The end of 2009 - The start of 2010

It is going to be a brand new year again. I remember that I wrote a summary of year 2008 before the new year of 2009. And now, it is time to write another piece to say good bye to 2009.

Obviously, I am back from Norway in the middle of year 2009. Last year, I was asking that when will I stop working abroad. Apparently, it is not going to end so soon. Since I am going to work at Shanghai after Chinese New Year. Another year of travelling, another year of unknown, another year that lead to more question mark.

I am standing at the age of mid 20. A girl who start using anti-aging cosmetic product instead of oil-free. Nic said another 5 years, it is going to be anti-wrinkle but not anti-aging anymore. (wtf $%*(!&@%) Everyone scare to get old. Age is always a secret for women (girl?women?girl? women? which word to use?) especially when 18 years old sounds so far from you. Lately, I am reading a book where the main character is living his life from old back to young again, just like The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Suddenly, I feel, actually it is good to get old too. At the age of 18, I am daring, do whatever without concerning about how other people look/think at me. A year of problem-free and only laughter in life. At the same time, because of my ignorance, my inconsiderate, I hurt many people without notice. Now, as I am getting older, the way I look at things are getting less persistent. I accept people's comment, I understand what other people are trying to tell me.

Looking back to the time after I am back from Norway, I spent a lot of time with my friends. Kitt Yin, Ray, Enrico, Sheau Miin, Kim Loong, Sze Ying...It is a year of joy and sorrow. The leaving of Sze Ying's father, Nic's great grand-mum... There is a saying: time can heals everything. Wish that all their pain of losing their loved one in life will be heal by time. Joyful part, the register of marriage for Ming Jie, wedding of Joo Ann, engagement of Choy Yee...wish these lovely couples will bring new life into this world.

Relationship? Kam commented on Choy Yee's engagement said that according to stat human tend to get marry between 25-27. I am 25 this year and it seems like I am going to be the one who fall out of this range or maybe at the border of it. So, in conclusion for relationship, stagnant.

Travelling side, I had been to US, German, Sweden, Thailand, HK in year 2009. For year 2010, I plan to visit as many place in China as possible since I am going to be working there. Beijing...Yun Nan...Harbin...tibet...and Taiwan,perhaps?

What else I plan to do in this new coming year? er...I wish to learn more, read more. (And, also losing more body weight! hahaha...) I wish to have less tear more laughter. I wish to have less thing to ponder more peace in my brain.

Bye bye 2009, welcome 2010.

merry christmas!!!

xmas eve 2007 - flying back from oman. xmas eve 2008 - sailing back from ss3. xmas eve 2009?

i'm actually back home in kl! yes, i've been lucky this year... =)

been fortunate enough to actually have an assignment here in kl. temporary but at least had the opportunity to taste what life would be like if i were to be working here for good. and honestly, as long as i'm with slb, i would prefer to be in kl just on vacation. not for work. it takes the joy out from being at home when you still have to worry about unfinished business in the office... =/

but that's a story for another post. or maybe that's a story for me, myself.

christmas this year was good. quality time spent with parents and cl. nothing more i could ask for. and of course - great presents too! hahaha...

and is it that time of the year already to look back on how the year turned out to be and to make more resolutions to be broken? time really does fly doesn't it? and it seems to be gaining speed as the year goes by... anyway, i'll save that post for another time as well. hopefully, i'll be able to slot in a post between now and new year's eve. it'll be interesting to look back and discover for myself how this year turned out to be. and to look forward to the next as well...

for now, i just wanna wish the world out there to have a merry, merry christmas and to just take a short time out from whatever you're doing to appreciate everything you have around you right now. peace.

Spider Web oh spider web...

Actually I am suppose to post a blog regarding my HK trip, a few months ago trip, however, I really not into the mood to do that lately.

Many things happen lately...Nic's back, Xmas shopping, project is rushing, and some decision on my job...Although this is not my blog but I feel bad to let it fill up with spider web. So I am trying to clear it off by updating a mini post today.

