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It is the time of the year again for resolutions. I am sure all of us have some sorts of resolutions that we want to fulfil every year. But then again, how many of us actually managed to fulfil all the resolutions that we made over the years. If all the resolutions we made were realised, the world will definitely be a better place and we are all a better person.
My 2008 resolutions were a difficult challenge of learning Chinese calligraphy, putting on some weight and a weird one ... trying not to step on the lines made by the tiles on the floor.
Well with less than 48 hours to go, forget about Chinese caligraphy, I cannot even write simple Chinese properly. My BMI (Body Mass Index) is way less than 18.5 (in the "underweight" category) and I am definitely not hopping from tiles to tiles while I do my weekend shopping. There goes my 2008 resolutions.
So I am not going to make a long list of resolutions for 2009. I will just have one simple resolution. My resolution is 'change'. I will step out of the comfort zone, break away from the norm and do things differently. Sir Winston Churchill said this "To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often". I hope those who read this can agree with me and also make a change for the better to live a live not just stay alive.
Many people donate money to charity and they do just that only. Of course it is a very good thing to do but how many actually visited an orphanage or spend time at the homes of the under privileged? Hey, for a change, get out of your chair on a weekend and make a trip to an orphanage near you. See and feel for yourself how the under privileged live their daily lives. I can guarantee that you will be a better person once you visited one of these homes.
You want to quit smoking? Forget about the chewing gums, sweets, nicotine patches, etc. Do it the hard way. Break out of the norm. Go for a run outdoor (not in a comfortable gym on a treadmill), say 10km non-stop. An average person should be able to run 10km non-stop in 40 minutes. Try it, remember NON-STOP running and when you complete the run in the specified time then ask yourself a simple honest question … cigarettes or your lungs? If you still want the cigarettes, I rest my case.
Whatever resolution it is, from personal grooming to global warming or from environmental problems to political issues, I hope people can embrace change. Change can be painful as we move away from things we are comfortable with, we will be out of our norm and approach things from a different angle. But it is all for the better.
As we move forward, we have to keep on changing as Benjamin Franklin said "When you're finished changing, you're finished". I wish all a Happy (and Changed) New Year.
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December 30, 2008
December 12, 2008
Hello, can I speak to Tai Yee Ngau?
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This reminds me of a prank my schoolmates and I used to play on people during our school days. Every now and then when we were bored, we would make prank calls at random. It was quite hilarious to us but was quite mean to the person we picked randomly.
We made calls from public phones (just simply dial a number) and once a call got through we will ask for a person with a funny Chinese name, like Tai Yee Ngau (which means Big Ear Bull in Cantonese). We knew it was very unlikely there was such a character. And the person on the other side will most probably say it was a wrong number. But then we kept arguing that we got the number from Tai Yee Ngau and insist on speaking to him. We will argue as long as we can until the person got fed up and hung up.
Then we will wait for a while and made another call to the same number and ask for Tai Yee Ngau again. We did this a couple more times until the person was really irritated and practically screaming at the other end.
But that was not the last of it. The finale was that we made one last call and when the person answers the phone, we will say “Hello, I am Tai Yee Ngau, did anyone call me?” That was when you can hear the hysterical screams of all sorts of four letter words … that was the climax we were looking for.
Come to think about it now, we were quite a mischievous bunch. I admit, we were all rascals. If you ever got such a call during the late 70s, it could have been one of our pranks. Thousand apologies!
I am sure all of us must have got a wrong number call at least once. Recently someone kept calling my number and asked for a “Fei Chai Loong” (Little Fat Dragon in Cantonese). This guy called me no less than 10 times over 3 days even though I kept telling him there was no such person and he must have got the wrong number. After the 7th or 8th call, I was quite fed up and angry with him. Finally he stopped.
This reminds me of a prank my schoolmates and I used to play on people during our school days. Every now and then when we were bored, we would make prank calls at random. It was quite hilarious to us but was quite mean to the person we picked randomly.
We made calls from public phones (just simply dial a number) and once a call got through we will ask for a person with a funny Chinese name, like Tai Yee Ngau (which means Big Ear Bull in Cantonese). We knew it was very unlikely there was such a character. And the person on the other side will most probably say it was a wrong number. But then we kept arguing that we got the number from Tai Yee Ngau and insist on speaking to him. We will argue as long as we can until the person got fed up and hung up.
Then we will wait for a while and made another call to the same number and ask for Tai Yee Ngau again. We did this a couple more times until the person was really irritated and practically screaming at the other end.
But that was not the last of it. The finale was that we made one last call and when the person answers the phone, we will say “Hello, I am Tai Yee Ngau, did anyone call me?” That was when you can hear the hysterical screams of all sorts of four letter words … that was the climax we were looking for.
Come to think about it now, we were quite a mischievous bunch. I admit, we were all rascals. If you ever got such a call during the late 70s, it could have been one of our pranks. Thousand apologies!
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November 25, 2008
A Great Husband, A Great Father And A Great Man
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This is dedicated to my father who passed away recently. My father, Sack Loong Yew @ Shiek Ah Qwang was born on 02 Dec 1934 and left us on 19 Nov 2008. He lived a good and rich 74 years. Not rich in monetary sense but rich with a wealth of experiences.
