Travel Quotes

"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page." ~ St. Augustine

"There are no foreign lands. It is the traveler only who is foreign." ~ Robert Louis Stevenson

"He who would travel happily must travel light." ~ Antoine de Saint-Exupery

"A man travels the world over in search of what he needs and returns home to find it." ~ George Moore

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference." ~ Robert Frost

"For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel's sake. The great affair is to move." ~ Robert Louis Stevenson

"A good traveller has no fixed plan and is not intent on arriving." ~ Lao Tzu

"Tourists don't know where they've been, travellers don't know where they're going." ~ Paul Theroux

"Stripped of your ordinary surroundings, your friends, your daily routines, your refrigerator full of food, your closet full of clothes - with all this taken away, you are forced into direct experience. Such direct experience inevitably makes you aware of who it is that is having the experience. That's not always comfortable, but it is always invigorating." ~ Michael Crichton

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." ~ Mark Twain

". . .life is short and the world is wide" ~ Simon Raven

"Certainly travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living." ~ Miriam Beard

"All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost" ~ J. R. R. Tolkien

"Those who visit foreign nations, but associate only with their own country-men, change their climate, but not their customs. They see new meridians, but the same men; and with heads as empty as their pockets, return home with travelled bodies, but untravelled minds." ~ Caleb Colton

"The man who goes alone can start today; but he who travels with another must wait till that other is ready." ~ Henry David Thoreau

"All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveller is unaware." ~ Martin Buber

"Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry, but by demonstrating that all peoples cry, laugh, eat, worry, and die, it can introduce the idea that if we try and understand each other, we may even become friends." ~ Maya Angelou

on books...

Lately ive bought alot of books to read...i don't know why i bought them, considering i don't even have time for 'em...my lopsided working hours is taking away my reading time...i sleep-in most afternoons and evenings, i work at night/early morning, i do yoga and pilates in late morning...i don't have time for books, and i have not watched telly for a while...

Right now im reading this book in the office...my supervisor recommended it, upon seeing my needs for it...

the name of the book is ' Self-efficacy', written by Albert Bandura...it doesn't take a genius to identify that it is some sorta self-help book...

Ive rarely read on self-help books...the last time ive picked up on one was when Mom got me these books from Andrew Matthew: Being Happy and Making Friends...

I still don't know why she got me those books...was i unhappy? was i deprived of friends? maybe i seldom talked to her bout the friends i hangout with, and hardly ever bring back my friends to introduce to her...one thing for sure, i dont need a book to tell me how to MAKE FRIENDS...yeah, that concludes it, i didnt finish the book... :)

Yeah, ive also read this book: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey...im suspecting the current book im reading is somewhat talking bout the same thing...i guess the reason why everyone is pushing me to read this kinda self efficacy book is because im lack of efficiency...im just too laid back...im lazy...i procrastinate...and im a narcissist...

' Perceived self-efficacy refers to beliefs in one's capabilities to organize and execute the courses of action required to produce given attainments. '

I do acknowledge that the problem with me is that i lack the enthusiam that is required to get things done...i expect other people to do things for me...im spoilt, taking everything for granted, wanting everything to go my way...im just too naive....

People's belief's in their efficacy have diverse effects. Such beliefs influence the courses of action people choose to pursue, how much effort they put forth in given endeavors, how long they will persevere in face of obstacles and failures, their resilience to adversity, whether their thought patterns are self-hindering or self-aiding, how much stress and depression they experience in coping with taxing environmental demands, and the level of accomplishments they realize.

It's about time to get my acts together
it's about time to stand up and make a statement
it's about time to prove other people wrong
it's about time to stop being childish
it's about time to take up the responsibilities expected of me
it's about time to do what i want to do (hehe...still self-centred...sorry bout that)

I always have this motto in life: 'Just Do it' (inspired by Nike's), and im not ashamed that i'm adapting to this way of life...someone might perceive it as a selfish act, others might say that's immature thinking...

but that's just me...i take pride in that i live not for others, i don't hafta please ANYONE...and im not gonna change just for about ANYTHING...