And not to forget to wish everyone : -

Merry Xmas and happy new year~!

from bima with love...

when you get a couple hours of sleep every night for a week, when you've spent hours in preparation but everything goes south on the job, when you've just been to bed for an hour after 48 and someone wakes you up to start swinging the hammer, you start to wonder - why the heck didn't i just take a normal 8 to 5 job?!

it's been a while since i've posted any offshore pics, so here you go - ever since i got to brunei at the end of july, i've been to 3 ohgp jobs on the bima... and this is how she looks like... btw, she's the first jack-up rig i've been on...

If...Then

If there is no solution for the problem, then face it with a smile.
If there is what you have to do, then just do it.

If you can't change the world, then you live with it.
If you can change the world, then...Change It!

Many people always like to use "there is nothing I can do" for the problem they faced in life. Usually I don't really agree with that. You may say because all the while I am too lucky in my life. I never face any big problem which is so called "unsolvable".(touch wood ya!!) Partly, that is correct, another reason is the way I handle problem.

There must be a solution for everything. It is depend on us whether we want to accept the solution or not. Most of the time, we are running away from the reality and want it to go the way we "wish" it to be. This is a true world, things won't always go along with the way you want it to be. I believe deep inside everyone's heart, we already knew the solution for most of the problem. We know what to do and what option left for us to choose. The difficult part is whether can you accept the cruel solution or not.


太执着于爱情（放不开逝去的爱情），或者，太执着于听天由命。（不主动争取爱情）
太执着从来不是一件好事。

Man Vs Woman

Last night I had a long chat with 3 friends during dinner. On the dining table, 2 man 2 woman are sitting opposite.

Man

Girls don't argue with their brain. It is useless to be rational with them when arguing. They don't listen nor accept what we say at all. No point to tell/analyse to them what is right or wrong. In the end of the argument, they pop out : "I don't care! I want it that way". See? girl...

Woman

We don't want to listen to so much of theory. We just want you to pamper us, sayang us, support us whatever we do. As long as you say : I love you. Who care about what is right what is wrong?You are not my parent or teacher but you are my bf!

Man

Why I cannot have the freedom to go out drink with my friend? My ex gf for dinner? My time to play computer game?

Woman

Why you can have so much of time to go out with your friends instead going out with me? Why must have dinner with your ex? Why not someone else? Why spend time on playing something which is not going to bring you any good?

Man

Why I have to do whatever she like? Follow her to shop, saloon, manicure, pedicure, facial...But whenever I ask her to follow me to comic shop, computer game shop, electronic gadgets, No No No. NEVER~!

Woman

Because I want to spend more time with you, that's why I let you follow me. If not, why don't I ask other guy to go with me? I need your opinion on my outlook. Why I spend so much effort, time and money on my outlook? It is for you, to please you, to make you proud of me, to let you aware of me, for you to praise me.

Man

I don't want to get marry so soon doesn't mean I don't love you. We are still young, I hope to have more time on my career. I wish to give you a better tomorrow. I can't marry with you now because I am incapable to provide you anything with my current financial situation. Still, I love you.

Woman

Why you still don't want to purchase a house? Why you still don't want to register of marriage with me? When you want to get marry? Do you have any future plan for both of us? Why you don't want to have any commitment with me? DO YOU STILL LOVE ME?

Man

I don't want to talk at the moment. Give me a second. I need some time to be alone.

Woman

Why you cannot tell me? Why don't you tell me NOW? Share with me la! I am your gf no matter what happen you can always tell me.

***

All the thing on the above, it happens so much around my friends. Couple A - Z. I listen to both sides of story. Don't ask me who is wrong or right. I don't know. Man and woman brain are used to be different. It is normal to think differently.

