Hong Kong Streets...

It was just recently that I have came back from HK - and whilst I was there for business (and not pleasure *sigh*) for just a day (and the night before) I managed to catch some pictures of the streetlife in this vibrant metropolis.

The following four pictures shows not the glittering towers of glass and steel but rather the gritty streets of the Kowloon area - where tradition and neon lights meet in equal measure...

A snapshop of a typical 'chinese medical hall' which can be found all along Nathan Road - in particular the near the Jordan MTR station.

Traditional Bamboo Scaffolding is still very much in use in the city centre - it is amazing how high these scaffoldings go!

Neon & Traffic along the busy Nathan Road - At night it is a riot of colours

A Bird's Nest store just across from our hotel...

Relieved...

Liverpool 4 - Marseilles 0

*Phew* *grin*

Thank goodness - we are past the group stages...

Dubious Food?...

While slowly exploring the night scene along the Bund (Pudong side) in Shanghai in my recent trip - my eye caught what I would best describe as a 'dubious' food establishment...

In actual fact, according to my colleague, it is a famous HK dessert place - called Hui Lau Shan (or Xu Liu Shan in mandarin) - however the lack of maintenance on the sign makes it a much more sinister place.

I LAU SHAI??? OMG!!! (Hokkien for I am going to get the sh*ts)

Fear traverse down my spine, and a cold cold feeling crept up my back (which incidentally was a cold gust of wind...) Girding my heart, we trundled up the path to meet our destiny... Shakesphere comes to my head...

To Lau Shai or NOT to Lau Shai - that is the question...

*In actual fact, the food there was perfectly nice, perfectly hygienic & perfectly safe...* *grin*

Photograph taken at night, Pudong (South) Bund, Shanghai, China

Here I am to worship...

It has been ages since I have committed a post to worship. Worship can come in many forms - praise & worship (singing), prayer as well as the things we do daily. In that vein, Lord, please accept my humble worship in the pictures I took of your wonderful creation...

Sunset @ Damai Laut Resort, Lumut, Malaysia

Light of the World
You stepped down into darkness
Opened my eyes,
let me see
Beauty that made this heart adore You
Hope of life spent with You

The sun setting behind Thirasa from Imerovigli (on Santorini)

Here I am to worship
Here I am to bow down
Here I am to say that You're my God
You're altogether lovely,
altogether worthy,
altogether wonderful to me

Late afternoon sun @ the 12 Apostles at Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia

King of all days,
oh so highly exalted
Glorious in heaven above,
humbly You came to the earth You created
All for love's sake became poor

Evening sky upon St. Mark's Square, Venice with the roof of the Basilica di San Marco a Venezia on the left and the Campanile on the right.

Here I am to worship
Here I am to bow down
Here I am to say that You're my God
You're altogether lovely,
altogether worthy,
altogether wonderful to me

Dawn clouds over Genting Highlands from Awana Resort

I'll never know how much it cost,
to see my sin upon that cross. (Rpt x5)

Evening sun over a chapel on the cliffside @ Skaros, Santorini

Call upon the name of The Lord and be saved... (Rpt x8...)

Sunset over Middle Island on Stingray Bay (Southern Ocean), Warrnambool, Victoria

All I can say is that Lord, you are indeed the light of the world - and your beauty and the beauty you sculpted is beyond words and descriptions...

...the lure of the sea

I must go down to the sea again,
to the lonely sea and the sky;
and all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by.
-John Masefield

Photograph taken in Ayodya Resort, Bali, Indonesia

...Roses

What's in a name?

That which we call a rose

By any other name would smell as sweet

- William Shakesphere, Romeo & Juliet

Photograph taken in Hotel G, Galway, Republic of Ireland

...Thin Gray Line...

Alrite, alrite - I shall admit it...

Yours truly, the rabid cow is a sucker for... yeap - you guessed it...

Fairytales
Indeed, I think I have a remarkable appetite for fairytales and a remarkable capacity to want to believe in them.

It was rather unsettling - as you know most 26 year olds usually consider themselves beyond the age of fairytales... but I have had almost 8 hours to think about it as I travelled between Paris and KL just earlier today (yes - I am back in KL).

Flying Singapore Airlines for the 1st time in yonks - I was treated to the new Krisworld entertainment system (which is miles better than MAS Select!!!) of which I happen to choose the movie "Stardust"

It was a simple tale - one of which I could predict the ending from a mile away... a story of a hapless hero becoming a seasoned prince in shining armour, falling in love (not with the lady he intended to marry) with a heroine-damsel in distress... escaping from evil princes, dark witches... running into honourable buccaneers... with magic, warped realities and falling stars thrown in with equal measure...

In all honesty, the simple story somehow affected me deeply. The clear delineation between evil and good - no grey areas, just black and white that is ever present in fairytales seems to appeal to me at the moment (or rather all my life).

It is this almost far-fetched simplicity that makes fairytales... not the unicorns, flying ships or hidden princes... not the beautiful princesses, perpetually honourable handsome princes and impossibly tall palaces and castles. The essence of fairytales that set them apart from reality is the fact that good and evil are so tangible and clear cut. Reality is so much different - half of the time I question whether my actions, be it at work, in my family, in romance and relationships are right or wrong... it seems that my life is painted more grey than anything else, with murder, pillage and plunder the black band on the far end, prayer, church and respect the white bar on the other end.

Watching this refreshingly simple tale made me wish and pray that one day that the life I choose to live will have more black and more white - with only a Thin Grey Line seperating them. That this confusion I seem to be always in on recent days be in the past.

*sigh* Fairytales...
If only...



If only life was that simple.

and everyone can live... Happily Ever After

The above pic is actually taken in my office of one of my 'castles' to test out my new 50mm lenses :)

More travelling...

