Similar to my life as well. Here are 8 events/highlights/call it what you want, that defined my last decade. It's not necessary my favourites or even the best, but it shaped my 2000 - 2009. In somewhat chronological order, presenting my...Greatest Hits 2000 - 2009:
1. I decided to walk with Jesus. Of course, it wasn't a bed of roses. He's not Santa Claus or a Bless Me dispensing machine. The "places" he takes me to are sometimes very hard on me but whenever I look back, I know it's for my own good. In such situations, I rise up stronger and transform to be more gracious. My walk with Him can be summed up by this statement made by Bono, the frontman of U2 - paraphrasing: "Being religious can be the enemy of God. It stops us from moving with the spontaneity of His Spirit"
2. Jo and I and my friend, Eric, joined the business in the early 2000s. We tried the business for about 3 years then gave up. Let's put it this way, Amway was a good idea but not a cause I would die for. But that business taught me how to face rejections and took me to places I've never known existed in Klang Valley. Friendships were tested. During that time, I was taught to focus on the dream and out of this experience, it gave birth to my passion to mentor secondary school youths. I'm still practicing some of Amway's business principles in my work and life today.
3. In 2003, I decided to try out the XYZ (Xtraordinary Youth Zone) in my church by helping out in whatever way I can. That is probably one of the best decisions I made. This ministry activated my gifts of teaching, mentoring and creativity. It took to me to places I never I dream I would go - Cambodia for short term mission work and beautiful places in Malaysia I never knew existed. It is in this ministry that Jo & I befriended good friends and mentors eg. my XYZ Pastor - Pastor Matthew Foo. Also, the ministry exposed me to money can't buy experience such as organizing a youth camp for 280 and a youth concert for 1,700! When you invest your time and life in the lives of young people, you can never go wrong. Not only will they be equipped for the future but they can rise up to be movers and shakers in their own world, right now. For example, my beautiful wedding was mainly organized by the young people, from our wedding planner to the DJ mending the songs during the makan reception.
4. Of course, the BEST decision I made was to marry my university sweet heart (eee...so corny), Jo-Ann on the 26 Feb 2005. We're different but the same, yin and yang, bread and butter, milo and condensed milk. She definitely complete me. She's very patient with my bad habits and moody temperament. Without her, I would be too lazy to see the world and we'll be living in cardboard boxes today (no joke). I can spend hours just talking how extraordinary my lady is.
5. Every job leaves a tattoo on me but the one that made the biggest imprint on me got to be my 4 years stint at JobStreet.com My 1st 2 years were really awesome but the last 2 years were the most memorable. I reckon the only reason I stayed for so long was because I was too comfortable in my job, cause really, there was no career direction, no challenges and no purpose. It was a wake up call for me when my ex-boss took an epic and drastic measure to "encourage" me of the door. My big boss who took me into the company turned his back on me when I needed him most. Very very tough times.
6. My career finally took off at the age of 30 years when I joined Starcom MediaVest Group. I found my sweet spot. Up till today, I still look forward to my job everyday. At one point, I was ADDICTED to my job. I love my staff to bits. They define me and bring the best out of me. These days, I got to be really careful not to fall into the "last-2years-of-JobStreet" trap again. The day I can close my eyes to do my job is the time I should consider moving on.
7. I've caught the travel bug. My family and Jo will know I hated traveling - the tours, the up and down the buses, the 2 hours waiting at the airport, the smell of airplane food in the cabin...but now, I'm looking forward to our annual trips to new and exciting places. In the past 5 years, I've traveled to New Zealand, Australia (several times), Japan, South Korea, Bangkok, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Bali, Paris and London. I enjoy getting lost in a foreign culture, just observing and breathing in the sights and sounds, it heightens all my senses. Everytime I'm in a strange land, I get inspired. My capacity for creativity increases. I would love to have a job which would take me to new places and meeting new people for fresh ideas but my base remains in KL (well, who doesn't want that, right?) But I would love to have Jo come along as well and then, there's also a need to start a family soon. Oh! Such conflicting forces.
8. And finally, as I look at the pictures taken and the mirror everyday, I am growing fatter and fatter. Not only that, I look very lethargic (just look at the picture of me with Jo above). Everytime I meet old friends and even my parents, they will say, "You look lethargic" "You look stressed" "You look tired" Honestly, I'm sick of hearing all these and I am going to do something about it. I hope to be my fittest in this new decade.I used to have grand "3 years plans", "5 years plans", "short term goals", long term goals" and what not. However, I realized I can plan all I want but I rather be directed by God. More exciting this way. I rather look to the sky to learn how to fly. Let's see what's in store for my next Greatest Hits 2010 - 2019 (unless the world ends in 2012).
P/S: Here's a "Bonus Track" worth mentioning too. Our stint at Klang. Early 2000s, I bought a property in Bandar Botanic, KLANG (!). I officially moved in 2004. But the property was too far and after clocking in thousands and thousands of KMs and filling up Samy Vellu's pockets for the tolls we had to pay, we decided to move out. What we got out from Klang was, yes - the best in the universe Bak Kut Teh, its Dim Sum (this awesome shop at the back of Giant, Bukit Tinggi) and of course, Ang Ku.
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