White Christmas!

Yes... Christmas's just passed two days ago and new year is coming! Anyway, I just couldn't stop myself from recalling the very white Christmas I had this year! Haha... Alright, it wasn't snowy white Christmas... but... raining Christmas. It has somehow turned the surrounding white! And eventually, that's the day I actually catched a cold. One of the 'best' Christmas gift of the year I guess as I'm still having the flu right now.

Ever since after working, it looks like I'm spending less and less time for myself. For the time being, it's all about work. Trying to adjust a little here and there and crossing my fingers to hope for the best. I did told myself about all work and no fun = no life.

Therefore, it really is the most important turning point I have to make to make my day to day life meaningful.

And my long resting friend - camera... we should really be on the move soon! ^^

Decrement of petrol price?

Forth decrement of the year?

Let's see... eventually, us, the citizen will be commenting over the increment. Try to put it this way. Remember the last increment of petrol price we had? It was incredibly high.. for us, the low income citizen. So, let say if the increment can be made within the range of 1 cent to 99cents. Be it 1 cent or 99 cents, we'll still be dissastified over it.

Now, try to think about this... if we're going to 'make noise' over it for whatever amount of increment it could be, it seems that the HIGHEST increment will benefit 'some party' the most.

Alright, now that we'd made noise over it - for the HIGHEST increment. Eventually, the price has been decreased (for whatever reason) and we're happy about it!

Again, now try to think carefully... after the forth coming decrement, is the price lower than the price before increment? N-O no. In fact, this is NOT a decrement at all, it is an indirect INCREMENT in a way where we'll have less to comment about - mainly because of the 'key' of magic - illusion.

Now that the petrol price is slowly decreasing, are the exorbitant foods and goods going to decrease as well? We sure know that the price of petrol is directly affecting all other prices... when it increases. How about when it decrease?

The tolls are still high, the foods and daily consumed goods' prices remained the same. So, am I supposed to be happy over the 'illusion' of the petrol price is decreasing gradually?

Our team building

Three weeks gone and we're in the fourth week of September now! That's the final quarter of the year 2008! Goodness!! What have I been doing for this year? I couldn't really recall.. not to mention, what have I been doing for all these years? ^^

Anyway, two weeks ago, we had our company's team building activity in Awana Genting. Needless to say, it is always fun to enjoy with a group.. what more this was a big group and we came from three different states.. Kelantan, Terengganu and of course, Pahang!

Had been preparing this team building activity for exactly a month and it turned out to be, can I say it 'just nice'? Hihi... Basically, we had a few activities there for that two days one night team building. And.. what more can I say, the biggest group of the whole team which departed from Kuantan arrived the latest... so, one conclusion to say it all, the whole event did not go as planned in itinerary.

Anyway, not a big issue... I think ^^ And our activities? Of course we have ice breaking! It consisted of only a game but it took us an hour or more. Later in the evening, we had scavenger hunt. I personally love this as this hunt enable the participants to snap photos for remembrance at the same time ^^ I was the person who prepared for this scavenger hunt and for all you know, the hints I gave them the most were related to the dustbin! Due to this reason, they questioned me in the end - "Fiona, are you in love with the dustbins?" Hihi...

After everything's done for our first day, we did reviewed over the photos and they were lovely - both the team members and photos! On our final day, we had our team building activity which was provided by Awana Genting - we chose abseiling!

Well, wasn't as scary as I thought it would. In fact, it was fun! Especially in a place like Genting! You know it's cooling there ^^ Fine, if you don't know, you know it now ^^ Alright, probably it's time to sleep now. Allow me to drop a few photos here... well, photos say them all! Sometimes, a photo speaks a thousand words! ^^ Nite nite!

The land belongs to no one

We do not own the land.. none of us does. Yet, issue has been raised again. We claimed that our country is peaceful and this is also a main attraction to tourists and investors.

Well, it seems that some ammendments have to be done on our Geography and History lessons. Unity? I doubt. Racism issue has been raised over and over again. There's no way to cover an issue anymore as we're in a world without boundary.

We know the existance of internet. There's no limitation within the world of internet. We are connected 24/7 and free to share regardless where we are.

This is no longer a time where we use the combination of a mastermind and tonnes of weapons. There's no more heavy solid steel weapons for 'war'. The only weapon we have for 'war' is the unlimited sources of information to have us enlightened.

