Take a Rest

These few months my mind/emotion/feeling just like sit into a rollercoasters which up and down very fast at every second. A bit lose control but fortunate I still able to manage it. Feel tire, tire for many things. Even wanted to give up one of my hobbies – writing. Thinking of taking a rest and stop writing my blog for a short while, maybe few weeks, few months or……

The Brave One

Because of Jodie Foster, I went to watch the movie The Brave One. It is a good movie, especially the 1st half which I gave 5 stars (full star) for it. Before watched this movie, a friend already warned me that this movie makes people feel depress. After watched it, I totally agreed with my friend. The 1st half of the movie really made me felt so depress, especially after listened to Jodie Foster told about “FEAR” when the 1st day she backed to work after the incident.

Yes, we all live in FEAR. We fear of our lives, the city we live, the people we meet/love, the work we are doing, the thing beyond our control and so on but we choose not to face it. Until one day something happens to us and we are forced to face it and then we realize that actually all along we live in FEAR.

Also, I like what the lady who stays with her at the same apartment told her: It is easy for you to find many ways to kill yourself but difficult to find a way to live". I agree with her. Actually only the Brave One who has the courage to live and can be a survivor.

The Snow Ball

The “side effect” for The Heart of the Sea just like a rolling snow ball, getting bigger and bigger. Because of it, I found that actually quite a number of my friends are reading my blog even it is a lousy one. Even some good friends who I don’t contact for quite long time also knew about my blog (I admit that I don’t contact them because I am too lazy). It was a surprise for me.

Friend called me and asked for my blog address because she knew about the story of The Heart of the Sea from others. So, she wanted to read it as well. She told me that people who knew me in JB are talking about my blog now. Think I have to thank the sea which makes me so “famous”.

It is too late for me to remove whatever I have posted. So I decided to leave it there.

Thanks for the Concern

Just realized that what I wrote in East Coast – The Heart of the Sea does make some of my friends worry about me. Actually I am fine even thought have some things that bothering me. I believe we all have some things that bothering us. Friends, don’t worry and I am able to manage the problems. Thanks for the concern. :-)

Another reason why I had that kind of strange felt might because I always believe I came from the sea and one day I will go back to the sea - the home. Just like what I wrote in The Sea and I, maybe I was a fish in my previous life.

East Coast

Lost in East Coast
I got lose again. Today supposed to go East Coast for BBQ. After reached there and I found that I went to a wrong meeting place. The meeting place was at National Sailing Centre. Tried to take cab there but the drivers (tried 2 cabs) didn’t know where the place is. One of my colleagues asked me to walk there but after I walked for about 15 minutes, she called me and told me that it was going to be 1 hour walk from where I was to the meeting place. Finally I decided to give up and not to go. Felt sorry for my colleagues who were waiting for me at the BBQ pit. They really hoped I could go there because I am the one who can make a lot of noise.

Photo Shooting and Playing With the Sea
After decided not to go BBQ, I found a big stone on the beach and sat down. Looked at the sea and listened to MP3. No rush to go home in a Sunday evening.

While I sat there, I had a photo shooting. I just took whatever I felt is beautiful. Sat there and didn’t move for 1 hour. I took about 120 photos and which is quiet a lot. I did find some photos I like.

After finished my photo shooting, I went to “play” with the sea. Left the slipper on the beach and walked into the sea. I was chasing by the sea waves and I also tried to chase the waves back. Of course, the loser was me because in the end of the “game”, I was about half wet.

People who saw me played with the sea might think I was a nut or crazy because I was playing for almost 1 hour (from 7pm till almost 8pm), just alone. However, I didn’t care because I enjoyed this 寂寞的宁静。
The Heart of the Sea
When walked into the sea, suddenly I felt that the sea was so warm. When the waves were touching my feet and I felt it was so gentle. A strange thought came across my mind, the sea was calling me back “home”. I just needed to walk further down and I could back “home”. Looked at the sea, I felt that the heart of the sea was really calling me and waited for me to back “home”. However, I didn’t go further because another “home” in JB did call me at the same time. I decided to stay with my JB’s home because there are 2 people who’s name are “parents”. They are there and wait for me too. It isn’t the good time for me to go back to another home yet.
Maybe I am a bit 着魔 but I really felt that the sea was calling me back “home”.

