A Huge "Working" Question Mark

Dear pipsqueaks,

Having just had my yearly appraisal with le boss, I came out with a huge question mark above my head. As much as our discussions are open, I still feel that stubbornness in him as I, a fellow Leo, also possess.

Actually, this very topic had been butchered to death earlier last year when my ex-coworker was making her own path through chaos...

How should one's salary be set? What is it based on exactly?

Life of Pi

Dear pipsqueaks,

Spoiler alert: if you haven't watched the movie and you plan to, postpone reading this post until after!

An epic journey of a ignorant boy and a feisty Richard Parker filled with the most breath-taking scenes. I can't even begin to explain how much afterthought this movie had brought upon me. Then again, not everyone perceived the movie in the same way. Possibly because I've been taught and trained at school to be analytical about everything, every scene, and every word. It came across with one particular message that almost shouted out at me...

"I suppose in the end, the whole of life becomes an act of letting go, but what always hurts the most is not taking a moment to say goodbye."

Emergency Kit & Go Bag

Dear pipsqueaks,

After a quick phone call with le parents, I've been directed to prepare an "Emergency Kit" and a "Go Bag". Not that I believe the world is coming to an end- simply, I believe in being ready for whatever may happen. Be it this 21st of December or whenever. It's always better to be prepared.

It was quite a funny follow-up discussion with le sister. She was trying to coordinate a  meeting point for the family to meet should some disaster strike, and came to the conclusion that we shall meet in our Keelung home. What crossed my mind- obviously something she overlooked- was that I'm in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Should the world collapse, it will be more than a challenge to find them in Taiwan, let alone Keelung house. Then again, I wouldn't be on any schedule in particular, so to spend my life looking for them would be a life well spent in any case.

See But No Play in [Bangkok]: Day 8

Dear pipsqueaks,

Staying in a dorm always makes waking up early difficult, especially when all the beds were full. With the pick-up time set at 6:15, I woke up at 5:45 to quietly sneaked out to brush up and organize a locker to store all my junk until I get back. Even though I would have officially checked out by the time I return, the hostel provided locker service for 20thb and lent me a lock for free. The morning could almost be described like some dream where everything happened so automatically, and poof, I was on the bus circling the city picking up the rest. The next hour or so was a blur as I fell in and out of sleep...

Finally, we were officially on our way to the Floating Market around 8ish. For some reason, I've always been a car-ride sleeper; therefore, the worst candidate to be at shotgun as I will most likely fall asleep, epically failing to keep the driver in company for long hauls. Nonetheless, I appreciated the long drive, allowing me to do some catching up on sleep so I wouldn't look like a cast on The Walking Dead at the Floating Market (actually, technically it would be "The Floating Dead", just kidding). Anyway, we arrived at a dock where three busload of us hopped on long boats.

It felt a bit as if we're being taken to some sacred place, but soon that feeling had been painted with noise and fumes from a field of mechanically-run long boats. Chit-chats from both tourists and locals filled the air. Overdose. But I promised myself to give this place a chance, so I chance I shall give.

(We're finally here! Took us long enough...except we're on my worst element: water!) 

See But No Play in [Bangkok]: Day 7

Dear pipsqueaks,

For the oddest reason, now that I had the whole weekend to do whatever I wanted, I had nothing planned. At most, I have to check out of this hotel by noon and check in at the hostel by 1pm. That shouldn't be too difficult since it was only two stations away, and I was armed with a map! There was also a post office just by that station, so I could pick up some stamps on the way for my postcards! Great plan, until 1pm.

Before all that happened, I enjoyed my last buffet breakfast, finishing it up with a nice scoop of coconut ice-cream and a glass of carrot juice. Not sure why- possibly an influence of another friend- I've come to a pleasant addiction to fresh carrot juice. Supposedly, it's good for the eyes, and since I'm a rabbit in Chinese calendar terms, it isn't too weird that I love carrots. Even the attendant at the juice stand recognizes me, and by the 3rd day automatically prepare a glass of juice upon my arrival. Talk about great service :)

As I did a great job packing the absolute minimum for this trip, it wasn't too difficult to clean up the place for check out. All I needed was the essentials for another two days, and the rest can be stuffed into my luggage that shall be left in the keeps of my coworker who will be staying in the hotel. We were scheduled on the same shuttle to the airport, so I trust her not to lose my luggage before then.

See But No Play in [Bangkok]: Day 6

Dear pipsqueaks,

Of all the meetings, this last one always took the longest. That was probably why I planned absolutely nothing because it will most likely take up the whole day. No surprise, it didn't end till 5pm. Though, on a positive note, the buffet lunch was fantabulously delicious. Okay, maybe I'm being a bit bias towards their spinning ice-cream display and rows of bite-sized chocolate cakes, but seriously, a dessert heaven for someone like me! Plus, I did need the sugar boost to last another 5 hours more...

(I had the urge to say, "One scoop each", but I didn't want to scare the lady. Plan B: come back after I finish the first two scoops :P) 

See But No Play in [Bangkok]: Day 5

Dear pipsqueaks,

Looking at my schedule, today could be the more "free" day for me, with only a 2-hour duty just after lunch. It would have been nice to join the group heading to the Floating Market, but as there was no guarantee when they will return (approximately 1pm or later depending on traffic), there was no way I could go knowing I will most likely be late for work. So, the responsible me said no. On the bright side, I did get to sleep in a little longer, take my time at breakfast, and write a post all before duty.

After checking with my boss that he wouldn't need me post-duty, I decided to squish in a Thai massage between the end of my duty and the dinner cruise departing at 5:30. Hearing about this "Health Land" for the millionth time, it was finally my turn to check it out. Honestly one of the most organised massage places ever. A huge stand-alone building, its services ranged from short foot massages to full on body scrub. As we were pressed for time, a 90-minute full body massage was the most we could do. So, in a rush, we were hurried into our private rooms and the rest of the world was quickly forgotten for the next 1.5 hour...

(Just look at this super pro-looking massage place. Keep in mind, it's a legit massage place...so not where you would go looking for happy endings!)

See But No Play in [Bangkok]: Day 4

Dear pipsqueaks,

Meeting first thing in the morning is probably no one's preferred itinerary of any day, but it wasn't a choice, of course. I remember I'm here for work, and it's nice to feel helpful, if not needed. So, apart from dropping by Terminal 21 for a Chinese lunch with a few CM, I was mostly hotel-based for minute-taking and finalization. It didn't help that I had duty, which confined me to this room full of chit-chatting. Not sure how we're expected to work in these conditions, but with my headphones and constant training of the selective caring, I managed anyway.

Meeting weeks are usually full of events, and let's just say, our hosts never cease to surprise us with their entertainment schedule alongside the meetings. Though not all of us were invited to the Grand Palace for a special presentation to the King of Thailand yesterday, we were invited for the dinner at the Crown Property Bureau tonight.

Of course, even that couldn't go smoothly- we were on a manhunt for one of my coworkers while the rest of the group couldn't be held up any longer without being totally late and left the four of us behind. Supposedly, another mini van was to pick up the leftovers, but it got impossibly lost in the streets of Bangkok, and as we wouldn't wait anymore, we had decided to take the public transit to a less trafficked area and finish there with taxi. That's fine, at least we had two locals. Except, I can't say I enjoyed the challenge of traveling with public transit in my dress. Nonetheless, I survived.

See But No Play in [Bangkok]: Day 3

Dear pipsqueaks,

(A known issue with blogger photo storage problem, I'm officially stopped to add more photos at this point, but will certainly "complete" this post when it's once again available for me to upload!)

(Problem solved...I think!)

For the first time this whole week, I was not slotted for morning duty! Of course, I wasn't about to let it go to waste. Though nothing was set solid, I knew I wanted to head out of this hotel for a bit, even if it were only for a short morning. Possibly to the Grand Palace or the famous Wat Pho as they're both in the same area. I thought to do more planning at breakfast...