Greetings from Changi Airport - in transit on the way to Paris CDG... this time in a way for work (or rather babysitting) @_@

Hope I can put up pictures (as I always promise but fail to deliver)... *sigh* I don't know why but a sense of foreboding depression seems to have crept into my outlook as I look into the faceless mass of travellers in Changi...

A nagging questions begs to be answered...

Everytime I came into an airport the feeling is different - as well as the outlook, the opinions and the state of mind. The last time I transited Changi - it was almost 1+1/2 years ago on the way to Frankfurt. I realised that since my dreams have been amended, my prose of life have been edited... my outlook irrevocably changed, my heart have shifted...

The only thing that seems the same - is that I have yet to find the purpose of my life...

Man, I am bloody depressing...

:P

Not Another Traffic Post...

Really... this is not another traffic post :)

A close friend of mine, Fergs (GCB) happen to mention today that my blog is starting to sound like roadkill central - so I will take up his suggestion to post some piccies up.

Well, now that I went back to my photos - I realised that there has been a tremendous backlog of pictures I have not yet 'processed' - reaching back to January!!! So here is some pictures from June-July 2007...


Street Fellowship
The WAJR cell visited the Street Fellowship on Petaling Street (or rather very close to Petaling Street)...

The Street Fellowship in Petaling Street

Reena leading worship in 3 languages (or rather 4 languages if you count dialects)

God's presence was in the house!

"You are my everything... You are my Lord..."

YJ sharing...

Cell Leader FY leading Word Study

Nightscapes in KL & Putrajaya
This is a random selection of nightscapes around Putrajaya and KL taken between June and July 2007...

The fountain located in front of the Putrajaya Mosque

One of the bridges leading to the administrative centre of Putrajaya

KLCC Fountain at dusk

Everything...

Well, its 2:08 am but I am still wide awake - the aftermath of too much coffee and a drink with my very old frens Yin & Su-Li...

Checking my email just b4 bed - I came across a site that is worth visiting - Godtube with a video that touched my heart tremendously...

It is from a song called 'Everything'... and I would like to thank God for allowing for such creativity to spread his message as well as people like Reena (which I got the mail from) for spreading it...

It truly touched me.

Of Trust... and Friendship

I have around 5 minutes to write (my own allotment - I need to sleep in 5 minutes to wake up around 4:40 am tomorrow (or rather later today)... but somehow I need to have a release from the fright I just had.

It was raining heavily and as I was proceeding back home - I ran into a partial accident - partial that nothing much was affected - accident that my car received a knock... It is all attributed to my tiredness *sigh*

I literally press the accelerator when I went over a bump - instead of the brake - dun know why I did it - but it was scary. I knocked some thingy over (thank God it is not a wall) and went over the bump in a crash... the rain was not helping... so basically I hit the undercarriage of the car, and swipe my bumper... no biggie - except that I am now worried about leaving early tomorrow to Singapore.

Thus, I am sleeping at home - not over at a friend's. Because I need my sleep and to calm my nerves. I just need to be trusted to turn up at the appointed time (5:45am) and proceed down to Sg. So... I go to bed with this prayer.

Lord,
Grant me peace and calm my nerves. Let me have a good sleep so that I may be refreshed on the morning.
Grant me strength and the ability to wake up early tomorrow... and grant me the will to fulfill my friend's trust in me.
Grant us journey mercies and safe passage... and protect us from all harm.
This I pray in the name of Christ Jesus.
Amen!

A friend once quoted to me - "Relationship is all about trust..." So is friendship...
So Lord, please please help me out!

A Crime Story... in living daylight

I received this email today from a close friend of mine working at a company in Petaling Jaya. So, anyone reading this - especially ladies - please take NOTE!!!

My boss almost kena carjacked yesterday. She sent out an email to the entire department telling her story - as a caution to all single women drivers. It sounds damn scary. Can not imagine what I'll do if I was in her position. I've pasted her email here in its entirety. Girls, please be careful and be wary of your surroundings - bad things can happen DAY OR NIGHT - bad guys don't CARE anymore.

Here, her email:

Colleagues,i was chased and attacked by a group of men in 2 cars trying to hijack my car in the afternoon yesterday. I was driving my husband's car alone on my way back from mid valley at about 4.30pm and only noticed these 2 cars as I was turning left into jalan beringin, damansara heights. They came awfully close and fast which I thought strange as it was a residential area and full of road humps.

Then the first car (which was a E class Mercedes) came to my side and the passenger (had a policeman's hat but not in uniform) had a walkie talkie and was gesturing for me to stop. When I didn't, he overtook and parked in front of me and the second car (which was the new 3 series BMW) was parked right behind me. the guy came up to my window and using his walkie talkie again, was frantically asking me to wind down - it was that split second that I realized that they weren't undercover cops (yes sounds silly now when one is rational!) and I just reversed and drove off. Both cars were chasing me trying to swerve and corner me.

I was stopped 3 times by them - the second time was the road downhill between SC and the Science Centre and the same guy from the Merc came out - this time with a parang. I reversed as far as I could - these people were definitely professionals and didn't want their cars damaged cos everytime I reversed, the bmw at the back also reversed. I thought I'd be safe going onto a public road so I went on the sprint highway - they continued to chase and managed to stop me again- and I was on the fast lane of sprint highway (right between the SC and Bukit Kiara) and there were plenty of traffic - and this time - they parked so close to me - one in front and one at the back and the guy with the parang came out and this time was smashing with full force at my driver's seat window. Another guy came from the black bmw and started hitting on my passenger seat window - there were plenty of cars but no one stopped or honked despite seeing these 2 men smashing my car. I just reversed not caring if my car got knocked and trying to get some space so that I can drive out and finally managed to. I lost them when I turned onto jalan damansara highway.

