A thought on relationship

I probably have written how Gan and I met back in 2012, but just for the record (again), we've known each other for over 5 years and has been in a relationship for 3 years and 9 months!

Never have I imagined being in a serious and steady relationship for such a long time. Plus, to be honest, 3 years felt so short yet so long! At times we would look at each other and just wonder how awesome and blessed is our journey through the years as a couple, as bestfriend, as fighters.

Let me just roughly (hopefully roughly) lay out how we journey as - first - a couple:

We love each other very much. The joy we experience in this relationship comes from the blessings released by our parents. Also, as we focus more on Abba, our joy increases too! We encourage one another without withholding the truth we need to hear (even if it's painful).

As bestfriends: Since we heavily stress on honesty between us, we don't keep secrets from one another. We know each other so well that we would know if something is wrong even by looking at our countenance!

One thing that I love about us is that WE TALK. Sometimes we do have times where we're just comfortable being silence with each others' presence, but we talk about MANY things. Random things, deep stuffs, controversial stuffs, funny/lame stories, silly stuffs, even to trivial matters.

Last but not least, we also journey as fighters. We are not street fighters (you know, those who fight publicly in the street. Side note: OK this is one of those lame jokes I put my effort in without realizing it haha..), but whenever we got into a fight -be it passive or active fight- we would fight for the truth. You know the time when your ego got the best of you in a fight, say disagreement? It happens to us as well and most of the time we would use words (and even harsh, cold silence) to fight the other person. However, I'm thankful that we stick to the truth that helps bring us closer to understand and hence, love each other.

For instance, I would normally be the one who uses silence to defend myself (and indirectly fight) from being hurt/offended by Gan. Gan, being the verbal one and likes to settle things well, will probe me to open up and come out of my cave. Normally I wouldn't bug (such a cave girl laa), but when he would remind me about what the fight would cost, and how it would give foothold to the enemy to put a wedge between us, I would go "Ya, that's true. And I don't want that to happen." 

Yet, in the beginning of our relationship, it was very hard for me to open up and share how I feel, but as the years passed by it got easier and I know how to share better.

Same goes to Gan. When he got away with his feeling, I learned how to NOT cave in but to communicate it properly. It's always always good to communicate from the heart, and not just to avoid further conflict (yet still hold grudges). 

We fight. But during the fight, we are aware that we are also fighting for the truth.

The ultimate question is this: Is the fight for the truth worth fighting for?

I would definitely say YES! 

Nothing sets us free than knowing that we love each other so much that we would fight for the truth. When we are free, we are more able to love each other with a love that doesn't shrink in fear but stands firm in the face of fear.

I love my bestfriend, and I thank God we found each other.

Nethy

Bon voyage! (Part 2)

Continuing from where I left off, the exploration of the cruise ship continued on...

The ever spacious space/walk-way on either sides of the ship (I think it's deck 4) It's also the assembly point in case of emergency.

So from Deck 11 (right next to the gym), there is an area where you can actually look at the captain's navigation and control room. The wind is pretty strong up here.

The Windjammer cafe. Love the variety of food!!! Super!!!

So creative! Edible but not allowed to eat 'em.

Our room on Deck 7. Everyday, without fail, we came back to the room with a new towel animal on the bed. This round it's an elephant... Very impressed by the services and hospitality of the crew here. 

Deck 13 houses a basketball court, golfing area, table tennis, etc.

They also have rock climbing. Too bad I didn't get to try it!

Port of call on day 2: Port Klang, Malaysia

We only went off the ship to grab some supplies in a sundry shop in Port Klang's Cruise Center.

Picture shows the massiveness of our ship (the taller one) versus the shorter one.

Because being on the ship can get you lose track of what day it is, they purposely change this carper flooring daily with what-day-it-is-signage. This helps a lot because you really don't realize what day it is! I find it pretty cool...

Deck 5: The Royal Promenade

One of the signature wall of UP.

Heading back to the ship after Port Klang.

A long swim and soaking in the sun with a good read. Sunnies and sunblock are the must have's.

Watching the sun setting over the horizon on the front part of the ship. 

This is one of the best spots to view sunset/sunrise/

Our dinner in the Sound of Music dining room. One of the best things here, apart from the foods, is the service of our serving Indonesian waiter. He's so good, friendly and sincere that he told us about his family back in Indonesia and his experiences in the cruise ship. and more...

Every night, on deck 11, the main pool area, there will be movie time so you can sit anywhere around this huge area and watch it together. This night it was Suicide Squad. The other night was The Legend of Tarzan & Ghostbusters.

We arrived in Phuket, Thailand on the 3rd day of cruise. Thailand, you're beautiful! The heat is comparable to that we have in Sabah. So the key to enjoy the day is to dress comfortably. 

(Go for comfort over fashion. It always wins. :) )

Breakfast for champion. Right after breakfast, I was planning to queue up for the tender ticket for us at 9:30AM (Door opens at 10:15AM) but I have a hunch to go and look at how long the queue is (that was around 8:30AM). And it turned out to be already quite long! Of course I didn't even think of waiting to come back and line up at 9:30AM. I waited from 8:30AM until door opens to collect the ticket at 10:15AM. Phew! What a journey just to get off the ship to go to Patong, Phuket.

