Me and the coffee

Me at The Coffee Bean going for midnight movie later at the Pavillion. Having chocolate with caramel instead, hehe... Boy, it's a lil warm in here. The crowd is outside. Wanted to go starbucks but too crowded. It was a last decision after a friend called for a movie. Didn't get ticket for Bedroom stories..opss..."Bedtime stories" hehe.. coz sold out. Going for 'Dark Floors'... sounds gruesome eh.. whatever.

Me while blogging

The ambience so...

a few pics during xmas eve at a k-oke party:

At door 17

Money after food

Something to cheer up

Ok, it's time to get to the cinema, adios!~

Culture vs Self

He was just 18 when his father pointed a gun at his left temper. He tried to escape a few times but he just knew that this was his last. It was fate and fate determined that he should surrender himself. Surrender was the only option he had at gun point, unless he wanted to feel the bullet going through his brain, blasting off every neuron and dignity he had. That wouldn't be ideal for him coz that's the last organ he would've given up like how he admired Maths.

He was a Maths genius in a rotten small school in the village. He was thinking big. Like becoming a professor teaching Maths at the most prestigious school in the states. Alas, this was fate. He didn't want to be like Abu, the boy next door who toiled everyday at work but earned a meagre salary. He didn't want to be like Sylvester, sitting home at the age of 25, doing nothing but waiting to be fed by both parents. He wanted to be someone, someone he believed he could be one day, that no one in the village dared to dream of.

Everything was gone now at gun point. He had to listen and give in. Give up hope and give in to destiny. A week later, he became a husband, a position he was reluctant to hold. But culture forced him to get married at such a tender age to satisfy his father's ego as well as the others. The following year, his wife bore a child. Boy, and everyone was so glad. He worked like others, tapping the rubber trees before dawn and working on his father's field right after that.

Time slowly tamed his feelings and soon he realized he was just as ordinary as others. So, he was a husband, a father as well as a son. A year later, the wife got pregnant again. She was so weak but the father in law insisted that she should be grateful to be pregnant and there was no way of going against the culture, not even to think bout family planning. She should be pregnant till she couldn't and that would be decided by her menses.

So, this time was a girl. She went through a whole lot of distress, even the baby was meconium-stained this time. News went around the village. Meconium-stained??!! That's an omen! Thou shall not raise the meconium stained child should the child came from thy womb. So said the chief of the village. She was despair. He was despair. But none shared their predicament. Nine months in the womb, and the baby should call you aunty? Nine months of intimacy, and the baby should share a bed with a stranger now.

At first, he gave up his dream, now he had to give up his baby. That's culture. That's the law coming out from an uneducated society. Who to blame. To blame on fate that brought him to this society, or blame him for not standing by himself? You judge.

I saw despair soaking in her tears as they shying away at the angle of both her eyes. I saw his dream melted as it came out choking from his mouth. I was speechless. I could only offer silence. There we were, three of us. Looking at each other, I offered sympathy. Despair got to halt somewhere coz life goes on. So both stood up. Waving to bid farewell and slowly walked out of the office.

Closing the eyes, I swallowed the thickest phlegm behind the throat...

Dan G

Commercial zone:

Looks good or not? That's dinner for tonite. Dan G special ala risata ( fresh tomatoes, garlics, added spinach on a bread) with saute brinjal. Whitney missed this menu that I mentioned coz I was so busy with courses. The saute brinjal (or substituted with eggplant) is my favourite. Having them for the past 3 days, believe it!

Hooray... fuel price gone down by another 10 cents!

Small lil' prayer

Beep beep... An sms had arrived. Slowly I crawled out of bed and reached out for the phone. 'The trip is on, let's go at 930am.' Quickly I jumped out of bed and started doing the laundry. Weather was unpredictable with occasional cloudy sky. Thus, better to hang the clothes under the roof.


Town

There we went on a convoy, 1 hour later, we arrived in another state. A small river town, nothing much special and we decided to stop for lunch. Ordinary chinese food, kinda expensive but filling. Went around the town for some pictures.

Durian, satay, ABC, ketupat, fish balls, etc by the sea

Still not satisfied, we went to another destination which was the opposite direction from where we were, another small town along the seaside. Heard that there was a galore of seafood. 45mins later, we stopped at the waterfront and had some snacks.

Clock tower

The sea was just there, facing us directly. The waves were coming towards us and the breeze was so unmistakable. A sense of comfort touched the heart. Then I clasped my hands and hope tomorrow's op would yield a better outcome.

