Adventurous June

From the very beginning of the month..as of 1/6/08..it was a really exciting start. I finally came back from Jakarta. Met up with friends after a year of not seeing each other...ETC.

Why the 1st of June? That is the day Da Jie got married! Woot! Congrats! Although this post came almost a month too late. But hey, u can't blame me. I already told you it was an adventurous month. Couldn't find time to update my blog.

This particular wedding deserves a mention. It wasn't the typical chinese wedding with 8 course dinner. This was one FUN(read:FUN) wedding. When have you ever heard of someone saying that a wedding was fun. Well this wedding was! The wedding was held at LA Galaxy. Buffet was served.
At the end of it, everyone was on the dance floor! When have you seen anyone danced at a chinese wedding. Nada.. To let you have a gist of what the wedding was like. Here are some pics.










They even took instant pics(is it called instant photos?) at the wedding. Alot of things were things that I encountered for the 1st time at a wedding.

The day before we had a late night out as well. And for the first time(again) so many of us slept under the same roof(ju's palace)

We went from Sunset Bistro>Island Park>Mois>SS>Glo>Home and slept at 5am
Conclusion : Alcohol Overload for 2 days in a row










P.S Please don't be deceived. We only had one bottle each and a few sips of alcohol in Mois.
And yes, we only wore slippers, shorts and t-shirts to Mois. Scruffy..So cute!

After that, from 6/6-15/6 I worked part-time for an electronics fair in Gurney. I was selling Samsung handphones.

Then on 18/6 was a birthday party and university results day. I went to Mizi and Bed for the first time..(seems like a lot of firsts in this post)










This is a VERY short post about what happened in June..comparing to all the blogs that my friends posted about the very same outing. I'm just too lazy. Haha

Sabah...Here I Come

Do I sound excited?

Actually, I don't feel anything. It is just something like going because I have to and because I chose it. So Univeristy Malaysia Sabah is where I'll be for the next 3 years. I heard that the uni is famous for being the most beautiful uni and it is going to be big....I need a bicycle..

Does anyone has any idea what the hostel is going to be like? Feel free to enlighten me.

Can't really take the etika pakaian thing...Only formal to lectures? WTH..Where am I suppose to find so many 'formal' clothes. All I have are t shirts and jeans and shorts. And NO SHORTS/SKIRTS shorter than knee length is allowed. That does not even exist in my wardrobe. DAMN

June is definitely one of the most exciting month in my life...Hectic and Adventurous..Quoting Ju.."Kiddies" reading this will definitely understand. hahahhah

Counting down to Sabah : 3 days

Yet another Post

Another post? you have got to be kidding yourself. Three posts in a single night is a shock..even for myself...

Just wanted to comment on the petrol price increase. Although I don't agree that raising the price by 40% is the way to overcome the price increase in crude oil which currenty stand at approximately USD177 per barrel, however at the moment there is just no other way. After the price increase, Malaysians are still enjoying one of the cheapest petrol prices around Asia, perhaps maybe the world(I will clarify it once I get my facts right)

On the contrary, I beg to differ myself. Looking from another aspect, price increase is just a norm. 20years ago, a bowl of hokkien mee costs 5cents, now a bowl of the same size costs RM2.50. Apply the same principle to petrol. Ok, now that we can all see that the increase is in fact inevitable, we should have slowly cut down our dependence on petrol..i.e. BUCK UP the damn public transportation. If it was reliable, one household wouldn't see the need to own a minimum of 2 cars.

Stick to the 3Rs-Reduce, reuse, recycle
Asians especially, need to stop their plastic fanatism. One trillion plastic bags a year? Are you crazy? And STOP taking food for granted. Stop wastage. Has it ever occured to you that everytime you throw your bowl of rice or vegetable away, there are thousands starving away in some corner in this world? People are starving of hunger and yet there are people that purposely starve themselves to achieve that sickly frail thin look.(i just deviated from what i started with)

Perhaps the increase comes just in time to make people realise that and be a little more appreciative

The Current Me

Gonna work starting this Friday until 15/6/08 which is next Sunday. Got to earn some extra money to bear my expenditure or at least what people always say...save it for a rainy day.

Before I start to rant about my life, I want to wish a special someone HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! May you be a year wiser as you get a year older. That's one of the perks of growing old. I doubt you know of my existence but it is the thought that count...(I sound like some freakish stalker, hahahah)

Recently got to know that the local university results will be out on the 20/6/08, which means I only have about 5days after I finished working to prepare myself to brace the outcome, orientation is on 29/6/08. Life just reverted to fast forward mode. I suddenly felt afraid? it's not what I feel but I don't know..afraid to grow up? maybe..My best friend left for Singapore to gain exposure be it life or work wise. She seemed to have grown up. I guess it is my turn next.

