Bronze Silver and Gold

Beautiful things don't ask for attention.

A few weeks ago we watched "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" and when Sean Penn, who plays a freelance photographer in the movie said that phrase, it really stood out for me.  Being humble and not asking or wanting attention is sometimes more admirable than those who do.

Attending an ex-colleague's wedding earlier this month.  Each photo can say more than 1000 words but I think this one means much more to me. If I had not been hired by this lady back in August 2007, I would have definitely flown back to Vancouver in September with my return air ticket and just lived a completely different life in Canada. If I did not work at Walton and hung out with so many amazing friends then I would not enjoy living in Hong Kong nor have the courage to go to Beijing. So many decisions that you make be it big or small all add up and bring you to where you are today. 

Stumbled upon the PMQ (Police Married Quarters) Night Market after a vegetarian dinner with my girls.  I have to admit I'm not very good at keeping in touch sometimes but with true friends it doesn't matter because the conversations just pick up from where they started. Even though we're busy leading our own separate lives, I hope we'll always find time to hang out and have a good time :)

Concluding my last BCM task on April 25 with the HK Crisis Management Team Exercise. There was abit of stress leading up to this as you always want everything to play out smoothly and I'm very thankful that I finished on a high note.  Sitting in the main conference room is our core management team (pictured), while the trusted agents sit in another control room feeding them with injects of various problems and scenarios through phone & email to make the HoDs manage the situation, execute decisions and communicate effectively as a team. 

Settling into my new desk and keeping things organized.

When was the last time you used film to take photos?  Being silly at home :)

Hehe Team Durian nibbling away.  Remember to keep on doing the things that make you happy. Try not to be overly sensitive because life's too short to get hot and bothered about every little thing.  Let it go! :-)

It's funny how some distance
Makes everything seem small
And the fears that once controlled me
Can't get to me at all
It's time to see what I can do
To test the limits and break through
No right, no wrong, no rules for me

Idina Menzel - Let It Go Lyrics | MetroLyrics

New Beginnings

"Time for a break, give me a piece of that Kit Kat bar.."  Yay, a time for celebrations for our friends wedding in Phuket, a perfect getaway trip for 4Days and 3Nights. :)  In the midst of transitioning at work, this was a good opportunity to have some fun before work gets busier in April. 

En route to Phuket flying with Thai Airways and surprised to see a special spread on different types of goldfish. Actually each time we're away from home we think about our little goldfish and wonder how Speck is doing.  After the trip J bought this spiffy Izon camera to monitor him so next time no need to worry! haha What we do for the little guy..

Exploring our resort approximately 25 minutes north of Phuket International Airport and meeting up with other HKIS friends who are also staying at the same place.  It's pretty far from the main Phuket area but overall not crowded at all and very close by to the wedding villa.  The two main complains which I had was the overly puffy pillows and no water on our last night. I mean no one could take a shower after after we came back from the party celebrations at 2am lol. 

Afternoon snack time! Time for coconuts, Singha beer, and other Thai foodies.

One of many coconuts enjoyed on our trip. This one was rather small but still very refreshing nonetheless.

Dinner at านอาหารท่านุ่นซีฟู๊ด (Tha Nun Seafood) where we ordered one too many dishes.  :P They had super-size-me portions compared to our hotel so we had to doggy bag a lot of the food back.  Nevertheless this random place made a mean green curry and tom yum goong. <3 Back in HK I enjoy my occasional Thai food but the taste here is like 10x better, like an explosion of flavors.

 Day 2 - Massage @Hotsprings and then we all went over to the villa enjoying sweet mangos while the groomsmen practiced their walk-in.  They danced to Pharrell William's "Happy" which was very cute.

Dinner with all the friends and relatives at Sala Resort. Oh my gosh the curries (not pictured) were realllyyy good and the dessert booth served up a nice variety of traditional sweets.  My favorites were the Kanom klok made up of coconut, rice flour & light sprinkling of sugar.  Still warm from the iron pan.

Day 3 - Chilling and tanning (or getting my shoulders burnt) by the pool side w/ some friends before the wedding reception at 4:30pm.  Enjoying some beautiful weather and we all enjoyed a lazy lunch by the poolside.

Polaroids & scrap book time!! yay :)

Breathtaking views of Villa Jia, of Jivana Villas.

The umbrellas was a nice touch. We were sweating and scorching even in the late afternoon.  Amazing to see the bride so pretty with her make up (most of it is probably all natural) because I would have melted the moment I stepped out from the room. :P

The bride and the groom looking absolutely stunning. <3

Shots at the 'Fun Table' ;-)

Surprise fireworks at 10pm. There was a light drizzle towards the end of dinner but fortunately it was very brief so all the party festivities were unaffected. *whew Wouldn't want to miss dancing would we?

Romantic & magical sky lanterns. Make a wish and then release them free as they are filled with enough hot air.  My very first time doing this and each n' every paper lantern soared high until they became little dots of light.

Keep your head up and know that tomorrow is a brand new day to do better.