It is absolutely traumatizing as I, like many, only read about this.. but the audacity and desperation for them to be doing this in broad daylight and at such a public place is unimaginable. I am so thankful that I am ok but I have to write this because i know many of us take it for granted that it would not happen to us.. but it has happened and it will happen again.

Please please be careful - one can never be vigilant enough. you've read it all:

1. ladies - don't drive home alone at night - they will target women driving alone - day or night.

2. don't stop when you're being chased

3. know that they're not the real cops when the proper police cars are not being used

I was given this no. by the inspector - 2274 4465 - it's the Bilik Gerakan in Brickfields and if you think you're being followed or chased - call this no. and they will send a mobile team who's nearest to where you are.

Needless to say - I am appalled by this happening - and that the fact that no one even attempted to help this lady... The least we can do is to honk or CALL THE POLICE ON HER BEHALF. SO EVERYONE - take the number 2274 4465 down or just dial plain old 999.

Remember - Safety demands our eternal vigilance... same as Freedom :)

Stupid... Stupid.... STUPID

I really don't understand Malaysia sometimes...

A friend of mine just got rammed but an idiotic driver at KM 29.9 of the Sg Besi Expressway... which is just NORTH of Putrajaya and NORTH-EAST of Kajang... But, it appears that it belongs to the Sepang district of the Royal Malaysian Police...

She went down to Putrajaya - and was turned away and SENT TO SALAK TINGGI. OMG!
Salak Tinggi is SOUTH of Putrajaya and SOUTH-EAST of Kajang... why not to a nearer police station?

This is just another sign of the utter bureauCRAPcy and red tape of Malaysia today? When will we get a reprieve?

I do have to say that I was impressed with the RMP when I made my report in Kajang over an accident (I got hit by a mosquito... aka motocycle) - I just have to wait 4 hours for my turn (buka puasa was in the way - understandable...) and got my report done in just under an hour...

Which makes me the lucky one...
At least I am not being sent on a wild goose case to tiny towns in the Selangor hinterland... we need to rationalise... really do...

I hope that one day I can report a traffic accident at any police station - no matter where my accident occured...

*sigh*

...Passionate about everything... and nothing at all

I always fail in the concept of consistency...
My heart and mind are both inconsistent...
Within and without...

I am inconsistent in my blogging
in my philosophy...
in my interest...

I am scientific, yet kinda artsy
I define idealism - yet I compromised faith and principles
I strode down the path of righteousness, yet dogged by side trips into the alleyways of the wicked...

I love moderation, yet excited by radicalism
I am a capitalist - yet I hold social ideals
I belong in the world of western thought and western ways - but cling to my eastern tradition and long for equilibrium in the eastern thought

I love the morning, adore the night
I quote shakesphere, wilde, virgil and confucius - but expresses profanities to many who crosses me in my path
I listen to Rachmanikov, Beethoven & Dvorak - together with Metallica, Beyond & Pink
I believe in ascendency of humanity, but worry about our godlessness
I revel in high technology - but feel comforted by simple pen and paper

I attend church and go to cell - but lives in a house of idols, alone in the darkness
I speak of christian principles, yet conveniently forget them when it suits me
I shout for the Lord to come on Sundays, but have no time for Him from Mondays to Saturdays...

I am confident, yet holds a great doubt in my heart
I am filial - giving up my dreams for my family, but holds them responsible for the destruction of my aspirations
I love to be challenged by my companion, but longs for someone who accepts my every move
I am capable of great love, but I fear the darkness I can bring to bear

I am inconsistent... ever changing...
Without root - without foundation...

Who am I? What am I?
I am human... and my heart is heavy
I am human... but my arms are tired
I am human... with a million opposing thoughts clashing in my head...

But in this clarity of the night - in this moment of despair... one thing rings out that comforts me...

"LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." -Psalm 18:2

Amen.

...Through Heathrow in different eyes

The bane of all travellers...
A zone of paranoid security,
A locale of smug, petty power hungry more British than the British immigrant officers,
A mad disorganised chaotic nightmare...
Heathrow Airport

But this time I travel through this place via different eyes...

On the way back from my brief (although not altogether happy) respite in the Mediterrainean - swinging through the most 'stoic' and classical of cities - Athens, then the raw volcanic beauty tempered by romantic quaintness that is Santorini, ending with the bustling Renaissance city of Venice... I finally got what I wanted...
The claiming of points for an upgrade to Business Class...

And it make hell a lot of difference...
Check-in in less than 15 minutes (instead of the usual 1 hour)
Whizzing thru security in 10 minutes (instead of the usual 30 minutes)
Now having internet access from the lounge...
(This is despite the fact I landed into London at 2pm plus and having so little time (even to enter London to visit favourite haunts and friends - waited for check-in for 4 hours)
For once, I actually enjoy going through Heathrow...

But it is with a rather depressed attitude and mood that I am flying directly into a storm brewing in Malaysia - @ work, @ home and personally...

But nevertheless - I am going to savour all I can from these 14 hours... *grin*

Greetings from Santa Irini

*grin*
Am writing from a cybercafe in Santorini - am here because the taxi stand has a major argument - or rather a major jam...

it appears that some people were jumping queue and the cab driver go prissie *grin*

Will be in Venice tomorrow... hope to write then - promising pictures of Athens and Santorini over the week (I hope)

...commitments & obligations...

Once again I am using this space to express emotions and feelings that are best left in the woods... but this seems - in the darkest of nights, in this most gloomy of morning - the one and only recourse.