He did not really have much formal education in his younger years as he started to work when his father passed away. My father was only in his early teens when he have to teach himself how to read and write while working as a waiter to ease the burden of his mother and struggle to take care of two other siblings. But he never complained. He taught himself well enough to be recruited by the then British controlled Central Electric Board (CEB) that was later changed to Lembaga Letrik Negara (LLN) and subsequently privatised to become Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB). Though he earned a small salary, he made sure that all 5 of his children received proper education and there was always food on the table.
It envies a lot of people when they see both my father and mother together. They go almost everywhere together. They do almost everything together. They talked about everything. When you see both of them, you will notice that my mother always carry what I called a “magic” bag with her. You will be surprised what she pulled out of the bag to keep my father comfortable everywhere they go … a towel, a thermos of Milo, a bottle water, biscuits, fruits, tissues, pen, scissors, cutter, ointment, medicines and all sorts of things. You named it and she got it in her “magic” bag. It was like a surgeon with his assistance. My father just have to put out his hand (without a word), almost immediately my mother knows what take from the “magic” bag and pass to him. In return, my father will drive my mother anywhere she wants to go. We all can see that he cares a lot for my mother by the way he treats her. That was their proof of love. Even though they seem to be arguing most of the time, they enjoyed each other company and loved each other very much. A very strong bond that started 53 years ago until the day he left us.
My father was a funny man. He always has something up his sleeves and some stories to tell to make you laugh. That was one trait I learned from him … always make people laugh. He has his unique way of explaining things to us and set us on a right track. One very good example he taught us was that a person must always “harn” but not “horn” (“harn” and “horn” are Cantonese words). “Harn” means SAVE and “horn” means STINGY. He said: If you invite 10 people to a dinner, make sure you prepare enough for 10 people. You cannot be “horn” (stingy) and prepare less but you can “harn” (save) for the rest of the month because you have spent on the dinner.
While my siblings and I were young, we have our share of misfits. While most fathers used the cane on their children, my father used another very effective method (which may not be acceptable today but it worked like magic back in the 70s). If any of us were caught playing truant, he will have us stand right at the side of the main road (Jalan Kelang Lama, we were staying there) and hold up a pail of water over our heads. That was to embarrass us in front of all the people travelling up and down the main road. It was not the pain of carrying the water that we worried about. It was the embarrassment of being talked and teased by all kids in the neighbourhood, our friends and our schoolmates for the days to come. That was what kept us all in line.
Those who knew my dad enjoyed his company very much. Many times when I invite my friends to my house for a gathering they were all very glad to see my father there. They listened to my father telling them stories about him living in the Japanese Army camp in Port Dickson during WWII. His father (my grandfather) was taken by the Japanese Army to the camp and worked as a cook and my father had witnessed a lot of incidents that happened in the camp during that time.
There was a unique story he told us (and swore) he saw a mermaid being captured by a fisherman in a “kelong” (fishing trap) in Port Dickson towards the end of the Japanese occupation. The news of the captured mermaid was kept very quiet by the Japanese Army as they believe it was bad luck for them. My father described that the mermaid has long black hair with two very unusually long hands and a large fish tail with no scales. Even though it was tangled up with a lot of seaweeds when it was brought out of the water, my father saw it clearly and was quite sure that the mermaid was crying and making sounds like a dolphin. The fisherman family who captured the mermaid was forced to release the mermaid immediately by the Japanese Army and the next week one of the sons from the family was found drowned in the very same “kelong” where the mermaid was captured. Well, until today I still do not know whether to believe him or not but it is a good story which I will continue to tell.
Then there were stories of his "hapenning" days when he was playing in a band supporting concerts and shows of famous overseas singers when they performed in Malaysia. He also have a few ghost stories from his travelling days and his adventurous hunting expeditions in the jungles of Malaysia. You will never be bored with my father around.
My father was a chief mechanic in his working days. He repairs all sorts of lorries, buses, cars and other vehicles. He was so good at his job that all the big shots in his company send their cars to him for repairs which earned him quite a fair bit of extra income and a very good reputation. And almost every year since Lembaga Letrik Negara (later Tenaga) started to parade their floats during the National Day Parade, it was my father who drove all the LLN’s floats until he retired. He was chosen to drive the floats because of his speckless driving record and his reputation for being a very safe driver. He loved his job and until his late sixties, he was still trouble shooting his own car.
To really write all about my father it will take another hundred pages. I am sure those who know him will agree with what I have said. And for those who do not know him, by reading what I have written above, you can guess that he was a great husband, a great father and a great man.
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November 03, 2008
Rescue Drama At Gunung Nuang 01NOV2008
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When we decided to take up the challenge of trekking up to the peak of Gunung Nuang, we were thinking that it will just be another one of our usual climbs. The four of us, ML Lim, SP Leong, CK Lim and I packed our usual gears to conquer this tallest mountain in Selangor (4898 ft). It is the first time we set foot on this mountain. We did some research and knew that this will not be an easy climb. It will take a fit trekker about five hours to reach the peak and another four hours to descend. Some even took up to eleven hours to complete the round trip.
So, our challenge began on the 1st November 2008 at 7.30am in the morning when we reached the base of Gunung Nuang in Pangsun, Hulu Langat. After registering with the local authority, we immediately start our trek beginning with a very long walk on a road nicknamed “road to nowhere” heading towards the mountain before we actually begin to climb the mountain. It took us one hour and fifteen minutes just to walk this road alone.
