I’ve taken lots of road trips and most have been amazing, save one or two. It’s a little impossible for me to say which has been the most memorable because they’ve all been special and people I love.
The most recent road trip was in October 2024 with a good friend. We were headed to the island city of Penang from Kuala Lumpur. It wasn’t a complicated trip and we were both tired from hectic schedules.
We planned to leave the city really early in the morning and we stuck to it. It was still dark! The drive was smooth as we’d managed to bypass the workday traffic.
We had planned to stop for breakfast in an idyllic town called Ipoh. It was simply lovely enjoying a kopitiam-styled breakfast! Yummy. The lines to the restaurant were testament to its reviews for being a wonderful place for local delights.
After we ate, we decided to look for one of the shops where we could get local treats. What trip would be complete without snacks on hand. We hopped back into our car, armed with the GPS and without too much difficulty, located the shop. Parking was anywhere by the road, which felt like we’d been transported back in time.
The shop was simply brilliant! Nothing too fancy, but with lots of treats and more of those long lines that made us realise that they were a good gauge of whether a place is good or not. We overbought!
Once we were armed with goodies, we decided to head off to Penang. We did get lost a little, which wasn’t too bad because we got to see some really old-styled houses. The change of pace was made apparent.
On our way to Penang, we could see black rain clouds forming. For a bit it felt like we were trying to outrun them. But they did catch up with us at various points.
At our final destination, it was sheer bliss looking out at the sea from our room and spending time by the pool – and simply relaxing. Everything was just lovely.
I’m writing about it because we stayed true to our plans to relax. This isn’t always easy when we go on a break – and I’m thankful that my friend and I did this. I felt so very rejuvenated after our trip!
I have very clear memories of writing letters to my best friend. She is from the UK and I’m from Malaysia. After I returned home from university, we kept up our conversations through letters. Letters were also the way my parents and I communicated with each other while I was a student in the UK. I have a lot of great memories over letters – I remember the excitement and anticipation.
Today, I think we’re so incredibly blessed to have so many forms of communication online. The waiting is gone. It’s not like I have to wait for two weeks before I can get news or have my news communicated. I love it when I see emails or WhatsApp messages from friends or some more exciting work related ones. I feel like these ways of communicating are so helpful in bringing us closer, when used properly.
Right now, I’m trying to communicate better over LinkedIn. This is because I’m trying to grow my consultancy – Progressive Pathways Consulting. There are so many things I’m learning about communication there. It’s not my most natural platform. So the learning curve is steep.
I’m also trying to grow my podcast channel on YouTube, called Pathways to Thriving. This has been an exciting way to communicate with the world. I get to highlight stories of others who may not always get heard. I’m hoping this grows.
I hope to get better at online communication simply because it means getting better as a communicator and connecting with more people. This is important for all of us as individuals. Connection matters!
Some of the people I’ve interviewed on my podcast.
If you’re interested in checking out my podcast, please visit:
I love dogs! I didn’t always have dogs but around 2010, I got my first dog whose name was Patches. Patches was a rescue we got around the time he was four. He was gorgeous. He had a white coat with black spots that seemed to fade at points. He had such a lovely personality and I nicknamed him The Turkey Thief because one Christmas he stole a turkey and ate it!
My second dog was Loki. Loki didn’t live very long. I had to put him down when he was three. I had Loki from the time he was eighteen days old. His, was such a tragic story. All he knew from the moment he was born was pain and agony. Loki didn’t do well with people as a result of such deep rooted trauma. His eating and drinking capabilities were also significantly reduced. It was a hard decision, but the right one. He did have lots of love in his short three years.
My present dog is Gamora. Gamora is half-pug-half-dachshund. Initially, after Loki died, I thought I wouldn’t take another pup. But a breeder was in desperate need to find homes for the pups after a pug (Gamy-girl’s dad) and a dachshund (Gamy-girl’s mum) fell in love and had a litter. Gamora chose me. She’s the first female dog I’ve had and she’s a beauty. I named her Gamora because of how she out-muscled her brother and made me pick her.
