JB update

I shall promise a detail update w proper pictures later. Since my arrival yesterday I have been so busy, running up and around to get furniture and electronics. To be honest, I am getting some basics for now and it has cost nearly 8K... Oh my

I have my family to thank for it. Mum and dad has been so supportive in moral, financial and actually enjoy the process of moving me out from my home in Subang to Johor! It sorta helped me feel fit in...

There are also a few great souls I would like to extend my thanks too, including baby sister ariel, uncle boon hwa, uncle and aunt boon keong, brother joe wong, and mr yeo!

Will update more later. For now, tweet reads

"Home shower heater installed, fridge, washing machine, oven, rice cooker running, air-cond installing... Vono bed on their way :-)"

Sweetness in Photography

That's the title dedicated to my friends who had spent Friday dinner w me today!

Testing the new blogger application and wow ness this is so fun! Now I can blog wherever whenever... Even in jam. I love iPhone and love apple for making this possible, also google la for launching this app.

So here I am sitting in Mont Kiara, Pizza Brava w my bunch of love muffins. A bunch of girl friends that were connected to my life randomly and unexpectedly turned companion for eternity. That's how we view of friendship, although so different each of us are in terms of lifestyle and expectations, we can always sit at the same table and love each other unexpectedly and unconditionally

I really am so sappy with this farewell or moving south. Love you all girls really ... Please don't forget me ya! Muax

Road less taken

The same idea happened in different intervals in life brings different meaning. Just like when you string the guitars at different time of life, the music and tone that you creates reflect different moods and growth.

There were rejection, there were abduction. There were ups, high, lows, and hidden tears. There were anger, disappointment, resentment and then there were joys, laughs, smiles and contentment. Scaring and then bandaging. Support, advise and brushing off the best and worst. Imagination, intuition, experiences and sharing. Exploration, learning, education and teaching. Then there were quiet moments, awkward moments, intriguing moments, painful moments.

When you had it all, and still took the road less taken. You build a wonderful non-committable yet securing relationship, whether it is in the form of soul mates or friends ... it is unconditional love you bestowed on to the other.

As the days come nearer for me to advance south, there were plunges so deep, so depth and so wide some will not understand. By distancing myself, I was able to focus better. Prioritize better. Worry less. Stress less. The usual ignorance had me craving for food to feed to hungry and tired soul. I needed some company, someone strong and someone that can magically appear without me asking, someone who had no reservations, someone who will take in the pain and still shower me with great attention (what!? i am leo ok ... and i need it!) ... someone who can just accomodate to my shit and still not judge, affect my decision or so. SO COMPLEX RITE?

A common name rang. I was reluctant to pick up, but I choose the road less taken. Pick up. It was a call I never regret. The same call I gotten at the time of need when I was in Singapore last year while I was bed ridden ill in April 2010 (or was it May 2010?) that he miraculously lifted me up when I thought I was dying. I had that same call today. Right time, right place

I am proud to have this friend of mine, who had appeared by accident and by being "muka tebal". A friend that logically wouldn't be friends due to many incidental requirements. A friend by faith, had turned into something sour and sweet. He was around when I had to crunch theories for economic classes, he helped added points and marks for my accounting review on financial report, he taught me to be realistic, optimistic and always pushing me for better growth. He made life look so simple, so daring and yet so complicated in certain sense. Company me to travel and learn, and to many importance ...

I had my blood donation habit thanks to him and was a better buddhist thanks to his books. Impressed me with his determination and persistency. Awed me with his love commitment and how swiftly he ended it to exit pain and hurt. Turn me on with his smart ethical strategy in business dealings. Bored me with his routine. Made me rolled eyes with his traditional (or he would say old-fashioned thoughts). We are different, so different but never really apart. We never judge or expect

One things for sure, I am still me and he never doubted to be a great mentor, friend, brother-uncle-dad (he probably gonna kill me but ya, just a joke) and a shoulder-cum-ear-cum-mouth supporting me through without qualms, expectations in any return or so. Mr Watch, I will remember the days you helped me through so much, stand by me and still deal with my immature childish tantrums.

Specially dedicate this post to you, since you become such a good boy for treating me to pork bacon and lamb slice steamboat :-) even though you don't eat after 8pm! Must taken a lot of courage to down the food at 10pm ... Road less taken huh?

Tin Tin the movie

This is quite a belated post but in my mind, after two days of watching the movie with my bunch of buddies ... the animation depth and quality, story line, character build up and action-comedy-packed 2 hours of cinematic experience were none other than extremely exhilirating!!!

You know you will not be let down if the entire production team (especially the producers!) who encompases Steven Spielberg's extraordinary talent for making banging bucks movies. It is none other than :



It was by chance, or rather accidental that we decided to watch this movie. Our main choice was the heavily publisized Puss in Boots but the timing was quite off. So, the entire gang settled in for a belgian based comic character turned into animated movie.