Then things started to get tough as we ascend the mountain going through a few streams and waterfalls and reaching the first camp, Kem Lolo. We continued to ascend tackling the various steep and rough terrains. After a tough climb, we reached the second camp, Kem Pacat. We rested for a short while before pushing for the peak. There is still along way to go. Along the way we noticed that we were actually the last batch of trekkers going up the peak. The earlier trekkers were already descending when we were about to reach the peak. We met a lone trekker, Malcolm, who was training for his Mt Kinabalu challenge and he decided to trek together with us. The five of us hiked straight up the tough trail and reached the peak of Gunung Nuang at about 1.15pm. All in all, it took us slightly more than five hours. We ate our lunch and did not really stay too long at the peak as we know it will take several hours for us to descend all the way to the base. We have to reach the base before it gets dark.
The drama unfolds ...
Click on the link below to view pics :
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When we decided to take up the challenge of trekking up to the peak of Gunung Nuang, we were thinking that it will just be another one of our usual climbs. The four of us, ML Lim, SP Leong, CK Lim and I packed our usual gears to conquer this tallest mountain in Selangor (4898 ft). It is the first time we set foot on this mountain. We did some research and knew that this will not be an easy climb. It will take a fit trekker about five hours to reach the peak and another four hours to descend. Some even took up to eleven hours to complete the round trip.
So, our challenge began on the 1st November 2008 at 7.30am in the morning when we reached the base of Gunung Nuang in Pangsun, Hulu Langat. After registering with the local authority, we immediately start our trek beginning with a very long walk on a road nicknamed “road to nowhere” heading towards the mountain before we actually begin to climb the mountain. It took us one hour and fifteen minutes just to walk this road alone.
Then things started to get tough as we ascend the mountain going through a few streams and waterfalls and reaching the first camp, Kem Lolo. We continued to ascend tackling the various steep and rough terrains. After a tough climb, we reached the second camp, Kem Pacat. We rested for a short while before pushing for the peak. There is still along way to go. Along the way we noticed that we were actually the last batch of trekkers going up the peak. The earlier trekkers were already descending when we were about to reach the peak. We met a lone trekker, Malcolm, who was training for his Mt Kinabalu challenge and he decided to trek together with us. The five of us hiked straight up the tough trail and reached the peak of Gunung Nuang at about 1.15pm. All in all, it took us slightly more than five hours. We ate our lunch and did not really stay too long at the peak as we know it will take several hours for us to descend all the way to the base. We have to reach the base before it gets dark.
The drama unfolds ...
After just about half an hour at the peak, we began to descend. Our experience taught us that descending is where the difficulties come into play. Along such rough and steep terrain, one has to be extra careful negotiating downwards. I took the lead descending slowly and carefully. And it was during the descent where the unfortunate happened. About one hour into the descent, Malcolm slipped and hit his left arm against a tree. He was just right behind me when it happened. Immediately he knew that his left arm was dislocated from the shoulder. It was very fortunate that he decided to trek together with us. What if he was alone and was the last to come down? I can only imagine. We can see the pain on his face trying to move his arm even just a little bit. The first thing we did was of course reached for our mobile phones but there was absolutely no signal in the middle of the jungle. Not even a slight signal for us to send an emergency message. And without any kind of first aid on hand and no experience in handling dislocation of joints, we just cannot do anything. Malcolm can still walk but with one arm immobilised and in severe pain, it will have to be a very slow and extra careful journey down. Every few steps, the pain was getting worse. At this point we still have about 4 hours journey ahead of us, that is, if we are descending normally. We know with Malcolm injured, it will slowed us down a lot. Anyway we have to continue to descend as we were the last batch of trekkers going down and we knew that no one is coming up at this hour. We don’t know how long it will take but we have to get to the base as soon as possible and get help.
With CK Lim fully assisting Malcolm, ML Lim and SP Leong as back up, I continue to lead the descent checking out the terrain and warning them on the various dangerous spots. We simply cannot afford another accident to any of us. The descent was very slow and we were not able to cover a lot of ground after about an hour. Then things start to get worse. As if we have not got enough trouble on our hands, we heard thunder, loud and clear and the lightning zapping. We saw nothing but more troubles on the way. It gets very slippery and dangerous even for a normal trekker when it rains. With an injured trekker on hand, you can imagine how tough it is going to be. Moreover, there were a few streams and waterfalls we passed on the way up and now we have to we have to cross them again. And the water at the streams can get very rough when it rains heavily. It was already 5.00pm and we have not even reached half the journey down.
We stopped to quickly reassess our situation and we then agreed that we have to split up. SP Leong and I will have to rush down as quickly as our legs could take us to the base and call for rescue. CK Lim and ML Lim will continue assisting Malcolm to slowly descend. I left my only headlamp with them knowing that they will need it more than I do. I hope to reach the base with SP Leong before it gets dark. And it was at this point the rain came, heavy and hard with no mercy.
SP Leong & I left the three of them and headed downwards quickly. With only one thing in mind (to get to the base), we descend with increased speed but we were aware that we have to also be very careful. Cold, wet and tired we kept moving to keep warm and crossed the streams (which were beginning to flood). I slipped and fell while crossing one of the streams but did not sustain any serious injury (just a couple of sprained fingers and a nasty bump on the head). We reached Kem Lolo at about 7.00pm and it was already quite dark. At Kem Lolo, we met a few campers and told them to expect two of our friends with an injured trekker coming down and to provide any assistance they can. The campers assured us that they will do whatever they can. At Kem Lolo the mobile phone signal was still quite weak, just coming on and off. We tried but still unable to call for help from there. So we will have to continue heading towards the base. The campers said they will try to message us when they meet with our friends and the injured trekker. We also seek help from another group of campers. Two of the campers from another camp immediate set out from Kem Lolo going up with extra torch lights to provide additional support.