However, I feel unzufrienden(unsatisfied, learnt it in german class earlier) about the state of my life right now. I'm undecided about MY own life and the direction I want to go(without being influenced by my family) I don't have a job right now. I'm not earning money. I don't go to university as well. I'm not even piling up knowledge. I am not achieving anything at the moment, there is no self satisfaction? I suppose.... I know, people have been telling me to enjoy the moment right now as it would be difficult to be so carefree once uni life is over. It's going to be responsibility all the way .

I seriously hope that I find my path that I want soon. There is just too many 'I don't knows'

I think tonight has got to be the lowest I have felt in a long time.

PRESSIES

Since I don't have pictures to upload to narrate to you guys what I have been up to during the weekend..so I've come up with an update although less interesting but at least it is something!

A big THANK YOU to Er Jie!! Bought this back for me (actually another 6 of my best friends as well) So we all have got our very own pair of chopsticks. Maybe now I'll seriously stop using disposable chopsticks and carry this instead. It is cute. Don't you think so? Although i'm not a big fan of cats but this is cute. There are other designs as well, especially the mickey ones but my hands didn't grab quickly enough ;P

Another special thing that she bought for us all is this bubble gum. The catch is you need to mix and match the colours to get the flavour that you want. i.e a pink + a yellow = strawberry

That's the guideline on the back of the box

p.s. I'm munching on the gums now as I'm writing this




This is another souvenir. This flew all the way back from Canada. It's a pencil holder. Must bring it where ever I'm going to study in the near future, to be exact in 20days' time. THANKS Yeap!! I like it so much

Jakarta

My first picture taken in Jakarta

Nicholas Teo is seriously making a name for himself on the international arena. Malaysia Boleh!





My trip there was mostly spent window shopping in malls. However, the surprising thing is I never once took a photo in any of the malls. So no pictures. Such a pity..even for myself..

My niece ordered this after we went to watch Ironman in premiere class at Senayan City. This was at Urban Kitchen. The concept of the place is similar to Food Loft in Gurney. This is marshmellow..You barbeque it and then you dip it in the choc







This the cinema ticket for the premiere class for Ironman.






I bought Krispy Kreme to be eaten while watching Ironman. Ermm..I could hardly differentiate it from J.Co though. For me both are too sweet for my taste bud. I like the sugar glazed ones better. Not too rich, just right.





I went to The Duck King in Pondok Indah Mall. I had to wait a freaking hour just to have a taste of the duck. How was the duck? It was ok, I think. I don't really have a liking towards duck. If I'm not mistaken, this is a franchise from Hong Kong. I went to another restaurant that is famous for it's duck as well. The place is called Bebek Bengil, translated in english as Dirty Duck. This is a franchise from Bali. The restaurant is really famous in Bali. Apparently, in Bali, there are live ducks running around the restaurant making the appearance look dirty. Herein, the name. But the one in Jakarta does not serve up to expectations.



These are the 2 major public transportation in Jakarta. But you can hardly see any chinese using them. For them, it is rather unsafe.





For the record, the 3 long weeks that I've been in Jakarta there have been demonstrations every other day. Maybe it was coincidence as these past weeks happened to be the 10th anniversary of 5 students gunned down at a university, then the government decided to raise oil prices as much as 30% So, poor will suffer even more. Only the rich can keep up with the price hike. In Jakarta, you'll see alot of young children on streets begging for money by going up to cars during traffic jam. Alot of street peddlars as well, selling snacks, cigarettes. We always LOCK the car door right after getting on the car. Teenagers and young adults mostly earn money by directing traffic, eg: pay them and they will risk their lives to block traffic from other directions that are hindering you from getting on your desired path. This mostly happens at crossroads/junctions or u-turns.


This is a place for you to fix flat tyres.






There are a lot of these kind of stalls in Jakarta mostly selling Bakmi or Bakso or Nasi Goreng or Soto. These carts are pulled by humans






Specially for female drivers. How come we don't have that in Penang?







I had Din Tai Fung as well. FINALLY after failed attempts in Taiwan and Singapore. It was a birthday celebration as well.








I went Bandung as well. It is another shopping heaven

This is Kangkung Hotplate, specialty of Bandung. Bet you can't get them here in Penang.







