Random Thoughts from Malaysia

Rainy Sydney

2007-06-13T10:23:00.000+08:00

Koalas, Kangaroos, Wombats....animals associated to a country also known as Down Under. It wasn't even on my list of must see spots. However, the company was paying for me to get out there so get out there I did.

Checked the weather outlook a week before I left...not very hopeful but it meant I could take out my winter wardrobe that was purchased for Germany.

I was welcomed by a cold windy winter day in Sydney but it was pleasant enough for boat ride in the evening. Lovely views of this city by the harbour!

What was nice about Sydney was meeting with old and new friends. Audrey who is an old friend from choir...I met her when I was 12 ....and we may have drifted apart over the years but it was great to see her again. She was kind enough to spend her friday nite with my colleague and I and also all day on Sat.

I also got to meet Matt of Intel Security whom I met via email prior to my departure from the organisation. This was following the most outrageous heist in Malaysian history and Intel's history too. CRAZY!!! He's such a nice chap and I am glad we kept in touch although it was just work that brought our paths to cross and a quote I had on my email signature from Maya Angelou.

Another activity was shopping for most unusual things....baby food for Sophie which my boss found hillarious :), boutique chocolates for a colleague, apart from a pair of boots ....and the usual souvenirs.

It was sad that I didn't have more time out there but perhaps soon I will return.

Turn over wood.....Balikpapan

2007-05-29T09:59:00.000+08:00

Yes yes..what a name for a border town on the island of Borneo in the state of Kalimantan...a big part of Indonesia. An area rich of resources from coal to oil.....helping to drive the economy for the island.

My first glimpse of it from the air and I thought...hey looks like Ipoh ....maybe a little more dense and by the ocean. Very nice view as the plane touches down on the tarmac.

The airport...very small and crowded with folks from within and outside Indonesia. For my first trip there, I didn't have any expectations so it was all good. To meet at the airport was Yong, our resident driver.

The hotel we were staying wasn't new nor was it old but it was nice. I had a huge room that nite ...and all to my lonesome self. Pretty cool. Then I saw the advertisement for a spa.....what else could I do but call and find out the cost of a massage. Not expensive at all!!

Since I was travelling from India and just had a day at home to rest...I thought this would be an excellent excuse to get a massage and chill out. The Spa was located at the basement of the hotel....a lot of nice cosy rooms....scented and all. The massage took an hour and after that I returned to my room to chill out and get ready for bed :)

The next morning we were picked up bright and early for the road trip to the mine. It's about 2 hours away down windy roads and some off road areas too. What a trail!!!

Made it to the mine and met with some of the local folks...all very nice and helpful. Got the crew ready to head out to the mine whilst I hung out at the office. Internet connection was awful so I was unable to read mails or anything.

That night we spent at the mine...accommodation was simple yet comfortable. Most importantly..I had an attached bathroom which was CLEAN. That's the most important thing for me :).

The team at the mine organised a BBQ in honour of us...lots of meat...yummm and some local food too. The PM at the mine Grahame prepared some Argentine style steak...ohh my it was awesome...salty but nice and juicy.

Following morning, part of the crew went up in the chopper to get aerial shots and I hung around the office and took photos. Check out the big toys at work.

Then in the afternoon, we made our way back to Balikpapan town..checked in and chilled out till it was time for din din. We went to a seaside seafood restaurant called Ocean..yummy food again and quite cheap...along with beers and all.

I decided to check out the "noisy bar" at the hotel and dragged the crew along. What a blast we had. They had pool tables.....so we played a bit....and then the music...wow...2 live bands who weren't too bad...and lots of SPGs hahahaah. They were trying their luck with my crew but with not much luck....they stuck to me...ANGELS....for nite at least :)

All in all...a successful shoot :)

Incredible India

2007-05-20T18:37:00.000+08:00

When I was told that I would be going to Delhi....I was truly excited. I've always wondered what this part of India was like...how different it would be from Chennai and Kochi which I visited recently. It's incredible....the sights, the smells, the people....WOW!!!

I am very fortunate that the company now has an account with The Imperial Hotel. Think Raffles Hotel and E & O....yeah pure luxury and sophistication. There's a lovely smell when you walk into the lobby and service...impeccable.

