Kukup - an hour's drive that turns back the clock 40 years....

After picking up 2 of my other friends, we went on our merry way towards the Tuas checkpoint via the PIE. But since there is this rule that says Singapore cars are required to have at least 3/4 tank full before crossing the border, I had to stop over at a petrol kiosk first. I like this 3/4 rule, me thinks it's an act of thoughfulness of the government to remind us that Malaysia is big and so we must have enough fuel to last us lest we get lost. Singapore boleh!
















Ok, this picture was taken at the malaysian's checkpoint. We learnt from today's trip that we shouldn't forget to do/bring the following before crossing the border:
> immigration cards
> pens to fill up the immigration cards
> changing of currency ( I can't believed he forgot to change currency lohz...)
> top up cash card to pay for the Singapore Toll fees

As you can see, we were supposed to stop at the booth but because we didn't have immigration cards, we had to stop beside the lanes and hunt for cards, fill them up and walked over to give them the card. It was a pretty hilarious sight. Seriously, crossing the border had never been so farnie before.















This picture was taken after we left the N-S highway at Geland Patah exit travelling towards Pontian Kechil. I tell you, certain sections of the road have so much potholes that paying exorbitant road tax back in Singapore starts to make a hell lot of sense.
















This picture was taken after passing Pontian Kechil towards kukup. I'm amazed by the complexity of the road




















Kukup is so small that there is only one main road leading into it, with shophouses and houses on stilts adorning both sides of it. I have only one word for it. Rustic. Better than watching Back to the future.




















Cupbarn. I always knew I can use matchsticks to make cupbarn.



















Sunset over the smelly river.















We parked...just right outside the money changer! So that solves the problem of not having the correct currency. The place we stopped at is called High King Seafood restaurant. I had chosen this place because some bloke on the internet said the food was cheap and "not too bad". I also reckon since the person still lives to type out her recommendations, the food should be relatively safe to eat.
















Sunset over Pulau Kukup. Taken using my N70 handphone...if only I had a better camera....



















Hokai you greedy readers...here is the highlight of the trip....we ordered:
> fried squids RM12
> chilli mussels RM10 (no kidding)
> Grouper, steamed RM42
> Prawns, Chillied RM20

In total, with drinks, the bill came up to RM110 and that took us to about 9pm. Being the typical me, I got lost on the way back somewhere around Pontian Kechil in the dark. Fortunately for us, we realised we weren't lost but merely unsettled as the place looked different in the dark. All in all, the trip took up 232km and we crossed the border at around 10pm.

Fun!

Highlights of Cameron highlands

Back from a 2 day trip to the Cameron highlands. Good place to hide from reality of work and the sweltering heat of Singapore. All in all, love the cool weather of the highlands abeit some difficulties that the cold introduced. (eg. hot water is a MUST when bathing)

I've highlighted places that I've felt worth going to should you decide to escape to Cameron for a holiday. Also, anyone keen on being a PR on Cameron highlands can message me. We can grow strawberries and live a happy life ever after on the strawberries.... Ok, just kidding. You cannot live on strawberries alone. We need to grow some vegetables and rear some chicken as well. =p

Cactus Valley, Brinchang



















Cactus galore! rows and rows, levels and levels of cactuses and other attractive flowers awaits you at this place for only RM4 per person.















Hibiscus is one of their mainstay flowers. Come to think about it, Hibiscus is one of the mainstay flowers all over Cameron's nurseries.















Pretty Daisies!


Sunrise from the highest point in Cameron, Gunung Brinchang















Any peeps looking at this picture better appreciate this picture. In order to have this picture taken, I had to wake up at 530am, braved a freezing 15 deg cel. cold morning air , entrust my life to a guide whom I only met a day before (and pray he doesn't drive us off a cliff or something) and risked having my nose freezing off from the high winds. So, better appreciate this picture.


Mossy Forest, Gunung Brinchang















Mossy forest is a forest known for it's moss (duh!). The tour guide proudly explained to us that the mossy forest resembles forest scenes from LOTR . Anyhow, the mossy forest trail takes only around an hour or less to trek, if you are quick footed. But trust me, the trail that the guide took us was far from easy. But fun. The picture you see here is taken from Mossy forest, looking at part of the Titiwangsa range.