I am who i am, like it or not, accept it, or don't bother at all...


that's why i need to finish this book...LOL

Perhaps. Get Lost?

Im so looking forward to New Year...it always brings New Hope, New Beginning, and lotsa changes...i aspire to change, i really do...i wanna become a better person, to myself and to the people around me...Alright, that will go right on top of my new year resolution list...

**********

Earlier i had wanted to catch King Kong...but i was astounded by the crowd, and was much disgusted with it...it makes me sick whenever i see lotsa people gathering together, for no apparent reason....geez, it's tuesday night for goodness sake...what are you folks doing here watching movie?...i had wanted to tell them: Do me a favour and get the H*** outta here...

so in the end i had to satisfy myself with the lousiest movie ive watched in the entire 2005...well, at least it managed to go into the worst movie list, for that matter...yeah, i accidentally watched Perhaps Love...

I wont even bother narrating here...truth is, i fell asleep half way through the show...and have no idea what happened in the end...my friend told me the couple sorta went away together...cliche....why am i not surprised? lousy songs and tunes aside, there's not much performance where the casts are concerned...ratings: 1/10...1 point for their attempt to create a broadway-musical-lookalike...and that's it...they failed miserably...not worth mentioning...and wont recommend anyone to watch it...you'll be better off watching some street dance...

I woke up just when the movie ended and everyone was fidgeting, trying to get outta the cinema in no time...we adjourned to Bar Sava for a harmless drink, and then i went straight to work...

im feeling groggy...i needa sleep...

Mission started...

Yay, today ive finally made my first move to realising my backpacking plan...actually it wont be the first step, considering ive renewed my national ID just for the sake of getting outta the country...(not because of the deadline, who cares bout the deadline?)

So earlier...i found out that the NZ Visa online application for Malaysian applicants is being enabled at the official immigration website...i was thrilled...reason? Now i don't hafta hop all the way to Singapore to apply for my visa...i can do it all online...hence saving all the travelling fees...

and YES, ive made the payment for the processing fees...paid through credit card online...im not sure if it is secure, what im sure is, it's gonna save me lotsa hassle to go to the Embassy to make the payment...and geez, it's a whopping $120 NZD....just to process the Visa...and NO, they don't guarantee that your application will be successful, it's all subject to approval...so say, in the event that it is rejected (touch wood), my money will just be absorbed, like that...

Ive also checked out the airfares...and it aint as cheap as i thought it'd be...gosh, it's another RM3600 at least via SIA...and i needa bring over $4200 NZD to prove that i have enough funds to sustain myself while im there for a maximum of six months...(malaysians can only stay for 6 mths...such discrimination)...

I plan to go once ive obtained my national ID (needed as a second document to prove my nationality, other than passport)...and that means i needa wait at least six months...come to think of it, it'd be good to save as much as i can during this six months, so that i don't hafta use the money in FD...

Well, now that i've applied for the visa, i can only seat here and wait for its approval...*fingers crossed*...i only hope i can get the Visa, otherwise i will hafta look for other destinations to lay my foot on...On second thought, instead of getting a return ticket to NZ, i will just purchase a one way ticket, and then i can decide where i will go from there once my six months' off...im not sure if i will get into trouble with the customs for having a one-way ticket, but it's worth the risk...i heard that the ticket from NZ to Aus is kinda cheap...hehe...or maybe i can go tasmania for a while...or Christmas island...is all about the south pacific for now...

In the mean time, i can search for some backpackers' jobs online...i found that working in the vineyard can fetch $15 an hour...im just wondering how tough it'd be...or i can work in the farm, at the dairies, helping to make cheese...you can even get free accommodation if you help to make beds for three hours at the hostel...

Im happy...

Happy Birthday, Jesus...

I guess i've finally redeemed myself...

Did i go to Christmas countdown with friends? No.
Did i go partying on Christmas eve? No.
Did i go drinking? Not really.
Did i embrace the much commercialised atmosphere in malls? Not so much.
Did i celebrate Christmas thinking Santa is the main character like the non-believers? Nope.
Did i spend Christmas eve with my family? Yes i did... :)

And so while the others were busy partying on Christmas eve, i was having some quality time with my parents...we watched some Christmas theme movies, we drank wine, we toasted and we celebrated Christmas...the way it should be celebrated...Christmas is a time when you spend time with your family, letting them know how much you appreciate their being with you, and that you love them...