I had meetings on Friday so I didn't really see much of the city although I did pass the Secretariat buildings which were awesome and I told myself I must go back to see it. Nothing like i'd seen before. Had meetings in the South of Delhi at The Oberoi...another luxurious hotel.

Whilst you see beggars at the traffic lights...you also see luxury brand stores at the hotel and I wonder about the juxtaposition of it all. Strange.....but I suppose in this great big country...it's in the scheme of things

But...let's not wallow in such things. Except be thankful we are where we are ...living in comfortable homes with loving families and friends.

On Sat morning,....bright and early at 4am, my driver Gopal came to pick me to head to Agra. I was going to see the Taj Mahal, one of the wonders of the world. Nothing can prepare you for your first glimpse of it. It's awesome and such a gorgeous structure. Even the sea of people won't put you off. I was armed with my camera to take as many photos at as many angles possible. It was tough with the crowd but still I think I pulled it off.

I told my sis that even after seeing the palaces and castles in Europe...this place...was just simply mind blowing. It truly is....

Following that, we went to the Agra Fort. Another awesome place from which you can view the Taj Mahal. This place is also steeped in so much ancient history....the place reminded me of scenes from Jewel in the Crown and the Far Pavillions (I believe that was more Lucknow...) and such movies/mini series with an Indian/Colonial theme.

Anyways...here I go rambling...it's almost you can feel and hear the scenes from the past...of royals who lived there, men and women walking around ages ago, of royal parties and coronations.....

As it is summer out here, I was positively exhausted so I returned to the hotel and had a nap ...woke up in time for the start of the game. Went out to the bar of the hotel...and watched the first half before returning to my room. No friendly faces....then started working on a presentation whilst catching the 2nd half in my room.

Sunday...woke up bright and early and decided to head down for breakfast at about 7am,....was done and thought about seeing the interesting sights around the city of Delhi. Hired a cab for 4 hours....nice and polite Punjabi driver.

First stop, India Gate....looks pretty much like the the Arc-de-Triomphe of Paris. A war memorial where over 70,000 names of soldiers has been engraved. It was only 8am but the sun was up and high. Following that, I went to the President's official residence, the Secretariat Buildings, the Red Fort through the streets of Old Delhi and finally Qutb Minar within the ruins of Lal Kot.

I didn't realise there were ancient ruins in this city so it was a pleasant surprise....think Roman ruins..these are Asian ruins. WOW.....also very awesome. As usual I am putting together my Imagestation album...will wait till the end of this trip to upload all the photos.

Anyways, I hope to come back to this vibrant city again. Still places that I have yet to explore.

Spiderman and wisdom

2007-05-14T09:10:00.000+08:00

"Whatever comes our way, whatever battle is raging inside us, we always have a choice. It's the choices that make us what we are, and we can always choose to do the right thing" - Spiderman

Wise words from Spiderman at the end of the latest movie but yet so meaningful. It is true that we all have choices...be it to be with someone we don't love but yet are just too comfortable to leave, a friend who craves attention all the time but you want to stop giving her that attention cause you can't take it anymore and think she should grow up...does that make you bad person? I guess you have to be cruel to be kind...and thats a choice you make and if that's the right thing...then it must be done.

Just ramblings once again.

Missing

2007-05-09T08:28:00.000+08:00

My ex colleague Siek emailed me a link to a video of Conan O'Brien's visit to Intel. Boy....did it give me good memories of Intel Santa Clara and the whole Intel culture. It got me in stitches at my new office though and I hope nobody thought I was losing my marbles.

I didn't think I would miss the grey walls and high cubicles and geeks in the cafeteria but yes I do have fond memories. The crowd at the PG12 cafeteria at lunch....left much to be desired for by this city gal. But amongst them, I found some good friends whom I am still in touch. Photos taken on the aisles of PG9.....seems like ages ago.

Ahhh those good ole days.....

Plastics?

2007-05-01T09:57:00.000+08:00

It's a holiday here and I was just watching Oprah...(my fave TV show, when I can catch it) Anyway, today the show focused on women addicted to plastic surgery.

I know I used to joke about it but just looking at one of the women who'd done as much as 26 surgeries. ....I don't think I could live looking like that. Whilst I may not look like a hot babe but I think I am OK looking...and don't look like a Barbie gone wrong.

