The Greatest Lesson I Have Just Learnt - FLOW

I have just returned from the most amazing and awesome weekend in Bali. And no... it's not another holiday. It was EBS.

What is EBS?

It's Entrepreneur Business School.

Business school?

Yup. But it's not about business. It's not about the plan.

Most of you readers out there probably wouldn't understand what I'm going to be rambling about for remainder of this post but if you did... you'd know.

Over the weekend, I learnt a lot about people and connection and flow.

I never really thought about flow throughout the weekend during EBS. But then a thought occurred to me at the airport while waiting for my flight to return to KL.

Why is EBS always held in Bali?

I had been wondering why Roger chooses Bali as the venue. At first I thought, hmm... maybe because his family now lives in Bali. But then I thought again. There must be something more.

So, there I was wandering around the boarding gate area waiting for my flight and it suddenly occurred to me.

I know why EBS is held in Bali! It is a lesson that Roger hopes all EBS participants will learn from the people of Bali.

Just think about it. What is it about these simple people leading simple lives in Bali?

Bali is one of Indonesia's wealthest regions thanks largely to the tourism industry. It is paradise to some. Despite all the development on the island, the Balinese people have always been very grateful for what they have. Yes, they are proud of their achievements, but they did not have any ego in them. They were just grateful.

Then, in 2002, the Kuta area was bombed by militant Islamist. It shook the whole island. Every single person in Bali was affected in one way or another. I remember several years back when I made my first visit to Bali and I had a chat with the travel agent there. There wasn't a single tourist for at least 3 months right after the bombing. Not a single one.

Workers went for months without getting paid. People could hardly survive. They couldn't feed their families.

Yet, they persevered. They struggled. And throughout this struggle, they were never upset. They accepted that whatever happened, had happened for a reason. Now, there are also Muslims living on the island. Most of them came from the island of Java. It could have been easy enough for the Balinese people to take revenge as Muslims are a minority on the island of Bali. But yet they didn't. Instead, they worked together to rebuild the island.

Things were only starting to get better when again in 2005, another bomb was set off. Again by militant Islamists. The lives of all the people on the island was once again sent into turmoil. Yet, the people were not upset. They accepted again that what happened, had happened.

And at that moment, when that thought occurred to me, I knew the reason why EBS is held in Bali. The people of Bali are so in flow... What better place to learn about flow than in Bali...

And if all the participants of EBS could just learn this one lesson from the people of Bali, that would have been the most important lesson learnt.

Malaysia. My Country, My Home

Malaysia... What can I say? My country, my home. Despite the recent developments in the country, I must say that Malaysia is still a beautiful country. A rich country.

Rich? You would ask. Yes. Rich.

Rich in culture.

Rich in colours.

Rich in food.

Rich in people.

Rich in resources.

Rich in destinations.

Rich in talent.

Rich in so many other things.

Now you may ask. Is Malaysia really that rich?

Why not? Here's why.

Rich in culture.

Over the years, different races have been living harmoniously under one 'roof'. Yes. Amazing but true. Our cultures have blended so well that the oh-so-famous Coffee Bean Ice Blended Coffee can't beat that.

We see the Malays giving green packets during Hari Raya. Notice something familiar? Red packets during Chinese New Year.

And when it's EPL season, you'll see people from all walks of life floodingthe mamak stalls to catch their favourite team in action on the big screen.

What about the ever famous batik cloth now fashionably made into cheongsam. It's totally fabulous!

Rich in colours.

Have you ever seen all the different traditional costumes of all the different races in Malaysia all put together? You'll be amazed at the colours on display.

And then there's the Annual Flora Fest held in Putrajaya. Oh! The colours are such a sight for sore eyes.

Rich in food.

Anyone ever tried going on a 'makan' trip anywhere in Malaysia? For the benefit of overseas readers, 'makan' means eat in Malay. The culinary delights you'll find here are of (g)astronomical proportions. I read in a magazine recently that for every hour of the day, you'll be able to find something to fulfill all your cravings.

From the ever so famous nasi lemak to bak kut teh to durian tarts to fish head curry to Portugese grilled fish to chocolate banana cake to asam laksa to char kueh teow to hokkien meehoon to grilled chicken wings to satay to banana leaf rice to roti canai to dim sum to otak-otak.

I have to stop here. My mouth is watering...

Rich in people.

Some might think that there are only three races in Malaysia. The Malays, the Chinese and the Indians. Many have forgotten about the Dayaks, the Kadazans, the Ibans, the Bidayuhs, the Melanau, the Minangkabaus, the orang asli. And just imagine, we all live happily under one 'roof', regardless of race and religion.

Rich in resources.

Has anyone ever pondered upon the fact that the people of Malaysia are one hell of a lucky bunch?

We are strategically located in a little circle within the Pacific Rim of Fire, free of volcanoes, earthquakes, typhoons and hurricanes. Our neighbour, Indonesia, isn't as lucky as us. They have volcanoes which are the most active of the Rim. And to think we are only separated by the Straits of Melaka.

And within this strategic location, we are blessed with petroleum and tin. We have soil so fertile that rubber and palm oil flourish in plantations. Not to mention the various types of fruits that we export to the Western countries.

Rich in destinations.

One will be amazed at the inbound tourists that flood the country year in year out. We have Americans, Europeans, Middle Easterns, Australians, Japanese, Koreans and even Singaporeans constantly arriving on our shores. But have you ever wondered why we have tourists from all over the world coming here year after year after year?

One thing I have to admit is our government does a really good job promoting Visit Malaysia Year. And it's really not that difficult a task to do.