Which couple won't argue? Everyone also argue. Whether the relationship can go on or not is depend on how much you still love each other. This post is to let everyone out there to know that every couple also will face the same problem. Even you change another gf/bf the same thing will still be there. Solve it instead of run away from it la...

identity

this is partly in response to cl's post, partly in response to something we've talked about and partly about something that's been going through my mind for a while now...

we are who we are. no one can change that. and we should not change ourselves to conform to the society around us. does it matter if we fall out of the norm of society? why should it?

there's no need, no reason to explain ourselves to everyone, to anyone. what we do, our actions each day should be enough to define us. to paint a portrait of our character, our inner self. if ppl around us do not understand why we did what we do, it's a simple fact that they do not know us well enough. should we be discouraged by that? if you are, why?

are we so desperate to be loved? to be accepted?

i'm trying desperately at the moment to accept who i am. to be who i am. to break free. to stop fighting against the tide of expectations of who i think i'm supposed to be. to live my life without second thoughts. to give 100% every day, every hour, every minute, every second...

i dun believe that i would be able to look back at all my decisions/ actions without regret. so why look back at all? what's done is done. c'est la vie...

ps: i had something totally different in mind when i started writting this. but once i started, i got carried away. guess i had some pent up emotions inside. thought of deleting it but then decided that my blog needs more emotion from me. it's been a while since i wrote anything anyway.

Do you know me?

Sometimes you thought that he knows you well, you are expecting him to understand you, however, the reality is not. A friend who grows up with you since standard 1, a husband who sleeps beside you for 20 years, a sibling who stay under the same roof since you are born may not the one who understand you too.

Everyone in this world is an individual body. Don't ever think that he knows you well so you do not need to express your feeling to him. Neither think that you knows him well so that you can make the decision on behalf of him.

You might know what he like and dislike today but that doesn't mean you know for tomorrow. Earth rotates, clock ticks, human changes.

Love means no matter how he changes, to good or to bad, you still tolerate, communicate and love him as you do as yesterday.

August - Merdeka Month

I met up with some old friends the other day. Both of them are studying overseas for some years. They said that they only mingle with foreigner when they are oversea with loud and proud. I understand that some people who spent all time with Malaysian when they are oversea will had a tough life when they are away from home. I know that the way to survive at a foreign land is to live their life. If you don't enjoy your life there and keep on thinking about your life back at home, you will have a miserable time when you are abroad.

At Norway, it is not your choice whether you want to hang out with Malaysian or not because for you to meet a Malaysian also will be an issue. Due to Malaysian is a rare species there, whenever I met a Malaysian oversea or heard someone who speak Malaysian's English, I would feel so so happy. The language with mixture of Malay, Hokkien, Cantonese, everything "rojak" together, a type of conversation that makes me feel home. I speak ok English. American said I speak good English (although I can't pronounce Florida right after people praise about my English). Still, when Nic and I met Edgard and Ken at San Francisco or I met Yeen Chow and his friends at Berlin, the moment when everyone can speak Malaysian's style of English, we are so enjoy our self with it. Everyone feels connected somehow in a way.

I enjoy European food. Norwegian raw fish, Italian's simple salad or spaghetti, Spanish's Paella, German's pork cuisine, Japaneses sushi, Indian's curry.... However, how can those food compare to my Penang's Wan Tan noodle, Fried Kueh Teow, Hainan Chicken Rice?

Yes, I enjoy all the low price with good quality wine or beer oversea. Bud which is so cheap at US, France or Italy wine which is cheap at Norway compare to Malaysia. However, I can't forget my teh tarik at Mamak stall. Starbucks? Yes, it is good. Espresso? good as well. Still....I loves Penang's kopi O.

Travelling? I like different culture, architecture, religious site. But whenever the plane is landing at KLIA, once you heard the air stewardess said, Selamat Datang or Welcome Home...the feeling in the heart...as if my heart had really touch the ground at the same time with the plane too. Feeling home...

Sometimes I will think, if without the one and half year stint at Norway, will I still love Malaysia as I sound today?