Yeah so I am not perfect but then who is....I have read stories about models who think they aren't perfect even if others think so and go to great lengths to deal with it.

Just have to live life with the body you have and be HAPPY...

Ramblings.......

Weekend in Penang

2007-04-25T22:56:00.000+08:00

Since leaving Penang in January, I hadn't been back but took the opportunity a couple of weekends ago to head out there with some new colleagues. It took us almost 6 hours to get out there since it was a rainy Friday evening and traffic was murder leaving the city. There were four of us in the car and it was a good opportunity for us to spend time and get to know each other better.

Eventually we got there about midnite, a quick check in and time to freshen up and then we headed out to SS....a club I used to hit many a night in Penang. It was so nice to catch up with old Intel friends.....what a nite. Great music to dance to....

It was an early nite though we had the explore Penang the next day. Hit Little India early the next morning and we had some simple Indian food....and it was apt since it was the Tamil New Year. We took time to walk around and look in at the shops.

That afternoon I caught up with friends whom I worked with in the PA Dept at Intel Malaysia. Was really good to see them all and Azrena brought her brood including the new addition...what a cute baby. I may not miss Penang per se but I do miss my friends and colleagues whom I had a great working relationship.

That nite, I took the visitors to Batu Ferringhi to have dinner and then shop at the night market. As usual I got myself some DVDs and got some stuff for the folks at home. Then drove back to the city to meet Lee Aun and Amelia.

It was important to catch up since that girl was leaving Penang and Malaysia too :( It's sad that we only got to know each other really well at the tail end of my stint but she's such a delight to be with. Always with a smile and a giggle :) I reckon Lee Aun and she make a cute couple but she just smiles.....what a girl! They are both good people....positive folks I enjoy being with and you could also be silly with them and it would be all good...:)

Sunday was makan day....we had breakfast in Pulau Tikus and lunch was Assam Laksa...yummmyyyy and after that we started our drive back to KL. A short trip but lots of nice memories.

Old Buddy came to town

2007-04-25T10:15:00.000+08:00

Dianne....a good kindred spirit whom I met 9 years ago on a hill in Bukit Jalil wrote to say she was coming home for a week. Boy was I excited.....planned a party for her and all. Guess what...MAS cancelled her flight and she came in only two days later. She arrived sick and all so we didnt see each other till Wednesday 3 April for lunch at KLCC....my favourite spot...Chinoz on the Park.

She's been back a number of times since she left in 1998 and we always end up having great time together. Sometimes even seeing each other daily till she left again. I have also been very fortunate to visit her three times in LA where she now lives. Boy, do we have some funny stories to tell on my visits. I have spent day at work with her and had the opportunity to visit LAPD, LA City Hall and been fed well when she worked at the Daily Grill, watched a wedding proposal at a club in Pasadena, went clubbing at a Gay joint near Hollywood and the list goes on. We have been very blessed that we've been able to see each other fairly often but as kindred spirits, distance and time away has no effect on us.

This time Dianne brought along her man, Ralph. He was fun to hang out with and I reckon we got along pretty well. I even gave my SIRIM chop of approval. He was easy going and friendly for sure yet mature...which is important in our books. And he got along with Sophie my niece who is a tough cookie :)

After lunch that day, we met up that nite at Waikiki in PJ, an institution for those of us who grew up in the 80s and 90s in the area. Met up with Oscar, who's known Dianne for over 20 years and also Sara whom I got to know through Dianne. It was really nice to be reunited with them.

We had a good time listening to the song, singing, dancing and having a few drinks. Although Dianne and I met only once after that for dinner with my sis and bro in law but we had to be satisfied with those opportunities to meet. I miss her dearly but am so glad we got to meet up and spend some time together. We must be thankful for the little blessings in life :)

Weekend with old friends

2007-04-23T11:14:00.000+08:00

Over the last weekend, I had the opportunity to catch up with ex colleagues from years ago and also with my buddies from college. I reckon I have been blessed with friends all my life and people who I enjoy being with.

