Personal Legend

Let's Do Business

2009-08-16T15:24:00.003+03:00

Have a look at this movie as an introduction to Lithuania as your business partner country!
It's funny at times, but makes me proud to be Lithuanian.

So anybody want to do business in Lithuania? Let's do it! I'm at your service!

When it rains....

2009-07-14T10:21:00.004+03:00

A day in KL when it rains is perfect.

Sitting in a cosy place in the terrace under the roof, smelling fresh rain, listening for tunes of 'Wonderful World' but not by Luis Armstrong, though it is really good.

No hurry. The place is emply only a guy working on his Apple, two turists, tired after their trips around Malaysia, now enjoying rainy afternoon in KL. Most likely it is their last day in KL, so no rush, just have nice lunch, one or two lattes and set off for packing all the souvenirs. I wonder where are they from, they look like German, pitty I cannot hear them speak.

Marbels in all colors and shapes stringed hanging next to me I can hear them tingle when the wind blows. A friend reading some local stories. Not reading loud. I like listening when somebody reads stories out loud.

Im thinking of having a dark chocolate cake, or maybe carrot cake and another cup of tea.

No hurry at all.

Yes, I will have sweet cake to remember the lips that kissed me the night before.

U2 playing.

Lietuviai Malaizijoje Google Group'sas

2009-07-08T15:03:00.005+03:00

Besiruošiant kelionei į Malaiziją neradau jokios informacijos apie ten esančius lietuvius, o kadangi ambasados čia nėra, tai nėra ir oficialios bendruomenės. Atvykus čia tikėtai ir netikėtai susitikom keletas lietuvaičių, susioranizavom Velykų šventimą, ir nusprendėm, kad palaikyti lietuvišką raštmeną butų neblogai.
Taigi ėmiausi iniciatyvos ir sukūriau virtualią komunikacijos terpę Google Group'są pavadinimu Lietuviai Malaizijoje.
Visi neatrasti lietuviai kurie esate Malaizijoje ar planuojate čia užsibūti, prašom nepasididžiuoti ir prisiregsitruoti.

Tikiuosi, kad tai bus pirmas žinsgnis įkuriant Lietuvių bendruomenę Kuala Lumpure!

*Iki susimatymo Lietuviai!

Game

2009-07-08T14:41:00.002+03:00

Today we were playing a game with my friend. The game is very simple. Once you get in the train try to spot straight guy........ or the guy who would look more like straight guy.....

That's the essential question, are there nice straight guys in KL?

*with all my tolerance & attempt to find a nice guy

1000 years!

2009-07-06T14:20:00.002+03:00

Today Lithuania is celebrating Milennium. 1000 years since first time Lithuania's name was mentioned in written sources.

The first reference to the name of Lithuania in written sources comes to us in the story related to the tragic end of St. Bruno’s mission in1009 as described in the annals of Quedlinburg, Germany (Annales Quedlinburgenses). The text written in the 11th century failed to survive and its copy made in the middle of the 16th century is kept in Dresden, Germany.

'St. Brunon, alias Bonifacius, archbishop and monk was killed by the pagans together with 18 of his brethren on the Russian –Lithuanian border on the eleventh year of his conversion and on the 9th of March ascended into the heaven.'

We celebrate this day on our national day when our one and only king Mindaugas was crowned in 1253, July 6th! All Lithuanians are celebrating this day all over the world by singing our national song!

Afterall even Google celebrates it!

Happy 1000 years, my country!
Proud to be Lithuanian!

Be Faithful

2009-07-05T15:45:00.004+03:00

Reading a book is like having a relationship.

It takes some time to get to know each other, flipping first few pages, touching the cover and following with your fingertips the name, going through the acknowledgements and critics reviews, reading the introduction and first few chapters till you hook up and you cannot get enough. You know you cannot get enough of it when few pages before you fall asleep is not enough, just as a kiss for goodbye at your doorstep. You spend your evening in bed with Book, you spend your Sunday afternoon in the balcony with cup of coffee and the Book. You get so much involved, it makes you laugh and makes you cry. At the End you close the last page and either you share a tear over a story or you close the last page with a smile on your face remembering all the good moments and admiring how amazing it was.

Books are like a relationship, you need some time to get over with it till you roll in another one. Be faithful to your book. If it was a really good book it deserves some time to get over.

I made a mistake.