My Feet
When I was taking the photos, happened to look down and saw my feet. Suddenly I had a strange thought that my feet do bring me to where I want to go, go through all the happiness and sadness things with me and others. However, why I (even other people) never said thanks to them (the feet)? I know it is because I take it as granted. The duty for feet is to bring us to where we want to go. Then why have to say thanks? Sounds very much like a boss tells his staff: You pay to do that and why I need to say thank you?

Take this opportunity, I want to thanks not only my feet but all the other parts of my body. Without any of you, I am not able to be a complete human being and life for me will be tough. Thanks for being with me for the pass 32 years and going to a new 33rd year. Very much appreciate.

Birthday 2007

So fast, it is already few days after my birthday. Celebration
this year was about the same as past years, went out with friends for dinner and drink. The only difference was I have more new friends (especially friends from HMM and FCI) to celebrate my Bday with me this year and the celebration split into more number of days. There is going to be a big party on this coming Friday, we go clubbing and have a final celebration for my Bday for this year.

Want to take this opportunity to thank all my friends for the birthday greetings. No matter is a sms, a call, a email or a gift. A special thank to one of my friends, she really counted down the time and sent me a sms on midnight at 00:00. For all of my friends, I appreciate that you remember my birthday no matter where you are (Japan, USA, China, HK, Malaysia & Singapore).

Actually in our lives, friends are always in and out. Some stay long and some disappear after a short while. For me, I appreciate the friendship from everyone irregardless of a long term or a short term friendship. Your friendship does make my life more meaningful and beautiful.

Don’t Die with Regret

Received email and sms regarding to one of my ex-colleagues who just passed away yesterday. Suddenly feel blue and melancholy.

In the past few years, I can’t remember (actually is I try to fool myself and pretend I don’t remember) how many of my friend, ex-colleague and relative passed away at young age. At their ages, for sure they had a lot of dreams to chase and a lot of plans for their future. However, their dreams and plans were never going to be happened.

Life is unpredictable and full of unexpected but unfortunately we do forget (or force ourselves to forget) this most of the time. We like to “dream” and “plan” but never take any action because we always believe we can do it tomorrow.

Everyday, we keep pushing our “dream” and “plan” to tomorrow. However, who can ensure that he/she can see the sunrise tomorrow? People who worked in World Trade Centre – New York City also used to believe they able to see the sunrise tomorrow but unfortunately they couldn’t after 11th Sep 2001.

Maybe someone will says just think positive and there is always a hope. Yes, I do agree. We don’t need to be too negative but also can’t be too positive. When thing go too extreme and it is always going to have an extreme result.

The point I would like to highlight is if there is some things you want to do, some places you want to go and some one (family or THE ONE) you want to tell him/her that you love him/her, please do it asap. You will never know what is going to happen to you on next day, hour, minutes and even a second. Don’t die with full of deeply regret.

Please remember 人生无常 and don't take tomorrow as granted!

The LeeLa Palace

Did mention about LeeLa Palace to my friends which is the most expensive (I believe) in Bangalore. What i heard is one night stay in a cheapest room which is going to charge more than USD$500 + 12% tax + 17.50% luxury charges.

My collogues and I went there and had a dinner. The hotel is luxury and fancy in interior, architecture and garden designs. I have never seen such nice hotel before, not even in Singapore and Malaysia. Of course, the charge for this hotel is “luxury” and “fancy” as well.

There are few difference styles of resaurants and bars in the hotel. We chose a cheapest restaurant and had our dinner there. Food was great and the envirenment was great too. About the bill? Hmm.. of course was "cheap" because we chose a cheapest one.

