Reflection

Since my return from Hong Kong, there are massively a lot of things happening. Things that sometimes I myself can't define whether it is good or bad. But as I grow older, I tend to see things in a more positive manner, my family also can see that change in me, even my siblings commented that my temper changed dramatically.

A lot of things inside me, I am glad that I have 2 best buddies to listen to me. They seem to be like my pillars of my life now. And for my family, of late, I managed to handle certain problems wisely which I do not feel comfortable to share it here, but there ain't much concern now because we managed to pull it through.

Secondly, as predicted, I am romantically linked with someone out of the country. Something which I will not deny but I had recently calling it off because it will be better for both parties. Like I mentioned in my earlier post, every decision must be justifiable and must be processed through sanity. Without sanity, every decision will be impulsive and the consequences will be bad (that is at least how I feel). For meantime, we both had decided to chill off a bit, let's see what the future will be. I guess this has much or less answer a lot of questions posted by caring friends who want to know my relationship status :)

Thirdly, I am still working on my project right now and will be back to Hong Kong probably after CNY to conclude it. Then my plan, I might go into employment again depending on offers that are coming. I am glad that there are offers coming in at this point of time, but to me, the right offer & position will be the key factor for me to join into employment again (keeping fingers crossed)

And of late, I have few friends who ended their relationships. One is my schoolmate buddy, another is a close friend who I had been lending my ears to her. I had been thru that stage, it is not easy and trust me, everyone can pull through it. I am always there for you people. Love you!



Ciao for now...

2009 Welcoming 2010

So here I am in Hong Kong on my first post of 2010. 2009 as a whole been a colorful one for me. I would not rate it as a fantastic year for me but overall it was a decent one.

Biggest decision in 2009, left my job and took the opportunity for a short project here in Hong Kong. At the time of this post, I am close to my 3 months stay here and in a way or two, it is a good experience. Many were skeptical about my decision to leave my position in a MNC but I also proved to many that life's much better outside here :)

Re-looking back 2009, it was a year where I traveled the most. Started the year with a trip with my primary schoolmates (our very first trip since form 5) to Langkawi. It was hell of a trip and we all felt young once again and how we miss those school days :)

After the Langkawi, I went to Perhentian Island in Terengganu with my college buddies. Enjoyed my time relaxing at the Bubu Island Resort with my 2 best friends forever and never I thought I can be holidaying with one of my ex-gf too. Guess I am too good as a man that none of my ex-es have a chance to get piss with me (praising myself) :p

Now, my first overseas trip was to Bali, Indonesia. I was there for a conference and this trip had been a controversial one as I am the one who decide on the Malaysian delegates there and I do not have to elaborate more on it. But overall it was a good trip because we were all placed in a 6-stars Ayana hotel and Bali is definitely one of my shortlisted countries to bring my the other half for wedding ceremony (so any girl interested? Pls apply within) kekeke...

After the Bali trips, I made few trips to various part of Thailand both on business & leisure. Been to Hat Yai, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Doi Tung & Mae Sai (The Golden Triangle). 2009 certainly a year where I got closer to Thailand, understanding their lifestyle & culture.

Soon after I am back from my Northern Thailand trip, I came to Hong Kong in the 2nd week of October to present. Celebrated my birthday, Christmas & welcomed 2010 here. Met up with a lot of Malaysian friends who visited here. Made a few nice local friends as well as expats who are here for work. Enjoyed working & had great food here but at times do feel lonely missing my friends back home.

So that was about where I went in 2009. So, how about relationship? No luck still, officially I did go after a girl but the she ain't interested in me though :( , unofficially, hmm...for me to know, for you to find out ;)

And 2009, I had a chance to experience the F1 from the paddock. And being a red devil myself, I went to the Manchester United friendly game here in Malaysia.

2009 - Family wise, I became an uncle to Nicholas Song (my nephew) :)

My youngest brother graduated as a civil engineer. Practically my parents can go for retirement :)

I had a new tattoo as well, a traditional Iban's 'Bunga Terung' on both sides of my shoulders but I have yet to take a good snap shot of it.

Misses a few weddings, birthday parties especially towards the end of 2009. To those who invited me, deeply apologized on that.

2009 overall, I found happiness in whatever I do. Money wise which I have not achieve much, I am happy with the turnout of 2009.

So 2010, what's installed? I will be back to Malaysia very soon. Just got the good news that I will be paid by my Malaysian client by next week and I will be flying off to Land of Smile this coming Thursday. Then after my short break in LOS, I will head back to KL to get some unfinished business done then back to Malacca to arrange some big thing.