Seriously, this is a must watch movie. Although not as "touchy" or "raw wildly-connected" as Avatar, I actually think the details of the animation is highly acclaimable. Standing ovation to the details put into the entire creation of surreality. Every rain drop, flowing hair, textile details on the clothes, sunlight effect is carefully created. To top it all, the investigative and thrill starts 5minutes into the movie and never really ended until the credit roll.

But one thing I notice different in this movie is that the anticipation, expectation as well as audience gauge meter boundaries is pushed. You find yourself, especially your eye ... following a particular plot or story only to quickly disctracted by another one intruding but related to the previous plot. I know ... one word ... Question mark! Just to make it simple, it seem that there is two situations happening on the same time that demands the same attention on one screen ... In some sense, two story working its' way. Very interesting indeed

I guess I will leave you to watch it yourself. Honestly, I really like the movie. And the dog. snowy too ... but I don't think I will be trying to copy TinTin's hairstyle which looks a bit like the hairstyle that grown-up baby jack jack from Pixar's Mr Incredible will have.

Impressive animation. Go watch!

Bruno Mars - It will rain

Most played song at the moment ... in my itunes of course;

Love the song

Small world afterall

It is a small small world

Have you wonder how small the world is sometimes? I recently discover that one of my friend is actually attached to another friend of mine for 9 years! Goodness lord, and what a friend I am for not noticing. That said, it is not entirely my fault because they are so discreet about their relationship.

Lately, KT has been close to me, sharing many thoughts and sacrifices he made. Being all ears, I was also very fearful because I do clearly remember that the last time I was in touched with a mutual friend, he ended his 10+ years relationship. I don't think I jinx them but sometimes it feels like I am a devil's advocate, not that I encourage any seperation but usually it ends up like that. So indirectly, I feel bad.

Beside, thats not the point. What I am trying to say is that ... it is a small world and how the world connect to each other sometime is scary. Looking back,

1. It is like how I met betbetna, my dad's same village friend's daughter in my first job and now we are like best friends.

2. One of my Bentong friends is actually the boyfriend to my ex-international finance manager

3. My friend has actually been working for 10 years in my family dentist clinic, without me knowing. One of his colleague, another dentist who treated me during my last visit is the fiancee of my MBA colleague!!!

4. My very good buddy Dave from Singapore is actually Mr Watch's long time friend.

5. Met with a great inspirational soulful friend accidentally again after so many years

6. Currently am chatting with a friend from Thai who happened to be best friend with one of my best friend's date! haha

Talk about coincidence! I am just thankful that I am not directly connected to anyone that may pose any conflict or so. Phew *wipe sweat* but better to be more aware since I have so much friends. Ok, I think I am boasting about my circle of friends already. Haha. Time to get back to work and hopefully I will have better luck networking in JB!

Least expected

So the past few weeks have been quite interesting. I mean, since when my life hasn't been interesting right? Except for the occasional spending time alone in the room or just lazing in the bed for hours after I awake ... I must say that the last 2 weeks particularly had been quite a ride. This post had all the least expected things happening ...

I am not sure I want to tell the details of every bit but I still want to break it out to few of my loyal readers. Especially those overseas.

IN THE LOVE DEPARTMENT

To be honest, I have been trying to go out on dates and putting myself out in the market. It is not like I am desperate to find a partner but it seems like if I do not try, I will never find? That kinda thinge. So, I let my walls down (pants too occasionally :P) and I am stuck somewhere between not my type, attached or not interested. Knocking on all the wrong doors, I was even more determined. Leo trait they say. As I plunge deeper and deeper into the "marketing campaign" titled date me please. I suddenly just gave up. No more I say. The mind was conditioning the fact that with my quality and looks, I will never find anyone. I am not dating or boyfriend material. So I literally gave up dating or meeting people in the love department after months of trying to move on and going out spontaneously.

While I sack the entire attachment to this department, out of no where three great, awesome, fantastic loveable people had confess their intention of an early potential relationship. Both the honor and thrill, I am sorry but I shun love at the moment. So, the approaches came at the wrong time. Least expected. Dont ask me why...

IN THE CAREER DEPARTMENT

I got offered a job where the company has a huge portfolio and progression growth. Although I was very sure at the start it was just going to be an interview practice ... it has gone a long way, vertically and horizontally ending at my footstep an offer letter

I never got offered by an MNC. I never doubted my ability and education background but my work experience and apparently job specialization has never attracted any interviews from MNCs. Imagine that I literally had 98% rejection from all the positions I have applied. It is either I am writing my resume the wrong way, or I have misspelled my public marketing to pubic marketing.