'Brainy' is everywhere. The only way to differentiate an useful 'brainy' is to measure how does this 'brainy' contribute to the development of humanity rather than destroying it continuously.

爱得累、恨得也累…

爱得累、恨得也累……不如就不爱也不恨。可是、不爱又不恨、不是很矛盾吗？原来、各有各精彩。只是要看个人的选择而已。一些人选择了勇敢地爱、而一些就选择了狠狠地恨。还有一些、就是不敢爱也不敢恨。说真的、其实不到我们去管。每个人有各自的选择。对与错也不轮到我们去评论。

其实、只要对自己所做的一切负责任就是最好。很多时候、身边的人都会对自己说自己做错了什么、该怎么补救之类的。但、也有很多时候、当一个人能够给一个超级好的意见或解决方法给别人的时候、原来他自己是无法做得到的。别当身边的人是白老鼠。

就算是白老鼠也好、它是有自己的权力去选着它的生活。除非、它是被抓进笼子了。就算身边的动物或朋友给多好的意见也好、白老鼠的一生仍然是在笼子里面。若身边的朋友真的能帮得了、它们该是行动去救白老鼠而不是不断地给一大堆对白老鼠没用的意见。

请了解、当白老鼠不能在自由自在到处跑时、它要的不再是意见而已。甚至、它可能是什么都不需要、却只需要一双耳朵、就是那么简单。

原来、现代人很多都已经变成了那只困在笼子里的‘白老鼠’。不断地寻找、却不肯离开拢子因为生活丰衣足食。但、它也不断地可望会有外面活得自由自在的朋友献一双耳朵给他。其实、困在笼子里的‘白老鼠’们、你怎么选择你的一生无人可完全帮你做决定、可是别不断的加重外面世界朋友的负担了。

大家的路程肯定是不一样、但每一个人所付出的并不会比任何人少。

'Satisfaction NOT guaranteed'

It is the time of the year again! What is my greatest satisfaction for the time being? Well, life is one treasured 'item' which is 'satisfaction not guaranteed'. What I'm sure about is our parents tried their best to satisfy our needs throughout our life. That's how great parents can be.

As for me, I doubt if I could be a good parent myself. Not to mention about whether I'll be getting married. But, I doubt if I could be selfless and always making my children my first priority.

At most time, we were given such phrase 'satisfaction guaranteed' for buying an item or so. We can even ask for refund for any services or item we're not satisfied with. But with life.. NO NO. It is not 'satisfaction guaranteed' nor it is refundable.

Yes! We did not chose to come to this world. But our parents tried their best to satisfy not only our basic needs, but almost everything they could. And sometimes too much that it is causing one to be a spoilt-brat.

For all I know, parents did not owe me. In fact, I felt bad to see them suffer for me... yet, most of the sufferrings they endure were not made known to me.

It isn't world parents' day or mom's or dad's day today. But out of a sudden, I felt so grateful for having them around me up to this day. Though sometimes I felt annoyed. But that's human and what makes it a life - we sure do need spices in our lifes.

And we do not have to wait for world parents' day to show our gratitudes to them. It is a lifetime 'task' as a human to feel thankful. Because parents do not owe us anything... the only reason they are doing so much for us is all because they love us.

What is life's biggest satisfaction?

I sure don't know about your life's biggest satisfaction neither am I sure about my own life's biggest satisfaction. Well, had a short chat with a friend this morning and we were discussing about life's biggest satifaction and how do we actually measure our lives' achievements and successes.

So, anyone has the answer(s)? But please don't list them down as we are very sure everyone has different preferences. As the saying goes, 'one man's meat is another man's poison'. It doesn't mean that my preference will definitely be someone else's preference.

Each of us has different need and urge. Somebody else's need and urge may seem like what I thought I needed but actually, I can simply improvise it or take it as a guideline. I don't mean that person's need and urge isn't ideal... it's just that probably it's not completely what I wanted or perhaps it's partially.

Therefore, it's simple. I take a lil' bit here and there and make up something for myself. Something I need for myself. This 'formula of living' are meant for myself. I 'designed' it for myself. I can't guarantee that it will surely works. Hence, I have to keep improving it til' I achieve what I wanted. And for sure, I can't rely somebody else to build this 'formula of living' for me. As everybody else needed neverending time to improve their own. That is why we share and we observe... that is how we help one another ^^

The same thing goes to everybody else.

