...will post it up hehe!"
"Love not because of..., but love in spite of"
