I am who I am

Patriotism on Wheels

2009-10-17T10:33:00.006+08:00

Looking down from my house, I felt very patriotic. Felt a 'BIG' connection to the government; or as Mr Brown would call it, Gah-men. I suddenly felt I contributed to this country that I now call home. I felt I've done a big favour to my fellow MRTians now that they have more place to sit, more room to stand. I think the SMRTians and SBSes are happy the bus queue is two and half person shorter.

I would like to contribute the same amount of money to Malaysian Gah-men, but I think it might just end up as somebody's pocket money. But at same time I wish that Singapore Gah-men is not so clever at sucking money out of working class citizens. Maybe more free parking at some places? Lower parking fees? Insurance (ok, this is not caused by gah-men but maybe can be regulated). I don't think that we wanted to 'contribute' so much money out of choice.. but rather this was done out of necessity. Time, comfort, health - its all necessity.

Time - busy schedules for her, high housing cost forces us to move further from her working place. Of course the gah-men can say that you can move to a smaller house, but from where we come from, space is a necessity but here, its a luxury! Due to that, 45 mins to 1 hour of idling in the bus and MRT does not justify the value of missing the time with your kids!

Comfort - especially to a pregnant lady with a cantilever stomach in front. 2.6kg and counting...

Health - everytime we had to wait for a bus, the exhaust from the bus waiting to pick up passengers are pretty damn potent to cause you carbon monoxide poisoning. The yellow Malaysian bus from over the causeway and SBS 170 also contributes to this. They'd wait for passengers (although I don't see any) while the other passengers had to inhale the smelly by-product (disclaimer: that doesn't mean that I'd like to inhale it if bus exhaust smoke smells good like perfume or KFC). Maybe one solution is to move the passenger waiting area away from the bus waiting area or even better, airconditioned terminal like in AMK and Boon Lay.

Well, all I can say now is this: I think Merlion government could do a lot with my 'contribution' but can't you give more discounts?

Baby Bump

2009-08-28T00:59:00.003+08:00

No, that's not fat... people on the train, learn to recognize a baby bump so you can offer to give them your seat. That's about 4 months worth of baby inside.

This month I'm 122mm tall. See my tiny hand as well? Beginning next month, I'm going to be measured by weight! Yippie!

Aunty ah.....

2009-08-28T00:45:00.002+08:00

There's a lot of worries when you buy a house. Firstly you pay lotsa money for it so you expect everything to be working well. Recently one good friend got harrased by loan sharks or 'Along' as you call them here and in Malaysia. His front door got a free paint artwork from strangers although the real culprit does not live there anymore.

My story is nothing as serious as that. Its just that we got our current place from an aunty and her daughter. So what's the issue? Look at the photo below. I had a tough time removing them from every conner and nook of my house. I've never seen anybody so obsessed with having wall mounted hooks all over their place. Its like there's hooks to hang your stuffs EVERYWHERE in the house. Imagine a housewife (or househusband like me) cleaning their house.. then when she (he) takes a breather from wiping the window... "Oh, thank God there's a hanger, now I can hang my cleaning cloth while I rest for a while!??@!!"

We manage to get most of it from the house walls. But there's still some evidence the 'AUNTY' was here. Just open my kitchen wardrobe and you'll see what I mean. Please tell me when Ikea has a sale on kitchen cabinate door systems! Meanwhile.. here's a fun quiz for you guys.. try to count how many hooks in the photo. The prize for this game? What else? Lifetime supply of wall mounted hooks!!

Chingay Parade

2009-05-11T09:55:00.010+08:00

Ok. I'm super duper dead bored although I should be studying for my ground school! But I did and I think a break would be good. So here goes a recap of the dark and lonely time during last CNY... (this is where I rub my chin and the screen starts to ripple and fade away - try watching David Letterman's flashbacks and you'll know what I mean)

Kitty on the prowl

The gals started posing as soon as I aimed my camera....

Well, after coming back from Maroochydore on the 4th day of CNY, I stayed in Singapore instead of going back to Sarikei due to some constrains. To get into the mood of CNY, I joined the crowd to watch the Chingay parade! I was pleasantly surprised that for the first time in ages, Singapore actually had fireworks! That's more like it 'gahmen!'. The irony is this: the Chingay is originally celebrated in Penang at different time of the year and Singapore introduced the parade to distract people after banning fireworks. Interesting facts right? I hope that Malaysia would not get so serious about fireworks although there's already regulations on fireworks. Its like banning cars from the road when some people got knocked down by irresponsible drivers if you ask me....