I had a relationship for over 3 months with my book. It was a very slow going at the beginning because I would not invest enough of time, there was lack of interest from both sides, but one day it happened, it just happened, the sparkles appeared and there I was spending every free moment with my book, carrying it with me whenever I would go, I would have long evenings at my balcony with the fresh breeze, and lazy weekend afternoon in a cafe. We had a really good time, there were few moments when tears were in my eyes, but we split as two responsible reasonable people would do, flipping the last page, and hazing at each other with the admiration for a while, thanking for a good time we spent together and then finally saying goodbye. My relationship with 'The Kite Runner' was over.

However, I make a mistake. The very same day I accidentally found myself in the book shop going through the shelves and trying to find something that would be my type. It took me some time, because I feel that I am over with P.Coelho, J.Brown and H.Murakami... So I need something new, something that I never experienced before. Here it was, a selection of Malaysian short stories. I thought for myself that this is a good time to have a taste of local literature. There I was happily sitting on my couch, getting in a very new and fresh relationship with another Book, but then I realised, I cannot read it now, because I still think of my ex-Book, of all the things that happened then and there, but not here and now. I managed to go though the first story [yes, that's the word, go through, but not read] but that was it for that day.

Few days passed and new book is in my hands again, I feel ready for a new relationship.

*always faithful, even to the books

Me Going Art in Kuala Lumpur

2009-07-04T15:32:00.001+03:00

Surprisingly Kuala Lumpur is full of art galleries all over the city. All you need is to know when and where an opening is happening and off you go!
The first exhibition I went to was Toy Box by Olan Ventura, artist from The Philippines whose art work is representation of Plastic Realism. He pictures the heroes of our childhood who seemed that can save the world and fight the danger that we can even dream in our darkest dreams. Here those heroes are just plastic figures taken out of the fiction and placed on the canvas, they are not mystified or glorified, just simple plastic toy figures. And I think of the person who would like to have one of those paintings in his living room.
'Whatever references lay beneath or on the surface of Olan Venturas TOY BOX works, the resulting artifacts remain a testament to both the power of the imaginary and real. It demands the sensitivity of the viewer to see beyond the legend behind each figure, as ironic, heroic examples of our moral aspirations, to a reality that perhaps reflects the fallacy of such notions.' This is what Antonio Luz says about work of O.Ventura.

Another exhibitions was by young local artist Nizam Abdullah. Threesixfive ME. That's the name of the exhibition. It took some time to get the idea behind all of the paintings, but we were pretty smart to figure it out all by ourselves, before reading the introduction to the art work.

Observation no 1: all paintings had the same face
Assumption no 1: that might be the artist
And we met the guy who looks just like the one in all paintings, that's how our assumption became a fact. All those works are his auto-portraits.

Observation no 2: there are many copied A4 papers with different face of the artist on the wall that follows some pattern.
Assumption no 2: that might be a calendar, one portrait for a day.
And once again when we repeated the name of the exhibition 'Threesixfive ME', it hit us, this is a 365 days in a year and these are the portraits of each day of the calendar.

After that we read this in the introduction booklet [Simon Soon] 'In a more ambitious Xeroxed drawings installations 'Same Shit Different Day, Different Day Same Shit', the ennui is further magnified, channelling the working artist's repetitive grind and he undergoes the boredom of day to day living, seeking for meaning in his existence. Displayed in a calendrical format on the wall, the 365 pieces cohere as a visual diary illustrating the frustrating attempt at transcending the current existence.'

The usual opening words was followed by unusual opening performance. Nizam, the painter, he performed an act of shaving his beard in front of all the visitors. I was sure he is going to cut his long hair and shave the head as well, and I was anxious to see it, but to my disappointment it was too much for him to step out of his comfort zone by shaving his beard. [This is what he said]

After few days I went for another exhibition opening where they were displaying 5 artists works and one of them were again Nizam Abdullah. This guy has his style, his style is himself. These portraits were under the concept 'inner me' and literally they were displaying under-skin artist body.

On and off we go for exhibitions to explore local artist works. These are few examples. Most of the exhibitions gifts with nice art and some only with interesting people. Overall in all cases it's a good time.

The Age of Marriages and Babies

2009-06-28T15:28:00.002+03:00

This year has been fruitful. I have gain more happy friends who have got their relationships formalized with their beloved ones.

Many of my friends have got into next level of the game. White dresses, bubbles of champagne, flowers, wedding cake, loans for property, furnitures, baby clothes and toys. I have seen all this happening to my elder sisters, but now it's here among my friends. A life is on another level.