Just when I was coming to my senses hearing the alarm jump, I saw a text message from a friend of one of our CM. Apparently, he had arrived the night before and was wondering when I would be heading down for breakfast. Having had to wake up at 6:45am for the past week, I wanted to have just as much time to see a little bit of Bangkok when I could, so I woke up around 7ish too. (For those that know, I LOVE my sleep, so to sacrifice means a lot :P).

Over breakfast, without trying, I had managed to change his mind about having a pool-day today and joining me for an adventure. So the itinerary for today: take the taxi to Grand Palace, lunch, walk over Wat Pho, and then taxi back for my afternoon duty. As simple as that, *laugh*, if only...

See But No Play in [Bangkok]: Day 2

Dear pipsqueaks,

It was another super early wake for me, but it didn't feel as painful because I went to bed at 11pm! That must have been a record as I almost never sleep before midnight, but I knew I would probably die mid-day if I didn't. So it was all good. A delicious and healthy breakfast also helped: salad plate, two chocolate pancakes, three pieces of sushi, the end of a french bread with cold cut stuffing, glass of carrot juice, shot of super juice (I think it was dragon fruit with pineapples?), and tea. If you know me, that was a SUPER breakfast. In a way, it did good both physically and mentally because I was in such a good mood for eating good. It's not secret...it's a cycle!

(Yes, I had only remembered that I should have taken a photo when I was half way into the salad...so no photo today! Maybe tomorrow ;P)

Something that caught my eye at breakfast- a mother attending to a girl of maybe 7 or 8 years old. She had a cute ponytail and a pink baby backpack. All dressed up, the only thing that was totally out of place was her smile. You could tell she was in a grumpy mood as she didn't want anything her mom plated for her and refused to go select a dish herself. There was no pleasing her. Yet, the mother didn't give up, and tried again and again back and forth looking for something to her liking. It crossed my mind that I may had very well been this way when I was younger....what a nightmare!

See But No Play in [Bangkok]: Day 1

Dear pipsqueaks,

Day one was on a whole new level of dreadfulness in my dictionary: I woke up one hour earlier than I should!! *faint* So how did I manage to do that? I usually use my phone as my alarm clock, so when it sang this morning, I swung my leg around the edge and let gravity force me off the bed. Somehow, this part of mornings like these were all so blur. In the end, I'm dressed, packed, and ready to go. Just when I was putting on my watched, I had noticed the time was one hour earlier. Quickly, I glanced at the clock under the TV- it was only 6:15!? Unless I went back in time, there was no way it could have been 6:15am. Then...it came to me. My phone was in KL time...crap.

Fine. Even my phone was against me. No worries, no biggie, said I while I slipped off my work dress...and slipped back into the warm and comfy bed for another hour! Sweet as~

See But No Play in [Bangkok]: Day 0

Dear pipsqueaks,

With a 12:25pm flight, I didn't think the morning would be so dreadful, but it was anyway. It didn't help that we had such a big steamboat dinner the night before, bed time wasn't until 1:30am. No worries though, it seemed that if the situation calls for it, I will somehow manage to get up and get ready.

Mind you, I didn't pack until the morning of. The idea is that if I were to allow myself lots of time to pack, more likely than not, I'll end up packing stuff I don't really need. So, an 8am wake seemed sufficient. By the time I finished brushing up, it was about 8:20am, and the packing began. Not wanting to repeat my London over-weight, I only packed 3 casual t-shirts, 2 office uniform shirts, 1 pair shorts, 2 sets of gym clothes, 2 one-piece dresses, 1 pair of runners, 1 suit and 2 flats. All of that including my toiletries and charger bag didn't nearly take up 2/3 of my luggage. How about that?! The rest was left loose with a corporate gift that I was asked to bring. When I zipped it all up, I took a step back with a feeling of proudness. Cannot believe I managed to fit everything in AND  still have space!

On top of that, I had about half an hour to troll around and double-check the place. When all was ready, I randomly decided to open the fridge....

Sneaking around in [Taiwan]

Dear pipsqueaks,

As I tried to keep the trip as low of a profile as I could before I left, not many people knew of my visit. It's a good thing- despite being totally hammered when they found out. In a way, it was my break from the world to spend some quality time with le family. We were actually supposed to spend the summer holidays together, but due to family issues, le parents couldn't take leave, so I went with le sister instead. That made a break of eight months since the last time I saw them...and that is a LONG time for a family that had lived together for 17 years, seeing each other every day. Then again, I thought they would have gotten used to not having me around these couple of years...

Thinking back, this was a good time to see them because if I didn't, it would be until Chinese New Year in February! That would have been ten months too long. Not to mention the constant complaint that I travel to all these other places and NOT even spending more than 10 days with them this year. So, in a jiffy, I flew over to deal with the complaints. 

8 days. Usually, it would feel like it isn't enough to do all the things I want. But, I wasn't really suppose to be doing anything anyway. The break was simply to chillax with parents, be it at home or on a day trip somewhere. Though I only had two home-cooked meal, it's nothing to complain about. I don't want to be a trouble for my mom by being home, so I eat when she cooks, and eat out when she doesn't. No biggie. More or less with no particular schedule or planning, it's probably easier just to tell the story with photos...

(testing out my new camera Nikon CoolPix L310 too...)

(Look at our fridge covered with postcards! Although not all of them are from me, I shall attempt to fill the bottom two sections with postcards from all over the world :)) 

At the End of the Day - Part II

Dear pipsqueaks,

Following my previous post, YES, the wedding took place anyway despite all the talks. As a token of appreciation for your readership support, I would like to share the highlights of this special night with a few photos...

(Apparently, there were two other events taking place at KL Convention Center that night- totaling the head count of the entire building to more than 5,000 people! So just in case you get extremely lost, this will either tell you that you have arrived at your destination, or you're crashing the wrong party :P)

A Quickie

Dear pipsqueaks,

I don't believe I've ever felt such a short Saturday, and it's not even noon yet! (Yes, I'm actually in the office, having just cleared a whole bunch of emails- LAME, on a Saturday morning, right?) Tons to do before the "Secret Sneak-off": gym (because I haven't gone in the last two days & I crave that refreshing feeling when I proudly walk out of the gym), pack (as I will be attending a wedding tonight, with a flight at 10am, there won't be any time to pack...unless I don't plan to sleep which is NEVER a good plan so I pack beforehand), and wedding (because apparently there will be live coverage, and not that I care so much about what other people think but I'd like to pay my respect to the newly weds by dressing up for their special day- even though technically speaking, they've already celebrated last night!)

Yes, I know I owe the adventure series the "Cambodia" escape, but that will have to wait until I'm not in such a panic to do everything. It doesn't help that just yesterday night my boss had a slight change of plans due to personal reasons, so now I have to be on stand-by for further instructions even though I'm supposedly on WEEKEND mode and will be on VACAY mode starting Monday. Oh wells, that's the life of a PA!

Hopefully, I'll simmer down into that writing mode on the plane ride. As our Events Director always says when he skips out of the office...

"CHEERIOS!"

At the End of the Day - Part I

Dear pipsqueaks,

A thought was brewing in me this very morning when I laid on my bed pondering about what I had just dreamt. It was one of the rare occasions that I could only remember glimpse of scenes, but I remember that feeling and more importantly, what I was thinking...

For heaven-sake, they can do as they like. Why should they have to answer to anyone?!

I might sound a little crazy without explaining what the heck I'm flaming about. To be exact, I'm rawring about Dato Lee Chong Wei & Datin-to-be Wong Mew Choo's wedding- all of it. From the private exchange of vows earlier on last week, to the family-intimate tea ceremony on the 9th, to the formal dinner celebration with all the high ranks on the 9th, to the less formal dinner celebration with family and friends on the 10th, to all in counting six press conferences prior to the whole row of events, it's fair to say the wedding has become a huge event for the country.