We have some of the best island destinations in the world. From Pulau Pinang to Pulau Langkawi to Pulau Redang to Pulau Perhentian to Pulau Tioman and not to forget Pulau Sipadan, home to one of the best diving locations in the world.

And how can we forget our beloved Mount Kinabalu, tallest mountain in Malaysia. Home to the Rafflesia, the largest single flower in the world. Mount Kinabalu is also home to thirteen species of the insectivorous pitcher plants, the Kinabalu giant red leech, the Kinabalu giant earthworm and the Rhinocerous Hornbill.

Rich in talent.

The above said, we have yet more richness in us. And that is talent. One may not know but there are quite a number of Malaysians who are internationally renowned.

We have Jimmy Choo (shoe designer), Zang Toi (fashion designer), Melinda Looi (fashion designer), Nicole David (squash player), Lee Chong Wei (badminton player), Siti Nurhaliza (singer), the late Sudirman Arshad (singer), Sheila Majid (singer) and oh so many more.

I was born here. I grew up here. I studied here (although I did a twinning program). I work here.

My life is here. My Malaysia.

Here In My Home

Absolutely lovely video...

Quote Of The Day

There are two things to aim at in life; first to get what you want, and after that to enjoy it. Only the wisest of mankind has achieved the second. - Logan Pearsall Smith

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101 words

Rocky Inspirations!

By ELIZABETH NG

So what does Sylvester Stallone have to do with a Penangite writer’s first book? The answer: everything, as the soon-to-be released book is a collection of the Hollywood actor’s “life values”. The philosophies are not only gleaned from Stallone’s life but are also mined from his most popular film character – the underdog pugilist Rocky.

The principles of persevering despite the odds and how winning isn’t the only thing that matters are found in Gerald Chuah’s inaugural book entitled In the Eye of the Tiger: Survival Principles from Sylvester Stallone’s Life & Films.

“The book offers fundamental principles on how to be successful in life,” said the slightly overwhelmed and nervous author during the book’s soft launch at Borders, Berjaya Times Square, Kuala Lumpur on Jan 22. “My first draft was written in 1990.”

Jacqueline Stallone (right) -- mother of the Hollywood actor -- launches Chuah's book. -- Picture by ELIZABETH NG.

Chuah has come a long way since then, rewriting the book countless times before finally deciding to complete it to coincide with the release of Stallone’s Rocky Balboa, the sixth and final movie of the Rocky franchise.

Of course, part of Chuah’s “final boost” came in the form of Jacqueline, Stallone’s mother, who wholeheartedly endorses Chuah’s dream project-turned-reality.

“I met Gerald through e-mail 10 years ago and when I saw the book about two years ago, I thought it was wonderful. I showed it to Sylvester and he said every bit of what is written is actually true,” said Jacqueline, a noted celebrity astrologer, who was also present at the launch.

According to Jacqueline, the principles in the book were what Stallone was raised on and her son had a really difficult time while growing up.

“His face was half-paralysed and his body half-crippled because he was injured at birth. He didn’t have many friends growing up and he couldn’t get along with the other kids -- they were mean.”

Chuah's book (above) will be available in Borders bookstores in February.

Stallone was also thrown out of 17 schools and didn’t excel in any subject, even physical education! So when Jacqueline turned to her astrological charts to see what the future had in store for him, she discovered something surprising.

“His chart said that he would be a writer so I told him about it and he got angry. Didn’t want to talk to me, but see now…” she said of Stallone, who penned all the Rocky movies.

Of Chuah’s book, Jacqueline hopes that readers will like the quotations and gain something from the insights as they aren’t dispensed by geniuses or experts, but a regular guy who has had experience fighting for what he believes in and achieving goals that others deemed impossible.

It looks like the zen-like principles do pay off. Just ask Chuah, who continued to pursue his dream even when he couldn’t see an end in sight. Holding on to the very values he was writing about, the New Straits Times journalist worked on his labour of love without knowing whether a book would ever be published.

“I didn’t know that today would ever come. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine my book would one day be endorsed and launched by Jackie. This is indeed a great honour, and a high point in my life.

“I want the legacy of the Rocky spirit to continue and if I can do it (publish a book), anybody can do it,” added Chuah, who has yet to actually speak to Stallone.

With materials sourced from newspaper archives, books, magazines, rare documentaries and the Internet, Chuah’s collection of Stallone-esque principles touches on various aspects in life such as love, faith, courage and spirituality. Apart from the inspiring insights into reaching one’s goals, the book also contains 36 hand-drawn illustrations of Stallone’s popular film characters.

Now that that’s done, what will Chuah attempt next?

“I would like to write a book on people who’ve gone through hardships and make it in real life. Stories of how people can be the best they can be. It would be about real ‘Rocky’ stories.”

In the Eye of the Tiger: Survival Principles from Sylvester Stallone’s Life & Films will be available in all Borders bookstores in February. Those who would like to pre-order the book can do so at www.stallonism.com. Rocky Balboa is scheduled to open in cinemas on Feb 22.

Happy New Year 2007 http://www.audreychooi.com

Tens of thousands of Malaysians ushered in the New Year on a boisterous note at various venues. Packed with tens of thousands of revellers for the New Year street party. A magnificent 15-minute pyrotechnic show took place. Roads in the vicinity of The Curve in Mutiara Damansara in Petaling Jaya were closed to traffic for a street party attended by a large crowd. At nearby Bandar Utama, thousands were entertained by Australian boy band North, Taiwanese singer Jenie Chuo, Singaporean Apple Hong and others. http://www.audreychooi.com