On Sat afternoon, I met ex colleagues I had worked with at SUKOM, the organising committee of the Commonwealth Games. I hadn't seen some of them since Nov 1998 when I left the organization or even 2000 when we had a reunion in KL. Although it was just a small group of us, it was nice to chat and catch up on good ole times and also swap news of old friends/colleagues. We hope to have a bigger reunion in September which is the 9th anniversary of the Best Games Ever, Kuala Lumpur 98.

Later that evening, my buddies and I from college and a couple of their spouses got together.It was Lai Han's birthday on 10 April but we couldn't meet up so we decided it was better late than never. So, we took time to have a nice sit down dinner at Co Chine at the Asian Heritage Row. The appetiser and main dishes were really yummy!! Conversation flowed easily as usual and we caught up on happenings over the last few weeks. I cherish moments like this....spending quality time with good friends.

Although we didn't have BIG nite out, it was good fun and I look forward to more good moments with them.

Back to civilisation

2007-04-13T09:38:00.000+08:00

It's been three months since I started my new job in KL. I have neglected the blog but it's time to get back to it. My last blog was when I was leaving Penang to head back home. After almost 8 years away from home, I decided it was time to move back to be closer to family and friends. Literally close to family.... as I moved back to my family home in PJ.

Before starting the new job, I was fortunate to take a break in Germany for Xmas and New Year. Went back to visit Chris and Cathrin and their lovely families. I reckon that trip warrants a separate post.

Anyways, I now sit in a high rise in the centre of the city...close to the Twin Towers and KL Tower. When I look out my window, I see both skyscrapers and Bukit Nanas...what a juxtaposition!

Recently, I had the opportunity to ride in a chopper around the city and I took some photos of the city. I reckon we all take it for granted when we see it at ground level but up above, it was awesome.

I reckon some people would think I am crazy to say this but I am so so glad to be back in the city, the concrete jungle. I don't relish sitting in traffic but it's a small price to pay for being back amongst friends and family in the middle of this gorgeoous city with its narrow dirty streets and winding highways and byways.

Am leaving this island

2006-12-14T11:10:00.000+08:00

It's a sad today as I drove into work for the last time. It's truly hard to not be sad as I have had 3 great and successful years with this organization on the island of Penang. However, it's also time for the prodigal daughter to return to the city she grew up in. So I must be tough and not be upset when I leave my cubicle at the end of today.

Celebrations

2006-10-26T14:42:00.000+08:00

This past week has been pretty exciting and complete with fun filled events. It began last Thursday when my good friend Reena celebrated the union of her love with Bart at The Saujana. It was beautiful and intimate. We all got to witness the traditional Malyalee ceremony and then enjoyed the sumptious meal after. A few of us stayed back and then proceeded to the bridal suite to just chill out. We ended up talking and laughing about silly things till almost 2am. What a nite.

Then it was Deepavali on Saturday. Got up relatively early and chilled out. Then went to Malar's house to makan and met Alison and Sharon there. It was nice to meet an old friend and then catch up on the happenings in each other's lives. I think many a time we all get caught up in work and life and forget our friends not intentionally but just because we get absorbed in stuff.

The weekend was great to cause my friends Raymond and Ann from Singapore were in town. We attended mass first at St John's Cathedral. It had been years since I was last there. It hadn't changed much although it looked older :) and more empty. I guess the holiday season had also taken the Catholics out of KL.

Followin that, we went to a nice dinner at Cilantro. The ambience was pleasant and the food yummy although prices were a tad pricey for my liking. The main dishes were great and the dessert absolutely divine and sinful. What fun!!! We also had lunch on Sunday with Raymond's dad ...yummy Chinese food.

Monday was shopping day.....went to One Utama with sis and bro in law to pick up stuff for the trip in December. Got me a sweater and some woolen socks..and some other stuff too. We also took the opportunity to eat at Itallianie's....ohhh my here the food is awesome with large servings. Great place to go with a large group of people who love to eat and share their food. My sis did some shopping too...she hadn't got any new clothes recently so it was good for her.

Tuesday was the first day of Raya. It's great to wake up and listen to my favourite songs playing on the radio from Balik Kampung to the ever popular "Selamat Aidil Fitri"...(that song has a special place in my heart too). Anyways, it was lunch at Nisa's followed by tea at Ida's and dinner at Azrena's home. Wow.....the food was sumptuous to say the least and I was stuffed at the end of the day.