[KL Know-How]: Taxi-ing

Dear pipsqueaks,

Counting in total, I've already been working in KL for a little more than a year and three months. No one really asked me how I thought about this place. Really, it isn't too too bad. Having said that, there are *rolling my eyes* tons of tidbits that seriously causes some major point deductions. Of course, with this topic, I can write as much as a book, but I’m not about to fill my life with all these negativities that shall be forgotten as soon as I move out of this country. Actually, I’m quite glad I’ll always have that choice.

Now, what kind of “tidbits” am I taking about? In particular, today, a visit had to be paid to the nearby hospital for my minor toe infection caused by ingrown nail. Don’t ask for details, trust me, you don’t want to know. But a little medical advice, never ask for oval or squoval when doing pedicures as they may cause ingrown nails due to the growth of the flesh to cover the receding corner only to face the slow growth of the nail later on. It can be uber nasty, so just avoid as much as possible. If in doubt, oval or squoval only in the white regions of your nail tips. Any shorter and you’ll end up like me- a pus-sy toe that smells like overdue milk. Gross.

Weekend in [Paris]- Part II

Dear pipsqueaks,

The day had finally arrived: we were going to voluntarily jump off a plane cruising at the altitude of 4000m for the sake of bragging rights. Well, that's what most people think, but it's really just for me to know that I didn't chicken out. Why else would I want to skydive? To feel what it's like to be a bird at free fall before it expands its wings and glides. Though, I do have to say, the moment the parachute opened is most likely nothing close to how it feels when birds take flight. But anyway, it may be easiest to let the photos tell the story...

(before anything can happen, we gotta sign our lives away! of course, you must bring along a doctor's note stating that you're in good health & can physically participate in this dangerous activity)

Weekend in [Paris]- Part I

Dear pipsqueaks,

Truth be told, I hadn't planned to include Paris in this summer's travels, but considering my hands had been washed of all preparations, there was no way I would get involved with the discussions between le sister and le bf. So Paris it was. There's nothing wrong with Paris, really. It's just, I wanted to visit places I haven't been, and I have been to Paris before- keep in mind, there will be more trips made there because le bf lives in Paris. In any case, there was something more important to do this time: skydive.

Le bf knew of my bucket list, and on it written all kinds of adventures. One of which was to skydive. Prior to the whole "attempting to kill ourselves" jump, I must say, I hadn't felt much nerves. Actually, this was suppose to have taken place in April when I visited, but it didn't fit into our schedule, so we had to postpone until December. But seeing that I was already in Europe, a short stop in Paris should be easy enough. Plus, the weather was definitely more stable during the summer than winter (jumps are more likely to be cancelled or further postponed), which by the way was so ridiculously hot that even a Taiwanese living in Malaysia was complaining. Summer in Paris? Not even in my shorts & t-shirt. In that weather, you'd practically have to walk around in bikinis not to overheat. Really, it's no wonder that Frenchies go travel during the summer, because it's almost an unliveable condition. Conclusion: no summer in Paris.

[Budapest] in a Splash- Part III

Dear pipsqueaks,

Note: Please excuse the wiki link for a few of these attractions as I couldn't find better websites for further info, but meh. It's enough to get your research started :)

This morning was less of a surprise as we expected the same schedule as yesterday's, probably with a little more time too as the meeting point was in Buda. Guess again! Despite the fact that we were already staying in Buda, it didn't mean the meeting point was any closer. Suppose we had to take two trams and walk a bit. Oh, how I wish it were that simple. Before we even reached the tram stop, things were already a mess: I realize I had left my Budapest Card on the table, and we were as of then running slightly behind. So, with what was left of my athletic training from years ago, I bolted back to the house, calmly unlocked all the gates and doors one by one, ran to the coffee table to grab the root of all this exercise first thing in the morning- le card, swiftly locked everything, and practically rolled down the hill to meet up with Ivy. Now thinking back, that was an operation well done! I don't even know how I managed all those doors, but I guess when the time calls for it, somehow, we are all very capable of accomplishing miraculous things.

(Random breakfast to finish all the stock we have left: mushroom with peppers & egg accompanied by chicken steak and toast- yummm :P)

[Budapest] in a Splash- Part II

Dear pipsqueaks,

The day began with me waking up super early to cook us some breakfast: chicken steak with eggs accompanied by toast and juice. Maybe even some pan-fried peppers were on the menu. (I can't remember what I made because I simply cook as I feel with what was available. A picture of tomorrow's breakfast will explain that~). Anyway, as we never seem to have enough time, after securing the place- several locks needed to be turned coming in and going out- we rushed down the hill and hopped on the tram to Pest.

We met up with the "Pest Walking Tour" at the Budapest Card Info-Point at Deák Ferenc tér, and you wouldn't believe how convenient it was to take the tram- literally the last stop! And to think we were worried about being late and missing the tour? Well, that can happen and we never know what else can happen too, so I do prefer to be AHEAD of schedule than chasing it. Following this tour guide with a Dracula like accent, we began our Pest-roaming. For some odd reason, he reminded me of this Hungarian classmate that had joined our class for a couple of years back in elementary school. Super blonde hair, lanky and shy, I can almost complete the scene in my head the day he walked into our classroom. He was all I knew of Hungary, and nothing more. So, definitely about time to do some proper learning of this mysterious country.

(more ways to keep tabs on the things you wanna do, grab a mini card!)

[Budapest] in a Splash- Part I

Dear pipsqueaks,

Apart from the near miss of our flight due to the train's delayed departure from Barcelona Sants, the morning went relative as expected. The heat didn't make transporting our luggage any easier, but we survived the 10 minute drag from our hotel. Despite it's hiddenness within the network of Barcelona streets, I adored our stay at the Live&Dream. Definitely Jessy recommended for our next trip here. You will be missed, Barcelona.

The rush was as quick to leave as it was quick to come. We were soon waiting in line to board our plane to, you guessed it, Budapest! I didn't really have much of a chance to become all excited because I was too busy looking for a postbox, except, none could be found. So, I activated the last resort: ask someone local to post them for us. That moment, the scene of the sales girl texting on her phone panned across my view as I skimmed for a potential person to do the job. I observed a little while before approaching, noting her smile and friendliness. There was a good chance she would grant the favour, so I made the move. What great profiling- all she asked was, "are they all ready to send?", and accepted the request in no time. Phew! Done and done. That's one more reason why I hate being in a rush, because imagine how much it would suck to have a stash of postcards all written and ready to go, but no where to post it?! *nightmare* But anyway, no need to freak out- it has been taken care of...this time. Now, the worry is that the girl forgets to mail them or lost them in the process of posting them. Oh, stay positive!

(could this get ANY MORE sketch than Air Asia?) 

Gaudilona aka. [Barcelona]- Part III

Dear pipsqueaks,

The first order of business today was- of course- rush to Sagrada Familia as we were told the wait can be up to a couple of hours long. Oh boy, was it a scary scene by the time we reached there! Suppose the entry begins at 9am in the morning, the line up would have started about 8~8:30am. So imagine the crowd of people when we got there at 9:15am! From our first view of the "Sand Castle"- doesn't it look like a humongous sand castle?!- as we walked out the station (we decided to take public transit because taking our hop-on-hop-off bus would have been way too late to beat the crowd, so we took it straight there from our closest metro), it was literally O-M-G. The end of the line could not be seen because it curved two corners of this gigantic artwork. Weather was also a challenge as the sky was crystal clear of clouds, so the sunlight beamed proudly. I would have loved this weather if we weren't waiting in line. Though, surprisingly, the line moved quite quickly, and within 45 minutes, we were picking up our tickets and headphones preparing to enter! How exciting after a long wait~

The exterior was already an eye opener, with three façades- Nativity, Passion, and Glory- each with their own stories to tell. Even for someone non-religious, it stopped me in my path with its intricate detailing of each element. Construction began in 1882, taken over by Gaudi in 1883, and was only 20% complete at the time of Gaudi's death in 1926, it is STILL incomplete. Suppose its scheduled to be completed in the year 2020? I'll definitely pay a visit to Barcelona just to see the finished presentation. Oh, and how crazy is this?! This is also where Gaudi forever rests, down at the crypt! Story goes, he got hit by a street tram and mistaken for a poor. Upon being taken to a hospital for the poor, he refused to be relocated because he "belonged among the poor". He died three days after the accident and was mourned by all. How unfortunate to have lost such a gem. For the most part, I will leave it up to the photos to speak for themselves...