It's funny how those news are coming up [yes this is continues process]. Another day was speaking with my Mum on the phone and there she was saying that my classmate got married after being in the relationship for 8 years. 8 YEARS! For quite a while I said, it's impossible that they have been together for 8 years, but yes, that's true, it's been 8 years, I still remember them being so young on their very fresh relationship, and right now after those 8 years they have got married. I am happy for them! Continuing the same conversation, I got a reminder that another classmate that we used to sit at the same desk in school for over 10 years is about to have a baby, the last month is counting, the same is with my few years older childhood friend whom we used to spend all our days together playing, running in the fields and pretending being princesses. And on top of that another childhood friend from the same group is expecting a Greek child [this was new to me as well]. There I was sitting and snapshots were running though my eyes of kids running around the next time I will be back at home with all my suitcases and souvenirs from never ending travelling. Now every time you travel get some souvenirs and gifts for kids, it will always be handy!

Almighty Facebook flushes with the news at least once a week or month that some of my friends got engaged, getting married or you just randomly discover that they already have uploaded their kids pictures. This especially happens with classmates and university friends whom I haven't been in touch for a while and now we re-connect on Facebook. Almight Facebook it's like huge never ending gossip box!

I am happy for each and single of them. Either the wedding is in Jordan or Sri Lanka, or the baby is Greek or African. I am happy for all of you, my friends. So the time came for you, sooner or latter. I was just thinking that if I were to go for all the weddings and send presents for all the babies by now I would be broke! And there are many more to come!

Everything is so far away. Not mentioning that it's 10.000 km away, it's so far away from my life. I do not feel that I am ready for the next level (the advanced level with the bonus babies) of the game. Till I get into another lever, I am enjoying my game.

*We all have our time ( I suppose & hope).

Beware of motorbike drivers!

2009-06-11T13:58:00.003+03:00

Beware of motor bike drivers in KL.
I was warned before to watch out and be careful while walking in the evening on the streets. However, I prefer to be careless and do not think of any dangers. I don't like the feeling insecure when you always have to think of possible scenarios of what can happen to you and how you should be careful. If you are in this alert mode and you always think of bad things they will happen. I am following my own positivity mode where I trust people and want to feel safe in the environment.
The case we had yesterday made me realize that you should be very careful here in KL streets, day and night.
Yesterday we were walking from KLC to Jalan Alor and in one of the streets full of restaurants a motor bike driver tried to steal handbag of my friend. She was walking on the sidewalk with her handbag on the shoulder and another minute I see her falling down on a street and motorbike dragging her bag... I didn't realise what's happening. Luckily the story has a happy ending, the driver lost the bag and my friend got back all her belongings. All this ended up only with couple of bruises on the arm, and of course it could have been much worse.

To all ladies in KL, be careful with your handbags!

Monday Music

2009-06-08T12:49:00.001+03:00

Real music you feel from within. When you breath in the piano and guitar cords, when deep sax sound makes goosebumps on your skin. It's been a long time since I felt that way, but here I have discoverd a magic place with such pure sounds of music that wraps you in warm blanket and touches your soul, when you eyes are out of control and you can feel tears going down your cheek, and when your lips are simply curled with natural smile only because the music can get into you, really into you.
The surrounding makes it perfect, small stage, little tables, candels, good wine and perfect musicians who plays from the heart to the hearts. This all together makes a great difference for the music. This Monday there was Rendra & Dr. Wan with bands that made the evening perfect, when all the people there were just sitting and listening with admiration of how music can find the way to the heart. Nodoby spoke. It's time with yourself and music.
Loved my Monday. Will make my all Mondays lovely with good music.

*My tribute to No Black Tie

Malaysia's Banking - Not Good lah

2009-05-21T10:26:00.003+03:00

After several frustrating calls to customer service, reading the online FAQ and visit to ATM to register for TAC number just to be able to make international money transfer I was struck by news I found out that I CAN NOT make online international transfer for a very simple reason – there is no choice of Lithuania in countries drop -down menu. I though to my self is it possible? Malaysia is developed country and in many ways much more advanced than Lithuania, but banking I suppose is a weaker link in the development. Once I arrived to the bank and explained my problem, they were surprised that there is no choice of mu country. They opened their system and showed me that Lithuania is on the list. Of course it was THEIR system! Me being frustrated I had to prove that if they have it in THEIR system doesn't mean I can do it transfer on line. So I logged in my online banking and wanted to demonstrate that I cannot proceed with the transfer because I cannot choose my country. But I got another surprise – online banking has working hours for international transfer and it's possible to do it only between 9:30 am till 5:30pm! And of course I was in bank at 8:45! So I had to wait till 9:30 when online banking will start working and showed that there is no Lithuania on the list. And the lady said: 'hmm... really there is no such country, strange... that means you have to make transfer here in the bank' – as simple as that. Every time I want to make transfer I have to come to the bank, which in other words means slow, very slow service, which means spending hours in the bank! In fact just to make it clear your country most likely is also discriminated, because Malaysian bank offers you to transfer your funds only to 20 countries and if you are lucky enough to be from the 'other' country list you will waste your time in the queue!