I was born being stubborn because that's my survival tool though the closed ones always misunderstood. I was at the lose-out in the beginning and there is so much of catch up to do but I am not ready to lose anything right now. I know you are afraid, but trust me, I am even more afraid...

Stood by the sea

Will the real ladies please stand up..

Before the game started this afternoon, I was lazying at home while the weather was scorching hot outside. Felt abit of peace and suddenly the thought of the distant cousin sister just struck the mind. Perhaps already a year passed. Her pretty look was still so clear in the mind. Never saw her while she's on chemo nor attended her funeral coz was away that time. She succumbed to cervical cancer if not mistaken, at the tender age of early 20s.

She's younger than me. We seldom met but I could still remember her flawless fair skin 3 years ago we last met. She was married with a child and suffered the reality of husband's ignorance towards her illness. He couldn't accept her disease and left with the child.

I was stunned to hear about that. It's empathy and sympathy which descibed my feelings. However, both parents were very supportive. It really struck me hard to think that the closed ones cannot run away from this. The disease progressed so fast leaving no chance for her to even retaliate on her faith.

Cervical cancer has threatened the lives of many women in the world. Like it or not, the population we are having now is affected as well. If you are a woman, you stand a chance. The good news is, we have pap smear, a screening test to detect pre-cancerous stage where treatment is absolute. Healthy and sexually active ladies (no matter once a while having sex or regular sex, esp those early exposed to sexual encounters) should be screened regularly as advised. When symptoms occur, it may be too late.

Love yourself and love your family. Go with your female family members to the nearest clinic and test today. You may look healthy but you may also never know if you got it. The cases are actually under reported because there are not many people going for this free screening tool.

In the midst of thought, suddenly, the sms came in. Then, I packed and headed for the volleyball game. Hurt my finger today but it was ok. Still thinking...

Perhaps she's in peace now.

Just a Pic..

When nature is the only witness...

Dan G

An evening at the salon

Did a very impulsive decision. Had a haircut 2 weeks ago but it's really difficult to keep them long. The hot weather and so much of thinking at work made the itch even worse. So, I decided to go to the nearest and fastest salon for a haircut in the evening.

Greeted by the female boss and sat down. I was asked who did I prefer. Then I replied whoever knew how to cut a male hair short, would do. The boss herself came and took a big razor and started to shave my head from the back, big piece by piece. I literally regretted my decision but it was too late. Then, I felt my head got lighter.

I was ushered to the washing sink where I had the most comfortable hairwash of the year. This wasn't the first time but the feeling was like at cloud nine. I was almost dozing off, the massage was so comfortable. The soul was like trapped in the paralyzed body. I was so tired working and it was so relaxing. Now I really understand why ladies enjoy going to salon. So spoilt, hehe.

Sometimes I wonder if it wasn't a bad idea to pamper oneself once a while in the spa (though I haven't been to one). No wonder they are making more money nowadays. Anyhow, it was really quick, just 10mins for the whole session and then I left for volleyball. Tired but relaxing now.

Tomorrow is another brand new day. Looking at the appointment book, I better go rest now!

Fun fair

Reminiscing those years with fun fair.

Last week saw the final moment before the fun fair once again leave the town for another city. Nothing too fancy, but judging from the look of the children, the money was worth spending. So, can money really buy happiness?..... perhaps

Bless the year ahead..

As the river flows,

.

Water gently touches my hand,

.

Serenity has no limits,

.

As the sky is my only witness,

.

I tilt the head and lift the chin,

.

Sniffing on the crispy fine air,

.

While the buttock firmly laying on the huge rock,

.

Drawing a smile on the face,

.

Slowly the heart whispers,

.

Have I done enough for this year?

.

Yet question will only remain question,

.

No doubt it's another year,

.

As the time is reaching the end,

.

I pray for a better tomorrow,

.

Blessing the year ahead...

.

.

Dan G @ 2008

Wrapping up!

That's it. Pencils down and the year is wrapping up. It's been a very rushed and busy end of the year, just nice before I can really think of going for a holiday. Pheww... for the past weeks been busy with either exams, courses, work, etc. Having said that, it's been a concise and comprehensive year. Learnt so much and gained more experience. Meeting lots of people and this is way too important if you wanna survive in this competitive life.

Peace

I am really toning down. I finished work early today despite so much to do since my absence for the past 1 and 1/2 days to attend the competency exam in the city. It wasn't as bad as I thought. Way to go! So much relief now and starting to think bout life abit. No, that can be boring, but I guess we can't escape from that subject, at least I can't. Whatever.