I will make an effort to always spend Christmas with my family...perhaps not every easter, perhaps not every thanksgiving, but Christmas is reserved for family...(so i guess if i want a white Christmas, they will have to be where i'll be..)..

*********

Christmas day cum Sunday service in church could not be better...we had this drama which is phenomenal...the casts are all so talented, and how effectively they delivered the message to ths audiences...the church was PACKED...literally, we (the youths) had to surrender our seats to the elders and ended up piling at the stairs...After the service, there was this banquet where we got the chance to pow wow with each other and wishing Merry Christmas to the folks...

everyone was spirited, how sweet is the sound around us, and the fragrance of God's presence...it's just awesome...

********

in the evening, i brought my family to have dinner at The Ship...yeah, i TREATED them...my parents were all smile when i said i would pay for the dinner...they toasted for me instantly, and that grin on their face just wont go away...i was sorta blushing as well...to think that im finally paying the bill...As if not putting the pressure on me, Mom said she would PAY for New Year's eve dinner, making me feel that im not obligated to pay for the family meal from now on...not after ive made a statement that i can provide them financially...

Christmas is just so nice...everyone, whether believers or non-believers are soaked with this spirit that is inexplicable...We don't feel that during CNY, we don't feel that during Hari Raya, we don't feel that during Deepavali...Christmas is celebrated by everyone, irregardless of their race and religion...

All is calm, all is bright...everyone coming together in one, to witness the Birth of our saviour...Jesus is the Lord...now i bet no one would beg to differ on this, right? Amen...

I love Santa...

Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus,


Right down Santa Claus lane


Vixen and Blitzen and all his reindeer


Pullin' on the reins


Bells are ringin', children singin'


All is merry and bright


Hang your stockings and say your prayers


'Cause Santa Claus comes tonight!



Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus,


Right down Santa Claus lane


He's got a bag that's filled with toys


For boys and girls again


Hear those sleigh bells jingle jangle,


Oh what a beautiful sight


So jump in bed and cover your head


'Cause Santa Claus comes tonight!



Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus,


Right down Santa Claus lane


He doesn't care if you're rich or poor


He loves you just the same


Santa Claus knows we're all Gods children


That makes everything right


So fill your hearts with Christmas cheer


'Cause Santa Claus comes tonight!



Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus,


Right down Santa Claus lane


He'll come around when the chimes ring out


That it's Christmas morn again


Peace on earth will come to all


It we just follow the light


So lets give thanks to the lord above


That Santa Claus comes tonight!

Christmas party

Earlier we were all celebrating Christmas at Peter's Penthouse in Riana Green...

we sang, we caroled, we gave testimony, we shared God's word, we ate, we drank, we toasted, we caught up with each other, we made new friends, we talked, we played games, we exchanged gifts...we were Merry...

I got this nice gift from dont-know-who...it is a festive seasons' coaster...come in snowman's shape and colour, along with a candle holder too...it is really cute...im glad i picked this one...

I also received a hugo edt and a t-shirt from a friend, along with a very nice card with very touching words inside...the party dismissed at around midnight, so i brought my friend to Matrix to grab some drinks, before starting work at 1am...

i was rather upset that i couldnt stay longer at the bar, and gotta keep myself sober while maintaining my composure...so i kept it low, and only ordered Mai Tai and Sex on the Beach...yeah cocktails...with absolutely negligible alcohol contained...

********

Tomorrow night will be another sleepless night, not because i hafta work, but because ive gotta have a Karaoke session with some friends...

im hoping i will be able to rest on Holy Night...

when everyone and everything is at peace...where your heart is set to rest...

and you dream of the Manger...

and the Holy One...

and yourself...

becoming one...