We may envy, we may hunger for something but we shall never lose our will to live. Oops.. what's my main point again? ^^

Anti-corruption?

As early as eight this morning, I received a SMS from my dear brother. It was related to an anti-corruption act. Let's not discuss about the person involved. Anyway, the SMS goes like this - 'A' left behind a bag on a coffee table. 'B' and 'C' were sitting on the next table. They saw it, hence, went over to take a look. The bag turned out to contain a large sum of cash. And for all you know, 'B' and 'C' were under arrest on the spot when they open the bag 'out of their curiosity'.

Now, let's not talk about politic.

Let's further discuss about the anti-corruption bureau's action. Well, I really wish to know, will I be arrested when I was caught red-handed for opening a bag full of cash without knowing what's inside before hand? Can someone answer me?

For instance, if I am not suppose to open the bag up, then should I just leave it there? Grab hold on it and send it to the police station without any early inspection? Call the police and wait for the police officers to arrive before opening it? Or open it up and risking myself to be caught when I know nothing?

Let us take the option of sending the bag to the police station. Are we not suppose to open it up and figure it out what's inside before that? We'll definitely get a good kick if we're actually bringing a bag full of dust or rubbish to the police station. Or if I'm totally wrong, please correct me.. thank you ^^

Or.. to call up the police and wait for them to inspect what's in it? Erm.. hello.. I'm not talking about any country. I mean it, NOT ANY country. But.. do you actually see any police officers patrol on their foot instead of driving in their comfortable air-conditioned patrol car in... (fill in the blanks please).

So, we couldn't really stand at one particular place to wait and anticipating a police officer to pass by in order to inspect the bag. Again, we have to call. But, aren't we suppose to check on it before we call? Or, ACCORDING TO THE LAW, we are not suppose to touch the bag - at all?

Can someone guide me through this? I really wish to know more on the procedure. At least, we, the citizen know what went wrong when we encounter such situation and REALLY know what we are suppose to do.

Only the best for you

Only the best for you
by: Fiona S. Wong

I tried to look for every single shadow
Every single shadow of you
But I found none

I tried to hunt for rainbow
Every time when it rains because of you
And I knew that I must force myself to back the sun

Once when I realize there’s no more rainbow
Not even a single shadow of you
I know that’s the end and I’m gone

All that I asked from you is only a bow
A bow of last respect from you
For what can be done has been done

I told you once that I don’t wish to lie beneath the cries of crow
At this last moment I wonder the memories are still with you
Probably all the memories are gone

There’s no more now
Not even future
For I am gone

It is not a sorrow
For this is the cure
The cure for at least one

And finally I hope you’ll grow
With all that you’ve secured
From day one till the day I am gone… forever

Politic again?

It has been months now! It's all about politic. Ever since we see the changes in our country's politic, politic news has been the main focus in Malaysia. Somehow, it has been months since I last heard the DJs in radio discussing topics other than politic.

Don't we have our life besides politic? Politic is important. But at the same time, let's focus on more issues rather than ONLY politic. Newspapers? Radio? Television? Internet? Coffee shop? Can never run away from politic I guess.

This is also the time I got so fed up over the local newspapers and news report. Please bring us something fresh and new.

News is all about NEW! FRESH! GREEN! Or else it's all dull!~

It happens although it shouldn't

Yes! It happens although it shouldn't..

"Are we contributing to wastage?" - food in particular. How often do we order more than what we will eat? At most of the time, this is what I heard, "...I know I can't finish that but it doesn't matter. I'm paying for that portion, so just let them serve what I deserve with the amount of money I pay..."

'D.e.s.e.r.v.e'

Just because we deserved the portion for the amount we pay, we are causing food wastage... although we never did have the intention to finish up the food. Be it expensive or cheap, it is still an act of wastage.

Maybe we will not be offered a cheaper price for a smaller portion.. but if you don't feel good for paying the same amount for lesser food.. ask for 'wrap-up' / 'ta-pao' then. And here, I would like to remind you, do bring along a tupperware - just in case. When we are trying to reduce food wastage, we are trying to do our part to protect our mother earth. Reduce plastic usage!