BOH tea plantation, Sungei Palas















Yes.... your yummy tea that you are drinking now comes from here. While drinking your yummy BOH tea, stop for a while to appreciate the fact that you have muscular workers working in the hot sun sweating it off while shearing the tea leaves and collecting them (together with their salty sweat) so that you can have your cuppa tea! Best of all, they are only paid 20 cents RM per KG of tea leaves. Drink heartly you slave driver!



















Scenary taken at Sungei Palas visitor center. The cafe serves very yummy and fluffy cakes to compliment your order of tea.


Rose Center, Kea Farm region



















I think roses are only good for 2 things. To rip off guys during Valentine's day and to make yummy bandung.















Flies are everywhere. We even had a buzzing fly that followed us through the jungle paths from Tanah Rata to brinchang town.


EQ strawberry farm, beside Equatorial hotel



















These strawberries are sweet! Because we plucked 'em under the hot sun. By the time you are reading this, the strawberries are already long eaten. They do not last long in our weather.

NOC day out and a commencement!

It has been quite sometime since the last NOC gathering. After meeting all of the at NOC, the six of us trugged to Bali Seafood village for dinner (beside Villa bali)















The restaurant menu. They have quite a number of standard items plus selections of their very own signature dish. Guaranteed to satisfy most people's preferrences.



















Sereen and Angel smiling away....















KK and jianhui after a hard day's work (yeahhhhh right.... jianhui yes, KK, definitely not =p)















The first dish that came to us is chilli kang kong! For all honestly, this is the best chilli kang kong I have ever eaten!
















This is a unique dish. The bossy recommended this prawn dish to us. stir fried prawns with pumpkin juice! Very yummy...with a unique taste..definitely a must try...but Sereen said it is the most expensive dish that we ordered. (S$20 bucks)















The prawn paste chicky is normal tasting only.















The hotplate tofu is too salty for my liking. This is probably the least nicest dish that we had ordered. And I dunno where the tofu is.















This is the best dish that we have ordered for the day! Yum Yum! It's some braised pork with yummy sauce. Very tender and sweet! I got to try this again the next time I go back again. Which I definitely will.















This picture was taken at UCC. Daniel graduated today and the five of us went to support him (actually we are there to eat the food hee hee) and this picture was taken at the spot where we gathered a year ago too at my commencement....how time flies....sigh....

What the statements really means

1. "Nothing" - This is the calm before the storm. This means 'something' and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with 'nothing' usually end in 'fine'.

2. "Fine" - This is a word women use to end an argument when they're right and you need to shut up!

3. "5 minutes" - If she's getting dressed, this means half an hour. It is 5 mins if you have just been given 5 more mins to watch the game before helping around the house.

4. "Go head" - This is a dare, not permission. Don't do it.

5. Loud sigh - This is not actually a word, but a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by man. A loud sigh means she thinks you're an idiot and wonders why she's wasting her time standing here and arguing with you over 'nothing'.

6."That's okay" - This is one of the most dangerous statements that a woman can make to a man. "That's OK" means that she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.

7. "Thanks" - A woman is thanking you. Do not question it or faint. Just say you're welcome.

8."Whatever" - It's a woman's way of saying "fcuk you!"

9. 'Duno"...thats when U are expected to come out with a solution to the problem.

10 'Anything' ... that's means U dun anyhow ti kum ti kum and buy anything hor...

11. Up to you/u decide - look, i already know what i want. u jolly well get it right, else u are in deep sheet

12. U try lor... u better do it the right way..

13. 'Do I look fat in this'...you better lie..

It seems that there is an auntie network after all...

A last minute decision to help deliver food today netted me an interesting find (or rather 2 interesting finds)

All this while, I knew that the block i'm distributing food to only know each other if they are staying on the same floor. Hence, i deduced that an auntie network exist on every floor. However, while talking to one of the aunties staying on the 3rd floor, she was complaining to me that she didn't receive any food for last Sunday and even went on explaining that this is due to the fact that I was away on reservist. (In actual fact, my other friends did deliver the food in my absence but because they used the wrong name list, some of the units didn't receive any food.)