India-India : The Final Chapter

‘Escaped’ from India
Finally I finished my 2 weeks business trip in India. Now is 7:05pm (Singapore time 9:35pm) and I am in the restaurant in Cochin airport. This is the only restaurant in the airport. I am waiting for my flight which going to departures at 11.15pm (Cochin time). For me, is it a long time wait? No at all when compares with something I have been waiting for since yeas.

This is really a love and hate trip for me. Love is I really did learn something, had a good exposure of India and did meet some very nice people. Hate is it is really tiring when sit in the meeting room for whole day. I admit that I am that kind of person who can’t sit on my desk and keep doing work for whole day. I must move my body, walk around, take a break and chat with people.

Today in the office I was really counting down my time to leave India. 20-19-18-17…hours, kept reminding myself that only left out for how many hours and I could reach Singapore. Silly right?

The Conclusion
It is time for me to conclude my trip. In work, I know more about what I am going to do for the following months and know more about Business Object universes design. Of course, what have given me more impression and impact are the living style, culture, people and a lot more in India.

For sure I am not qualified to give any comment to India. I am only telling what I have seen and heard from India. There is always a good side and a bad side for everything and everybody, India as well. Since it is a huge developing country and have more than 900 millions of population who live in this land, it is very difficult to ensure everything is in good order and well take care of. However, I can see the country is changing and of course the people are changing as well.

People here are looking for better education, better and highest pay job and a better living environment. My collogues told me, compare with 5 years ago, the salary is almost 100% increasing in Bangalore and Cochin. It is great which allows the number of middle status population to grow. It makes the structure of India society become more balance. No like past time, the richest was forever rich and the poor was forever poor.

Of course, there are still some political unstable issues in India which do slow down the step of the country’s development. Education and old mind set are also the issues here. What I can said is majority people in India are poor. A lot of them don’t have an opportunity to go college and have a better education. This is going to be carry forward from generations to generations. Unless the government able to provide free education to them. Just like what Malaysia government has well take care of certain group of people. Otherwise, it is very difficult for those people to improve their living standard without a sheet of certificate.

The old mind set which included the low social status for woman and for the poor (I heard that there are certain group of people stamped to be low social status for generations to generations). Majority people still don’t have the intention to keep the environment clear (serious, most parts of Bangalore and Cochin are very dirty, even just outside the international airport). I still see quite a lot of men who just turn their back to the main streets and pee. It is the culture or habit; I am not able to tell. Of course, there are still have lot of others problems in India.

Good thing is I really can see people are trying to improve their live and be more proud of being an Indian because of the country is getting strongest in economy. I met a part time working student in hotel swimming pool. He is studying in college and sponsors by the school. Without the sponsor, he never able to go to college. I asked him to study hard and must get a degree. Then he can have a better chance to improve his life and see the world. When I left, I gave him all the money that I could find from my backpack as tips. Even though just a few hundred rupees but I really hope what I did do encourage him to complete his study. No matter how tough it is.

The service standard in India is very good, especially in hotel. Can tell that people are happy and proud of their jobs which is to serve people. In fact, they really provide a good service. It is what I hardly find in others Asia countries like Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Korea. Of course there are others good things in India but pardon me that I only able to list down these 2 since I don’t have much time to exposure this country.

Just give this country another 20 years and for sure it will have a big change. Of course I hope is change to be better. Even though I might not able to see that. 20 years, who know where am I? Maybe already 'extinct'.

The Sea and I

Happened to see this beautiful sunset when backed to hotel last 2 days. I took a wake on the seaside and took some photos as well.

It is nice to stay in a sea side hotel. Every morning and evening, I was lying on the sofa in my room and looking at the sea with the music l like. I like sea and I do believe that I was a fish in 1 of my previous lives so I like sea so much. I can imagine how happy to be a fish and swim in the ocean. Just like a bird flies on the blue sky. No burden, nothing tight it up and with a peace of mind.

I have a dream which is to open a small beach café. Just serve simple breakfast, afternoon tea and simple dinner. If possible, maybe together with a 3-5 rooms hostel. Not a big business but which allows me to earn enough to support my living and go for budget trip 1-2 time a year. The café gives me a chance to be with the sea which I love and able to meet people from difference places.

