All Work And No Fun Makes A Dull Life

My life has been fairly hectic and a bit “cacamerba” for the past few months. I had not much choice but to ride it through and face up to whatever the challenges that came my way. Obviously my rugby commitment was the underlying reason, but once the secondary effects spawned from that were taken into account, I had very little breathing space. Just throw in some unexpected turn of events and unnecessary but unavoidable distractions, I was in a “near crisis” or “real crisis” mode on a daily basis. I choose this life, so I know that should not go around bitching when I can do something about it.

I always believe in life’s little marvels that if we don’t pay attention to, they will likely go unnoticed. However, if we take time to look for them, embrace them and enjoy them, we might just be surprise by the reward we get to reap at the end. In my case, looking back at that frenzy phase, I’m glad I took detours from time to time to ease my mind off the pressure. Most were nothing spectacular actually as they were just your typical activities, but when I took them as timely scheduled little “escapades”, they turned out to be the much needed antidote, and sometimes did me good beyond I could imagine.

These were some of the activities I perceived as my life savers these past two months ........

Watching movies

I watched 4 movies during this period, how I found the time to do it with the family....don't ask. Prince of Persia, Shrek Forever After, Toy Story 3 and Karate Kid. Prince of Persia and Shrek were only so so in my opinion, and I even doze off for a short span during Shrek as the story line was exceptionally....flat. I really enjoyed the other two though. Toy Story had many hilarious moments that got my whole family laughing (Buzz in Spanish mode, Ken and Barbie “cheesy” moments, and Mr Potatohead clumsy misadventures just to name a few).  And Karate Kid was a fresh re-make of the original. It was not over the top, it was not trying to compete with the original, but in a discreet way, it stood on its own with Dre Parker/Mr Han at the centre of the student/kungfu master relationship as opposed to the Daniel LaRusso/Mr Miyagi in the original version. Karate Kid movies were part of my youngster years memories and being able to watch a commendable attempt to relive the legendary classic was really refreshing.

Food…food…food

Good food is probably the most convenient sanctuary for human being in time of distress. In my case, discovering new food havens ranks very high in my list of stress busters. I tried a nasi lemak place called Nasi Lemak Ayam Kampung at Jalan Ali Pitchay, Ipoh. We stumbled upon the place by luck and what a treat it was. The ayam kampung was crispy and we even gave the fried eel there a try. Definitely a must try for Ipoh eateries.

The stack you see in front of the girl is actually all the friend Kampung Chicken...yuummm

As Seksyen 11 Shah Alam, nestled in the crowded shoplots is a place called Night Circle (FB link). It had all sort of food; western, satay, tauhu bakar, char kue teow, tomyam and seafood, all the fried rice and noodle varieties, and the gem of the place – bubur nasi (rice porridge). Rice porridge is rice porridge, but I really liked the side dishes that went along with it. Choices were abundant, from beef and chicken that could be cooked to your liking to fried anchovies and salty fish, and to vegetables and telur masin (salted egg)....yum....yum. I went there twice within about a week, although I knew there were hundreds of other alternatives in Shah Alam. That sums up how much I like the place.

The side dishes for the porridge

Along the way, my mother in law cooked scrumptious dishes throughout my 10-day stay at her place and her treats included sambal kerang, asam pedas, masak lemak pisang muda, masak tempoyak (tempoyak cooked with all sorts of ulam) etc. My mom also cooked me her out of this world “goreng bercili” which I devoured to my heart desire. Ohhh....bless these two wonderful ladies.

I-City Shah Alam

I discovered this place through Facebook. Little did I know that the place was only a stone throw away from my in-laws' house and I actually passed by it many times as I drove through my Shah Alam-Lumut route. It is part of a master plan for a digital commercial estates where “the whole city is a plug and play network”, but for now it is the “i-City, City of Digital Lights” where you can find hundreds of glittering artificial trees illuminated by LED lights. It was truly an awesome experience. Difficult to explain, the photos below depict some of its aura but you just have to go there yourselves to experience what it’s all about. Highly recommended!!!!!

Muzik Muzik 25

I tagged along for one of the recording sessions for the Muzik Muzik 25. This year is its 25th anniversary and my wife’s niece was in the production team for the show, so it was a good excuse to get a glimpse of the celebrities through her connections. My twins were over excited to meet Adira, the runner-up of Akademi Fantasia 8. Yeah…I know. As I said....I was dragged against my will:). It wasn’t half bad actually although the crowd was exceptionally small as it was a Wednesday nite. We were escorted to meet Adira and Marsha as they were getting their make-up done backstage. We also met Tomok and Ayu OIAM as they were waiting for the recording to begin. And eventually as the night progressed, we were treated to 11 different songs by.... (trying to remember....having trouble, difficult!!!) Adira, Marsha, Tomok, Ayu, Ezad (Exist), Daly (Ahli Fiqir) & Wana, Mirwana & Fiq, Mimie, Nabil (Mentor) etc. Hmmmm....not my cup of tea but then again, I still enjoyed it as it was an activity with my family but don’t think I could brave myself to go on my own (I remember feeling so out of place and “very alone” when Lin and the twins were whisked away to meet Adira and Marsha....for the second time).

Yes....I was there (photo with the host Faiz) and Adira was the only one that mattered for the twins

Adira on stage (left) and Shera, Lin's nice cum Floor Manager for the show (right)

Mimie and Mirwana & Fiq

Tomok & Marsha

Books

Now....this is my cup of tea though I don’t always have the time to really indulge in this self-fulfilling interest. Despite the hectic schedules, I started reading a book called East Asia Dynamism just to get into the groove again as a student as I am scheduled to become one next year (InsyaAllah). Expectedly, the pace has been very slow but I found the topic about Japan, Korea and China, and their economic progress very fascinating. I also decided to try reading a detective novel called 9 Dragons. This is quite a stray from my usual spy and thriller books by the likes of Tom Clancy and Dan Brown where “he must do this or it’s gonna be the end of the world” was normally at the centre of the plot. This book by Michael Connelly started with a simple story of a murder at a liquor store in south LA, then a link was made to the Chinese triads, which then subsequently led to the abduction of the hero’s daughter who lived in Hong Kong by the Chinese mob. I am at where he made his way to Kowloon (it is also known as 9 Dragons, hence the title of the book) to find clues on where his daughter was held captive. I love it....so far.

Jogging

I jogged twice at Shah Alam Lake. Correction....I jogged once, and the other time I brisk-walked my way through the lake as my knees were too sore for me to jog. The lake is my favourite jogging place when I’m in Shah Alam. I normally complete the whole perimeter of the lake within 30+ minutes. Oblivious of the people around me, the quality time I spend there is really for me and my close encounter with the park. The spectacular view of Shah Alam Mosque from across the lake is something I always look forward to at the end of my run. The views below represent only a small portion of my jogging route at the lake, while the complete scenery has been permanently sketched in every detail in my mind, enough to entice me to make my pilgrimage there time and again.

The wooden bridge at the beginning of my track

Snapshots of my jogging route

My reward at the end of the jogging route....well worth it

Apart from those activities I’ve mentioned above, I also treated myself to other little diversions in order to give me the feeling that there’s more to life than just work. My family has also been a pillar of strength in helping me through, and during the challenging period I felt blessed to have them around me. The warmth I feel in their arms is a definite comfort in my time of need, and I am absolutely confident that with them as my corner, I could face up to anything that life throws at me in the future. And the little treats similar to what I’ve earlier described will continue to be my easy and convenient outlets to ease away the stress and pain. Alhamdulillah.