I love this land. I do...really really do. No matter how much you don't like me for being here with asking me to go back to the mainland china or my ancestor is not from this land, how bad/dangerous/dirty/uncivilised/corrupted you are, how other people criticize you, I am still very very happy to be a Malaysian.

san fransisco...

i was debating between a post where i pour out my feelings in the usual negative light that i shed on everything or if i should write about my trip in san fransisco with cl where a little more positivity is sure to brighten up this blog... guess which one did i go for?

so... i've decided to split our 2 weeks in the usa to 3 posts - san fransisco, las vegas and disneyland... and these posts are going to be filled with more pics than words... they do say that a picture is worth a thousand words didn't they?

let's begin with san fransisco - the city where everyone is gay, erm, i mean happy... =P

so, we were staying a few blocks away from union square, where we spent a couple of days, just strolling around and shopping... i'm sure someone who loves shopping would be able to describe this place better than me, but for me, it's a nice place to hang out...

btw, i should mention that we were there during mid summer and it's still only 10-12 degrees?!

san fransisco spreading the love... honestly, we do need more of those these days...

union square - shopper's paradise. you've got macy's, saxs fifth avenue, prada, tiffany, victoria's secret, coach, burberry, hugo boss... i could go on and on and on, but you get the idea. and that monument is a dedication to a battle won during the spanish american war.

just another day in san fransisco - cable cars and fire engines all day long. no idea why, but they (fire engines) just keep buzzing around through town all the time. so frequent that they've actually arranged for tourists to get onto one of those fire engines for a ride. and no, i've not seen any buildings on fire the whole time we were there...

powell and hyde - took this on the way to lombard street... notice alcatraz in the background... cool huh? we took the cable car ride only a couple of times and it's interesting... kinda like the mini bus experience that we used to have in KL, only much slower and less dangerous... hehehe...

lombard street - the world's most 'crookedest' road (that's how they promote it!). i wonder if the road was naturally made this way and it turned out to be a tourist attraction or if it was indeed built with that purpose already in mind. either way, this has got to be the most photographed and hyped up street in the world.

and here i am, brought to lombard street by all it's fame of being crooked. gotta admit the street does stand out and looks eccentric enough to earn all it's popularity. and i really liked the houses along this street.

anyway... we've spent quite a long time in san fransisco, almost a week there. and truthfully, we didn't get enough of san fransisco. me falling sick did not help too. yes, i was sick in san fransisco. no, it's not h1n1. but whenever we got the chance, we were out and mostly we walked to wherever we wanna go. the weather's not too bad and besides, the city is beautiful.

the longest and most strenuous walk (aided by the sinusoidal streets) throughout the week was without a shadow of doubt the day we decided to visit coit tower...

coit tower is situated at the top of telegraph hill and overlooks the whole of san fransisco...

i just like this photo enough to include it in here... and below are the views of san fransisco from coit tower...

the lesser (only in fame) of the 2 bridges - the bay bridge...

fisherman's wharf and the piers of san fransisco...

the golden date bridge and you can see lombard street if you squint and look real close...

and being in san fransisco, i definitely can't ignore the chance to see alcatraz aka the rock in person... it is all it promises to be - a prison... =)

well, it was an interesting tour of the island actually. upon reaching the island, it's as beautiful as any other islands. birds are singing (in the case of the sea gulls, they're screaming rather than singing), fresh air, lovely scenery... and the fact that surprised me was that most of the families of the prison guards actually lived on the island. so it's pretty normal, until you stepped through the gates of the prison. that's when heaven turns to hell.

this view is probably the worst torment to the prisoners of the rock. it reminds them of what they've lost in the instant where they've lost judgement and made the wrong move...

cl has already posted a pic of us with this background. but here's a pic of me and the lighthouse made famous by nicholas cage and sean connery in the rock...

being the state with the most chinese american, the china town in san fransisco is a must see for sure... we've had breakfast there and trust me... it feels as if we've walked out of san fransisco and into hong kong!