Back to food. Maybe some will say that they will not even eat the food even if they bring back the remainder food. So.. instead of wasting, why not ask for a smaller portion? Whether we will be given a discount for the smaller portion or not, at least... we are not contributing to wastage.

The first step will always be the hardest part. But once done... it can never be easier. It's as simple as that. But still... it has to come from within our heart. For the thought + action + sincerity that make the difference.

Nice cake

About two to three weeks ago, my cousin came to Kuantan for a weekend visit. She was staying in Swiss Garden Resort Hotel. Not much to comment on the hotel itself but hey! Their cakes are really great! By right, we thought of getting some food on the way going back to the hotel room. So, we made our stop at the lounge or whatever you call it, I'm not too sure as well. We were ready to pay the 'reasonable' sum for our indulging chocolate moist cake, apple pie and carrot cake. But wait.. we were offered discount! I couldn't really remember how much was the discount. Anyway, those cakes and pie were really great! As for the discount case, usually the discount will be offered after tea time is over. I will surely make it a point to get another piece soon.. yum yum!~ Haha.. sorry for sharing it only a few weeks later. But I can't really put the blame on my workloads. It's more likely to be human's practice... TOO BUSY TO KEEP OURSELVES BUSY! Ooh my, I really find that true. In fact, I do think that I have the time for myself and yes, I do! For my daily evening brisk walk or jog. And other than that, I guess more often than not, I declined them with one same word - busy! No no no... mustn't make that an excuse. But, well.. human. Not meant to be 'fake' and putting on the 'mask' but sometimes... it has to be in such a way to make another person feel better.. or am I thinking too much? Haha.. alright.. I must make it clear.. I am not too busy of keeping myself busy but I am really busy. So, don't feel offended when most of the time you're getting the same reply from me... "I'm sorry, I couldn't make it to meet you". For I really have something to do ^^ Hihi...Alright, now I must really stop. It's time for me to pay a visit to my dreamland now... ^^

P/s: Must really try out those cakes whenever you have the chance to drop by there... or at least, before they change another chef ^^ Well.. we won't know when it is. Just want to share a little more. Recently, I read through a research report which shows that Malaysians are one of the those who changed jobs most frequently! And.. it is not

surprising.. yet... ^^

100 billion dollar note in Zimbabwe

Are you aware that a new 100 billion dollar note will be used in Zimbabwe beginning on Monday?

WoW! Can you imagine? I only get to be a 'millionaire' twice when I went to Indonesia a few years back. But right now.. you can make yourself a billionaire in Zimbabwe in no time!

Anyway, that may not be a good news as this is a result of inflation. So, what's the point of having such a HUGE amount of money and yet only few items can be obtained or purchased?

A Zimbabwean man holds on May 16, 2008 a new five hundred million dollar note in Harare, May 2008. Zimbabwe, grappling with a record 2.2 million percent inflation, has introduced a new 100-billion-dollar bank note in a bid to tackle rampant cash shortages.(AFP/File/Desmond Kwande)
(extracted from http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/five-hundred-million-dollar-note-zimbabwe/photo//080719/photos_bs_afp/d7d67d669ce6b78d97da061eb1f9277f//s:/afp/20080719/bs_afp/zimbabweeconomyinflation080719174524;_ylt=Ajc86vswvjNfvXr202zfuAyoOrgF)

.....

Admit it... 'you're' falling prey into the blogging world as well! The 'you' are not really 'you'... The 'you' I meant here are those who criticised bloggers once... especially before our country's GREAT general election.

One: Bloggers are liars! - Now that 'you' too are blogging, are we suppose to call 'you' a liar too?

Two: Bloggers are not trustworthy! - Are 'you' saying that you too are not t.r.u.s.t.w.o.r.t.h.y?

Three: Bloggers are bias! - Yes.. of course. Bloggers are human too! Are 'you' trying to tell me that the local media are not bias?

Four: Bloggers create stories! - What's the problem with it? We need entertainment too! That reminds me of a common Malay saying, "Siapa yang makan cili, dialah yang merasa pedasnya"

Maybe we are kids, adults, veterans or so. But each of us is gifted with the ability to think. We are able to analyse and to make our preference on which to believe. When we criticised it doesn't mean we are going against 'you'. Nobody loves trouble or war. We criticised because we want things to be better. When no other options are available for us to channel our voices, what's wrong for us and for 'them' to blog? Also, there's another saying in Chinese, '清者自清'. Besides the ability to think, we are also gifted with many other senses whether to see, listen, feel and so on.