*doesn't like being discriminated by the whole system!

About Islam & Huqqah

2009-05-11T10:09:00.000+03:00

Few lessons learnt while visiting Islamic Art Museum are worth sharing!

First is relevant just because I love sheesha (huqqah) and because our lovely adorable neighbours gave as sheesha set as house warming present! We truly enjoy it! So here is some background where actually sheesha has originated from. While living in Dubai, Arabs were proud that sheesha belongs to Middle East, of course it belong to Middle East, but was it invented there? NO. Here goes the explanation from the museum:

'The huqqah water pipe is known by many different names, most of which originate in Islamic lands. The earliest representation of huqqah is Iranian and Indian paintings, during the first half of 17^th century show a device of extreme simplicity. Primitive and rugged in design. It was usually made from a coconut shell base. When the huqqah reached Turkey, about 500 years ago there was a surge of popularity among the higher echelons of society. As the fashion for this purifying and cooling style of smoking developed, the design and materials changed."

Another lesson was a surprise to me. Now I can seem as truly uneducated, but how many of you know that Taj Mahal in India is build as and Islamic mosque?

Yet the biggest surprise was to find out that currently I am living in 15^th century AH.

Believe it or not but this is true :)

Greetings from 15^th century in Malaysia!

Yours more educated Audra

*truly lovely Sunday afternoon was followed by chai latte on the street café observing strangers and reading a book.

What do women want?

2009-05-07T10:20:00.003+03:00

That is essential question that has been asked a million of times of men who are lost in space of feminine mind; of women who are looking for something and most of the times for somebody but are not sure of what; there is a movie that tries to answer this question, however there is no one answer, and it cannot be because each of us, women, we are unique individual who desires and aims for different things and have different values that they build their dreams on.

Let me get back to one of the post where I have quoted (I have to highlight QUOTED) the title of article of the local newspaper in Malaysia, that '...Malaysians are not hot in bed'.

Obviously this is a bold statement (media knows how to trigger reader!) and if I were a male from Malaysia would get pissed of of such generalization. Anyhow, let's get back to the comment that I have received from a Malay who asked 'what is it I want that I cannot get?'

Really what is IT that I cannot get? Yes, there was generation of women who waiting for a prince that would ride on a white horse, my generation believes in Mr. Big concept, that HE, (VYRAS), Mr. Big is out there somewhere. If you are lucky the destiny will bring you together, if not that lucky, you have to put an effort to raise Mr Big out of an any ordinary guy, and live with a lie pretending that he is the one Mr. Big.

Anyway, I have to tell this evening happening that triggered me to think of what do we want and do we put extra energy to have it?

After my dance class I was walking with a friend to the train station and taking the escalator to go up. Down at the traffic light there were many cars, one of the cars windows were down and there were two guys, our eyes met for a while and we exchanged smiles. No Intentions from my side at all, just another 'positive psychology' trick to brighten your day. SMILE. Next minute this is what I see: the driver of the car gets out, and walks our direction, his friend takes over the driver's seat so that he can drive once the traffic light is green. We are getting our tickets at the counter, and suddenly the guy from the car shows up and used the most worn out pick up line: 'excuse me, where are you from'. Me being polite and I have to admit a bit flattered by such gesture reply 'Lithuania'. Poor guy rolls his eyes and tries to sound as if he knows what/where the hell Lithuania is. Anyhow, I refuse to give my number, and refuse his invitation to visit exhibition. It was just a minute before I went for the train. No regret at all, the guy didn't moved any slightest attraction strings, except that it arose some thoughts. Was the guy desperate? Or he is just a person who does something extra to get what he wants? Do I do something extra to get what I want?

Decision is taken: Be more spontaneous! Follow your heart where ever it will take you.

This one is on beauty

2009-04-26T10:02:00.000+03:00

There is a shopping culture in Malaysia for sure. Huge shopping malls are always full of people who come there to shop, spend their past-time, eat, go for a date or even for a exercise. It's a heaven for shopaholics because here you can find all world wide know brands, spend a fortune on it or go cheap cheap lah shopping in China town or any other china town look a like mall.

Size. In one of those there are shops that sell variety of quite nice clothes for a very reasonable or rather cheap price, however they are all one size. And of course that size is not suitable for any random European who have been gifted with height above 160cm, or bigger that A size boobies. So after few attempts to fit in few dresses, gave up and went for more customer friendly shops with more sizes.

