End of the Year

It has been quite some time since I wrote my last entry. So much has happened that I don't even know where to begin. We're back in Malaysia now and settled quite nicely in our new apartment. Been through our own personal credit crunch and living off a credit card for a while. God! I hate that feeling. Now that Christmas is here, another round of expenses that needs to be managed.

Nonetheless, there is so much to be thankful for. Aleeshya has turned two and is now starting to speak in basic sentences. Nothing is more wonderful that hearing ask for me to play with her. Did my heart check too with relatively good news. With a supportive wife, a darling daughter and my reasonably good health to go with that, there truly is so much to be thankful for.

My photography skills need to be honed again though. It so bad now that I would be better off using a point and shoot.

Been reading Robin Sharma again, this time on Kobo (the e-reader) on my iPad. Nice read. More of his same stuff, so nothing really ground-breaking. However, it does remind me to think and reflect on the core things in life. That, I suppose, is what is important ... using introspection to become a better person.

Well, not much to say for today, so until next time.

-pshasi

To My Wife and Mother of Our Daughter

Blessed am I to have you as my wife, so loving and so full of life.
You are an amazing mother to our beloved daughter.
Since the day we were gifted with a child, you have been her protecter from the wild.
Caring for her, nurturing her, now, she seems so mature.

She is not yet two but her love for you is unconditional.
She is willful and shows her confidence, as you have taught her this with diligence.
I am sure she will grow up just like you, with charm, intelligence and courage to match yours.
Two strong loving women am I surrounded with. Oh, best for me to not cross them, for sure.

You toil by day and by night to keep her safe and healthy.
Day-in day-out she learns from you the most important lessons of life.
No better teacher could she have, to prepare her for this world.
Oh how I love you both for who you are, but more so for who you make me.

I have learnt lifes precious lessons thanks to the two of you.
My hope to return such treasures, I know will be in vain.
May I one day be the husband and the father you can be proud to have by your side.
Someday soon, I hope, shall I be deserving of thee.

Your loving husband,
-pshasi

Mother's Day Present for a Father

I ain't a very good husband as can be attested by the fact that I did nothing to show my appreciation for my wife, while she pretty much treated me to breakfast at La Bode (although I paid for it) while she looked after our daughter.

As if that wasn't enough, given the hot day, she decided it was a good idea for an outing to the pool. So off we went to the pool at our new apartment together with my sis and my nieces. While enjoyed a good swim, she spent the better part of the day looking after our daughter and playing with her at the pool.

I am truly blessed to have both a wife who loves me so dearly and who has stood by me through my darkest times, and a daughter who never seizes to be bring a smile to either of us.

I am amazed by the energy our daughter has playing in the pool. Maybe the stress of ensuring her safety is what drains us most especially when our daughter seems to be crashing headlong into the pool with sheer glee.

Having spent her energy in the pool, she is now sleeping like the angel that she is, all peaceful and serene. At least that gives us both a little bit of time before she gets up and turns into our little darling "Tasmanian Devil".

-pshasi

The Meaning of Easter To Me

Well Lent has passed and so has Good Friday and the Blessed Easter Sunday.

While I am not a Catholic nor a Christian, (my wife and daughter are though), the Station of the Cross or also known as the Passion of Christ (made popular by the movie The Passion of the Christ) still bears meaning for me. For those who are Christians, please note that my opinion is not meant to be disrespectful of anyone. If it does offend anyone, I plea for forgiveness beforehand.

To me the Passion of Christ is the culmination of Jesus's life and his teaching. It is the highlight of his life. The destiny to which Christ was born on this Earth to effect. It captures the excruciating suffering Jesus endures to wash away the Sins of his loved ones ... all of mankind. Where any other man would waver and yield, he didn't. For that strength alone, one should at the very least respect Jesus (be he man or Son of God) if not love him for it.

While some would argue that such an event never occurred, I answer you this, "If it didn't occur, then it is a parable to teach mankind how one should live and die. But then, what if it actually did happen? What does that mean to all of us?"

You may then ask me, why do I not convert, if I feel the way I do? To that I would respond such, "While I was born a Hindu and shall likely die a Hindu, to me Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism and all other religions that guides us along the path of love, understanding and enlightenment are not mutually exclusive. They are one and the same".

Just as one shirt does not fit us all, no one religion caters to all souls as each soul is at different stage of enlightenment. However, just as the function of a shirt is to keep our body warm, the function of religion or faith as others may call it is to guide our soul to perfection (or salvation as others may call it).

iPad2! Where Are You?

iPod, iPhone, iPad!
iPad2 I wait for you.

iBook, Bloomberg, WritePad!
Applets I cant wait to install into you.

Come soon! Come here!
Oh! Why are you so dear?

iPad2 is the latest gadget I await my dear.
By Christmas will you please be here?

Back Home! Back with Family! Hallelujah!

Ah! KL! KL! How I have missed you much. While many Malaysian's seek the lustre of overseas to call home, I am just glad that my tour of duty is finally over and that I am back home in KL and with my family.

I remember the time when I was like many other Malaysian's seeking a life better life overseas. Nonetheless, my days studying for my MBA in Melbourne, exposed me to the A-type personalities resident in Australia and also a glimpse of what future settling down overseas in an anglo-saxon country was going to be like. I made a decision then to move back to Malaysia where both my friends and family were. I never regretted that decision. Now, having completed my obligation to work in my "Motherland", I truly appreciate that, despite my ancestry, I am truly Malaysian, heart and soul.

While happy to be based back in Malaysia, what I had missed the most was really my family since they had moved back 6 months earlier for the benefit of our daughter. The joy of a smile from my daughter just obliterates any work stress one might. It doesn't negate the exhaustion one has, but sure does provide one with the energy to play just that little bit longer with one's child. I have no idea how my wife does it and I am always amazed by the energy she has to deal with all the tough things like looking after our daughter. Thank you my dear wife. I know it was a sacrifice for you to quit your work and spend time at home raising our daughter. The job is priceless and sometimes I know I don't thank you enough.... but no, I am not increasing the house allowance :P

Despite all the difficulties and hardship we (my wife and I) had both undergone in raising our daughter through this past year and a half, watching her grow has made us better people and was worth it every step of the way. I think this most important lesson we learn as parents is to be more patient, more caring and above all else more giving as people.

And so, in the words of my ex-boss, I hope to "further increase the non-bumi population in Malaysia"... for the benefit of all Malaysians of course. :D

Thank you Oh Lord for blessing me with caring parents, a supportive wife and a loving daughter.


-pshasi