We continued to descend and by then it was very dark. Luckily we have passed the steep and rough terrain and were on a fairly flat stretch of the long road (the “road to nowhere”) heading towards the base. This is the very long road that took us more than one hour to come in when we first began the trek. We have to move very slowly as the visibility was almost zero. I can barely see my fingers in front of my face. It was still raining heavily and we were all drenched. We walked slowly for about ten minutes and then we saw some lights in front of us. It was a group of campers coming in. We were so glad and manage to get a torch light from them. With the torch light we started to run again hoping to get to the base as quickly as possible. We were very tired but somehow there was a surge of adrenaline and we did not stop until we reached the base. SP Leong and I made it to the base at about 8.30pm.
I immediately went to the local authority’s office but it was closed. I then tried to get help from the people who were staying in the chalets nearby. It was at one of the chalets that I saw a team of people from the Jabatan Pertahanan Awam. It was such a coincidence that this team were also having their training at the base of Gunung Nuang. I told them what happened and immediately a rescue plan was drawn up. With their walkie-talkie set, arrangements were quickly made. A 4X4 rescue truck and an ambulance were summoned. Local police were informed as a necessity. From there onwards, the Jabatan Pertahanan Awam team took over. It was also during the same time I received a message from the campers at Kem Lolo informing me that my friends and the injured trekker made it safely to Kem Lolo. After a short rest and some hot beverages, they continued to descend towards the base.
Not long after that, the rescue team, police and the ambulance arrived at the base. I informed them that my friends and the injured trekker were now on the way down from Kem Lolo. The rescue team immediately set out on their 4X4 truck racing towards Kem Lolo to bring them out. The ambulance was ready and prepared to receive the injured trekker. I had a chat with the ambulance personnel and learned that they were involved in many rescue missions of the same nature and some were quite serious. They were also the same ambulance team responsible for rescuing the student that fell one hundred meters and survived at Klang Gate Ridge not too long ago.
Finally at about 10.00pm, the ambulance radio received a message that the rescue team have met my two friends and the injured trekker. The injured trekker was immediately given on-the-spot first aid by the rescue team. My two friends were alright, just very tired and exhausted. SP Leong and I were very glad to hear that they are OK. It was only then that both of us really felt relieved. About 20 minutes after that, the rescue truck came out to the base with the injured trekker, CK Lim and ML Lim. Though cold, very hungry and exhausted, they were in high spirits. The injured trekker was immediately transferred to the ambulance and went straight to the hospital. We were glad it was all over. The four of us stayed for a while at the base to freshen up and then headed for home. It was 12.10am when I finally reached home after sending three of my friends back home safely to their families. A ten hours normal trekking trip turned out to be a seventeen hours rescue drama. What a day.
The next morning we received a message of thanks and appreciation from Malcolm Wong (the injured trekker). Well, we were glad we can help. We hope that others will also help us when we are in trouble. To fellow mountain trekkers, do not to trek alone. Be very careful especially when descending. Most accidents happen while descending.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Jabatan Pertahanan Awam rescue team, the emergency ambulance staffs and all the campers involved for their assistance in this rescue operation. Salute to all.
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With CK Lim fully assisting Malcolm, ML Lim and SP Leong as back up, I continue to lead the descent checking out the terrain and warning them on the various dangerous spots. We simply cannot afford another accident to any of us. The descent was very slow and we were not able to cover a lot of ground after about an hour. Then things start to get worse. As if we have not got enough trouble on our hands, we heard thunder, loud and clear and the lightning zapping. We saw nothing but more troubles on the way. It gets very slippery and dangerous even for a normal trekker when it rains. With an injured trekker on hand, you can imagine how tough it is going to be. Moreover, there were a few streams and waterfalls we passed on the way up and now we have to we have to cross them again. And the water at the streams can get very rough when it rains heavily. It was already 5.00pm and we have not even reached half the journey down.
We stopped to quickly reassess our situation and we then agreed that we have to split up. SP Leong and I will have to rush down as quickly as our legs could take us to the base and call for rescue. CK Lim and ML Lim will continue assisting Malcolm to slowly descend. I left my only headlamp with them knowing that they will need it more than I do. I hope to reach the base with SP Leong before it gets dark. And it was at this point the rain came, heavy and hard with no mercy.
SP Leong & I left the three of them and headed downwards quickly. With only one thing in mind (to get to the base), we descend with increased speed but we were aware that we have to also be very careful. Cold, wet and tired we kept moving to keep warm and crossed the streams (which were beginning to flood). I slipped and fell while crossing one of the streams but did not sustain any serious injury (just a couple of sprained fingers and a nasty bump on the head). We reached Kem Lolo at about 7.00pm and it was already quite dark. At Kem Lolo, we met a few campers and told them to expect two of our friends with an injured trekker coming down and to provide any assistance they can. The campers assured us that they will do whatever they can. At Kem Lolo the mobile phone signal was still quite weak, just coming on and off. We tried but still unable to call for help from there. So we will have to continue heading towards the base. The campers said they will try to message us when they meet with our friends and the injured trekker. We also seek help from another group of campers. Two of the campers from another camp immediate set out from Kem Lolo going up with extra torch lights to provide additional support.