My thoughts span the world... from Ireland to Melbourne, from Kuala Lumpur to Eberbach in Germany, from Bangi to Shah Alam, from Damansara to Bukit Jalil (yeah... not really spanning the world - but close enough)... Life is indeed complicated.

God tells us that we cannot serve two masters - that we are not of this world but only living in it for His name. But it is the world part that gives me the biggest problems - as both my heart & head is serving two masters at the same time. I don't want to explain the salient details - nothing juicy about it but family, career & love occupies most of my mind at the moment.

Funny enough - it is the physical pain in my stomach when I woke up this morning that set my mind clearer today than it was yesterday. I made up my mind this morning to be fair to all that is involved and but with a difference... I need to do it in my own way and by my own judgement and my own desires and dreams. I will not abandon anyone or anything and will not regret anything that has happened since last Friday and Saturday. I will only look onto God for guidance - and for the next three weeks I need to set my mind free to think about everything and everyone, and make my decision solely on His wisdom and strength...

Sounds easy enough - but it will be the hardest thing I have ever done in my life - It will be hard to acknowledge that only God is my helmsman and let him steer the ship but I shall pray thus...

Lord, lead me to a quiet place with no distractions, remove my hands from the tiller - pry if away if you need to... and steer this lost ship to the shores of Your KINGDOM - so that I can be whole again and bring abundance and grace to everyone - just as I have Your grace and Your abundance.

And all God's people say... AMEN!!!

Contrarians...

Time is long overdue for me to rant about Malaysians - but this time I would like to highlight two equal and opposite incidents of Malaysians in traffic.

Firstly - its about this gentleman in Petaling Jaya. I saw his grace while being stuck on the LDP in the morning. This guy - who was driving down a side road actually stopped - got down from his car to help an old lady who was trying to cross the road carrying a very large shopping bag. He actually stopped his car in the middle of the road (of course there were no cars behind him) and help the lady by taking the bag into the lady's house. I do not know if they know one another - but this kind of behaviour is what our country needs - not the ridiculous scenario I will rant about in 2 minutes. (of course he could be robbing the old lady - but I doubt it :P)

Now, on the contrary - I present the story of Mr Chow Ah Beng and Ms Chow Ah Lian in Bukit Jalil. There was a police roadblock in front of the National Stadium. This roadblock was temporary to facilitate traffic from the stadium (due to an AFC Cup match - quarters or semis - can't remember). Now Mr Chow insists that he can go straight - even with the gesturing of the police for him to turn or u-turn. Ms Chow, with her fake blond locks and what can be best described as a 'tu-lan' face emerged from the little Punto she and her Ah Beng boyfren was holding up traffic with and started arguing with a traffic cop - which looks like he was about to pull out a gun to shoot her (too bad he did not). The cop insisted no way that they could go straight - so Ms Chow returned to her car - AND THEY DID NOT MOVE. Meanwhile, all the cars - who want to follow the policeman to turn or u-turn was honking and flashing for this small annoying little Chow Punto to move out of the way. It took around 4-5 minutes of honking, flashing and gesticulations before they deigned to move the 1 meter it needed for traffic to flow.

After I made the U-turn, I can see that traffic was backed up for almost 2 km because of our dear Mr & Ms Chow.

Amazing how much you remember about the bad - and how vague the good sounds :P

Contrarians indeed...

Think before you build...

Hmmm...

What is flesh/cream coloured...

Comes in Pairs...

Looks perky and rather sharp...

Topped with sharp brown tips?

The answer often surprise you...

Come on architects - you can do better than that! There are kids about... Taken outside Sunway Pyramid...

Of Rocks & Hard Places...

Its 2.30am and I am still unable to sleep...

Things seem to have gotten more difficult lately - and I am increasingly being caught between (a rock and a hard place) x1000 times. And this happen everyday!

Why is it so difficult you may wonder?
Why does things sound so bleak?
or rather so depressing...

All I can say is that the worst problems in this world are those that have multiple reasons requiring multiple solutions to the satisfaction of multiple parties. Most of all it means a slow and painful journey towards what potentially be a dark deep bottomless abyss...
It means that everyone will not be happy... whatever the outcome you get...

It means that you are caught between worlds... between the hammer and the anvil. Knowing that the pain and end is coming - but unable to do anything about it...

In support of an old friend...

*holding bated breath*

I did not have the time to blog since last week - mainly due to some commercial related problems and also family matters (somehow both are interlinked...)

But in this day, at this time I am waiting for news for the release of a very old school friend - Nat of which I have been monitoring his progress via the website of both his younger sis and girlfriend...

I hope everything will be fine buddy - and thanks for reminding us to hold to our principles, ideals and views! Although I have never supported Keadilan (and unlikely I ever will...), I really do hope that this unpleasant situation is cleared up and support your release!

*breaking news*
As I was typing this (yes - it took me around 4 hours to do so - being at work and having meetings) - Nat has been released from custody but will be due for a revision tomorrow! *grin*

*smile*

*Cracked*

Well - all I can say is that today is an eventful day... 1st we managed to get (or rather the registration and hosting of... not the actual contents) http://www.themakingofsherlynchua.com/ online but I also ran smack into the side of a wall, literally - almost surely concussing my head in some way or the other...

It was just a direct 'crack' and now I have a beautiful bump around an inch and a half above my forehead just above the hairline.... I just hope I have not demolished any part of my frontal lobe - but then... it would not make me any more insane rite?

Maybe I am just a wee bit paranoid - after consuming the entire Season 2 of House... *sigh* *ouch*

Coming out of mourning...

Today is a similar day to when I heard the news of your passing, grandma... it was overcast and once again small droplets of rain fell from the sky.

