2011 New Year Resolution

Believe or not, i have been writing and editing this post for about 3 months now. I have set the posting date to December 31, 2010. Why? Because i don't want to miss making new year resolution like the past years. Last year, i could not even care to make any because i thought there is no point making, if it impossible to achieve. Well, this year i learned my lesson. Impossible or not, it doesn't matter. Because this resolution of ours is who we are. And it's nice to know that you have something to hold on to, or look to, throughout the 365 days of 2011.

So i have listed mine as follows;-

1. Learn new language

I give up to learn Japanese. No reason. The passion dies. I only learn up to 2nd level out of 4. So i chose to learn French.


2. Learn waves surfing

Yup, i'm on it. Will let you know the updates after my trip to Bali in October.


3. Lose "some" weight

I feel that this is the most ridiculous resolution that i keep on renewing every year. But this year i specifically write "some". So even if i manage to lose 2lbs only, i can consider resolution achieved, right?


4. Eat healthy at least 3 times a week

The thing is, i've been watching ANTM 15 recently and there this episode where Karolína Kurková was invited to give pep talk to the girls about taking care of their health. And speak for herself, her skin is simply gorgeous and flawless. It's easy to differentiate her from the contestant even if blind folded because she is practically glowing. So i think to myself, why the hell is not? You don't have to be rich to practice healthy life. Besides, healthy means weight loss for me. Why not kill 2 birds with one stone?

5. Practice yoga at least once a week

This is just one of my ways of trying to be fit. I like to be more specific, okay? So, i don't think that this is gonna be much a problem to me. Believe me, i am more than qualified to be a yoga trainer according to the Wii Fit.


6. Meditate at least once a week

Ever since i tried to incorporate fengshui in my daily life, i become obsess into finding contentment in life. So, as being said by Lilian Too, meditation is to gain inner awareness. Once you able to shut out distractions, your mind will work magics.

I'm gonna skip the "climb mt. kinabalu" resolution this year. Will put it on the 2012 list next next year. If you notice, i did not put exact figure in the goal of all my resolution. I do not wish to be hard on my self. I just want to take 1 step at a time. Be it a big leap or baby step, it doesn't matter. So, have you listed yours?

2011 here i come!

I'm going back to my home town the day after tomorrow. I'm plan to drive home just 3 hours after the new year countdown. Not celebrating therefore i'm not drunk to drive. My mother will also drive an meet me halfway. So, on the 1st January 2011, we'll be having a family picnic at this place called Ranau. Ranau is the place where i have my childhood. I'm so excited to have this trip.

Just so you know, i have already bought air tickets for this trip home 2 times because i keep on revising my departure. And in the end, i thought why not drive home? Of course, 5 hours of driving and back pain will never stand up to the 30 minutes of cramped economy airplane seat. So, i told my mother rather than just sitting at home and figuring out what to do with the 364 days ahead, i say why not we visit our village called Kampung Perancangan, located in Ranau. The last time i was there, the roads still not paved and electricity just in. Well i hope the road is better this time. I certainly don't have time to send my car for wheel realignment in this time of the year.

Anyway, the best thing about this place is the river. Here, they have stony, clear and cold rivers. And we will have our picnic by the rivers. For me, i think river is better than swimming pool. Other than the river, Ranau also have a natural hot spring to offer. But hot spring is overrated. So, after the picnic, i plan to bring my family stay for a night in one of the nice resort hotel in Kundasang, which is objected by most of the family members. Why? Because home is just an hour away. But then, isn't that is the point of holiday? Taking a break? Anyway, Kundasang is located near the Mt. Kinabalu.

This is Mt. Kinabalu, photo taken from Wikipedia. You need to have enough balls to climb that. So, i think this shall be my second last post before this year end. The last post will be all about my new year resolution, which i have pre-set the posting date to 31st December 2010. Will update you on the trip after i got back from my holiday.

So, until then, Happy New Year 2011 !

See you in the future.

Merry Christmas !

Happy Christmas everyone!

I don't know about you guys, but my Christmas is superb! I haven't go out from my house since yesterday, and for meals i only depended on yesterday's take outs. Mr. Boyfriend plan a fancy dinner at the hotel for me but i rather stay at home. So, on Christmas Eve we're just sit at home eat take outs and watch National Geography (or is it by Discovery Channel?) show about "Tsunami". And today on Christmas Day itself, i stay at home watch another NG show called "Tornado" while Mr. Boyfriend went out to work. Really, working in construction industry, there is no such thing as holiday. Festival celebration is even more ridiculous. If you need a break, then take a leave. And while you're on leave don't expect somebody will fill up your position and do your work. That's why the most stressful part of taking leave is the time when you come back to work. Works will just keep on piling up, in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad, and in joy as well as in sorrow. That is why in construction, i will tell you when i will finish, not you tell me when to finish. Once, i made the mistake by asking my boss when he want the assignment finished, and he gave me the most dreadful answer "Yesterday". So i panicked, my brain jammed, and i sat at my desk for about an an hour before i figured out what to do. Anyway, i have strayed away from my main point. I actually want to talk about Christmas, my Christmas. I may not have anything shining hanging on my wall, let alone a christmas tree, but i do feel that christmas is happening in my heart. I am happy because the people i love and care about are happy. So, this year my Santa give me a 500 gb portable hardisk drive. So not romantic! But i'm touched because i have been meaning to buy it for myself a while ago but never did. After all this time, i guess i'm not just talking to the wall. So, i think that is all for now. I will leave you go on with your Christmas celebration. Meanwhile, i will continue with my reading. FYI, a week before Christmas i have bought 15 books as my Christmas present to myself. It's Christmas, okay! It's one of the exception. In fact, i should get 20. Never mind, New Year is around the corner and it's one of the exception as well. Anyway, for today and tomorrow, i'm having a Sophie Kinsella marathon. Wish me luck!

Moccona Coffee Ads

Check out these ads. It's the nicest ads i ever seen. Beautiful plot and music.