There were real fire action by China's dragon dance troup and multicultural extravaganza. Plenty of colourful floats, bands, people dressed up as bees, spaceman and cultural themes consisting of Korean, Japanese, Philiphines, Indians, Brazilians and many more. Its a nice parade to watch with all the musics. I enjoyed especially the drums and beats that resounds 'Stomp!'. Perhaps just one comment on the local scene though.. it would be nice to see more cultural stuffs which represents the composition of Singapore instead of the usual futuristic (ie NUS team which is about Dream in the City, or some metalic robot float bellowing steam into the air) or developements (ie HDB floats are just squarish buildings!). Kudos to NTU which had a nice floating palace and supercharged Chinese theme. Gotta get the balance in development and maintaining Singapore's culture! Ok, now that I got the cultural part out of the way.. its back to work!

Nice big grub....

1st Photograph

2009-05-06T16:07:00.003+08:00

Hullo world! My name is XXYY. I'm 3 months old. I'm 66mm tall. I am very tall for my age. I've been nice to my mummy because she always eats well for me. Today we took my 1st photograph. Its not very clear because it uses ultrasound instead of the normal photography technique. But Dr Jocelyn is very clever and manages to make out how I look like. She took a front, rear and side ultrasound of me.

I look just like a bean from the rear

At the moment, you can see the skeletal outline of my face and body. I even saw my own heartbeat! Wait for my photos next month and you might just see my features even more clearly!

Peek-a-boo!

House in Singapore

2009-04-29T11:11:00.002+08:00

I was just thinking about the house price in Singapore. HDBs are meant to enable every Singaporean to own a house when it was first initated. I guess it has achieved its aim. But nowadays the price of the houses are artifically escalated by the very locals staying here!

If you read on local newspapers you'll hear about the balloting system where people will put their name in for a chance to buy a new HDB flats. Its a no obligation system where non serious buyers can just put their name in for fun. Then if they get the option to purchase the flat, they can just reject it! Its an abuse of the system and this is just one part of the problem.

With this, locals who already own a house (and have nothing else but making profit in their mind), would try to ballot and if they get a good location and view etc, they'd purchase it for the sake of selling it out later for a quick buck!

Thus the saying the richer becomes richer and the poorer can just eat dust. The richer have extra cash so they'd just keep doing this to earn more. I could use the word 'investment' but I guess this is plain abuse of the system. So, did the HDB's policy changed now that they think everybody had owned their own house?

The other thing I heard is that locals move every 5 years if possible. They'd buy a new HDB, then when the price picks up for that house, they'd sell it off and move to another place. Perhaps another new HDB and then they keep repeating the same process over and over again until one day the price of HDBs will become unreasonably high and then what?

Just a gripe when you have too much time alone having just moved into a resale HDB....

Home sweet home

2009-04-13T20:09:00.002+08:00

Home... I guess must be lucky to have few homes. It can be confusing at times as well I guess. Haven't been writing since I was back last 2 months cause back then I don't have a place called 'home' just yet. But now I do!

To have a place called home is a happy and liberating time. You know.. its like when you first move out to study in university (freedom!) or when you get your wheels for the first time (to get out of home.. how ironic since it contradicts whatever I am trying to say here.). You get what I mean.

Anyway, its really lucky to have good friends around to help you during the needy times (moving, painting, drinking!? etc) . I guess they can always count on me for help anytime (not drinking except during 'chee mui' sessions!)

I guess I'll try to unwrap the happenings last 2 months in days to come. For now.. I just got the internet and cable TV working at home... so.. just sit back and relax.. for now...

Sarikei and Brisbane

2009-01-16T15:02:00.003+08:00

If Sarikei is located next to the sea.. it'll look like Brisbane! (minus the population of course). Some part of the rivers that I see is murky, there's plenty of mangrove growing near the rivers. The weather is tropical and hot, with plenty of vegetation around. You get what I mean for Brisbanites or Sarikeian readers.