See you guys soon!

Qing Ming Festival in Melaka

I was back in Melaka for Qing Ming festival over the last weekend. It had been a while since I last pay my respect to my ancestors. I remembered the last Qing Ming I attended was back in 2005 in Kampar, praying for my ex-gf's ancestors.

Woke up at 7AM, myself, dad & my youngest brother, drove all the way to Sungai Udang, a rural area in Melaka. Upon reaching there, my uncle was already cleaning the tomb. We would clean up the tomb, picking wild grass and sweep the area clean.



We then would place the "money paper" on top of the tomb area to mark our presence there.



The picture below is my great grandparents tomb.



While the following picture is the tomb of my grandparents. We would place food, fruits & tea as offerings to the passed on. We spent approximately 2 hours cleaning up and do the necessary proceedings.



After that, we headed to my auntie's place for brunch. It always felt good to have home-cooked food. Saliva drooling huh?







How was your Qingming?

Gong Hei Fatt Choy in Melaka

Apology for the no-show for the past few days. I am still in Melaka and will only be back this coming Sunday. How's my Chinese New Year like back in my hometown and what I did...

1. Lots of junk food, drinks & loh sang...



2. My house is the only house in my taman that is not affected by the recession. I am not boasting, the neighborhood been pretty quiet this year. The pictures are the evidence :)







3. Drink, drink & drink. I am talking about alcoholic drinks here. Although the fridge are filled up with beers, stouts & wines, plus I have like 3 dozens of Hennessy, I rarely drink at home, we prefer to go somewhere happening like this new club, Arena. Or sometimes we drink at Sports Bar. After drinking then we would have lepak at the mamak till bout 4-5am.



4. Gamble - blackjack, chor tai dee, gin rummy, ngau. You name it, we have it. This year been pretty bad start for me though. I stopped at RM800 deficit this year. Eight lucky number mar.



5. Visiting. I got to admit I hate visiting, especially relatives houses. I am not close to all my relatives, be it my dad or my mom's side. Mostly are pretenders and meeting up normally will be like a battle of comparing their sons & daughters achievement. So I rather stay home and I know many of my relatives branded me as anti-social, I do not care and proudly accept those special title for me. The only person that I will visit is my grandparents. I had been close to them since my childhood time. Everytime, grandma will asked bout my girlfriend, where is my ex-gf now, etc. When grandma sees me, I can always see tears of joy in her face which touches me as well. Grandpa this year been weaker, I hope everything goes well. I really do...



Okie, quick & short post. Hope you guys do not mind.

Happy Chinese New Year. And to the Hokkiens, Happy Pai Thee Khong ya!

Happy Birthday Mikemmery's Mommy

8th January 2008. Early morning I made a call to mom as today is her birthday. Then for the whole day I am out of office meeting clients all over, from Mon't Kiara to Putrajaya then to Sri Damansara. Finished with my client about 9PM and while driving home from LDP, I felt the rush of inspiration in me to write about mommy as today is her auspicious day.

Happy birthday Mommy!!! Sorry for not being able to celebrate with you but we had a great dinner last week right?

My mommy is officially 53 years old. And I looked back all these years to present day, it is her who had been listening to me attentively, gives me the support and courage when I am at the lowest point of my life. I shared a lot with mom. Even my darkest secrets but she never condemned me and if not because of her, I would have given up my life.

Mom knew I had tattoos, 3 of them. One bearing dad's & her name. Mom cried when she knew I broke up, mom introduced to me those evergreen English songs of her era during my childhood, mom helped me when I confronted difficulties, called me to console me when she knew I am upset. I can just go on & on about her.

Thanks mom for all these. Just want you to know that although I am pretty stuck up with my work, I cannot get my mind off you.

Happy birthday Mommy!!! I LOVE YOU!!!

Hong Kong - Ayam Back!

Updating live from Tung Chung, Hong Kong...

Yes, I am back in Hong Kong again. My second time this year. For the coming 2 weeks I will be residing here at my sister's place. Thanks to AirAsia, I am able to make this holiday happened together with my family.

The trip was pre-planned 3 months earlier. This trip I am accompanied by my parents and my younger brother. We arrived at Hong Kong last night at about 8PM and had light dinner on board. AirAsia had since change their menu. We all had Pak Nasser Nasi Lemak combo meal, RM12 with drinks.


This is how it looks like in the menu. The Pak Nasser Nasi Lemak


This is the real set. Taste ain't bad though

Sis picked us up at the Terminal One Immigration Area, Hong Kong International Airport. She had the privilege to access to various part of the airport as her job is associated with the airport.

