Saturday, May 29, 2010

老姑妈

I think this was my first time attending a cousin's wedding as an adult. When i said adult, as in at the age which is suitable for marriage. So, eventually i would be the target of my aunties and uncles. The bonanza question is WHEN IS YOUR TURN ???

So, my usual answers are nobody nobody want me ... nobody nobody want me ...
Or, Wei Leik first Wei Leik first .... Myself have to wait very long worr ....
Or, if it's ever my turn, there will be no all this troublesome procedures ... LOL ...

Haih, at this age, cannot admit young anymore ... I'm now a 姑妈 le ... My uncle even said you will be a 老姑妈... The word 妈 is a already hard to accept, with the word 老, haih ... so depressing。

I will be another year older very soon .... Welcome to the OLD club, cy .... Now, i need to adjust my mind, i'm an aunty, an aunty, an aunty ....

Sunday, May 16, 2010

One Sunday Morning ...

This is a really long delayed post ... hehehe ... Just feel so lazy to write nowadays ...
But, this is something new that i had done recently ...
To become a volunteer for NB 15 km run ... Had to wake up as early as 4 plus in the morning ...
Standing at the roadside, wear a lookalike DBKL vest, took a red flag ... and flagged the runners the whole morning ...


But, i did have a good time... Surprise surprise ...
What did I enjoy? I think a smile on your face can really make a difference ...
Many people responded to my smile on the first 4 km run ... I guess everyone is still fresh ...
They smiled back to me, greeted me and some even thanked me !!!! Feel appreciated, something that i didn't expect ...


What inspired me most is this very old grandfather who run in this race. I think it's her daughter who run behind his dad to ensure that he is alright. This grandfather when he saw me again at the 12km mark, give me a victory smile .... great job grandpa !!!!




FL having fun as a volunteer ....


Super hot weather but with a clear blue sky ... Love the color ...


Early morning around 7 ... Before the road was invaded by a group of enthusiastic runners ...

Some amusing moments were:
1. The last runner at the point of 4km told me he was very tired. How long more he had to run ... My answer, there is a water station in front ... U can do it !!! In my mind, good luck my friend, 11km more for you with alot of hills ...
2. A lady runner at point 12km told us (FL and me), next year i watch, u two run !!!!
3. An uncle had the time to look at how red is my face ... Waahhh, u sunburn til so red ... Pretty arr ....
So, will i do it again? probably ... as long as i don't have to wake up super super early. doing it with a group of friends should be fun ...

Sunday, May 09, 2010

Saturday, May 01, 2010

Vietnam

After so many months, I finally got to travel again. This time, Vietnam. With my secondary school buddy, Juliet and her hubby and her friend. First time without you guys la (u know who u are) ... I went for a week and when I told this to most of the people, they were wondering what I can do there in a week !!! If just to stay at Hanoi itself, I don't think I will like this country.

Hanoi

We arrived at the airport, greeted by a non-English speaking taxi driver that was sending us to our hotel. His driving was exciting. As Juliet's hubby put it, we were like in a video game, honking and swerving from left to right in the Hanoi's traffic. Hanoi in my memory will always be the city with vehicle's honking sounds, from day to night. We only spent our first and last days at Hanoi, so I guess I did not give the city a chance to show its charm. During our stay in Hanoi, we went to places like Museum of Ethnology, Hoan Kiem Lake, Old Quarter, Water Puppet Show, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Temple of Literature. One thing that I notice about the building in Vietnam is they are high and 'slim' ... I still remember that I had to climb to the highest floor of my hotel in Hanoi before I can rest !!! 6th floor? No wonder there are no FAT people in Vietnam ... hehehe ....



During the visit in Hanoi, it was more enjoyable when we were accompanied by the university students in Hanoi. Juliet found Hanoi Kids, a non-profit student-run organization where the members voluntarily took us to tour around Hanoi. Thanks to Quang and Jenda !!!



Quang, having tofu fa with us at the lake side ...



Jenda was posing for a tourist at Temple of Literature. The uncle told her that she would make his students smiling at this photo ...


Halong Bay



I really like this place because it's the sea. Too bad that it was raining and cloudy on the two days that I spent there. My first time spending the night on a boat was enjoyable. Waking up looking at the sea and mountain, I would ask nothing more. The scenery at Halong Bay was like the Chinese water painting.

I was lucky that one of the couple on the boat was celebrating their 15 years anniversary. We were invited to celebrate their anniversary together after dinner. Free cake and red wine :P. 15 years is not a short time at all. Congratulations to them !!!

I guess the most exciting activity for me is to go kayaking. I was scared of water and I don't know how to swim. I was so scared that I would fall into the water. The life jacket did not give me any comfort at all. Luckily, Hoan, the guide paired me up with Uncle Mick from London. He was really good in kayaking. Surprisingly, I enjoyed the session very much, except the soar arms after that (:P). Cruising along the calm water and looking around the surroundings, the nature, the wind ....



Uncle Mick, a retiree accountant from London.


Sapa



This would be my favourite place of all. Cold weather, fresh air, etc ... We took the train from Hanoi to Lao Cai, about 8 hours long journey. I even saw China from Lao Cai. Can't believe that I was so close to the country. Just a few steps away from the border.

First day at Sapa was a tired one. Tired but I think worth it. We started trekking for few hours to see the villages of Sapa. Due to the wet weather, the trail was muddy and slippery. Luckily, the Hmong villagers help us around. During the trekking, you can see how simple is the life of the villagers, the hill paddy field, pigs walking around like your pet dogs ... SOmething you cannot see in Malaysia ... Hahaha ...



Night view at Sapa.



This is Dung's family. He was kind enough to prepare lunch for us at his house. Cat Cat Village, Cat Cat means winding. Although it was simple, we could feel their hospitality. They even prepared a BIG bottle of rice wine for us ... Hong Mong Ju !!! (Hmong language which means Yam Seng !!!) A motor ride around the village was a joy too ...

A mountain near Bac Ha market ...
OVerall, it was really an eye opening trip for me ... Definitely gain a few new experience for myself !!!! THanks, Juliet :)

Beautiful morning


I had stopped writing for a long time. Just do not have the mood to write. Dunno why. But, yesterday morning's view make me want say something. Sometimes, a small little thing can put a smile in someone's face. At least mine. What I saw was a double rainbow. So beautiful. Especially when the rainbow was in front of the Menara Telekom. The building become so colourful !!!