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New Year’s eve at Lan Kwai Fong

January 2, 2013 By: Mehroo7 Comments

31st December 2012. Our first New Year’s eve in Hong Kong. I was quite determined to get out and do something. Booked the baby sitter in November for the boys and informed my husband that we ARE going to be out that night. He did not say a no but was not very happy about it either, saying “Ok, let’s see,” which in his parlance means I don’t think I want to go. Well that did dampen my spirits but I had not lost the battle yet.

Somehow we have always spent New Year’s eve in the company of family and friends. Last year we had given a pre-Navjote terrace party in Mumbai, the year before we were all charged up to get the night rocking in London, but the warm, cosy house, the Christmas pudding and the mulled wine at our aunt’s kept us firmly indoors and away from the freezing temperature of England’s winter. So this year I had made up my mind that I wanted to celebrate New Year’s eve the way we used to all those years ago. I did check with a couple of friends about their plans but everyone seemed to have nothing specific planned so it only seemed natural when the two of us ventured out by ourselves, leaving the boys with our very caring sitter who arrived at half past nine. Any later and both of us would have bundled ourselves up on the couch enjoying a late night movie with popcorn!

We headed to the bus stop to take a bus, no point in wasting money on a cab specially since we were in no hurry! We happened to take the bus with the longest route and sat quietly, holding hands, content in each other’s company, with an occasional glance at the cell phone to check for new messages or facebook updates. I guess 11 years of marriage plus 5 years of courtship gives one a feeling of quiet contentment when a comfortable silence more than words fill the air. This is also the first late night out when I felt that my kids have grown up, when there were no emotional anxieties at the door or no frantic messages to the sitter to find out if they were still pouting, or playing or in bed. In fact last night was the first time I did not call or text my helper at all!

We landed in the Central district and started walking towards Lan Kwai Fong which is where Hong Kong’s night life resides. I was taken aback by the special security forces called in, the policemen, the complete re-oranisation of the whole place which had been converted into a one-way street leading out into the not so crowded areas. What was more, amongst the massive crowd that was already accumulating, not one person thought about going off the given route or jumping barricades! Everything was so systematic, there were even first-aid corners and ambulances in place for unforseen accidents. In the midst of all hoopla we managed to follow the directed path and reached Lan Kwai Fong or LKF as it is more popularly known. The place was buzzing and it was only 10:30pm. As we walked through the crowd we were amazed at the spirit of the people who were in their full elements, celebrating, cheering, some like us just staring and wondering about the mix and match of nationalities, cultures, languages and colours. Yet everyone was there to celebrate just one event – the change of the year!

Having no plan whatsoever we just took up a nice corner table at a pub called Stormies and ordered our drinks. It turned out to be an excellent choice made (by my husband) as not only was my pinacolada  heavenly but the music being played was very enjoyable too. It was retro 80’s music bringing back a flood of memories for both of us. One drink down, while chatting over the blaring music, shaking our shoulders and tapping our feet to the catchy beats, there was a sudden further rise in the decibel levels as more speakers were put in action, the lights further dimmed and the place getting more crowded than ever. I wanted to watch the traditional midnight fireworks at the harbourside and started nudging my husband that we should be leaving soon. We were planning on going to my husband’s office which happened to be in a skyscraper building overlooking the harbour and which could give us an excellent view of the fireworks. But by now he was slightly hesitant on leaving this nice rocking pub to go and stand in a ‘dark room’ as he put it, with just the two of us all by ourselves, just to see a couple of fireworks in the sky — a prospect that he would have grabbed a few or exactly 11 years ago!

Anyway, husband won, and we stayed put. In fact when we stepped outside we were astounded to see that the moving crowd had suddenly stopped moving and everyone had just gathered together, waiting, watching for something to happen. We craned our necks and stood on our tippy toes to try and find out if something was happening or going to happen at the stroke of midnight. But besides a very excited crowd, lots of colourful banners, lazer lights, flash torches and blaring music, everything seemed perfectly in place! It was 11:45 by now and we could feel the exhilaration building, rising, reaching a crescendo with the “Gangam style” music. After that there was no looking back, we took a quick look at our watches and at each other waiting for the final countdown….10…9…8..7..6…5..4..3..2..1……..HAPPY NEW YEAR….2013 was welcomed with a hugs, kisses and a blast!!

