Strawberry Farm

Good day folks.

Another picture post :) almost. I went to the high-land with family and relatives last weekend. Hence I missed my very good friend also my big brother's 21st big day. Truly sincerely feel guilty for not attending his party. However, you guys understand right? At least I hope so. Because no matter what, to me, family outings always come first. I'll make it up I promise. Anyway, we checked in to the maxim suites on Friday evening and met up with my forth uncle who just got back from China or Japan. He is still the busy business man we always see. I do think that flying with a plane to him is like taking the taxi.

Next morning, parents, B and me went M Spa & Massage for some treatment. Mom and I tried the Hot & Cold Stone Massage. I was dying to try whitening milky spa bath, but they ran out of ingredient, so I'll have to come back next week. Anyway, the Hot & Cold Stone Massage is really good. I mean I can feel the blood circulations and relaxation after that. The only problem here is hot stones are simply too hot to handle. We laid on eight hot stones and they are really burning my back. Other than this, using hot stones to massage foots and legs are really comfortable. E and her mom joined us later. And we all went to the arena for lion dance competition. I am excited to bump into few old pals. My lion dancing troupe. Its been five years since we last saw each other. Clearly, we all grown up, and me grown apart.

Before heading back to the city on Sunday, we went Strawberry Farm at Gohtong Jaya. My first visit and most probably last :) nothing fancy. Nothing special to keep me here. Anyway, managed to snapped some moments for memories scratch.

xoxo, S

Indonesia

Finally posting my first time to Indoenesia. Sorry for the delay. P1 just wouldn't let me upload pictures :( Anyway, this is it, my travel post. Its going to be an almost feel like never-ending one with selected pictures and summarize of 5days4nights.

1st Day.

B & me arrived Jakarta's terminal 2 three hours before his relatives from China and Hong Kong. Its better for 2 to wait a bunch that close to 10 instead of them waiting us. We had been thoughtful. After their arrival, we waited for another 3 to 4 hours at the domestic airport. Finally got on plane to Bangka Island, their hometown. First impression? Not too good. This place is different, very different. Its like a village in nowherem and Jakarta is like the NYC.

Almost 20 people traveling together, B and his relatives plus me. So we traveled by a rented tourist bus. They are friendly to me, of course, I am the new comer, the outsider, the guest. First night, we check in to Hotel Pondok Serrata. As called, the room is pondok style. Everything is pretty old and used. But at least its not dirty. I can tolerate for a night. Just blaming myself for forgetting to bring my own towel.

Arrived at Jakarta International Airport. Waited 3 hours for the others to arrive from Hong Kong.
Then, waited another 3 hours at the domestic airport. While waiting at the airport, our company - NDSlite.

First dinner at some restaurant that the light went off three times in an hour >.< The only four young people in our group.


2nd day.

This place is more kampung than I ever imagine. All houses I'd visited got no air-cond, not even any fan on ceiling. Its frigging hot and all they have is a standing fan. Limited to only one in a big house. Visited some relatives which clearly not even close to know each other. Graveyard visit is torturing me. Its so different from Bidor or Seremban where the places are clean and well managed. Here, grasses are all so tall and wildly grown around. Then, I gave up thinking this is a vacation, cause as far as I can see, its a journey of exhaustion and new "experience".

Later in the evening, we checked in to Parai Beach Resort. Ten times better than last night's accommodation. Cleaner, at least. Hopefully a good night sleep.

At Parai Beach Resort's lobby with B and Jo.

Beautiful scenery :)

3rd day.

I had a good night sleep and the complimentary breakfast is my cup of tea. Was satisfied before visiting a public graveyard. Wildly grown grass all over the place, practically up to my waist, and the sun is killing burning my skins from top. Honestly, I thought I will cry and run away.

Noon, we finally arrived at B's dad old home. He was born here and been living before the family migrated to Wuhan, China. The house is huge, single storey tho, didn't fully utilize the big land they have. Back yard is filled with coconut tree, papaya tree, jambu merah tree, rambutan tree, durian tree, mangga tree and lots of kampung chicken. The cleanest indoor I've been to but still no air-cond.

We canceled snorkeling trip due to weather condition and B, me, J and Jo went for reviving spa treatment. Not bad, really. Their body scrubs did a very clean job but mint body mask is so cooling that I almost requested them to stop the treatment. Anyway, still enjoyable.

Lunch at a "restaurant" nearby Sungai Liat.