Cinderella Quest





Candles

Baby it's cold outside..

This is my holiday theme song this year. Got the video from youtube. This song is funny and playful. It's actually a soundtrack for the movie "Elf" starring Will Ferrel and Zoey Deschanel. Check out the lyrics as well.



I really can't stay - But baby it's cold outside
I've got to go away - But baby it's cold outside
This evening has been - Been hoping that you'd drop in
So very nice - I'll hold your hands, they're just like ice
My mother will start to worry - Beautiful, what's your hurry
And father will be pacing the floor - Listen to the fireplace roar
So really I'd better scurry - Beautiful, please don't hurry
Well maybe just a half a drink more - Put some music on while I pour

The neighbors might think - Baby, it's bad out there
Say, what's in this drink - No cabs to be had out there
I wish I knew how - Your eyes are like starlight
To break the spell - I'll take your hat, your hair looks swell
I ought to say no, no, no, sir - Mind if I move closer
At least I'm gonna say that I tried - What's the sense in hurting my pride?
I really can't stay - Baby don't hold out
Ahh, but it's cold outside

I simply must go - But baby, it's cold outside
The answer is no - But baby, it's cold outside
This welcome has been - I'm lucky that you dropped in
So nice and warm - Look out the window at that storm
My sister will be suspicious - Gosh, your lips look delicious
My brother will be there at the door - Waves upon tropical shore
My maiden aunt's mind is vicious - Ohh your lips look delicious
Well maybe just a half a cigarette more - No such a blizzard before

I've got to go home - Baby, you'll freeze out there
Say, lend me your coat - It's up to your knees out there
You've really been grand - I thrill when you touch my hand
But don't you see - How can you do this thing to me?
There's bound to be talk tomorrow - Think of my life long sorrow
At least there will be plenty implied - If you caught pneumonia and died
I really can't stay - Get over that hold out
Ahh, but it's cold outside

What makes you cry?

Sad movies, sad songs, sincere prayer, and funeral. That's the thing that makes me cry.



1. Marley & Me movie

If you are not into sad movies, then be warned, stay far away from this movie. Don't let the posters and trailer fool you. Do not believe for a second that this is a comedy. Even though 95% of the plot makes you laugh, but trust me, the other 5% will rip your heart out, kill every little trails of smile that left from the corner of your mouth before sucking up dry your well of tears. My friend had me tricked into watching this movie.






2. Hachiko the Dog

When i went to visit Tokyo last year, the 1st thing that popped into my mind was Harajuku, and the 2nd thing was Hachiko. It's a real life story about a dog named Hachiko who loyally waited for his owner at the same spot every until he died. Well, you can check Hachiko's full story here. No doubt, i seems to have a soft spot for dogs. Maybe, i was a dog in my previous life. But in this life i am more into cat than dog. Now, that's not right, isn't it?



Later, Hollywood produced movie about it called Hachiko - A Dog's Story starring Richard Gere. This time i drag everyone around me into watching this movie. But i my self never dared to watch this movie. Reading Hachiko's story alone enough to leave tears in my eyes.






3. Oklahoma by Billy Gilman

Not that i ever been to Oklahoma before, or ever been abandoned, it's just that this song simply drowned my eyes with tears every time i listen to it. Maybe it has to do with Billy Gilman sings with the utmost sincerity and innocence.






4. Brown Scapular Prayer

There is a special prayer you need to recite while wearing this scapular. You need to say the prayer for nine consecutive days, or nine Fridays, or nine Saturdays, or nine Sundays, or every hour for nine consecutive hours. As for me, i tried the nine consecutive days option. Then the strangest thing happened, in the middle of reciting the prayer, i started to cry for no reason. I did not feel sad, or happy or anything. I just cried my heart out. And it was a painful cry, it's like there is a huge block of stone inside my chest that i wanted to let out. I keep on crying until i finished praying. That was the last time i said the prayer and never again to continue. What can i say, i just don't like crying.






5. Funeral

When it comes to funeral, the only thing that was holding me together is the thought that death is a natural process and everybody will died eventually. And i keep convincing my self that no matter how hurt i am at that moment, i know that time will heal me soon. So, that's it. That is all I'm going to talk about funeral.

18 days to Christmas..

I have a feeling that this year Christmas will be a bit teary for me. I still haven't decide whether i want to go back home and celebrate with my family or stay here, be alone and be miserable on Christmas Eve. I did not plan to go back home this year because i can only have less than 24 hours with my family before flying back to work in the next day. Besides, a week after Christmas i will be flying home again, before to Jakarta for business trip. It has been a tradition that December to January will be the busiest time of the year. So, i thought this year why not skip Christmas? The only price i have to pay is 10 gallons of tears. Mr. Boyfriend already bought an air ticket in advance for me in case i had a change of heart in the last minutes. But, i tell you, i am a man of my words. I rather had my head cut than having to lick back what i've spitted.

Anyway, check out this Christmas song by Train. I actually cried a little while watching this video. Don't know why i'm so sensitive in these few days. Maybe it's just the hormones messing around my head.

One In A Million - Ne Yo

I changed my ring tone today, from Justin Bieber's Baby to Ne-Yo's One in a Million. I decided I need to grow up a little bit. Justin Bieber song is cute and sweet. But i need something a bit manly and cache in the same time. Check out Ne-Yo's One in a Million video clip. A tip for the guys, send this song to your girlfriend and you'll make her smile for a week. If you want more than just a week then you have to perform it your self, which is logically and obviously impossible.







What can be sexier than a guy in a suit? Oh Ne-Yo, you had me the very second i hit the play button.

Lisa Kleypas

OMG, i loved her books so much!

I have just finished reading 3 out of her 4 contemporary books. And to tell the truth, i have fallen in love with her writings. What makes her books so special is that the connection you'll have with her character throughout the pages. She makes it so personal that at some point i felt like i was reading someone else diary. When Lisa writes about hardship, abuse and making choices, she was not aggravating the scene. She hold back a little, and that is what makes thing feel real.