P/s: This is purely a random thought I had in my mind. Not meant to offend anyone and if it does, my sincere apology. Also, please re-think about this if you are really offended - Siapa yang makan cili, dialah yang terasa pedasnya.

Those good ole' games!~

Congkak, batu seremban, galah panjang, pepsi cola etc... I happened to see a group of teenagers playing galah panjang in Taman Gelora today. Wow! It must have been almost 15 years since I last played the game and honestly speaking, I miss it.

What is the name of the game we used to play in junior primary school? I remember singing... "...under the rainbow, under the sea bom bom bom, July forever, July for me under forever..." Roughly. And what's for kids today?

Playstation! Be it I, II, III or PSP.

How about those good old marbles - guli? Haha... the colourful gems we used to love and making it as part of our barter system when playing masak-masak.

Those were the days... ^^

Jogging under the drizzle

Wow! I never felt so good ever since... hrm.. well.. there's nothing to compare. Anyway, it was really great to jog under the drizzle. Can't even differentiate which patch was the sweat and which was the drizzle.

It was the chill and soft breeze from the South China Sea. I can't say that it was rejuvenating, but at least, I felt good.

Anyway, about two weeks ago, I noticed that there were Town Council Officers walking around Taman Gelora's jogging track in their blu-ish uniform. Kudos to them! They'd showed that it pays to break the rules! Just imagine, how inconsiderate these people are for riding their motorbike on the jogging track?

First of all, the terrible gas smell that spoils the whole great environment while fellow joggers are enjoying it. Next, they just love to move anti-clockwise then back to clockwise again and it it very annoying! Now, please pay for doing so! Sometimes, please show respect in the sense of when one respect others, one is also respecting oneself. It's not a thing to be done because one will get a certificate proving that one is respectable... it is a value of humanity.

Also.. why would one want to smoke when one is intending to jog or exercise? I am not going againsts smokers, but please be considerate. We are there to enjoy the beautiful environment, exercise, gathering or so but not to be either first or second-hand smoker. How do you feel when you're sleeping at a reasonable sleeping hour and somebody kept playing drum or heavy metal music next to you or next door?

In memory of the children sacrificed in Sichuan’s earthquake – Author unknown

This is a brief translation on the poem dedicated to the children sacrificed in Sichuan's earthquake on May 12, 2008 which I'd posted on May 22, 2008. My sincere blessings to those who're involved whether directly or indirectly in the earthquake... may whoever and wherever they are, be blessed.

In memory of the children sacrificed in Sichuan’s earthquake – Author unknown

Child, grasp your mama’s hand fast

The path to heaven is too dark

Mama’s worried you’re gonna knock your head

Quick! Grasp your mama’s hand

Let mama go with you

Mama’s worried the path to heaven is too dark

I can’t see your hand

Ever since the collapsed wall

Has taken away the sunlight

I never get to see

Your tender eyes anymore

Child, go

The path in front

Has no more worries

No more mountains of text book

And papa’s fist

You have to remember

Mama’s and papa’s faces

To be reunited in the future life

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Mama, don’t worry

The path to heaven is rather narrow

There are many school mate friends

We said : Don’t cry

Anyone’s mama is our mama

Anyone’s child is mama’s child

Days without me

Shower the survived children with mama’s love

Mama, please don’t cry

Mama’s tears can’t brighten up our path

Let us go slowly on our own

Mama, I will remember mama’s and papa’s faces

Remember our promise

To be reunited in the future life


In memory of the children sacrificed in Sichuan’s earthquake – Author unknown

Translated by Fiona S.

Hide and seek

Almost a month now since I last read for the sake of exam. For the past two weeks, I’ve been reading quite a number of books for the sake of reading and it was great! Well, that’s not the main thing.

A while ago, I was lying on the floor of the living room. Then I notice the long time left unnoticed empty space in between the three seats chair and floor. I couldn’t really remember when was the last time I actually had the attempt to crawl or hide beneath the long chair… gee… it must be very long!