Barely five minutes later the crowd started moving and again in a very orderly fashion. One thing that struck me is that even though I was in the midst of a strange cosmopolitan crowd, not once did I get the feeling of anyone staring at me. I was not worried about purposeful elbows or hands being shoved into my back or front or about my camera or wallet being picked. Yes there were a couple of inebriated men and women but who were lost in their own world and who the police were very sportingly trying to move to the side. Following the crowd we then went over to a private party organised by a friend which was much more peaceful and there I got a chance to sit and have a relaxed conversation with my friend and her family and also made new friends! It was 1:30 am and I had to finally wrench myself out of the party- couldn’t wait up long as my baby sitter needed to head back home too.

The final walk out of LKF was as smooth as before but with most of the crowd leaving at the same time, there was a high demand for taxis. After a wait of over 45 minutes we finally managed to grab one but I was surprised when he charged a premium to drop us! Anyway it was New Year after all and so after thanking the cab driver as we quickly headed back to our building my husband murmured “Nice idea Mehroo, I am glad we went out.” Well that quiet acknowledgement summed up my New Year’s eve for me!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! MAY THE NEW YEAR BRING LOTS OF GOOD CHEER, JOY, SUCCESS AND GOOD HEALTH TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.

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  1. KronosAphrodite says

    January 4, 2013 at 2:35 am

    Love the new look! 🙂 Happy New Year to you and your family!

    Reply
  2. S.V.SAIBABA says

    January 4, 2013 at 3:21 pm

    A nice posting to read.

    Visit my blog on Knowledge Sharing with the link
    svsaibaba.blogspot.com

    Wish you Happy and Prosperous New Year.2013.

    Reply
  3. Mehroo Turel says

    January 5, 2013 at 12:14 pm

    Thanks Karuna glad you liked it! Wish you and your family a very Happy New Year too!

    Reply
  4. Mehroo Turel says

    January 5, 2013 at 12:19 pm

    Hello S.V.Saibaba
    Thank you for visiting my blog and giving your comment.glad to know that you liked it.
    I will surely visit your blog too. Best wishes for the New Year.

    Reply
  5. Reena says

    January 11, 2013 at 5:49 am

    Hey Mehroo! I read this while on holiday in India so couldnt comment earlier. I really enjoyed reading this, what a fun way to begin the new year! Also, love the new look of the blog and your new pics….u look so beautiful in this saree pic! wah wah wah!

    Reply
  6. Mehroo Turel says

    January 11, 2013 at 6:02 am

    Dear Reena,
    Thanks for liking this post, one of my on-the-spot, same day ones so quite spontaneous. Thank you again for liking the blog design, was a pain getting it done though, I would anyday prefer writing a post!

    Reply
  7. Reena says

    January 12, 2013 at 1:37 pm

    Hey Mehroo, I read this while on holiday in India so couldnt comment earlier. I really enjoyed reading this, what a fun way to begin the new year! also love the new look of your blog and my God, look at your beautiful pic in this saree…wah wah wah!

    Reply

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mehrooturel

BUSINESS COACH FOR WOMEN | Mom of 2 boys 👬
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🌷✨ Tomorrow’s the day! Are you ready to cel 🌷✨ Tomorrow’s the day! Are you ready to celebrate Mother’s Day with us? There’s still time to grab your tickets! 🎟️💐
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Join us for a day filled with fun, shopping, and fun activities for the whole family. 

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Date: Sunday, May 5, 11:00am-5:00pm
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Building trust' - That's one of our core values a Building trust' -

That's one of our core values at Mums@PLAY, as we gathered today as vendors, sponsors, entrepreneurs - with our passion for what we do and our combined positive energy to make things happen! 

See you on Sunday at The Mother's Day Market

Date: Sun, May 5 • 11-5. 

Location: 33-35 Hillier Street Sheung Wan, Hong Kong

REGISTER HERE. 

https://www.eventbrite.hk/e/mothers-day-market-tickets-874653079907?aff=ebdsshother&utm_share_source=listing_android
Such an honor to collaborate with the Hive and be Such an honor to collaborate with the Hive and be a part of this engaging panel, sharing the stage with brilliant minds and accomplished women entrepreneurs at the 'Celebrate HER Stories' event last Thursday. 

Thank you to The Hive team for this collaboration and invitation to share our stories with authenticity. 

Thank you HER Fund 婦女動力基金 for daring to create a change and empowering women. 

Thank you to my Mums@PLAY community members for showing your support! 