Other similarities? Sarikei has couple of interesting bridges as well the lastest two being one over Nyelong river that's just completed and opened for public use and on the other end is the 'Red Bridge'. This Red Bridge is nearer to Bintangor but its like smaller version of Storey Bridge here. Everytime I drive under these bridges I can't help but feel amazed and start looking up instead of keeping focus on the road.

Brisbane is also home to the crocodile hunter... whereas Sarikei is home to the crocodile which is caged in Murudu temple next to the Sarikei River.

Actually what I'm trying to imply here is that I miss Sarikei for once during this time of the year when everyone is going back for Chinese New Year. This will be the 2nd year I'm missing CNY. In fact, this year will be a near miss. I'm scheduled to finish flying here on 26th January itself which is the 1st day of CNY. There's another similarity here. That very same day... its Australia Day which means its public holiday here! Due to that.. even myself can't conclude what's gonna be the plan later...

What does CNY mean for most of us? It used to be visiting open houses and enjoying the foods there. Foods range from chicken curry, rendang to red dried cuttlefish, bakua, kuachi (dried sunflower seed) and pistachios. But more recent years, as all the friends start to work out of town, it becomes a social reunion with family and friends. Its an excellent idea and time cause everyone will be back at that time unless situation does not permit that (like me!!)

Oh well, I guess CNY and life still goes on.. Happy Chinese New Year to everyone especially the 5Sc1 guys Class '96 (you guys know who you are!). Hope to see you guys soon, will try to edge my way back soon..

December Smile

2008-12-08T16:44:00.003+08:00

Few days right after I arrive at Maroochydore.. I saw a shooting star. I made a wish which I can't reveal right now. Even before I arrive, I tried to read up on what's interesting here. Surprisingly, one of the tours that this particular Brisbane website recommended is the UFO sightings. I guess this is few of the more unconventional tourist attraction to the home state of the Great Barrier Reef.

Two weeks later, I gazed into the sky again.. and guess what I see this time? See for yourself!

The sky is smiling down on me! How wonderful.. why worry about tomorrow? Live in the moment.

Some extract from Fox News:

Australians are getting a big hello from the heavens as Venus, Jupiter and a waxing crescent moon combine to create a celestial smiley face.

Local astronomers said that Venus and Jupiter had appeared side by side in the evening sky over the past week or so, but Monday night would be the best night to see the "face" appear.

Viewers in Western Australia have the best view, with the moon appearing closer to the "eyes" formed by the planets.
While the planets and moon appear to be close together, in reality they're not. The moon is 250,000 miles away, while Venus is 93 million miles away and Jupiter 540 million miles away.

"Home is where your heart is... God doesn't promise to protect us from problems on His earth. Instead He promises to give us the courage to face our problems with His strength. Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass.... It's about learning to dance in the rain"

Happy Advent to everyone. It'll be Christmas soon!!

Sunshine Coast-Brisbane-Gold Coast

2008-11-30T12:57:00.005+08:00

Some background about Brisbane. Its the state capital of Queensland which covers the north east of Australia. Described as the fastest growing city in Australia, evident by the number of construction and road works in and around the city. Its the gateway to great barrier reef to the north of the city. The city is flanked by two tourist destinations namely Gold Coast to the south and Sunshine Coast to the north. We're staying in Maroochydore which is an hours drive from the city in Sunshine Coast. Weatherwise, its similar to tropical countries minus the humidity, plus all the beaches you can get and some kangaroos along the way. Brisbane in general is quite low lying and you can see marshlands not unlike those in Sarikei where I grow up. Queensland is also home for the Australia Zoo which hosted "Crikey!" Steve Irwin.

For 1st time since we reach Queensland, its time to chill out. My initial impression is that everybody here will be friendly and good natured as in Perth. I'm half correct. The other half is monster when it comes to driving in the city. Everybody was driving into the city on Friday night to see the Christmas Tree light up and that caused massive jam. I guess that's how it is in big cities around the world.

Sandeep missed our Swan Valley road trip when he was with us in Perth so he made sure that there was a road trip organized when he's around this time! So down south we drove to Brisbane in our huge 8 seater Terago.

The plan is to have no plan! We'll its all well until we found out that we're having difficulty finding accommodation there at the very last minute. All the happening places are near the backpackers and there's plenty of chicks all over the world walking around. After having dinner and sending cadet off to the airport, we went to check out the city by foot and then settled down for a beer or two. The view of the Brisbane Bridge is quite nice and the city is still bustling with people looking for night life.

