Post Singapore (2)

I've about halfway thru my assignment already, yiippee! So I can blog some now.

The Aeroline bus from Menara Axis was cool. Really. The driver and his "cabin crew" were professionally dressed in suits. The seats were really comfy spacious leather, with a little fold-out table. They served juice, coffee, tea, and a light breakfast meal on the way there, and a light dinner on the way back. They give you warm blankets for the night journey. Little pillows are supplied. They have a general tv screen for everyone. And, they have a private tv screen in the lower deck at the lounge area where you can choose your own choice of movie to play. Cool.

They used the 2nd link, so we arrived in Singapore after about 5 1/2 hours. But the return journey took only 4 1/2 hours.

About the 2nd link, remind me next time never to use the 2nd link when coming back from Singapore. The 2nd link is really dead, it feels and looks like no man's land. No one there at all. But that's not why I hate that place. The stupid stewpid Customs officer confiscated my FHM Singapore mag!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And it was brand new, still in its silver wrapping (because it had the 100 sexiest women in this issue)! I was so not ready for them to check my bag, I actually totally forgot they do that, because I usually use the JB link and all I do there is walk past the Customs officer. Urgh - so remember never to use 2nd link if you've bought too much new clothes or new shoes or mags considered to be porn-ish. Stewpid officer, no, officers, because they also took my friend's FHM & Maxim.

Next time it happens (if it does), I'll be ready with scissors to snip off the mag before I hand it over to them.

Post-Singapore

Too many things at once.

Fantastic opportunity in Bangkok. How??

Current salary increased. But, it's nowhere near the Bangkok offer. Not even close.

Parents bought a new place in SS3 today. We're moving there in 4 months.

Singapore was ok.
Shopping was not good at all - no sales, so it was depressing.
Didn't get to eat prawn mee too, cos apparently it's not opened on Monday!
Sentosa - hmm. Underwater World was good - the dugong was really adorable. The cable car ride was ok, not as scary as Genting's because Sentosa's cable line is quite horizontal. I found out the story of the Merlion - did you know the name is derived from "mermaid" and "lion"? The pink dolphins - gosh, disappointing show I tell you, don't ever get conned to it.
The Royal Peacock Hotel was very convenient - 200m walk to Outram Park MRT station - just right opposite the famous boutique Hotel 1929.

I won free tickets to Madagascar this Sunday :)

Right now though, have to get down to working on my assignment that's due next week. Got a full weekend, so better get started now if I don't want to jeopardize what's left of my almost non-existent social life.

Bangkok

What do you think of Bangkok?

I'm gathering opinions 'cos I'm planning to migrate there.

Kidding :)

But, really, what do you think of Bangkok? Better still, what did you think of Bangkok when you were there?

Before the weekend

Tonight's the last episodes for both The O.C. and The Apprentice! And I won't be able to download them to watch until Tuesday or Wednesday. Argh.

Oh no. American Idol on tv right now.

See? Broadband has changed me. I've never watched so much tv on computer ever in my life before.

Happy weekend and Happy Wesak, peeps - I'm off to eat the best prawn mee in the world :)

My travel wish list (2)

A revision of the earlier list ...

1. Macau
2. Hong Kong (Disneyland!!!)
3. Redang / Langkawi
4. Kelantan / Terengganu (to eat kerabu)
5. Mulu Caves
6. Vietnam

There's lotsa hype (especially by UOB who's promoting their credit cards with a chance to win a trip to HK Disneyland) about it opening in Lantau Island ("Tai Yu San", if I'm not mistaken) on September 12, 2005. And, I'm quite excited about it. Tickets are about RM150 per adult on weekdays, almost RM200 for weekends. But, heard the full rides will only be opened in a year's time. So, next year ...

For right now, Sentosa Island will do. Yes, if you count the number of times I've mentioned this weekend, you can deduce rightly that I'm rather excited about it. We're taking that super-cool new double-decker bus from Menara Axis PJ that brings us straight to Clarke Quay. And, I get to look at that famous musical fountain in Sentosa - of which I'm actually really skeptical about, because I don't see why jumping water with flashing lights can possibly be interesting to watch. And, I'm gonna ride a cable car all by myself for the first time (read : no one's hands to grab tightly whenever the claustrophobic-inducing hanging box suddenly swings lightly). Uh oh.

My new baby

... is the Olympus Camedia FE-5500! :)

It's sleek, slim, silver and sexy - more than I can say for myself - haha :P

Just in time for this weekend's trip to Sentosa Island in Singapore.

It's really actually quite affordable. RM999 for a 5-megapixel, 3x optical zoom, 2-inch LCD beauty. I bought a 256mb XD card for RM151 (real deal, 'cos most shops were selling it for RM200), and an LCD screen protector for RM40 (I thought this was quite a rip-off, but apparently they'd already given me a 30% discount from the usual price of RM59.90). This wonderful purchase (almost on impulse, although I've had my eye on it for a couple of weeks, and I scanned 4 shops in 1-Utama for the best price) sets me back by RM1,190/-.