Recent petrol price

I am listening to the xmas songs now. So soothing... I remember this time around during last year, I was so busy at work. But I can look forward to a better treat this year. Oh yes, so welcome the new price of petrol which had fallen another 10cents, which is even lower than before the petrol price crisis. Kudos, and am crossing fingers that it will stay that way or gets lower, though I doubt it would.

Dinner

It felt so bored staying in the hotel before the exam that I decided to go to a nearby 24H McD to do some revisions. I was not actually craving for the acne-prone fried food but the environment at least kept me from dozing off with the books. Then, came this guy with his son Nicholas. Very good looking kid, cute like my GuyMan (I used to babysit him when he was a baby). This man kept calling out his son when he was just so enjoyed playing at the playground. Then he wanted a hug from Nicholas la.. this la , that la... Oh come on, he is just a lil kid, give him some peace and play with others. But he was really a good boy, listening to his dad all the time. Suddenly je feel a sense of fatherhood, apa nie.

Lil Nikolas...

Until then, nothing has changed much.... (really?...mm..)

Ouch, ma' finger!

Ouch! Accidentally cut my left ring finger while preparing to cook. Funny but true. Have been thinking of knife lately, dunno why. And the thought of cutting oneself is so scary considering that I cook alot. So, I guess the day has arrived and it's today. Premonition? Sometimes I think of better not to pre-empt some events occurring. Afterall life is full of surprises.

Blood

I still remember the phrase from kungfu panda. 'Yesterday is history, tomorrow is mystery. Today is a gift coz it's present.' I am always grateful that I wake up everyday noticing that I am still alive. Dunno why but I am simply being realistic. I have seen alot of deaths, young and old, healthy and sick. The recent bombing in India, the protests in Thailand, and the death of a zoo keeper in Singapore. Sounds gruesome but these are all lives. Imagine being trapped in those situation knowing that one is not going to live in a matter of minutes. These minutes can be like years if not equally to decades of sufferings. I heard the latest movie QUARANTINE is something like that. Haven't watched it.

Innocent lil child.

But so what. As long as we live life happy today and be grateful to have savoured every minute of life, there shouldn't be much regret. I have big plans and I shall work on it. Whether it'd be accomplished, I hand it to the Above. I read on a blog: If your prayer is answered today, He is showing His love to you. If your prayer is answered later, He is testing on you. If your prayer is not answered at all, He is planning something better for you.

Something to ponder

PS: Sunday is always so relaxing and sentimental...

Nature is da best...

It feels abit unusual going back to the quiet life. Nature is so much closer than I thought. Waking up with the chirping of the birds and looking at the greens just behind the window. I had almost forgotten where I was. The feelings are so much stronger than before.

Reminiscing the beach time

My long absence has surprised my dear neighbour who saw me going out this evening. "You are back! Where have you been?" It felt so nice that people actually noticed what happening over this side. While I was standing behind the gate to cover my unkempt look, quickly I replied that I was away for a week-long course in the city. We chatted a while and I guess he is going back to his hometown with his family soon during this school holiday.

Look closer, you see a guy in the blue shirt on the tree

Yesterday while on our way back to home, we stopped by at one of our district stations to relief ourselves. I was led to the backyard where there was a big 'rambutan' tree. Judging from the look of the rambutans, we could figure out how juicy these could be.

I told you it's really juicy

True enough, big and juicy, yummy. 2 boys went up the tree and plucked the fruits for us. Although abit shy, I couldn't refuse the rambutans that were given to me. That reminds me of another rambutan tree at one of my stations. Very tasty indeed. Whitney should know it better.

Another guy in action

So I am back home struggling to keep my short attention span over the books for the coming exam. My motivations are not getting anywhere further. Just waiting for a long break from work and studies, so that I could concentrate spiritually and recharge my energy.

Blood stain on the floor of the hotel lift. Dunno what happened but there was also a shoe left behind. Kinda mysterious...

Who wants more..

It was a sunny afternoon when I decided to skip one lesson and went with Whitney and Patrick for a search of big clams. I was actually craving for seafood coz it was so difficult to get at my place. So, we arrived at this stall. Many huge clams were exhibited just in front of the stall. I was sooo hungry at that time, so I ordered 2 baskets of clams- medium and large sized each.