I was pretty amused. I only told an auntie living on the fourth floor that I will be away for reservist. No one else knows about this. Yet, it seems news about my reservist seemed to travel around the block.

The other thing that I discovered was rather grim. The block that I distributed food to has this alarm system connected to every unit. Any person in distress within the units can press the "panic" button linked to an alarm outside and on the ground floor. Once the button is pressed, the alarm will naturally sound and the unit in distress will be displayed on the electronic board situated outside. Today, the alarm was trigged by someone staying in unit #10-518 while I was there. I knocked on the door to rule out a false alarm before calling the police. The officer that picked up the phone told me that they have already dispatched officers to the unit already. So since there is nothing much I can do, I continued distributing the food. Strangely by the time I finished my rounds, the alarm was still sounding. I went back to the tenth floor and noticed that there were still no policemen in sight.

Two possibilities here, either the police officers have come and gone and who ever was inside was just playing itchy fingers, or, the police officers have not arrived at all. And should it be a case of genuine medicial distress, the minutes could mean the difference between life and death.

And I shall leave it as that.

A different 3 weeks...

"They don't understand why we do it.
They don't understand it's about the man next to you. "

War. It is never about heroics or glory. Neither is it a game for the boys in us men.

War is messy, relentless and brutal. And very much unforgiving. You do not decide who live or die. People die when they die. No one can choose. That is war. There are no heros in wars. Only survivors.

Why do we then fight?

War is about fighting for our rights to believe. To believe what we hold true in our hearts. It is about the sacrifices we make for people we care about and love so dearly. It is about the man fighting along side with you.

Digging pictures from the past...

[Barobushna villagers performance - The performace marked the end of our 2 weeks stay at the village. In that 2 weeks, we helped with the construction of the communal hall and helped the healthcare workers go around checking on the health of the villager's new born baby]















[Sunset over country side - This was taken on the rooftop of the place we stayed during our stint in the village. The 3 story building is called "pallisathi".]















[this shot needs to be setup one okie - one of the temples that we visited in Kolkata. We had purposely waited for the gluttony pigeons to settle down eating the grains off the floor before my friends intentionally ran across it, creating this furore of feathered wings and smiling faces. ]




















[some tomb... - I remembered this place was called the hymmi someting something tomb. Anyway, i like this shot quite a bit. ]




















[Sunset over India's railway line - This was day 2 of 3 during our trip back to Kolkata from Agra. I risked my head to take a photo of the setting sun while a cargo train whizzed by. ]
















[Onion looking temple - This picture never fails to remind me of onions!]





















[sunset - Barobushna village. Just took this picture for the fun of it. And digital photos is free!]

Maserati GranTurismo Coupe

A certain fudgy creature requested for this pocket burner. Sigh. Anyhow, the new GT will sport a 4.2L , 8 cylinder, vee-configuration with 405bhp on tap. This will be mated to a flappy paddle gear box. (similar to the one found in the quattroporte). I'm guessing front/mid engine layout plus rear wheel drive. I guess we will know more come september.
























Actually, in all honesty, I think the GT looks like an evil (and not to mention hungry looking) catfish with it's mouth wide open. Mmmm, gluttony car. Now I can appreciate the reason why the blob of fudge likes this car.














Now, the above is what I call a great-looking car. The Aston Martin Rapide Concept. Longer but sleeker than the existing DB9, it whizzes 4 persons in total comfort unlike the GT which you have to literally stuff 2 persons into the cramped rear seats. And that only happens if any unfortunate soul is even willing to accept your offer of being a rear passenger.

Let's just hope the production car in 2009 will be an exact replica of the concept. Now, that is something worth slogging for! =p

Bolster

My bolster.
Soft and comfortable.
To hug. To hold.

Your smell lingers on it.
A sweet, pleasant scent.
Of love and sacrifices.

The night. A vessel of solitude.
A desolate quietness.
Suffocating me.

Clinging the bolster close.
I feel you beside me.
Embracing me.

Solitary is no more.