Standing in the rain, Jo and me playing with the red umbrella and feet in "longkang". Don't we look like 倩女幽魂?

In front of B's dad home with half of the relatives. They sure have big land.

4th day.

After breakfast, six of us decided to go snorkel before checking out at noon. We rented a boat and some equipments, the locals then drove us offshore for the activity. Bad decision. Big waves and strong current. The boat stopped in the middle of the sea where wave pushing to the boat at different direction. Jo and I experienced terrible sea sick, and began processing a way-out of our half digested food we've ate. Worst part is there is nothing to snorkel of, no beautiful coral, fish-less. What a waste. Six of us spent Rp720,000 for the whole 1.5 hr and the sickness stayed for few hours. Then check out and left the island to Jakarta.

They have so many relatives. Or I should say they'd even keep contact with grandpa and grandma sides of families. Its easy to feel left out in this crowd as much to say, I am not related and they certainly not interested in me. Checked in to Ciputra Hotel at Jakarta. Externally the hotel look grand and clean but inside, rooms are old and smell one kind. Anyway, acceptable, just one night and I am going home.

My Taiwanese good friend - Jo :)

Before leaving to snorkeling.

We all look happy and excited.

Sure suffer a lot in the sea. Big wave make us sick. At least me and Jo couldn't stand it and we threw up our breakfast.

Good bye Bangka Island.


Last day.

Ciputra Hotel has the best complimentary breakfast I had throughout the trip. Left to the airport three hours before our flight. Unfortunately, MAS announced flight delayed like two minutes after the counter open for check in. Our flight is departing at 5.20pm. At least that's what they said and assumed. But the truth is, 6.30pm. Meaning we spent another 6 hours waiting at the airport like we did on our first day. Great.

What I learnt from the trip to Indonesia is tolerance, patience and of course appreciation. B and me felt so blessed when we are home, with air-cond. Everything is so civilized and better.

Till my next trip to Macau + Hong Kong :)

xoxo, S

Fringe Style

Hello folks.

I am sorry but still no Indonesia post. Too many pictures and P1 has been screwing the connection. I tried to upload them to B's facebook but failed. J uploaded some from Hong Kong and I tagged ourselves in it, perhaps you can check out my photos added by others at facebook.

Its my third week back in Malaysia. Still not fully rested. My day and night are pretty much occupied. Haven't spend my weekend at home too. Its been a real busy weeks for me. Dad is launching his company brand this coming Friday and we have to be prepared for the launching dinner at his restaurant - Grand Imperial. Then the following weekends will be Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore and UK. See! I mean it when I say I am busy.

By the way, I switched back to the fringe style. Tired of centre partings and side bangs. So I went Hair Index and requested E to give me a new fringe. He has been my hairdresser since primary and still doing a great job at serving my hair.

xoxo, S

My Sister's Keeper

Director: Nick Cassavetes
Starring: Cameron Diaz, Abigail Breslin, Sofia Vassilieva, Evan Ellingson
Genre: Drama/Family crisis

I haven't read any of Jodi's. First I thought My Sister's Keeper would just be another depressing movie about a young girl fighting her disease. But I am wrong. The message this movie is sending out is poignant and powerful. It is a story of choices we make in life. A family with a dyslexic Brother, ex-lawyer Mother, fireman Father, leukemic Daughter, and in vitro-created, donor Sister.

Having a test-tube engineered baby "designer baby" to provide body parts for another child, its a choice made by parents. "Designer baby" - Anna seeking for medical emancipation is a choice. Sara's unwillingly to give up hopes and any chances are her choice of not letting go. Anyhow, is still Kate's choice to end it. Sometimes you just have to learn to let go even though it hurts. Finally seeing Cameron Diaz in a non-chick flick or romantic comedy. Its different. And she sure done a pretty good job in My Sister's Keeper as Kate's Mother, Sara. The movie shows pain and helplessness in eyes of the family members, and seeing how disease torn the relationship actually ache my heart.

p.s I love the collaged scrapbook Kate made for Sara. Its simple, meaningful and full of love.

Rating: 7 out of 10

Back from Indonesia

Hello there :)

Back from Indonesia on Wednesday, late night. MAS always put me down and really, almost never failed pissing me off by their services. Anyway, I don't want to complaint too much, as it is really pointless. All I can say is, even Indonesia domestic flights are better.

Trip to Indonesia was not what I expected. My bad for dreaming a close to Bali or Hawaii. However, I did learnt something new, and owning new experiences. Most importantly, I get to shape up my toleration and patients.