(finally tracked down the END of the line up! so began the 45min wait...) 

Gaudilona aka. [Barcelona]- Part II

Dear pipsqueaks,

What better way to start the morning than with a fulfilling breakfast? Actually, we weren't sure what to expect but we figured it would be more troublesome to find breakfast outside of the hotel anyway, so we dealt with it at Live&Dream. Surprisingly, it was better than I expected. Though they didn't have a large selection, the tiny breakfast lounge catered the necessary: toast, tea/coffee, sliced sausages, fresh fruits, cereal, and a mini fridge with fresh milk, juice and several cups of yogurt. As usual, we took a little bit of everything, filling up the table to the maximum. But no worries, nothing was wasted except that weird hot chocolate which tasted so funky no matter how much water I put in it- or maybe I put too much. Anyway, summary: don't try their hot chocolate powder.

(such a cute & simple set up- love it!)

("That's where we're going tomorrow!" said le sister) 

(Yes, we finished ALL that...)

Gaudilona aka [Barcelona]- Part I

Dear pipsqueaks,

I’ve been thinking for a couple of days now, and I haven’t figured how to recap our trip in Barcelona. Should I do a more structured set up or a journal-like walk through? Then, I decided that I shall approach this city with how Gaudi does: with a flow.

------------------------------------------------ 

The next morning was a lazy one. Even with full acknowledgement that we are running a bit late, we still took our showers enjoyably and made the most out of what they called “breakfast”. I think we all came to the agreement the only thing that tasted like anything was the toast, so we squeezed in a second serving. Not before long, we were on street side trying to flag down a taxi as their bus network didn’t operate this early (eh hm, 9am) on a Sunday. Minutes passed and panic began to surface on our faces as we didn’t expect to take this long to hop on a taxi. Finally, a daring fellow in the yellow zoomed by on the other side of the road, did a quick u-turn, and stopped swiftly before us.

“Where to?”
“Airport, please. How fast can you get us there?”
“Don’t worry. We’ll get there in time.”

(Goodbye...FOREVER! Just kidding~)

He wasn’t kidding when he said he’d get us there on time. We arrived with enough time to avoid running like headless chickens to check-in and through security. Actually, at that point, I still had no clue where we were flying to, and I had wanted to keep it that way. Except, the security officer saw us in a rush and made a comment, “Heading to Barcelona? You better hurry!” So, we’re zipping to SPAIN?! Wicked~ I think I skipped all the way in.

Wandering around the [UK]: Edinburgh Castle to Glasgow

Dear pipsqueaks,

This morning was yet another rushed one as we were informed by Ivy the approximate schedule: in order to return the car at the designated shop in time, we would have to leave within the hour. First thought, “so much for getting to enjoy the castle a bit”. A light walk around to the lake, and sing on the top of our lungs for no one can hear us. Maybe even dance a little to our own tunes. That would have been perfect. But, sadly, the dream bubble ‘poofed’ into non-existence above my head. Well, hopefully there will be a next time at some beautiful castle somewhere in the world.

(one last picture with Glengarry Castle before we go)

Having driven like madmen, we still couldn’t make it to the closing time at the designated shop. Then, with a few phone calls, we found out that instead we could return the car at the airport- which was closer to where we were- without the limitations of time. That meant we could’ve stayed a little while longer at the castle to enjoy the view! But of course, those thought were all too late. We were already near. After a quick return paperwork, we hopped on the next bus back into town. No trouble at all.

Wandering around the [UK]: Trains & Castles

Dear pipsqueaks,

Today was my birthday, and really, I had no plans in particular to celebrate this day that marked the milestone of 25 years. But then again, this whole trip was in highlight of that already, so there was no reason to over-do it all. Then, what did we do this day?

The thought of taking it slowly and just enjoy the day was quickly waved off by le sister entering the dorm room, hurrying us along. Suppose we had to leave right away in order to make it on time to something. “If you don’t wanna know, then don’t ask. Just hurry up.” In no time, we were speed-walking from the hostel to our car- which Ivy decided to care less and parked in the opposite direction of the street.

With the best formation possible- Ivy on wheels and me on map- we were zooming smoothly to our destination. Except this time, I couldn’t even guess what we were actually doing until we neared a train. Why were we at a train station anyway? Yes, we arrived at Fort William, where every Harry Potter fan would know, is the platform to board The Jacobite should one wish to see the famous HP Viaduct. Remember that iconic scene of the Hogwarts Express making its way to Hogwarts? That’s the one. So you can imagine how excited the whole train was when we were first informed of us nearing the viaduct. In sheer panic to grab my camera and phone, I didn’t have one decent picture to my name. But, the best part about traveling in a group? Someone’s bound to have succeeded in taking a picture worth sharing. A 2-hour train ride for a 2-minute photo session, which by the way would only have been worth it if you brought a multi-capture camera, was seriously too hot to bear. At a short stop, Ivy geniusly bought some ice-cream, which was EXACTLY what we needed. Yum, I could still taste that rich chocolatiness. 

(waiting for the 2-minute window for pictures!!)

Wandering around the [UK]: Edinburgh

Dear pipsqueaks,

Actually, I didn’t really get a chance to appreciate the hostel that we had settled in the night before because I was overly upset at some preparation details. But anyway, problem solved so it was all good. This super chillax hostel called Caledonian Backpackers had it all: a lounge area with ample power plugs for all electrical needs, multiple laptops and computers for people to share, many entertainments including a pool table, various board games, and last but not least, a beanie movie theatre! How cool is that?! I do regret not making time to go down and just enjoy whatever was playing, but we didn’t have all the time in the world here in Edinburgh, so we made the most of our trip out wandering. In terms of rate and security, according to my sister, it was definitely leaning more towards expensive in price per bed, but facility and security were up to par. You couldn’t simply just waltz in, and the reception- though looking as if they could care less- was very polite and friendly. For example, this one night about 1am, I had suddenly remembered I left my camera in the charging station in the lounge area, but everything was closed. So I headed to the reception and they organized someone to help me retrieve my camera. My ratings for this hostel:

Bed: 3* (not exactly the most comfortable bed, but for a hostel, doable)

Shower & Washroom: 3* (didn’t really expect the shower and the washroom to be in such close proximity, but it was okay clean and hosted hot showers)

Facilities: 5* (I could stay in all day with all the things they had for entertainment; extra stars for the charging station made available for everyone to safely lock up their electronics for charging while out or sleeping. Totally impressed)

Convenience: 4* (the location was central enough for us to walk out and find food within a short time, yet not too clustered among busy streets; public transit was about a 10minute walk, though we didn’t really need to use it as everything was close by)

(sure makes Edinburgh feel like a place for creative souls) 

Wandering around the [UK]: London to Edinburgh

Dear pipsqueaks,

Finally after a week and a half of work- yes, even if it were the Olympic Games- I was so ready for a looooong break away from being a super PA. Let's just say, I was everywhere and anywhere I was needed. So, in return, I want a vacation where I need not to worry about a thing. The deal: my sister does all the planning and decision-making for our Europe trip this time. For the most part, I didn't know where we were going or what we were doing until someone or something hinted our next destination...so in full trust, I caught the next Ivy's Private Tour out of London!

But, where to? It wasn't that much of a surprise when she had asked the train station customer service if we could make it on the next train to Manchester. Even so, I knew Europe was a pain for foreigners who would like to pre-purchase any transportation. Even with her visa card, she couldn't buy the tickets online, so the only other option was to purchase at the station. Problem? There's no discount buying in person! So what is the real message here? It's only on sale for Europeans. Thanks for the hospitality! Anyways, as I was saying, back at the ticketing machine, we bought our ride to Manchester and ran like the wind to catch the train in time.