Gamora’s an absolute sweetheart. She’s very different from Patches and Loki. Apart from being much smaller than the both of them, she’s also by far more intelligent. She seems to have problem-solving skills – especially when she sets her sights on something. She’s also incredibly brave in comparison to both Patches and Loki, which is hilarious. The hunter personality from her dachshund DNA is strong and she takes her duties patrolling my garden very seriously.
I loved Patches and Loki with all my heart. In fact, I still love them. When I think of them, they make me smile. But there’s something about Gamora that has totally captivated me. I don’t know if this makes me bad and if I’m playing favourites here, but this little girl has simply got me. She’s got the most curious little way of worming her way to you. She does a sploot and then starts crawling towards you to give you the biggest, warmest licks of love. It’s her love attack position. She does get you. There’s no winning.
She’s also incredibly matter-of-fact about what she wants. There’s no two ways. It’s either Gamora’s way or the highway! Every night when we go to bed, the same thing happens. She decides that she wants to sleep in the exact spot that I’m sleeping in. It doesn’t matter if she chooses first – but once we’re settled, she very confidently marches over and creates a space for herself. Even in the dark, you can feel her working it out. She makes you cooperate!
Gamora loves people. She has a few favourite people who are often in our home. Some babysit her regularly and she shows them special greetings when they arrive. In the mornings, some of our neighbours have to stop by at our gate to greet her and have a moment with her. It’s poignant. I don’t need to be around – it’s their thing with her. Gamora makes her disappointment know if anyone of these gets into their car and drives off without greeting her. It doesn’t matter if they’re rushing off. She expects to be paid homage!
Gamora also has favourites among delivery people. I dislike going shopping, and I try to reduce my having to go to physical shops by buying stuff online. Gamora has her special routines with some of the more frequent delivery folk. They tell me they love her and that it makes them happy knowing they’re coming to our home. One even told me that he knows our home address because of her! What’s amusing is that they actually take a moment to greet her and engage with her. She loves it.
If there is one thing that motivates Gamora, it is food. Unfortunately for her, both pugs and dachshunds are prone to weight gain. It shows! It doesn’t help that Gamora is allergic to grass and has to be on some allergy meds, which seem to add to her weight dilemma. She doesn’t appreciate not being given my food, even thought she has just eaten hers. The look of heartbreak she manages to give, as if she’s been starved and abandoned her whole live and never has seen a day of kindness, is simply unmistakable. She’s got chops!
The most difficult thing for me when it comes to managing Gamora is not having my dad around. When it came to Patches and Loki, my dad’s presence always helped. There are times when I need to be out for work. Patches and Loki always had my dad to fall back on to. Gamora only had my dad for about five and a half months. Saying this, her memory is remarkable. There are moments when she demonstrates her sorrow at his passing. Once the son of a friend who was visiting, a toddler, grabbed my dad’s walking stick from a corner it was in. It surprised me for a moment to see my dad’s walking stick and at the same time, Gamora became very quiet. I thought it was because she wanted to hide from the child. However, the friend left very shortly after that and when I got back inside, I couldn’t locate Gamora. I finally found her curled up next to my dad’s walking stick, looking at it with her sad puppy-dog eyes. It made me cry. This little girl is intuitive.
I love this little girl and I love this time of my life where I’m working for myself and get to spend time with her. I wouldn’t have it any other way. She’s been such a special little gift to me from God and I am so thankful to him for her.
Gamora draws people into her little galaxy. She’s full of love, cheer, and mischief. Love you loads, little Gamora!
Psalm 27:13 I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living!
I have had an incredibly busy year! It hasn’t been easy because I am nursing a broken heart, after losing my father. Apart from just missing him, there are many practical implications that have arisen. It’s not been easy.
I started a coaching and training consultancy, called Progressive Pathways Consulting. Essentially, I run coaching and training work, as well as consult with organisations that are seeking to improve the workplace. I do this on the backing of about 18 years of experience in building capacity across different sectors of industry and for different levels of employee- from the C-suite levels to tea ladies, cleaners, and drivers. It’s interesting work.