Next day we drove down to Gold Coast only to manage Surfer's Paradise. Along the way we passed by all the theme parks such as Dream World, Movie World and Water World. That's for another trip due to time constrain (and not to mention gloomy sky). Gold Coast's skyscrappers are as impressive as Brisbane itself if not better. We walked around for a bit before driving back to the City's Direct Factory Outlet and then straight back to Maroochydore. I guess we'll be organizing more trips after Deep is back in Singapore again.. muahaha....

The drive into Gold Coast

Surfers Paradise

A month In Singapore

2008-11-14T12:30:00.009+08:00

For a month, its lotsa happenings here.. as compared to a month in Perth. The action started from the time we got the call to leave Jandakot that fateful morning. Anyways, I took photos along the way.. but only manage to get it downloaded now (priority of task.. muahahaha). Well, here they are!! Enjoy!

0. Cleared JDK. Take photo.. play with the 'Gong', play with the Solo bell (waited 9 months to finally ring the bell)

Half in the photo have gone home. We're waiting for the other half to join us!

Bye bye Perth!

Helloooo mama!

1. Parents came over for a week's holiday

2. Bought a house

This is not the photo of the house. Its actually our current rented place. Think might just miss this place.

3. Went to see Airshow in Boon Lay with Bunny (almost as good as Red Bull Air Race)

Singapore's own Peter Besenyei

4. Completed our Learjet ground school (dun play play.. 3 weeks non stop study ok? plus exam some more)

5. Got my CPL licence

6. Had my 1st snow crab to celebrate passing the exam

7. Went for basic theory to convert my driving license (almost!!! Just give me one extra day!)
8. Going to Brisbane (one day before my theory test)

One Month Break

2008-11-06T19:45:00.002+08:00

In case you're wondering what happened.... I'm back in Singapore. Just for one bloody month. That's why I'm utilizing my time not updating the blog.. but just savouring the sights, the sound, the taste buds and the companionship.
That and as well as juggling the ground school at hand. Think I'd have more time by the time I'm in Brisbane hopefully for just short of 3 months. But until then, which is just 2 weeks away from now... don't think you'd see any updates.. even on my own 'gong'ing!

Breaking of the Fellowship

2008-10-11T00:09:00.008+08:00

The fellowship of this course began the day we went for briefing. We hardly know each other back then. But little did we know that our life would be so intertwined with each other. It doesn't take long for each individuals to feel a sense of belonging here. Everyone is unique but in their own way complement the group, bringing flavour to it.

We were here too long, that we almost forgot that there's an end to our stay. Then when Macha and Iswen cleared their flight test, we were estatic! It was a sign of hope after so much turbulence in our course. To set the record straight, the course on its own is very strong. Its the external forces that bumps the whole course around, upside down, left and right. After so much trials and hiccups; we are finally reaching our goal.

On the other hand, there's a sense of sadness that the core of our group is breaking up. Its exactly the same feeling that I had when I read LOTR.. but alas, do not despair and be sad! Because as we know in that classic, we know that towards the end, the fellowship will cross ~~swords~~ paths once again.

Cleared Round 4!

2008-09-27T19:53:00.003+08:00

Round 4! Start!

The fight begins from the bed. Psychological warfare starts from the time you wake up. You think you're good enough but the person sitting next to you will try their very best to bring you down. You try to keep your spirits high throughout the two and half hours of something that should be enjoyable.

Aim high, hit lower. Always be on your guard! If you identify flying with boxing, then the left hand guard is HSI, right hand guard is the Altimeter.. and your aim is always the Altitude indicator.

As the fight ends, there was no clear winner. The judges retreated to delibrate on the show they had just seen. Finally the verdict is out! The contender won with just a narrow margin! The judges weren't exactly impressed. He just slipped through this final stage! He's victorious! Its marginal but a win is still a win!

I guess I'm just blabbering out the words of wisdom from my instructor as well as what just happened this afternoon. Not a fantastic finish at the moment but a closure nevertheless. I think I should be going head over heels about it but I'm not. Not sure what's missing from the picture. Arghh.. for now I just wanna relax for a while. Tomorrow I'll worry about improving myself. What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger.

My heart goes out to the rest who's in my same predicament. I really hope all our guys from 126.07 get through this unscathed. God do I pray everybody will be fine.