   

(can you spot the Vancovuer 2010 presence?)

Good Service

Dear pipsqueak,

This has got to be the first time when I truly feel that there is really no hope in some people- specially this one particular "new" addition to my life. Whether this is an accepted addition or not, I'll leave that open for you to decide. So, what could have possibly happened for me to want to write about this? Well, the sheer "OMG Facepalm" factor did.

This morning was an exciting one as I knew there would be live worldfeed available for viewing of a particular tournament. When I clicked in, actually not a surprise, it was malfunctioning- tagged with a messaging stating the feed problem. Okay, fine. So I waited for some time to see whether the situation would improve. Nope. So the next thing to do was to inform the person responsible.

"Hey, there's something wrong with the worldfeed. Check it out."
"What are you talking about?"
"You know, the worldfeed on our channel?"
"No, I don't know."

(paused while I waited for her to say something productive..."

"Never Let Me Go"

Dear pipsqueaks,

*Spoiler alert: the following talks about the movie "Never Let Me Go", though with great care, some details will be necessary. If you don't plan to watch the movie, then continue on!

Tuesday nights had been re-officialized as my Gossip Girl night since the beginning of the new season, so unless absolutely necessary, I wouldn't miss it for anything. It was definitely a good timing to start the season as I won't be going anywhere within the next month or so, hence my total appreciation that the series have come back to keep me company on Tuesday nights. My weekly dosage of the scandalous lives of the Upper East Side socialites keeps me happily amused.

However, tonight had a different turnout. Upon returning from the gym, I had switched on the TV to find it screening the Fox Movie Channel, when a movie had just begun. I've always been a movie lover, so of course, seeing unfamiliar scenes, I stopped to wait for the title. "Never Let Me Go"? This looks like...oh yes, it had been on preview many times months coming, and I've always wanted to watch it. Finally, it's playing! But, what about Gossip Girl? Well, I can always ask my best friend what happened- She's the Gossip Girl Go-To person, so she can fill me in on this episode later.

Weekend Food Binge in [PJ]

Dear pipsqueaks,

Last weekend was honestly the most random weekend ever. From a friendly steamboat dinner to a full-fledged 3-days of non-stop eating- another period in my life where I have not once felt the cravings of hunger. One might simply ask, "why don't you just stop eating?". Well, to think that the opportunity may not present itself as easily the next time, I think you would dig in too.

An invitation came in some time Saturday afternoon wondering if I had plans for dinner, and being me, I would never second-guess joining any food parties. So, at a blink of an eye, we were digging into a steamy pot of all sorts. I haven't had steamboat (aka. hot pot) in a very long time actually. To be fair, that "very long time" is with reference to how often we had it when I lived at home. Hot pot is convenient and flexible to everyone's liking. Want some udon, done. Want some veggies, done. Yet, that's not even the best part. It's the whole experience surrounding a pot of food and bonding while we enjoy our favourite family time- indulging in food paradise. But anyway, I can't wait for November when I get to go back for some good old' Papa Sung Seafood Restaurant :)

[London 2012] Olympic Games

Dear pipsqueaks,

Truth be told, it may have pinched a little, but I really didn’t mind missing out on the World Championships test event in London last year, or the All England 2012. However, I’d never settle if I weren’t able to attend the Olympic Games. In a way, it had been the cherry-on-top for me throughout this whole adventure that unfolded early June last year. At a blink of an eye, I went from totally miserable in Taiwan, to completely clueless in Vancouver, to optimistically functioning in Kuala Lumpur. Yes, the doubt was there when I first entered the office, uncertain whether my position would secure my trip to the Games. Fortunately, within the allotted amount of time, I was able to prove myself. Before I know it, on 25-July, I was boarding the British Airways flight enroute to London!

(I know, I love my job too :P )

Yes, I know you’ve probably heard this a million times, but I’m gonna say it anyway: it was an event not to miss. A must, almost, to be there. Feels nice to be able to say that when I’m on this side of the fence :P Okay okay, I’ll keep on with the story. So yes, definitely a different treatment going as a representative than a local organizing staff or etc. They really do have everything quite well prepared. As soon as we landed, we were greeted and led to the accreditation counter to validate our passes. I gotta say, I look horrendous in my photo with a super noticeable farmer’s tan on both arms, but meh. As long as it gets me to where I need to go, no one actually examines them too closely anyway. Following the well-organised Olympic Family arrival scheme, we hopped on the Heathrow Express to Paddington Station, boarded a super adorable London taxi, and shezam! We were at the doorstep of our stay for this amazing journey that is about to light up like a baby fire on a wick of fantabulous firework display.

(they are so ready...so are we!)

Unpacking Memories

Dear pipsqueaks,

Sure feels weird to be home! Woke up in the middle of the night and actually panicked wondering where I was. Yes, it does happen even though I had been sleeping in the same bed for the past year. This is exactly what people mean when they say "post-travel depression", that emptiness inside. Maybe. But it sure felt good to be so productive in clearing out all my luggage only to move them from the cases to my couch. At least they're more or less sorted out. I gotta start packing smarter- figuring out what we need to wear for work instead of guessing. Must have brought over 4 dresses that didn't even see the light of day for the past 3 weeks because uniforms became my dress code. Well, it wasn't entirely known as my job scope changed drastically at the Games, which led to the limitations in what I could wear. Unless...I could find a way to pin our logo to all my dresses. Hm, it's an idea to be further developed for our next event.

Now that I'm finally starting to feel "back at home"- even though it's becoming a very confusing thought as I call several places "my home"- I'd like to begin my recap of this amazing summer! But obviously, you can't expect almost a month worth of adventure to be recapped just like that. London 2012 Games, driving up from Manchester through Newcastle to Edinburgh, Glasgow, Barcelona, Budapest, Paris & back to London. Come to think of it, my sister is really my sister. No matter how well-planned, something always manages to go wrong. But then again, that's when "travel" becomes "adventure", no? Maybe I am a little coocoo to be heading back to work already, but thinking of all those emails stacked up? *nightmare*.

Oh wells, gotta do what's gotta be done! Good news, my "2011-2012 Travels" photobook has been completed! Can't wait for it to be in my hands within the next couple of days. Then, onto my London 2012 & Summer photobook. It's such a massive project to take on, but so worth it when it's finished. Even my VPrint (mini story cards with my own captions) reprints made it! Finally, a complete set. Love it when it all falls into place :)

That reminds me, no more scheduled travels until October. The impression of staying put was a bit difficult when I first thought about it before leaving for London, but now, it doesn't feel too bad. A good long rest to take on the next chapter of adventures! Until then, living on the memories...

Scandalous Olympics

Dear pipsqueaks,

Please be aware that the following post is in no way representative of any other groups or people other than myself. Not as an official, not as of any nationality, but simply someone who believes at the same time in the integrity of the sport and the meaning of an Olympic medal. In many ways, the situation that had arised in the Wembley Arena was a tug and pull between the two. Now, if you were any of the players, what would you do?

To be completely true, not many players attend these Olympic Games to medal. Likewise, there ARE many players who are, and truth be told, why not? Who in their right minds with the capacity to win would go to the Olympic Games NOT trying to win the medal? As such, I agree that the method of competition needs to be seriously reconsidered. For one, you can't expect someone to KNOWINGLY take the more difficult path. It's just not logical. Then, you ask them to put in their 'best efforts' in every match. So what do you want them to do? How can one put in best efforts and try to win if best efforts will threaten their medal potential? Ironic indeed.

Olympic Storm

Dear pipsqueaks,

*temporarily pause my blogger music player and play I believe while you read this post*

Haven't had the time or the brains to update in a while! Though, I do need to point out that I don't like to write about mindless things. So, if I don't have a strong idea, I'd rather leave it until I do to craft a meaningful post.