One thing i learned from Lisa's books, is that, love wait. It may take 10 years, but if it is love, it'll wait. Love does not move on. You may be moved on with someone else, or bound to marriage, but when time is right, stars will align in some special arrangement, and the universe will work it's magic so that your path will cross with each other, and love will happen again.

Lisa's contemporary books may not be romantic as i expected it to be, but she makes me believe that love is real. As real as hectic Monday can be. So, i guess what i want to say is, never give up living. There will a light at the end of this tunnel.






I have yet to check out Lisa's new book "Christmas Eve at Friday Harbour". Consider it's an appropriate way to spend Christmas Eve since i will not be going home and spend Christmas with my family this year. Don't ask why.

Jeux D'enfants

Yesterday i was just talking about La Vie En Rose, and today i watch this movie Jeux D'enfants. And the whole time in this movie were only playing the La Vie En Rose song as soundtrack. Talk about coincidence, right? I did not plan any of these to happen. Well, maybe i help a little in unconscious way. I do admit that these few months I've been having a french fever. I quit learning Japanese and start learning French instead. In my defense, Japanese is not easy to learn okay! And to make the matter worse, Japanese has 3 types of writing, Hiragana, Katakana and Kanji. Omg, Kanji is the hardest of them all. Till this day i only know to write 12 Kanji characters, which are, number 1 - 10, river and father. So, that's it. I give up. I simply give up. Don't judge me.

So, why French? Why not Italian? I did do some weighing between those two. I must say that i was tempted to go for Italian after reading Eat Pray Love. Attraversiamo, Liz Gilbert favorite word. True though, my tongue nearly have an orgasm pronouncing that word alone. I bet Italian must have words that far more exotic than that one. And that is the problem. To me it's an exotic language. Too hot for me to handle. And if i may get a grip, i afraid that i just lost control. That is why i choose French. It's soft and warm to my ear. You know, i have been practicing Jai Deux Amour song for a while now. I should have no problem karaoking it now.

Okay, talk about the movie Jeux D'enfants, any of you who might interested to check out this movie, it has an english title Love Me If You Dare. Overall this movie is okay. Kind of sweet in it's own way. But i don't understand the ending. Did they grew old together or did they end their life together?

La Vie En Rose

I want to fall in love. Over and over again. Why do good things always come to an end? Why is it when love stay for quite some time it began to turn into a commitment? Why don't we fall in love every day?

Well, don't mind my frustration. Here is the song that swept me off my feet. It's by Lisa Ono.

It's one of the most beautiful thing that i ever heard in my existence.





Quand il me prend dans ses bras
Qu'll me parle tout bas
Je vois la vie en rose
Il me dit des mots d'amour
Des mots de tous les jours
Et ça m'fait quelque chose
Il est entré dans mon coeur
Une part de bonheur
Dont je connais la cause
C'est toi pour moi
Moi pour toi dans la vie
Tu me l'as dit, l'as juré, pour la vie
Et dès que je l'aperçois
Alors je sens en moi
Mon coeur qui bat

Katie Macalister

She just become one of my favorite author. I have finished reading 8 of her dragon books yesterday. Now, I'm waiting for her book "The Unbearable Lightness of Dragons" which scheduled to be release on May 3rd next year. In the mean time, i plan to check out her other books too. But, all i know is that i love her dragon books. It's mind blowing, smart, sexy and ticklish. In fact i would say that Katie Macalister dragon books, are just like Harry Porter for adults. So, anyone who loved Harry Porter will definitely love this as well. So, here's a tip for those who might want to check out these dragon series, you should start reading from "Aisling Grey" series, then moved to "Silver Dragons" series and lastly is the "Light Dragons" series.


Aisling Grey Novel





Silver Dragons Novel





Light Dragons Novel




So, lets talk about transforming the book into motion picture. I have lined up a few actors for some of the characters in the book. Let see if i did the job here.


Meet my Drake. Eric Bana is no doubt should play as Drake. And he should pull that look as he did in "Troy" movie.





And this is my Aisling Grey. Amy Adams got all the look to be Aisling Grey.




As for Matthew McConaughey, which character do you think he suit best? It is very difficult to find a hunk with dimples, you know. So, say hello to my Gabriel.




I know that i can be a little ................. sometimes. I know i'm not some big Hollywood producer that i can just pin-point anybody to be in my films and give them a call, "hey Amy, how you like to be my Aisling Grey?". But, it's nothing wrong to dream away. So, just let me be. This is my world and i'm comfortable here. Besides, Katie should know best how her character should look like.

Hobby

Last month when i started collecting coins, my sister told me that i am just bored. She's damn right. I am a boring person and i am bored to death. The thing is that i feel empty. I don't have a hobby that i can stick to until the end. I have nothing to show or post on my Facebook wall. I tried collecting stamps but lost all my stamps in 1990. Then, i tried to play guitar but i quit before i even know all the chords. Now, i start to read books. Not in a hobby manner but more like an obsession. To my understanding, a hobby is something that you do in your leisure time, right? But now the books are more like drugs to me. I can't stop thinking about the book ending, which is why I'm so eager to quickly flap the pages. So what did i do during my leisure time? I guess that would be the question my therapist is going to ask me. Only if i had one. If i had my own therapist i wouldn't be having this blog. So, back to the question, what have i done in my free time? Err..sleep? Yes, i sleep most of the time. Or i wouldn't called it sleep but resting. But there is no such thing as resting is a hobby. Because hobby is a doing 'something' thing. And resting is the opposite of that. I wish i could be like the Penelope girl (played by Rachel Weisz) from the Bloom Brothers movies. Her hobby is collecting hobbies. So she end up becoming expert in almost anything. How cool is that?

So, just to give update on my new found hobby, which is reading (currently) by the way, I'm having a marathon tonight, with the Immortal series by Alyson Noel.