Well...that kinda sums up the happenings over the last week. It's been good to say the least

It's been a while

2006-08-27T12:59:00.000+08:00

Hokay....i have been delinquent in updating the blog which I decided to get back into...Normal excuses...work, work, plain lazy more like it :) Well I reckon at least I can admit and move on.

These days my trips home are more fun and exciting because Princess Sophia...(my 6month old niece) is around the home. She's such a joy to be with...uncomplicated, no baggage, not much fuss unless she's hungry or tired. I love coming home from work or being out and seeing her smile ...just cause she's happy to see me. It's strange but it's a warm fuzzy feeling.

It's interesting to watch her reaction to things and people too. We went shopping the other day and it was loads of fun just to see her in surroundings other than home and watching her try to babble. She's also at the stage when she is exploring things with her hand like cake, other people's fingers and faces, toys....apart from trying to put it in her mouth too. This maybe inane to most people but I have become attracted to it and now...I miss her since I am back in Penang. I am already looking forward to seeing her again.

Here are some action shots of Sophia Lavania Choy Qing Li that I like most....

A pleasant nite out

2006-08-05T16:34:00.000+08:00

Just when I was about ready to give up on Penang and life here, I experienced a wonderful evening with friends last nite. A few girl friends and I thought we'd head out to listen to jazz at a lovely Indian restaurant called Spice and Rice. It's a little trendy Indian restaurant which serves yummy Indian food.

Anyways, it was harrowing getting there as traffic was a mayhem in Penang and particularly bad last nite. So after picking up Pearl and Amanda, we eventually got to the restaurant and lo and behold, it wasn't a girls nite out after all, some of the boys that I had met turned up......to surprise me. It was sweet....they each had a yellow rose for me. My friend Phillis had got together and conspired with the boys to make it a pre bday celebration of sorts. It was very sweet.

We then decided to get to order at hand which was dinner. My goodness we had briyani and chicken tikka and potatos and ladies fingers and ohhh it was just yummmy. We all shared the food and conversation flowed freely. It was good to spend time with friends and people who lived similar things but from different and varied backgrounds.

After dinner, we had a lovely chocolatey nutty cake....a birthday cake which was really yummy and everybody digged in. It was nice to celebrate a bday extra early surrounded by dear friends :) Then a few of us proceeded to Soho's for some drinks and fuzzball. Ohh what a pleasant pre celebratory nite. One of the more memorable evenings in Penang for sure.

Malaysia Airlines needs a knock on the head

2006-06-26T20:33:00.000+08:00

OH my goodness when I heard stories of people having to wait at the airport for hours without knowing when the flight would return I thought it would nver happen to me.......NEVER!!! specially when I flew on Malaysia Airlines. Always thought Air Asia would be the culprit of delays .....how wrong I have been

Last Wednesday evening, I was to have taken a flight at 620pm....but just when I got there....I saw that the flight was only going to leave at 650pm ....ohhh 30 mins was bearable. I got myself a seat and started reading soon...630 came and went...still no plane.....then closer to 645pm a crowd gathered at the gate but still no sight of the plane. Only an announcement" Due to adverse weather conditions, the flight to KL will be delayed, Malaysia Airlines apologises for any inconvenience" ......Now we were at about 7pm.....and still no news on when the flight may take off. Still I sat and waited...then I noticed that there were a couple of flights coming in and taking off...strange I thought

Anyways I hear the ground staff talking that the "plane tried to land but couldnt because of strong winds." Bizarre cause there were flights landing and taking off since the rain started. So there were lots of tourists who had to catch connecting flights and the ground staff were taking them away and putting them on other flights. Still no announcements for all the other travellers sitting and waiting like silly idiots!

Now...it was half past seven and a lot of us cornered the ground staff and asked to be put on any flight .....they said...ohhhh flights quite fool...we need to give priorities...and then someone said what's the criteria and the ground staff could not give one...neither were they apologetic and there I was ....HUNGRY as helllllllll...since it was almost dinner time.