Sleepy...

today after work i spent some few hours hunting for some last minute Christmas gifts...

i was in 1-U, enjoying the morning crowd, or...i wouldn't call it a crowd, there was hardly anyone there when i walked in at 10 in the morning, except for some staff busy getting their shops ready for patrons, and some dancers practising their ballet steps on the stage with an elaborate backdrops and flamboyant-coloured props and settings...

I always like it when i didnt have to share the mall with ALOT of people...think weekends, think public holidays...I can take my time strolling casually, picking my items in my own sweet world, without having someone breathing down your neck, or trying to walk past you, or wondering what you are looking at, waiting behind you so that they can find out what interests you so much...Malaysians are just so curious, so KEH POH...I detest those who bring along their kids and let them running around like lunatics, shouting at each other, with ultra high pitch frequency...I hate it when the diners are filled with hungry and impatient customers, all demanding to be served first...I just don't like to go to the mall when there are ALOT of people...

There is this shop in 1-U in which i like and find it very interesting indeed...The name of the shop is Gizmo, and they sell products, very kewl products...i was looking at this gadget earlier in which it can tell you what you were thinking, by asking you a series of 20 questions...so before pressing the start button, i think of her...and then i start answering the questions...toward the end, when i was convinced that the stupid gadget is a flop and will never tell what i was thinking...it said: I am gonna win...so when i answered the final question and the machine asked if i was thinking of a human body...i was FLABBERGASTED...this is just so creepy...

i was thinking of buying the item at RM90, but i thought i should come back later when they have a sale of something...apparently the toy was crowned the coolest item in a recent poll, took place in Tokyo...and im telling ya, it is kewl...

there are several other items which interest me alot...but they are pricey as well...i like this toy that claimed that you can sorta 'rear' ants and see their daily activities, digging holes, making tunnels and passageway...it is transparent and the box contains some gel-like substance...i will get it somehow...

So i got some Christmas gifts from Body Shop, Memory lane, and Room...and proceeded to buy some clothes...went into AX and saw this shirt that's attractive and priced at 499, but alas, they do not have my size...eventually i didnt buy alot of stuff for myself as i was getting so tired due to lack of sleep and headed home...

Im gonna try to shop again tomorrow at the curve, i still have few gifts to get for several friends...Gosh, ive spent alot already today...needa save up some money for new year eve as well...but you know, the salary will be issued then...no worries...

:)


Happy Yuletide...

Yay, i got framed...

I used to remember when someone told me that the working world is not as obliging as it seems...i was skeptical...thinking what would people do to me if im being nothing but nice and humble, and treating others with respect...i was wrong...

So early this morning the boss has summoned me into the board room for a hush-hush discussion...it turned out that someone has been logging in as me in the admin panel and helped themselves with real gifts and money...You see, one of the privilege i have in the office is the ability to issue real money tickets to player for their playing pleasure, and yes, everything is in DOLLAR!

The boss showed me a log displaying the tickets that i have been giving away to several accounts in MALAYSIA...now one thing we dont do here, is that we do not serve MALAYSIAN customers...the value of the tickets amount to hundred of dollars and my name was shown as being the agent responsible for it...

He looked at me and said: did you do it?
I looked at him, replied: The fact that you are even considering the possibility of me commiting the crime upsets me...

so that spells it all...we went through the investigation together, i supplied him with relevant information, we examined the nitty gritty, and then i went back...

While i was sleeping earlier, he called, saying all has been sorted out, the culprit has confessed, and being given the AX...geez, ive gotten someone terminated...come to think of it, i have no involvement at all, what was he thinking trying to frame me like that? He should be glad that he's not subject to serving time behind bar, as the boss said he would spare him the prosecution...

And all this while i was ignorant...i thought everyone was kewl with me...now my integrity is being questioned, my credibility is being compromised, and my capability is being doubted upon...that aint good...

I spoke to boss, saying, I WANT OUT...this hostile environment is just not healthy...He offered to bring me over to another company of his...and yeah, im gonna start all over again...

I wouldnt say that's a bad thing...everything happens for a reason...and i always trust the sign whenever i see one...God's behind all this...

Im looking forward to a good start...

Im complacent...

for now...


(when will i be given a sabbatical? I need one, badly...)

God loves us...

So on Saturday, an interesting turn of event had taken place...