ghirardelli - an italian who came all the way to san fransisco to make chocolate during the gold rush period. but i guess it's not our kinda chocolate as we walked into the largest chocolate store i've seen and walked out empty handed. but wat we did find on the way out were 2 malaysians! wat are the odds huh? they just recognized our english and approached us! so we ended up having some drinks with them and hung out with them a couple of nights... it's always nice to meet fellow malaysians half the world away from malaysia... =P

this picture was taken at the fisherman's wharf. fresh seafood, street performers, local artists... a good place to chill out... and from here, we actually rented a couple of bikes and rode them to the golden gate bridge...

a post about our trip to san fransisco would not be complete without a picture of the golden gate bridge would it? the pic above was taken while we were actually driving through the bridge... and the one below is from our cycling adventure...

the length of this post is getting a little bit out of hand... anyway, before bringing it to an end, a post of our vacation would not be complete without a pic of us right?

it's been a good week spent at san fransisco. there's so much more to tell but i guess i won't be able to write it all here. meeting the 2 malaysians was a pleasant surprise and we had some good times. went to a couple of bars, tasted a few local beers, went to a famous italian seafood place - soto mare, visited the castro district (google it if you have no idea wat's so special about this place), had some wine in castro - with the awkward experience of 2 guys in nothing but g-strings sitting at the bar, drinking coke... it's definitely been a colourful experience there... =)

so i'll leave you all with this pic of cl and myself and the golden gate bridge... till i come back again with las vegas and disneyland...

Travel as Hobby?

I don't know since when maybe since Air Asia start their business? Malaysian like to put "travel" as their hobby. I dare to say 6 out of 10 of my friend's Facebook stated so. It really makes me wonder, is it travel is your hobby? They put it as hobby because they just simply like to travel? Or do they like it so much until it is a "hobby"?

Can they travel as frequent as Nicole until she stay in hotel at different places without renting a room at a fix location? Can they really travel yearly no matter how tight is their schedule or how poor is their economy financial on that year? Can they overnight at the airport bench to wait for the transit? Can they sleep at the railway station to wait for the earliest train to depart from there?

Or am I the one who sound too harsh to them? Maybe all my question on the above only apply to those back packers. But not towards people who are rich to travel. If you are rich then all my questions will not be a question.

I like to travel. ( errr...actually not that much...but I like too) I am always interested to see other people culture, festival, religion sites and scenery. However, if you ask me, whether travel is my hobby or not? Then it is definitely a NO from me. I "like" it but not until the stage that it is my hobby.

reclaiming my space... =P

this is still my blog! muahahaha!!!

26 march 2009 - that's like 4 months ago?!

it certainly does not feel like i've stopped blogging for 4 months, does it? this must definitely be the longest break i've ever taken from blogging... time flies... no, it warps at the speed of light these days it seems...

let's see wat happened in that 4 months...

16 - 18 april : offshore @ ocean rover

19 - 21 april : offshore @ west setia

4 may - 26 june : slb school @ usa

28 june - 12 july : vacation @ usa

23 july to current : on loan @ brunei

as you can see, i've been pretty busy... keep in mind that i've left out all of the preparations from my schedule... *ehem* i know it sounds like an excuse but it's not! anyway, i've had some other issues as well as to why i have not been blogging... it's not been resolved but i guess i've figured out a way around it...

well... let's see... the 2 hitch offshore before going to the usa went pretty smooth and i have nothing much to say about that...

the slb school however... that 2 months was probably the best time i've had in slb thus far! despite all the exams, quizzes, assignments, projects, presentations, late nights and etc, we've got a good bunch of ppl in class and it made the whole 2 months extremely enjoyable...

and then to top it all off, i had a 2 week break in the usa where i saw san fransisco, las vegas and disneyland with cl! never imagined i'll be in those places and to be there in 1 trip, that felt like a dream...

and now that i'm back to work again, from a certain perspective, i've been fortunate to be on loan here to brunei for a gravel pack job. never seen one before so this is going to be a learning experience and hopefully a valuable exposure as well...

as you can see, this is just a summary of the past 4 months from my side... i will certainly blog more about my episodes in the usa (school and vacation)... was going through the pics to post but it's definitely going to take time filtering those pics - there are thousands (ok, maybe just hundreds) of them! but i promise i'll post them up soon... =)

oh yeah, this is probably a little bit too late, but to the king of pop - rest in peace...