My song, our song

Everybody has their own song. Be it is a song about love or about a heart break or about life or about anything at all. As long as the lyrics sing what is in your heart, it is your song. One's song does not faded away with time. Nor it will not grow old. As you will never be tired of it. Maybe it was nearly a decade when you last hear it, but every time it caught you unexpectedly played on the stereo when you driving home, or when you're in the mall, or anywhere at all, you'll take a pause to listen it. It's a special song that it can bring back the very same feeling as you have had when you listen to it years back.

So to speak, i also have my own songs. Three songs to be exact. Each at different stages in my life. The first of course, was when i had my first crush. It's an important part of my life okay? It was when i first had feeling towards the opposite sex. But the the crush did not bring me anywhere as i was a coward to be on a date with him. He did ask but i turned it down even if i'm dying to say yes, just because i'm too shy. Silly me. I wish he'd be a little more persistence back then, because if he did, he might just be my first boyfriend. So every now and then, when i heard Joy Enriquez's song i cannot help but wonder, what if.

Love of a lifetime would be my second song. It's a song that reminded me of my first boyfriend. He declared that this should be our song. But the relationship did not last long. Though the song says a lifetime, what's an irony. Still, it is special to me. I don't want to elaborate further on my first relationship because it's sensitive and private to me. So let it go.

Firehouse - Love Of A Lifetime (Official Music Video). Watch more top selected videos about: Firehouse

This Kenny Rogers' song titled She Believes In Me is what Mr. Current Boyfriend declared as our song. It first echoed to my ear when it sang by a guy with piano at a hotel bar while we're having our dinner. So he instantly decided at that very moment that it should be our song. I guess that was the time when he is beginning to fall in love with me. Can't blame him for that. But to me, i rather keep this song in the KIV box. He'd be furious if he know that i wasn't keen enough of this song.

But then, every song is replaceable. Just like the one spot in your heart where it's made for your other half to stay. Doesn't matter whether you are still on the search or have settled with the one you claimed to be the one. It is it's nature to come and go. But only the special one will leave a song for you to reminisce.

All Souls' Day

Happy All Souls' Day everyone.

I'm back to my hometown today. I never thought that one day, November 2nd, would matters so much to me. It has been 2 years now since my father passed away. Yet, still it feels just like yesterday. Trying to live the first year without him was the hardest part of all when he had always been my rock. It was then, when i started to disgust hope, faith and most importantly God. I was angry at God so much that i wish He will condemn me so i will cease to exist. Well, i am not angry with God now as i have back then. I don't know when the feeling receded. I guess i just stop feeling. I block God from entering to my life. I stop going to church and i stop talking to God. I have friends coming at me asking me to give God a chance, as of letting Him once again into my life. But i resent it. So now i have been living without God for almost 2 years now. Maybe He still here for me, or maybe not, i don't care. I admit that living without any faith to hold on to can be very lonely sometimes. But at least, there will no one or nothing will let me down.

How do you let go without good bye?

Bittersweet Memories of Yogya-Bali Trip

So, last week my friend and i went to visit Indonesia again. This was our 2nd trip together. I must say that it's not easy to find a compatible travel companion who are tuned and synced to your own pace and limits. My mom, she is not into culture, history, sight seeing, nature or any adventure at all. It is whether you bring her to shopping or she rather stayed in the hotel. Mr. Boyfriend on the other hand is totally out of the question. He hates traveling. All his life, he has only been to Singapore and to China, which the journey he never spoke about. Sometimes i wonder if he had been mugged or rapped during his tour. So this friend of mine is a perfect travel buddy for me. She makes me do the impossible. I could not ask for more.


22 Oct 2010

Our first stop is at Yogyakarta. Please note that "Yogya" is pronounce "Jogja". The only reason we stop here because we want to see the beautiful Prambanan and the magnificent Borobodur. When we reach Yogyakarta the volcano Merapi was already started to emit smokes. The local says that Mt Merapi is in "Siaga" stage. Which means people should start evacuating. Luckily we only stayed 1 day in Yogyakarta. We flew to Bali the next day. So, the day we arrive in Yogyakarta, my friend had a little incident with the immigration officer at the airport. She was the last to get out from the airport because the officer had held her for questioning. The reason for her detention was because she could not provide them her return ticket out from Yogyakarta. Of course she had the ticket, she could not showed it to them because i am the one who are keeping all the tickets and i have already stepped out of the immigration counter. So, they brought her to an isolated room (it's not an office room actually, it is much more like a store), giving her options either she buy an air ticket back to Malaysia on that very second or she could pay to them so they will let her out of the airport. Luckily, she is the hard headed type so she don't give in easily. We both work in a construction industry, surrounded by thousands of intimidated testosterone every day, so the blackmail card is not working on us. I guess the immigration officer had no luck that day just because he pick the wrong prey.

After all the dramas, we rent transportation to Prambanan and Borobodur. Prambanan is dedicated for hindus while Borobodur is for buddhas. There is a story behind the Prambanan Temple called Legend of the Slender Virgin. Princess Loro Jonggrang is the slender virgin. Here goes the legend according to Wikipedia.

"The legend tells the story about two ancient and neighbouring kingdoms in Java, Pengging and Boko. Pengging was ruled by its king Prabu Damar Moyo who had a son named Bandung Bondowoso. By contrast, Boko was ruled by a demon king named Prabu Boko. Despite his unpleasant nature, Prabu Boko had a beautiful daughter named Loro Jonggrang.

The story relates that Prabu Boko desired to expand his kingdom and launch an attack on Pengging. Prabu Damar Moyo sends his son Bandung Bondowoso to fight Prabu Boko. After a furious battle, Prabu Boko is killed by the prince's supernatural powers.