The Beginning of the End

2008-09-23T20:50:00.004+08:00

22nd September was suppose to be a day of celebration. Instead, it became one of the devastating day of this new career. I thought I was ready for anything that comes my way. And I couldn't be far wrong. But I've moved on. Retry is the word. You can only rise up stronger everytime you fall. I have to admit that my flying was marginal. Is there any exterior motive involved? I don't know and I don't care. The next time I fly, it would be so good that nobody could dispute it with any exterior motive and no weather be it good or bad could stop me!

Apart from flying, Mark and myself had been busy trying to sell off our car.. our faithful and loyal Nissan Pintara that brought me safely to Augusta and back. The roaring of its Porche engine marks our presence everywhere we go. It marks (hopefully) the end of our stay here. How soon is the end is yet to be seen.

Once the deal was sealed between us and the buyer, I quickly took the chance to take a photo with it since I realize I had never taken any photo of the car with me in it. 2.4L engine is definitely a very powerful car but I have a feeling that this would be the biggest c.c. car I would ever own for now. Having said goodbye to a piece of metal, its back to concentrate on my confidence building flight tomorrow.. and then another shot at my ticket home!

Patriotism From Far Away?

2008-09-11T12:17:00.002+08:00

I'm not sure I'm that patriotic. But reading about what's going on in Malaysia outside of the country somehow makes your heart burn with desire to see the country move forward. It is sad to say we have come to this crossroad. I like my multi-cultural friends. They're unique in their own way and that enriches your life. But politicians are harping on it as if its a sin to be of different skin colour. But at the same time, I'm a strong believer of equal rights. When they say give special privilage to the bumiputera they are being hypocrete as well. I heard grudges from the Sarawak bumiputeras (Dayaks) where they are also sidelined.

‘I Have a Dream’ - Speech by Martin Luther King Jr.’

I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation.

Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice. It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of their captivity.

But one hundred years later, the Negro still is not free. One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination. One hundred years later, the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity. One hundred years later, the Negro is still languishing in the corners of American society and finds himself an exile in his own land. So we have come here today to dramatize a shameful condition.

In a sense we have come to our nation’s capital to cash a check. When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked “insufficient funds.” But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation. So we have come to cash this check — a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice. We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism. Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quick sands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God’s children.

It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment. This sweltering summer of the Negro’s legitimate discontent will not pass until there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality. Nineteen sixty-three is not an end, but a beginning. Those who hope that the Negro needed to blow off steam and will now be content will have a rude awakening if the nation returns to business as usual. There will be neither rest nor tranquility in America until the Negro is granted his citizenship rights. The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges.

But there is something that I must say to my people who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice. In the process of gaining our rightful place we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred.

We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force. The marvelous new militancy which has engulfed the Negro community must not lead us to a distrust of all white people, for many of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny. They have come to realize that their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom. We cannot walk alone.

As we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead. We cannot turn back. There are those who are asking the devotees of civil rights, “When will you be satisfied?” We can never be satisfied as long as the Negro is the victim of the unspeakable horrors of police brutality. We can never be satisfied, as long as our bodies, heavy with the fatigue of travel, cannot gain lodging in the motels of the highways and the hotels of the cities. We cannot be satisfied as long as the Negro’s basic mobility is from a smaller ghetto to a larger one. We can never be satisfied as long as our children are stripped of their selfhood and robbed of their dignity by signs stating “For Whites Only”. We cannot be satisfied as long as a Negro in Mississippi cannot vote and a Negro in New York believes he has nothing for which to vote. No, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.

I am not unmindful that some of you have come here out of great trials and tribulations. Some of you have come fresh from narrow jail cells. Some of you have come from areas where your quest for freedom left you battered by the storms of persecution and staggered by the winds of police brutality. You have been the veterans of creative suffering. Continue to work with the faith that unearned suffering is redemptive.

Go back to Mississippi, go back to Alabama, go back to South Carolina, go back to Georgia, go back to Louisiana, go back to the slums and ghettos of our northern cities, knowing that somehow this situation can and will be changed. Let us not wallow in the valley of despair.

