A month ago!

 One of the rare invitations received this year!  

Rare?  Because we replied YES!

B.A.P. Unión is a beautiful training ship. 

A date to remember

Image from WWW

31 years ago, I started work at the Embassy of Peru.  It was a Wednesday, and I cannot, for the life of me, remember why I didn't start on a Monday or the 1st of the next month.  

Anyway, I joined as a young and impressionable person who had skills to offer but also much to learn.  Thankfully, I had very kind and helpful colleagues who taught me all that I needed to know.

After almost 20 years of being the ambassador's secretary, I discovered more about myself than in any other period of my life. It was a time of change and evolution into who I was meant to be and though I remember some difficult times, I cherish the amazing moments more. 

I've been retired now for over 11 years.  Sometimes I still need to pinch myself when I wake up and see the life that I have now.  It is a simple life but an easy one.

Today, for instance, Stephen asked me if there was anything more that he could do for me.  Without hesitation, I know that there is nothing I need or want.  I have enough of everything.

Just remembering today's date and smiling for all the memories and milestones I have had since that day!

25 kgs ago

Without any difficulty I can be transported back to 25 years ago when I was also, probably, 25 kgs lighter.  I was way too thin then and some people even thought I had cancer!  It's crazy looking back to those days but really it's no different from today when people still have crazy thoughts.  

Today, 25 years ago, I started work at the Embassy of Peru, which accounts for nearly 20 years of my life.  It's been more than five years since I left but my google calendar reminded me.  I hold many good and great memories of my time there.  It was a steep learning curve when I started work but I embraced all the lessons.

From an inner room with only a window to the corridor, I was given this beautiful office space.  How many hours I must have clocked from sitting there for so many years. 

I miss this office set up for when I need to do stuff.  Everything within easy reach!  And the beautiful hand-crafted Peruvian tapestry which was my favourite among the many that we displayed in the Embassy. 

On days when there wasn't a single cloud in the sky like this and the sun's heat could be felt even through the tinted-glass, reminding us that even things we cannot see, can affect us.

To days when clouds formed but never stayed permanently as part of the sky, very much like how life is; ever-changing but always interesting

And when the rains poured so heavily at mid-day, it was impossible to see beyond this Hotel next to us and I have stood watching the trees being tossed around with great admiration for their determination to stay rooted.

Then it passes, the clouds pull back and everything comes back into focus and we can see clearly again that even when things seem to have been lost, they were still there but just hidden.

Suddenly the sun will shine through again and reminds us that no matter how many storms we go through, it's not going to be dark always.  Light will overcome darkness if we are patient enough.

I never tire of  seeing the fountain and the sounds made when it lands back into the pool of water.  I remember the shade from these stately trees!  I'm glad that Wisma Selangor Dredging had this mini oasis to balance the concrete jungle.  Tranquility when least expected.

View from the conference room where we often had our lunch.  A place where many secrets were shared, tears were shed but also where there was so much laughter.  The rolling-on-the-floor type of laughter that I cherish until today.  It's also the place where we gathered for a lunch pizza party when Obama won the elections.

 This is the corridor where my colleague, Ivy,  taught me how to linedance to achy breaky heart one Friday afternoon when the office had closed for the day.

 I'm truly glad that I took some pictures before finally leaving the place that helped to mould and shape me into the person that I am today.  

That's a glimpse of me with my favourite ambassador, H. E. Alejandro Gordillo.  We still stay in touch via emails and whatsapp

A quarter of a century has passed and still I have such a vivid memory of my first day.  With my eyes closed, I can see myself wearing a light-yellow two-piece outfit for that new chapter on 24 June 1992.

Today in 1992

My journey, or rather one of them, started in 1992 and ended in 2012.

It seems like I never ever worked at the Embassy of Peru for twenty years.  How easy it has been to forget and leave it all behind!!!!

When I was teetering on whether or not to do it, I was in a short state of turmoil but when I decided, I just went ahead without thinking more and now it's already over three years since I've left.  

Today a reminded popped up in my online calendar that said "Peru Embassy Anniversary".  I don't even remember putting that detail in my calendar.  I must have done it since it came up together with my other appointments for the day.

Nice moment that brought when I look back at the friends I made and still contact via email or whatsapp.  

Looking back, it had molded me for the greater good.  I learnt so many things during those years and some of those lessons hold me in good stead today.  How awesome is that!!!

Feeling amazing

I saw this recently on Facebook and reading through points 1 to 15, I can check off all of them.  

I have had some pretty amazing moments in my life.

Today is one of them.  It marks the anniversary of when I first joined the Embassy at the age of 33.  

Of course, I retired  2 years ago after spending two-thirds of my life there but if I had stayed I would be celebrating 22 years today.  Okay, do your calculation. I'm 55 already.  

I wonder if one day I will no longer feel the strong attachments that I still feel. 

Maybe a trip to Peru will be the antidote.