The princess is heartbroken when informed of her farther death, but before she can recover from her grief the Pengging army besieges and captures the palace. Prince Bandung Bondowoso is mesmerized by the beauty of the mourning princess and propose marriage, but his offer is swiftly rejected. Bandung Bondowoso insists on the union, and finally Loro Jonggrang agrees on two impossible conditions: first the prince must build a well named Jalatunda, and second, he must construct a thousand temples in only one night.

The lovestruck prince agrees, and immediately starts work on the well. Using his supernatural powers once again, the prince swiftly finishes construction and proudly displays his work for the princess. As a trick, she urges him to enter the well and when he does so, Patih Gupalo piles stones into it and buries him alive. With great effort Bandung Bondowoso escapes, but his love for the princess is so strong that he forgives her the attempt on his life.

To fulfill the second condition, the prince enters into meditation and conjures up a multitude of demon spirits from the earth. With their help he builds the first 999 temples and starts work on the final one. To thwart his efforts the princess and her maids light a fire in the east and begin pounding rice, a traditional dawn activity. Fooled into thinking the sun is about to rise, the spirits flee back into the earth leaving the last temple unfinished.

The prince is furious when he learns of this deception, and places a curse on Loro Jonggrang which turns her into a stone statue. In this way she herself becomes a feature of the final temple, completing its construction and fulfilling the conditions for their marriage."

For me, it is rather a sad story than a love story. How can the princess marry some stranger who just murdered her father and took over her kingdom? I don't think the prince had fallen in love with the princess, it's just his greed and ego that makes him determined to have her.





After lunch we headed to Borobodur. There are procedures to climb the Borobodur but we give up before we made up half of the Borobodur. Each step of the stairs is at least 2 feet high. And i assure you that climbing to the top of the Borobodur is not the painful and scariest part of all. It is the going down will be your nightmare. You wont notice how steep is the Borobodur until you are on your way down. I practically tell my friend that if i were to die falling from the Borobodur, that must be the Karma punishing me for all of my wrong doings.



23 Oct 2010

Our flight to Bali was at 8.00 am. Took a taxi to the airport and hop on a Garuda, and after 1 hour we landed on Bali. Once outside Ngurah Rai airport we ask around to see if there is a bus going to Ubud but nobody is willing to tell us. So in the end, we end up paying Rp 195k for a taxi to Ubud. We stayed at De Munut Cottages. Overall it was nice, we got the whole cottage to our self. The swimming pool was beside our cottage but didn't have time for a swim. The only problem i had with this hotel is MOSQUITOES! Yes, we also have mosquitoes in Malaysia, but our mosquitoes are not barbaric as Bali's mosquitoes.


24 Oct 2010

We rent transportation to see Goa Gajah, Tirta Empul, Pura Gunung Kawi, Coffee Plantation, Pura Ulun Danu Batur and Tegalalang. To be true, the trip we made this day is just so-so. We were not comfortable and not happy with our driver at all. Early morning before the journey started, when he told us the journey route, we told him that we want to skip the Barong dance. He was shocked, like he couldn't believed that not everybody is interested to see the 1 and a half hour cultural dance. Then, he began telling us what is this Barong dance about, how important it is, why it matters to them, why we must go and see it. In the end we told him that we were planning to see this Barong on our last day in Bali when we are actually not interested at all. Only then he kept quiet. After that, we tell him again that we do not wish to see the Pura Gunung Kawi because of the 300 steps you need to take to get there. Then he insist that climbing down and up to the pura is a good exercise. Well i did not come to Bali to exercise, i come here for a vacation. So we don't want to argue any further we just keep on walking to the temple direction but we never made it to the temple. We just simply went to see the shops selling souvenirs and take a seat on the cliff to enjoy the view of Gunung Kawi. I think the reason why we were not satisfied in this trip because the driver had planned our journey in advance. Maybe it's the most common itinerary for any other tourist, but we are not just any other tourist. We were not interested to visit all the temples and take photos. We are more into mingling and blending in. The only time that i treasured about this trip was when we were in Pura Ulun Danu Batur. It's not because the temple is located near the beautiful Mount Batur and Lake Batur. We could not even get far in because there was a ceremony being held at that time. So instead of being inside the temple we went outside at the back of the temple. We sat there, enjoy Mt Batur and lake view while chit chatting with a nice villager. That is the kind of thing that i will cherish in my vacation.



Nice view of Mount Batur and Lake Batur



Alley to the back of the temple


25 Oct 2010

We woke up late on purpose. We also had our breakfast late. Then in the middle of having our breakfast guess who showed up to our table? It's the driver from yesterday. We did tell him the day before that we will be checking out today and plan to go south to see Tanah Lot Temple and many more, but we did not and never did book his transportation for today. Then we tell him that we want to go by our self, as we want to spent time strolling around at Pasar Ubud before going south. Then he still doing it. Planning the journey for us. He said that he will let us shop at Pasar Ubud for 1 hour before going to Tanah Lot. So just like that we turned our back and left. There is not point talking if he will not listen. So we go back to our room pack and check out. We ask the hotel if there were any bus from Ubud going to Legian, it's the same answer we got at the airport. I started to wonder how the local move around here, do they take taxi every now and then?

When we reach Pasar Ubud, it only took 1 villager to answer our simple question. "Is there any bus from Ubud to Legian?" The answer is yes. We had to take a bus 3 times to reach Legian. Ubud - Batu Bulan - Tegal - Legian. It's time consuming but i got the whole day to waste. After all i am on a vacation here. Besides, public transport means blending in. The 2 hours rides cost us Rp 40k. Way cheaper than the 1 hour taxi ride which will cost us Rp 300k. I won't be mad at the hotel and taxis driver for lying to our face about the fact that no bus going to south because they were just trying to make their living. But, if you ask me if i want to come back again to Ubud in the future, then i will tell you, hell no.


26 Oct 2010

This was our last day in Bali given that we had to fly back to KL on the next morning. So we just walking around Kuta and shopping. And we went to the beach. Oh i love the beach. I really do. The waves were perfect for surfing. So if you ask me again if i ever want to come back to Bali, then i will answer you, yes, yes i will. I will come back here again soon. I want to learn to surf. I don't want to die before i learn how to surf.