This is Fu Yong Hai. So different from what we have here.








This is a frog dish. I don't know the name though.

This was taken during my niece's
1 year old birthday party at a hotel.


This is her birthday cake.






One of the latest attractions in Jakarta. Waterbom. It is a water theme park. The slides and stuff are cool but you need to climb up practically 3-4 floors of stair before sliding down all the time carrying your own float. Freaking tiring just after 2 rounds.


To let you guys get a grip of just exactly how rich the rich really are, this is one of the houses in one the most elite housing estates. This place is called Pantai Mutiara. The sea is just a stone's throw away. Some have their own yatch behind their houses. The trend now is to build roman inspired designs.



Welcome to Your Own Private Resort. This island is privately owned and I had the privilege tag along. I LOVE the yatch! there are 2 rooms in it. A master bed room and another small room that fits 2 people. The is one hell of a big plasma tv in the living room. Couldn't take too much pictures or else I'll be considered rude.

They are all staring at the baby sharks and the turtles in the enclosure. They even have their own sharks. WTH





This is how the island looks like, from afar.








Don't you think this is paradise? Your very own beach








Kids that never have to do anything except for maybe playing Nintendo DS. With maids at their expenses, they don't even have to lift a finger. Just call.."Embaaaaakkk...!!!" and everything is done for you.


Phewww.. This is one verrrryyy lllooooonngggg post.

Jakarta

Current location : Jakarta

Life in Jakarta is so far so good. I have been out most of the days. Mind you though, I did not go on a spending spree..couldn't afford it even if I wanted to. To set the record straight, things aren't exactly cheap here.

There are so many shopping malls here. Yet, there seems to be more new ones built everytime I come. Nearby my aunt's place used to have only one mall which is called Megamall. Now there is Pluit Junction and one more on the way..don't know the name though. Megamall is under renovation as well. Getting bigger and prettier. I went to a new mall yesterday, it is called Pondok Indah Mall. It seems that only the rich and famous shop and dine here. I went to a place called Duck King. We waited for an hour just to get a place. Some celebrity dined there as well. But I don't know who she was(some Indonesian actress). According to my cousin, those that live in Pondok Indah are filthy rich. Houses as big as castles. People, I tell you, the houses here are freaking big. Now the trend is to build western influence housed..therefore you see a lot of big pillars, statues at the front of the house, town houses. Most of these houses are empty. Sometimes the servants amount to more than their owners. Ok, coming back to the main point, if the housing areas nearby where I live isn't big enough, I'm just wondering how big the houses in Pondok Indah are. If I have the chance to take pictures, I'll post it up in my blog later.

There's one thing that I don't really like though. The traffic is seriously horrendous here. Especially on weekdays, a normal journeys that takes only 30 minutes at the maximum can go up till an hour or more. Alot of time is wasted on the road. Everybody drives here. Nada public transportation, too dangerous. Maybe it is just in Jakarta as it is really difficult making a living especially if you are the low wage earner. Rich are filthy rich and poor are darn poor. The gap is just too big.

will try to update as often as i can but the connection here is slow. and what with me going out everyday, there is not much time left for me to go online.

L-O-U-S-Y

has anyone ever called me that? never! i repeat...never! but these few days i'm been called that alot and i do mean alot. my 'friend' who frustrates me so( you know who you are) has been calling me lousy at least 10X a day, tries to make me explode while chatting on msn and yet managed to make me grin at the same time. she is different and i do seriously mean different from the people that i always hang around with. have u ever felt pressured talking to someone on msn? she doesn't make grammar mistakes, uses bombastic words that no one ever uses except when writing essays for exams....what with all the rojak languages that i usually use talking with my friends...this is making me feel like talking to an english teacher while chatting with her...
P.S. Aud..are u reading this??

Finally i have reached my big two-o. i got a very nice surprise party from my best friends last week. almost teared..luckily i got a grip of myself. what was my present? they gave me a big bag.. big enough for me to runaway from home..don't get me wrong..i like the bag..liking it more by the day.

actually this post is supposed to be a short one as i'm writing this while waiting for my friend to pick me up for dinner...

Guess what..a new person has entered the blogging world...
http://lifeisgame-juinquah.blogspot.com
you must be surprised that she decided to blog. go visit her page.i find it interesting. totally a different style of writing compared to mine

Tschuss!