I’m in the middle of writing a book about kindness in the workplace under a publishing contract from Penguin Random House. This is both exciting and positive as events go!
I have also launched my own podcast called Pathways to Thriving, which aims to listen to diverse voices from all over. I am hoping to grow my subscribers so that I can really get these voices heard.
All these have been positive things and some of the other wonderful things this year have been a visit to Istanbul in January, which really made me fall in love with the city. Another brilliant event was the launch party for my consultancy. I chose to do it on 8 March- International Women’s Day. It was so precious having so many wonderful folk join me.
In the middle of the year, I hosted a birthday drop in for myself. I was missing the two great loves in my life – my mum and dad. It felt hard to celebrate my birthday and when a friend told me that she hoped I would do something to honour their memory, I felt it was only right. It was a lovely day!
In August, I had little celebrations too – for submitting the full book in by the end of July deadline. Three and a half months to write a book, without AI, but totally reliant on God’s grace, is something I absolutely had to give thanks for!
There were some wobbles after August, in that I was very busy in September up to the first week of December. I learnt a lot about how I need to pace myself work wise, but the joy I had of being in such close proximity to the Kuala Lumpur Twin Towers is something else!
I did get a wonderful opportunity to take a break in October, which worked as a wonderful reset button. The friend I travelled with, the weather – yes, even the rain, our gorgeous sea view room, plus reading a book I’d bought in Istanbul in January, all contributed to a real sense of rest. So beautiful!
I find myself in December and to alleviate the stress of not doing a big Christmas, I hosted a little Santa Paws and Birthday Pawty to celebrate little Gamora’s birthday and kickstart Christmas cheer. Family came for lunch and we had a lovely time! My little nephew and niece, alongside Gamora, took noise levels to a new high. Brilliant! The two older nieces who are turning out to be fine young ladies, always warm my heart when the arrive. The family was beautiful!
The evening saw friends arriving with new gusto. I think little Gamora was a bit tired by then, but it was lovely sitting around, chatting, eating, and playing games that my brilliant friend had put together! My heart is full.
At the base of it all, my heart is still broken by the absence of my father and mother. God knows how much this hurts. But I thank Him for His goodness and mercies to me- for there have been so many wonderful blessings that have propelled me forward. I’m truly in awe of Him. Perhaps this is the most positive of all events – every time there is a movement in my heart that recognises grace, I am blessed beyond belief. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for the grace you have bestowed upon me!
The Hagia SofiaLaunch of Progressive Pathways Consulting 8.3.2025Progressive Pathways Consulting podcast The Kuala Lumpur Twin Towers at dawnA much needed break Family at the Santa Paws Birthday Pawty 6.12.2025My friends at the Santa Paws Birthday Pawty My little nephew and niece with Gamora & me My grown up nieces who are turning into fine women!
I love the beach. I love it far more than the mountains. Please don’t get me wrong- I think the mountains are beautiful. However, for me, a beach holiday trumps everything!
I love the beach. There is something about being at the seaside that causes my body and mind to relax. I wonder if it is the air – the smell of the ocean, or the sight of it.
When we were little, my cousins and I got taken to the seaside a lot. It was such a lot of fun. Our parents would have packed all sorts of food for a picnic, but all we could think about was playing on the beach or swimming in the sea.
Till this day, when I go to the beach, I keep my eyes peeled for the first sight of the sea. That first glimpse of the turquoise, blueish-green shades of waves, never ceases to cause a sensory delight within me.
When I lost my mum in 2006, I was so brokenhearted. Some friends and I went to the seaside – I wanted the time to rest. A friend suggested that we each take time to write about something out in nature.
I remember composing a poem about the sea – about how its calm exterior didn’t always show the whirling undercurrents. It reflected how I felt when I lost my mum.
