Caught up

Of course, I can explain. Been busy. Harry Potter's Goblet of Fire one weekend. Snow Wolf Lake the other weekend. A sudden huge assignment at work. Sudden increase in responsibilities at work (which brings about some unwanted complications). The procrastination of yet another week in submitting my thesis chapter. So many projects left to do, particularly especially uploading photos from Bangkok. And the need to start packing stuff into boxes to move to the new family home. Shopping for new furniture (not that I'm complaining).

So, see, I have been busy. So busy that I've been sleeping earlier every day and still feeling reluctant to get up in the morning. Lethargy from all the busy-ness, if that can happen.

The end of the year is coming up yet again. Another new year will be catching up with us. And what do I have to say for myself the past year? I shall give that some serious thought and share that later, when I'm not too caught up. Or, more like, when I can catch up with time.

Me at the site of Ayutthaya's ruins. Pic courtesy of KF. 

Tales from Bangkok

Humbly, it ain't much yet. However, we're slowly adding to it, bit by bit. Please forgive the messy-ness and disorganize-ness. Maklumlah, we're working people.

But we plan to make it a really nice site, and there are plans to make it more organized, once we get all our thoughts organized i.e. maybe a contents page.

Nonetheless, right now, feel free to browse our thoughts and memories of our recent Bangkok trip. Every few days, we'll add to it. So, when I'm not posting here, you know where I'll be ;)

Krung Thep - City of Angels

The Girl from Ipoh

Wonderful proof that music makes everything come alive! I watched this play last night at KL Performing Arts Centre (KLPac) in Sentul and I was thoroughly absorbed into its story, largely due to the fantastic a cappella performances of the LiT performers.

Like the title says, it's the story of a girl from Ipoh - one who was educated in a Malay school, cannot speak much Chinese, hated anything Chinese and everything loud and rowdy that went with it, wanting very much to leave her Chinese roots in Ipoh, and eventually returning to realise that she cannot leave it all behind.

3 main guys play a role in her life - her typical Chinese father (the one who shouts at her for her uselessness as a Chinese and voices his pride in being Chinese by despising all things English i.e. Christmas presents); her first-love (who makes her realise that to get away from her Chinese roots, she has to leave Ipoh); and the guy she wants to marry (who indirectly eventually forces her to return to where she came from).

The final message of the play is that there's a "girl from Ipoh" in all of us. Particularly apt for those who are often typecast as "PJ girls" or "KL girls" who don't speak Chinese properly and often idolise all things Western. The question : When is a Chinese not Chinese enough? The answer : Never. The Chinese-ness remains, whether in the way you greet the elders at the dining table to eat, the way food remains a big part of our daily conversations, the way that Chinese elements are always all around you no matter where you go.

Plotline aside, the play was made extra memorable by the a cappella singers. They are the little voices and songs in the mind of the girl from Ipoh, Wong Mei Lee. At appropriate moments, they sing to express her thoughts or make her feel better. I particularly loved the opening act where they sang "The Sound of Silence" and the closing act where they incorporated a chant of "Ipoh sar hor fun, ngar choi kai, ..." and got the audience clapping for an encore.

The play is written and directed by Low Ngai Yuen, with the very beautiful Carmen Soo as the title character. A simple script with many underlying messages, undoubtedly brought to life by the strong performances of Carmen Soo, Lee Swee Keong, Season Chee, Tony Eusoff and the LiT performers. All dressed by Melinda Looi (now that is something to drool over - especially the wedding dress Carmen Soo was wearing, gosh). In fact, I never knew Carmen Soo could act - I guess not all models are just looks. And she's really beautiful, and petite.

Anyway, after we exited the hall, my sister and her friends excitedly went around taking pictures with everyone - Ngai Yuen, Carmen, Season Chee, Tony Eusoff. I met a number of friends in the audience, all Amanians. And on the way driving out of the YTL part of Sentul, we passed this huge colonial mansion that looked thoroughly deserted and illuminated by spotlights, making it quite ideal for a haunted movie - or maybe a bridal photo shoot area in the day. I wonder what that building's doing there in the midst of all the construction. A conservation project by YTL?

All in all, good night out. Reminded me of the last time I attended something similar - the KL Young Singers performance at Actors Studio Bangsar, a long time ago. Remind me to support more local theatre because it always seems to blow me away ;)

My first step up

The surreal feeling of two of us being called into the boss' room, informing that both of us will be "given the opportunity" to become Assistant Managers. Of course, a whole lot of talk about more responsibilities, explicitly telling us we shouldn't be clocking out at 5.30pm sharp anymore, having to learn to "manage", allocating us our own cubicles, etc.

It was a surprise. Because I originally thought it would either be me or her. I guess the boss is smart enough to realise that in order to keep us both, he has to give both a promotion. That's why he's the boss.

Am in fact, quite glad. Primarily because I need the extra cash that comes with the promotion. (Does that need mean that I'm getting sucked deeper into the rat race?). Secondarily because it gives me a reason not to have to look for "greener pastures". Know that both reasons don't seem to be characteristically strong ones, but am not going to do anything about it.

Another director from our HQ called us to congratulate us and informed us we deserved it. Now that really felt good, knowing that we had worked for it.

However, another colleague of mine who was overlooked for these promotions, was rather upset. After all, it wasn't just one, but two. Rather awkward. I'd feel the same.

Well, part and parcel of work. Truthfully, this hasn't renewed my vigour for work (quite obvious from my lack of enthusiasm, huh?). But realistically, I shall work harder and more responsibly. The promotion takes effect in the new year. Happy for me? :)

The Travel Book

My latest acquisition! It's filled with facts of 230 countries, accompanied by 1200 vivid images. Each country takes up 2 pages. You would think it's not much, it is after all a coffee table book, possibly Lonely Planet's most descriptive so far. And a super-beautiful one at that. Pick up this heavy book and flip to any page you fancy, you'll find something to awe at wishfully.

"Ever since our first, faltering, upright steps, humankind has travelled. Everywhere is migration, exploration, pursuit ... This book seeks to inspire the right kind of travel in today's world ..."

"... using this book to rediscover your favourite places, plan your next adventure, or dream about the places you may never go ..."

It's retailing at RM129/- in your local bookstore. If you've got a copy of today's The Star, you can cut out a coupon which entitles you to 25% discount at Popular bookstores - of which I did and obtained my copy at less than RM100/-!!

The book is worth it if you are the kind that dreams constantly of getting away. If for no other reason, then get this book if only to obtain your piece of the world.

GOAL

First time I enjoyed football. And, if you're looking for a modern fairytale, this is it - it doesn't get any sweeter than this. No bad guys in this movie, at all. Yes yes, I know most of the guys wouldn't want to watch this movie then, but again, there's football, good-looking guys and even greater-looking girls. Also, I think the director must have been someone with experience in MTV, quite music-video-like this movie.

Catch it while it's still screening. Super-enjoyable. About an immigrant American who chases his dream to England of being a professional football player. See - simple script, I can describe the entire movie in a sentence. Lots of different British accents and models, even a 30-second scene of David Beckham looking like absolute drool-material. Worth every sen of RM4.50, courtesy of a friend's Maxis One Club card.

Bangkok 291005 - 021105

 

Still on vacation

Totally reluctant to take out that daisypath. It looks so nice : "On vacation". Technically, I still am, for another 4 days :)

Will be collating photos from ML's, JC's and KF's cameras. Then will post up a super-detailed blog of the Bangkok trip, complete with photos. Look out for that - coming to a blog near you.