Used vs. Loved

I received this email and find this a good reminder to us...I reflected and it is useful...

While a man was polishing his new car,
his 4 yr old son picked up a stone
and scratched lines on the side of the car. In anger, the man took the child's hand
and hit it many times not realizing
he was using a wrench.

At the hospital, the child lost all his fingers
due to multiple fractures.

When the child saw his father.....
with painful eyes he asked, 'Dad when will my fingers grow back?'
The man was so hurt and speechless;
he went back to his car and kicked it a lot of times.

Devastated by his own actions......
sitting in front of that car he looked at the scratches;
the child had written 'LOVE YOU DAD'.
The next day that man committed suicide. . .

Anger and Love have no limits;
choose the latter to have a beautiful, lovely
life & remember this:
Things are to be used and people are to be loved.
The problem in today's world is
that people are used while things are loved.

Let's try always to keep this thought in mind:
Things are to be used,
People are to be loved.

Watch your thoughts; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become character;
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.

I'm glad a friend forwarded this to me as a reminder.
I hope you have a good day no matter what problems you may face
it's the only day you'll have before it's over.

My Amazing Thailand Trip

Amazing Thailand ~ truly one amazing trip for the last 7 days.

Initially I was a bit reluctant to go especially when I knew it is a 7 days trip..The impression is that 7 days in Thailand would definitely be bored. Nevertheless, I went on as planned, it is a hosted trip by Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). A trip to introduce the Amazing Thailand and its many wonders in Thailand.

We went to a few provinces namely Ratchaburi, Phetchaburi and Chachoengsao. If you are familiar with the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, that is located at Ratchaburi, and if you know where is Hua Hin, it is near Phetchaburi and Chachoengsao is about 80km from Bangkok city towards the East.

The first night, we went for a large scale show with 2000 seating capacity called Siam Niramit. It has a good entertainment value and well organised too.

The following day, we began our traveling on coach to various provinces, firstly we visited a factory outlet for interior and home linens. We did 7 wonders in one day which includes visiting soft toy factory, a privately owned park that preserved the culture and history of Thailand, candle factory, hot spring and lovely boutique resort with only limited number of villa at Suan Phung. This small town is located at the border of Myanmar and it was naturally rich in mineral previously. Now the township is turned into exclusive resort for the local Thai. Each villa can go as high as RM500 per room per night and is fully booked every weekend.

Our journey continued with a visit to Cha Am, another small town where it is not highly populated and located about 30 mins from Hua Hin another busy resort city similarly to Krabi and Phuket. A place that you can find Starbucks and other franchise outlet. The trip is never complete without Thai massage and I had one at Cha Am. The hotel we stayed is called Tara Mantra which is 3 mins walk to the beach front. This is one of the best in Cha Am with only 88 rooms and a very modern design infinity pool that comes in 3 levels.

We continue our journey back to Bangkok, our trip has added excitement and thrill when we narrowly escaped an accident with a truck. We were all screaming and thankfully the coach stopped in time. Enroute, this is the place for those who loves local Thai cookies, dried pork, candies, dried fruit and etc. The Thais are so creative in designing that one will not want to eat it.. simply happy looking at it. We had simple meal like "mixed rice" what the local eats...yummy. We also tasted the local "O liang" meaning black coffee and fried banana.

We got back to Bangkok on Halloween Day and we were hosted a buffet dinner at Siam City Hotel and the buffet spread was creatively decorated with Halloween deco and scary looking bloody eye balls...We had a good get-together and know each other night, a very happy evening. A visit to Bangkok is not complete again without a visit to Four Face Buddha. We went for prayers and asked for blessing for another great year ahead. This place is forever crowded and never short of people. In fact, we went to so many temples and had many blessing...I am sure life ahead will be good and blessed.

On Sunday morning, about 150 tourism friends attended a product updates for Thailand. It was good to know what Amazing Thailand has to offer and its 7 wonders. A very nice video presentation that promotes everyone must have "once a life time visit to Thailand".

Thai food is something we are not unfamiliar at all, yet we are never tired of Tom Yam every meal. In Hua Hin, we had the best seafood, everything was so fresh but EXTREMELY spicy. We were introduced a must try "Khao Man Kai" means "Chicken Rice" which operates 24 hours near Pratunam area. It was good and nicely fragrance, and not too oily. Last but not least, the mango with glutinous rice....delicious.

The other thing that we couldn't resist is the shopping temptation surrounding our hotel at Pratunam area. Pratunam is a wholesale market for fashion and a lot of clothes that you see in small boutiques are actually from this market. If you wish to enjoy lower price like savings of RM5-RM10 per piece, you need to buy 3 pieces and above.

