happy birthday, yan!

Sometimes it’s surreal to think that two people can be so close that you feel like you’re never complete anymore without that being. We read it in Romance books, we see it in the movies and longed for it in our dreams. Yet sometimes we didn’t knew we are already living it. Maybe because of the harsh realities of life and our eternal quest to succeed in life, we forgot the significance of a single being to us and how they, though we don’t realize it, has been the constant listening ear, the office problem shock absorber and the perpetual voice that always tells us to go on.

 So today I want to take this opportunity to say thank you to my wife. I know I haven’t been that appreciative with your efforts these past months and I haven’t really spoken well and take time to say some recognition to the little things that made my life easier and better to live. 

Thank you, Jean. You are my rock, my bestfriend and my girl. The past thirteen years knowing you has been nothing but a blessing. Never in my wildest imagination that I will achieve this profound and sublime relationship we are having, and it’s all because of you. Thank you for bearing Fergus and giving me a reason to get my ass home early everyday and loving it. For motivating me in every way to constantly improve myself and learn new things each time.  For rejoicing with me in my triumphs and understanding me on things I cannot prevent. For giving the forgiveness and leading the way when I get lost and feel very human. And lastly, thanks to you and Fergus for giving me new lessons in happiness each new day.

Thank you for this ride of a lifetime… HAPPY BIRTHDAY. 

A walk in the clouds

 I had a window seat on our way back to Singapore from Hong kong. We had a 5pm flight so the sun was not so glaring so i took out my camera and hoped for great cloud formations. I was fortunate to be seated where the wing of the aircraft is far enough to take a wider shot outside. I did see some interesting clouds  during the 3-1/2 hour flight and below are three of what in my humble opinion were the best from the bunch, taken at different times.

 1. I like this cloud setting. It formed a straight horizon that looked as if it is the sea, with the clouds above as the normal cloud you see when you are in the beach.

 2. This second one is interesting in the sense that it captured the tug of war between the bright and dark skies, with the sunset looming. And thicker clouds were engolfed with thinner, fog- like ones.

3. Perhaps my favourite of all the shots I took from this series. I like how the cloud tails from below right leads the eye towards the setting sun. It’s breath- taking to see it in person and I was hoping to capture even just a fraction of the magic it brings visually. I also like the fact that the clouds on this shot has formed like sea waves and the blue sky become like the ocean’s water. 

Hope you like it.

Our Hong Kong Getaway

The short post-Christmas vacation in Hong kong helped me a lot with the soul searching that eventually led me to the decision of changing companies (as mentioned in the last post), and also gave me some days to de- stress, unwind and just enjoy the place with the family.

Below are some of the pictures I took from the 5-day trip (I took loads of pictures but still can’t find time to go through it all and save for web).

Jean along the crowded road of bustling Mong Kok shopping area.

 Fergus with his favourite mice at Disneyland.

…And the family in Hongkong International Airport arrival lobby (taken with timer+ tripod).

Growing Up

Chinese astrologers everywhere are saying that this year will be a good year. Better than the past year.  Simply because it ends with an "8", which is the luckiest number  in the Chinese calendar. Maybe it is. At least for me. I have just resigned from my current company and will be joining another next month. 

Actually I don't want to  resign since I've grown to love this company. I helped built its additional foundations and I was used to working with the people in which I've formed strong bond. Bond that is forged by going through ordeals and finding solutions to each project we developed. But i have to go. Last December I found out I've reached a personal plateau and leaving is the only way for me to grow. My principal feels bitter, but she understand that I have to do this. And it's great to know there are no bridges burned with this valediction.

Growth is painful. Sometimes traumatic. But it also give you reasons to look forward to every morning with renewed vigor and energy, and prove to yourself how much you're capable of. I'm looking forward to next month.  I'm eager to show to my new company the things I can do and offer. I'm excited to pit heads and clash ideas with new set of people, raring for the healthy competition and intellectual stimulation it brings. Not to mention a better renumeration package. But as of now I'm busy turning over things to new people who I bet will also grow from the experience of filling my vacated post. Life is indeed a cycle.

New Year, New Cheer…

I just want to greet everyone a very happy new year! We may all have a great time ahead for the year of the rat. 2007 is now but a memory, so let's get a head start with this new one and hope to fulfill our goals and resolutions. If we don't,  then there's still 2009 to try. hehe.