From the airport, we took shuttle bus S56 to my sis apartment at Tung Chung. We reached our destination in about 15 minutes. Freshen up and sis brought us for dinner at the Citygate Outlet. Great dinner. Saliva drooling pictures ahead.













And this is my sis in the picture below.



That's about it all peeps. A tiring day for me today, shall update on my activities today later. Stay tune!

I Heart Hong Kong!!!

Life @ 30

This post is specially dedicated to one of my best friend in high school, Michael Ang. This post is to welcome Yu Chen to the world. Buddy, congrats & I am seriously happy for you.

Not many of my close buddies who I grew up with have settle down. I have not seriously thought of settling down after my previous relationship. But I do open up myself to welcome a fresh start for this girl who I am fond with but unfortunately she still felt doubtful on certain things about me. To all my readers who thought I am attached all this while - No, I am not attached. Yes, I am seeing someone as a 'special' friend. How long does this 'special' friend relationship be dragged, I am unsure myself too.



Seeing my best buddy's first child on video did gave me a certain rush of emotions. I love kids, I always do. Even the girls that I got involved with in the past commented that if I ever have kids, I will neglect the wife. I like to be surrounded by kids, I like the way they pester you at times to play with them. Then I think to myself, is this a sign that I am desperate to have a family of myself? My family, I know my dad & mom eagerly waiting for that day as I am the eldest in my family. Mom & Dad, if you are reading this (they are my readers as well), your son is working very hard towards it.



I had mellowed down a lot on my work. I used to work late hours, forcing myself to be in office although I can be home. But lately, I felt tired with work. Tired at times having to face pretenders in workplace. It is hard to find people who can work with passion, I can see more pretenders who are hungry for power & politicking in the office. Nobody will remember the milestone you achieved for long and when a slight error inflicted in your work, people tend to put a death sentence to you. So I had made a vow not to let working life kills off my quality lifestyle.

I am spending more of my after work time with my chilling with my buddy talking about business opportunities, discussing about my new house, parasiting his family life while I am single & spend more effort pursuing my next piece of jigsaw puzzle in my life. I spend more time reading blogs & posting at least a post a day to share what is it in me everyday. Blogging has phenomenonly inspire my life and amazingly it had been the best listener for the past 3 years for me.

Now if you excuse me, I gotta continue my PSP God of War. What a life @ 30?!?!?!?

Buying A House

My sister will be back this Thursday; she's on biz trip around SEA and Malaysia will be one of the stop after Manila. The last time I caught up with her was during my Hong Kong trip 2 months ago.

Owning a house in Hong Kong is almost near to impossible to any working individual. A mere 600sqft condominium in HK will cost in the region of approx. RM1 million just like the one my sis is staying now in HK. So, this idea of buying house in Malaysia struck us early this year. A million ringgit you can be assured of semi-D in Damansara area. So I am doing the job of scouting for a new house and it will be one of the agenda when I meet up with my sister later this week.

Our mission is to purchase a new place at least by end of this year after I paid off my other miscellaneous commitments & debts. Frankly speaking, when comes to buying a house, the very first consideration will be; whether that property is going to be our own place or just a mere investment. We came to consensus that it will be our own place and of course with this we then shortlist a few area/community that we like best.

Damansara been always my top of mind when comes to a place to stay; the organized infrastructure & community are the main reason; schools, hypermarts, dining places, road access & transportation. Being the most sought after area, the properties around Damansara area are highly priced. Landed properties will be in the region of RM350k and above and reasonably good condos will be priced in the region of RM300k and mind you this is minus renovation.

So finally, I found a pretty reasonable place and bearing the name Damansara in its address which within our budget. There is this very nice condo located in Sri Damansara which just completed over 2 years; low density & new. Although I still have to pay the RM1.60 Samy Vellu's project LDP toll, I like the place pretty much as it has greens & near to most of my best buddies stay. My friend just bought a link house in Sri Damansara and will move in anytime this year, another best buddy of mine stays in Selayang. My mahjong buddy stays in Kota Damansara and thinking of normal drinking places in the Curve, it looks like almost confirm we will go for this place.

Reasonably priced at the region of RM220k, we still have a budget of around RM80k to play around the renovation. Now talking about the dollar & cents, here comes the mortgage loan part. Many factors and calculations needed to finalize which bank you will go for your loan. The BLRs, MRTA, MLTA, SPA fees, legal fees, etc. Wise decision needed as once you are bonded with a bank, there is a certain period that you cannot refinance or pay off as there will be a penalty imposed.