*hiakz hiakz II*

I think if I don't stop coughing soon, my lungs will come out for sure...I concur, seriously, dry coughing is definately worse than suffering from fever,sore throat and flu combo.

got to go...my left lung just popped out of my mouth

*hiakz hiakz*

This is the second night in a row where my cough is disrupting my sleep. After waking for the second time from my coughing performance this morning, I decided that maybe, just maybe, having a dry hacking cough is worse than having a fever, sore throat and running nose combo. At least you do not sneeze when you are asleep.

Strangely, after going back to sleep (since it was only 7 am), I had a weird dream. I dreamt that I was in an execution chamber with clear glass panels for others to view in. There were rows of seats, like those you find in a Lecture Theater. In my dream, there were only 7 people, of which 5 of them is from the band 五月天. And in the execution chamber, they have this machine, which was white in color. I was seating on a black chair attached to the machine.

This machine has an extended arm ending in a thick metallic rod from which lethal liquid can be introduced. A control unit controls the amount of fluid to be used. The executioner sets the number to 120 (I have no idea what unit of measurement that is) and he proceeded to place the thick metal rod at the back of my neck. Apparently there is a device attached to the back of my neck which you can insert the rod in. I ask the executioner if I could request for五月天 to sing 天堂 for me. (天堂 is not even sung by them! Haha…but I got to admit that it was a good crappy choice for a last song) After which, they proceeded to inject the lethal liquid into me (the control unit numbers was running from 0 to 120 at this point in time). And the sensation feels similar to receiving an injection; A slight numbing pain from the pressure of the liquid going in.

The funny thing in this dream was, I never get to hear 五月天 singing 天堂 for me. Hahaha.

My heart kept silent

*knock knock*


"Auntie, 送饭!" Slowly but steadily, she inched her way to the door where I was waiting to give her this evening dinner packed in a comparmentised plastic box with curry chicken in one corner and vegetables on the other. Rice was served with 2 pieces of golden breaded scallop.

"你今天还好吗？" , i asked.

"aiyah, 还不是一样，活到九十一岁了，不知道为什么还没死，好辛苦。。。"

I didn't know what to reply when she said that. All I did was to give a little pat on her hand and tell her not to feel doleful. I vaguely remembered that I was struggling to contain my emotions. Grown men don't cry, I was told.

Till now, I can not forget what the old granny said. Is it scary to grow old alone? No friends. No family. No one to talk to while you wait for death to take you in your old, damp and dark apartment while feeling useless as your body deteriorates. I wonder if they keep a calendar to cross away the days, one number at a time, to mark the passing of another day of suffering? Can life be reduced to a number cancelling exercise?

How many more of these people are out there, deteriorating under obscurity, forgotten by the mainstreamers? Just how many?

Goodbyes

Do you know why goodbyes are always sad?

It is not because you are unable to see the person you said goodbye to.

But.

It is because you have already make up your mind not to see the person again.

And you are sad that you have made such a decision.

Instrumentality

Who are you?

I don't know you. Or do I?

You seem hauntingly familar. Do I know you? Have we ever met?

Your look. That intensity in your eyes. The soft gentle features of your round face. The long silk hair dancing vibrantly in the wind. Have I seen you before?

The quaver of your lips as you speak, the curl of your language. Your sweet melodious song. Have I heard you speak before?

Your smile. Why are you smiling at me? Stop smiling at me. A warm radiant smile. Like the sun. Do I make you smile? Stop. Your smile hurts me. Go away.

Leave me alone.

真的好累 =（

累。。。

2007 Mercedes Benz A-Class

Introduction
If you have not read my previous review of the old A-class, do read it. Only then will you appreciate why I am beeming over this latest manifestation of the A-class from Mercedes Benz. Quality issues that I had harped about the A-class in the past no longer can be found in this new car. It is as if a faux pas on quality never occured before. Simply brilliant.
















First Impressions
I called the old car a breadbox on four wheels. Now, the new car earns the title "rabbit on skates". Design is always subjective and to me, the front of the new A-class looks like a bunny with a small, tight rear. It isn't ugly but it is isn't anything to shout about either.

