Candle in the Wind

My tai kow foo (oldest uncle) from mom's side passed away on Monday. He lost his battle to liver cancer. I was home last weekend fetching mom and dad to town, as mom was planning trip to visit him on Tuesday. She was too late.

He fought on, down but he was not out, till the very end. Perhaps that was a release and relief, for him, no more pain, no more struggle. Though this is inevitable, how do you, and how can you prepare yourself to see the passing of a family? How do you, and how can you just let him go?

The last time I saw uncle, it was probably during my sister's R wedding. That was more than 10 years ago.

How fragile and vulnerable life is, just a candle flickering in the wind. Time is running out, a lot faster than you know. Cherish your loved ones and treasure every moment you share. Before you turn off the light and turn in for the night, hug them and kiss them, tell them you love them.

Life is short, live, love.

Precious

The most precious find during my Bali weekend getaway: vanilla pods. These would cost a bomb here at home! I’ll be baking this weekend.  

Mondays' Blue

A beautiful Sunday would chase away the gloomy Mondays' blue.

Today was spent walking in the bush, dipping in the waterfall, donating blood to a couple of leeches, snapping pictures of fields of ginger flowers, eating jungle durian in the middle of nowhere (the best I ever tasted!), dipping my tired feet in hot spring, taking a rejuvenating nap and enjoying great company of my friends.

I'm so looking forward to tomorrow! (Now that I've put it in writting it looks weird and slightly sickening and I sound pathetic!)

Prelude

Waking up bright and early (7 am is ungodly for a Sunday morning), for a hike up Saga Hill to the waterfall. It must be old age talking as I was sucking wind big time hiking up. I was there only a year ago and I did not recall it was that tough the last time. Nothing changes, except I’m a year older and packing up a couple of kilos. Oh damn, I’m so going to die taking on Mount Kinabalu at the end of coming July. What the hell was I thinking? Well perhaps I wasn’t thinking at all. 

Oh KK here I come!

Mind Over Matter

Try your damnedest not to get a ‘reaction’ during a Balinese aroma therapy full body massage. I kept thinking about that bloody monkey that grabbed my glasses and ran away with it at the Pura Uluwatu temple the previous evening.

Talk about mind over matter.

Second Time

I was there, 2 weekends ago. My second trip to the island and pretty sure that'd not be my last. I'm definitely going to be back there again. Hopefully soon!

Something for the Twins

Happy belated birthday, boys. May you be free and happy like the fishes swimming in the wonderful world of the ocean. I love you.