Paradise Perhentian

 Exactly one month ago, my girlfriends and I ventured to the timeless island located along east Peninsular Malaysia, called Perhentian Island. This island hideaway offers beaches with stunning rock formations and fascinating caves and lush green forests. Let me highlight what makes this luscious island so irresistible.

The amazing crystal clear water.

Bubu Long Beach Resort, the resort which contributed to one of our comfortable hideouts for deep slumbers.
 

The perfect getaway for swimming, water sports and tanning. The setting was perfect - a little cabana on the beach, sand between our toes and cool breeze upon our faces.

  And of course, hilly hikes to the top most point of the island for a breathtaking view of the surroundings and neighbouring islands.

Jumping jacks during sunset.

Our fantastic barbeque seafood dinner.

The Sex and The City cast is complete. :) Just the girls and cocktails were sufficient to make this escapade a holiday to remember. Loving the homemade Caipirinhas, courtesy of Miss Cai Mei Khoo.

We met some backpackers along the way and had some memorable conversations/ humourous tales of their journeys around the globe. One British bloke had his belongings stolen from his shady accommodation on Perhentian Island, at least they had the courtesy to compensate him with several nights of free lodging and food. From Day I, luck was never on his side as this young chap even managed to run into several pickpockets at his other destinations around Asia, losing his camera twice and money thrice. Poor fella. 

Mysterious midnight sightings, ranging from turtles nesting by the sandy shores of Perhentian Island to tantalizing fire-breathing performances.

This island paradise is a perfect mix of simple, modern luxury with the great outdoors. Then there's the rustic charm of the timber villas within lush tropical greenery and secluded inlets that offer absolute privacy. Perhentian Island is definitely an island worth visiting.

Malaysia, truly Asia. :)

Malaysian Polo Open 2010

Yesterday, Miss Cai Mei Khoo, the Fashion and Features Writer of Harper's Bazaar, invited Mandy and I to the Malaysian Polo Open 2010 held at the Putrajaya Equestrian Park.

Surrounded by enthusiastic polo fanatics, scrumptious array of local Malaysian delights, free flow of Veuve Cliquot bubbly and accompanied by my awesome girlfriends was the beginning to an eventful Saturday afternoon. We even manage to catch glimpse of the Sultan of Pahang, who glamourously arrived in his private helicopter and was immediately ushered up to his VIP podium.

It's interesting how global Malaysia is becoming day by day. The expat community has been rapidly growing and is evident at yesterday's event as many of the supporters were primarily expats. Well, I suppose it's also because polo is more of white-man's game. Moreover, I even had a chance to chat to some who were very fond of living in Malaysia because of the lovely weather (Really? In this humidity?) and the fact that the standard of living is relatively inexpensive compared to their country of origin (Well, of course, cause they're earning expat wages!).

My highlight of the day was getting the opportunity to try out the awesome Segway i2. The Segway is a two-wheeled self-balancing electric vehicle invented by Dean Kamen. My original perception of steering the Segway would somewhat be similar to the steering of a motorcycle. Boy, was I wrong when I found out that all you had to do to steer is to merely lean forward to go forward, lean back to go backward and turn by using the "lean steer" handlebar, leaning it left or right.

If I recall correctly, the salesperson mentioned the price of one unit is approximately MYR33,700.00. Segways have success in niche markets such as transportation for police departments, military bases, warehouses, corporate campuses or industrial sites. The legal road worthiness of the Segway varies with different jurisdictions' classifications of the device as a motor vehicle.

However, as a warning to females, please do not try this vehicle in 5-inch heels. :)

The Pampered Princess

There are two important bags that one, who is literate to the world of fashion, must be aware of - the Birken by Hermes and the other, the Chanel 2.55. The iconic Chanel 2.55 was made known to the world when Coco Chanel introduced this bag in February 1955 (hence, the 2.55). The quilts were inspired by jackets work by jockeys. For the collectors out there, this classic bag of all time is definitely a MUST. 

 

Mummy pleasantly surprised me with a black Chanel 2.55 when I returned home from work on a tormenting and tiring Tuesday. She definitely made my day, no wait, my year!

The Chanel 2.55 features have all a piece of tale to tell. From the inside out:

• The lining – The lining’s brown colour represents the colour of the uniforms from the convent where she grew up.
• The inside compartment – there’s a zippered compartment at the inside of the front flap. That’s where Coco Chanel hid her love letters (from her lover at the time).
• The backside – there’s a back outside flap on the handbag – that’s where Ms Chanel stashed extra money.
• The shoulder strap – as I said before, Coco Chanel grew up in an convent, at the orphanage. The caretakers hold the keys at their waist dangling from the same type of chains as the 2.55 shoulder strap chains.
• The front lock – the 2.55 front lock is different from the classic double CC logo. It’s logo is called “the Mademoiselle Lock” (because Ms Chanel was never married).

How fascinating, yes?

Scarred For Life?

So, I have had several conversations with those who have been emotionally hurt from previous relationships and a small number remains or prefers to stay emotionally detached from their new encounters, considering them as pawns for fun OR perhaps they might be constantly questioning the other party's motives once they have proceeded past the first stage of the relationship - are they treating me genuinely or are they merely taking me for a joy ride?

These insecurities originate from the failed relationships of the past and they fear the recurrence of such hurtful events. They say they will never love again, nor trust again, yet they end up with many new situations. Hence, the question is - Does bitterness or hate really change someone?

Personally, I feel that it's all part of a learning curve. Each experience teaches somebody something different. Bitterness develops because the person cannot comprehend the reason behind why the relationship has failed - we were so happy, why did it end? And the feeling usually persists for a while. Nonetheless, you will eventually realise that the experience has taught you something and you can put it to use in your next relationship. Bitterness should not last forever.

Hence, you have to learn how to:

1) ACCEPT. Promises have been broken, marriages dissolve and friends disappear. This is all part and parcel of life and life is too short. It is not worth mourning over a breakup, wallowing in self pity or living in memories of the past for an extended period of time.

2) FORGIVE. Sometimes it’s difficult to forgive if you feel that forgiveness leaves you vulnerable to future repeats of the same negative treatment. But learning how to gives one the sense of dignity and emotional liberation.

3) WRITE. Writing about a situation where you were hurt or wronged can help you process what happened and move on; however, the way you write about it and what you choose to focus on can make all the difference in how easy it becomes to forgive.

4) OCCUPY YOURSELF. The solution is to change your focus of attention - physical activities, hanging out with friends, getting a job or in my case, it would be retail therapy.

I love to shop after a bad relationship. I don't know. I buy a new outfit and it makes me feel better. It just does. Sometimes I see a really great outfit, I'll break up with someone on purpose. - Rita Rudner.

Birthday Wishes

These four and a half years spent together has come and gone so quickly. Within the blink of an eye we are now the 24-year old adults who yearn to make living for ourselves, to vanquish the onerous obstacles of life and to fulfill our necessary responsibilities as competent and conscientious individuals who add value to society.

Nonetheless, this shall not be our last special occasion and we will still strive to overcome the distance between us no matter how perilous the journey may be. The moments we spent together I will deeply cherish and the moments we laughed together I will forever treasure. I'd like to apologize for not being physically present on a day as special as this, but be rest assured, I am definitely there with you spiritually. :)

To my very special someone, Carlton Lee, Happy Birthday! ♥

22 May : Pre-birthday dinner do at The Pressroom, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong with most of Carl's colleagues and some of my girlfriends who traveled from Singapore.

 Followed by an after-party which was held at Volar, Lan Kwai Fong, Central, Hong Kong. It was indeed an absolutely wicked night out. :)