Interior
Marked improvements! Absolutely fabulous. Creature comforts such as steering column audio control, auto-chromatic rear view mirror, telescopic adjustable steering wheel synergistically combines to pamper the driver. The redesigned chromed rim dials adds a touch of class. If the old A-class was a plate of $2 dollars chicken rice, the new A-class will be a plate of $10 dollars chicken rice, served at a restaurant and comes topped with caviar.

Performance
The new 1.7 liter in-line 4 engine replaces the old 1.6 litre engine. Without dwelling into the technical specifications (lazy la lazy.), push the new engine past 3000 rpm and you have rabbit-in-a-box performance. Angry buzzing bees under the bonnet comes as standard at that engine speed, sadly. Low end torque is a little lacking for city driving but still forgivable.

Handling
Like a rabbit, the new A-class switches directions rapidly. And definitely much better than the old breadbox. Corners are dealt with an air of composure and confidence, all thanks to the firmer suspension (again, too lazy to find out the suspension setup). Push the car through corners and you will definately get into mild understeer which can be corrected with a quick dab of the brakes which bites like an hungry alligator. Yet progressively so.

Even the semi automatic gearbox is brilliant. Leave it in drive, it upshifts/downshifts with minimal shift-shock. In manual, it is way, and I really mean, way better than the old retarted transmission (it's the software! written by grannies!). Manual upshifts/downshifts are instantenous. Best of all, the old "nanny behaviour" (the old transmission doesn't allow you to downshift at high engine RPM lest you let lose a bolt or two) of the past transmission is gone! Yipee!

Conclusion
I'm in love with this car. For it's creature comforts. For it's ability to win my heart over despite initial disapointment and resentment of the previous A-class. And perhaps for Mercedes Benz's success in infusing rights into a car plagued by wrongs.

Oh, I forget to mention one gripe that I do have with the car. The steering feel is feather light (which reminds me of the G9 corolla) and feedback is non existent. But i'm prepared to overlook this fault. Who wouldn't? Nobody is perfect.

Tired

Weary. Why do I have to put in so much effort just to get the same amount of pay regardless of how much effort i put in? We do so much, sacrifice so much. And at the end of the day, the fiscal bebefits goes to the Boss and not you.

So... logically....it's more beneficial to be your own boss! (of cos, with great benefits come great risks)

So...no choice loh....work and work, slog and slog loh....complain also must slog, tired also must work. If not cannot buy ferrari! (but slog n slog also no ferrari! Ferrari key chain maybe)

Sigh...drained la drained....got people doing business not... want to 收留 this poor soul here?

Extracts from the heart

Chanced across this phrase and decided to share it with everyone:

" A downtrodden and heavy heart, I carry.
Beneath the fathoms of masquerade, weary.

Turmoil festering within, help me!
Go away! Cry thee

The flesh is willing, thy heart weak.
Alas! Death is perhaps the only escapade. "

Post Peak Party (yeah rite...post peak my a**)

Hokai. We had a post peak party at MOS last friday. In typical fashion, the company booked the entire MOS from 6.30pm-10.00pm, with free flow of "selected" drinks thrown in. Strangely, the food wasn't enough, the free flow wasn't really flowing very smoothly (they ran out of glasses half way) and the drinks was, well, too alcoholic for my liking.

The good thing is, you have great friends to accompany you to ensure that you had a great time at the "post-peak" celebrations. =)

In response...

Excerpt from Yingz (in response to the previous post):

"Yeah dude! This song was ringing in our heads 3 years back in the little kitchen of PGP. Those times when we cracked our heads decoding and understanding the hidden message that "bobby" was trying to get it. Remch found our own ember "bobby the cockroach"? Then we were each puzzled by our own map of love destiny. Those times with some help from you in navigating my destination. I found my happy farm. Now the knighted meh had found his wobble wobble in the castle!! Happy for u!

End of Evangelion : Come Sweet Death

Warning: Disturbing animation (EVA always is disturbing)

Was digging through my old CD collection and found my stash of long forgotten MP3s! Found the song "Amaki shi yo Kitare/Komm Suesser Tod" from the End of Evangelion. Awww... bring back memories of my PGP era (rem dude?)

Anyhow, I do not have much recollection about Evangelion or the End of Evangelion for that matter, but i did remember that this was a very symbolic animation that draws much references to christianity and their interpretation of the coming armargaddon.