Zach has accepted Christ!! and i was responsible for it (well, i brought him to church, didnt i?)

It so happened that he was asking if i would like to hangout that day, i told him that i was expected at a Christmas drama (to become the spectator, i.e.)...so i counter-offered him if he would like to come to my church (you know, when you turn down someone's invitation, you are supposed to make yourself feel less bad and instead make a counter-offer, rather than some hocus pokus lame excuses, as a courtesy gesture)...

I never expected he would say yes (the dude's a buddhist, and you know how some of them are scared of church's activities, and would make an attempt to steer clear of it)...He had looked at me and said: Yeah, i'll come...

i was dumb-founded...you know when they say how easy it is to spread gospel without even trying? this is it...i didnt have to persuade and convince or coax...i was merely trying to make myself feel less guilty, and hence the invitation...and he has accepted the invitation...and im sure it is gonna turn out to be the most rewarding invitation in his entire life...Amen?

So i met him in Church, along with Jo, Mel and Ken...got him seated down, baby-sitting him the whole time for fear he would feel uncomfortable...the service started, we sang gospels and carols...i was anxious...he seemed at ease...no problem...the dude hasnt freaked out yet...i thought...

The drama commenced, so far so good...nothing major popped out...then speaker started with message...still kewl...no grimace and sudden movement...speaker made an altar call...now here's the deal....he RESPONDED the call....is that awesome or what? My heart was pounding so fast the entire time i was praying for his salvation...he has lifted up in his hand...and when i led him to the altar, he LET me...he has totally submitted himself...that is just so amazing...

Perhaps i worried too much...perhaps i havent trusted God will do his work...perhaps i havent had enough faith...

i feel so ashame of myself...Didnt God say all we need to do is to just go out and harvest it, and He will do the rest? The harvests are plentiful but the workers are few, send therefore, workers into the harvest field...Why have i doubted God? Why was i taken by surprise when Zach accepted Christ? Why didnt i expect miracles to happen?

I needa learn how to trust God, i needa learn how to submit to God, just like Zach did, i needa quieten myself...and listen...Where would my callings be? What do i do best? How can i make myself a useful vessel? I needa settle the conundrum in me...i needa obey...


i needa...


be still...

getting laid back...

Today i slept in the entire day, and when i say entire, i mean THE WHOLE DAY...

The sty in my left eye is healing, and it has become less swollen and reddish, which is a good thing, i dont need that Oakley afterall...

So i woke up around 11+, denied Dad's offer of his fried rice, as i do not feel like eating anything at all...my throat's sore, and i have a couple of ulsers lurking somewhere around my underlips and mouth...Eating is so not an option...Drinking hurts too...Geez, what's going wrong with my body? I feel like Pyro, i feel like my system is heating up...i feel as if the country is too hot for me...

On the contrary, the weather today is uncommonly cold, i mean REALLY cold...c'est froid...I didnt have to turn on the A/C while i was having my siesta...plus, rain came pouring down torrentially around 5, i was freezing, i felt as if i was in a foreign country, i was contented...

Dad brought back some sandwiches and bagels from Crowne Plaza around noon, so i got my ass up and started on the sandwiches...nice stuff...smoked salmon, turkey ham, cheddar...absolutely awesome...I watched Judging Amy, Globe trekker in Ireland and Paris, and then switched to some downloaded series of Charmed season 8...I always enjoy watching the sisters kick butt...they are much cooler than Charlie's angel, they can orb, they can blow demons off, they can cast spell, they are just so cute...

After that, yes...i went back to embrace my lovely bed, the sweet scent, and the most comfortable comforter ever...i was unconcious, like literally...slept through dinner and only woke up around 11pm when Mom called...My parents and my brother have gone to watch King Kong in the evening, i rejected their invitation because i had wanted to SLEEEP...so they got home around 11.30pm, made me some supper, and waited till 12.30am when i leave for work...

I felt sad...that i didnt get to spend more time with them because of my lopsided working hours...i felt sorry that i had to turn down a movie treat with my family...i felt guilty that sleeping is more important than my family...i felt bad...

