Health Awareness...

“To have doubted one's own first principles, is the mark of a civilized man…” - Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.

At last I had signed up for the Health Awareness Program today from 08.30am to 2.00pm at the Auditorium. We had to wear appropriate clothing as there was a light aerobics session at the Lobby Area. Breakfast was served at 10.30am and Lunch at 1.00pm for all participants. I was supposed to take the blood test earlier but I was too busy with office schedule so I could not have my blood results analyzed.

A few well known doctors were available throughout the session for one to one consultations should we need more info on our blood test results or any related matters. Later, there was also an open panel discussion with speakers where all participants could get more information on matters relating to health, diet and fitness.

I had a handful of my staff joining me in this program. As there were many seats available, I brought Sara along. Some brought friends, relatives and loved ones to join the session.

Although it was only a half day program, it was quite fun…

My birthday present

"One is easily fooled by that which one loves..." - Jean Baptiste Poquelin Molière

(Another year passed)

The past few days we’d spent happy precious time together. Thank you for the lovely birthday card and present, yang.

How many are the times

We get too busy

To take the time we need

To really share…

To say the words

That show our deepest feelings,

To say the words that show

How much we care…

UiTM Royal Gala Dinner...

"There are two kinds of people in one's life—people whom one keeps waiting—and the people for whom one waits...” - Samuel Nathaniel Behrman

The last few days, my people have been running around back and forth between office, MOF and the Mint in preparation for the introduction of the UiTM 50th anniversary commemorative coins. Without the approval of the PM, the coins could not be launched during the Royal Gala Dinner, in conjunction with the UiTM 50th Anniversary.

Anyway, things turned out ok although I've not been very pessimistic in the beginning. I've been feeling a bit burnt out myself, grumpy and unreasonably demanding for results. It occurred to me I've been spending far too much time in my head, thinking about what ifs, and I've lost the heart on concentrating on other things equally important.

On the day of the Gala Dinner I received a last minute invitation from the RMM which I politely declined as we have already made arrangement to buy a table to be shared among our UiTM alumni friends. I heard that the RMM paid RM10,000 per table whereas the one that we booked cost us only RM1,000. And commensurate with where we were to be seated, of course!

Avoiding after-office traffic jam, we reached Sunway Lagoon Hotel quite early. The dinner was graced by His Majesties the King and Queen. There were long speeches by the VC of UiTM and later the Minister of Higher Education followed by congratulatory messages by the International Representatives. As our table was in the foyer outside the main hall, rather than listening to those boring speeches, we were busy spending time getting acquainted again, exchanging and updating news and laughing at classic jokes and old stories. Those stories may be stale but the moral that they may convey to the world is forever green and topical.

It was a long night. On the big screen, we caught glimpses of some VIPs and dignitaries yawning uncontrollably. Finally, around 10 p.m. dinner was served, to which by this time, I have emptied twice of the giant glass in front of me…

Spirit of comradeship...

"Secrets make friendships stronger..."

Years ago, when the children were small, we used to organise Hari Raya Open House and invited our relatives and friends. It's fulfilling in a way watching them coming together celebrating and touching base, enjoying the wide variety of delicious juadah served at the buffet table.

This year we did not plan for an open house. But we arranged a small gathering of old friends at our apartment. Some of them we knew from way back in primary schools and some from our campus days. They came late afternoon, some with spouses and kids, some came single. The Satay Samuri, rendang, nasi empit and my kuah lodeh made a good match for the hi-tea. We had cream caramel and fruit cakes for dessert.

We noticed the changes among these old friends of ours. Their hair has changed from black to the more exclusive and respectable grey, in others it has completely disappeared altogether. Quite a number have accumulated bits of fats here and there, thereby giving them a more prestigious and prosperous personality.

And, we had a good time reminiscing…