After signing off the S&P agreement and finalizing the loan, the mind draining part will be the renovation & furnishing. I do hope some of my ID friends can perhaps give an advice or even to the extend of drafting a simple plan for my ID. Then locating a certain budget and comparing quotes from the contractors, different contractors needed for different renovation; kitchen, bedrooms, curtains, air conditioning, security, the list just goes on. Headache isn't it? And with limitation in budget, a lot of things that you wanna do it at a go, you are hesitated. Owning a dream house is never easy, that is for sure.



I would probably save quite a substantial amount of $$$ on furnishings based on the nature of industry I am now. Too many things boggling my mind now and hope that I can pull through it properly. And when this dream is achieved, let's party in my new place ya.

Don't worry, I will prepare a wish list after I am in the final stage of pimping my own place. Save your money for that ya as I AM BROKE NOW!!!

:)





PS: Apology to my best buddy, Sean. You had helped me in my toughest part of life, I hope to pull through this mid-age crisis I am experiencing now. Thanks for understanding always, it is not easy to find a buddy that will stick to you thick & thin and support you in whatever you do. Will be at my best to settle everything in this couple of months to come (you know what I mean, and I mean it). Thanks!

Happy Mother's Day & Save The World

I am back to Melaka, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all the mothers in the world a very Happy Mother's Day. Shall be bringing mom out for a good fun tomorrow,

However, in this lovely weekend, something is really disturbing my mind now. The cyclone that hit Myanmar. I saw over CNN some footages reported and for the fact that Myanmar is somehow a communist country ruled by the Junta, the aid flowing in Myanmar had been not so overwhelming. I hope we Malaysians can make a difference. Channel your fund support here.

See you peeps next week, remember to donate ya. Cheers!

东涌 , Hong Kong

I have somehow miss HK a lot... blardy a lot... Phew... Back home is not so pleasurable really... My work been piling up and for the past few days since my return, I had been working till late, and by the time I finished, my energy level was so low that I am too tired and not inspired to write any shits here.

Work, work and work and my company sent me away for training again on the 24th-25th... off site full-day training and finally my weekend here back in Melaka, I can finally really sit my fat ass in this comfy sofa to BLOG!!!! ahhhhh.... ok here you go,


"Hujan emas di negara orang, hujan batu di negara sendiri"

These are some very true words, always pleasurable to visit some foreign countries and see how well they managed the country, the people, etc. In Malaysia, we talk about who's country this belongs to, we define Malaysian as bumiputra & non-bumiputra, double standard to own a house, many inequalities, etc.

In Hong Kong, as long as you got the dollar & cents, you will be on the go. On my first night in 东涌 (Tung Chung), waited for my sis as she was at work. I was waiting at this Citygate which housed plenty of branded factory outlets here, Esprit, Benetton, Ralph Lauren, Nike, Adidas, to name a few.

By the time she finished her work, we met up and we went for dinner together with another younger brother of mine who happened to be there honeymooning with his gf. We went to this famous Indian restaurant, which a lot of expatriates patronized this place. At the Tung Chung MTR Station, this restaurant has this pick up service to their restaurant.



The restaurant is known as "Curry Corner", and during my journey there by the pick up service, I met and chatted up with 2 gwai lous from Australia who worked as a private jet pilot in Hong Kong. Now you can imagine how many rich & famous in Hong Kong who owned private jets ya :)



This restaurant looked simple but it serves one of the best curry & massala I ever had in my whole life. I would say equivalent to India. The owner was from India anyway.



Without delay, we browsed through the menu and ordered the food as we felt like hungry ghosts. Ordered a few kind of massala & curries - fish, chicken, mutton, beef & potato. Check out the pictures below;














Tempting? I will be going to HK again end of the year.... anyone interested to join me? And I am not very sure whether these few curry & massala dishes we had expensive or not, the bill came at HKD350 (approx RM175) for 4 persons.

After dinner, went back to my sis place, my first time there. You cannot see any bungalows or link houses here in Tung Chung. What you see will be 70 storeys high condominums & apartments.



My sis stayed in one of these condominiums, the Carribean Coast, with the built up of only about 600sq feet and cost about near to a million ringgit. Crazy huh? That's Hong Kong. Though high in density, the security is tight. You will be greeted all day long by professional local staff in monkey suits. My sis stays in 33rd floor, just a short tour around here with a few pictures of the place that I stayed for the 4 nights I had in HK.















Finally a picture of from the house balcony. Warning: few post to come I will still write about my HK travelogy with plenty more pictures.

Cheers!