Anyways to cut a long story short at 745, the ground staff advise us the flight is to leave at 830pm....so it would be 2 hours after I was originally supposed to leave.!!! Of course the flight didn't leave at 830...closer to 900pm and once I got to KL ....I was so exhausted but couldn't take a cab since there were NOOOOO cabs and I had to take the ERL to Sentral.

Overall ...a nightmarish trip to KL...one of the worst ever

Part Deux - smoking should be banned in clubs

2006-06-17T09:16:00.000+08:00

Wow...I can't believe it but clubs on the island of Penang have got it right. DJs announce and remind patrons to refrain from smoking on the dance floor. What a welcome change. Although this means people can still smoke in the clubs at least burn accidents won't take place.

I believe the next step would be to ban smoking all together.

Ahhhhh what a nice evening out in Penang.

Ban smoking in clubs....

2006-06-12T10:34:00.000+08:00

This past weekend I went out partying at a supposedly sophisticated club in KL. First they make you line up and look at their house rules. Can't wear this...can't wear that. Thankfully, I wasn't dressed too shabbily. Never mind all that.....you get in...you have a few drinks...by the way the compulsory drink charge limits you to only 3 types of drinks. Can u imagine?

So anyways, there I was with friends on the dance floor. Friends who know me are aware that I love to dance. There was ample space to move around and that was great. Met some friends too which was nice.

Now....towards the end of the nite, some folks had too much to drink and they were smoking on the dance floor. I know in Singapore and in some other clubs in Malaysia, drinks and cigarretes are banned from the dance floors. A wise decision I reckon but not at this sophisticated club....I got burnt by a drunken SPG witch who was smoking and swinging her cigarrette around. She got me at the back of neck....damn it hurt!

I am mooting a decision to ban smoking at all clubs/pubs...apart from avoiding burns....you'd also leave the club smelling good...and not having the smell of cigarettes on your clothes. Here's to a smoke free clubbing environment in Malaysia. We need to look at some cities in the US which have enforced such a ruling.If it works there...it can work here too.

Another issue for me to ramble on....

FOOTBALL MAD

2006-06-10T17:12:00.000+08:00

Once every four years.......people all around the world gather infront of tvs, big screens(of late) just to catch the excitement.

To help me get into the excitement, (thanks to my German buddy, Chris), I was given a starter pack of flags and a t-shirt. Just to get the ball rolling :) It was great getting into the excitement....put up the schedule at my cube so we can put in the scores after each game. Yesterday we took photos for the pure fun of it.

Last nite, I travelled on the coach home and got home to catch the opening game. ...Germany vs Costa Rica...Three guesses whom I was cheering for at home with my dad. It was great to catch the game with him 'cause he sure loves watching football.

All things Indian

2006-06-10T16:58:00.000+08:00

Most people who know me have always said "Jacq...u are unindian" as to what they mean I can't figure out except for the fact that I wasn't brought up to be "indian". But I have always loved indian jewellery...earrings and ohhh bangles; indian food and sweets....and I can admire the vibrant indian clothing.

Today, my parents and I hit the Indian fair at a local shopping mall. We were there about a year ago and I loved it and so we decided to go again. What a blast!!!!! Helped my mum pick up a couple of lovely sarees....wish I could wear them but I reckon I'd look like a rolled up koala bear walking around town :) Apart from the fact that I just may trip and fall over at any point.

Got me some bangles, earrings, an angklet and ohhhh Indian sweets. Then messaged my buddy Steph and told her...u have to come....the earrings are fab......so she came and brought her mum along. But that's when we decided we'd had enough and decided to head home. What a productive day of buying all things Indian and enjoying quality family time.

Micro management

2006-06-08T10:22:00.000+08:00

Now ....this is something that I can't bear! What's the definition? My favourite site Wikipedia defines it as " micromanagement is a management style where a manager closely observes or controls the work of their employees. In contrast to giving general instructions on smaller task while supervising larger concerns, the micromanager monitors and assesses every step.

OH my goodnesss...I am going through that and have been going through it over the last 6 months...First on a project that involved an event in Vietnam whilst working from Penang and them most recently on an event that I had to organize and manage in Kulim.

I almost tore my hair out at every event management meeting...which lasted at least an hour and 30 mins where each point was drilled down to the infinitesimal detail. Details are vital but not at every meeting and not taking time when folks can spend time making decisions on other bigger and vital matters.