So, what's happening tomorrow? I'm leaving for LONDON! It's been a wait for what seemed like ages, but nevertheless, it's here. The London 2012 Olympic Games. Do not think for a moment that this is only an Olympic Games. It's more than just that. For some, it's a lifetime wait to participate in the most prestigious sporting event- and possibly never get the chance to. For some, it's a dream come true. Of course, we're not only talking about athletes now. Some people NEED to feed off this extraordinary energy that can only be generated from these Games: ME!

Sense of Self

Dear Pipsqueaks,

Recent events have led me to question how it is that people perceive the idea of "self". Is it physically- a human body? Or emotionally- a set of unique personality? Or mentally- a collection of memories and thought processes? What is it that people think about when we talk about our "selves"? In essence, as you cannot function with one aspect alone, I'm hoping you do consider "self" as a whole. You are an embodiment of physicality, emotionality and mentality- in some distinct percentage of each.

Now, some say that a person who committed suicide is a selfish person. Why? Selfish in what way? Answer: in every way. Physically, emotionally and mentally. I'm sorry to say, "you" in every way do NOT only belong to yourself. Yes, you alone feel the physical pains, the emotional tortures, and the mental challenges. But so, you are not alone in all those experiences.

Understanding Rules

Dear pipsqueaks,

Note: the matters discussed in this post are not life-threatening, nor are they actual crimes. Rather, they're simply a breach of one's principle: mine.

Just recently, I've encountered several occasions where, in the midst of just doing as requested, I find myself somewhat of a criminal. One such incident- not going into any detail of the whole "Once upon a time"- simply put, I was asked to do something that was obviously against the rules. Now, the problem lies in whether I could reason myself into agreeing with what is being asked: I can't. Except, I don't have much of a choice.

It's quite obvious what rules are for: to ensure what is expected is expressed and to maintain a certain standard and fairness. In essence, it is not meant to be lightly considered. Yet, it has become somewhat of a norm to quote, "Rules are made to be broken." Honestly, whoever said that must be a very irresponsible person, not having considered the consequences of his "random blab of personal judgement." Now the whole world thinks it's okay to regard rules as simply an "advice". Well, guess what? It's not.

Lead By Example

Dear pipsqueaks,

The human behavior is definitely one of the hardest things to understand, and still baffles the great minds for ages. I, for one, love to observe and attempt to dissect people's actions by being in their shoes. What, when, where, who, and why- the big 5 W's. You'd think by logical reasoning, it can't be too difficult. Then again, some people are just difficult. Period.

Take this one guy for example. He's in a managerial position watching over several staff, and yes, he does like to set the rules. BUT! Funny thing, even he doesn't do so well to follow them. So what happens? Rules ignored. Why? Because when everyone else sees that he disregards them, they don't feel the need to follow them either. Except, we never hear the end of it, how no ones does this or that. But, who's to blame here?

In Moderation

Dear pipsqueaks,

I've always gone by the words, "live every day to its fullest". Taking every chance without hesitation, for some chances are once in a life time. To miss it will be forever regretted. Well, possibly. At least that's what I thought about my very fortunate state to wander the world. Not until last week when I came back from Jakarta that I truly feel even travelling needs to be on a carefully measured scale too.

Everyone thinks that travelling, aka, exploring, adventuring etc., whatever you want to call it, is a form of relaxation and rest. Completely true, up to a point. No one ever sees the headache of packing bags, the torture of making the trip to the airport, and the boredom of waiting for the plane to land. All of the pre-fun part are almost never taken into account. Of course, who would remember?  Well, my body does.

Away From Home

Dear pipsqueaks,

Having hit the limits of my ability to endure pain, I paid a visit to a nearby hospital and was emitted to the emergency room. As I laid on the bed while the nurse pulled the curtains all around, suddenly enclosed, I felt alone. Why is it that at such a moment being alone mattered? It's not as if having anyone there would take away the pain. But, it would probably have given me the mental support I needed. To know that someone cared...well, I'm sure my family, the BF, and my friends care about me. Possibly, the real challenge is not the battle against sickness, but the fight against loneliness that deepens when one is weak.

On a side note, my boss actually called to check up on me! No worries, super PA is super after all. I will survive.

Just Gotta Do [Jakarta]

Dear pipsqueaks,

Djarum Indonesia Open 2012: it almost came down to a no-go decision as I had only bought a one-way ticket to Jakarta at a dirt cheap price of MYR95 with no return ticket cutting close to 2 weeks prior to departure.Why didn't I buy the return ticket together? Because AirAsia's sneaky like that. With a cheap outbound, you can almost guarantee a full price for the return, so I waited and waited to see if the price would drop. It's quite random with Air Asia as they tend to manipulate what's available to ensure the best sell out. There's nothing wrong with that, of course, but it's a little "ugh" when you check again and realise another flight time is actually available, but you can't make exchanges to your existing ticket because it was on promotion. So be very careful when booking with Air Asia! Know the trend to beat it :)

Anyway, this post is obviously not about AirAsia, but it began with it as I always try to keep all my travels to a minimum- flying low cost is the way to go! By now, it's almost a commonplace for something to happen when I travel. Be it checking in at the wrong counter, not being able to access my luggage for overnight stay in Singapore, or making Olympian sprinter-estimated transfer times in London Heathrow, it's almost abnormal for something not to happen during my explorations. This time was no different.

Weekend Getaway: Kota Kinabalu

Dear pipsqueaks,

No doubt, I think I do make the most of everything sometimes. Possibly even a bit spoiled, but meh, that's life. You only live once. So many times I hear, "yah, next time". Well, what if there isn't a next time? Chances come and go. Tides ever-changing. This is not to say that a better chance may not come, but just that THIS chance may not happen again in the future. So, the best way? To live every moment to the fullest.

With that said, we spent the weekend in Kota Kinabalu, East Malaysia. Although the weather wasn't fantabulous during our whole stay, for the most part, it played it's part right.

Upon arrival at Best Western Kinabalu Daya Hotel, you could say I was slightly disappointed by the presentation of the hotel as it did carry a world-brand name of Best Western. It was quite an old hotel with a rather small lobby/reception area. The breakfast area doubled as a karaoke/lounge at night, with an always-occupied pool table that we never got a chance to play on. The elevator tried to eat me several times, but I survived. Somehow, I had a feeling there was a reason why this hotel room was slightly cheaper on agoda.com. Literally opening the door, it brushes pass a corner of our bed. A step to the right side, you'll find a table, and a step to the left, a cupboard beside the TV that eventually led to the washroom door. What surprised me? The shower was missing a piece of the sliding door. I mean, yah it's overall a clean room, even though slightly small, but missing a shower door? Hm. I also tripped on a tile that was sticking up a bit from the rest, but survived that too. Oh! And the addition of curtains to create the illusion that a window exists? Hm, I guess it did make me feel a bit better, for the mind does play great tricks indeed.

(my snacks for the night! Haven't had a Crunch since highschool, possibly)

The Dark Side of Kuala Lumpur

Dear pipsqueaks,

It took me some time to be able to objectively look at this event. For many, it would seem like I've "unconsciously" asked for it by walking in an unpopulated alley wearing my jewellery the way I do, and at some point, I may have actually believed that. But not any more. To think that way is to condone this kind of behaviour, which no society should. Before all this analysis, I should probably share with you one of my first nightmares of living in KL.

I had just crossed my one-year mark on the 1-Jun. I can't say I had made the most of my year living in KL, but I did quite well with my travels. All in all, it had been a good year. No major events or injuries (okay, apart from the one where I slipped and popped some elbow skin in my own apartment). So, of course, with all that positive experience, no one would think such a thing would happen. That is exactly where I went wrong.

Checking In From Wuhan

Dear pipsqueaks,

(couldn't access to my blogger in China, so this is just an at-the-moment post I wrote while I was in Wuhan...)