And, I'm going to Singapore this weekend - and consumerism in Singapore is definitely more catching than in Malaysia :P But, there really is nothing like that buzz you get when you invest in something that has that wonderful oh-so-new perfume ...

Fix you

When you try your best but you don't succeed
When you get what you want but not what you need
When you feel so tired but you can't sleep
Stuck in reverse

When the tears come streaming down your face
When you lose something you can't replace
When you love someone but it goes to waste could it be worse?
Lights will guide you home and ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you

High up above or down below when you too in love to let it go
If you never try you'll never know
Just watch and learn
Lights will guide you home and ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you

- "Fix you" by Coldplay
- On their yet-to-be-released album "X&Y" due out in June 2005
- Also the song played when Summer is reunited with Seth and Marissa with Ryan in "The O. Sea" episode of The O.C.

The lyrics are a bit melancholic and depressing, but you know how soundtracks totally influence the way you watch something? Well, this song does it. In fact, the whole O.C. show is soundtracked so well I'm falling in love with a genre of music I never paid attention to before. I'm starting to sound fanatical. But, there's only ONE more episode of this season's O.C. before I'm O.C.-less for another year. Thank goodness it's still showing the early episodes on 8tv. And I really do have to say this in case I'm labelled a feather-brain, but I really don't rave about anything else besides this tele-series full of beautiful people, melodrama, conflicts, teenage romance, and all that nonsense - nice, feather-brain nonsense :)

Milestone!

As of 11.01 pm on May 14, 2005 (Saturday), I am proud to announce that I have achieved one of my resolutions of the year : To complete the first year of my valuer's log book. Boring news for you, but one that I'm so elated about!

It's been really boring writing a whole year's worth of work into a terribly uncomfortable book. Uncomfortable because the book is binded with glue at the ends and doesn't have lines at all. And my work is monotonous - to say the least.

BUT, it's done! And I'm happy. A milestone in the year :)

Another milestone, tomorrow's 4 years - and those who know, will know :)

Bits of news

- My beautiful blooming amaryllis has finally stopped blooming. It bloomed six very beautiful flowers, lasted about 4-7 days per flower, then they were gone. I just cut off the flower stem today. The stem's hollow, just like water lilies. Now, I'm supposed to water the remaining leaves regularly. 8 months later, I'm supposed to add fertilizer to the water, and then stop watering it gradually. The bulb is then to be put in a cold dark place (sounds like the store-room). 3 months later, I can re-pot it again to see if it grows flowers again. That's a whole year from now! Gardening sure requires patience.

- Someone left a note on my windscreen today : "Kalau ada plan nak jual kereta, sila call Khalid xxx-xxxx xxx. Lambat pun tak apa." Got a bit uneasy, cos now I know that my car does indeed attract a lot of attention, probably cos it's painted silver and looks new. My car's like me, hates attention, better to be a wallflower than to stand out :P But then again, if he'd offer me RM60K for the car, it won't be such a bad idea hor?

- There's nothing showing in the cinemas lately. Why?? I'm bored and miss the movies. Actually, I miss going and sitting in a dark room with lotsa people watching flickering lights from a big screen while munching noisily. I don't really fancy watching from a computer screen - although my screen's rather huge and state-of-the-art, if I do say so myself :P

- If you're buying a property worth RM260K and borrow 90% from the bank, you will need to be earning at least RM3,520/- per month (provided you're not already servicing a car loan, of which if you are, your salary must be higher). RM260K can only get you a basic 1-storey terrace house in PJ or a 2-storey house in Puchong.

- If you're buying an apartment worth RM160K and borrow 90% from the bank, you'll need to be earning at least RM2,200/- per month (subject to terms and conditions la, of course). RM160K can get you a basic 3rooms/2baths apartment in Klang Valley measuring about 800sf.

- Conclusion : My flower's gone, my car's making me insecure, I'm bored and I can't afford a place of my own. What other complains haven't I made yet? Oh yes ...

Fairytale

I forgot how long it's been,
I haven't heard
your most favourite story.
I've thought for so long,
I'm starting to forget,
Have I done something wrong?

You cried while explaining
Fairytales are lies
I couldn't be your prince.
You didn't know
The day you told me you loved me
The stars in my sky lighted brightly.

I wish I were the prince that you love in your fairytale
I'd spread my arms like wings to protect you from all that hurts and pains
You must believe
Believe that we will end up like in the fairytale
with joy and happiness.

- a not-so-professional translation of Tong Hua performed by Michael Wang Guang Liang

It's a brilliant sweet romantic song. Should watch the music video too, touching. The English translation is, naturally, not very romantic. But the Mandarin lyrics, with right piano music and the right singer - magic, I tell you.

Right now playing repeatedly on the music players of numerous romantics throughout the world ...