We continued to descend and by then it was very dark. Luckily we have passed the steep and rough terrain and were on a fairly flat stretch of the long road (the “road to nowhere”) heading towards the base. This is the very long road that took us more than one hour to come in when we first began the trek. We have to move very slowly as the visibility was almost zero. I can barely see my fingers in front of my face. It was still raining heavily and we were all drenched. We walked slowly for about ten minutes and then we saw some lights in front of us. It was a group of campers coming in. We were so glad and manage to get a torch light from them. With the torch light we started to run again hoping to get to the base as quickly as possible. We were very tired but somehow there was a surge of adrenaline and we did not stop until we reached the base. SP Leong and I made it to the base at about 8.30pm.
I immediately went to the local authority’s office but it was closed. I then tried to get help from the people who were staying in the chalets nearby. It was at one of the chalets that I saw a team of people from the Jabatan Pertahanan Awam. It was such a coincidence that this team were also having their training at the base of Gunung Nuang. I told them what happened and immediately a rescue plan was drawn up. With their walkie-talkie set, arrangements were quickly made. A 4X4 rescue truck and an ambulance were summoned. Local police were informed as a necessity. From there onwards, the Jabatan Pertahanan Awam team took over. It was also during the same time I received a message from the campers at Kem Lolo informing me that my friends and the injured trekker made it safely to Kem Lolo. After a short rest and some hot beverages, they continued to descend towards the base.
Not long after that, the rescue team, police and the ambulance arrived at the base. I informed them that my friends and the injured trekker were now on the way down from Kem Lolo. The rescue team immediately set out on their 4X4 truck racing towards Kem Lolo to bring them out. The ambulance was ready and prepared to receive the injured trekker. I had a chat with the ambulance personnel and learned that they were involved in many rescue missions of the same nature and some were quite serious. They were also the same ambulance team responsible for rescuing the student that fell one hundred meters and survived at Klang Gate Ridge not too long ago.
Finally at about 10.00pm, the ambulance radio received a message that the rescue team have met my two friends and the injured trekker. The injured trekker was immediately given on-the-spot first aid by the rescue team. My two friends were alright, just very tired and exhausted. SP Leong and I were very glad to hear that they are OK. It was only then that both of us really felt relieved. About 20 minutes after that, the rescue truck came out to the base with the injured trekker, CK Lim and ML Lim. Though cold, very hungry and exhausted, they were in high spirits. The injured trekker was immediately transferred to the ambulance and went straight to the hospital. We were glad it was all over. The four of us stayed for a while at the base to freshen up and then headed for home. It was 12.10am when I finally reached home after sending three of my friends back home safely to their families. A ten hours normal trekking trip turned out to be a seventeen hours rescue drama. What a day.
The next morning we received a message of thanks and appreciation from Malcolm Wong (the injured trekker). Well, we were glad we can help. We hope that others will also help us when we are in trouble. To fellow mountain trekkers, do not to trek alone. Be very careful especially when descending. Most accidents happen while descending.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Jabatan Pertahanan Awam rescue team, the emergency ambulance staffs and all the campers involved for their assistance in this rescue operation. Salute to all.
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October 20, 2008
Who Are Your Friends ?
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I remember a Chinese saying that my father taught me when I started working a long time ago. It goes like this: "Internally we have our family, externally we have our friends". It really tells us how important friends are … I mean the true friends. Throughout my working years, I have met all sorts of people. I have seen all kinds of characters and I am very lucky to have known several good people who have remain very good friends with me through thick and thin.
I started working many years ago and spent a major part of my working life in the corporate environment initially with a British construction firm, then an American financial institution, followed by a Swedish auto manufacturer and finally with a French MNC. All in all, on and off about 16 years in the corporate environment beginning as an executive and slowly moving up through rank and file to a senior manager.
Working in the corporate environment is very enticing and addictive. When I was a corporate manager, I have very strong influence over a lot of people simply because of the substantial A&P budget I have at my disposal. I am sure you will agree with me that money moves everything. With that magic wand in my hand, suddenly I have many "friends" and "hing tais" (brothers) who put my name first on their speed dial list. I have endless invitations to expensive dinners, night clubs, karaoke sessions and late night parties. I rubbed shoulders with the “who and who” in social galas, openings, launches, concerts and shows. Plus the festive gifts and tokens that comes a few times every year. I embraced glamour, tasted luxury and lived the high end lifestyle for several years. At one point it became so addictive and I was craving and looking forward to it every week. As much as I wanted to deny it, but it was becoming a little bit difficult to balance with my family life. Somehow I know I have to give it up before it gets really deep into my system.
And gave it up I did. And as soon as I no longer have the magic wand, reality strikes and now I know who my real friends are. The so called "hing tais" or "brothers" that used to call almost every day and showed up every other day immediately disappeared. And every now and then when I bumped into one or two of them, I can almost feel the note of rejection in between the conversation lines. I said to myself: “Hey, what did you expect?” Life can be so mean and I have expected it.
I remember I saw an interview of a very popular retired politician on TV not too long ago. Being a popular politician he was quite influential when he was active. What he said was very true. He said only when he has lost his influence after resigning as a powerful minister that he found who his true friends were.
