KLCC Real Estate Market Trends

Having lived away from home for so many years  now, it’s just a matter of time before one thinks of casting roots and making a true home out of the home away from home. Living in the heart of bustling Kuala Lumpur has its definite perks. Commodities are easily accesible, night life and the finest of life is just a short ride away. In fact, literally everything is just a whisper away. Comfort and luxury often go hand in hand, but the value of convenience is one that can never be underestimated. Nobody wants to pay premium prices to rent a pretty spot in the city but end up spending hours in traffic jams and wrestling the stress of meeting appointment schedules on time.

Real estate in KL city centre remains one of the most sophisticated and high end real estate areas. Developments in the area cater mainly to well to do professionals or expats, as the properties come with stunning views, facilities and equally stunning prices. A lot of the real estate here have enviable views of the Kuala Lumpur skyline and most of the apartments are serviced apartments that have been furnished with elegance and class.  As most of the residents in these developments consist mainly of expats working in Malaysia, there are a large number of international schools hosting a rich community of world citizens.

It is needless to say that living right in the heart of where it all happens means that you could just take a night off and watch an orchestra performance at the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, or shop to your heart’s content at one of the many luxury shopping malls in the vicinity. With all these and more in store for the lucky buyer, it is no wonder that the KL properties market is only headed in one direction. Upwards.

Ah yes, a girl can dream indeed. 

Which of these two is better only God knows

Letter to self :

The choices that Death makes when he chooses his victims are most often beyond comprehension. He doesn’t have a place of preference, or a favoured time, neither is he influenced by beauty, or youth, or wealth, or health. He sneaks about, and stealthily taps into his next victim’s subconscious. Sometimes he gives them time to say their last goodbyes, but most cruelly, he decides to make a quick cut because what is Death, without his cloak of surprise.

Yes, you lament, rant, kick and scream at the injustice on the young souls Death sets his sights on. Whilst you may curse, throw tantrums, and mourn in stupefied silence, the reality remains that no mortal outruns Death.

But Life, oh Life is an entirely different playing field. Life is malleable, she flows and flourishes, her contours are resilient, she gives back more than you give. Life though, is not tolerant of wastrels. Spend more time with the people who matter, and worry less about those who don’t bother. Make little changes, stamp lasting memories so you linger in the fond thoughts of those who remain. Forgive, move on, stress less, laugh more. Be passionate because Life is a passionate lover.

You may not be able to cheat when the curtain drops, but you can choose to play the game of Life right. If this moment and the moments after these are going to be the fragile threads between now and eternity, make every precious filament count. We’re only given that many after all.

The hour of departure has arrived, and we go our separate ways. I to die, and you to live. Which of these two is better only God knows. – Socrates 

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The Road Not Taken

Letter to self :

So the road diverges, and without a clear signboard, you’re confused and conflicted. Torn between two wants, stuck between a hard place and a burning desire. Right now you’re wondering about the things you should have done, must do, have to do, are expected to do. So many lists, so many things, so many expectations.

Somewhere out there, there are these people who need you. The thing is, you know this, even acknowledge their need for the many yous, but you don't yet acknowledge how much you need them. They may have little, but so much to give. They may not have learnt a lot, but you have a world to learn from them.

You’ve allowed yourself to sink into that dangerous abyss full of cushy indifference, easy excuses and recycled thoughts. You’ve allowed yourself to forget how alive you felt every time you pushed yourself past that barrier of Feeling Uncomfortable.

You ask everyone for the answer, but how is someone else going to tell you how your heart beats a little faster at that memory. How can anyone tell you the melody of your song, unlock the secrets of your dreams. Why are you looking outside for answers that only lie within. Deep down, there is this voice willing for you to listen. Listen, just listen. Then take the road less traveled by. 

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Storms make trees take deeper roots

Don't think I don't see what you're doing. You think it's self-preservation, but really darling, all that sitting around in broken glass spells nothing but self destruction. What you're doing, is wallowing. 

You may think that you've gone through tough times, learnt a lot from it, but your experiences are not unique. What you need to do is unlearn everything you thought you knew. You'll never learn from a cluttered mind, the same way you'll never learn from a cluttered whiteboard. Clear out everything and start on a blank slate. 

Right now you think it's impossible to trust again. Those trust issues you had, this person was the magnifying glass that made it all seem worse. Never let this be an excuse for you not to let others in. There is a difference between being naive and being distrustful. One keeps your eyes and heart open, the other, keeps the door shut. Keep looking, one day you'll find that kindred spirit. You'll recognize this person from the same curious wide-eyed wonder you'll both have. 

You may think you don't know your talents, your passions. But there was once when a light ignited this ethereal burning desire in you. Find that spark again. And when you do, hold on to it, and share it ! Share it to ignite someone else's fire, share it to share your message of finding hope again. 

Always remember that when life pushes you into a corner, there is something within you that has the capability to push back. And push back harder ! Do it. Because the people who love you unconditionally deserve better. Because you, deserve better. 

