Sunset at Sutera Harbour Resort, Kota Kinabalu

Thought for today.

"To know oneself, one should assert oneself"

-Albert Camus

While watching the sun set over the sea at the waterfront of Sutera Harbour Resort I managed to take a few photos as the sun disappeared into the clouds and then down the horizon.

There is a certain fascination with sunrise and sunset. When watching something in the distance, the rays of the sun add a different character to the scenery. For example it was no magic when a picture I took of the ruins of Angkor Wat during sunset turned out to be one where the ruins was golden in colour. It was the effect of the sun's rays!!

Sunrise and sunset are indicators of the reality of life...as the sun rises so it must set. Life must go on no matter what the realities are. But knowing oneself will be half the battle won. Reflecting on Albert Camus quote... "one should assert oneself". So how then can we assert oneself?

Try using "I" statements when communicating with people. In a situation when something is not what one expects it to be, one can state one's feelings about it and then proceed to describe the situation and then indicate what one wants changed to make one feel "good". For example " I feel disappointed. The lecture room is untidy. I will be happy if the cleanliness of the room is maintained." Communicating one's thought and feelings in this way and in a calm and mature manner is not offensive instead it indicates that one is assertive. It is advisable to be assertive in our interaction style so that one will not be perceived to be passive and submissive. Neither is it advisable for one to be aggressive and manipulative. Being assertive and perseptive will help us be more aware of ourselves and also of others.

Great Ocean Road, Victoria

Baba's thought for today.

"What is the unmistakable mark of a wise man?

It is love for all humanity"

No artist can compete with Mother Nature when it comes to the beauty of the spectacular coastal features found along the Great Ocean Road in southern Victoria.

These features have been sculptured by the giant waves and strong winds in the Southern Ocean. The most outstanding of these features are the Twelve Apostles which are in fact craggy limestone stacks rising majestically from the water.

Viewed from the deck, I did not see twelve of these stacks, some may have been hidden from view, but I have been told that in reality many may have collapsed. As can be seen in the pictures, the stratified rocks besides the unique shapes also bear interesting colours and the layering effect lend a certain charm to the scenery.

Another interesting sight was the Loch Ard Gorge, where it was believed that an iron-hulled clipper was driven into the rocks and only two of the fifty people on board survived. The London Bridge arch does not justistfy the name now for part of it has collapsed. But we cannot expect nature to stand still. Nature will take its course and the coastline will continue to be ravaged by the wind and waves and more novel features will form and be aptly named.

For the more adventurerous visitors, this are also popular for surfing, fishing, nature walks to observe the vegatation and the animals. But the not tobe missed the food. We stopped by at Timboon for lunch and we enjoyed the fish and chips, the gourmet cheese, the local beer and of course the ice cream and cheese cake!!