It was not an easy decision to quit, leaving a stable financial income and starting again at my age. It took me several months (and some excuses) to make that decision. Since then, I took a break to relax and put some thoughts to what it is going to be moving ahead ... for my family and myself. Obviously now I do not have much influence as before. Do I feel sad? NO, because I know who my true friends are. And I am very glad to be blessed with such good people as my friends.
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I remember a Chinese saying that my father taught me when I started working a long time ago. It goes like this: "Internally we have our family, externally we have our friends". It really tells us how important friends are … I mean the true friends. Throughout my working years, I have met all sorts of people. I have seen all kinds of characters and I am very lucky to have known several good people who have remain very good friends with me through thick and thin.
I started working many years ago and spent a major part of my working life in the corporate environment initially with a British construction firm, then an American financial institution, followed by a Swedish auto manufacturer and finally with a French MNC. All in all, on and off about 16 years in the corporate environment beginning as an executive and slowly moving up through rank and file to a senior manager.
Working in the corporate environment is very enticing and addictive. When I was a corporate manager, I have very strong influence over a lot of people simply because of the substantial A&P budget I have at my disposal. I am sure you will agree with me that money moves everything. With that magic wand in my hand, suddenly I have many "friends" and "hing tais" (brothers) who put my name first on their speed dial list. I have endless invitations to expensive dinners, night clubs, karaoke sessions and late night parties. I rubbed shoulders with the “who and who” in social galas, openings, launches, concerts and shows. Plus the festive gifts and tokens that comes a few times every year. I embraced glamour, tasted luxury and lived the high end lifestyle for several years. At one point it became so addictive and I was craving and looking forward to it every week. As much as I wanted to deny it, but it was becoming a little bit difficult to balance with my family life. Somehow I know I have to give it up before it gets really deep into my system.
And gave it up I did. And as soon as I no longer have the magic wand, reality strikes and now I know who my real friends are. The so called "hing tais" or "brothers" that used to call almost every day and showed up every other day immediately disappeared. And every now and then when I bumped into one or two of them, I can almost feel the note of rejection in between the conversation lines. I said to myself: “Hey, what did you expect?” Life can be so mean and I have expected it.
I remember I saw an interview of a very popular retired politician on TV not too long ago. Being a popular politician he was quite influential when he was active. What he said was very true. He said only when he has lost his influence after resigning as a powerful minister that he found who his true friends were.
It was not an easy decision to quit, leaving a stable financial income and starting again at my age. It took me several months (and some excuses) to make that decision. Since then, I took a break to relax and put some thoughts to what it is going to be moving ahead ... for my family and myself. Obviously now I do not have much influence as before. Do I feel sad? NO, because I know who my true friends are. And I am very glad to be blessed with such good people as my friends.
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September 29, 2008
Goodbye Mr Ho
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“Goodbye Mr Ho and thank you very much” ... that was what I said while paying my last respect to a very dear friend Mr Ho Wah Pak, who passed away recently. This is one of the few people that have my highest respect. When I think of Mr Ho, he reminds me of what Sir Winston Churchill said … “We make a living by what we get but we make a life by what we give”. And certainly I know this dear friend of mine have made both a good living and a good life.
I have known Mr Ho (for a good 20 years) as a very hard working man and have seen how he manage a printing outfit in a small shop and grew it into a multi-million company that is today one of the leading printing businesses in this part of the world.
He made a good living by getting through the thick and thin of the very challenging printing industry but more importantly he made a very good life by what he gave to the society and the people around him. He was always ready to help, ready to provide and ready to give whatever he can to those in needs. Many years ago when I ran a small agency earning commision on printing jobs from various clients, Mr Ho was always there to support me through a very trying period of my life.
I am very fortunate to have known Mr Ho and what I have learned from him definitely makes me a better person. I certainly hope that one day I will also make a good life by what I can give.
.
“Goodbye Mr Ho and thank you very much” ... that was what I said while paying my last respect to a very dear friend Mr Ho Wah Pak, who passed away recently. This is one of the few people that have my highest respect. When I think of Mr Ho, he reminds me of what Sir Winston Churchill said … “We make a living by what we get but we make a life by what we give”. And certainly I know this dear friend of mine have made both a good living and a good life.
I have known Mr Ho (for a good 20 years) as a very hard working man and have seen how he manage a printing outfit in a small shop and grew it into a multi-million company that is today one of the leading printing businesses in this part of the world.
He made a good living by getting through the thick and thin of the very challenging printing industry but more importantly he made a very good life by what he gave to the society and the people around him. He was always ready to help, ready to provide and ready to give whatever he can to those in needs. Many years ago when I ran a small agency earning commision on printing jobs from various clients, Mr Ho was always there to support me through a very trying period of my life.
I am very fortunate to have known Mr Ho and what I have learned from him definitely makes me a better person. I certainly hope that one day I will also make a good life by what I can give.
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September 15, 2008
I’ll be back
XX
The 4 of us (Lim Chin Keat, Lim Guan Toong, Lim Meng Leong and I) have all been talking about our challenge for the last 3 months and until the morning when we reached Mt Kinabalu, we were all in high spirits ready to go. According to the trail map for
the the first part of the climb, we need to cover about 8.2km to reach Laban Rata base camp. Our guide Mr Japili Yasin (who is also our porter) told us that an average person will be able to cover that distance in about 7 
hours. After final preparations and a short briefing we started at 8.30am, ascending from Masilau in good weather. But almost immediately I felt something was not right. Half a kilometre into the climb, my breathing was out of rhythm but I pressed on until I reached the 5km point. This point is about 2700m above sea level. The air was so thin that I have to stop every ten steps or so to take in a few deep breaths to fill my lungs with enough oxygen. The temperature was also dropping fast as I climb higher. I still need to cover another 3.2km and at this point I began to slow down considerably.