27 Oct 2010

Our flight to KL at 6.00am. So we had to wake up early and leave the hotel at 4.30am. We had book a transportation to airport in advance with a nice driver in Kuta. His name is Mr. Budu. Too bad we forgot to ask him for his card. We arrived KL at 9.00 am. Since we got 8 hours to kill before our next flight to Sandakan, we decided to go to KL for last minutes shopping.


For this trip i have bring Rp 4045k for foods, transportations and souvenirs. After 5 days in Indonesia i still have balance of Rp 361k. All my expenses were sum up as follows:-

Food = Rp 1000k
Transport = Rp 800k
Admission Fee = Rp 310k
Souvenirs/ Books/ Misc = Rp 1574k

So the amount Rp 3684k spent for this 5 days trip is worth every cents of my savings. Now, i should start saving for another trip to Bali. This time for surfing only.

I'm back!

Yay! Home sweet home. Finally.

I managed to get out of Yogyakarta before the Mt. Merapi erupted. And lucky Bali was out of the tsunami range. Well, i got lots of things that i want to write about that trip but that will have to wait as i need to rest 1 week.

So, ciao ciao.

Off to Yogyakarta, then Bali

I'm leaving tonight. My flight from Sandakan depart at 2100 and arrive KL at 2345. Will be stranded at the airport at least 7 hours before next flight to Yogyakarta. Yes i could go to the nearest hotel and take a nap but nothing fear me the most than missing my flight. I foresee that this Yogya - Bali trip would be a very tiring. This explain the less excitement i pre-having in this trip. I had only 1 day to savour all Yogya's essense before flying to Bali the next day. Bali should be more relaxing, i hope so. I have been taking the Pill to postpone my period. I don't want to be left outside the temple as women who are in the time of their month are forbidden to enter. What else? Oh yes, i also have purposely take out my extra bag for shopping from my backpack. I hope i don't get tempted once in Bali. I can do it. Besides i only bring 4 millions rupiah, just enough for 1 week travelling in Indonesia.

So, until then, i will see you again next week.

New addiction

I have it. I am obsessed with books. Especially with paranormal and fantasy books. I am not always like this you know. I usually had my regular dose of Mills & Boon, or Harlequin Temptation once a month. But now, i could finished 1 whole book in a day. Almost every night i had a late night sleep because of this. And to make matter worst, i have ordered more books online. Next week i'm expecting to received around 20 books. Please tell me it is not that bad. It is not that bad right? I mean book reading is suppose to be healthy. It must be doing something good to the mind. Just look at the Japanese, they read everywhere. Even when they are in the subway queuing to enter the train, still a book must be at hand. And why i am panicking over this? I should not. It's just that i have probably spent over a thousand just for books in this year. And the year 2010 is not even over. I still have November and December ahead of me and how am i going to go through those 2 cold months without any books to keep me warm? And don't tell me the library is my salvation. The public library that we had here is not the kind of up-to-date library. Sure, you might find some good old romance novel like Judith's, but i have read all that.



By the way, i am currently reading Seven Ancient Wonders by Matthew Reilly. It is not my cup of tea really. I prefer romance rather than thriller. But i am willing to give it a try. I'm sure if i can handle Sidney's Doomsday Conspiracy, reading this should be just like sipping my tea in a garden. So, bring it on Matthew.

Love in time of dragons

I just finished reading this book. It's by Katie MacAlister. I had the UK version. But the cover of US version seems more interesting. Never mind the cover, the title alone had me put this book on top-3 of my priority list.



















I find that this book is very addictive and "interesting". It took me 12 hours to finish it. I am a slow reader and i did paused for some toilet business and snacks once a while. I was new to dragons stories. I mean how many times you ever heard of dragons love stories? I know we are so accustomed to the idea of love between human and vampire, or werewolf, or demon, or zombie, or mutant, or superhuman, or angel and many more. But dragons? We are talking about the kind of dragons with scales and breathe fires. And Katie makes the dragon's love making even hotter. Somebody should make a movie out of this book. I tell you, this book is worth every cents.

From the depths of my heart, I hate you

Before turning 29 i never thought that i am capable of feeling hate towards our fellow human being. I am talking about an extreme kind of hate. The one that as if i saw her half dead in the middle of the desert, i would make sure that she is conscious enough to see the vultures feed on her body. And before i leave her to die, i will look into her eyes and say "see you in hell". I will sacrifice heaven to see her in hell, so i can kill her with my bare hands. I'm sure that if i spent at least 2 hours thinking how much i hate this particular human being, this would the day that i turn to be a serial killer. Yes, i have that much hate in me.





