CMI workshop in Bangkok

Christmas decorations were already up in some malls in Bangkok in Nov.


One of the high-end mall.


Caught up with Oat, ex-colleague from GfK Thai, who took me to Somtam for lunch. The food was yummy but a tad too spicy & sour for me! Somtam is a popular restaurant, we'd to queue up along with others for a table.


A quick bite after a long day of walking. The stall is near the massage centre I visited, nothing fancy but I was too hungry to look around. Loved the quick service, the kangkung but not the char siew.


CMI colleagues from other countries.

This was my 2nd visit to Bangkok, first trip was some years ago with my ex-company. I realised that I didnt really enjoy Thai massage, found it to be painful after each visit. The only time I like Thai massage was my 1st encounter. Could it be the masseur(s) or me? Or possibly the company from my ex-colleagues made me forget the pain?
And I finally visited Chatuchak - the amount of stalls & people there were astonishing! Of course nothing beats Platinum Mall which is my favourite mall in Bangkok =)

A break at Tasik Kenyir

I saw the picture of this bus on the newspaper not long ago & couldnt believe my eyes when I saw it at KT. Of course I ride on it (free!) even though my friends & I weren't sure where it was heading. We ended up at Islamic Civilisation Park which has mini replica of various mosques around the world, a convention hall & Crystal mosque(picture below).




A view from the resort lobby.


The view outside my room.






Took a tour around the lake which brought us to a herbal farm (tongkat ali, kacip fatimah & other plants are found), waterfall & of course the famous spot of Tasik Kenyir - a bunch of dead trees (pic below).




The place is so quiet & secluded that me & my friends were the only guests left on our last day. I've never eaten & slept so much in my life till I came here =) Not forgetting my quest for nasi dagang which failed to materialise but led me to nasi kerabu instead. Needless to say the nasi kerabu was simply delicious!

Rediscovering Penang

I went to Penang over the long weekend. I had only one agenda in mind prior to trip - to have my share of assam laksa, rojak (fruits) & ice kacang. But I got more - tasted some authentic Penang food & discovered the scenic side of Penang. It was a fulfilling trip - definitely for my stomach.


First discovery was Penang Taman Negara. Our destination was to Pantai Kerachut & we got there through the hard way ie hiked (Caution: If one is unfit, the hike can be strenous). Alternatively, we can reach by boat.


Meromictic lake - contain layers of water that do not mix.


Opposite the Meromictic Lake is the sea, separated by the beach.


Sunset at Pantai Kerachut.




Next day we headed to Botanical Garden. We swapped plan from hiking to photographing thanks to merciful friends who saw I was unfit to hike anymore (after the 1st day hike). Thereafter we went on food hunting expedition =)




I like this B I G tree, quite rare in KL.


Needless to say the food hunt was very satisfying. This is taken at Balik Pulau, now I understand why people are crazy over the durians there.


Nasi kandar on Campbell St - our new discovery which left us satisfied.


Crunchy 'yau char kwai' - this shop sells only yau char kwai.


One of the streets we roamed.

Leng's kids

Leng & her family were in KL over a weekend. It was good to catch up with them as well as with the rest of OCFers when we got together for dinner.


Daniel - my godson who I hardly see because of distance. So that makes me a sleeping-godma!


Evelyn, daniel's younger sister. She was playing snake with me, a self-inevented game to occupy kids while the adults are shopping =)

Moving on

1Q08 had been interesting as well as challenging for me. I made 2 important decisions. Being a melancholic, I dislike changes & would sit on the issues before deciding. First decision, I resigned from GfK to take up another job offer after much searching & waiting. The decision was not easy, afterall I've worked at GfK for 6.7 years. Over the years, I have seen & encountered many good & not-so-good memories - trainings, trips, GCP, DWH etc. At the end of it, it is the friendships that I shall miss dearly. Until now I stand amaze at how God moves in my life. It is without any doubt that He heard my prayers and granting it in His time. There is no way I could land this job given my background & experience. And to top it of, this job offers the best deal (among others).

Second decision, I've moved on from The Father's Mirrors. Again it was NOT an easy deicision to make (there were many u-turn decisions in-between). But deep down I knew it was time to move on and God confirmed it when I saw the members rising up to serve each other and realising the importance of cell. These were the few things that I wanted them to instill in them which finally came to fruit.

As I reflect the two incidents, Rom 8:28 came to mind ... And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose ... Indeed God knows and provides the best for his children!

Here are some pictures taken at the farewell lunch.

My department threw Kelly & myself a farewell lunch at Yuzu, The Gardens.






My set lunch ... yummy! Though the food there is slightly pricey but it is worth it.


The "toh jai" group whereby we used to dominate GfK.


Banana from Coco Boy on my last day! We're fond to give each other nicknames at GfK. But nothing beats Coco Boy who is also known as "Fan Poh Wong Ji & Soh Pau Loh".