What else hasn't increased? - Part 2

The papers are bombarded with articles by the government trying to pacify the people and justify the increase in prices. But, instead of pacifying, it's stirred up indignation - in me, at least. The government says that all these increases are necessary to ensure that the country is headed in the right direction to become a developed country - in order to do that, the people must be rid of all dependency on subsidies and what-nots. And that is supposed to justify a price increase?

AND, even better, today's headlines read : "Absorb costs" - our PM is apparently telling retailers and suppliers to absorb the costs from all these fuel price increase. Following that headline is an article by provision sellers in wet markets nationwide who have already raised prices. And what is to happen to rat-race workers like us who don't run businesses or aren't Members of Parliament (who, coincidentally, have just had a salary increment)?

The government is using the media to justify a price increase, force us to feel guilty for relying on the government. But, the government (or whoever brought it into their minds to increase petrol price) should think of the consequences of a fuel price increase. How can they so easily wash off the blame of an impending economic inflation from their hands? And Malaysians are supposed to believe that price increases in everything is supposed to be good for us?? There has got to be a better way to head towards a "developed nation" rather than by punishing the poor.

"I hate that the media ... are trying to control our minds ... it's very subtle, but it's a new form of Fascism." - Julie Delpy as Celine in Before Sunrise.

My travel wish list (1)

1. Macau
2. Hong Kong
3. Redang / Langkawi
4. Kelantan / Terengganu (to eat kerabu)
5. Mulu Caves
6. Vietnam
7. ...

The list is growing. But, right now, these places are affordable. The soon-to-be affordable places are Shanghai, Beijing, Xiamen, Harbin, and all parts of China. The yet-to-be affordable ones are a North-South New Zealand self-drive tour, an European escapade and of course, the famous land of USA.

Nov 1 (Tues) is Deepavali. Nov 3-4 (Thurs-Fri) is Hari Raya. If I take Mon and Wed off, I'll have a whole week off from Oct 29 to Nov 6 - that's 9 whole days! Brilliant :)

You can start thinking what to do with that long week off too - anything other than to be stuck in a PLUS highway crawl.

What else hasn't increased?

If we scan the papers for the past 2 weeks, most people will note that there has been an increase in the Second Link toll charges, bus and taxi fare, Penang ferries and a MAS fuel surcharge. This is not to mention the increases in PLUS toll charges that began this year.

And today's breakfast news read : "Petrol up 10 sen, diesel up 20 sen." What else hasn't increased?

My income.

So what does that mean?

The poor get poorer, the rich get richer - my catchphrase for the week.

I don't have to even start on the vicious snowball effect that will begin with this huge increase in petrol and diesel price. Anyone who uses the transport industry to move products and services (which means that it comprises practically everyone), will have increased costs. And who bears these increased costs? Not the business owner, of course - it'll be you, you, you and me. Wonderful. And did someone mention that day in the papers that inflation was at 2.6% - only?? Yeah, right.

Petrol increased twice last year, by 2 sen per litre in May and 5 sen per litre in October. With the increase to RM1.52 per litre effective today, it will mean that petrol price has increased by 12.6% the past year. And has anyone's salary seen that much of an increase?

Things get more expensive, expenditure value increases but income remains the same. Simple maths done by a not-very-happy rakyat.

I've practically forgotten my economics from school. But I remember that we used to make equations like : Increase in petrol = increase in general price of products and services = inflation = deter consumers from spending = less expenditure = lower GDP = not very good economy.

I'm definitely one of the many who are complaining at the price hike. My Vitara used to need only RM45/- for a full tank back when I bought it in 1997. Now, it needs RM75/-. Like, hello, that is what it cost my dad to fill up his Merce back then.

I haven't yet met someone who's happy with the price increase. Except maybe the government, since they're subsidising less now - which means more civil servants can go for more overseas "lawatan sambil belajar" and build more luxurious "government quarters" eh?

Tsk tsk, skepticism isn't a good thing.

So, to get out of the "poor get poorer" phase, must work harder and find ways to make money and combat all these capitalism. After all, prices will never come down, they can only head up north.

The chauvinist in you

chauvinist
noun : a person with a prejudiced belief in the superiority of his or her own kind

That guy cursing behind the wheel at a lady driver.
That lady loudly proclaiming that her husband couldn't live without her cooking and cleaning after him.
That boss who thinks you can't do the job because it's a man's job.

Yes, everyone can spout equality. But, husbands still expect the wives to be in charge of the cooking and cleaning. Wives still allow themselves to think that they are in charge of house chores - and that if they were unable to do so, they'd be lesser women. Or worse yet, women who think that men can't separate the whites from the colours. Who's the more chauvinist of the two?

Four amaryllis flowers blooming happily - don't they just look sooo enchanting? Another 2 are still in buds 

One amaryllis in full bloom 

Closer look at the amaryllis before it started full bloom 

The amaryllis