Many photos with me, and still waiting more from J. Guess I won't be putting up until I get all of them to show :)

xoxo, S

Friday the 13th

Hello readers,

Of course you've heard of some says about today, Friday the 13th. Box office has movies about it. News and papers have links to some bad happenings on the past 13th that fell on Friday. For example, Andes Plane Crash in 1972, Hurricane Charley of South Florida in 2004, the Buffalo Storm in 2006.

Facts or fictions, we don't care.

As long as it doesn't happen in our country, to our people, at least, to those names are in our contact list. I am not heartless, just, telling the truth. Well of course I am compassionate and I do feel sorry for those who suffer and lost. So, I often feel blessed that my country is natural disaster free zone. No typhoon, no volcano eruption, no earthquake, no tornado. How great :)

p.s

Some"adult" kids went missing in shopping mall. Why do I say "adult" kids? Because they are just another bunch of naive pretentious kids, trying to act like they are all grown up. Grow up kids! You are still kids, at least untill you got your driver licence. So, what's going on is that all of their mobile switched off, no one saw them. And hear nothing from them yet. Is there something bad happening? Or its just another irresponsible do. Whatever it is. I do hope is their irresponsibility for this and not some kidnapping.

xoxo, S

I don't blame you

Behind the wall
I saw you and I saw her
Eyes closed, lips locked
Hands dropping low
Blood running high

Shaking myself away
I know its time to fade

Here we are
at the corner of showground
Eyes closed, lips locked
Tears running down
Holding you with arms around

Decision made
I am letting you go

I don't blame you
For kissing her like you kissed me
I don't blame you
For lying love lying about us
I blame me
For believing my eyes than your words
I blame me
For forgiven but never forgotten

Don't come back when I turn away
You don't love me
You don't love her
Don't say that you are sorry
Because you know
You don't feel sorry

I don't blame you
Monogamy is not you
I don't blame you
The ladies' man is you

I don't blame you, my x-man

Take Your Time

L called the other day. Sobbing over her one-man-show relationship. One-man-show relationship means one person doing all the moves. Like many titular relationship I've heard and experienced first hand, this often leads to insecurity, tiredness and argument. Outsider may not understand well, some even judged right away. But who am I to judge, who are we to give any honest opinion when we don't even know the truth behind?

The girlfriend, which happens to be your own social circle may not be telling everything, maybe she only told things that make it sounds as she is the victims. But bear in mind, how bout the boyfriend side's of story? We don't know the boyfriend. We don't know what really happened. So, why not sit aside, shut up if you can't help but to hold on bias mind.

Jealousy happens when one feel threaten. Possession occurs when one seek attention. To find the balance is to find the peace in oneself. To totally eliminate it is to stop having feelings. That's when your heart stop aching, your tear stop running, your cheek ain't blushing, your dream no longer sweeten like the past. Basically, a corpse. Maybe its the bitter sweet that attracts us into the shackles of love. After all, life is too long to just experience the happy good and sweet. Life is more complete with a little bitter tears and ache.

Lets step back and take a break. Holding it too tight doesn't mean you really hold on. You're just betting on it, when will your hand feel tired and when will the thing you holding broke up, when that happens that's end of the story. Step back, regain your power, appreciate yourself more, to weight your relationship with person involved. No rush, but just don't put yourself in miserable.

xoxo, S

BKK

Sawadeeka.

MH784 landed on Suvarnabhumi Airport on 7 November before noon. Shakily and with sweat streaming down my back. Don't even want to waste anymore breath complaining the airline, I'll just try my very best to avoid it. Anyway, got ourselves a very friendly local taxi, Mr Jarunda who speaks little english. Then checked in to the Hotel Inter-Continental at Ploenchit Road, just next to Chit Lom BTS Sky-train station. Super convenient.

Lovely room for my sponsor also known as Mr Chang & Mrs Chang, who paid our accommodation, airfare, shopping expense and food. The room has huge bed, carpets are clean and lights are warm bright.

Me, double X and B share the deluxe twins. We pushed both bed together, so we have a massive bed too ;)

The place where we're being ourselves. Shit, pee, bath and sing-along in the shower.

Hotel InterContinental
+66-2-6560444
http://www.ichotelsgroup.com

After dropping our bags in the room, first thing to do is to visit and pray the four-face Brahma also known as Phra Phrom statue at the Erawan Shrine. Erawan Shrine was built in 1956 and my family has been visiting every year since 1999.


