The power of influence

A very close friend of mine started a weigtht loss programme a few years back. He has always been an athlete, playing tennis and hockey. But of late, he took a serious turn and start running and cycling. He has loss a considerable amount of weight and he looks and feel great.

This story is not about him losing weight. It is actually about the power of influence and motivation.

He started this journey when he started hanging around friends who are Ironman freaks. Slowly, these group of people started to influence him. He started to join their cycling and running routine. The first few sessions were torture. But he persevered and slowly his stamina increased. And now, he's ready for real challenges (at least I think so!).

Yesterday, he did some running at Pandan Sport Center. Suddenly, an elder man appeared and approched him.

Old man: You have a good fitness for someone with your size.

Friend: Well, you are fit for a very old guy.

and he accompanied my friend for the next 4 lap. Apparently, the old man said he had been watching my friend run a few times already and this time he had to run with him.

As I see it, he was influenced by his friends and later motivated a stranger.

It is true that action speaks louder than words. Even when we think no one is watching or what we do wouldn't make any difference, it will impact something, somehow.

Being Happy...

We convince ourselves that life will be better once we are maried, have a baby, etc.

Then we get frustrated because our children are not old enough and that all will be well when they are older.

Then we are frustrated because they reach adolescence and we must deal with them. Surely we'll be happier when they grow out of their teen years.

We tell ourselves our life will be better when our spouses get his/her act together, when we have a nicer car, when we can take a vacation, when we finally retire.

The truth is that there is no better time to be happy than right now. If not, then when? Your life will always be full of challenges. It is better to admit as much and to decide to be happy in spite of it all. There isn't any road to happiness. Happiness IS the road.

So, enjoy every moment. Stop waiting for school to end, for a return to scholl. to lose ten pounds, to gain ten pounds, for work to begin, to get married, for Friday evening, for Sunday morning, for a new car, for your mortgage to be paid off, for spring, for summer, for fall, for winter, for the first or the fifteenth of the month, for your song to be played on the radio... before deciding to be happy.

Happiness is a voyage, not a destination. There is no better time to be happy than NOW...

NB: A another dear friend has a similar article on being happy which is equally has good.

NBB: As earlier mentioned, I have dedicated Mondays as "Chicken Soup" day (or as "E" puts it, "Cut and Paste" day). The articles are from various chain emails that have been forwarded to me, which I feel would be more beneficial being posted here (rather than clogging my friends mailbox) for eveyone to enjoy and ponder. It is not intended for anyone specific. It is just a way for me to share some "chicken soup for the soul" with all my friends out there.

Closure... Maybe...

After more than 2 years, I finally cried...

I would hold you in my arms,

I would take the pain away.

There's nothing I wouldn't do to hear your voice again,

sometimes I want to call you but I know you won't be there.

I feel broken inside but I won't admit,

I just want to hide cause it's you I miss,

it's so hard to say goodbye!

There's nothing I wouldn't do to have just one more chance,

to look into your eyes and see you looking back.

If I have just one more day,

I would tell you how much I've missed you

since you've been away.

I've hurt myself by hurting you.

I'm sorry...

Facebook

Facebook is definitely a "God Sent".

Yesterday, while I was playing around FB, I found a really, really old dear friend from my college days (we are talking 1995 to 1997). I was randomly searching for old friends in FB and I just typed in his name. Voila, there was his name and picture. No words can describe how excited I was to have found him. Once we "hooked up" as FB buddies, I explored his friend lists and found more long lost friends from my AC days. With the exception of gaining a few pounds, none of them have physically changed drastically over the last 11 years. Needless to say, I quickly hooked up with more old friends and what amazes me that all of them still remember me too!!!

FB is definitely one of the best ways to find long lost friend (or love). Even if we don't get to see each other, we can definitely update each other on our well beings and what we are up to. We can also send free virtual gifts,drinks, cupcakes, plants and any other virtual freebies to our friends. Or at the very least, poke each other once in a while to say that we still remember them!

So, hats off to Mark Zuckerberg, founder of FB, for creating such a powerful tool for the benefit of mankind.

Me... here, now and then...

I subscribe to Calvin and Hobbes comic strips via email. Each day, the moderator will send a strip for each subscriber to enjoy.

The one I received today automatically reminds me of me and my new found "love", blogging. When I decided to start blogging, my objective is that I want to share my stories and views with everyone that knows me. But when I read what Calvin had to say, it hit me that by having this blog, not only am I sharing my stories but it is also a way of me documenting my stories now for future references. I mean, blogging is like having a personal online diary.

Some of my friends choose to share their makan2 experiences, holiday experiences and pictures of where they have been. Some chose to express themselves, let it be politics, tv shows, movies or just b*&^%hing about everything that they are not happy with.

For whatever reason we choose to blog, one thing remains... Our blogs serve as a personal memoir of what we are now, a virtual monument of our current experiences, feelings and thoughts. Who knows, maybe later in life, we'll be someone famous and our life will be made into an autobiography. At least, we have our blogs to turn to as a starting point.