It always started as a friendship. A fake friendship of course. If only i could smell it from the beginning i would never be hurt like this. Fengshui did warned me about her but i choose not to listen. Our stories goes like this. One morning, Ms. Bitch came to me with her red eyes, as she have been crying all night. Telling me that she was humiliated in front of her friends by my bos (who is also her bos). It seems that she and my bos have made a business pact together. Ms. Bitch would look for projects to tender and Mr. Bos would finance the projects. Then one day Ms. Bitch managed to get Cleaning Projects from the government. She claim that deposit need to be pay to the government representative before they can award you the projects. But Mr. Bos refused to pay because it is a common practice you will pay after you received payments for the works done. This is typical government servants. If you got engaged in government project you need to make sure that everybody get the cakes. Ok, back to my hate story. When Ms. Bitch come into my office that morning, with her swollen red eyes, i felt sorry for her. Then she had the brightest idea ever. She said, "why don't you take over the project? All you have to do is come out with RM 3000.00 and i will take care of everything for you". 3k is not small amount of money for me. It is a hard earn cash for me. It took me 3 years to save that. Then i think to my self, "why not?". I have the money, she is my friend and i trust her. After i hand over my money to her, she went out to town and off the radar for a week. No calls and no news from her. After almost 2 weeks, she came back again to me offering to me another project. This time the project cost me about RM 2000.00. She told me that she need the money asap. It was Saturday that time. No banks open. And she had to left town on Sunday. I told her that i would bank in the money on Monday but then she had no atm cards (guess what? i found out later that her atm card were taken by the loan shark. to ensure that she pay her loan at the end of every month). Then i give her my atm card instead. Told her that i will deposit the money on Monday. So she left. Out of town again. With my atm card and another 2k. It never occurred to me that she was actually conned me upside down until colleagues my questions me. I was actually paying for her vacations. I had notice that from the moment i gave her money, she start to wear new clothes, new shoes and new handbags almost every day. Then again, after coming back she went to see me again with another project. Asking another RM 2000.00. By this time i already know that it's a ruse. I rejected her project politely. Never once i mentioned to her about being conned. 2 days after that she came back to me again with another project. This time she does not mention any money involved. I know the money part come later after i agreed of be conned. That is the last time i spoke to her. From that moment on, everything became so clear to me. All her talk, laugh, all fake. Now all i see is lies coming out of her mouth. I avoid being around her because i disgusted with people who lied to my face. Even though i secretly hoping that one day she will come to me with the projects that i have pay previously, in her hands, offering to me, and proving that i was wrong all the way, and i was the evil one.

In the end, she manage to take RM 6300.00 from me. It's a large amount of money for me. But when i think it's over, it's not the lost of my hard earn money that hurt the most. It's the fooling and the betrayal that killed every goodness left in me. I was not fooled once, but i was fooled twice. Shame on me. I hate my self for being very stupid and I hate her for fooling me. My entire being is cursing her forever. There is no turning back for this hate. I will never forgive her. And i will never forget.

When?

"If two people love each other, but they just can't seem to get it together, when do you get to that point of enough is enough?

Quoted by Samantha from The Mexican.

An evergreen movie. I can watch this movie again and again. Love the comedy and love the spontaneity. I especially love the question which the assassin ask Samantha (Julia Roberts), then Samantha later ask the same to her boyfriend Jerry (Brad Pitt) and Jerry answer her, "Never".



The question was like a slap to my face. A slap of awakening. I then began to ask my self the same question. And i'm afraid that my answer was not like Samantha nor Jerry. I am currently in a 5.2 years long relationship. Though the numbers seems to be keep adding up, i just cannot see that this is the guy that i'm gonna seal the matrimony with. Every time i ask my self the question, i just failed to answer. At least Samantha still answer with her mumblings. In the end, i end up postponing to answer to next year.

The truth is, i dont know the answer. I dont know how people evaluate their relationship. Am i happy with him? Sometimes yes, sometimes no. See? Nothing is certain. In life. Except death. Maybe i should list the pros and cons. Let relationship be the defendant, Mr. Boyfriend will be the Defender, and I am the Prosecutor. But that is not fair either, because I always win. Dont believe? Ask Ally McBeal.

Or maybe i should do this the engineers' way. Do some investigation, collect data, calculation, and in the end pick what ever is effective and economic. Translate to more humane language, cheap and good to go. The term of "cheap" should be about my financial interest. So is it cheap, yes it's very cheap. But is it good to go? I'm afraid not. The engine is quite old and will require some maintenance here and there. When i say engine i don't mean Mr. Boyfriend's performance. He certainly don't have any problem in that area and i have nothing to complain.

So lets talk about Mr. Boyfriend here. Let me tell you about him. His look was a bit (0.01%) lower than average. But most importantly is that he is nice to me. In fact he is too nice. He always spoils me, not with luxury of course, but with kind gestures such as making sure that my refrigerator always full, cook nice dinner for me, surprised me by cooking lunch, sometimes wake up to find that breakfast is already served. And that 's not it. He is the only guy who have ever clean my apartment and do all my laundry. Imagine that you wake up one morning and saw the huge pile of 1 week dirty clothes was already washed clean and hanged for drying? Despite all that he got vices too. Mr. Almost Perfect Boyfriend is a heavy smoker. To kiss a smoker is a nightmare for me. And he is not the kind of person that which you can have a heart to heart session. If you are feeling low, don't bother talking to him because he will make you feel even worst. That is why I always call him "a mood spoiler". Talking to him will always let you down. The only nice conversation we ever had is through the phone. That is why sometimes being in this 5.2 years relationship can very lonely. So what it's gonna be? I think that i'm gonna pause here. We'll continue to talk about this maybe sometime somewhere in next year. For now, we'll just let it be.

High school

Today I got tagged in a high school class photos by an old friend of mine. We were classmate. We were in the same class. I'm not trying to talk cock but our class was considered to be the best in terms of brain during that era. Others could only dreamed to be part of the class. As for me, I always make sure that I would be in the top-3 of the class brain hierarchy. Why? Because I just simply love studying. I love learning something new. I indulged in my curiosity. I enjoy the feeling of satisfaction after understanding the problem. So back to the original topic, after everybody got tagged, all started commenting of how they long for that old time memories. I in my usual mode, never really cared to respond or add any further comments (unless it is something that I cannot ignore such as disturbingly cute kittens). Then after 10 or more comments added, this tagger start bitching about how some people in that class were not part of her happy memories. She claims that these people were not friendly, do not care to mix with others and finally sum up the year she spent in that class was not pleasant at all. She said that she rather and more happy to join other class. I know for sure that she is talking about me. Then sad thing is that I do not even remember who she is. I even tried looking at her new recent updated photos and compared to the class photo, I still could not tell which one is her. But in the end, after 2 hours guessing, narrowing and eliminating my guess I finally find out which one is she. To be frank I don't remember anything about her. In fact I think I barely speak more than 10 words to her in that class. I don't know why. But I'm not the type of people who discriminates others. In my defense, I have to study more than chit chatting. I was not born lucky, I don't have the privileges to enjoy high school. I sacrifice my youth in order to achieve what I have now. I'm not pretty, my family is not rich and I'm not born smart. Nothing infuriates me more that having people saying that I was lucky to be born with good brain. Nobody is naturally smart. 0 + 10 = 10. There is no way you could get 0 + 5 to equal 10. I believe that it is all about effort. I always get people asking what is my secret. There is no magic pill that make you smart instantly. The only ingredient is hard work. For me, I always see the Japanese as an example. I only sleep 4 hours every night. I get up at 4am to study and sleep at 11pm. I made sure that I have studied at least 10 hours a day. Not to include the normal school hours which from 7 to 12pm. Of course there were ups and downs in my journey. Even machines sometimes broke down. When I'm in my downs, I have my magic words something that goes like this, "the greats and heights of great man, were not attained by sudden flight, they while their companions asleep, were toiling upwards in the night".

