Today is really a tiring day for me.. cooking non stop for a bunch of Malaysian friends for house warming party. This is will be last time of doing so.

It was like sleeping for a long time. For more than 2 years, I didn't update this blog and I am back here again. I am no longer in Kuala Lumpur, but in Saigon, Vietnam. For the past 2 years, I am working in Saigon.

I am not sure how all the bloggers out there whom used to comment and share about our thoughts and life. I hope it can be restart again.

Bryan

Work like you don't need the money

Dance like no one is watching you

And

Love like you've not been hurt before

- Anonymous

A song for Art ...

aku ingin menjadi mimpi indah dalam tidurmu
aku ingin menjadi sesuatu yg mungkin bisa kau rindu
karena langkah merapuh tanpa dirimu
oh karena hati tlah letih

aku ingin menjadi sesuatu yg selalu bisa kau sentuh
aku ingin kau tahu bahwa ku selalu memujamu
tanpamu sepinya waktu merantai hati
oh bayangmu seakan-akan

kau seperti nyanyian dalam hatiku yg memanggil rinduku padamu
seperti udara yg kuhela kau selalu ada

hanya dirimu yg bisa membuatku tenang tanpa dirimu
aku merasa hilang dan sepi, dan sepi


In English translation:
I wished to be your sweet dream in your sleep
I wished to be something that you'd think of
Because my steps were broken without your presence
Because my heart was tired

I wished to be something that you could touch
I wished you to know that I always idolised you

Without you, it was lonely like my heart being chained
Your shadow was just like ...

You were just like the hyms in my heart calling me to love you
Like the air I breathed where you were always there

Only you can made me calm
Without you I felt lost and lonely


P/S: A copy of this song will be sent to you via email. I hope you like it :)

TRAVELLING? MOBILE PHONES?

COMPUTERS? OR ...

A discussion with my colleagues during lunch time...

C: Why u have so much money for holidays?
Me: Not really. All my travelling were on very tight budget. Stayed at cheap hotels, eat cheap also. Tried to get AirAsia if possible
C: U been to so many places. BKK la... China... Redang n now Vietnam...
Me: Aiya, as i said, all just budget holidays.
C: Also need money mah... If I have extra money, I rather spend in others ways..
Me: Like???
C: Wanted to buy new phones... new laptop... new car...
Me: Well, it's a matter of preference. I just love travelling...
C: I don't like travelling like u.. So kiam siap (stingy). If I wanted to go, only luxury 5 stars hotel, guided tour. I won't torture myself like u.... furthermore always go alone. If I have enough money, I will buy N80, Mac PowerBook etc etc etc....

I just kept quiet and smiled....

I wished not to comment more. It's just like talking to people who didn't recognise everyone of us had different dreams and preferences. He tried to prove his desires were more meaningful than me. If I continued to argue further, it would be meaningless anyway....

WEEKEND IN HANOI

As per my previous post, I did went to Hanoi and came back in one piece. Here I would like to share my travel experience there.

Landing at No Bai International Airport with 1.5 hours delay, I went to a travel agency to book for a hotel room. Rated as 2-stars hotel, situated near the Old Quarters, I booked for a room with breakfast for US$25. Arriving at the hotel, I went straight to the counter and booked myself a 2D/1N tour for Halong Bay. It costs me US$44, which includes accomodation on the boat (single room), meals, tour and kayaking.

Then I strolled along the Old Quarters and also the Hong Kiam Lake for sightseeing, dinner and also pasar malam. Hanoi to me is a unique city, with nice French architecture, and thousands of motorcycles. (Pic below: Hanoi Opera House)

The foodstalls across the street in unique. Using low tables and stools (bangku), you can really taste the local food with less than RM2 (approx 8000 dong). Try out beef noodles, chicken noodles, tow foo far, steamboat, fresh fruits and the strong and bitter Vietnamese coffee. All at very cheap prices. Be careful, though, you must ensure the soup they served are still boiling in the pot. Otherwise, you may get diarrhea.

Next morning I boarded the tourist van to Halong Bay. The van was packed with Mat Salleh (or farang, in Thai). Met tourist from Canada, Israel, UK, US and Germany. Amazingly I was the only Asian. Sigh! By the way, the Canadian guy is so cute. He he he

Reaching Halong Bay, we checked in to the junk (or boat) and had lunch there. All Vietnamese food served, and then the guide took us to Halong Bay for sightseeing. Went to a cave (something like sam poh tong) - nothing special for a Ipoh guy like me. Though the scenery is unique (like mini Guilin). Also went for kayaking and had a chance to view the spectacular sunset in the middle of Halong Bay.

Hanoi to me is not a shopping heaven. I feel that Bangkok is much better for shopping, but it's a totally new experience to wander around in an old city, packed with old French architecture buildings, thousands of motorbike and the never-ending honks sounds. After all, it is really good weekend outing by my own.

And my next destination: probably Tibet or Argentina. :-)

ABOUT LOVE

This afternoon, I met up with a friend at Curve for a short lunch.

T: How's ur holiday in Hanoi?
Me: It was good. I stayed cheap, eat cheap. That's how I can sense the locals' life there
T: Why u so stingy? Go la to nice cafe, stay in better hotels
Me: Well, different ppl got different preferences
T: Any plans with ur bf for holiday?
Me: I'll visit him next month. Not much plans as at now
T: How maintain such relationship? U see... I have been with my bf for many years.
Me: So what? Love should not be measured by years.
T: Well, we are so compatible. We will be going to Australia end this month, HK next month and Japan next year.
Me: Then, good on you

At first I really felt disturbed with his remarks. Well, I do admit I am jealous and envy. People have honeymoons with their lovers so many times and I hardly even see my bf. Even when I am in Bangkok visiting him, he may not be around because of his work.

When I drove back to office, I think for a moment. But I could sensed that it would be very wrong for me to feel jealous after all. True, I don't meet my bf quite often. For most people, our relationship is just merely friendship. But deep in my heart, I never ever think of that.

Then I called him up about 6pm. He was having a party in a university function. Immediately I felt a sense of happiness for him as he was enjoying himself there.

It's true, i didn't meet him often. It's true, he placed his priority to his family and career. But as long as he is happy with his life right now, should i be angry? Or rather when I see him happy, I will be happy too?

From that moment onwards, I truly realised once again that true love doesn't mean I must attach to him.

Most people thought in search for happiness, we do it externally, eg shopping, holidays etc. But the reality is it's only temporary. If our internal is not peaceful and always practice self grasping, how can our happiness last?