Short Post from Penang

Initially, this blog belongs to Mr Nic.
Previously, this blog belong to Mr Nic and I.
Now, this blog belongs to me me me~!

If any new reader who open this blog, they must be thinking I am the only writer for Unfinished_Article. I never intend to take over the blog. He starts to complain about I am blogging too fast. Although the problem is not I am writing too fast instead he is the one who are writing too slow!

I had try my best to ask him to post something even something real short I believe it will be able to satisfy friends of him who really wish to know how is he doing recently.

Mr Nic is currently at Brunei and going to offshore soon. So I believe he got no time to blog again, as usual. Guys, just forget about him, lets wait for my post more about our US trip ya~!

Short post from California, US

Now I am blogging from a hostel opposite Hilton San Francisco.

San Francisco is really a big city. A typical US big city that we always see in the movie. Sky scraper every where, the grid system is so good until feel bored of the system, people are walking fast everywhere. Every corner of the street will have at least 1 Starbucks coffee, 1 liquor store, and some beggars who ask donation for burger.

Before I come, I already have the mental preparation of US food portion are always huge. I always thought that Asia western food are very similar to US food. So, it shouldn't be any big problem for me. We have McDonalds, KFC, Chillis, TGI Fridays back at Malaysia. Nevertheless I am surprise with myself, after having meals over here for almost 1 week, I am still not used with their food. Too much oil, too much meat, too little vege. It makes me no appetite to eat at all.

We met 2 Malaysian who just finished studies at US. They are having their training at San Francisco. Nicholas and I hopped into their car and have a few drinks at the pub. It is nice to met some Malaysian at far far away. So glad to meet somebody. It is a wonderful night with them.

After San Francisco, we are going to Las Vegas and Los Angeles (Disneyland~!). I am curious whether that 2 cities will be the same as San Francisco or not.

Since this is a short post so there is not much talking here. Attached a few pictures first. More to come next ya~!

Asean Profession

I went for a project meeting this afternoon. Again, I was the youngest in the whole project team. By the way, I am the youngest in the whole design firm except in Shanghai office. There is an much younger female engineer. She finished her Master degree at age 22. She is totally different story. Genius Chinese, you know?

Go back to my project meeting...When I discuss my work with one of the designer, I am a bit angry with him since he is not design according to what I have calculated. I told him that his design will fail during analysis and calculation. Somehow, he doesn't trust what I said and insist to talk to my senior engineer. Fine~! Since you don't trust me then go ahead and see what my senior will say. My senior engineer didn't work on this project at all because he pass everything to me. He is working on another project. In the end, the designer got the answer like what I have told him. Syiok~!

That particular designer is an Asean guy. He is always showing off to me that he has 10 years experience on ship yard, he know how to use 10 different softwares...bla bla bla...

I am working with some real old Norwegian on some other projects as well. Some of them easily has 20 or 30 years experience. It explains why I am the youngest. ( Nic: if you still remember, I told you before my department was celebrating birthday for one designer who is 55 years old with one dozen of wine as present) When I am working with them, they always trust my expertize. Trust my design, my calculation.

We should pay respect to senior employee who has many many years in certain particular field. I have no doubt on that. However, when a project involve people from different background, no matter how good you are in your own field, you still have to trust what other people told you.

Yes, I might be young. I am the youngest. So what~! That doesn't mean I am not good with what I do! Aiks...I don't want to classify all the Asean profesional people like that. Somehow, the phenomena of experience people don't trust the comment of young people always only happen among Asean profesion! If Asean countries want to be as good as European or American, they have to really change their mind. You need to always believe someone is always better than you regardless the age.

No seniority only capability. Understand?

幸福很简单

有篇瓦
有碗饭
有个人

幸福

人老了。字少了。连幸福的定义都简单了。
幸福很简单，真的很简单。
真的很简单吗？
我希望很简单。

ps: my first chinese post. let's see how many people understand.