I will make an effort to attend a wedding dinner with them tomorrow...

*****************

Plans for the next few days:

21st: work out and shop for CHristmas gifts
22nd: Attend Christmas party
23rd: Whole night Karaoke Session with Mel and Jo
24th: Christmas eve, hangout with family and friends, Dinner at some posh place...
25th: Christmas Day...too many activities
26th: Taking the day off...will hang around somewhere
27th: Plan to get my passport fixed
28th: Dinner date with anonymous friend
29th: Dinner and Movie date with Lover
30th: No plans yet
31st: Fond Yee's wedding Dinner and count down/party after that
1st: Expecting a major hangover, will sleep in (or will i?)
2nd: Jo's bday...will celebrate at her favourite joint
3rd: taking the day off...plan to go up to Genting with the gals for some slots fun
4th: ....
5th: ....
6th: ....
7th: ....
8th: Bro's bday/family day

Just feel like singing...

O Holy Night Lyrics
Christmas Carol Lyrics
O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining.
Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, the night when Christ was born;
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
O'er the world a star is sweetly gleaming,
Now come the wisemen from out of the Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friends.
He knows our need, our weakness is no stranger,
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!

Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother.
And in his name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
With all our hearts we praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
His power and glory ever more proclaim!

Narnia and swollen eye...

Im not feeling good, i have a swollen eye, it's infected again...maybe it's time to invest on a decent pair of dark glasses...geez, how am i supposed to go to the Christmas drama this weekend looking like Hellboy? My eye aint cool, it's red, it's swelling, and it's not seducive...Again, really needa buy a pair of Oakley...I have written down lotsa items on the shopping list, and there is just so much money that i could spend, so...gotta set my priority straight...I need to buy a new cam for my trip, like a really kewl one, after ive decided im not gonna get the DVD-camcorder from SOny...i thought it aint exactly a good idea going on a backpack trip with a camcorder, because...im not filming a travel documentary, am i? and a 2.2 mega pixel just wont do for still images...So, Digicam it is...

***********

Im on the verge of calling it quit for this current job of mine...ive even composed the resignation letter...i am determined...

************

This morning was unbelievable, i went for three classes in fitness first...I started off with power Yoga, and then followed by Body Jam, and concluded my gym session with Body balance...yeah, so i did lotsa balancing and stretching today...very timely as well...as im much stressed out lately...really need some relaxation and meditation session...

I felt fresh after working out, and agreed to a movie request with Aster...we watched Narnia...say...aint too bad, nice cgi, nice array of creatures....think minotaur, think satyr, think centaur...and some nice childish conversation in nice british accent....and yeah, talking animals are cute too, how nice it is if we have it here on earth...all in all, good entertainment altogether...

Im watching King Kong tonight....im praying that my eye wont swell to the extent that it affects my vision...not gonna pay a cinema ticket but get a tv-sized vision...

Im sleepy...

The transition...

I have been taking pride in that i have never had the need to work part time while schooling...Pocket money is a-plenty and my parents never ceased to fund me or sponsor me whenever i needa invest in something huge...think Piano, think Laptop, think Car, think all kinda other gadgets...

So i was caught offguard, utterly surprised, when dad extended his hand and actually asked if i have $100 to spare....OMG, i cudnt believe my ears, for 23 years of my life, this is the first time that Dad has ever asked me for money...what a monent to be cherished, what a moment of dignity, what a moment of acknowledgement...Im finally a grown-up in his eyes, financially independent and can do what i want, whenever and wherever...Im free!

What happened next totally upsets me however....he was grinning from head to toe, and then without warning, he tossed me an envelope...it was addressed to him...i opened it up, read through the content, and put on a disgusted expression...It was from MPPJ...geez, that means the cat is out of the sock...

So dad said: trying to get me in jail huh? well apparently the letter is a warning against issuing a legal letter should he fail to settle the dept of $100....and i was speechless...and my later attempt to persuade him to ignore the letter proved futile...he wont hear of it...such a wuss...