So, I am kind of sad when she said that. It makes me feel that I'm the reason why she didn't enjoy high school. But I am not going to apologize for ruining her prime just because I want to have the last laugh. Strange isn't it, when you thought you were neutral, somewhere somebody is quietly hating you.

Anybody out there, who are dare to dream, don't stop. I dare you. Fight till the last drop of your blood. Because I tell you this, nothing of your sweats and tears will go wasted.

Hope

Look! There is my faith, at last

He come in a shinning armour

He ride on a white horse

Hold high his swords of thousand lights

Coming for me, just for me

Who should be Daniel Grigori?

I have been doing some thinking. In the end i decided that only the gorgeous Brad Pitt should be Daniel Grigori. Just look at him. He got the most perfect face that an angel could resent. And don't get me to start talking about his deep blue eyes. I bet angels should weep if they were to see those eyes drowned in tears.

I know that he maybe a little old for Daniel's character but that is not a problem at all. In fact, nobody know how angel should age. My point is if they can make Bruce Willis look 30 years younger in his Surrogates movie, then I'm sure they'll handle Brad Pitt easy peasy.

Not that I'm obsessed with Brad Pitt or anything, it's just to me that he got the most angelic face of all. I know there are a lot of other teenage star who are as good and talented as Brad such as Zac Efron, Robert Pattison, Daniel Radcliffe, and etc, but they all are just either cute or adorable.

And for Lucinda Price role, I have listed quite a few candidates but then it was so easy to eliminate them and finally come down to one and only Miss Peregrym. But this is not yet final. Missy would welcome anyone who wishes to be her contender. Unless you have that sweet innocent kind of gothic look like Missy please, i beg you, don't. I rather go hang myself than seeing Miley Cyrus play Lucinda. Or Megan Fox. No offence but she is so pretty (bit too much, i think!) and too exotic to play Lucinda.

By the way, Missy is a Canadian actress. She starred in this new series called Rookie Blue. I have yet to check that one out.

Torment

My pre-order book from mphonline has finally arrived. And now i'm halfway to finishing the book. The story is so addictive. Lauren Kate is so brilliant and talented. I'm pretty sure that soon her book will be put into motion picture.

Oh my. I don't want to flip open the final page. I want to keep on reading this book like forever. But then there will be a third sequel called PASSION will be available only on Summer 2011.

So, Lauren, please hurry up!

Knight and Day

I never noticed that Tom Cruise is actually very very very good looking until i watch this movie. As for Cameron Diaz i never realize that her eyes are blue till now. Really blue like ocean blue. I did not seem to remember what color Toms' eyes are, because i was too distracted by his awesomeness. This movie definitely in my top-10 lists. When i say top-10 means that this is the kind of movie which i would watch over and over again. It's EVERGREEN.




Never mind Diaz's sweaty armpits. Just don't ruin this moments.

Contentment

Yesterday evening, i saw this view on my way home after work. I cannot help but to slow down and parked at the road side to capture this view and immortalized it in this blog.



Automatic mode shot



Night mode shot

Hypocrite

Maybe i am..

This morning when my friend tell me about her backpacking adventures around Europe i find myself secretly envying her. Some people are just born lucky. She is pretty. She got the brain. As soon as we graduated she quickly get a job with 5 figures salary. And she live her life like a star.

Can you blame me for being green?

Every time i heard others stories of traveling, i feel the excitement to travel. Then the typical stupid me went to purchase air tickets and hotel in advance. And then usually i bailed on 50% of the trip i planned. And when the trip goes well, being in a foreign place, strangers around me, language i do not understand, writings i cannot read, foods i do not know..could be very lonely. I often enjoy the first 2 days on the trip. After that, i started to miss home. I would miss my bed, my cat, my car, my tv, my computer, the pathway where i usually walk, the food that i everyday took. That is why i could never understand why some people could spend half of the year traveling the globe. And i'm dying to understand them. For me the perfect holiday would be to stay at home, eat, sleep, watch tv, playstation, wii nintendo, play with my cat, reading, tv, eat, and sleep until my head hurts.

My cousin used to call me an anti-social. It's because i always try to avoid meetings with people. I don't like to attend gatherings and i hate partys. I never had a birthday party thrown for me. Sad right? But don't be. I like it that way. I choose it to be like that. My mother is the opposite of me. She loves to party. Once, she even tried to throw a birthday party for me but then i managed to disappear with the cake. So, no birthday girl, no cake means no birthday party, only a party, without me. But i'm not a total party-hater. I usually go to New Year party (my fav), chirstmas, company's annual dinner (it's compulsory), and all good friends parties.

So, back to the original topic. I have another trip planned next month in end of October. This time my journey would be from Sandakan - Kuala Lumpur - Yogyakarta - Bali - Kuala Lumpur - Sandakan. I know for sure that this one gonna be a tiring trip.

After that, i have 3 more trips to go. December in Bandung, January in Jakarta and April in Manila. 2 of those 3 is strictly business.

And then, this morning i received an email from AirAsia which goes like this..Moshi Moshi Japan!





What the hell ?!!!!

!@#$%^&*!!!!!

Seriously?!!