JW Marriott, Grand Lakes, Orlando Florida

We stayed in J W Marriott, Grand Lakes Orlando.  It's a 5-star resort hotel, albeit pretty far flung and away from downtown Orlando and other tourist spots.  You would need to drive or have deep pockets to rely on town cars or taxis to shuttle you around.

But for a hotel stay, it was very comfortable and relaxing.  It was a pleasant surprise to encounter another type of wetlands at this resort.  Here are some pictures of the lovely resort.

Part of the Lazy River

Another view of the Lazy River

Huge Swimming Facility

Grand Lakes, with Wetlands, Butterfly & Herb Gardens

That's Ritz Carlton in the background, sharing spa facilities with JW Marriott

More Photo Memories of Orlando Florida

Animal Kingdom, WDW

Must-do Safari Tour - the 'Day' version of our Singapore Night Safari

Although a fake tree, it's huge and iconic - can't be missed!  The bugs tree...

This is by far the most interesting parade in WDW!

Universal Islands of Adventure

One of the attractions in Seuss Land

Fantastic interactive effects - a must-see attraction!

A very very crowded World of Harry Potter

The Hogwart Castle

Photo Memories from Walt Disney World, Orlando Florida



Magic Kingdom, WDW

 


One of the 3 key not-to-be-missed parades in MK



The second WDW theme park we visited

  


Iconic landmark within Hollywood Studios

 


One of the highlights of HS

 




Passing On

I received a surprise call from someone I knew many decades ago, from the first church that I grew up in.  Found out that the wife of someone I used to care very much about has just passed away.  Apparently she has a blood clot in her brain and collapsed while she was on an overseas trip.  She was declared brain dead upon return to Singapore last week.

It was a very very rude shock.  The wife was an ex-school mate and ex-church mate.  I am not close to her at all but because she was one year my senior and was from the same batch as my ex-Bible Study leader who has also passed away in 1999 when she was only 37, the news brought back a very strong sense of loss.  Not a pleasant feeling when people your age have or are passing on so suddenly.

This is the second piece of news that I have gotten since Orlando.  Last week, SS texted to say that her mom had a fall as well as a brain bleed.  This came almost immediately after she has tendered her resignation. 

The suddenness of these two events resulted in very mixed feelings and a sense of uncertainty. Suddenly, it seems that not only has my career life reached a stage where a mid-life assessment is necessary; it seemed that people around me (my friends and contacts) are also going through similar situations, with some experiencing some form of life crisis of sort.

Somehow it became all the more important to have a clear sense of purpose in life and a strong sense of determination and discipline not to procrastinate to do the things that we want to while we have the time and energy to do so.   In this sense, I am glad to have gone to Orlando with my sister so that both of us will have no regrets in terms of fulfilling our respective dreams and goals. I am also glad to have taken this 6-month sabbatical to "refocus and (perhaps to) regain that bounce in my step", as said by Joanne Lee in Straits Times, 11 April 2011, Money page "Take a break to help your career".

Memories from Orlando

It's been slightly over a week since our return from Orlando. 

My memories from the trip:

• Missed flight connection & mad rush to catch connecting flights or to secure the much needed aisle seats
• Rapid heartbeat caused by sudden flight reservation cancellation as a result of the missed flight

• Strong gutsy winds coupled with torrential rains, tornado warnings and lightning strikes
• Overdose of theme parks, rides, attractions, and people
• Strong sense of insecurity (only experienced in the US) as well as "rejection" because of our "non-white" skin
• Outlet shopping with fantastic deals from our favorite labels and brands

 Although it was not my kind of trip and because of that, it brought out the worst in me.   It must have shocked my colleague to see this other side of me, although my sister was quick to affirm that this is the real me.  My short fuse and lack of patience/tolerance, aggravated by constant worry and stress caused by the prevailing sense of insecurity made me a most unpleasant companion.

My need for personal space and downtime was not felt by the colleague.  I knew she needed assurance and support; this being her first long trip overseas.  But I was really worn out by the constant need to talk about work and office gossips.  As usual, instead of coming out in open to express my sentiments, I chose to withdraw and be misunderstood.