Waiting For The Bus

Sometimes finding a life partner can be likened to waiting for the bus.

Imagine this:

You are waiting for a bus at the bus stop. The bus arrives. You think to yourself: "Yikes! It's too crowded, there wouldn't be seats for me!" So you decided to wait for the next bus.

And when the second bus arrives, you decided: "This bus is too old! I'm sure it's really uncomfortable to ride in". And so you let the second busgo off too.

After some time, the third bus arrives. There are seats available, it'srelatively new - but again you are not pleased: "There's no air-conditioning! It's such a warm day, I would rather wait for the next bus!" you thought to yourself.

By then the sky darkens and you realise that it's getting late. Panicking, you jumped onto the next bus. Much later, you realised that you had gotten onto the wrong bus! You have wasted your time and money by being picky!

Think about this:

Even if an air-conditioned bus did arrive, could you have ensured it wouldn't break down or that you wouldn't find it too cold? It's not wrong to try to get exactly what we want in life, be it the bus you take, the friends you make or the people you date. Still it wouldn't hurt to give others a chance.

Should you find that the "bus" you have boarded is not suitable for you, then simply press the bell and get off the bus! Of course, like many of us might have experienced before - you see a bus coming your way (the one you want), you flagged it but the driver acts"blur", ignores you and drives off! Well, it's probably the bus driver's lost anyway!

Waiting for love is just like waiting for a bus.

You choose if you want to get onto the particular bus and give it a chance! Walking home alone after missing the bus feels just like being out of love.

Always say what you mean.

If you love someone, tell that person. Don't be afraid to express yourself. Let that someone know what they really mean to you. It might be too late when you finally decide that it's the right time.

Seize the day.

Never have regrets. (This is a bit tough since I have done LOADS of stupid things in life and regret until today!!!)

Giving someone all your love is never an assurance that they'll love you back! Don't expect love in return; just wait for it to grow in their heart. Should it not, then be contented that at least it grew in yours.

V-Day came... V-Day went...

As the whole world knows, yesterday was V-Day. And no, me and Hootie didn't do anything special, we just sat in front of tellie watching American Idol and TARA 2 (an evening well spent, i think). Call me cold and insensitive, but I don't believe in celebrating V-Day, let it be for religious and commercial justifications.

I mean, shouldn't we be celebrating our love everyday? Shouldn't we appreciate our love ones everyday? If we want to be cute and buy presents for our love ones, we should just pop down the shop and buy it, regardless of what day it is!

Furthermore, V-Day has been so commercialize that the shops decides to triple the prices of everything that has already been tripled in the first place. 1 stem of rose costs RM10. This is what I called daylight robbery! The restaurants charges an arm and a leg for something that I eat for less than that during non-V-Days. Not to mention the spas!!! It is truely a mega conspiracy to rip off "broken" people like me...

OK, OK, I get it... I can make my own gifts, cook a nice romantic dinner, prepare hot bath etc. etc. which would not costs me much... but like I said, I do these things as and when I feel like being cute...

P/S: A few years back, "R" took me out for Valentine's Dinner, to which I told him not to do it again (Well, he had prepaid for the dinner, hence I agree to go... Waste not, want not...). Have to say, the feeling was good but I felt and still feel RM400 for a 3 course dinner is a bit too much... Still kept the picture though, for old time sake...

I hope you know, I hope you know

That this has nothing to do with you

It's personal, myself and I

We've got some straightening out to do

And I'm gonna miss you like a child misses their blanket

But I've got to get a move on with my life

It's time to be a big girl now

And big girls don't cry

How does one express one self?

Lately, things aren't going really well for myself. Too much anger and disappoinment in life. I tried to persevere and remember the 90/10 rule (refer to earlier posting on this) but hell, how does one contained one's anger and disappointment. There will come a point where one will sure to explode!!!

As a muslim, I've been thought to take all the "shitty" things in life as a challenge, a way for God to test It's humble being. But it is easier said than done. I used to be the sort of person that gets upset easily and will always find ways to get even. But over the years, and with the help from my Big Brother, I've mellowed down and manage to contain my anger to a degree where instead of blurting it out, I write down my dissatisfaction. I find writing is a better way of expressing myself. I talk a lot and I have no problem expressing myself verbally but the after effect is different. With writing, I can avoid being physical. And by the time I see the actual person I'm angry at, the anger will disappear (most of the time that is!). But that doesn't mean I'll forgive and forget. I might forgive but never forget (sounds like one of the Dixie Chicks songs ain't it?).

Need anger management courses...

Two Men

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room's only window.

The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back. The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation. Every afternoon when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window. The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside. The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance. As the man by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene. One warm afternoon the man by the window described a parade passing by. Although the other man couldn't hear the band - he could see it. In his mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.

Days and weeks passed. One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep. She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away. As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone. Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside. He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed. It faced a blank wall. The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window. The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall. She said, "Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you."

Epilogue: There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations. Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is doubled. If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that money can't buy.

Oh What A Journey...