One of my favourite visits for the past 7 days was a visit to Chachoengsao, we took a boat cruise (Bang Bakong River) and we stopped at the restaurant by the river for lunch. The lunch was by the river bank...sort of like a floating style and what amazes me was the 100 years ago market. The original condition of the shops and its original wooden structures are conserved still. As we walk passing the small market, we stopped by to see the local making "Kratong" for loy kratong festival. We took part as well in the evening, walking in jam packed street towards the Chao Phraya River where we let go of our kratong. There are many version of the festival and for us it is to take a way our bad lucks with the kratong. The kratong came in many sizes and priced differently too and again the Thais showed off their creativity and I am impressed.

The trip has come to the end where we have a few hours of last minute shopping before we visit our local agent and the tiger breeding farm. We had a chance to cuddle the 2 months old cub and another round of mango glutinous rice and an irresistible brownies from Imperial Queens Park Hotel

The trip ended with lots of great memories and met a few new friends from the industry. We exchanged ideas, so it was an event to create and share great experience.

I miss my blog

I have been away for the past one week traveling around Thailand. And this trip somehow, I decided to travel without my laptop and I find so much inconvenience without one.

Work wise I felt handicapped and I depended on my mobile, and I can't really blog much too..and I regret not taking with me. Each day on the road, there is so much to write about the journey.

Now I am home but can't remember all the fun and have them posted on the blog.

I am too tired to post tonight...shall try tomorrow !

Last Chance Harvey

I just watched Last Chance Harvey acted by Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson. By body size comparison, both of them do not complement each other but acting wise, they are both award winners. So no doubt, they are both good at it and I enjoyed the show.

The story line is kind of expected and watching this show brings back some memories. How you met someone unexpectedly, how one sealed the first kiss, the failed marriage and etc.

Life journey never stop until your last breathe. It takes us up and takes us far, it can be beautiful, ugly, funny and sad. It is all about how much we are willing to stretch, to reach and to be in it. I remember taking a scenic route in North India, the wild flowers aligned on two sides of the uneven road, but unexpectedly was the scents of the roses. Life is just the same, what you least expect from a wild rugged country side, the worst road condition, some surprises came and the goodness stays forever.

Just wanna post this...my wonderful life experience.

A Wife and A Lover

My childhood friend told me he is planning his 10th anniversary with his wife about one month ago. He asked me for advice where to go, he has in mind either Bali or Bangkok. Finally he decided to go to Bangkok.

They are moving into a new house soon which mean renovation is on going. Why do I have to mention this ? He shared with me about the 2nd honeymoon trip almost one month ago, and yet they had only made decision to go this week. The point is that, he said his wife nagged about moving into new house that requires a lot of time, and going to Bangkok is really nothing for her. When he told me that, I paused his conversation, and I said

"Why must we (women) nagged or never appreciative or contented?" He said "you also think so!"

I didn't mean to criticize women in general, but I have been through what is the taste of a broken marriage and unhappy relationship, I may have been in such condition too without realising. Now it seems like the actual realization of life...hahaha. I will never complain about it if my husband has this great plan for us to spend short vacation together. Be appreciative..

I feel if the wife's reply is like.."great darling, let us sort out the house and we go for a great time in Bangkok". I told him two years ago, it was my 10th anniversary and I planned the trip and done whatever needed. My husband will only fly...maybe it is because I work for the travel industry, so planning and organising has always been my task.

So what about a lover ? On the other hand he told me his friend who has a lover/partner and whenever he asked her to travel, she will just pack and go. Actually I would do the same too, may not be as flexible but I will do whatever I can. I will look forward to the chance to be together so much.

Hence, why is there a different ? Lover or wife are both women....hahahaha!

我是有故事的人

During my recent trip to Shanghai, I walked by some window displays and one that caught my attention was the Story of Shanghai..上海故事, 一个有故事的人！ Everyone has a story. Different stages in life, childhood, teenage, hardship, good time, happiest moment, family and working days.

I do have a story and I always think my story is pretty interesting. I have never thought of how my life story should be written. It happened and it became a new episode or chapter. When you put the experience together, it has 酸甜苦辣， it can be challenging and unprepared, most importantly I walk into it, embrace it and gain an insight and to face them with courage and only be stronger day by day.

I have a story / life that I think is extraordinary compares to my circle of friends. That again my life is not all sad though...hahahaha!

Wherever my life has taken me this far, it has changed me and only to make me a better person. I will work towards it..