Moisturizer. Another challenge I had while looking for a moisturizer. I was running out of my favorite one L'Oreal Happyderm and was absolutely positive when going for shopping that I'm going to get the same. To my big surprise, after visiting L'Oreal stalls/shops I was stunned with the news that this marked doesn't have Happyderm! My derm became very sad!!! OK, when it comes to moisturizer I am very picky, because it took me ages to find the one that I really like. After desperate talks with the shop assistance I realized that there is no way out, I HAVE TO choose something else! That wouldn't be that bad except that it is. It is because most of the moisturizers here have the whitening effect! I start hatting those who are adopting their products to the market. Of course here they have top sales of whitening moisturizers, but what to do for a random white person who on the contrary, desperately trying to enjoy every sunshine and get a tan...

Hair die. Further more, I was planning to highlight my hair color and get one tone darker color. My choice was Ice Latte color which look darker than my color, however after all the procedure I got exactly the same light color I had. Wondering why? Usually I used to buy brownish colors and those were adopted for a light color hair to become darker, so usually my hair would turn out in a darker shade. Here, now it seems obvious that product was adopted to the market where 99% local people hair is black so if they want to become brown they have to lighten it in several tones... So this is what happened to me – wanted to get darker shade and got even lighter that had!

High-heels. Everywhere! When I say everywhere I mean everywhere. Morning, afternoon, shopping, park, street. High-heels. In all shapes and colors. The top was when I saw a women wearing high-heels in the park where you have to climb to the waterfall in the jungle. Where is common sense you may ask? Beauty is a common sense! I was trying to think why would you wear high-heels every day when the climate is really hot and humid. When I think of shoes first thing comes to my mind is flip-flops! I enjoy spending my time sitting in some street café and observing people passing by, and one of those times I realized why almost every women (if she is not tourist) would wear high-heels. Because they are short! That is true, when you enter shoe shop there is bigger choice for high-heel shoes than flat ones.
Malaysia, never stop surprising, me and you. I am wearing high-heels every day as well! Not because I am short, but because it is a requirement for office attire. Those who knows me will laugh! All I can say is: I know, I know.... However, being simple and caring the least about my appearance I have to admit that high-heels makes you feel elegant women. And I do admit that you can get used to it and it's not that hard work to wear them every day. I remember when I was commenting on those beauties who would walk miles in high-heels and in the party they would continue with them. I couldn't realize how it;s possible to torture yourself like this. 'I love myself too much to do this' - I used to say. Yes, I USED to say! Now, I have to admit I am one of them, and I didn't stop loving myself.

*Malaysia – truly Asia, never stops surprising me!
When I say this, I mean it from all my heart. And this I repeat at least once a day! Never stops surprising!

Ordinary Sunday a.k.a. Verbu Sekmadienis

2009-04-06T05:56:00.001+03:00

The recipe:

Breakfast at the balcony
Swimming in the pool
Amazing singers from Zimbabwe
F1 race
Jamiroquai concert and rain/mud dancing!

Wake up at 11 am, be lazy, go out to sit down at the balcony, look at the deserted garden and blue and tempting pool with cool water. Have fresh fruits for breakfast. Continue to be lazy. Consider of going downstairs and swimming in the pool under hot hot sun. Think about it. Put on the swimming suit and go dip yourself into refreshing water! Swim! Enjoy! It's Sunday after all!

Get ready for the afternoon with deafening noise at F1.

Get in the bus, get amazing voice owners sit next to you and sing! The sound that they produce is something that you just saw on TV when talented guys sing with all their passion., And this was not on TV, they were sitting just next to us! I tell you, the voices and talent they have is something wonderful. RESPECT!

Get in to Formula 1 race for free, sit in the seats that cost something close to RM 900, close your ears, and enjoy it! Think of the people at home who would love to be in your place! Think of Lina :).

Get soaked in Malaysian rain! See the race being cancelled because of rain!

Meet another Lithuanian guys in the race! Take a picture with 7 Lithuania's in Malaysia, in F1!

Go for the open air concert! Open air with rain and mud! Open air with fun loving gang! Get wet! Enjoy! Dance on the beat! Dance till the last energy leaves your body! Listen for soft singer's voice to your ear. Melt!

Go home with the energy lever bellow 0. Sleep!

Food!

2009-04-06T05:55:00.001+03:00

Food deserves a separate entry. Food is everywhere. Food is a part of culture and a way of socializing. I suppose it's natural because it comes from all three cultures where food plays important role: Chinese, Indians and Malays.

You will not walk hungry because every five meters you will find a stall with food! And I have to highlight tasty food! It's a heaven for vegetarians, such a big variety.

