Challenges

Dad has been in London for a few days now. Whenever he drops by I like quizzing him about his university days in London and when he met mom.

Life could have been very different for me. Mom and Dad lived in London for 6 years, studied, married and worked here. They became permanent residents, and were pretty much set on living here. At the end of the six years they decide to visit Malaysia for a bit. This short visit turned into relocating back to Malaysia for good.

As a Malaysian having been through numerous costly and time consuming visa processes in the US and UK, I sometimes dream about how much easier life would've been had I been born in the UK. 

On Saturday, as dad and I were strolling along the canal by Regents Park, I go "Oh dad why couldn't I have been born here!" 

"Why is that?" dad asks.

"Well I would have one less worry in life."

Dad laughs at me and goes "If that were the case, you would only have had a comfortable life. At least you grew up in Malaysia and experienced a different culture, moved to the States and you're now in London! If you had grown up in the UK, you'd probably have gone to university here and lived here your whole life."

And he's probably right. I don't think I'd have studied in the US, worked there, found my way to London, and have met and experienced the numerous variations of life and personalities along the way.

My cousin, Fernie, wrote a post about how change is good, how it contributes to one's appreciation. Fern was born in the US, and moved about quite a bit: Malaysia, Texas, San Diego, and recently, Hangzhou. Her writing is simply beautiful and those of us who have moved about can certainly relate to. Read it here.

Let me try to tie all the strings together. This blog, although unintentional, is mainly focused on travels that come about due to work and personal interest. I'm a firm believer in traveling as much as possible. Travels tend to throw you out of your comfort zone, and into circumstances that challenge you. She teaches you how to deal with them, and turns you into a stronger, yet versatile person over time. She is invaluable, priceless and teaches you how to persevere in the years ahead of us. 

Thank you Steve..

I first read of Steve Job's departure as CEO this morning, on the way to work.

It was weird. I don't know him, have never known him. But it felt like someone close had departed and i felt more affected than I really should be.

I read further down the New York Times article and it began to make sense. Steve Jobs vision from 30 years ago, now realised, is part of my everyday life. To be honest, the fact is, the results of his vision are ingrained in me. I spend at least 10 hours a day on a Steve Jobs heavily influenced product - iPhone plugged in on the way to work combined with reading the BBC/NYTimes app. At work, I'm on a MacBook all day (which I just moved over from a PC, and it's the best change that's happened - productivity-wise).

This paragraph from the NYTimes article sums it up perfectly:

“Funny how much emotion you can feel about a stranger,” wrote Susan Orlean, the author. “And yet every phone call I make, every time I’m on a computer, he’s part of it.” 

He will always be known for taking risks, not backing down, and realising that in the most innovative yet consumer centric way. Are you kidding? That is an understatement. 

 

Thank you Steve for changing this industry, and challenging the competition.

Overheard today

"We search all our lives for someone to love and then go about for the rest of our life trying to change them and mold them into what we want them to be, trying to contain them. And that's why you lost her..."