I say to you today, my friends, so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.
I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.”
I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.
I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.
I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
I have a dream today.
I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification; one day right there in Alabama, little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.
I have a dream today.
I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.
This is our hope. This is the faith that I go back to the South with. With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.
This will be the day when all of God’s children will be able to sing with a new meaning, “My country, ’tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrim’s pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring.”
And if America is to be a great nation this must become true. So let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire. Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York. Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania!
Let freedom ring from the snowcapped Rockies of Colorado!
Let freedom ring from the curvaceous slopes of California!
But not only that; let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia!
Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee!

Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi. From every mountainside, let freedom ring.
And when this happens, when we allow freedom to ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God’s children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, “Free at last! free at last! thank God Almighty, we are free at last!”

Results of City to Surf

2008-09-08T00:17:00.007+08:00

Obviously City to Surf happened last Sunday but we've just seen the official results published in the local newspaper. Before the run, organizers issued us with a transponder which we tied to our shoelace. At the starting and the finishing line, we're suppose to step on the mat at respective location to activate the transponder and to record our finishing time (quite cool).

For the event that we participated which is the 4km run, only the top 2000 results were published. All of the guys from our course who participated manage to get into that list (of course). Quite surprising considering Macha just recovered from his hamstring pull two weeks earlier and the rest of us literally stopped jogging the same time he got his hamstring problem. Talk about giving him our support and being united (just another excuse to slack). The results are as follows:

Nicholas (hehe.. they got his name wrong) in 357th place!

Uvaraja aka Macha at 372th place

Hao the Stretch at 470th place!

Tristan (instructor) with his long legs managed 453th place

And myself at 363th place!

Anyways, Nic and I just casually talked about our 20 days fitness regime beginning with a 6km run tomorrow morning and increasing in distance by 1km everyday to a maximum of 15km by the end of our target period. Personally I did 8km run yesterday and another 6km today. The main question now is can we maintain this discipline? We'll find out soon.. for now its good nites everyone everywhere in the world!

This is how I celebrated Merdeka Day

What I did last week

2008-09-05T04:47:00.006+08:00

Since I still can't sleep after my insomniac post, I thought I might as well just write about what I did the week Sandeep was here which is last week of August. Thanks mate for the encouragement... so I might as well give a weekly report until the day I leave Perth which I really really hope is very soon.

Trying out Hog's Breath Cafe has been one of our aim. Coincidentally when our Crack was around and we had nowhere to go for dinner, we decided to try HBC. Appearently the signature dish is the slow cooked rib steak. When they say slow cook they mean 18 hours of cooking. All of us tried Mega cut of the portion which is worth it. This is one of the most thick portion of steak I ever tried. I had the special blackened sauce rib steak with vege and baked potato on the side. Coincidentally the cut that they gave me was shaped like the Australia continent!

That week as well, we went to Yummy BBQ for dim sum and Happy Meal for chinese. At Happy Meal we ordered tons of chinese food unfortunately there's no photographic evidence. There we ordered so much that the waitress was shocked. Most of the staffs there actually made a bet whether we'll finish the food or not. As usual, our appetite never let us down.

Towards the end of that week, most of us 'volunteered' to join the City to Surf run. Because we 'volunteered', we participated in the shortest run which is the 4km. In the end it turned out to be fun event for health freaks and some horny guys trying to 'cuci mata'. Big crowds of 30,000 participants liven up the event. I manage to run, tumbled and continue running to finish the race. At the end there was a medal presented to all those who finish the run.

This is the crowd for 4km run/walk. The bulk of the other runners had started earlier for the 12km and the half marathon.

A walking sunflower

Bored after run, we tied the balloons to make an impressive string of baloons which eventually we let loose

Insomniac

2008-09-05T04:25:00.005+08:00

For the last few days my sleeping pattern have been haywired. Nowadays I can't fall asleep after midnight. In fact, my bedtime used to be around midnight. My sleeping time has shifted to about 5 to 6 hours later. I'm now officially on Europe time. And when I sleep, I could sleep up to 12 hours straight and that just messes up my sleep the next night. This morning is no exception. I guess I might as well bore myself to sleep by writing something here.

Just now Nic and myself went to pax Bunny's 1st flight with Dave, an instructor known for his super-duper-high standard in flying. We were surprised how nice he was departing from the various stories we've heard before. So I guess rumours are not exactly correct or it might just be Bunny's charm. I guess on first impression Bunny scored big time tonight.