Here I have to improve my sea food and fishes vocabulary, because most of the time I end up eating something that I do not know, but hey that's me a discovery child. Always will go for a thing just to try it!

So here are nominations:

Something Extreme: Last night I've tried frog, and it was really tasty! :)

Something Traditional: Malay breakfast Nasi Lemak– although it seems to be more suitable for dinner it includes banana leave, rice, some seafood, beef lungs, dried anchovies, egg. And it all taste really good!

Something weird: red beans, you can get bread rolls with red beans jam inside, and even ice-cream with a read beans jam inside (when I mean jam, it doesn't mean its sweet, it's just mashed cooked beans, inside ICE CREAM!!! Why on earth you need to ruin ice cream?

Something interesting: eggs boiled in tea! The eggs looks like on easter colored, but despite that they taste very good, the tea gives very good taste to eggs.

A discovery: simple and absolutely lovable is beef satay with peanuts sauce, accessible on most of the streets! (Satay is kind of a very small kebab on a stick served with peanuts sauce)

Best of the best: fruits! Fresh fruits and juices! This is something that I cannot spend a a day without having sweet honey pineapple, mango and papaya! And I am on the way discovering all the variety of the fruits, the dragon fruits and chicos and smelly durian.

And even right now I'm mouthful with mango!

And Pineapple has a new name here: "ANANAS!" simply because all of us in our native language say ananasas or ananas:)

Wonders of Malaysia, truly Asia vol. 2

2009-04-06T05:52:00.000+03:00

Taxi drivers – they deserve a separate post, only because they are a big part of our lives here since we use them so often and almost every trip is another story. Two stories really have been a highlight of our so far short stay here:

A drive from Kuala Lumpur to Cyberjaya (Desaria Villa).

6 girls leave point A at 1am. The journey usually takes 20 min.

6 girls reach point B at 3 am. The journey this time took 2 hours.

Driver got lost few times. Driver paid 4 times the toll because he was lost.

Positive side – the price has been agreed and the 2 hours drive cost the same as 20 min drive. Driver is a perfect example of peacefulness and calmness, he was whistling songs all the way and even agreed next day to take us to the beach!

Another story is less positive. It's a warning for all the foreigners traveling without proper preparation to the country! Please note that taxi is quite cheap in Malaysia and a drive from Airport to Cyberjaya (arround 20 min drive) cannot cost you a 100 EUROS! A reasonable price is 10 EUR at the max! We had a case of our new intern coming in and a responsible person was late for a pick up so the guy took a cab and paid almost 100 Eur! So the case was reported to the police but it's like chasing wind in the forest.

Wonders of Malaysia, truly Asia

2009-04-06T05:48:00.002+03:00

Some man are growing their nails long! Sometimes it's the thumb, sometimes it's the little finger, sometimes it's both! OK, I do not know the story behind why they are having long nails, and I do not want to let my imagination go wild because it CAN! Anyway, no judgment, but it is disgusting! Truly disgusting!

Little food places on the street, people call it restaurants or cafeterias, but for me it doesn't fall under any of those categories. So let's agree that's food stall that sell food and you can eat it on the street. To open such kind of 'restaurant' here it's not a big hassle, because you do not need to bother about the interior design, branding, creating unique atmosphere, and the most you don't need kitchen that would follow sanitary regulations. All you need is a cook, a little tent or hut and few pots. That's it, everything happens on the street, cutting fish, boiling rice and eggs (keep in mind it's a HOT climate), deep frying meat, washing used dishes in the bucket with no running water and serving again. Wild cats are walking around trying to catch every missed bit that falls on the ground. AND huge RATS running from one corner to another! And this is all in the same place that they cook food! Despite all this dirty environment food is absolutely tasty! It would be nice to get statistics of how many people got sick after such meals, but my own experience is so far so good, and despite everything I'm enjoying it!

Two days of spring

2009-03-10T10:49:00.002+02:00

So long waited spring is approaching Lithuania, bet very slowly. This morning my garden again was covered in snow, altough it's only a light cover, but still, it was snowing at night. I was thiking that I'm goin gto skip the spring but well, indeed, I'm going to have two days of nice British spring in East Anglia where narcissus are blossoming. The weather forecast says we gonna enjoy England and it's spring at arround +10 C and some clouds. However, already in Monday we gonna switch into never ending summer with + 24 C at night and + 33 C daytime. Right now it's off-season with frequent rains and storms!

Farewell my winter coat, gloves, scarfs and cap! Hello my summer dresses!

When you work for French...

2009-03-09T12:20:00.002+02:00

An email sent by French colleague:

"good morning I espere that etes you well rentree of grenade damage that we
cannot speak about job and about laboratory in France and in lithuanie I
espere another time on one other one conger eels definitely teboul ipsen
France has you charles"

Let's have a competition for the best reply for this email!