Grandma, I will miss you and I will remember you in my heart always... You have indeed led a full and wonderful life and I am so blessed to have been under your guidance and your love.

Thank you - and I will try my best to live up to your expectations... and your legacy.

Baby on Board...

I am back... well - almost back (once again on a long blogging hiatus).

And rant I shall *grin*

It was in the traffic chaos in Seri Petaling a few days back when I noticed an amazing sight - of what is best described as an ironic parent - in a *drumroll* Kancil! (the quintessential malaysian crazy driver containing small excuse of a car)

This Kancil - proudly displaying the sign Baby on Board, with another bigger kid visible on the back seat (sandwiched between what appears to be his grandparents) and what appears to be a pregnant (or very fat, take your pick) wife, holding a baby in her arms - darted out illegally from a side road, travelled a short distance on the oncoming traffic lane and right into the small space in front of my car.

I think he should move the sign, right smack in front of his nose, to remind him that he has women and children on board - then maybe he would not be so gung-ho and trying to kill his entire family in one proud self destructive utterly Malaysian driver moment. Maybe then he can improve his sorry excuse of driving. But I digress.

I do not say that I am a saint on the road, or a really careful and law abiding driver - but the least they can do is to have some consideration to the safety of their own young families. Horror stories of an entire family of 8 or 11 in a terrible accident in a Kancil may be long and far in between but they do happen - and now I have a personal experience on how they could happen and why they happen... Irresposible parents and utter gross stupidity.

Really...

Of Old Friends... Part II

The blokes at the pharmacy @ Western. Basically the entire crew of the 2003/2004 batch with our preceptors.

Hmmm... What can I say - a bunch of inane huns at a barbie in Melbourne. Please note that Joshua is not really retarded - he is just really bored.

Me at the YAA Exhibition - no - I did not have a beer gut then... now it is different. Besides, we swept the YAA awards that year *grin* all the way to the national level. Really wonder how is everyone doing...

OMG - it is Brochure Boy and GrowthChart Man - somebody get the broomstick!

Vernon overseeing the bread haul at Pita Bread Bunch - we were about to distribute bread door-to-door at the Flemington Council Flats. I really miss those days *grin*

Sue Lee, Drey and Kai Kai at breakfast - somewhere on Smith street (I think) or maybe Nicholson. Man, Melbourne breakfasts are still the best!

Of Old Friends... Part I

26 and singing the blues... *grin*

As promised, I am putting up pictures of old friends and old memories... however, today I am rather not expressive - it just seems that I am having writing constipation... so I will just hurry right into the pictures and their captions...

Fireworks on the Southgate Bridge in Melbourne - this would be from New Year's - I think for 2005...

Joshua, Sean & Myself at the Mrs Macquarie's Chair - overlooking Darling Harbour, the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge. Sean should be in Melbourne still - hope all is swell and Josh - hope you are enjoying your exile in Adelaide - *smile* Spend more time with patients - not in Coonawarra.

The Cempakan Crew somewhere in a dodgy side street in Melbourne (circa 2005) Khoo (who was visiting at this time), Myself (no I am not trying to slap myself), Mindy, Yen, Jan, Sui San & Shins! Hope to see you guys (Khoo, Mindy, Yen) the next time I am in Melb!

Me and my housemates attempting to make the world's ugliest totem pole. From Top to Bottom is Jeremy, Carol and myself - attempting to look like an owl and just ending up looking like an absolute nutcase... Hey - Jeremy - we definately need to meet up!

Friends and former friends from the student council - this one taken in Brisbane for the conference there - should be in 2004. Left to Right - Ms Sheau, Leanne, Su-Li, FF#1, The former MSD Director for Australia, myself, Chris & Bel.

Me - in the faculty courtyard with Ryan and Wei Leong and in a horrible fake glasses. Someone stole my nose and beard... this was on 'muck-up' day - last day of our uni life - EVER!!!

More on the way *grin*

Old Song, Old Friends & Old Memories

It was a moment of the inane... or rather a moment of inactivity that triggered off a morning song trivia in the conference room... and it was an old old song from the past - I think almost 10 years ago that I can't seem to get out of my head. I brought back old memories & old friends - while I was revelling in the company of my new friend and colleague :)

Here it is... 朋友 (Friends)
For the benefit of my banana friends (you know who you are... and there is a lot of you guys :P) I will put the English translation on the side...

这些年 一个人 (All these years... alone)
风也过 雨也走 (the wind has passed, the rain is gone - basically there were storms)
有过泪 有过错 (there were tears, there were wrongs)
还记得坚持甚麽? (Can you remember what I am fighting for?)

真爱过 才会懂 (With True Love, then you will know...)
会寂寞 会回首 (..the meaning of loneliness, and you will reflect that in the end...)
终有梦 终有你 (there is your dreams, there is you...)
在心中... (in the heart)

朋友一生一起走 (Friends will walk together for a lifetime)
那些日子不再有 (The days of old is no longer here)
一句话 一辈子 (One Word... One Lifetime)
一生情 一杯酒 (Eternal Love... and a cup of wine)

朋友不曾孤单过 (Friends will never be lonely)
一声朋友你会懂 (Once you call out to them you will know)
还有伤 还有痛 (There were injuries... there was pain)
还要走 还有我... (But we will still have to walk... and I am always here)

My translation is rather liberal - but I do think it is more in the spirit of the song... I wonder where have all my old friends gone... friends from ACCF, from Uni, from Student Council, from Taylors, from Cempaka... from Penang, from KL, from Melbourne, from London... where are all of you...

I remember all the good times, and the bad... I remember all the things we did and I will always remember all of you...

*runs off to search hard disk for old pictures - will post them up over the week - so prepare to be embarassed!!!*

Upset?

