Inspiration comes in many shapes and forms.

Sometimes I find motivation in the most unexpected places. This time I found it when I attended my grandma's 82nd birthday party. I don't see her much, my 'appayi' (paternal grandmother), mijn 'oma'...but when I do spend time with her, I am always amazed by her strength and tenacity. At her young age of 82, she has perfect eye-sight, needs no walking aid, walks super-fast, excellent memory, has been living with diabetics and the most amazing part, she lives alone with her down-syndrome 45-year old daughter, my aunt.


If that isn't inspiring enough, wait till you find out what her daily routine includes. She takes care of my down-syndrome aunt single-handedly, medication and all her personal needs. Often she needs medical treatments and my grandma takes the bus if no one is around to give her a ride to the hospital. She has fallen down and had many small accidents during her travels or while managing her household. Somehow, whenever I meet her, she is all fixed and back to normal.

My grandma with her children, only 7 shown here, the other 5 are not in the photo. Yes, she has 12 children and countless grandchildren and great grandchildren. On the left most, is my father, the oldest son of the 12 children.

My grandma is super-discipline. She watches her diet closely, makes her own herbal remedy, home-made jams, coconut oil for her hair, endless list of supplements and almost hardly gives in to any meal that isn't home cooked.

If you observe closely, you'll notice that she doesn't wear glasses, her hair is bountiful, her sense of dressing is immaculately colour-coordinated (never leaves home without her matching hand bag) and can communicate clearly. She is astonishingly youthful and lively. I hope I am blessed with those youthful genes too :) . Of course, without a doubt, nothing comes easy, she works hard at keeping herself healthy.

I've always wondered how she does it all and stays well, single handedly. I've come to the conclusion that, everyone finds their inner strength from some hidden source.

I believe my grandma - 'appayi' finds her will power from my down-syndrome aunt, or perhaps, my appayi keeps herself strong for my aunt.

Either way, it's inspiring.

Sometimes, struggles are exactly what we need in our life to test our hidden strength. If we were to go through life without obstacles, we would not be as strong as we could've been.

- She still finds humour in simple things in life.

Thank you Appayi for reminding me that I can always soar higher as long as I have the will power!

Paul in Europe

Just before we start ‘full force’ on our wedding preparations, both Paul and Shuba continued doing what they like best; traveling. Paul on business trip to Europe (Netherlands and Switzerland), Shuba would be flying off to Hong Kong soon!

Besides productive meeting in the Netherlands, this was also a unique opportunity to meet our fresh nephew; ‘JENS’. Together with Mum and Dad, we drove through the beautiful white (very exiting for a change!) country side to meet him.



Wim and Marlouse prepared a wonderful lunch, complete with ‘mackerel’ and ‘haring’, no complains! – Thank you! -

After a ‘gezellig’ evening with the parents in Enschede, it was already time to move on. My plane to ‘Zurich’ would leave Sunday afternoon… I spend 1 week in Switzerland (the ‘beautiful’ town of Cham), mainly meetings.. On Friday afternoon we had a short sight seeing trip to Zurich town.

Before you can blink you eyes, you’re already on your way back to Kuala Lumpur! Also good to be home again.

Soon, Shuba would be flying off to Hong Kong! To be continued…

New year – Langkawi

Traditionally we’d like to be in a new environment during new years. This year we chose Langkawi, the Jewel of Kedah. For Shuba it was not only a holiday, she also had 2 business meetings on 30^th and 31^st December. For Paul it was only holiday!

We took the opportunity to travel to the top of the Machincang mountain range using the latest tourist attraction; the cable car.

On new years eve, we enjoyed a nice Italian dinner along pantai Cenang before we joined the party on the beach. A Pakistani couple who we met on the flight from Kuala Lumpur joined us for the count down together with hundreds of drunken backpackers. On the tunes of Bob Marley we entered 2010!! – HAPPY NEW YEAR!! -

The year 2010 started great, as we did something we wouldn't normally do on a holiday;
- we parked ourselfes on a stretcher next to the swimming pool!

We should do that more often in the new year!!!

Christmas in Kuala Lumpur

This year we’re celebrating Christmas in Malaysia. 33 degrees Celsius doesn't

Exactly give the ‘Christmas feeling’. Glad we have an air-conditioner that can make snow and can create ice flowers on our windows.

Shuba prepared a delicious meal; Tomato soup (old Dutch recipe), garlic bread, roosted chicken, mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables and salad. She went all out, it was splendid!

