It’s been almost forever since I rode pillion on a sports bike, speeding in the cooling winds. Still as thankful to the 2 person who taught me to ride - *w, pang. And as I was riding just now, I suddenly recalled that *b rode too, and I sat on his bike multiple times too, but I seemed to have forgotten about it. 

Very very thankful. ❤️

Thankful for all the ‘trainings’ many many years ago. 

Riding pillion this week was comfortable.

It was like back into the waters, balancing was easy, the only slight fear I had was when in this motorcycle city I am in, the closeness betweeen the bikes and cars was like less than an inch away from one another. 

But that turned out quickly to be adrenaline and I love how that felt. 😂

Heading out later on many other bike rides, happy. 

Thankful for all the ‘trainings’ in alcohol tolerance too. 

Previous week of drinking didn’t leave me puking or dizzy, just dehydrated on 2nd day of drinking. 

Thankful for the opportunity to try clubbing and do shisha again, and trying balloons. 🤭

Thankful that it’s our first flight trip after this many years of knowing one another, after the many road trips we did, and that we still have yet to kill one another, and that they pass as travel buddies. Mainly coz anything goes for them, and they just follow what I wanna do and pay money 🤣

Burnt out seems much better now, still crunch time for DDDLP, but much much better. Thank *you for asking! ❤️

After a hectic month with almost no time to breathe, I can finally breathe this afternoon, and started on a new drama, just coz 黄景瑜 is in it! 🤭 

Another 3 packed days with a sake session and 2 networking sessions to go while trying to settle some legal stuff at work before I fly out to meet the guys. 

Am so looking forward to no drama sort of trip, especially since I know I’m still recovering from burnt out. It’s the longest I’m feeling the burnt out, it usually comes and goes within a few days. This was serious enough for me to not want to meet anyone except for networking purposes, and also serious enough that I went through a 15-min text-chat with a psychologist. 🧘🏻 

I just needed the space, and still need the space.

Hopefully these all passes before my flight out.

And interesting enough, I saw that you followed me on LinkedIn since 2021, wow!

Interesting how I’m not one for ‘wasting’ my only off day since I came back from Tokyo. 

Gonna roam the streets today then. Thought of asking some for dinner/catch ups, but.. … yeah. 🤷🏻‍♀️

It’s been a hell of a week, and another hell of a week coming. And then another 2 packed weeks. Before I head for sake tasting for a break and then the flight out to Vietnam. 

Need 🥃 to tide me over the 3 weeks! 

 It’s been 9 years since we last met in person at Holland V, 11 years since we knew each other from CM because of McCafe. Caught up for a bit over his breakfast yest morning at the pantry in KL! And finally got a wefie with him! 🤣

So much has happened in the past 9 years, through social media we knew where and what was happening in each others’ life somewhat, but it’s just so different in person. 

Saw him in office again today, but we were both busy with our stuff, so didn’t quite manage to say hi even 😅

Oh wells! Have a safe trip tmr and have a good break *v! 😊

It has been 2 weeks of crunch, going into the 3rd. 

Crunch started after meeting 小乔 for Kbbq on Sunday 2 weeks ago. It went into wild work mode, class, then work coupling with prep for AFMG. 

Had a quick break on Thursday night meeting Poly friends, a bad Friday night dinner at Fico (🙄) - reservation passed over from a friend who couldn’t make it. And just when I thought I had Sunday to wallow and mull over my own thoughts and the crunch, a comment popped up on my Fico post, which in turn led to my Sunday lunch with Pang. 

It was his crunch week, and heading into a dreaded week. It was my crunch and still crunching, and I was looking for a way out just to breathe. So 误打误撞, we ended up cooking and drinking at my place for a good 6 hours. 

Food was simple Jap, but happy food. Even happier with the drinks - beer, gin, whisky. And then there’s the company. We chatted about everything under the sun, from my Crez friends to his work friends to our lives to his recent travels. Never thought I could do a HTHT with just a guy (but then we did in Dec right 小乔? 🤭) and it had us looking forward to our trip together in Oct! Just the 3 of us (or maybe 4 if his friend really considers and comes along). 

I promise yummy food, seafood, drinks by the roadside and just pure mind blank moments. 

Sunday was definitely a good break from the crunch, and ranting it to someone who is so neutral, and doesn’t vibe negatively and kept all the remarks to himself 🤣

Here’s to surviving this week and the next! 

Can’t wait for end Aug, am heading out for a leisure trip, meeting up with a friend from Hokkaido, made 12 years ago in Malacca! 😊

So much left unsaid ❤️‍🩹

Caught this somewhere in April? Before Gus passed on. 

Now onto the next one. 🤭

Many thoughts, let’s just leave it as it is. ❤️‍🩹

More work travels to come in the following months till the year end, with a couple of leisure trips. 

How apt is it that I actually have a black and white photo of us? Taken by *o when we met in KL during my sabbatical and pre-birthday week, before heading down to Seremban and then Malacca. And this was us ordering cocktails at 11.30am.

I’ve known you for 9 years, and do you know, exactly 7 years ago today some of us were in Malacca with you? 

Gus, you’ve always been more than a friend. You’re family. The family I go to every single time I went to Malacca, be it bringing mum and the kids, ah ma, my mum, *o, or George or Pang, or even Sam. You were one of the reasons for my love of Malacca, and now that you’ve gone, I’m not sure if it’s a place I’ll wanna head back to. 