For me, I really don’t have any big ambition and just want to lead a simple life. I hope a wish to have a simple life is not considered asking for too much.

India-Inida : 9 Oct 2007

Cochin
Reached Cochin on Sunday morning. The weather and scenery are very much like Singapore and Malaysia, very tropical. It isn’t like Bangalore where the whether is nice. In the end of the year is around 15C.

Stay in Taj Residency Hotel and have a beautiful sea view from my room. Can see the house boards which park beside the hotel. Everyday the hotel guests can join a 1.5 hour free Sunset Trip which allows the guests to take the board and have a sea view trip.

In the late afternoon, my colleague in Cochin did bring me to see the Chinese Fishing Net. Those are giant fishing nets which about 3 floor high. As I know, people in India learned this fishing skill from Chinese. That’s how the name came from. We took a boat out and have a sea view trip. Did see some fishing villages and small islands. Unfortunately, not able to see any dolphin which usually only appears in the morning. It was not an exciting trip but very relaxing.

The most exciting part is I found tap water in Cochin is GOLDEN color. Just like what my friends told me. I have to turn on the water and let it runs for about 10 minutes to get clear water. However, only some places in India are like that. At least water in Bangalore is ok.

分手快乐?

突然很喜欢粱静如的分手快乐。分手。。。。真的会快乐吗???

India-India : 7 Oct 2007

Mysore
Mysore is about 130KM from Bangalore. This city is total difference with Bangalore which is clear, green and no traffic jam. It just likes Singapore – a garden city. Oh, reason for no traffic jam at Mysore is almost every traffic light, there is one or two police man who stands there and makes sure the traffic condition is good. I am so impressed for that.

We took our one day trip in Mysore. Did visit some of the places like Mysore Palace, St. Philomena’s Church, Dariya Daulat Bagh, Tipu’s Death Place, Colonel Bailey’s Dungeon and some old temples.

Still not feeling well and tire to write. Let the photos to tell you the story about Mysore. If you want to know more about this city, can check the link: http://www.mysoresamachar.com/

India-India : 6 Oct 2007

Fall sick in India
Before I came to India, I already had minor flu with sore throat. Now I am completely sick with sore throat, runny nose, headache and bad caught. I lost my voice today and it is about 70% gone. Feel badyache and very tire.

It is very bad because I still have another week to go in India. Tomorrow I am going to leave Bangalore and going to Cochin for another week. Is it so miserable to fall sick oversea, especially still need to work with a very tight schedule.

Used to envy people who can travel around the world for business trip. For me, it is a good exposure to have oversea working experience and have an eye open chance to visit difference counties.

However, it is really tough to travel and work with a tight schedule specially when I am sick now.

whole day sit in the meeting and discuss for all the tasks everydat which is very tiring. Really hope I can go home as soon as possible. I have enough with business trip. However, it just a beginning. There is more business trip going to come to me. I know for sure.

India-India : 4 Oct 2007

Traffic in Bangalore
Traffic in Bangalore is really unbelievable worst. People here drive by their own traffic rules. I thought this kind of driving only able to see in the movie but I was wrong. Everything is really out of control. Even the driver we reserve for this week also told us Bangalore has the worst traffic in India. Also, my colleagues from USA and France who have been a lot of countries also told me this is the worst traffic that they ever seen.

For me to describe the traffic condition here at least needs to use a million words to write but I am not going to do that. I only can use “UNBELIEVABLE” to describe.

My colleagues and I played a game on the way back to hotel tonight. Started with a
sentence:If I have a car in Bangalore, I would” and then everyone gave their answer to complete this sentence. Below are the answers from each of us.
Manager from Paris: If I have a car in Bangalore, I would sell it immediately because I never able to drive here.
Manager from USA: If I have a car in Bangalore, I would park it in the car part forever because I won’t drive here.
Manager from Singapore: If I have a car in Bangalore, I would ask other people to drive for me.
My answer is: If I have a car in Bangalore, I would give it to my enemy and let him drive in Bangalore. I want to know how fast he will get crazy and become mentally ill. .