New home in 2 weeks a.k.a Malaysia baby!

2009-02-27T14:49:00.008+02:00

Exactly after 2 weeks it will be less than 24 hours till I'm going to use my one-way ticket!
Flight destination this time is Kaunas - London - Kuala Lumpur. My excitement it's hard to put in words, so I will try to brief you on all the details.

Malaysia - truly Asia!

(Resources: www.wikipedia.org)

Malaysia is a federation that consists of 13 states and 3 federal territories in Southeast Asia. Comparing size with Lithuania, Malaysia is 5 times bigger and inhabits over 27 millions. Malaysia's neighbouring countries are Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei and the Philippines. A bit more entertaining than Latvia, Poland or Belarus (no judgement!), and I'm so damn sure I will have a blast travelling arround! The country is located near the equator and has totaly tropical weather, summer is all year round with +30 C and above.

Malays form the majority of the population of Malaysia. There are sizable Chinese and Indian communities as well. The diversity of the popluation lives all together in peace and Malaysia's motto is Unity is Strength. Islam is the largest as well as the official religion. Officail language is Malay, however English is well spoken.

(Resources www.uncyclopedia.com)

Essentially the penis of Asia which is located to the north of their cousins who live on an even smaller island Singapore, Malaysia (also known as Bolehland) is a young nation of diverse cultures and races such as F1 Formula-1 and Nascar. The timezone of Malaysia is unique because it follows the system of +1/+2 PMT (Predetermined Meeting Time) which is 1 or 2 hours later than PMT. Most foreigners have difficulty adjusting to this new timezone as they tend to show up 1 or 2 hours earlier than the local counterparts. The nation is moving forward with a vision towards becoming a developed nation by the year 2020, 3030, 4040 or whatever catchy number.

It is promising! I tell you it's gonna be interesting!

Going Marketing

I'm starting new job. My new employment is Limkokwing University of Creative Technilogy. Limkokwing University is an international University with a global presence across 4 continents. With over 25,000 students coming from more than 144 countries, studying in its 12 campuses in Botswana, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Lesotho, Malaysia, United Kingdom and United States, the University has established worldwide recognition through its innovative brand of creative education merging the best of east and west education. University has a unique philosophy of Merging The Best of East and West that allows its students to criss-cross nations and soak up experiences that strengthens their global knowledge and improves their cultural insights. Again, it's following Malaysia's motto "Unity is Strenght". It seems to be a dream uni to study for any student! I wish I had such opportunity to study at LUCT! Well, it's never too late to study, but at a time being, I'll join international marketing team and will take care of the university positioning and marketing in Europe! Can't wait to start!

Things to be excited about

(www.malaysia.com)

Jungles.

Malaysia's jungles are very old, with some estimated to be as much as 130 million years old.
- When a jungle is that old, it is sure to be steeped in myths and legends - some jungles have even had bigfoot sightings!
- The jungle's of Malaysia are so rich in biodiversity, that there are countless new species of plants and animals being discovered in its depths.

Beaches.

Malaysia is home to many of the world's most pristine and celebrated beaches. Its expansive coral beaches produce pure, snow-white sand which sits in dazzling contrast to the crystal blue waters of its shorelines.

- Malaysia has almost 5,000 kilometers of coastline, allowing locals and visitors to be extremely selective about which beaches to vacation on!
- The world's largest underwater painting, over 56 meters in length, was painted in 2008 on Tioman Island, to raise awareness about the conservation of Malaysia's coral reefs.

Culture.

The culture of Malaysia has arisen from the mingling of the traditions of the various peoples who have been settling on its shores and in its hills for centuries with those of indigenous Malays. Religious traditions sit in harmony with modern technological advances, and the Buddhist and Hindu minorities coexist peacefully alongside the Muslim majority. This has made Malaysia a country rich with living religious history: ancient temples and festivals from across a full range of beliefs are still maintained alongside the metropolis of Kuala Lumpur, allowing visitors to the country to experience an unparalleled cross-section of Asian culture.

Cuisine.

Chinese, Indian and Thai flavours can all be found in Malaysian dishes, along with the influences of the Malay, Iban and other indigenous groups, but centuries of cohabitation, shared recipes and more than a little experimentation have produced a school of Asian cuisine as distinct, welcoming and rewarding as any other.
While its mixed origins mean that just about any and all foods find their way into Malaysian cuisine, there are certain ingredients common to many dishes. Multiple varieties of noodles and rice, local or imported from Thailand, Japan or India, are often used as a base. Fish live in abundance around the shores of Malaysia's islands and it's used almouts in every dish!

