Small Town

Couple of days ago, I got sideswiped which resulted in a damaged side mirror.

At the traffic lights, I had noticed a speeding car coming from the outer most lane.  The driver aimed to go past me in the third lane, only problem about that very lane was it being WAY too narrow to past.  The vehicle was moving at high speed with no desire to slow down and as I predicted, hit my mirror and sped off without so much as a flinch.

I was calm, didn't give chase, honked or anything.  I merely took down the culprits car digits and boy were they easy to remember.  Made my way home to check the damage and give a call to my insurance guy.  He came over shortly and after assessing, advises me to get it repaired myself instead of filling a police report.  Fine, I took his word for it.

However, it felt like complete injustice.  Especially seeing it was a modified vehicle and knowing it must be some young punk thinking he's the king of the road.  I took to Facebook and posted the maniac driver's car digits and within the same day, had his full name, address and phone number listed by an acquaintance.

GOTCHA!

I was thinking if I should pay a visit and ring his doorbell.  I had all the time in the world and thought about some options.  I spoke to Amy and relayed the incident and asked if she knew anyone by this name.  Hey presto! It was her ex-colleague's husband.

Penang is way TOO small....GOTCHA!!

She made contact and the culprit's wife said there was no excuse for his atrocious driving and will compensate for the damage.

Fair enough.

At the workshop, a service staff managed to refit the mirror back to its origin without any charge.  It was maniac driver's luck.  He got off easy this time, though thinking back, could have been a lot worst.
Anyways, morale of this story is, don't do anything stupid especially in Penang, its way too small AND, you never know right?

Perfect

The Lunar festivities were simply outstanding.  Probably the best I've experienced all my life.  I remember loving it as a child, visiting relatives, paying respects to elders, collecting red packets, doing the whole sit-down reunion dinners, playing with fireworks, witnessing intently with cousins the lion dance troupe coming to bless the family home.

Some time around the age of fifteen, the family relationship turned sour.  Gone were the above mentioned, vanished into thin air.  I left Penang at 17 and never really celebrated CNY till I came back a couple of years ago.

This year however, saw many friendships reconnected after a seeming void these past years.  The best part about it was like nobody left Penang.  Back then it used to just be the boys, fast forward today, the gathering consisted of girlfriends, wives and kids.  Perfect.  To keep the friendship going strong for over ten years, even with many spread over the globe, is really something.  We made it a point to do a group portrait after a lapse of eight years and did a superb one at Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion.

Then there's family.  My brother and his family came back to visit, this also meant the very anticipated niece/grand daughter would be returning.  I don't think I've ever seen Dad dote over anyone this much in my life.  Besides Olivea being the first grandchild in the family, he displays a side both my brother and I have never seen.  Dad has never been the most patient of people, but Olivea can charm and run rings round him.  I truly treasure seeing moments when just the both of them go to the park nearby and I'd spy from a far, or when he takes her to go get ice cream, or even when he spoils her with books galore at MPH.

This morning when we were preparing to send them off to the airport, Olivea was so forlorn to be leaving.  She didn't have the strength to be cheery or to have anything for breakfast.  That really broke her grandfather's heart.  He tried his best to console her by promising to visit very soon.
Then finally at 6:45am, she tried her best not to cry while giving us flying kisses, it was too much for her maternal grandma and tears were shed.  My gorgeous niece...

As I crawled back into bed to recoup some sleep, I was then awoken by Mum and Dad, who came back after me, asking me to join them for breakfast.  Then suddenly I heard Olivea calling "Uncle Jeremy!!".... This time, I got up realizing it was a dream and started tearing.  I miss her so much.

Its been the best Lunar celebration since I last remembered, and I sure hope it also has been for you.....

Dragon Chinese New Year

Enter the Dragon

Tong Tong Tong Chiang!  Its that time of year again, where everyone comes back to their hometown, pay respects to elders, visit relatives, reunion lunches and dinners, give and receive Ang Pows, eat lots of cookies in clear plastic jars with red covers, eat lots of mandarin oranges, secretly light up fireworks, lion dances, reunion gambling and the list goes on....

I love this time of year because of all the above.  Its a time where friends you grew up with would also come back, and its a dose of good catch ups.  I heart this time of year. 

I hope your celebrations will be great.  No doubt we leave with expanded waistlines but we also leave with a contented, celebratory feeling.  Here's wishing you all a very GONG XI FATT CHAI!!

Travel safe and BEST of luck at the tables! Happy holidays! HUAT AH!!!

Happy New Year!

What a year 2011 was!  It is the ninth day of the Dragon year and I'm still trying to get priorities straight.  I would be happy if this year could be a mirroring effect of the previous.  So far, lots of discussions and ideas.  Lots of planning and strategising before the implementation.  I hope for it to be a good one and I hope for it to be a good one for all of you.

Refresh

So far, I've been on a long break, three months to be exact, after a busy but great year. 

We were approached with a good offer to part with the B&B business and after some thought, agreed to the sale of the nearly-year-old project.  In fact it seemed longer.  It has been crazy.

I've enjoyed each passing day so much but felt so guilty when Amy said I'm a much happier person now I'm no longer attached to the business.  Admittedly, it took a lot out of me.  It was a hands on business, seven days a week and started as early as 7am.  Sometimes our guests do request for an earlier breakfast due to an early check out i.e. 5am.  I can imagine at times not being the best person....

The experience was priceless, shall write more in the next few posts.

A brand new chapter

So the restaurant venture I had high hopes for didn't work out.  In the end Jeffrey, almost-chef/partner, had an offer he simply couldn't refuse.  The opportunity was too good to miss and while disappointed, I wished him well on his new journey in Singapore.

I'm a firm believer of things happening for a reason.  

A week after still being gutted, I met Amy's best friend's brother, Kelvyn.  Though we knew each other in a short period of time, we clicked.  We were discussing various ideas and what could be done.  A common thing we both loved were heritage buildings but were not sure what was the most ideal business. 

A few were mentioned but didn't spark, then suddenly Kelvyn asked me what do I think about a small boutique hotel or a bed & breakfast?  I responded immediately saying that's an idea I had in mind!  Actually for the past couple of years...

This was August of '10.  Fast forward today, a quaint two bedroom B&B located on Bangkok Lane is born.  Our doors have opened since November of the same year and we've had guests trickled in from all over the globe.  Its been quite surreal.  Unimaginable that sometimes when a door closes, in patience, perseverance and luck, another will open

My belief of things happening for a reason, stands strongly as ever if not stronger.  Its a whole new venture, wish us luck!

Back !

Merry Christmas everyone ! Its been a while, much to update.  Let's just say its a 180 degree change.  While I'm at it, I'd like to wish you a very Happy New Year 2011 ! May the new year bring the changes, achievements and successes.  Be safe and happy holidays !!