Sitting in Secretariat duty, I’m about to pass out from food overdose and over-soreness of the right side of my body. Yes, I was dragged on court during our badminton session last night to play in my jean shorts and randomly offered skater shoes (even though I didn’t mind playing bare feet). Once again, the aftermath proved that I should just stay off court, because the level of expectancy to perform as I did during my junior days is nowhere in comparison to what I can physically do now. So, to save myself all that disappointment, it’s probably better to just resume behind the curtains. Although, I do have to say, it was great fun to be playing again. It does remind me of how and why I find myself in the position that I am now, and in support of such an amazing sport. It’s true- a sport for all ages and all groups.

The tournament is the gathering; the game is the language. Do you speak badminton?

Of course, never trust a chinese when they tell you it will be a “light meal”. The after-baddy snack was more than fifteen dishes, though quite uniquely, styling different types of cuisine. From sashimi to pancakes to wok-tossed vegetables, you could say the meal was well-prepared to accommodate our group of diverse representatives from around the world. Mind you, most of us only had time to change into a fresh shirt before being rushed to dinner. Not knowing it would be in such a grand scale, the expression “under-dressed” facepalmed me upon entering the hotel. Well, at least I didn’t contaminate the surrounding air with waft of distinct odor :P Nonetheless, I wish I were hungry enough to try everything! Needless to say, breakfast was just unnecessary after such a big dinner, but seeing how I’ll be on duty for 4 hours, I should really grab something. A chocolate muffin would have been great, except it’s always when you want something that it’s not there. The hunt is still on for two more mornings!

Wuhan-Bound in D-1

Dear pipsqueaks,

Last day in KL before the flight to Wuhan for the week-long meeting. Can’t say I’m looking forward to getting out of the office this time just because I know it won’t be any better over there. Yup, I’m prepared. Upon landing, I’ll be in battle-mode.

Actually, this would be the second time I’ll be at an event as a representative, so it’ll be quite interesting to see what kinda crap I get into this time. Lol, this reminds me of the last time I was at the Malaysia Open. I left the FOP to grab a bottle of water, and when I tried to re-enter the area, the security guard actually flagged me down and denied me because the “black” access on my accreditation didn’t match the “black” all-access on the accreditation index. Honestly, I didn’t know there was more than one black, ever. Black is a shadow, so if it isn’t black, it isn’t black. And if it is, it is. So, I just gave up on him and entered through another entrance, of which I was warming welcomed with a smile from the security guard. See, some people just don’t like me, even when they don’t know me. But meh, accepted fact.

Own Track of Time

Dear pipsqueaks,

You wouldn't believe the news: another proposal among my friends! How excited I was when I saw the pics *so sweet*. To think about it, at my age (just a little shy of a quarter of a century), I never thought about the next chapter. Okay, maybe that's not completely true. Of course, I thought about it, but I knew that it isn't time to turn the page just yet either.

Even so, I can't help wondering if I should really be worried about being "behind" on this path. Maybe it IS the age to start considering or planning? I don't know. It doesn't help at to all to know that my closest cousin- also my age- is due at the end of August. No doubt, I'm over the moon about this bundle of joy to come, but not going to lie, it does give a slight invisible pressure for not even having tied the knot yet *Sigh*.

But then again, what's the rush? In so many ways, the elements of our lives are totally different. Our goals and expectations that we use to evaluate ourselves at the end of life are unique to our "life-scope". What may be at the top of my priority may not be hers, and vice versa. So why would the milestones in our lives occur at the same point in time? It won't, and it shouldn't.

The Right Balance

Dear pipsqueak,

In life, having less is not always a bad thing. Likewise, having more is not always a good thing either. So how do we define that fine line between the two? The trick here, it seems, is completely dependent on the individuals ability to manage either situations. To accept what it is the way it is and go from there.

These few mornings have been crazy busy at work, and that feeling of being piled under is exactly what drives me to work more efficiently to cut down my stash. Those moments that I'm sitting there feeling just slightly overwhelmed, I actually start to lose focus and shut down. As always, I know by then that it's time for me to leave my seat, look away from the computer screen, and my never-ending To-Do List. Thought of the moment: too much work.

Right after lunch break, I'd find myself running out of work to do. Mind you, communications require a two-way commitment, so half the time is spent waiting for the other side of the world to wake up. Thought of the moment: not enough work. Yes, I know it's insane for anyone to even THINK those words, but honestly, I'd rather be busy than bored. For one, I'd like to feel more productive in life, even if it's work.

.[Happy Mother's Day].

Dear pipsqueaks,

Today marks a very special day. A day to celebrate the existence of the most awesome people in the world: Moms. Unfortunately for me, I don't get to share my appreciation for her as I'm working abroad. But, of course, I gave her a rang to remind her that I miss her dearly everyday, even though I don't call every day. It's an unspoken understanding that I do.

Odd enough, I don't regret not being able to do all that now (as I'm in Malaysia and she's in Taiwan) probably because I've always managed to squeeze in a little something in our daily lives when we were still under the same roof...

["She must be thirsty"]
I remember when she used to spend hours in the kitchen like a traditional Taiwanese wife preparing the perfect meals: congee with veggies and meat for breakfast; rice with mixed veggies/meat for lunch; and a full set menu of a  dish of veggies, fish, meat and a cauldron of soup for dinner. She'd always try to change the ingredients and methods of cooking so we don't eat the same dish in the same week. Now that's what I call professional chef. I can't fathom what it's like doing groceries having to map out a whole week's worth of dishes without overlapping. *I'm having a headache just thinking about it!* But yes, we had been spoiled by home-cooked food- so you can imagine, after being "drugged" for more than 22 years of my life with her secret recipes, it's painful not being able to get my dose now.

We Don't Know

Dear pipsqueaks,

Long time no blab, so glad to be back! Been busy trying to recover from my trip, balancing work and proper rest (for some reason, I feel that I've developed the fear of hearing the alarm ring or something like that, because I'd automatically wake up about 15~20mins before the alarm just to watch it tick away until the moment I have to get up. What an odd fear to have...) and preparing for another week-long meeting in Wuhan in about 10 days on top of the usual London 2012 Games communications. It's funny that when I look at it all in a chunk, it looks scary. But when I think about it separately, it's really not so bad. And of course, I'd prefer to be busy than bored (which by the way, I've somehow managed to let a message on a stranger's shirt change my ways. It read, "Only boring people are bored." So, not wanting to be a boring person, I can't admit boredom. Lol, which means my schedule must be packed to the max!) Except, as humans, we have limitations to our daily functional abilities, caving in to periods of necessary recharge in order to continue properly. In a way, 24 hours isn't enough but that's the way the cookie crumbles!

His [Paris] 4.2012

Dear pipsqueaks,

It's just been a little over two weeks since I came back from my "around-the-world" trip, but haven't had the chance to do the recap of my last stop: Paris- the city of Romance. Well, in my case, it wasn't the city that made it romantic, but rather a very special individual who also happens to be French- the BF (yes, the friendboy had officially been promoted as of February during our trip in Myanmar). Anyway, aside from all the lovey-dovey moments, he made sure I had another view of Paris this time around. In 2008, on a Contiki tour, we visited the city of Paris and many other must-see cities in that European area. It was amazing not only because it was Paris, but because it was winter and just full of holiday spirits. Unfortunately, the tour ended with a disappointing memory, so Paris never came back during my reminiscing moments.

Regardless of what happened before, this time couldn't have been more enjoyable. I really looked forward to reacquaint myself with this historical place filled with traditions and habits of a whole different world- at least that's what it felt like for me anyway. Even though I grew up in the western environment, there's still that feeling of authenticity being there. The narrow stoned streets, the unfamiliar language, and intermittent looks- it really had the "Midnight in Paris" scene. So what did we do to make the most out of these 5 days? I'll let the pictures do the talking...