Woke up this morning feeling upset... just don't know why?

Is it an after effect of the recent events? Today is after all Saturday - the 1st set of free time ever since the crazy events of the past two weeks...

Or is it my lack of enthusiasm at work? or my lack of ability to sleep well in the past couple of days? or that I just seem to make people upset - from family to friends to colleagues @ work?

I have a feeling that this may be the onset of depression... *sigh* nevertheless I know that He will comfort me in my time of need...

The LORD is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul:
he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Yea,
though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;
thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:
thou anointest my head with oil;
my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Psalm 23 (KJV)

One night in a lift...

It was late last night when we came back to our hotel (@ Gurney) from grandma's house. It was booming with music from the Chillout club next door and a wedding being conducted at the hotel ballroom...

We went to the lift, my brother and I, and after a significant wait - we boarded with a few others... but it was an interesting crew that got in - on the corner was a couple, dressed immaculately, the lady was dressed in white with lace and makeup while the guy was in a tuxedo with a red bow. Quite obviously from the wedding.

On the other corner was these two rather young beautiful girls - dressed to party - must be returning to the hotel from the club next door.

Then there was this old white couple, seriously tanned but dressed in a relaxing beachwear - looks like retirees on a holiday.

And us, my brother and I, dressed in white with black slacks - coming back from honouring our grandma at her funeral.

Two distinct occasions... a wedding and a funeral. Distinct age groups... different stories... all in one lift...

My RSD trained movie sense lit up!

...When it leaks, it pours...

Enough of ranting about the going ons back in Penang... however sad I may be or however angry I am - this mad cow still comments on politics - in particular when it shows that my fellow Malaysians are both racist and sexist!

You have gotta be kidding - that during VISIT MALAYSIA YEAR 2007 our HEADLINES say... Bank Withdraws 50% Bumiputera requirement for accounts & Let off despite ‘sexist’ remarks. I am a Malaysian Patriot to the boot and have always supported the government but sometimes - I just wonder... I really do...

To our beloved YBs from Jasin & Kinabatangan, just apologise for making such a sexist comment. How would you feel if Batu Gajah has replied glibly - like I would - watch my words "Maybe you are used to the leaks coz your mothers, wives and daughters leak every month as well!"

Such comments are not becoming of the people's representatives - whether in jest... and should never be uttered in the hallowed halls of this nation's centre of governance. Would any BN MP stand quiet if an opposition said that Dtk Rafidah or Dtk Ng Yen Yen? In this day and age - it is unbecoming...

"orang liar"????

Quite...

Madness? Craziness???

THIS IS MALAYSSIIIIAAAAAAAA!!!

Princes of Darkness... BEGONE!

Never was I this angry in a long while already... After all the years my family has contributed to temples - temple politics come to play @ grandma's funeral...

No idea what to make of it... it started like this - an 'abbot' of a temple in Penang of which my mum is a major contributor was supposed to come to 'pray' @ grandma's funeral but he is not totally free - he can't make it on Sat & Sunday... so another 'abbot' - this time from another temple of which my family is closely associated with offered to come on both days...

I can see that the family would be overjoyed - but when the 1st 'abbot' heard that the 2nd 'abbot' is coming - he said that now he is busy and is not coming. It appears that both temples have a vendetta or some crap like that... then the 2nd 'abbot' said that he better not come as it may cause another rift or some crap like that... So in the end - no 'abbot's are coming and the 2nd temple sent some others here to 'pray'... so in essence, both temples have left my grieving family to hang out dry over 'prayers'.

I am very angry - that these idiots dare use my grandma's funeral as a chip in their political game... these monks are truly 'princes of darkness'. Although I have came to the lord - I have nontheless maintained a healthy respect for temples and I have honoured my family's beliefs. From this day onwards - any temple are merely a tourist attraction in my book and I shall no longer abide by my family's donations to them...

In mourning...

Why is it seems like just yesterday that you held me on ur lap?
Why is it seems like just this morning you woke me up to watch you do taichi?

How is it that the years passed so fast - and that I grew out into the world and saw you less and less with each passing year...

What happened to watching 'Justice Bao' rented from an old video store down the road that has long been demolished?
What happened to walking with you to buy hawker food from the corner shop... that has also been cleared to build a new series of shop houses?
Or the times I waited with 2nd Aunt for you to finish your MCA meetings, usually eating Ice Cream Potong...

Why does it seem so empty this morning after I heard that you have passed on... Grandma, it was raining today - and it rained since yesterday night. I don't know if it was raining back in Penang or if you would have realised that it was raining even if it did... but it was raining... it was as if the sky was doing my crying for me...

I am so glad that I took the morning to visit you and talked to you this time when I went back to Penang - it has been so long since the last time I talked to you... and I will always feel sad that you were struck down with stroke 20 years ago... I only wish you could be with me when I travelled around the world, the places I have seen and the places I know you would have loved to see - for without you all this would not have been possible and I would not be the person I am today...

Grandma - farewell and goodbye... I love you...

New Life Memory Verse I...

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"
- 2 Corinthians 5:17, New International Version -

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things has passed away; behold, all things has become new"
- 2 Corinthians 5:17, New King James Version -

"若 有 人 在 基 督 里 ， 他 就 是 新 造 的 人 ， 旧 事 已 过 ， 都 变 成 新 的 了 "
- 2 Corinthians 5:17, Chinese Union Version (Simplified) -

Lord, I come to You in the name of Christ Jesus - our Lord and Saviour whom I adore... Lord, I thank You for this verse that reminds us of our new life - for it sets the tone for our life today. Lord, I thank You that in You, I am a new creation - an empty slate for You to work on, a canvas for You to paint in your image. I thank You for telling me the old me is gone - that You have taken my sins away at the cross. I thank You for giving me a new life...