Things not to be excited

This article in the newspaper doesn't bring much of excitement! It claims that Malaysians are not so hot in bedroom....

However, this is just bits and pieces found online about Malaysia . I promise to give my own perspective on all of this once I have my foot in Malaysia!

*Malaysia hold on, I'm comming!

Start from Scratch?

2009-02-27T14:02:00.003+02:00

- So, you will start from scratch again, won't you? - was a questions or rather a statement I heard when I have announced that i'm leaving.

Then I took a minute actually to think before answering. It is all from a scratch?

Materially it might seem starting from zero: new country, new job, new enviroment, new falt. It looks like it's from very zero I'm going to start. However, I feel the opposite. I'm leaving, or rather I prefer saying "going" instead of "leaving" with a big suitcase where I have all my valuables: experience, believes, values, friendships, principles, perception. I'm going to another location with different climate, colours, people, food, but this is me who is going, and I'm going to create my life arround me.

I'm not starting from scratch, I'm going to continue my adventure of life!

Oficialus pasiuntimo puslapis

2009-02-05T17:20:00.003+02:00

Netyčia, o gal ir visai tyčia gavau šią nuorodą ir negalėjau nepasidalinti ja.
Dažnai mums sako, kad prieš sakydamas pagalvok, nes žodis kaip žvirblis, išskrido ir napagausi...
Būna situacijų, kai tikrai nori ką nors pasiųsti... toli toli..., būna, kad taip ir padarai, būna, kad ir patyli.... O čia štai ir sprendimas, ką daryti, kai tuo momentu nepasakei, bet po kiek laiko vistiek kirba mintis, kad vis dėl to, galėjau ir pasakyti. Taigi štai jums ir galimybė - nusiųskite šitą linką.
Beja, būtinai paspauskite ant mygtukų: "Grįžti atgal", "Padaryti šį puslapį startiniu", "Pasiųsti draugą".
Respektas, tam, kas nepatingėjo ir padarė šį puslapėlį! :)

p.s. jei nepastebėjote, tai kol perskaitėte šį post'ą aš jus pasiunčiau 2 kartus :) Nieko asmeniško, bet vistiek smagu :)

Handwriting

2009-02-04T09:57:00.003+02:00

How often do you handwrite?

Me, not often at all. Few postcards on different occasions, and yes I have to admit I do handwrite my daily agendas. And that's pretty much it. However I really like receiving handwritten cards and letters. I do receive postcards occasionally, however last time I received handwriten letter was like two or three years ago.... We should do it more often!

This is how my handwriting looks like.

This post is inspired by this project.

My personality

2009-02-03T15:48:00.006+02:00

You know how it happens. You receive a link for yet another perosnality test, but since it's from a friend who says "it's a nice one" you go through it. Here are the results, I'd say quite accurate.... What do you think?

MOOD: Go Getter

FUN: Escape Artist

HABITS: Back to Basics

SOCIAL: Thoughtful

Go Getter.

You're an adventurous person with a limitless imagination. You're never afraid of a challenge, and you see beauty even in most inhospitable enviroments. You have pioneering attitude to life - always moving to the next challenge. When it comes to art you're definatelly unconventional but you appreciate precision and hard work. You are consistently impressed by the discipline and focus by the true artists, whatever their field. You love nothing more than a music gig in the open air with a bunch of friends and a couple of drinks. You get a real buzz from watching live performance - there's no better escape.

Escape Artist.

Always the first to take the leap, you like to look forward, and try to have no regrets. You like to see where life takes you - this possitive attiture will give you a wealth of experience. For kicks, you'll always opt for a chanse to broaden your horizons. You love the inspiration that exploring new cultures brings. When it comes to holiday, you recon they should be indulgent - a very special treat and a chanse to recharge your batteries in luxurious surroundings, as well as spending quality time with family and friends. And what turns you off? You can't stand vanity. When you scratch beneath the surface you need to find something else.

Back to Basics.

You love being a little bit naughty. Nothing beats getting up close and personal with the object of your affection! Your choise of drink refelects extravagant but classic taste. You probably like to get dressed up, go out, and be seen in all the glamorous hounts. As for the home, you have expressive personality. Your surrounding reflects that - you just don't get that much time to clear up.

(p.s. this place about dressing up and glamorous places - not me...)

Thoughtful.

For your friendships it's all about being there for one another. You can't imagine your life without best friends. And they are the first place you go to when you need an advice, or a choulder to cry on. When you think of freedom - you think of living for the here and now. You're open for new experiences and take any opportunity that crosses your path.