As I was writing this, I still have not got over the disappointment of not being able to conquer the summit of Mt Kinabalu. After months of training and trekking up numerous hills and mountains, my friends and I were all fired up to take the challenge of conquering the highest mountain in South East Asia. And when the day came, I was beaten hands down by nature. We all say, “There are ups and downs in life” and certainly this is one of the clear down episode of my life.
The 4 of us (Lim Chin Keat, Lim Guan Toong, Lim Meng Leong and I) have all been talking about our challenge for the last 3 months and until the morning when we reached Mt Kinabalu, we were all in high spirits ready to go. According to the trail map for
the the first part of the climb, we need to cover about 8.2km to reach Laban Rata base camp. Our guide Mr Japili Yasin (who is also our porter) told us that an average person will be able to cover that distance in about 7 
hours. After final preparations and a short briefing we started at 8.30am, ascending from Masilau in good weather. But almost immediately I felt something was not right. Half a kilometre into the climb, my breathing was out of rhythm but I pressed on until I reached the 5km point. This point is about 2700m above sea level. The air was so thin that I have to stop every ten steps or so to take in a few deep breaths to fill my lungs with enough oxygen. The temperature was also dropping fast as I climb higher. I still need to cover another 3.2km and at this point I began to slow down considerably. As I ascend slowly towards base camp, the weather changed and strong winds brought freezing air that quickly lowers the tem
pe
rature substantially. I walked for another hour and reached Paka Cave Shelter. From here it is just about 2km to the base camp but with every deep breath I took, I was taking in cold air that was quickly cooling down my body temperature. I could feel my chest getting tighter and tighter that I have to take 2 very deep breaths for every step forward. I continued tenaciously but my body began to slide into “slow motion” mode moving against the cold winds and the steep steps on the last stretch towards base camp.
pe
rature substantially. I walked for another hour and reached Paka Cave Shelter. From here it is just about 2km to the base camp but with every deep breath I took, I was taking in cold air that was quickly cooling down my body temperature. I could feel my chest getting tighter and tighter that I have to take 2 very deep breaths for every step forward. I continued tenaciously but my body began to slide into “slow motion” mode moving against the cold winds and the steep steps on the last stretch towards base camp. Finally at 6.00pm, after 9 gruelling hours I reached Laban Rata at altitude 3272m to catch up with the rest of the gang who made it 2 hours earlier. They have waited anxiously for me and were very glad to see me finally reaching base camp. Well, I know I wasn’t the last person as there were at least a dozen of people which I passed on the way up.
My body temperature must have dropped quite a bit because I was shivering uncontrollably. It took me over 3 hours in a heated room and several cups of hot beverages to regain body heat. But by about 10.00pm, I was struck by altitude sickness and fever. I was losing the battle against Mt Kinabalu. We have to get ready in 4 hours time (at 2.00am in the 
morning) to start climbing the last 2.7km to the peak. I knew by then my physical condition was not capable to challenge the very thin air and almost freezing temperature of the last climb to the top. I made a decision to stay behind at Laban Rata while my 3 friends took up full gear to conquer the 4095m summit. I was of course disappointed but my 9 hours gruelling journe
y up have taught 
me to pay full respect to the nature and not to blindly challenge it. It was a bitter sweet moment when I see them off heading towards the summit. Finally at 6.00pm I received an SMS announcing that they have made it to the summit just in time to see the beautiful sun rising and though I was disappointed with myself, I was glad for my friends. They made it and I am proud of them. Later they join me again at Laban Rata and over breakfast I was all ears listening to their incredible experience of the climb to the summit. I must say disappointment hit me hardest at that point looking at the beautiful photographs they took at the summit.
morning) to start climbing the last 2.7km to the peak. I knew by then my physical condition was not capable to challenge the very thin air and almost freezing temperature of the last climb to the top. I made a decision to stay behind at Laban Rata while my 3 friends took up full gear to conquer the 4095m summit. I was of course disappointed but my 9 hours gruelling journe
y up have taught 
me to pay full respect to the nature and not to blindly challenge it. It was a bitter sweet moment when I see them off heading towards the summit. Finally at 6.00pm I received an SMS announcing that they have made it to the summit just in time to see the beautiful sun rising and though I was disappointed with myself, I was glad for my friends. They made it and I am proud of them. Later they join me again at Laban Rata and over breakfast I was all ears listening to their incredible experience of the climb to the summit. I must say disappointment hit me hardest at that point looking at the beautiful photographs they took at the summit. After breakfast and a short rest, we started to descend from Laban Rata. For our descend we took 
the Timpohon trail. The descend did not really test our stamina but it did takes its toll on our knees. But nevertheless we all descended safely and were completely exhausted. We signed out at Timpohon Gate and after a short rest proceed to 
the Kinabalu Part Headquarters to collect our certificates. While all successful climbers collect their colour certificates for reaching the summit (4095m), I had mixed feelings receiving my black & white certificate for reaching only Laban Rata (3272m).