I got the ticket when i parked my car without displaying a parking ticket for a mere 5 minutes somewhere near Hilton, PJ...i had actually disposed the ticket upon consultation with some of the frequent ticket collectors in the office...they managed to convince me not to give a D*** to the ticket and get along with my life...and i was thinking that time, why should i bother paying the council, what have i done? i havent obstructed traffic...i couldnt find the paying machine (i know this sounds lame)...i was only gone for 5 minutes....and PUH-----LEESE....a fine of $100? is that daylight robbery or what? you've gotta be kidding me....

So when dad was waving the $100 note in the air, enjoying the grimace on my face, i had a strong urge to grab and retrieve my money...but as if sensing my motive, he was gone in a thrice...GOSH, i cud get a decent meal for that, cudnt i? Say an appetizer of escargot, a piece of juicy, succulent steak, some cocktails, and some melting deserts...but on second thought, im on a diet...oh whatever, im now $100 poorer...

It's time to get some Christmas Gifts, gosh, Mel wanted that Roxy purse and Jo had asked for a Braun Buffel...they really think im printing money, arent they? something for mom, none for dad...maybe i will just buy some wine back...Im hoping to get a bottle of EDT for my present...Gosh, dun i love Christmas?


***********

So yesterday while having buffet dinner at Crowne Plaza, Mutiara, i saw lotsa international media and delegates hobnobbing there...oh...they are all staying there, arent they? they should be pretty bz for tomorrow's ASEAN Summit...there was this woman, i think her tag says she's from Australia...and man, she's gorgeous...and so while i was observing all this, i had one thing in mind...i wanna work as the press, media people, spokesperson, whatever, you name it...it's so nice travelling to other country and get to know other people from other country...not paparazzi though, i dun really fancy blood-hounding some celebs, as if you would like a piece of them...

i need a career change...i wanna be part of the globe-trekker team, or lonely planet, or traveller...i wanna be free....I AM FREE....


I am happy...

Down in the dumps...

I feel tired, like really tired...My mind's not thinking straight, keeps on dwelling in a certain fantasy in which i know doesnt make sense...it's just a dream, it'll never come true...or....will it?

Im exhausted, trying to convince everyone that it's ok to do what you want to do, but everyone just falls into the routine trap, playing the routine game, doing what they thought it's best for them, stripping away their dreams...or....do they even have one?

I wanna prove them wrong, i needa make the first step...life isnt about earning lotsa money, dun let that desire consumes us, money is ruling the world, we've gotta fight back...people are killing each other over money, they are losing sanity, they needa be saved...

**********

Church camp was great, well....great beaches, great weather, great surrounding...what more do you want?

Fine, Pastor Sophia was downright kewl, i must say i was and still am deeply inspired during the four days she was coaching us...i wouldnt say i am revived and the fire is burning profuselt, but i am seeing life in a far bigger picture now than before...

We were in Awana Kijal, Terengganu for four days...the place is beautiful, sandy beaches, lush green palms everywhere, strong breeze and the air is filled with the wonderful aroma of nature...

I guess i had my time-off there, de-stressing, and feeling God being near...It was a nice feeling, i felt calm, tranquilized...i felt free...

Earlier on the first day, i was feeling all cranky and fed up because the air-condition of the bus i was travelling in aint working...i had complained whole day...i regretted signing up for the camp...i was pissed...

After the session with Ps. Sophia, it seemed there was nothing to be angry about, it wasnt the most unfortunate thing that can happen...i was merely being a whiner...im ashamed of myself...i am immature...

I have learned of the art of having relationship with others...I learned how to live life to the fullest...i learned what's important in life, i wanna value the people around me...i think....lol...


No matter how strayed i am from God...i know deep inside, i will always return to Him at the end of the day...that should account for something right?

I love You, Lord...

*******

Ive managed to renew my IC, amended my Christian name, along with a testimony too...

So that morning i went to the registration department in Kota Damansara....the queue was hell long...luckily Mel was with me throughout the entire ordeal...so we got our number eventually, and what a bummer...we had to return in the afternoon at 2pm for our turn...