Preparing the sauce

Whitney quickly ordered a hot burnt coconut while patrick was busy preparing the sauce for us. Some limes with chillies to the perfection! Trust me, I was so shocked when they brought us 4 big trays of clams. I was asking myself if that's what I ordered. It seemed true enough. 1 basket was about 10bucks.

Told you it was alot!

Then my coconut arrived. I peeled off the top and the vapour started coming out. It was really burnt hot! My fingers, ouch! Then I slowly took a few sips. Tasted like chinese tong sui, sweet water. Without much of a delay, we started eating the clams. The juice was perfect, grilled with ?ginger. It still preserved the natural taste of seafood.

Clean!

I ate the most and I could literally feel it's up till the neck. I was wrong to think that eating clams cannot be a main course. But it was really filling. Eating under the hot sun was another challenging task. Later, I had this cooling coconut milk puding...so syiok! Ok, I see saliva is drooling everywhere, hehe...

Yummy...

It was a nice experience and it's really worth eating. I wanna eat more next time. The night before that, we went to this club, so boring, I tell you. The phi....band sang like k-oke, was so busy entertaining the foreigners that they ignored the locals. So pathetic you know....coz this big f*t foreigner was sitting at the bar when they were trying to pull off her attention. She didn't even care bout them and they were trying so hard to proof that they were friendly to foreigners.

Tropicana that small one

Ok, I had tropicana, and boy, I got urticarias everywhere that same night, haha. It was really strong one. Then we proceeded to curry laksa coz patrick said it was really tasty. Err...it was ok.

Curious kids

Met Firdy last evening. Went for a movie and the night market. It was a busy and smoky area. You find huge grilled fish everywhere. We decided for 2 fish. Not so cheap! But couldn't stand the temptations. So, it's all about seafood, yummy.

Seafood!

In the city yet again..

Brr...this aircond is freaking cold at the motel's reception. I arrived late last night when the rain was pouring on our way to the city. Later we met up with Patrick for dinner. I stayed over this lil motel overnight as the course will commence today. It wasn't bad at all. Cleanliness a BIG plus! Price is very reasonable. I am so impressed with the modern outlook and facilities provided.

At the reception, brr....

Decent clean room with aircond and new furnitures

Nasi lemak, newspaper and basic drinks

Slept very well last night. Woke up and greeted by a piece of local newspaper and a pack of nasi lemak for breakfast, inclusive, not so grand but it was ok. Then, I went straight to the beach. Weather was really good! sunny and quiet coz it's Monday. So, I rest while reading my paper. Er... looking forward to get tanner.

Lying chill

Looking at the sea

Cleaning in progress

Kids and family at the beach in the morning

Ei... these reception people are talking about going for a visit at the brothels in KL, shame on them, so loud somemore. But the funny thing is that this Mr.renovator is talking how grand he was during his time in KL with gangsterism and prostitutions. He actually slurred abit, so fake, hehe.

Okla, dun wanna care bout ppl's business. Wanna go for a quick shop and then check into the course hotel. Tired but chill... Ok, really need to go, I am really shivering now coz of tat aircond, brr...

At McD while waiting for patrick yesteday

Looking here n there for inspirations

Packing bags again...

Back to packing again. Getting ready for another week-long course in the city. This is the one thing that makes me tired. I barely came back 2 weeks ago and now I have to be away again for a period of time. Oh yes, the test I took last week is finally done! Glad that it wasn't as bad as I thought. Even, I think I had so much fun and learnt so much despite not very well prepared. Proud that I did it again. Another test coming ahead after the week-long course, so I am gonna do more readings.

Puppet show

Attentive audience

But all work, no play makes Dan a dull boy. Not really. Whitney was around and I kinda had to show her around. Guess she had a great time here coz she really saw so much in such a short period of time. We even went to the river in the afternoon, the funfair, the puppet show last evening, and then dinner with my frens at permata club. Later we joined another group of frens for steamboat. But I guess, we really had a tiring day. While I had to juggle among study, work, and being a tour guide, haha. It was fun when everything turns out well.

Fun fair

Besides I am hoping Fred's arm is getting better and things will get back to the previous plan. As for Ady, she is having a real tough time now. I really understand how she feels as well as her family. I can see so many people around her care for her so much. I am crossing fingers so that things will become like before. Be strong guys.

What a piece of art

As for me, I still have so many things to deal with. Work and personal stuff but I am glad that the holiday is around the corner, hooray. Gonna have a relaxing time.

Baa baa black sheep, have you any wool...

Ok, back to packing....