Another thing is traffic jam is really back here. My colleagues everyday need to spend 1.5 to 2 hours on the jam to the office and back home. Some time even jam for 3 hours and more. I really pity their situation. In Singapore, a lot of people won’t consider to work in a place where needs to spend more than 30 minutes in the traffic.

Oh, forgot to mention, driver here likes to "horn" all the way from one place till final destination. What a amazing way to drive.

Shopping
Today we to GM Road where is the main shopping area in Bangalore. Just like Orchard Road in Singapore. GM Road has a lot of big shopping malls and can find traditional/modern stuffs here.

In this place I realized that what is the difference between heaven and hell. In side the shopping malls, very nice interior design and selling beautiful but expensive stuffs. However, when walk out from the shopping malls, a lot of garbage on the stress, road was full of holes and everywhere is very dusty.

We only had about 1.5 hour to shop and which was very rushed. Only able to shop at 2 shopping malls. Even though I only had 1.5 hour, Shopping King like me (I am double king: Blur King and Shopping King) for sure can buy a lot of unnecessary things. When walked out from the shopping mall, no surprise I was the one who carrying more shopping bags. Total were 4 bags. Thing here not consider cheap but I really couldn’t control myself and kept buying. This is where my money gone – SHOPPING.

India-India : 3 Oct 2007

The office
FCI office in Bangalore is in the International Tech Park which is the one of largest tech parks in Bangalore. The office has about 70 people there who support 3 regions. A small office and people are nice. There is a big underground center which connected all the buildings. Inside are all the shops, restaurants, banks and others. Surprisingly I found Pizza Huts and KFC too.


Pandit Ravi Shankar
Today after work, we went to Pandit Ravi Shankar which is about 1 hour drive from office. It has temples and sprits treatment/training centre which is free. People can go there and attend any courses.

The owner of this place is Pandit Ravi Shankar who focuses on his study in Art of Life. This place is beautiful and peaceful. It welcome everyone who wants to understand what is the meaning of life and to join the training. You can stay there as long as you want. You also can contribute on farming, cleaning, cooking and...etc. At this place, no one is difference with others. Everybody is equal.

The Kids
When visited one of the biggest tample in Pandit Ravi Shankar which looks like a lotus flower, I saw 2 young kids there. The little girl was mopping the stair and the little boy was talking to her. I believe they stay in Pandit Ravi Shankar with their parents, I guess.

After I passed by the little girl, I took a photo for her with her beautiful smile. The little boy was curioused about my camera. He was following me, looking at my camera and talking to me. I really didn’t understand what he was taking about. After asked my colleague for helped to translate, I realized that he never seen a camera before. I took this chance and took a photo for him. After that I did show him the photo. He was very happy to see himself in the camera.

It was a bit shock for me about the little boy didn’t see a camera before. In Singapore or Malaysia, most of the kinds have mobile, laptop, PlayStation and else.

India is a very extreme country between rich and poor. I saw some very big houses but just cross the road, there are lot of houses which look like going to corrupted soon. Can see dog, chicken and human are stay under the same roof. The living condition is really bad. I feel a bit upset about those people but it is life, I know.

Vegetarian Dinner
Tonight we did try a North Indian Vegetarian food. It consider a big restaurant in Bangalore which has 3 floors. They put all the food on the banana leave. A lot of foods I don’t know what they are but the taste is fine. It was an interesting and good experience dinner for me. Don’t think I have many chances to have this kind of traditional Indian food in Singapore or Malaysia.

Blur King Proven 2
This one is classic and for sure anyone who read it will faint. That day when arrive Changi Airport, I wanted apply for mileage claim for my fights. So I went to SIA service counter since I was taking SIA. I used my “beautiful” voice and told the lady that I wanted to apply for mileage claim. When the lady looked at my air ticket, she looked a bit surprise and confuse (I was wondering why she needed to be surprise and confuse). Then the lady returned the air ticket to me and told me something. After I heard what she said, I was ran as fast as I could and made sure no one heard what she said.