I remember the days I drove the village up, or on a whim, or solo drive, or coach-ed up. And also that time when one of the birdies celebrated her birthday in Malacca and their night activity involved roof-top bars and oysters, I chose to meet you and Donny, drinking at Reggae with Ryan. And before Donny sent me back to the hotel after supper. 

I remember the many conversations we had, from your past work, to health, to current, to future plans. And I always remember how you said 7 years in the same place is too long. 

You were someone that I could speak random stuff with, and you never judged. You met all my ‘family’, all the people I hold closest to me. You brought me on a ride on that vintage bike of yours, you brought me cycling round Malacca, climbing up Bukit Cina, visiting Portuguese Settlement. And I remember how we had our fav 炸豆腐皮with beer at 9.30am in the morning, just coz we can. And how I remember that day that we continued drinking the whole day, at the pub during lunch break, dinner and supper at Reggae. I remember that trip I went up solo, and how even though we were tired, you were craving for a good Bloody Mary and you started mixing your own in Knocknock and how between the 2 of us I lost count of the number of glasses we had. I remember the random sake you left me, when you weren’t there when I decided to go up. The intro to Pak Putra, the naan, the spinach thingy, and butter chicken, and your teh tarik kurang manis. The mee hoon kway I love, the many random food and cafes you brought me to. I remember the book you loaned me, and how over a couple of afternoons at Ah Cheng’s, I finished reading it. 

You are the one I booked a tix for 2n2d in Bali 2 days before, and flew out after on the Friday night right after work, just coz I can celebrate your 50th birthday with you. And today, you are the one I booked the flight for KL, just yesterday, after hearing the news. I was there for 3 hours, and now I’m back home, all within the day.

I’m glad the friends I made in Malacca remembered us, that Yalu PM-ed me, and I confirmed with Calvin, whom I met in Bali. And then Ah Wei, and then Ah Cheng. And then Valerie (your niece) whom I had dinner with years ago with Gus and Donny in Ikoi. I missed seeing Ryan and Michelle coming down from Kelantan, but I’m thankful for all these friends. 

I know you wouldn’t want us to be sad, and though I’m not a strong believer in God and afterlife, I thank Him for making your suffering short, and with all the lives you’ve touched in one way or another, you’ve definitely earned your place in heaven. Selfishly, I wish you’ve opted for a place in KL, just so it’s easy for me to visit as and when I want. But then again, when I think of you, I feel you live in me. So wherever that makes you happy Gus. 

Just 2 weeks ago we had a quick convo on FB, and we somewhat made arrangements to meet in Aug when I fly in for work with Ah Wei. And then now you’ve left.

There’s kinda of a hole in me, but I’m glad for the 6 years pre-Covid, I don’t regret spending any time less with you, for the fact that at one point, I was in Malacca almost once a month. 

I don’t know if I’ve come to terms yet, but seeing your body today, I teared again. I read the posts people spoke of you, and I feel them, I teared. 

But one thing I know, you’ll be someone I hold so close to, that you’ll probably be someone I will bury deep and not want to speak about just yet. Coz I know I’m not ready. 

Gus, may your legacy live on. May you be in a better place, still living your simple life, and drinking as you wish. 

Till the next lifetime Gus, I’ll still want to be your friend, but till then, I’ll miss you, and now I’ve no regrets, for I’ve seen you this last time. ❤️‍🩹

Thank you to technology, I’m now attending the FB live of the prayers. I’ll attend the one for the last send off tmr if I can. ❤️‍🩹

So much feels today when walking over to CCKP. And again when I was having Pastamania for dinner at BB. 

那是我们曾经闲晃的地方。

I rmb those nights we were at Rasa Istimewa. And the chats we had on those steps. 

那是你曾经停车的地方，也是我们上车的地方。

我再也忍不住了，七年后的今天，我主动发了短讯给你。

Thank you for replying. 

We’ve both grown and matured, maybe me more so than you. 

Maybe one day, I’ll be ready to meet you again. 

As friends. 

❤️‍🩹

Been a while, and definitely been a long week! 

This was what kept me going the past week, drinks at 9pm, dinper at 10pm! 🤭

Random topics, random laughs, random setting of dates. 🤣

Till the next! ❤️

 

Not sure what I’ve gotten myself into for a 14 months weeknights and Saturdays course on top of becoming a Master Trainer and my full time work. But this is definitely one step towards my goal to retire at 55, and become a curriculum designer. 

One of the most tiring thing I realize from the module today (first module out of 7), is the reflective practice itself. 

Reflective practice is about reflecting on the experience, of what I said and did, and if I may, the impact of my actions. Professionally, I feel this is what sets a facilitator and trainer apart. And why some people are always just at status quo or getting weaker as the environment evolves this quickly. 🙄 

This also got me thinking on my personal life, how often do I allow myself to reflect? 

5 attributes of an adult edcuator: 

1. Adaptable

2. Professional

3. Business orientated

4. Future orientated

5. Passion for lifelong learning 

I probably meet only 2 out of 5, and no one says this journey is easy. 

Many messed up thoughts in my mind, shall take the next 30 mins bus ride or so to clear the mind before replying to Gorden on my reflections as a Master Trainer. 😅