It seems that " Micromanagment may arise from internal sources, such as concern for details, increased performance pressure, or insecurity." I wonder which is the cause that my team and I are paying for!! I am rooting for insecurity but it's driving me crazy...........

Here I go rambling on again....:(

Weekend away in Kiasuland

2006-06-07T20:16:00.000+08:00

I may have left Singapore two and a half years ago and not really thought about the things I missed but a weekend trip recently brought it all back.

First and most importantly, my friends that I left behind. I had different group of friends that I met through various ways....work, friends of friends, the internet ( yes yes...it's safe really) etc etc. I had the opportunity to meet a bunch of them for beer and wing on Saturday night at one of my favourite haunts in Singapore....Ice Cold @ Emerald Hill. Here's a photo of the gals.....after a few pints. Additionally, I met an old friend that I hadn't seen in 8 years. He's recently moved to Singapore and I took the opportunity to get him out so we could meet up. What a flood of memories came to me as soon as he arrived.....bizarre but true, my friends mean the world to me. :) Love ya to bits.

On this trip, I also spent quality time with an old college friend who's recently moved to Singapore with her family. It was so much fun giggling like school girls, whilst playing with the kids and talking about adult stuff too :)

The second thing that I miss.....convenience of moving around. Since moving to Penang, I've had to purchase a car..Not a bad thing but over 5 years in Singapore, I didn't need a car. There was always the MRT, the bus or after hours the cabs. Very convenient and accessible. It made it so easy to visit friends in the East Coast or far out in Jurong....all an MRT ride away. I truly enjoyed taking the MRT around town and the cabs too. It's lovely to be able to speak in English and be understood....although sometimes knowledge of the neighbourhood to be visited can make the cab ride easy on the passenger:)

Finally some of the food joints and drinking holes in Singapore that remain close to my heart like Ice Cold, Harry's, Indochine by the Waterfront, Seah Street Deli, Bobby Rubino's, and a trip back to Singapore would not be complete without a stop at Samy's Curry House for banana leaf meal.. YUMMMMMMM. This time around, I introduced it to Michelle and her family. Although I was wrecked after a late nite out, it was good to have a nice warm meal at this good family makan joint!

The clubbing scene in Singapore has since flourished and I managed to take in some time at Forbidden City with the ice bar and also Attica. Very good music....and lots of space to dance around:)

For the first time in a long time, I was truly sad about leaving Singapore and boarding that jet plane back to the island of Penang. I hope to see some of my friends again soon...being apart is never good for the soul.

Dragon Boat Races in Penang

2006-06-07T11:06:00.000+08:00

Since moving to Penang I pride myself with attending this event every year (my third race this year). Initially as a tourist but generally because I enjoy being out in the sun, cheering on friends participating in the races.

As much as Tourism Penang and the organizers seek to publisize the event, I fear it's never enough. There isn't much of a crowd there towards the end of the day when the final races are taking place. That is the time where the rowers need all the support of fans and friends but alas there are only a couple of hundred folks around to cheer them on.

Granted that it was a hot day this year but there is ample shade around and folks can bring out their umbrellas and sun glasses, if need be. It just seems sad that not many Malaysians or tourists come to watch this annual event.

I wonder if Tourism Penang/Malaysia should start taking advertisements in magazines on the airlines at least 3 months before the event and even put out billboards in each state capital in Malaysia....first to raise awareness and garner interest in Malaysians to come watch this all exciting event. Another thing would be to hold the event during the school holidays so more folks outside Penang can come by to watch.

Radio time with participants/organizers will also help create a buzz....but then we don't have many talk shows on radio.....another issue that I hold close to my heart which I shall keep to another time.

Anyways, I do hope that Tourism Penang/Malaysia will work harder next year as it will be Visit Malaysia Year 2007 and the Penang International Dragon Boat Race should be part of their calendar with sufficient publicity.

after all this while

2006-06-07T10:59:00.000+08:00

After a long while, I have decided to come back into the blogging world and begin once again these random jottings :)

I can't believe it's been 10 years since I left a life of writing to join the dark side ....and I haven't looked back since. Perhaps this is my opportunity to write again all that random nonsense that comes to my head, every now and again.

Peace and Love to all