If anyone reading this remembers the game we used to play LAST time… when we were in pre-school or perhaps until junior primary school? Hide-and-seek! In school compound, we have the remaining of the school to play it before the bell rings to mark the beginning of the afternoon students’ session. That must be one of the best exercise we had then as we were running to everywhere just to locate the best place to hide before the ONE counted until… 10, 20, 30… or up to 100. It all depends on how big was the area we were playing.

Back at home, I must say that it was very common that we’ll hide our little body beneath the chair or in the cupboard. Basically, no matter how many times we played it, those were the common spot for us to hide and yet, we played the game from time to time until we were old enough to find that the game is no longer an interesting game for us anymore.

Now back to the moment when I saw the empty space beneath the three seats chair. The space looks neither too big nor too small but I made an attempt to slide myself in. Anyway, I found that I couldn’t slide my whole body in anymore like me and my friends used to do last time.
Though I couldn’t slide in, I continued to lie on the floor and laugh to myself. Next, I told myself…

“… they (the adults) used to tell me how lucky I am to be a kid. I watched the television and the actors or actresses used to repeat the same phrase. But I couldn’t really understand why. As a kid myself then, me and my friends used to talk among ourselves – the adults never really know how terrible it is to be a kid. Now that I’ve left my childhood and slowly stepping into the same world of different perspective, I started to understand what used to be cliché to me when I was a kid – it is so nice to be a kid again!...”

Whether a kid or an adult, I am grateful that I am alive.

悼四川地震死難的孩子... (作者不詳 - author unknown)

孩子，快抓緊媽媽的手

去天堂的路，太黑了

媽媽怕你碰了頭

快 ! 抓緊媽媽的手

讓媽媽陪你走

媽媽怕天堂的路太黑

我看不見你的手

自從倒塌的牆

把陽光奪走

我再也看不見

你柔情的眸

孩子，你走吧

前面的路

再也沒有憂愁

沒有讀不完的課本

和爸爸的拳頭

你要記住

我和爸爸的模樣

來生還要一起走

* * * *

媽媽，別擔憂

天堂的路有些擠

有很多同學朋友

我們說 : 不哭

哪一個人的媽媽都是我們的媽媽

哪一個孩子都是媽媽的孩子

沒有我日子

你把愛給活著的孩子吧

媽媽，你別哭

淚光照亮不了我們的路

讓我們自己慢慢的走

媽媽，我會記住你和爸爸的模樣

記住我們的約定

來生我們一起走

-----------------------------------------------
悼四川地震死難的孩子 作者不詳

Say my prayers

It has been almost a week now ever since the 512 incident - 7.8 earthquake in Sichuan, China. My mind goes blank each time I read over the news, listening or watching the news. Up to this day, I heard of stories about missing family and friends. Then, how a grandma tried to protect her pair of grandsons when the earthquake took place and she lost her life there and then - her grandsons survived.

Also about mother who lost her beloved baby to the disaster.. she was seen carrying the little motionless dead body after the earthquake. As she embraced the body, she cleaned the face and body of the little darling and put on new clothes for the baby. That's the love of a mother.. barely having a chance to see the little one grows.. and at this time, I told myself.. I am grateful for I am alive.

However, there's one I can hardly forget.. one of the survivors found was given a saw to remove part of his rotting leg on his own. The surrounding has made it impossible for the rescuers to do that for him. I was astounded. What will I do if I'm in his shoes? I don't know and I don't even want to imagine.

As for today, I saw news of the new survivors.. and some, had eventually lost part of their body - hands and/or legs. We knew how critical it is when it comes to rescuing people.. though we are not one of the rescuers, but we've heard and watched enough for us to understand it.

Of all the incidents that took place, I must agree that Vice President Wen is a great man and he has set a very good example to the leaders of the rest of the world. Actions do speak louder than words! Leaders do not necessary contribute only his/her intelligence in thoughts and words.. actions count too.

Vice President Wen does not only send his order to his men to do their work.. in fact, he himself is involved with the rescuing work. This reminds me, one does not gain more respect because one is richer, smarter, more handsome or having a higher social status.. in fact, the respect can never be measured with such. Respect shall come when what a person does has at least touched ONE person's heart.

I'll say my prayers... to all those involved in this natural disaster - directly or indirectly.

Also, I wish to quote the Vice President of China - Wen JiaBao (溫家寶)

"...您幸运活下来、就好好的活下去"

("... you are lucky to have survived, you should go on living your life fully")

溫家寶 - Wen JiaBao (May, 2008)

Back from Krung Thep

Sawadee-kha...