This character flaw is something I need to deal with, as part of my Half-Time assessment.  I have yet to learn to let go, rest and trust in the One upstairs to help manage whatever situations we were or would be in. 

Realised that whatever I have endeavoured prior to the trip, I did not achieve them cos I was depending mainly on my own wits and strengths.  As a result, I couldn't relax neither could I bring joy and fun to the companions I was with during the trip.  But thankfully, I know that the One up there was keeping a very close watch over us and because of that, we managed to overcome and enjoy:

• Free and safe transport arrangement
• Visits to the largest Walt Disney World theme parks and Universal theme parks
• Easy and fast access to many of the rides and attractions that we have previously identified and targeted
• Plenty of shopping opportunities for my sister at the theme parks
• Outlet shopping with really value for money deals
• 5-star resort hotel stay (even though it was extremely inconvenient for the three of us who do not drive)

I am glad it's over and I have done my part to help fulfill my family member's lifelong dream.

My first overseas vacation since 28 Feb

It must be pre-vacation jitters...had a real scare when I couldn't pull out my approved ESTA application just now.  I guess it's the worrywart in me that is causing all stiff shoulders and tension headaches...

I should learn to relax and rest, put my trust in the One Up There and just go with the flow.  Come what may, it's really about learning to think and act on our feet and having a clear, calm and peaceful mind to handle whatever spanners or disruptions that may come our way. 

A journey is meant to be experienced.  While we would want things to run clocklike and efficiently (as do most Singaporeans), disruptions or unexpected happenings will all add to the overall experiences of overseas travelling. 

A holiday is meant to be savoured and enjoyed.  I should be looking forward to the Disney magic and exploration of the US.  Granted that it's not my favorite country - due to its complex security measures and the long arduous journey to reach that destination - I should bear in mind that this being the first US trip for my sister and colleague, I should do my best to make it a fun and fantastic one for all of us.

Of all the things that I have trying to include in my travel checklist, I must remember to bring the following along:

• A healthy dose of Humor
• Plenty of Patience and Tolerance
• Complete Trust in the One Up There
• A Calm and Clever Mind to deal with the unexpected
• A sense of Wonder, Imagination and Delight in order to enjoy and appreciate the Disney magic

Orlando, Florida: here we come!

Off Pedder: My Favorite Episodes

Off Pedder is one of my favorite HK sitcoms because it starred two of my favorite HK actors: Teresa Mo and Wayne Lai Yiu Cheung.  Below is a listing of the episodes that I liked best in this 337-episode series:

38: First appearance of Yue Ka-Sing (Wayne Lai)
41: Appointment of YKS as Magazine Boss
67: Picture CD of Yan Sheung (Teresa Mo) - Part I (as viewed by YKS only)
100: Yan Sheung's cancer scare
135: Doris's appearance and beginning of YS's interest in YKS
166: Diamond pendant - YKS's first gift to YS
171: See-through Dress - Part II of Picture CD saga
185: Diamond pendant - Part II (YKS's response when he thought YS has given it away to his aunt)
211: The morning after - YS got drunk and forgot who and how she got home; first confrontation with YKS re his feelings for her
220-222: Crazy Clown & the rescue by YKS and Yim Yu Tai (ex-hubi)
235: YKS's second gift of Sony Erisson hp with pre-recorded romantic movie poster clip (to express his feelings) plus his rendition of Jacky Cheung's love song, "Secret Love"
237: Hong Kong feet and first date between YKS and YS
242: YS as YKS's new neighbour
244: Mid-Autumn celebration and first correspondence via YKS's blog (Scarecrow)
255: HK$200m - value or opportunity cost that YS attached to YKS; made YKS's day
263: How YS mediates between YKS and his sister, Joyce
265: May I? - How YKS invited YS to an official ball function and a romantic dance
276: YKS's undercover cop identity revealed
326: First holding hands for YKS and YS
327: Declaration of YKS's love for YS and his marriage proposal