3days2nights. Basically filled our hours with shopping, thai food and massages. All of us enjoy our meals at Siam Paragon Food hall, cheap and delicious. Five of us total spend 1000baht on 5 plates of Kao Ka Moo, 2 plates of Larb Moo, tom yum gung, sticky rice with satay, duck noodles, rice vermicelli with fish-balls and drinks on the first day.

My favourite, Larb Moo

Fish Cake with Thai sauce

Thailand must eat, Tom Yum Gung.

Sistalicious BKK trip. Down at the lobby.

The hotel's swimming pool is on 36floor. B, X and I bought new swim suits as we forgot to bring ours. Anyway, we got ourselves new one and swim two days.

B and me having fun too!

Till my next trip to Indonesia, which is this coming Saturday. Don't get bored of my vain self.

xoxo, S

Departure

Dear readers,

A very good morning here in Malaysia, at least its pretty chill in my residential area. Everyone in no.9 is getting ready, final pack and check before leaving. Three hours later, all will be smiley and safe at Bangkok, Thailand. Pretty excited although this ain't my first visit. I like sour & spicy tom yum, or I should say, Thai cuisine is one of my favourite. So, expecting lots of good food, and also foreseen myself with few extra pounds.

Enjoy your weekend.

Till I am back, S

Disconnected

Hola (:

Life has been pretty relaxing yet substantial. Only consuming delicious food, doing hot yoga with a very much respectable trainer and spending quality time with family & friends. Then, not forgetting to pick up a book from Borders. The Time Traveler's Wife. Yes, I am reading the book. I know, the movie is showing at most cinema. Anyway, I am pretty sure myself that if I watch the movie first, I won't be reading the book. That's what happen for H.P. BUT, the book is getting boring, or I should say it took me forever to read it. Somewhat not motivated.

I have been cutting down my connection with the world-wide related technology. My mobile and internet usage are significantly reduced. All because of Maxis network is getting worst each day. No excuse for limited coverage. So, it is softly pushing my family to switch to Digi or Xpax Celcom. Then, Streamyx broadband too almost force me to crash my computer. I don't understand how can internet work so slow most of the time, and sometimes, not working at all. Hence, my online hours are limited to weekdays morning. Thank god I still have Nintendo Wii Fit and pay TVp.

xoxo S

First Night home

I am back home. Safely.

My loves (A,W,Y) picked me up at the airport, with Y dad's estima. Its been long time since we last share hours together. Just four of us, plus B. But he's all good. He mostly kept queit and listen to our jokes and laughs and some foul languages. It doesn't bother him much that we are mixing english, mandarin, malay and cantonese.

Went home straight to surprise my sister. It does surprise my sister, sort of, I guess. She wasn't home went I rang the bell. But I'd called her and the first minutes are full of "OMG". She was out with our neighbour, in KL. Sigh. Gen-Z just like to go out, especially when parents not around to say "NO".

So the five of us went SS2 mamak for some very tasty indo mee goreng and maggie goreng, plus my limau ais. I miss mamak so much although I didn't go often in the past. Showed B the difference of both dishes and he still like my style of indo mee. After, we walked over to dessert house for more. Malaysia (= Its almost 11 by then and still crowded. That's somewhat the Malaysian style. We had great time just sharing our food and babbling.

After that, they came over to my place for some Guitar Heroes and Wii Fit plus times. Everything just make me laugh almost continuously untill my voice actually cracked. Its just like we are all back in secondary 2, where we first get together and since then, the relationship is close and thick. Exceptionally happy when they sms saying "Glad that you're back". You guys make my first night back so happy. I heart you guys!

xoxo

Home Sweet

Good day (:

This is a future post. So, by the time you read this, I am most probably back in my steamy but interesting country. I haven't been blogging about when am I going home, because its a surprise for my family. I told them I am going home on the 4 November. It is still going to be a surprise. My parents are out of the country for some work trip. So when I arrive home, only my sister will be shocked or perhaps teary. And my plan is to keep the truth from my parents untill they found out when they get home. 

Internet sucks back home. As always. I've been living there for 18 years and never really complain about it untill I study abroad, seeing the broadband quality in Melbourne. So, expect no more daily updates. Perhaps you can follow me on my twitter. But I assure more pictures. Pretty sure it will be turning into a travel blog for the next four months. Considering I have so many destination confirmed (: pretty excited for all of them.

Call me/text me if you wanna hang out at least 1 week beforehand. And I am serious about this. Don't blame or bitch that I don't care.

xoxo