In 2023, less than a week and a half before he died, my dad convinced me to book a beach holiday. I booked it without knowing that I would be travelling there two weeks after he had passed.
Again, the silence of the beach broken by the occasional roar of the waves, voiced the sense of overwhelm that I was feeling inside. It felt to me like the sea was acting out the restless I felt.
In October 2025, a friend and I went for a beach holiday. It rained almost the entire time we were there, but we had a sea view room. It was amazing to wake up to the glistening sea, and watch how choppy it got because of the wind and the rain.
I was exhausted from a gruelling schedule, but just being by the beach, looking out at the sea, I felt a sense of calm and peace. It was like the tiredness was being washed away.
Whilst I do admire mountains and nature apart from the seaside, there is nothing like a beach holiday! I am so thankful to God for the many beach holidays I’ve been able to enjoy. I pray for more!
I literally just finished reading Irfan Ortega’s Portrait of a Turkish Family. It blew my mind!
I bought the book on 29 January 2025, from Galeri Kayseri English Bookshop, located in the Sultanahmet Fatih area of Istanbul. I remember the date very clearly because it was the day that I was leaving Istanbul. My friends and I stopped in at the bookshop, and lo, and behold, we each bought our own copy of the book. Such were the exhortations of the store keepers, and we believed that it was a good book.
I think whatever the store keeper said really made me want to find a moment to read the book in leisure. It has been anything but that, with the start of my business and the intensity of trying to make things work. I held off reading.
In October, a friend and I managed to make a short trip to Penang. Penang is lovely- it is a city island, and is popular for its local cuisine. Our plan was to rest and recuperate, as we’d both had a busy year. I decided to take the book with me.
The book was so easy to read, which sort of surprised me. I was almost expecting some stuffy sort of writing style, and have been pleasantly surprised at how wrong I was.
Right from the word go, Irfan Ortega, draws you into his world. The story is rich, almost as if its tapestry was weaved intricately by a master carpet maker. It is hard not to feel the pleasures of the author’s family at its height, and their decline into poverty and shambles.
I couldn’t put the book down. References to Istanbul made complete sense because some of the places were located in the Sultanahmet area – close by the Blue Mosque. Having visited the place, it brought the writing to life even more.
It isn’t possible to do justice to the story by trying to explain it here. The emotions that Irfan Ortega conveyed could only be told with the emotional weightage of the person who had lived through the events detailed. I felt so thoroughly invested in what would happen to each of the individuals because of how powerful the writing was.
This year, I have spent time reading books on business. I reread a couple of my long time favourites by Jane Austen, a book on the Ottomans, which I started before I went to Istanbul but only finished after I got home, and a few other books. I have been wanting to read more, and given how busy I’ve been, I am pleased that I have been able to do this much reading.
What I can say with absolute certainty is that I was incredibly moved by this narrative of Irfan Ortega‘s. I heartily recommend it as a must read!
Podcasts have been on my mind a lot lately. I think they’re a great way to learn and contemplate a topic, or to gain perspective.
There are two podcasts that I subscribe to.
One needs no introduction- Diary of a CEO. Steven Bartlett’s staggering success with this podcast is nothing short of phenomenal. He even had a podcast episode air in cinemas! That must’ve been an amazing experience for those attending.
The guests are interesting. Sometimes they rise and on other occasions, sink, in listeners’ esteem. This is realistic, given how wide the audience is and how many different perspectives and personalities are on display.
The other podcast I’ve been listening to for some years is Gospel in Life. Since the passing of Tim Keller in 2023, the podcast has kept going strong with his sermons and talks. I love listening to him as I drive or sometimes when I have a moment.
The podcast seeks to tell people about Jesus, and if anyone is familiar with Tim Keller’s work, you’ll know that his talks are faithful to the gospel.
Lately, I’ve been listening to episodes of Pathways to Thriving. This is a podcast that I launched in September 2025. I listen back to identify bits for shorts in the editing process. I’m constantly in awe of my guests!
I started the podcast with the aim of getting more diverse voices heard. There are so many people from different parts of the world that don’t have a platform to share their insights, but who are remarkable people.