Home [Vancouver]

Dear pipsqueaks,

It's been ten months since I've last been in my beautiful home city of Vancouver. 'Tis true, we never really know what's so special about a place until u no longer have the freedom to enjoy it whenever u like. So many times I hear my friends say, "oh, u eat out so much, but I don't find them any different". Well, of course! U live here, so u don't realise just how unique the availability n quality of the cuisine that's here in Vancouver at your pleasure to enjoy. For me, I only have 5 days, n most likely 5 out of 365 days as I don't plan to be back any other time this year. So, indulge as I like.

Once again, I'll let the pictures do the talking simply because we didn't do much around the city, except to run some errands. The rest of the time? Well, u guessed it! Meal gatherings with friends! What a good way to attempt to complete both my to-eat list n my to-meet list at the same time! So here goes...

(Me & my partner in crime- my sister! Get ready, Vancouver!) 

Home [Taiwan]

Dear pipsqueaks,

It sure felt a whole lot longer than 3 months since the last time I was back, but I mean, possibly, this is the difference with "officially" being away from home than just going out for a holiday. Closely resembles the same "moving out" feeling as most brides probably feel. Even if they're just moving to a house down the same street, it's the "officiality" of the move that's upsetting. You're not really going anywhere physically, but u no longer refer to that place as ur home anymore if someone were to ask where u live. So every visit feels like a return from a long time away. Possibly.

Of course, way before my arrival, I've already spoken with the head chef at the house about what I wanted to eat: home-cooked meals! Sure, Taiwan's known as the food heaven, but for me, mom's cooking beats all. Her udon n hot pot n soup...things I can only dream about when I'm living in my kitchen-less place in KL. Well, even if I had a kitchen, it's never the same when she makes them. It always tastes better when she makes them, n u can say I'm just being sweet, but the secret ingredient is "Mama's Love". That's right. I'm all for it. So, not a surprise, mom had it all prepared for before we got home: hot pot! Now that I think about it, there's nothing really too too different about our hot pots, but it's precisely the whole family-feel that seals the deal. Having the whole family crowd around the pot, eating n catching up...nothing beats this. Nothing. Oh, n we decided to run out for some marinated side dishes to have alongside our hot pot, n u'd never guess the line up! Ridiculous~ but no worries, there was enough for everyone :)

(this was only the middle of the line up too!) 

(I know this may look scary for some, but TRUST ME, u gotta try it)

Post- "Around the World" Thought

Dear pipsqueaks,

Just a short update before the trip recap for Taipei, Vancouver and Paris...

Definitely still suffering from jetlag, but such a trooper for showing up to work right after landing (giving myself a pat on the shoulder). Can't believe I even cleared out most of my emails in one day! So efficient :) But anyway, it was a long trip with food and fun binges. The phrase, "I haven't been hungry since I left Malaysia" held true until the moment I landed in KL. Quite a comfort to see some familiar faces, and hope to stay longer next time to meet up with the rest that I didn't get a chance to see this time around. Hell-sprint through Heathrow for my connecting flight- never doing that again! I ran so fast that I managed to board just before closing, but my luggage didn't make it. Pooh, but that saved the hassle to drag it with me across town as the airline offered to delivery them to my doorsteps the next day. Paris was just the most amazing. Spoiled in every way by the French Connection with creative home-made meals and romantic walks around town. Even got to meet his family...*squeal*. That reminds me, I really gotta touch up on my French.

Anyway, update soon with full story and pics! Can't wait to re-live the holidays ;)

Axiata Cup 2012- Semi Finals

Dear pipsqueaks,

What a fun way to spend the weekend in a crowd of very enthusiastic fans! Although, I wasn't feeling so fantabulous in the morning, I weighed the pros and cons of making an appearance, and finally decided, "what the heck, it's only 5 stations away, and I really need to get out of the house before I go crazy". So I went, hoping to see some action between the Indonesia Garuda and the Malaysia Tigers. Except, once again, the tournament took a hit with a few Tigers MIA.

When I entered the FOP- with the whole dimming of the lights with search lights flaring and breeding of excitement with the pumped-up music- it was a great atmosphere. Usually, I'm quite easily influenced by the energy sporting events give off, so it's not a surprise I was more than happy to see it all begin! I must say, they did a really good job with the Badminton Stadium and the whole look and feel. Honestly can't imagine this was the same hall that I visited back in June when the office was there. Anyway, so began the introduction of the teams, and seeing how the Tigers were missing a few, u could feel the Malaysian crowds silent disappointment in the air.

(becoming infected by the atmosphere...)

Seriously, Common Sense

Dear pipsqueaks,

Sometimes, during those "do u think ever think with ur brain?" moments, u wonder if we even have the same common sense anymore. I've always thought some things were a given- so obvious that there shouldn't be any questions- but again n again, I'm brought to doubt the level of IQ & EQ of people nowadays.

A short list of common sense that I think are quite self-explanatory...

In the office:

• close ur office door when ur having a private conversation or when u think its too loud outside- ur the one with an office door, duh, use it
• put in a new jug of water when u finish the one in the dispenser- ur a member of the office, so take some responsibility
• ur 10 minutes is worth the same as anyone else's 10 minutes- don't be conveniently inconvenient to others
• unless it's an emergency, ur family should NOT be calling the office 3x a day- that's why u have a cellphone, use it
• if it isn't urs, don't touch it
• if u aren't in the conversation to begin with, don't ask
• respect others' privacy
• always, always, always think before u do or speak

Axiata Cup 2012- Prelims Day 1

Dear pipsqueaks,

This was the second time attending a tournament in Malaysia since I arrived, n knowing how crazy locals are when it comes to their Badminton, I had high expectations of the atmosphere n overall look-n-feel of the event. Actually, it's the first year for the Axiata Cup, so I was a bit more relaxed with what to expect, n since the venue was where the old office was (hm, it didn't leave a very good impression for me, so I wasn't exactly excited to drop by, but it's what it is. The tourney's there, n if I wanna go check it out, I'll have to go there. *exhale*).

As I had a few friends coming to play the event, I thought it'd be nice to say hello's n cheer them on, etc. (since I didn't have a 'home team' playing, I can cheer for anyone!). When we reached the stadium, parking wasn't too difficult, n upon entering, I have to say, Badminton Asia did a really good job transforming the whole place! Almost less frightening, but it could be because there were more bodies walking around, so the environment looked more alive. It wasn't a large venue, so it may have been easier to manage in terms of sponsorship placements n things like that. So, for first impression, better than I expected.

Friends Tribute

Dear pipsqueaks,

Having just watched the much-anticipated first episode of the final season of Desperate Housewives (on Malaysian TV channel), the catch-line's just stuck in my head...

"Friends are the ones that stay behind to help clean up the mess..."- with reference to the dead body hidden in the living room table box.

Oddly enough, I don't think I've written anything about how amazing my friends are. Most of them have been around for ages, but that's never an excuse to take them for granted. Thinking back, I do have some of the most patient, daring, n supportive friends. Here are just some anonymous shout outs for those that remember the time when...

St. Patty's Day Celebration

Dear pipsqueaks,

I've been meaning to do a recap of the random St. Patrick's Day celebration that we ran into during the weekend, but somehow, the "postponement syndrome" kicked in. No worries, better late than never...

The night was supposed to be just a short chilling session with the intern. I mean, it was a Saturday night, n the urge to head out was much stronger after having such a WTF week at work. So, I finished gym earlier than usual, n just as I was flipping through my closet to see what I should wear, outside of my wall of window, was a full display of fireworks. It seemed to be arising from the Radius Hotel- where Changkat was. Hm, I wonder what was the occasion? (Yes, after spending almost ten months here, the western holidays don't mean as much to me now as we function on a totally different calendar here). Since we were meeting in that area, I could go check it out. So I did.

(it's only 11pm...@@") 

(can't see an END to this crowd)

The Good Friend-Girl

Dear pipsqueaks,

Always the good friend; never the "it" girl.

It's quite odd to be thinking about all those days of young crushes when I'm happily committed now, but I guess it only happens when u have something more solid to compare to. Reminiscing, those were really wild days. Ha, the things we do in the name of "love"...