Lord, I confess that I have been less than pristine in my new life - and that I have fallen well short of the mark You set before me. I confess that I have put good works before the understanding that Your grace is all I need - that my salvation is assured. I confess that I have put ministry above foundation and servanthood before sonship...

Lord, I thank you for this day - of all the wonderful things I have in life. I thank you for last wednesday - that I may once again sit beneath Your feet. I thank you for SIB, and for cell... for Fergus, for Hoong Fai - my fellow brothers walking with me in this path...

Lord, I pray that You will continue to shower Your blessings upon us - and that You will give me the strength and wisdom to continue to walk along this narrow path. I pray that you will constantly remind me that the life I have today is NEW and it belongs to YOU! That I am a new creation - that the OLD has GONE and the NEW has COME...

I am yours in Christ Jesus. Amen!

In the memory of Bacon...

And I am not referring to Francis Bacon... but rather - real bacon, succulent when fried, covered by a wonderful sheen of bacon oil... golden brown edges curled softly in the caressing heat of a not so non-stick pan.

Hmmm, I think food is featuring a bit too much in my life rite now - even under the close monitoring of various parties. *grin* The bacon I am referring to is the one so rapidly consumed @ vern's a few weeks back - ah, sweet sweet memories!

Anyway - for those with gastronomic inclinations (bordering on the oil soaked carnivorous nature) - the bacon was dearly bought from Uncle Ho's @ BSC having first being air flowned in across the Arafura Sea (from Australia!). So it was no mere pork - but rather a well travelled Aussie Pork! The cost of these 14 pieces? A mere RM74 *chokes*

Nevertheless it was well worth the price. Also as promised here are some pictures from the day...

A dramatic assembly of pork, eggs, more pork, mushrooms, pork again and veal...

(Clockwise) Vernon, Gordon, Fergus & Carol hard at work in the kitchen. This author/photographer slaved earlier over the bacon... and sausages (I have a nice little red mark on my throat that day to prove it - due to a flying vesicle of oil!)

One last longing look at the bacon - just prior to its initiation in the raging inferno... Fergus claims that this is one artistic piece of pork :)

Hitting the Dailies...

Today, the 1st (of a whole series of articles we hope) interview of RSD has been published on the New Straits Times (NST) *grin*

Read all about it HERE!!!
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Thursday/MoviesTheatre/20070502154244/Article/indexpull_html

Or alternatively - *grin* also get to know more about the movie at
http://redstreetdiner.blogspot.com

THIS IS ANFIIEEEEEELLLDDDDD!!!!

Liverpool 1 (4) - 0 (1) Chelsea (1-1 on aggregate)

Need I say more? Of course!

It was a messy and gritty game - as expected for a Chelsea - Liverpool encounter. We just lost 1-0 at Stamford Bridge last week but there is a difference...

Today we play in Anfield - with the Kop behind us. In the 22nd Minute, Agger scored a set piece by Gerrard from about 32 meters from the Chelsea goal (from the left hand corner). The rest of the game is a serious of high flying kicks and flailing arms... but in the end - Liverpool held to the very end.

So it went down the wire... 1-1 on aggregate at the end of extra time, Right to the Penalties and like in Istanbul, Liverpool pulled through...

Once again... we erupted in cheers as Liverpool now flies to Athens for Champions League GLORY. We have knocked Chelsea out of the competition THREE TIMES!!! So I write this entry at 6am... Madness?

NOOOOOO!

THIS IS ANNNNNNFIIIIIIEEEELLLLLLLLDDDDDD!!!

Hmmm - I think I need counselling :P

Breakfast @ Vernony's

After the lameness of the above title - I have no choice but to further this totally pointless activity...

I love V for Vendetta... It was one of the most interesting movie I have watched recently - and of all things this line - of which V spewed out during his 1st contact with Evey...

"But on this most auspicious of nights, permit me then... to suggest the character of this dramatis persona.

Viola! In view a humble vaudevillian veteran, cast vicariously as both victim and villain by the vicissitudes of fate. This visage, no mere veneer of vanity, is it vestige of the vox populi, now vacant, vanished.

However, this valorous visitation of a by-gone vexation, stands vivified, and has vowed to vanquish these venal and virulent vermin van-guarding vice and vouchsafing the violently vicious and voracious violation of volition.

The only verdict is vengeance; a vendetta, held as a votive, not in vain, for the value and veracity of such shall one day vindicate the vigilant and the virtuous.

Verily, this vichyssoise of verbiage veers most verbose, so let me simply add that it's my very good honour to meet you and you may call me V."

This is probably one of my favourite move line sequences of all time… and one that some emulation would be really fun…

YES - I TOOK the TIME to write THIS... :P

So I verily say to you that on this most rainless of days, permit me then – your most rabid of cows – to suggest the events of this morning’s rampant rampage of ravenous humans upon poor bacon rashers rinds and all…

This rambunctious demolition of rations, however, is not a mere random event of rapid consumption without thought of its ramifications; it is rather a rigorous practice of a rare and relaxing act – a release shall we say, a refreshment from the regulated rituals of our daily grind – that from hence forth need to be religiously celebrated with regularity.

The only reason for caution therefore is to remember the need for rest and reclination after today’s ravishment - a moment of retreat shall we say of our raging cholesterol levels – a month at least of rehabilitation to allow the regeneration of our reliable and required organs.

Readily shall I now remove my ridiculous and reprehensible fixation with the letter R and let me simply add that this morning’s breakfast is simply delightful – better than any reputable restaurant – and I relish every moment of it!