One of things I have to do to achieve my goal is to grow my podcast. So I’m constantly asking people to like, subscribe, and share my podcasts! It has to be done to get these voices out there.
I have loved recording the interviews so far. In the first interview, I’m so nervous, it shows. I’m slowly gaining confidence. I’ve started doing the interviews with a script. It’s a good trajectory!
My mind is full of my podcast- its growth, next guests, and content. I will share the link to my podcast here. If you have a moment, listen, like, subscribe, and share! I’m excited about what lies ahead. I need your support and I thank you for it!
I never thought I’d have another dog. Not after how Loki died. Having to put him down at the tender age of three because of all sorts of trauma related issues, which were making it impossible for him to eat and drink or be around people, was such an awful experience. I didn’t want another pooch.
In February 2023, I was asked if I’d have a look at a litter of pups. The breeder lived nearby. Their intention was to breed pugs and dachshunds, but they hadn’t counted on Gamora’s pug daddy and dachshund mum to fall in love and somehow get together! The litter was adorable and there was ‘happy family’ written all over the pics and vids I saw.
I went to have a look at Gamora’s brother. I’d only ever had male pooches and I thought I’d get another male if at all I got one. I did catch a glimpse of Gamora when I went but she was kept away from her brother and me during my visit. Her brother was adorable, and as much as I enjoyed carrying him, I couldn’t get rid of the feeling that something wasn’t right.
I didn’t take Gamora’s brother and I thought maybe I should just not have a pup. Then, an uncle died and as my dad and I got back after the wake, I said how I missed the greeting that only a pup can give. My dad asked me to rethink getting a pup and the week after the funeral, I went back to the breeder.
This time, Gamora was in the pen. There had been a potential booking for her brother and the breeder decided that I should consider taking Gamora. When I went to the pen, Gamora’s brother, recognised me and started to run towards me.
I hadn’t counted on Gamora recognising me too! She did something remarkable. She started running, building up as much speed as her little legs and puppyish clumsiness would allow, and pushed her brother out of the way. She continued another full circle as her brother tried to get up and continue his progress towards me, and knocked him off again. It was fascinating! She then came full charge at me, jumped up with her paws on my shins and waited to be carried.
That was the first time Gamora brought tears of joy to me. There have been many instances since.
Her love of gardening, which is perhaps not conducive to my gardening hopes, just makes me smile. When she sees me admiring flowers, she tries to add to the joy by biting off the flowers and laying them on the ground! She does this with great skill for even the pots are bigger than she is!
Her love for cuddles and spending time splooting in bed as she cosies up to me, or snuggling in what seem like the most uncomfortable positions often make me tear up!
Lately, she’s taken to wanting back rubs- and she holds you fast in her gaze. That gaze of hers almost always brings tears to my eyes. It reminds me of her focus, her observation, and her uncompromising ‘you’re going to love me as much as I love you’ attitude. I find myself brining up with joy over this four-legged, barrel-bellied, floppy eared pup!
Interview someone — a friend, another blogger, your mother, the mailman — and write a post based on their responses.
All of August 2025, I have been busy working on my upcoming podcast, Pathways to Thriving. The idea for my podcast is to interview people who are thriving in their work, but whose voices aren’t usually heard.
My hope is that a truly diverse picture will emerge through the contributions from my podcast. Thriving looks different for every single person. And that is okay! In fact, it is beautiful.
I started off the interviews by interviewing a friend of mine, Daniel. There is something very modest about Daniel and it comes across only to magnify the importance of what it is he has to say! His prowess in legal education and his love for it, showed up during the interview. I loved it.
Another interview was with a really good girlfriend of mine, Rajash. It has been a joy seeing Rajash navigate her own law firm. She’s been one busy bunny, and the kind of things she’s been involved in from a legal standpoint, has been nothing but spectacular. I’m inspired by her!