So came 2pm, and i just woke up from a nap, Mel was working...i got up, rushed to the office along with my number: 1143

Imagine my surprise when i reached the office at 2.40pm, i walked in, peering anxiously at the Counter, and saw the number there: 1142

and before i could digest what's going on, the counter rang, beckoning for customer having the number 1143...dump-founded, i walked to the respective station, and registered for application...

See...prayer helps....along the way, i was praying that i will not miss the number, to avoid having to wait longer in the office....and voila, i ended up wondering what wait actually means...Life's good...

At least that's what i thought when i had that blessing....on the way back, i had a punctured tyre....Yeah, and that spoiled my day completely...luckily Mel was on the rescue...*i regret to say changing tyre is not exactly my strong point*

She fetched me to find a mechanic, we got the dude, fixed the freakin tyre, and then life goes on again....

Lessons to learn: Get the number from a known mechanic to avoid getting stranded when the tyre decides to wear off...


*********

Gym regime: Currently doing Yoga, Body Jam, Body Steps and Body Combat...
Book im reading: Jim Clark's bio (Netscape founder)
Days to backpacking: hopefully before March next year
Current status: Im seeing someone right now... :)



Today im feeling: Kinda down, but cheering up a little...



Life's good...

Marbles...

Got this article from a friend and thought it could inspire some of us...

********

The older I get, the more I enjoy Saturday mornings. Perhaps with being the first to rise, or maybe it's the unbounded joy of not having to be at work. Either way, the first few hours of a Saturday morning are most enjoyable.

A few weeks ago, I was shuffling toward the kitchen with a steaming cup of coffee in one hand and the morning paper in the other. What began as a typical Saturday morning turned into one of those lessons that life seems to hand you from time to time? Let me tell you about it.

I turned the volume up on my radio in order to listen to a Saturday morning talk show. I heard an older sounding chap with a golden voice. You know the kind, he sounded like he should be in the broadcasting business himself.

He was talking about "a thousand marbles" to someone named "Tom." I was intrigued and sat down to listen to what he had to say.

"Well, Tom, it sure sounds like you're busy with your job. I'm sure they pay you well but it's a shame you have to be away from home and your family so much. Hard to believe a young fellow should have to work sixty or seventy hours a week to make ends meet. Too bad you missed your daughter's dance recital."

He continued, "Let me tell you something Tom, something that has helped me keep a good perspective on my own priorities." And that's when he began to explain his theory of a "thousand marbles."

"You see, I sat down one day and did a little arithmetic. The average person lives about seventy-five years. I know, some live more and some live less, but on average, folks live about seventy-five years." "Now then, I multiplied 75 times 52 and I came up with 3900 which is the number of Saturdays that the average person has in their entire lifetime. Now stick with me Tom, I'm getting to the important part."

"It took me until I was fifty-five years old to think about all this in any detail," he went on, "and by that time I had lived through over twenty-eight hundred Saturdays. I got to thinking that if I lived to be seventy-five, I only had about a thousand of them left to enjoy."

"So I went to a toy store and bought every single marble they had. I ended up having to visit three toy stores to round-up 1000 marbles. I took them home and put them inside of a large, clear plastic container right here in my workshop next to the radio. Every Saturday since then, I have taken one marble out and thrown it away." "I found that by watching the marbles diminish, I focused more on the really important things in life. There is nothing like watching your time here on this earth run out to help get your priorities straight."

"Now let me tell you one last thing before I sign-off with you and take my lovely wife out for breakfast. This morning, I took the very last marble out of the container. I figure if I make it until next Saturday then God has blessed me with a little extra time to be with my loved ones......

"It was nice to talk to you Tom, I hope you spend more time with your loved ones, and I hope to meet you again someday. Have a good morning!"

You could have heard a pin drop when he finished. Even the show's moderator didn't have anything to say for a few moments. I guess he gave us all a lot to think about. I had planned to do some work that morning, and then go to the gym. Instead, I went upstairs and woke my wife up with a kiss. "C'mon honey, I'm taking you and the kids to breakfast."

"What brought this on?" she asked with a smile."Oh, nothing special," I said. "It has just been a long time since we spent a Saturday together with the kids. Hey, can we stop at a toy store while we're out? I need to buy some marbles."