Being a typical Malaysian, Hootie and I took the opportunity to "balik kampung" over the long weekend. Thinking that most KLians would have fled KL, I decided to take my own sweet time to wake up and start our journey.

I was wrong. A trip to JB usually takes 3 hours but yesterday it took us 6 hours!!!!

We started at 10.30am from Teh's house. When we got to Bukit Jalil, the queue for PLUS highway already started there (damn! are you people crazy or what!). So we decided to take "Jalan Lama". We passed by Putrajaya, Cyberjaya, Nilai, Mantin, Seremban, Pedas, Simpang Ampat and all the other small villages... all the way to Segamat. By the time we got to Segamat, it was 3pm and Hootie was hungry. So we stopped for lunch at KFC (talking about being adventureous! D'oh!). My dad is from Segamat and my family used to stay here for a while. The town has changed quite a bit (the last time I was there was 10 years ago, mind you) but some things are still there, like my primary school, my dad's favourite barber and tailor, the makcik stall where I used to walk with my brother to buy breakfast and my mom's old school (she's a teacher and SMK Paduka Tuan was her first posting after coming back from UK in 1984).

We continued our little excurtion all the way to Yong Peng and finally hit the Plus Highway from there. During part two of our trip, we passed by a small town called Desa Temu Jodoh. I find the name rather interesting.

We finally got to JB around 5.30pm. I told dad about Desa Temu Jodoh. He said that the place is called as such because once, the Govt of Johor did a mass marriage ceremony (40 odd couples if I'm not mistaken) and gave them a piece of land for these couples to develop and start a family (kiranye cam penempatan Felda la). The Govt of Johor provides all the necessity such as schools, Klinik Desa, community hall etc.

The trip was quite an eye opener. We passed by places that Hootie didn't know exist and I had a trip down memory lane (my own dad likes to take us travelling via trunk roads when I was a kid). Would do it again, if time permits. But as for Hootie, I think he'll stick to PLUS Highway. Luckily, I've taken leave on Monday and we've decided to drive back to KL then. Hopefully, traffic is not going to be as crazy as yesterday.

Gong Xi Fa Chai...

“Gong Xi Fa Chai” to all my beloved friends who will be celebrating it tomorrow!

May the Lunar New Year be a season of "Prosperity, Good Health & Happiness".

Happy Holidays and safe return to all those who are travelling.

OCD, Monk and Me...

Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays are my TV nights. Nothing can come between me and the Tellie, not even dinner (but if you bribe me with butter prawns from TTDI or Chilli Crab from Walter-Granier, then, I'm in... if not, don't bother...).

On Mondays, I'll start off with the series of comedies on Star World, then change to Amazing Race (when it was airing that is) and back to Star World for Monk (i know, i know, House is showing at the same time but Monk will always win, by a landslide mind you!)

On Tuesdays, would be Desperate Housewives and now, of course the ever famous Heroes Season 2.

On Wednesdays, American Idol and CSI (nuff said!!).

On Thursdays, Amazing Race Asia.

Back to Monk. For the benefit of those who have not heard of Monk (duh, where are you from? Mars?), Monk is an Emmy Award-winning US TV show about a private detective, Adrian Monk, who is afflicted by obsessive-compulsive disorder (“OCD”).

What is interesting about Monk is that his OCD is what made him great. Monk’s obsessive attention to details allows him to spot the tiniest of discrepancies, find patterns and make connections that others fail to make. Although Monk is fictional, the creator, Andy Breckman, based Monk’s character from several life experiences of OCD patients.

I too, suffer from a certain degree of OCD (maybe not as bad as Monk, but I share his sentiment). I noticed that I have several habits that may be weird to others. For instance, whenever I go shopping, I will fold back the clothes that have been savagely perused through by other shoppers. Time and again Hootie would have to stop me from doing so. I also have a habit of wiping the utensils with tissue whenever I eat out. I get very upset when the hired help happily shoved the fork and spoon into my food. Another weird habit is that everything I wear must match. Hence, I end up with 5 pairs, different coloured Nike Shox and 4 difference coloured Nike yoga mats. (Don’t even bother asking me how many pairs of working shoes, sandals and flip flops I have!!!). I also make sure that I don’t wear the same outfit twice in a month (and yes, I do have different outfits for different gym classes, ending up with a wardrobe full of Nike stuff.) Even my scrunchy has to be of the same colour, if not similar. There are other habits that is just too taxing to write here. Close friends and family will know what I'm talking about!

Each time I watched Monk, I will always remind Hootie that he’s lucky that my OCD is not as cronic as Monk. He'll just smile, each time.

Three things...

Three things in life that, once gone, never come back:

1. Time
2. Words
3. Opportunity

Three things in life that can destroy a person:

1. Anger
2. Pride
3. Unforgiveness

Three things in life that you should never lose:

1. Hope
2. Peace
3. Honesty

Three things in life that is most valuable:

1. Love
2. Family & Friends
3. Kindness

Three things in life that is never certain:

1. Fortune
2. Success
3. Dreams

Three things that make a person:

1. Commitment
2. Sincerity
3. Hard work