Inner Voice 

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Even when it hurts

This walk You’ve destined for me,

May not be the easiest of things

But I’ve learnt not to always ask for the easy ones

Because true sweetness can only be savoured if bitterness is first cringed at

Thank You,

For the days when I feel alone,

Because that is how I’m reminded

Of the beauty of never being lonely 

When You choose to reside in my heart

Thank You,

For the pain and heartaches

Because only then do I get the salve of your compassion

When Your touch heals me where it hurts

Thank You

For the tricky slopes of life

The high cliffs and low valleys

Because only then do I get to experience

how awesome it is to have You fight my battles

Thank You

For loss no matter how insufferable at the moment

Because only then am I reminded

That eternity is not what my mortal mind conceives

But eternity,

Is the everlasting fabric of Your perfect design.

The grace of which You wish to clothe me in,

And the emblem of which I am to carry.

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An exercise in gratitude

I’d like to challenge you to walk through this exercise with me. Now close your eyes and take a deep breath, and remember this version of you.

If you’re like most of us, the moment you wake up in the morning,  you’ll be headed for the shower. Or at least the nearest basin to brush your teeth. Now revel in that refreshing burst of clean water. 780 million people have no access to clean water. In fact, 3.4 million people die each year from water related diseases¹. Think you’ve got it bad ? Think again.

Now that you’ve showered, follow me into the kitchen, where the smells of breakfast waft in the air. Perhaps you like to start your mornings with a strong cup of coffee, or perhaps breakfast is the most important meal of the day for you and you relish the sight of pancakes and bacon drenched in syrup. Approximately 870 million people go hungry every day. Hunger, is the number one health risk in the world². Think you’ve got it bad ? Think again.

Alright sleepy head, rubbed the sleep off your eyes yet? Hop in the car and let’s head on to school / work. Are you dreading and whining about the long day ahead ?  61 million primary school children were not enrolled in school, almost half of this are not expected to ever get enrolled. 53% of the world’s school dropouts are girls, 2/3 of whom are illiterate³. Think you’ve got it bad ? Think again.

Do you hear the bell ? It’s lunchtime ! Let’s gather some mates and perhaps check out that new restaurant downtown. You pick up a heavy menu and glance through a long list of food choices. You know that people die from hunger, sure you read about it every time. Remember too that food wastage is  a huge contributor. 30% – 50%  of food produced or 1.2 to 2 billion tonnes of food gets binned around the world⁴. Thinking of leaving your plate half-eaten? Think again.

Man, that sure was a long day wasn’t it ? Finally, after battling crazy rush hour traffic, you open the doors to your home and dinner is already on the table. Some days, if not most days, you’ll probably spend dinner bickering with your siblings, or giving your spouse the cold shoulder.  40 million children are abused each year.  Child rape occurs every two minutes (to put it bluntly, in the time it took you to get to this paragraph, a child has been raped)⁵.  A worrying 10 – 69% of women are abused by an intimate partner, with more than 1.5 million people losing their lives to violence every year.⁶ Think you’ve got it bad ? Think again. 

Now it’s time for bed, and we’ve walked through the end of the exercise. Hang on, before you head off to chasing dreams, remember that version of you in the beginning ? I hope that by the time you get to this sentence, you’ve thought again and again and realized how privilege doesn’t lie in luxury, but in recognizing the little things that make up the big picture.  There are an endless list of things we want, desire and crave for. Unfortunately, that makes it so easy for us to ignore the endless list of things we have that millions in the world need, require and die for. Think. Again.

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If your thoughts need further provoking :  

1. Water crisis 2. Hunger crisis 3. Education facts 4. Global food waste report 5. Child abuse facts 6. Violence analysis 

 

The Clothes She Wore

Another day, another costume. The plethora of masks mocks, and the fashionable Opinion of Others costumes lined up goadingly. “Enough is enough” she mutters.

“You’re not gonna pull this off. They’ll talk “ says the snide reflection in the mirror.

With that, and a rebellious jerk, she rips off the hazy veil of self-esteem. Through her fingertips, fragile lace and tulle crumbles, scattering the floor with fragments of esteem built on the foundation of The Others. She rubs off the stain of shocking red on her lips, the false bravado and pretend worldliness. They have to see. They’ll learn to accept this face, the one with the eyes too trusting, the slight overbite in the awkward smile and the stubborn tilt of determination. She grins, and in the freedom of a fresh faced child, a faint dimple winks back.

She gently peels off the fussy collared top, along with it’s choking rules. Gone are the harsh layer upon layers of self-expectation, replaced instead with the positive pearls of wisdom.

She unhooks the heavy belt of Second Thoughts, and replaces it with a slim silver one. Hope.  The heavy, frumpy wool pants of responsibility is replaced with a flowery skirt of youthful expectation. Unlike its predecessor, this one lifts in a perfect circle when she twirls. It is not constricting, it is whole.

Ready at last to head out, the Heels of Society and the Boots of Thoughts skip her attention. Instead she reaches out for the Soles of Adventure. Sturdy comfortable shoes made to walk through life’s slippery slopes, sealed with the glue of confidence and the seams of self-assurance.

Ah yes, it’s going to be a good day ! 

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