Shuba’s parents, 2 brothers came over to our house where we had a dinner on Christmas day. This was also the perfect evening to proudly show our ‘engagement DVD’. We enjoyed hosting!

Announcement: The Wedding!

We’re pleased to announce the date of our Wedding Ceremony!

We zijn verheugd de datum van onze trouw ceremonie aan te kondigen!

In the evening of 3rd June 2010 we’ll have the traditional Indain Wedding ceremony in a Hindu Temple. On Sunday 6th June 2010 we’ll have a dinner celebration.

In de avond van 3 juni 2010 wordt de traditionele Indische trouwceremonie gehouden in een hindoeïstische tempel. Op zondag 6 juni 2010 geven wij een diner/feest.

Registration of Marriage (Huwelijks registratie)

On 7^th September early morning we made out way to the ‘national registration office’ (Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara Malaysia) accompanied by our parents and Shuba’s siblings. After arrival and some paperwork we waited for our turn…

Op 7 september ’s morgens vroeg ging wij op weg naar het' nationale registratie kantoor' (Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara Malaysia), begeleid door onze ouders en Shuba’s broers en zus. Na aankomst en wat papierwerk konden wij wachtten we op onze beurt ...

Finally the moment we all waited for!

Eindelijk het moment waar we allemaal op hebben gewacht!

Shuba’s asked her father to be the witness, for Paul he selected his mum.

Shuba's vroeg haar vader om te getuigen, voor Paul koos zijn moeder.

Exchange of rings; happily married!

Uitwisseling van ringen; gelukkig getrouwd!

Since we were dressed for the occasion; we took some pictures in Putra Jaya (Malaysia’s government city).

Aangezien we waren gekleed voor de gelegenheid, namen we enkele foto's in Putra Jaya (De stad waar de meeste ministeries zijn gevestigd)

Officially Mother and daughter-in-law.

Officieel Schoonmoeder en schoondochter.

Engagement - 4th September 2009

Paul on his way...

During an Indian engagement ceremony, the bridegroom will visit the bride's parents house. The bridegroom will bring many presents (hantaran) to 'convince' the brides parents that their daughter will be in good hands.

Tijdens een Indische verloving ceremonie gaat de bruidegom naar het huis de ouders van de bruid. De bruidegom brengt vele geschenken (hantaran) om de ouders van de bruid te overtuigen dat hun dochter zal zijn in goede handen.

Hantaran

Paul brought; Jeweleries, Fruits, Aldo shoes, Laptop bag, Coconut, Beetle nut, Toiletries, Dutch Sweets, Cupcakes, etc...

Paul bracht; Sierraden, Fruit, Aldo schoenen, laptoptas, Coconut, 'Beetle nut', Toilet artikelen, Nederlandse snoepjes, Cupcakes, enz. ..

An important present is the 'engagement saree'. Paul's mother hands over the saree to Shuba. (see below)

Een belangrijk geschenk is the 'verlovings saree' (Indisch traditionele kleding). Paul's moeder overhandigd de saree aan Shuba. (zie boven)

Engagement Proposal

Both fathers will discuss the engagement proposal and propose a wedding date. In this case: June 2010. Note the exchange of a banana in the picture below. This signifies that both fathers accept each others child as their own child.

Beide vaders bespreken het verloovingsvoorstel en stellen een datum voor de bruiloft voor. In dit geval: juni 2010. In één van de foto's zie je het uitwisselen van een banaantje. Dit betekend dat beide vaders elkaars kind accepten als hun eigen kind.

They 'like' each other !

Both the bride and the bridegroom will get a chance to express if they 'like' the proposed wedding partner. (from the tradition of arranged marriages) The public was relieved to hear 'yes' from both Paul and Shuba! Time to exchange rings!

Zowel de bruid als de bruidegom krijgen een kans te uiten of zij tevreden zijn met de voorgestelde huwelijks partner. (dit komt nog van de traditie van 'geregelde huwelijken') In dit geval zeiden zowel Paul als Shuba 'JA'! Dan kunnen nu de ringen worden uitgewisseld!

Hantaran for Paul!?

Not common in the Indian tradition; Shuba also had some gifts (Hantaran) for Paul. - Watch – Toiletries – Cupcakes and... A GUITAR!

Niet gebruikelijk in de Indische traditie; Shuba had ook enkele geschenken (Hantaran) voor Paul. - Watch - Toiletartikelen - Cupcakes en ... Een GITAAR!

Familiy shots!