Leaving our ship by a ferry that can fit about 200 people per trip to Patong, Phuket. Apparently there is no cruise center as the one in Port Klang. Maybe they're trying to keep the sea as clean as possible.

Patong beach

My first impression of Phuket: Breathtaking. But hot. Definitely hot. But very beautiful.

Almost every hotel we passed by have this. As a sign of respect to Thailand's former king.

Thailand's new king.

Jungceylon Mall, Patong

Pineapple fried rice was gooooood. Their tomyam soup is also da bombbbbb. Different from the tasty one is Sabah, too.

A quick manicure while killing time.

Looking at this sight makes me miss Simba and Mali back home.

Patong beach right before sunset. Personal opinion: Sabah still has the best sunset view by far.

When we came into our room after a long day, this towel animal of the day was hanging there as if it's greeting us saying, "Welcome back to your humble room!" 

Of course this is just a personification, but still, it put a smile on our face and warms our heart :) Thanks Roy

Formal night. It is a night where everyone is suppose to wear formally to dinner. Shorts and tank tops are not allowed. We opted for fine dining instead of buffet that night.

One of the highlights during the cruise: Ice skating show production!

Skaters from different countries (France, Canada, Japan, Mexico)

We discovered that there is a grand piano placed in a board game room called Cloud Nine. Since anyone can play it and it's vacant, it was a time where I got my fingers running on the keys and worship. I crave for His presence in the middle of all the fun and happenings. It's very true, nothing beats His presence! Enjoyment is temporary, but true joy is found when you and Him are one!

Desserts! Endless desserts...

On the final night, we went to the jazz bar because we were told that there's good jazz music band playing there every night. It was gooooood. So good that I can stare and listen to this without making any conversation (and still be comfortable).

Back in Singapore!

Hope you enjoy reading, scrolling and savoring the pictures and the story line...

Love and blessings,

Nethy

Bon voyage! (Part 1)

Mariner of the Seas - one of the many Royal Caribbean cruise ships - was where we spent 5D4N last week. We started from Marina Bay Cruise Center, Singapore - Port Klang, Malaysia - Phuket, Thailand - Cruising at sea - back to Singapore. Instead of posting pictures of Facebook, I figured out that I might as well write a comprehensive post (or maybe not THAT comprehensive) about it.

I saw pictures of the ship before the cruise, but looking at it with my own eyes I have to say - it is indeed HUMONGOUSLY GIGANTIC! It has a total of 15 decks and able to take up 3,700 human beings. I've seen a cruise ship. But definitely not this big. Bear in mind that I tried to select the best pictures that portrays the voyage we embarked and I guess in the end, most pictures are so post-worthy (hence this lengthy post).

First of all, I thank God I did not have a single moment of being seasick (as I did before in a ship years and years earlier). I overheard someone in the cruise ship said that it cost 135USD just to see a doctor on the ship. *gulp*

A visit to Pagoda Street, Singapore. I couldn't help but to keep on saying 

this place reminds me of Penang Art Town.

Meeting cousin Clare and Ata for dinner.

Checking in at the Cruise Center

 As I mentioned earlier, HUMONGOUSLY GIGANTIC. This thing is literally a moving building.

One of the main dining rooms on deck 3 - Rhapsody of the Blues.

Look familiar? *whispers:Titanic*

View from deck 5 dining room - Sound of Music

Royal Promenade (Deck 5)

This is where people gathers to hang and shop around.

Royal Promenade (Deck 5): Where pizzas, desserts, coffees, teas, 

sandwiches are endless (hence the crowd)

Loving the Christmas decorations all over the ship <3

As the song goes, it's the most wonderful time of the year~

This painting had me staring at it intently. So much emotions going on.

One of the many bars on the ship.

On the first evening, DreamWorks Characters did an awesome parade along the Royal Promenade that keeps the young, younger and youngest (dua kali lima sama sija semua) excited and dancing.

Internet lounge. Disclaimer: It is not free. It is costly.

Mom saw this and she sang the Halleluia (no not literally of course.)

Whirlpool just outside the gym. Deck 11.

Inside the Savoy Theater. About to watch a movie in 3D.

Skylight Chapel on Deck 15. Eventually it's only functional when there are 

couples who intent on getting married on the ship.

Art Gallery on Deck 3

Gym.

The Savoy Theater on Deck 4

The talented classical guitarist - Misael

Wayfinder is found on every deck. It shows what's happening, tentatively, on the cruise. It also show you where's the nearest washroom, dining rooms, etc.

Very very informative. Personally speaking, too many things to choose to do at the same hour. So you really have to know what you really want to do otherwise you'll end up doing nothing. They have things happening simultaneously at different places on the ship.

One of the most populated place - Deck 11 - the pool (adult and children)

Solarium (Deck 11): Adult-only pool

This is my favorite spot on the entire ship. Seriously. You can swim, relax, read, sleep and repeat.

Adult only jaccuzi

It's 5PM and we embarked the journey to the next port of call - Port Klang

So this marks the end of the first part of this entry about our trip.