Unfortunately for him, we were caught unaware of the weather building up in Pingelly, one of our waypoint for tonight. It was kindda scary because we didn't actually know what we're going into and the weather information was rather limited in the air. So we made the most prudent decision of all. Divert back and live to fly another day.

Now, back to imagining that my bed and pillow is just like this fluffy cloud and I might catch a wink or two.

Is this what I'm coming to?

2008-08-29T19:47:00.004+08:00

I was about to put another gripe blog then I suddenly realize.... this is what I'm coming to? There's more unhappy entry than the happy ones recently. I just wanted to complain that I am latent for 9 days and still counting since instructor is off for the weekend. It seems that I've always been planned for the end of the week (where bad things seems to happen ie aircraft is unservicable, bad weather to fly like what happened today etc). But who do I complain to? There are some people still few sorties behind me. So if I express myself they'll just think I'm trying to be funny.

I think I'm griping because initially I thought I would have completed my training here before my sister's wedding back in Penang which is scheduled for 1st September '09. Now everything went down the drain and I'm gonna miss it. Am I allowed to vent my frustration? Definitely! But would anybody understand? I doubt it. So there.... my blog's the only one that understands me...

Promise

2008-08-03T14:48:00.000+08:00

Today felt really frustrated. My feeling may show to people close but not to all. I have made a promise to return as soon as possible to my loved ones. And that's the part that's really causing the anguish. It doesn't help that I try to do things this week to expedite my training but nothing good turned out from it. It doesn't help that you felt that the system is against you, slowing your every step of the way.. just last week I felt I was soaring like an eagle. And this week, after being crippled by not given any chance to fly, I feel just like a snail pacing in the cold winter garden, leaving a trail of slime behind.

Good ol' times

2008-07-25T16:41:00.000+08:00

Kota Tinggi trio (photo from Jimonge)

Looking at some old photographs, (it so happens that most of the photos we took were topless and we pose like monkeys) can't help feeling ticklish reminicing about Lewis' trip back to Malaysia after so many years abroad. It was the first time we met after parting 4 years earlier after our Form 5 SPM (equivalent to O levels).

I guess Lew, Jim and myself were the lucky ones to have chance to meet up and went for trips. I guess it helps all of us loves outdoor and adventure and thus during Lew's trip to JB, we brought him to places like Desaru beach and Kota Tinggi waterfall. We wanted to plan for off Mersing trip but I guess time doesn't permits. After JB, we went together to KL to meet his sister there.

But I guess the fun is in the company itself. So, with that in mind... hmm.. end of the year is coming and I'm planning a trip. One of the idea is to visit either Lewis in UK or Jim in Rio. Lewis would be more accessible with direct flight but Jim is coming back permanently soon which means he's the only chance for a guided tour of Rio.. decisions decisions!

See no evil, hear no evil speak no evil

Mr Bean spotted in Perth!

2008-07-23T01:26:00.000+08:00

Sandeep and Alvin harrasing Mr Bean for autograph

You won't believe this but I think Rowan Atkinson aka Mr Bean is learning to fly in Jandakot! He looks like he gained some weight though....

Winery Tour

2008-07-13T18:53:00.000+08:00

This is the second time I been to Swan Valley but I must say its the first time I had so much to drink (and thus so much fun) in quite a while. The only reason I can do this is because I'm not driving, and I went with a bunch of people who can really drink and knows how to have fun.

David Tan got his CPL(IR) recently and while waiting to go home, he'd graciously became our Swan Valley tour guide. Went to couple of nice places which I would uncover as we go along. 1st stop was Sandalford Estate for a full list wine tasting. This is quite a big estate almost similar to Voyeger or Xanadu in Margaret River. This is where I first tasted the late harvest wine. Its basically wine which are sweeter because the grapes are picked later and thus there's more sugar in it.

Posing for the camera at Sandalford

Then we went to Houghton for more rounds of wine tasting. The interior and exterior of the winery boast spaciousness. Next to the winery is a huge park for visitors to picnic with family. The vineyard was founded by a man named Jack who does not believe in oak aged wine. Instead he used stainless steel container to store its wines. Therefore, from outside, the winery looks more like a factory. Although unconventional it was at that time, it still wins plenty of awards for its wines.