It was the same resume, and I did my best in the interviews. When they called to tell me that the position went to someone more experience, a part of me was not surprised and I was literally expecting it due to precedent. Then when the director told me that they still want me on board as an assistant manager instead with the same benefit and package ... it was definitely a least expected offered.

IN THE LIFESTYLE DEPARTMENT

With the yes going to the MNC, I then find myself a crossroad. So I have agreed onto a job that requires me to relocate into a ground of lifestyle more different than KL. Before I signed the offer letter, which I politely held for more than a month ... I literally did all the research, online onground on-the-move whatever you call them on the lifestyle and city itself. I am definitely going to downgrade my lifestyle and live more modestly ... because the city itself, the locals called it town.

Yeap, I am officially announcing this on my blog ... I am relocating, moving away from the city. Least expected coming from a boy who love the city life. That said, I want to thank all my friends who had been supportive, coming out on the tight time line of my leftover time in the city. You guys and girls had been by food and soul for my toughest dark times and i hope you will do too

IN THE FRIEDSHIP DEPARTMENT

My city friends are actually making time to visit me in that boring town! Some of them actually marked my calender and acknowledge permission to visit. Now that's a shock! Least expected. I am expecting two friends next month already and one pending whether she will drop by or not???? Hmm I may just take back what I said about the testing friendship ... But shocking thou!! To me at least ...

That aside, I think I made more friends this month than ever. I didnt know why, but staying low profile and quiet has it perks. After my HCM trip, a lot of friends had been buzzing me. Asked for drinks, for business advises, for love consultation, for a shoulder to cry on, for plain fun and even for cooking advise! So that's good I guess, but when I got a friend who resurrected from death ... thats freaking least expected (or maybe I was just dramatic)

OTHER DEPARTMENT

I don't know where this is suppose to go but I also bought a house ... erm ... within 15minutes of viewing the place. VERY least expected. Pa Ma (papa mama) bank was with me, so I had their consent and approval before putting my leg into the mouse trap called commitment. With my recent green light from the lawyer and bank loan, I certainly hope there is not problem to own this place. I actually kinda like the adrenaline ... lol

Now just have to shop for furniture and electronics. But when dad has a close friend who covers dealership for electronics and mum for furniture ... I didn't know mum and dad is so cool, so I am getting stuffs for a good (hopefully great) discounts too ... HAHA ... least expected ...

I wonder whats next ... marriage? Now that would be ... LOL ... nevermind

Broken Wings

The piano plays,

Voiceless

The clock ticks, alarmed

Tearless

Sheltering from misery,

Blow by blow

Company by stars, darkness too

Awake with aches

Still breathing,

But beautifully suffocating

Reminisce in shadows, missing

Lingering

Abandonment, shattered

Weakness

I stand by the river side, comforting breeze

Cold and crucifying

Deafening nights

Running

Lost in the rain, storm noises

Countless avoidance

Hurdles, test and questions

Doubts

Constant ramp, punch right at the gut

Impairing respiration

Exhausted

Drained

And yet I still stand

Because I am only human

HoChiMinh Vietnam 2011

I am sure I've started with this line before. Amazing how time flies! Just about the same time a week ago, I was packing at this hour ... ready to meet my quota for traveling and also achieve my resolution of visiting different country in my travel plan. The destination marked was HoChiMinh, Vietnam ... with my two best buddies. So, let the pictures do the talking then ...


Starting the journey. Not our first pic, but first together in the plane


Picked up by our driver. Cannot believe my buddies wore red (mickey brand somemore!) and didnt inform me ... psstt!


One of the sights I remember seeing, is that lots of chinese temple visible on the street


Arriving at our first two night accommodation ... I called it the Beverly Loft of HoChiMinh, Fideco compound @ district 2


Then we went for lunch at this very nice restaurant. Viet food all the way


James looking at macaroons. Also attempted to order, first language barrier ... communication breakdown


And then come the food. Salads


Attempting macro shot from my camera ... not bad for indoor shot eh?


Then came more food. rolls, greens, all healthy stuff





After lunch, we went cam whoring around the city center


Love the Opera house which showcase two woman lifting the ever grand balcony with the tits showering artistry flare. Sisters I think.


Love this picture, the shadow and all ... doesn't feel like we are in HCM


The cathedral ... yeap, we are still in Saigon


The post office, where MK attempt a motion jump shot


Attempt of artistry montage. I think fail because the photographer is different at each shot


The reunification palace, did not enter since we were told it was very boring


So we ended up cam whoring at a nearby local coffee joint - Highland Coffee till dinner time


Dinner we had more roll, MK trying to use the rice paper as a mask instead of roll


I prefer to roll, pose and down the rice paper. Had more shots of food, but figure it will bore you guys. So we skip all of those ya


Second day was outdoor trip day. We skipped Mekong delta since it was raining and opt for a day tour around tourist spots


Our first stop was to visit a handicapped center where victims of war were handicrafting souvenirs.