And lastly a big thank you to the audience for your active listening, those nods and smiles, as you related with our ups and downs of running a business and balancing our lives as women, mums and professionals. 

Look forward to more powerful collaborations and opportunities to engage and motivate! 

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When you take the same route every day You tend to When you take the same route every day
You tend to lose sight of the details,
The flower that just bloomed
The leaf that just fell
You're oblivious to the present
Your mind is overworked
With baggage from the past
And future that is yet to occur. 

Today I said STOP
I woke up at 5:45 this morning. My head filled wit I woke up at 5:45 this morning. My head filled with Sabs.

Saboteurs or Sabs as we ”lovingly” call them in our family are the negative voices in our head that tend to overwhelm or sabotage us. They are the relentless inner critics that often overpower and undermine us. Typically, I assert control over my mind, not letting them overpower me, centering myself on my senses….but not today.

Read the full blog here https://mehrooturel.com/2024/04/21/saboteur-discovery/

#saboteurs #positiveintelligence #pqcoach #certifiedcoach #icfcoacheshk #icfpcc #emotionsmatter
Boredom brings brilliance, ....taps into the reces Boredom brings brilliance,
....taps into the recesses of our sub-conscious mind to bring about #creativity and #curiosity. But I also think that boredom could also lead us to dark dungeons of the past or apprehensions about the future, and if these thoughts are not controlled, they can lead to overwhelm and stress. 

Taking control of our thoughts becomes so important specially in the 45-sec attention span that we have.

Self-command, that is taking control of our own mind, in this fast-paced, tech driven world becomes not only important, but a necessity. 

Here are some examples of how you can practice command over your mind while still at work

- Take a walk to get your coffee (focus solely on your feet and the steps you are taking)

- Zone out of your computer by closing your eyes and taking two deep breaths, really focusing on the inhale-exhale pattern 

- Stare out of the window or stare into your laptop - really focusing on one thing and one thing only. 

- Close your eyes for ten seconds when you are having your lunch, and really taste your food or hear the ambient sounds around you. 

Just focus on your senses every few hours and see how differently you tend to handle your day and the challenges that are thrown in front of you. 

Have a great week ahead!
👑Join me for an empowering evening of inspirati 👑Join me for an empowering evening of inspiration and connection at Celebrate HER Stories: Women's Panel & Networking at the Hive Sheung Wan! 

As one of the panelists, I am honored to be part of an expert lineup that includes founders and go-getters, Shea Stanley, Founder & Chief Executive Insider of Little Steps Asia, the esteemed author of "Whispers of Worth," Shobha Nihalani, and Louisa Dearlove, Founder of Fēnxiǎng.

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In the chaos and constant stimulation of our world In the chaos and constant stimulation of our world, the mind often finds itself caught up in a whirlwind of thoughts, worries, and distractions. It seems as if it never rests, always churning with an incessant stream of internal dialogue. But amidst this perpetual motion, there lies a profound and transformative power—𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱

Imagine a vast, serene lake reflecting the beauty of its surroundings. Its surface is undisturbed, allowing the depths below to reveal their hidden treasures. In much the same way, the mind possesses an inherent stillness that, when cultivated, can lead to immense 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳-𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆.

Yet, achieving this stillness is no easy task. It requires practice, patience, and a gentle surrender to the present moment. We must 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗲𝘁 𝗴𝗼 of our attachments, expectations, and the constant need to control. Only then can we begin to peel away the layers of mental noise and enter into a state of profound tranquility.

In this stillness, we discover that 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗱𝗼 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝘂𝘀. We are not limited to the boundaries of our transient emotions or fleeting desires. Instead, we tap into the potential of pure awareness—an expansive, timeless space where the mind can rest and rejuvenate.

I often say that 𝗜 𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗮 𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿, flowing, moving, splashing, having fun, but once in a while, the river needs to slow down and pause at an interim lake or pool to replenish its energy and nourish its waters. The pausing is not an end to its journey but a necessary part of its flow.

Learn to attain this stillness once every few hours. It will not take up your time, rather it will be the best investment of your time, as you get back to your work with renewed energy, vigour and creativity. 

Get in touch if you need help https://calendly.com/mehroo

Photo by dirk von loen-wagner on @Unsplash
Wishing you a relaxing Sunday .... Enjoy your coff Wishing you a relaxing Sunday .... Enjoy your coffee, read the news, smile, laugh, take a nap.... just do what makes you feel good in the moment 🍹 😀 🌞 🌻 

#sunday
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