Cutting a long story short, here is the lyrics for the song "komm, Suesser Tod", which means Come, Sweet Death in German.


Artist: ARIANNE

I know, I know I've let you down
I've been a fool to myself
I thought that I could
live for no one else
But now through all the hurt & pain
It's time for me to respect
the ones you love
mean more than anything

So with sadness in my heart
(I) feel the best thing I could do
is end it all
and leave forever

what's done is done it feels so bad
what once was happy now is sad
I'll never love again
my world is ending

I wish that I could turn back time
cos now the guilt is all mine
can't live without
the trust from those you love
I know we can't forget the past
you can't forget love & pride
because of that, it's kill'in me inside

It all returns to nothing, it all comes
tumbling down, tumbling down,
tumbling down
It all returns to nothing, I just keep
letting me down, letting me down,
letting me down

In my heart of hearts
I know that I called never love again
I've lost everything
everything
everything that matters to me, matters
in this world

I wish that I could turn back time
cos now the guilt is all mine
can't live without
the trust from those you love
I know we can't forget the past
you can't forget love & pride
because of that, it's kill'in me inside

It all returns to nothing, it just keeps
tumbling down, tumbling down,
tumbling down
It all returns to nothing, I just keep
letting me down, letting me down,
letting me down
It all returns to nothing, it just keeps
tumbling down, tumbling down,
tumbling down
It all returns to nothing, I just keep
letting me down, letting me down,
letting me down

Reminiscence

Sound the bugle now - Bryan Adams

Sound the bugle now - play it just for me
As the seasons change - remember how I used to be
Now I can't go on - I can't even start
I've got nothing left - just an empty heart

I'm a soldier - wounded so I must give up the fight
There's nothing more for me - lead me away...
Or leave me lying here

Sound the bugle now - tell them I don't care
There's not a road I know - that leads to anywhere
Without a light I fear that I will - stumble in the dark
Lay right down - decide not to go on

Then from on high - somewhere in the distance
There's a voice that calls - remember who your are
If you lose yourself - your courage soon will follow

So be strong tonight - remember who you are
Ya you're a soldier now - fighting in a battle
To be free once more -Ya that's worth fighting for (more)

Goodbye...you have served me well for the past 3 years

It only seems like yesterday when I first purchased you to replace my dying Neckermann sandals. I still remember how much you cost me. S$68 dollars.

You have been with me to places both near and far. Your rock solid durability endured countless punishments while trekking through the jungle paths of Bukit Timah and Machritchie. Your impeccable reliability ensures my safety while sauntering along the dusty paths of Kolkata.

Regardless, your cocooning fit ensures sanctuary for the feet of this restless traveler. Yet, your memories are not restricted only to the physical realm. You have accompanied me throughout my trials and tribulations of the past 3 years; seen countless of situations surrounding my life unfurling; shared my every triumphs and failures; stood silently with me in my happiest and in my darkest hours. You have been a good pair of sandals to me.

I will remember you.

Pictures in the evening...

-:: Saturday :: -




































-:: Sunday ::-

Food delivery to needy people living around Telok Blangah on Sunday.

Simplistically meaningful.

It is you...

Dana Glover It Is You (Shrek soundtrack)
Uploaded by chilavert

There is always something different about the both of us.

Perhaps it's the look. Or the smile.

Whatever it is, a perfunctory glance is always enough to reveal to others the amorosity between the both of us. Try as we might, we can never seem to conceal the ingrain feelings emanating from us.

Not that it matters.

What matters most is that because of each other, solitariness had already ebbed away since the last crossing of the winter solstice.

Compare and contrast

Reports of slowing Singapore economy from Bloomberg















Similar news from the India economic times














yet another similar article from Wall street journal














Strangely, The Straits Times reported a similar article BUT carries a completely contrasting title compared to the other three articles. Interestingly enough, it was printed side by side to the article commenting on justifying ministers pay increment.

realpolitik I say.




















(disclaimer: credits goes to someone else, it's not my print capture here)

Princess mononoke MV

Hauntingly mesmerising and intimately touching music that encumbers your heart