Weekend in Penang

Since leaving Penang in January, I hadn't been back but took the opportunity a couple of weekends ago to head out there with some new colleagues. It took us almost 6 hours to get out there since it was a rainy Friday evening and traffic was murder leaving the city. There were four of us in the car and it was a good opportunity for us to spend time and get to know each other better.

Eventually we got there about midnite, a quick check in and time to freshen up and then we headed out to SS....a club I used to hit many a night in Penang. It was so nice to catch up with old Intel friends.....what a nite. Great music to dance to....

It was an early nite though we had the explore Penang the next day. Hit Little India early the next morning and we had some simple Indian food....and it was apt since it was the Tamil New Year. We took time to walk around and look in at the shops.

That afternoon I caught up with friends whom I worked with in the PA Dept at Intel Malaysia. Was really good to see them all and Azrena brought her brood including the new addition...what a cute baby. I may not miss Penang per se but I do miss my friends and colleagues whom I had a great working relationship.

That nite, I took the visitors to Batu Ferringhi to have dinner and then shop at the night market. As usual I got myself some DVDs and got some stuff for the folks at home. Then drove back to the city to meet Lee Aun and Amelia.

It was important to catch up since that girl was leaving Penang and Malaysia too :( It's sad that we only got to know each other really well at the tail end of my stint but she's such a delight to be with. Always with a smile and a giggle :) I reckon Lee Aun and she make a cute couple but she just smiles.....what a girl! They are both good people....positive folks I enjoy being with and you could also be silly with them and it would be all good...:)

Sunday was makan day....we had breakfast in Pulau Tikus and lunch was Assam Laksa...yummmyyyy and after that we started our drive back to KL. A short trip but lots of nice memories.

Old Buddy came to town

Dianne....a good kindred spirit whom I met 9 years ago on a hill in Bukit Jalil wrote to say she was coming home for a week. Boy was I excited.....planned a party for her and all. Guess what...MAS cancelled her flight and she came in only two days later. She arrived sick and all so we didnt see each other till Wednesday 3 April for lunch at KLCC....my favourite spot...Chinoz on the Park.

She's been back a number of times since she left in 1998 and we always end up having great time together. Sometimes even seeing each other daily till she left again. I have also been very fortunate to visit her three times in LA where she now lives. Boy, do we have some funny stories to tell on my visits. I have spent day at work with her and had the opportunity to visit LAPD, LA City Hall and been fed well when she worked at the Daily Grill, watched a wedding proposal at a club in Pasadena, went clubbing at a Gay joint near Hollywood and the list goes on. We have been very blessed that we've been able to see each other fairly often but as kindred spirits, distance and time away has no effect on us.

This time Dianne brought along her man, Ralph. He was fun to hang out with and I reckon we got along pretty well. I even gave my SIRIM chop of approval. He was easy going and friendly for sure yet mature...which is important in our books. And he got along with Sophie my niece who is a tough cookie :)

After lunch that day, we met up that nite at Waikiki in PJ, an institution for those of us who grew up in the 80s and 90s in the area. Met up with Oscar, who's known Dianne for over 20 years and also Sara whom I got to know through Dianne. It was really nice to be reunited with them.

We had a good time listening to the song, singing, dancing and having a few drinks. Although Dianne and I met only once after that for dinner with my sis and bro in law but we had to be satisfied with those opportunities to meet. I miss her dearly but am so glad we got to meet up and spend some time together. We must be thankful for the little blessings in life :)

Weekend with old friends

Over the last weekend, I had the opportunity to catch up with ex colleagues from years ago and also with my buddies from college. I reckon I have been blessed with friends all my life and people who I enjoy being with.

On Sat afternoon, I met ex colleagues I had worked with at SUKOM, the organising committee of the Commonwealth Games. I hadn't seen some of them since Nov 1998 when I left the organization or even 2000 when we had a reunion in KL. Although it was just a small group of us, it was nice to chat and catch up on good ole times and also swap news of old friends/colleagues. We hope to have a bigger reunion in September which is the 9th anniversary of the Best Games Ever, Kuala Lumpur 98.

Later that evening, my buddies and I from college and a couple of their spouses got together.It was Lai Han's birthday on 10 April but we couldn't meet up so we decided it was better late than never. So, we took time to have a nice sit down dinner at Co Chine at the Asian Heritage Row. The appetiser and main dishes were really yummy!! Conversation flowed easily as usual and we caught up on happenings over the last few weeks. I cherish moments like this....spending quality time with good friends.

Although we didn't have BIG nite out, it was good fun and I look forward to more good moments with them.

Back to civilisation

It's been three months since I started my new job in KL. I have neglected the blog but it's time to get back to it. My last blog was when I was leaving Penang to head back home. After almost 8 years away from home, I decided it was time to move back to be closer to family and friends. Literally close to family.... as I moved back to my family home in PJ.

Before starting the new job, I was fortunate to take a break in Germany for Xmas and New Year. Went back to visit Chris and Cathrin and their lovely families. I reckon that trip warrants a separate post.

Anyways, I now sit in a high rise in the centre of the city...close to the Twin Towers and KL Tower. When I look out my window, I see both skyscrapers and Bukit Nanas...what a juxtaposition!

Recently, I had the opportunity to ride in a chopper around the city and I took some photos of the city. I reckon we all take it for granted when we see it at ground level but up above, it was awesome.

I reckon some people would think I am crazy to say this but I am so so glad to be back in the city, the concrete jungle. I don't relish sitting in traffic but it's a small price to pay for being back amongst friends and family in the middle of this gorgeoous city with its narrow dirty streets and winding highways and byways.