Look at this lady slowly piecing egg shells onto a huge plate that resemble a Picasso painting!


Our main stop for the day was actually the headquarter of Vietnamese during the war ... ChuChi Tunnel (pronounced as Gucci Tunnel!) ... rest assured, dont have any luxury boutique underground. MK and James hearing the briefing and propaganda video - COMMUNISM!


MK at a bomb site, huge crater ... resemble a pond


Underground hiding spot for the Viet when they were attacked. Notice how small is the hole!!!


MK really going deep down inside.


Even james can fit!!!


One of the tunnel into the underground headquarters. It looks like some python snake nest. But apparently the tunnel goes down to a few level (4 levels) and at the third and fourth level, even a huge bomb landing on the surface will not hurt them. Scary


One of the booby traps, spikes underneath ... the land practically opens up and drop soldiers to their death. There are many types of these designed to crippled the Americans. Apparently worked very well. You need to be there to see it, SCARY TWO!


One of the tanks, original spot where it was disarmed by a landmine.


Then I spent about RM50 firing a real AK47 ... It was damn nice, but if I were a soldier there. I would be deaf, then shot dead because my aim was bad. But how come my scores in Playstation was good????


MK with our gun instructor. James busy playing with his Iphone at the background, macam la ada signal


Then we explored the underground tunnel. Took many pictures, but it was all the same ... small, enclosed and pretty much solid. It was so difficult to move in the enclosed area, but our guide literally sprint in this tunnel. I salute him


Now you know why he sprint so quickly, short legs. But you gotta give it to him man! He can move so swiftly in the tunnels.


Our tour guide Anna who did an awesome job! If you ever tour HCM, please contact her ... she gives good rates for tour and all. Buzz me if you need her service


We had a light lunch-aka-war time style. Just pandan jasmine tea with tapioca potato dipped in crushed peanut and salt. Local delicacy that is superbly delicious. or maybe we were just hungry


Then we had a group portrait with the guerrilla team who happened to think we were the most likeable tourist ever


On our way out, we saw bomb shells displayed like pots. It is crazy how huge they look back in those days! Scary 3


Cam whoring to say bye bye to the tunnels


Paddy fields, nice sight


Back in the city, we went for the famous lunch ... first Pho (pronounced as FUR) in HCM


Very delicious!


Then it was to the war museum for a real feel and touch on the war vehicles and all


I love how my Brietling cap fits into the whole ambience and feel.


Those who played command and conquer will enjoy this place. Most of the artifacts here were on the game play! LOOK TURRET?! haha


Bomb displays. There are also very graphical photos in the museum which I did not took picture of. Even if I did, I wouldn't show it here. You gotta experience yourself. It was very depressing and sad. Just be prepared to see human slaughtered, butchered, remaining of body parts, tears, post war individuals and chemical war victims ... deformed bodies, babies and lots of death. Yeap. Depressing


Then it was to the market for some good ol shopping. Ben Thanh market ... which is nothing compared to Bangkok


Road cam whoring. Must take pic on the street because their street sight is amazing!


Why? Because it is filled with bikes most of the time. Try counting the helmets


Night arrived, we had coffee again near Diamond Plaza. Em, I think the place is called Trung Nguyen ... do try their drip coffee!


Our last day, we checked into a hotel ... time for real sit back and relax


For lunch, we actually went and try their local fast food which wasn't that local (because it is originally from Korea) but we don;t have it in malaysia ... so its all good. Lotteria! Haha


Back to cam whoring. IN THE ELEVATOR even


In the early evening, the skies were dark ... a brewing storm is near. Heavy pour came


So the boys sit back and had tea ... like alice in wonderland


While I put on my rain coat and explored the city with my local viet friend, Hao on his BIKE!


The adorable Hao. Thank you for the tour around city under rain and on the bike. AWESOME EXPERIENCE!


Then we all went for dinner with Ray (msian friend) and another viet friend ... Hoang who had one of the most consistent sunshine smile ever recorded





Ray with the amount of food ordered


James and Mk


Wish I had his smile ... After dinner we went clubbing. No pics taken because the club didn't allow it but it was another experience. You can get a long island tea about RM10 and in the club, they serve fruits ... yeap, they gave us a fruit platter!


Last day, we left the city early in the morning


And after only a few hours of sleep ... we departed from the city ... still looking good... :P

I had such an awesome time. I really love south east asia. They never failed to impress me with the graphics and monuments. I am a sucker for cultural or historical stuff. Vietnam is truly a must see place. You really get the best of both worlds in this developing country. Wouldn't advise you to go if you think you can get by with just english ... get a tour guide

Yawn. Oh my ... time to go bed