For sure you want to know what the lady told me. The lady said: Sorry Sir, this is Malaysia Airline Service counter. If you want to apply for mileage claim, please go to SIA Service Counter”. OH MY GOD. How blur I am. It was really embarrassing. Now when think back I still feel so embarrassing. Please don’t tell anybody about this.

India-India : 30 Sep 07

1st Trip to India – Bon Voyage

This is my 1st trip to India. A bit excited but also worry. Excited is because can have a chance to explore a new place but worry about the hygiene of the food & drink there. I am that kind of person who easily gets food poisoning.

This trip is full of regards, blessings and wishes from my parents, relatives and friends. My dad and Mom gave me a big Ang Bao for me to have a safe trip. This is kind of Chinese culture. My friends (from difference corners of the world: Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, HK and USA) did either SMS, email or call me and sent me their regards to have a fun and safe trip in India. Thank you very much everybody. I LOVE YOU (with a BIG KISS). HAHAHA….HER,HER,HER,HER.

Loneliness in the Airport
This was not the 1st time I flight alone but didn’t know why felt so bore and lonely when sat on the airport before boarding. Listened to MP3 and watched people walked here and there. Looked at the watch, I still had another 2 hours before my flight taken off. Suddenly I realized that I am just a normal person who sometime don’t enjoy being alone and hope to have someone who can share my happiness and sadness. Actually I always thought I can live well and be very enjoy my live when being alone. Hmm…, now I know it is not really true. At least in deep of my heart, I do wish to find someone who has common topic to communicate, same/close hobby and has same kind of expectation/goal for our lives.

Oh, I just realized that one of my friends who really has strong sense for others. Even though we just know each other for few months but he already told me that I am that kind of person who can’t stand loneliness. In addition which included from the 1st sight/face, he already knows what kind of person I am. Wow……., so impress of his “magic power”.

Blur King Proven 1
For people who know me well, they know I am a “sometime” Blur King. Like I have short term memory and no sense of direction. Just in airport for about 2.5 hours, I encountered 2 embarrass things.

1st blur thing was after a happy shopping in the airport and I tried to find the boarding gate. When I found it but the gate was closed. I was very sure the gate number was correct and still had 20 minutes before my flight. I was a bit wondering why this happened because Changi Airport supposes to be the world class airport but how come made thing so messy.

Therefore I looked for help from people and fortunate I found a pilot (I believe he is from his dressing). I was kind of compliant (sounds a bit unfriendly) to him and said: How many Gate 35 in the Terminal 2 and do you know why the gate is close? He was nice and answered my 1st question and then helped me to check my 2nd question. He found that the gate has been changed to 45 (actually there was digital notice board on Gate 35 about the changed but I didn’t check). He is really a Mr. Nice who helped me to make a change for the gate number on my boarding pass and brought me to Gate 45 (oops, maybe he found out that I am a blur king). Of course, he did wish me a happy journey in India.

2nd blur thing was when boarding and got thought the security check, blur king like me did take everything but leave my cute headphone in the basket and forgot to take it. Thanks for the security guard (another Mr. Nice) who ran and screamed to return the headphone to me. Sorry, my cute headphone, I really didn’t mean to leave you there.

From above incidents, now I understand that no wonder everytime when my friends know I want to go travel alone, they always wondering whether I am able to find my way back to Singapore. Faint.

My SIA Dinner
Yo, this was my dinner for tonight on my way from Singapore to Bangalore. Didn’t expect much for Economy Class meal even is from SIA. What’s the taste for the food? Is LIKE THAT lor.

Addicted to Write
I love writing and I really do. Even though my writing is…hmm…..poor. Now I find that I am so addicted to write. I can write in the bus, cab/taxi and airplane by using my laptop. Hmm….maybe next time I can try to write when I’m walking on the street.