PS: Pictures of the breakfast will be up soon - just as soon as I figure out what is wrong with my server... cheers!

Overcoming 300...

Overcoming 300?

What? You say? That this rambling mad cow is somehow interested in a movie featuring men with overly expressive musculature? Crazy? Madness?


Say it! Say THIS IS MADNESS!!! You know you want to... SAY IT NOW!!!


NO THIS IS NOT MADNESS...


This is MADCOWAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!


*sigh*
You get the picture...
It is not a beautiful side - rather it is kinda... mad...


Like many others - I am now bitten by the 300 bug... (If you have not you MUST read Amir Hafizi's blog @ www.amirhafizi.blogspot.com or directly to HERE or HERE) and I have gradually been sucked into what is best known as 300 lameness...


of course - fueled by our very own GCB... if you don't believe me - go have a look at Mr Prata here... or rather at this beautiful gif sent to my email just early this week...




















Just to clarify... I don't think this is funny - but rather hilarious and kinda trying to my poor victims... however, God provided me with many opportunities to practice my rather childish fascination of all things 300... Read on...


Occasion 01
Location: Office
Victim: Poor Dear Dear Nutritionist with my company...

The Premise: Bad day in the office... busy - I act crazy
The Result:
"Errr... crazy..."
"No not crazy... Mad"
"Nooooo"
"Say it - say that I am MAD!!! Say that THIS IS MADNESS"
"ok... this is madness"
"Noooooo - THIS IS SPAAAARTTTAAAAA"


Occasion 02
Location: Office next to my office
Victim: Poor company secretary

The Premise: She asked for it
The Result:

"Hey - don't u think the weather is crazy?"
"Not really - I think it is MAD"
"Ya lor.... this a madness... so much rain"
"Hahahhaha - NOOOOOO - THIS IS MALAYSIAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA"


Occasion 03
Location: In KLCC waiting to pay for parking
Victim: Dear friend and colleague

The Premise: Long day at KLCC - many people gathering around autopay machines... 1 was broken
The Result:

"Wah - so many people... this is madness"
"THIS IS KAY-EL-SEEEEE-SEEEEAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRR!!!"


Occaision 04
Location: Office building next to my office building
Victim: Nobody yet - but soon

The Premise: Idiots next door makes noise about us parking on our own premises... basically playing politics...
The expected result:

Mad Cow gets annoyed... rams into the behind of the COO and the CEO's car... screams... yells... takes out weapons...

"Nooooo - what you are doing is madness...."
"HAHAHHAHAHA - THIS IS MADNESS??? THIS IS PAYBACK YOU F*$&KAAAAAAAA!!!!"

"Tonight we dine in hell...."


I rest my case... I am mad
Say it... say it - SAY IT!!! - I know you want to....

Say that I am MAD... SAY THAT THIS IS MADNESS

"THIS IS THE MAD COOOOOOWWWWAAAAAA!!!!"

Today I am a true Malaysian Driver...

Often was the question asked? What makes you a true Malaysian Driver?

Is it the deft touch of the wheel when you swerve through traffic jams? Is it the constant speeding on clear highways at night? Is it getting parking tickets? What about a brush with the law?

The obvious answer is... all of the above!

Today I am now a trueblood Malaysian driver!

I started by swerving in and out of traffic... RM430.00 to get new wheels (of course I am polite and put on the indicator)

Then I speed on highways at night... and in the day... RM150.00 for a speeding ticket

Which was followed by a parking ticket of which I ignore... RM30.00 (this was in PJ btw and I was only 5 minutes late to my car!)

Finally today I feel complete... RM100.00 to be forced to bribe the police (he asked for it!)

Being a true Malaysian DRIVER!!!... Priceless... :P

This is how it went down...
0915 AM: Southern KL-Selangor border... Picked up handphone to call waiting colleague in town around vicinity
0916 AM: Spotted Police
0917 AM: Car was stopped
0918 AM: Police inspects IC and Drivers License and proceed to whip out his summons book
0920AM: Still looking at summons book
0922 AM: "Encik, you tahu tak sekarang you akan kena RM300 untuk saman?"
0922 AM: *pause*
0923 AM: "Yes sir... I know - sorry, so how can I pay saman ini?
0924 AM: *pause*
0925 AM: "Sekarang pun boleh... you kerja mana?"
0925 AM: "Around here - picking up colleague saja - sorry - rushing for time"
0926 AM: "Ok... Ikut saya"
0927 AM: Follows Police into back lane behind a couple of shops... cue onlookers... cue chirping birds. Stops...
0930 AM: "Ok tuan..." writes down name and address on blank paper... looks really busy... onlookers look away
0933 AM: "Tuan nak saya bantu tak? Berapa? Senang sahaja... I boleh ambil you punya saman now... 1st time? RM 100 boleh..."
0934 AM: Whips out wallet and gave him RM100
0935 AM: "Ok - next time jangan ok?" returns license and IC... smiles... get on bike... zooms off...
0936 AM: Becomes true blood Malaysian driver...
0937 AM: Picks up colleague
0940 AM: Feels guilty to have been forced to bribe a law enforcement officer
0941 AM: Curse Malaysia
0942 AM: Decides to go back to Australia
0943 AM: Decides to stay back in Malaysia... hey... Malaysia! Apa-apa pun Boleh!!!!

...of blogs and of lack of activity *sigh*

...

Once again I have realised the complete and utter lack of activity on my blog - and since November!

Of late I have been bitten by the writing bug again - but as one of my closest friends said... "I am tired of checking your blog for updates - so inconsistent!"

*grin*

Well - Life is like a box of chocolates... u never know when the mad cow is gonna blog...
I promise to do more... I really do