Beautiful.. right? ^^

Don't ask where am I.. I was one of the photographers! Hihi.. somewhere around Wat Arun.

Modern pose with traditional costumes. Good one girls! Hihi...

Oops.. Sophia was the background.. not a mistake. This was intended ^^ Hihi.. Lots of water lilies and lotuses are available in Thailand.. wow!

While writing our message on the Artist's Place guestbook..

Sophia took these while me and Maggie were sleeping. Well.. these photos from the plane don't come easy. Each of them took at least 10 seconds for that particular shot! Why? Haha.. simply because I'd forgotten to turn off the timer setting in my camera and Sophia went on to snap photos with it without any adjustment. Hihi.. ^^

Mark, Maggie and Sophia. Mark helped us a lot throughout our stay in Krung Thep... from the moment we step into Thailand.. oops.. I don't think so. It should be even earlier. A few days before we departed from Malaysia actually. He helped to arrange our accomodation in the Artist's Place.

In Wat Arun. Well.. for all you know, it's terribly hot! I can't believe it that the two ladies were willing to stand under the hot sun and pose in front of the camera. Haha..

The owner of The Artist's Place.. Charlee. A very nice man and he tried to help in any way he could and often suggesting us the best way to get to the place we're intending to go.

Voodoo dolls are seen everywhere in Krung Thep.. but we didn't buy any. Although they said the voodoo dolls are supposed to bring lucks, but.. we chose not to be ^^ A snapshot will do maybe ^^

My second visit to Starbucks in Krung Thep.. while waiting for Gavin.. we killed our time there ^^ Very nice environment.. it's along Khao San road.

Nothing much. Just a public phone that we don't get to see in Malaysia. So, just a snapshot ^^

While waiting for bus to Siam Square.. this's somewhere around Wat Pho. By the way, before we went in to Wat Pho, we had a wonderful lunch at the jetty.. lots of fresh fruits.. yummy yummy.. pineapples, papayas, watermelons, fried sea mussels, papaya salad and more fruits! Delicious! Then we went to a shop opposite Wat Pho.. the owner is a Chinese lady. Oops.. forgotten to take a photo with her. She's very friendly and when I uttered my limited Thai to her "Khun pen khon jin chai mai kha?" (Are you a Chinese?) and "Khun phut pha sa jin dai mai kha?" (Do you speak Chinese?) she began to speak to the three of us in Mandarin and finally Hakka! Haha.. there's more.. she even treated us delicious rambutans from the fridge.. wow!~ Thank you Mrs Wong.. Well, of course I managed to return her kindness.. I do have some delicacies from Malaysia - heong pia! It really came in handy. I handed her one and she loves it.. good! Hihi.. Before we left, she even offered us the whole bag of rambutans.. but we didn't take it ^^

Fiona, Tao and Sophia after having their Japanese cuisine for dinner in MBK shopping mall. Goodness.. we spent two days in Siam Square shopping area! Haha.. Including MBK as well.. can't believe it! Tao is my Thai friend and we finally get to meet up in Krung Thep. She's a friendly and nice lady.. ^^

Sala Daeng.. a few hours after spending our time in Patpong. Wait.. we didn't go for any Tiger shows not Ping Pong shows okay? Don't think too much! Haha.. however, we spent quite some time in Boots (pharmacy) to get our plasters.. for me and for Maggie. Well, my sandfly bites still there.. eew.. And for Maggie.. I'm not sure if she allows me to state the reason why would she need the plaster for. Hihi.. anyway, they both went for Thai massage there too.. see how relaxing they were while waiting for the sky train ^^ Hihi.. and me, walked all around that area along for an hour.

Hihi... Miss Sophia and Miss Maggie.. this is what you've missed for not taking the bridge walk over the Chao Phraya river! Nevermind, I'd did my part by snapping the best possible shot ^^ Well, don't expect much, I don't have a tripod with me and as the vehicles are moving on the bridge.. I can't really avoid the movements of my camera ^^

Gavin from Ireland. The four of us went to Khao San together by taxi.. the second time the three of us sat in a taxi (not tuk-tuk) after spending over four days there. The first time, was from airport to the Artist's Place. Ooh yes, we met Gavin in the Artist's Place.