The third person I interviewed was someone I met on LinkedIn. She was incredibly fascinating. It was so gratifying to see a Chief Human Resource Officer really bring people into the heart of leadership. I had goosebumps during the interview!
The fourth but not the last, is an old friend, Bassl. I met Bassl in 2008 when I was teaching English! He came to Malaysia as a student and I have to say he was one of the most hardworking people I ever met! I’m a few years older and we got on well. Over the years, I’ve got to know his wife and kids. While Bassl was in Malaysia on holiday, I snatched a moment to interview him. I had a sense of pride listening to him answer questions. He has grown a business and is doing well. His family is being cared for and loved. The challenges he faced to get there- he just overcame by sheer persistence.
I’ve been buzzing since starting these interviews. The joy, inspiration, and pride that I feel from these individuals – I cannot speak enough of! I’ve got more interviews lined up.
If you enjoy the interview – I am so nervous in the first one, but it gets better in the second and so on (I think!), please help me grow this initiative by liking and subscribing to the channel. There should also be an opportunity to put forward suggestions of people I can interview (am happy to interview them via Zoom as well!).
Tune in to the first interview with Daniel being launched on 2 September 2025!
What was the last thing you searched for online? Why were you looking for it?
It’s amusing me that I’ve literally just placed an order for groceries to be delivered and I see today’s prompt. I was shopping for a little gathering I’m hosting for some friends, to celebrate having finished writing a book.
My book will only be published next August. At the moment, it’s me waiting for the editors to come back to me with their comments. It’s a little nerve-wracking, if I’m honest, but also very exciting!
My book is on kindness in leadership and at the workplace. It feels like a commitment to what I’m doing for work in coaching and people development. I want to make the workplace better!
I’m not sure if I’m being idealistic, but as I’ve spent time thinking, I realise I love working. I love work – there, I’ve said it again! The times I’ve loved working have been when I’ve had good leaders and wonderful workplaces. Kindness was key.
If you’d asked me even in March this year, before I set up my coaching consultancy, I’d probably have told you that I wanted to write a book but was having trouble narrowing down what to write about. I pinned myself down for fiction. Never thought I had the chops for anything nonfiction.
The kind of clarity I had at the point of setting up the consultancy, was astounding. I felt like God kept extending me grace after grace to make decisions and do things. Once the launch and the paperwork for setting up were done, I thought I’d take a moment to reflect.
Time wise, this was about five weeks after the launch. I had also started speaking to clients and trying to get myself going a wee bit more on LinkedIn. That’s when the writing started.
I didn’t even think I was going to write on such and such a topic. The words flowed and I faithfully typed them into my MacBook. This is why it feels like God guided me through this. Before I knew it, in May, I had almost 30,000 words.
At that point, I took the chance and wrote in to a publisher. Their automated response was heartbreaking. It said they’d respond in six months and if you didn’t hear from them by then, to take it as they weren’t interested. It was a cruel reality. But still I kept writing.
Three or four days later, there was a response. One thing led to another, and I was offered a publishing contract. I boldly set my deadline as 31 July. Boy, did it feel overwhelming at points!
I wrote and wrote and wrote. God just kept pouring out grace. People understood when I couldn’t meet up, I could focus, and the words just kept coming. I couldn’t believe how memories of all sorts of incidents became alive in my mind. It was sheer grace.
What has all this got to do with why I was looking at a savoury cheese muffin recipe? Well, I’m celebrating! On 30 August, a few friends are coming by for dinner. It’s just a handful of us and I want to cook. They’re celebrating the fact that the book got written, with me! I’m planning to try these savoury cheese muffins as little starter bites. If they work well and don’t take too long, I may think about making them for 5 September, when my family comes over for a potluck gathering, to celebrate with me.
I wish that my dad was around to see this. He knew I’d wanted to write but I couldn’t say what. I wish my mum could see this. She always said I had a book in me. As I celebrate with family and friends, I’ll be holding my dad and mum close to my heart.
So now that I’ve answered this, it’s back to studying the recipe so that I can make it work!
Grace for the soul 