Space and steely Houghton

Don't be fooled by the name. Contrary to what the name suggested, there's no olives on sale in this place. Historically, the owner of the place used to have olive farm as well as vineyard. This is one of the winery where the owner was around to greet visitors. We were treated with chilled and sweet red wine called Autumn Cabernet. It has a easy and light texture of cabernet except that it has a tinge of sweetness in it. There also have liquor muscat which comes in a very nice bottle. It makes a good wedding gift I must say.... Overall, the wines was superb and the ambiance of the place is very classy. It even offers a huge glass window where you can view the production area for the wines and some barrels stored under the staircase.

Contemporary settings at olivefarmwine where you can try the Autumn Cabernet

Sunset shadow show

The next stop was to a rustic looking place called Edgecomb Brothers. Meticulously planned, we save this place to later time because this is one of the places where its open later than the other winery. By now, dusk is falling outside (that's why we have the shadow show earlier). This place looks quite rustic outside some dining table set beside the main building overlooking a lake. The symbol of the winery is a tortoise which coincidentally is the name of the lake (in aboriginal language) right next to it.

Edgecomb Brothers offer a variety of liquor wines as well as some home made grape and strawberry jams. Again, the owners are there to give you a personal touch. The building itself is also cosy with a corner where they have fireplace and choices of muffins, nougat and cookies. We were introduced to a way to enjoy the liquor shiraz. First, take some vanilla ice cream, top it with grape jam and then top it with the liquor shiraz to your liking. The combination is superb! Although I can't take much of liquor shiraz on its own because its too sweet, this receipe is just nice and its a very simple and nice idea of a desert.

Edgecomb Brothers with their liquor shiraz

After lots of dosage of wine, comes the beer. Went to this place called Feral. They pride themselves in being able to brew beers similar to the Belgian ones. They are generally pale in colour and have that clean taste just like Hoegaarden.

Feral's choices of beer

Every person have to eat when the time comes. And ours come just at the right time... when everyone's hungry and the temperature falls. Few minutes drive south of Swan valley and we're at the heart of Guildford. It doesn't seems much at night but at one corner of a crossroad, there's a lighted neon lights with the sign Alfred's. Many people are hanging around outside having hamburgers, sandwiches, soups and so on. And we weren't disappointed. If you ask for everything in your burger, you'll get hamburger patty, steak, bacon, eggs, cheese slices and vegetable. The catch is; make sure you can open your mouth wide enough to take a bite! The burger is sensational and there's just something about eating hot burger outside in a cold weather near a fireplace made for its customers.

Alfred's humungus burger taste better in front of fireplace (and after plenty of wines of course!). Macha doesn't seem too pleased being disturbed during his meal to pose for a photo though.

Overall, it was a very nice outing and everyone unanimously agreed that this is one of the best outing ever... (without Sandeep.. we had to rub it in big guy!!)

The entourage with our loot

Bibi and Mickey

2008-07-12T00:54:00.000+08:00

That's the name of my 1st pair of dogs. I didn't know what breed they were so I'm looking it up on the internet. Somehow at that point of time we never bothered to know. What I know is that our family really love them. Even the egg vendor loves them and would always spare an egg or two raw eggs for them. He'll crack raw eggs and Bibi will just lick them up in no time!

Saw online Akbash (which means white dog in Turkish) which looks similar to my dogs (RIP) but it doesn't have pointed ears. Gotta keep on looking...Saw Samoyed which was similar but it has longer fur than what Bibi had.

Then I saw American Eskimo Dog which looks right! I guess there's always a slight variation because the one in this picture looks quite small. Then I found out that this particular breed has 3 different sizes from toy to standard. I think I found my answer. No wonder I didn't know the name its because not many people I know have it and the people who kept such breed it in Sarikei doesn't care about the breed and normally just feed them with leftovers (buying dog food was unheard of or reserved for the ultra-rich people last time).

Dogs in Sarikei were mainly kept as watch dogs. I guess it was partially true for us. We'll know there's guest coming when the dog barks. No need for doorbell. But the breed was tainted when the dogs mate with neighbourhood dogs (for you see, Mickey's a bitch). After that, we kept some of the offsprings which were mongrels. This lasted for few more generations of Bibi's lineage until at one point, we stop keeping dogs. But in future, I would like to have dogs as pet and company once again. And this time, if I go to the pet shop, I would know the breed I would like to have....

This is not Bibi but the closes lookalike photo. Will try to get hold of some actual photos