The Pursuit of Happiness

Everyone want happiness in their life. However, nobody can own the happiness in life without paying any effort.

If you think being rich is the way to make you happy, then earn more, find more and save more money.

If you think being famous in the society is your definition of happiness in life, then contribute something to the society, build up your reputation among people, join politic party, do charity.

If you think have your own free time and freedom can make you happy, then sacrifice other thing which consume your time. Work less, play less, have a better time management.

If you think have a good relationship with your partner can brighten up your day, then care about her/him more. Love him/her, put more effort in your relationship.

The meaning of pursuit of happiness is "chasing after" your own happiness. You have to work for it, run to it and grab it with your own hand.

Just sitting there and wait for the happiness to drop from the sky? Common, wake up la.

Preikestolen + Kjerag, West Norway

Preikestolen with Thum

Last weekend, Thum and I spent 4 days travel to West Norway for some hiking activity. Preikestolen or so called the Pulpit Rock in English is one of the famous hiking spot at Norway. Most of the travel advertisement of Norway will always show this either in postcard or brochure. Although the weather is not so good on the day we went up since we only have 4 days there so we continue our hiking trip without having much choice.

This is my first time to go for a hike. Physically, I am not tired. But, like Nic said although I have frequent work out still my body muscle are not used with hiking activity. My muscle especially my leg and thigh are really too weak. Both of my leg get tired so easily when I am going up the hill!

After 5 hours of hike, we reach the peak. Honest speaking, it is really worth my 5 hours to and for this gorgeous fjord view. Besides, the trail is not too difficult as well.

Looking down to Lysefjord from Preikestolen.

We are staying at Stavanger, a major oil and gas city for North Sea activity. Stavanger is not a big city and there is not much thing to do in the town too. Furthermore, it is a city which rain almost 300 days a year. On the second day, we woke up with a super sunny day. I was thinking if we don't want to hike on such a weather, isn't it a big waste?

Without thinking much, we start our journey to go for another hike on the second day. It sounds crazy, 2 people who never do any hiking but hike continuosly for 2 days. After we conquered Preikestolen, we are pretty confident about the definition of 5 hours trail. It is not that hard,right? Norwegian spent 4 hours, we spend only one hour more. Not so bad,right?

The road to Kjerag is really a nice drive for me. With a high performance car, perfect weather, cool road, best! Look at the picture on the above, we are actually driving from bottom of the mountain to the middle of the hill to start hiking. This time we were going to a rock which stuck between 2 vertical mountain which called Kjeragbolten. However, we are under estimate this little rock. The trail to Kjerag is really not easy. There are 3 slope which is almost 80 degree which is impossible to hike without the help of metal chain. Thum and I got small cuts and some injury on both our arms and palms by the end of the hike.

Still, it is cool? Again, worth right? =)

Life is like that

There is once during dinner, I have this discussion with one of my colleague. His wife pass away in a road accident. She left him 2 children, a girl with 4 years old and a little boy who are just 1 year old.

When my colleague is young, he spent all his time to earn a living to raise up the 2 children. At that time, he is young and physically strong, healthy and energy without spending time to his life or children. When he is old now, he got the money and time but his body condition no longer allow him to go hiking, rock climbing. He also want to spend more time with the 2 kids but they already in high school with their own friend. No more sticky to the family. He said, that is the arrangement of God. Why we cannot have life in the other way?

Young with money, time.
Old with family, good body.

One of my best friend's father is diagnose with lung cancer. Fourth stage. Nothing can be done. When I hear the news, I wish to say something to make her feel better or offer her some help. But, I don't know what I can do nor what I can say. However, she is handling well, she told me life is like that.

I really don't like this sentence. Why life have to be like that?
Why there are so many things that we cannot change in our life?
We appreciate life, we love our life, we live our life to the maximum, but why?
Why life is like that?