the Timpohon trail. The descend did not really test our stamina but it did takes its toll on our knees. But nevertheless we all descended safely and were completely exhausted. We signed out at Timpohon Gate and after a short rest proceed to 
the Kinabalu Part Headquarters to collect our certificates. While all successful climbers collect their colour certificates for reaching the summit (4095m), I had mixed feelings receiving my black & white certificate for reaching only Laban Rata (3272m). Our challenge officially ended after lunch at Kinabalu Park 
and we drove 2 hours back to Kota Kinabalu. Along the way we decided to stop at a tourist spot to buy some t-shirts to cherish our adventure at Mt Kinabalu. Disappointment strikes again as I have to settle for a t-shirt with just the picture of the majestic Mt 
Kinabalu while my friends can wear those with the big words saying “I have reached the summit of Mt Kinabalu”.
and we drove 2 hours back to Kota Kinabalu. Along the way we decided to stop at a tourist spot to buy some t-shirts to cherish our adventure at Mt Kinabalu. Disappointment strikes again as I have to settle for a t-shirt with just the picture of the majestic Mt 
Kinabalu while my friends can wear those with the big words saying “I have reached the summit of Mt Kinabalu”. We had a good dinner and a full night rest in Kota Kinabalu. The next day while on the flight back, I reflected on the tagline I saw at Mt Kinabalu. It says “Take nothing but photographs, leave nothing but footsteps” but I was unable to fulfil it as I did not take any photographs and did not leave any footsteps at the beautiful summit. So, I can only console myself by saying “I’ll be back”. And sincerely, I hope to take the challenge again in the very near future.
XX
September 07, 2008
You don't have to run faster than the tiger
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The school holidays have just passed and I am sure many of us wore our "good father" hat and spent time with our kids during the short break. I was having a chat with a family friend and he told me he took his kid to the Zoo. I was thinking of doing exactly that too but somehow I don't know why the idea of visiting the Zoo just did not turn out to be that attractive when the actual day came.
Anyway back to my friend's story about visiting the zoo with his 10 years old son. Like any good father will do, he took his son to see the tiger among other animals. If you go to the zoo, one of the "have to see" animal is of course the tiger. My friend was pleased to see the excited kid admiring the handsome beast and soon an interesting conversation started between the father and son.
Son : "Daddy, do we have tigers in our jungles ?"
Father : "Of course son, there are wild tigers in our jungles. You know son, tigers are very dangerous animal"
Son : " The tigers can run very very fast ?"
Father : "Yes, they can ... so if we were in a jungle and there is a tiger, we must run away very fast"
Son : "How fast ?"
Father : "Faster than the tiger"
Son : "But I don't have to run faster than the tiger"
Father : "Then the tiger will catch you"
Son : "NO ! ... I just run faster than you then the tiger will catch YOU"
Father : "Arrrrr ??"
Kids, you don't know what is on their mind ... smart fellows aren't they? This reminds me of the old TV show "Kids Say The Darndest Things". So, listen to your kids, we do learn something from them every now and then.
.
The school holidays have just passed and I am sure many of us wore our "good father" hat and spent time with our kids during the short break. I was having a chat with a family friend and he told me he took his kid to the Zoo. I was thinking of doing exactly that too but somehow I don't know why the idea of visiting the Zoo just did not turn out to be that attractive when the actual day came.
Anyway back to my friend's story about visiting the zoo with his 10 years old son. Like any good father will do, he took his son to see the tiger among other animals. If you go to the zoo, one of the "have to see" animal is of course the tiger. My friend was pleased to see the excited kid admiring the handsome beast and soon an interesting conversation started between the father and son.
Son : "Daddy, do we have tigers in our jungles ?"
Father : "Of course son, there are wild tigers in our jungles. You know son, tigers are very dangerous animal"
Son : " The tigers can run very very fast ?"
Father : "Yes, they can ... so if we were in a jungle and there is a tiger, we must run away very fast"
Son : "How fast ?"
Father : "Faster than the tiger"
Son : "But I don't have to run faster than the tiger"
Father : "Then the tiger will catch you"
Son : "NO ! ... I just run faster than you then the tiger will catch YOU"
Father : "Arrrrr ??"
Kids, you don't know what is on their mind ... smart fellows aren't they? This reminds me of the old TV show "Kids Say The Darndest Things". So, listen to your kids, we do learn something from them every now and then.
.
September 06, 2008
WELCOME
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Welcome to my very first blog. I must thank my good friends for their suggestions and encouragement to start this blog spot.
The idea of this blog spot, as the name suggest, is about all the things that spice up our lives, makes it a little bit more meaningful, help us to be a better person, remind us to value the things around us and bring a smile to us everyday. For a start, just the other day I received a message from a good friend and I must say, though it is just a few words, it is a very meaningful message. Here it goes :-
"The most beautiful thing is to see a person smiling ... and even more beautiful is, knowing that you are the reason behind it"
Bye for now. Please leave your comments and share your thoughts too.
Cheers !
.
Welcome to my very first blog. I must thank my good friends for their suggestions and encouragement to start this blog spot.
The idea of this blog spot, as the name suggest, is about all the things that spice up our lives, makes it a little bit more meaningful, help us to be a better person, remind us to value the things around us and bring a smile to us everyday. For a start, just the other day I received a message from a good friend and I must say, though it is just a few words, it is a very meaningful message. Here it goes :-
"The most beautiful thing is to see a person smiling ... and even more beautiful is, knowing that you are the reason behind it"
Bye for now. Please leave your comments and share your thoughts too.
Cheers !
.
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