Taiwan

As I promised earlier, this is a a more in-depth explanation about my holiday trip to Taiwan

No pictures of Taiwan Taoyuan Airport as we felt that it was not as pretty as e thought. I finally found out that we arrived at the old terminal as we flew in from Hong Kong. If you came from western countries or Japan or Korea(I think) then you will see the new terminal which is nicer.

Day One
After being stuck in the jam for almost 2hours we finally arrived at our hotel. We quickly freshened up and left for the famous Shilin Night Market
This is the night market. Next to it is the food centre. There are a lot of stalls but mostly they offer the same delicacies namely lu rou fan, fried oyster, fried noodles, steaks, and of course the famous pearl tea, that is something not to be missed. I highly recommend the Famous Fried Chicken. It is very long..maybe about 20cm long..and very very crispy and it only costs TWD50 which is equivalent to Rm5. It is so big that even with 3 people sharing, we couldn't finish it. The night market is packed. It is actually one very long lane that offers anything a person can think of..from pets to underwears and laser pointers. You can see lots of tourist here as well. Unfortunately, we didn't get anything here. After the night market we went to some night clubs. There is one called room 18, where a lot of celebs go to, the club is big and have nice interiors. Too bad we didn't bring along our cameras. We went back to the same place after a few days but guess what...It closed down for renovation.

Day Two
Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall. The place is really big. That day, the wind was strong and it rained a little. So we were all shivering..
We went SHOPPING after that at the famous Xi Men Ding. Can you believe that we shopped for nearly 12 hours from 11am to about 10.30pm. There were so many shops and believe me..the things there are really cheap.

This was what we came back to the hotel with. Notice how many pairs of shoes we bought in just one day? By the end of the trip the three of us bought 15pairs of shoes and we had to lug it from Taiwan to Hong Kong and then back to Penang.

Day Three
The third involved a lot of walking, running, and braving the rain.

Yang Ming Shan National Park. It is named after the founder Mr. Wang Yang Ming. Coincidentally, there was a flower show going on. So we got to see a lot of flowers that we didn't even knew existed or mistakenly took it as vegetables.

Next we went to Xin Beitou for its hotspring. We rented a private room(so we didn't have to strip naked in front of unknown people). It is a different experience from swimming. There is one hotspring that is outdoors and they don't separate the gents and the ladies. So everyone goes in wearing their bathing suits.This was what our private pool looked like.This is the surroundings of Xin Beitou

Next destination: Danshui Fisherman's Wharf
I think some of you might recognise it from taiwan drama series. Although it is quite far away, but the view you get from the place is really nice.

We nearly froze to death while waiting for our caricature to be drawn. I'm really amazed at how the girl lasted the evening sitting there and drawing.





After dinner we rushed to Taipei 101. It was already 8.50pm when we took
the taxiand found out that last entrance was at 9.15pm.
My two friends ran up 5 floors as they couldn't wait for the lift. Me, being too lazy waited for it and managed to reach before them. hahaaha..so much for their effort running. The night view from the top is magnificent.






Then we went to the nearby Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall.







On the way, coincidentally(again) there was some lantern
exihibition going on. So we took photos again.










Ok. I'm lost for words now. So I'll update the rest of my trip next time..

All I can say is that the transport system in Taiwan is really good and efficient. You don't even need a car to get around. The MRT and buses connect even to the most deserted/far away places and the fares are quite reasonable. You just need a map to navigate yourself around. If you don't know or lost, all you need to do is just ask around preferably in mandarin although there was this one time a girl came over to help us and she just automatically spoke in english. Maybe she sensed that we had difficulty asking the right question from an uncle

Laziness Has Set In

My blog has been inactive for the past month. I seriously think that is it because I have lost the willpower to maintain and update it on a frequent basis. Why am I updating it now? I some how feel obligated to update it for you readers, however little it may be.

For the past few days, I've been sleeping over at Eve's place and tagging along with her and her 'friend'. After 3 days of tagging along, I've finally decided that I will not, or at the very least try to stop tagging along due to some reasons.
#1: While tagging along I felt that I will automatically be absorbed or camouflaged into the surroundings as I seldom talk or have nothing much in common to talk about.
#2: When I meet with their friends, I become half mute and again...nothing much in common to talk about.

Currently..as in today, I'm counting down the days to my next holiday. Destination: Jakarta. It has been nearly 3 years since I last went there. This will be one very LONG holidays..I think it's a 3 weeks long vacation.

I can't wait for my friend to come back from Canada! Miss her so much. I think it has been nearly a year she left.

P.S. I am now jobless. So if you guys want to ask me out, feel free to..anytime..