UNITE@Xmas

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My annual Xmas&New Year address this year deals with unity for my fellow countrymen and my country.It goes like this; Christmas time is here again, as is the end of another year. It's a season to reflect on the achievements and tribulations of months past, and also a time for new goals and new resolve as we approach the dawning of a brand new year. As you celebrate the present and dwell on the future, our Christmas wish to you is to Unite@X'mas in this blessed country of ours, one that is built on our unique cultural diversity. This is, of course, nothing new, but with many short-sighted and small-minded individuals stirring up racial sentiments in a bid to threaten the nation's stability, it is perhaps necessary for us to be constantly reminded so as to not take our peace and prosperity for granted. On that note, we hope that this joyous season brings you tidings of forgiveness, fellowship and love, as we, not just set aside, but celebrate our differences. Have a very Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year. Cheers! Have A Happy New Year all of you dear to me near and far.

HappyXmas06

This is our first Christmas without Jon. When we agreed to host the annual family gathering we knew there would be mixed feelings as to how we 'celebrate' this year's Xmas. So to set the tone and to celebrate Jon's present absence, we started proceedings by acknowledging Jon's absence and presence with a prayer and a slide show of Jon's images at last Christmas. 

The silent procedure was accompanied by Sting's 'Fragile'. 

Then after, as with all Christmasses past, we had the traditional turkey and the sumptuous food spread contributed by family who we share the happy season with. 

 It was comforting for me to revisit images of Jon and it made celebrating X'mas this year justifiable, also only because Jon wouldn't have it any other way. 

I think his familiar boyish grin brought relief to all of us, even if tears were freely flowing.

95% goes to Medan

Went to Medan for the first time with 95% to conduct two trainings for a group of very young, very switched on individuals who were on fire when we left. The city unlike Jakarta is less congested more languid in pace and well laid out, abit like Penang. 

We conducted the first part of the training in Brastagi, a highlands resort about 2 hours from the city of Medan. The harrowing drive up the narrow and winding trunk road revealed the edgy, underdeveloped countryside of North Sumatra. The Bataks live in these parts, their favourite cuisine- pig burnt in an open wood fire and sweet corn barbequed pretty much the same way. 

The hotel Sibayak was adequate and the helpful staff pretty much made up for any shortcoming. Training went like clockwork and I had the benefit of getting the very power and goodness of our trainers up close and very gruelling. I have never been more tired from a day's work and never happier. 

But the true happiness came from seeing the faces and the 'being' of the participants at the end of the second day. Awesome.