Berlin, German

Kaiser Wilhelm Gedächtniskirche, a church which is ruined strike during World War II but German purposely maintain it without any renovation.

At Germany, you can strongly feel there is one part of time is missing from this city. All the building in the city either very new and high tech or very old. The missing part is because they don't have any construction during the WWII and the reunification. Over here, you can see the effect of war every where and right in front of your eye. Either this Catherdal being air strike before or that palace is remove because of war.

Charlie Check Point where unknown number of lifes die here because trying to cross from East berlin to West berlin.

Me "trying" to cross the left over Berlin wall.=)

I am salute with German courage of admitting of what they had did during the war and towards Jews. There are not only having memorial park for Jewish but also have a Jewish musuem which I feel it is a must visit for whoever go to Berlin.

Maybe I had heard too much about how Japan is trying to hide the history, China is trying to hide the current issue, Malaysia is trying to ignore some contribution of non-Malay to our country, suddenly facing with German who are so openly display what they had did in the past is surprise me.

Jewish memorial park. Each block represent a grave for Jewish who had die throughout the years. All of them are same width and length but with different height.

I talked to my friend who had study at German for few years. Is it Germanic really can accept people discuss about what they did openly? They said that some Germanic still feel shame about it, however, the new generation are fine with it. No matter what, a country who dare to admit all their mistake is a country who can learn from the history. I believe that is the reason they are growing so fast in the last century.

Reichstag dome which is German Parliament building. Although it is free entrance but we have to go through extensive security check. Xin Jing and I were saying that because they worry somebody will bomb their parliament.

A walk in the dome. It is really cool! I feel as if I am walking in the air. I have to admit all their new architecture is very futuristic.

About the public transport, it is the most complicated I have ever met so far. My colleague called it as the most complete. Due to the completeness, it is also causing the complicateness. I am curious about Japan Tokyo now wondering how complicated the public transport is.

Berlin's beer with a bear which is berlin's emblem.

After so many serious story about Germany, let's talk about other Germany's famous - beer & pork. Their beer....er....not as bitter as the usual beer we have, it tastes lighter although the alchohol level is the same as other. They really drink beer everyday till they have so many ways of drinking it. Xin Jing tried coke + beer which surprisingly tastes good! You guys should try it at home. Berlin tradition red and green beer is not so interesting for me. At Germany, different part of people drink different beer.

Besides, my friend, Yeen Chow told me that at Southern Germany, there is one type of certificate which is Diploma for drinking beer. As long as you can finish 5 little of beer in 3 hours, you are entitle with a certificate. The 5 little of beer is different type of beers. Cool ya? Now, keep finger cross that I can go for the Oktoberfest at Munich!

German food all-in-one = Berlin's curry wrust, pork rib, pork knucle, pork patty, sour cabbage, grill potatoes.

Berliner are famous with their curry Wrust - curry sausage. I am not fancy about sausage, for me, it is ok. However, their pork knuckle is really amazing! I would not understand how could they cook pork until so tender. In my impression once pork is cooked, it will be as hard as stone unless it comes with many fat between the meat. But, the pork we have is not fat and as tender as chicken drumstick. It just tastes perfect! No wonder they are famous with their pork dishes. The pork rib...wow....wanginya...thumbs up.

Technology Musuem - a musuem with many airplane, ship, rocket from the war. I noticed many old white hair uncles were there too. I think it is a very nice musuem especially for guy who are crazy about military weapon.

Berlin has a lot of musuems and they are fun except the only problem is too little English. Xin Jing always said they are not tourist frinedly. I have to agree with that. After travel outside, it always make me thinking actually how Malaysia is. I make a little promise to myself, when I go back to Malaysia, I must visit all the museum that i visited during my primary school again. I want to see how is Malaysia Science musuem look like now, it is still as fun as in my memory when I am primary school. I want to visit National Musuem, the new Islamic Musuem and of course the fully of fun musuem - Petronas musuem at KLCC.

Any travelling around Euope before I go back Malaysia? I don't know maybe I will go Denmark once if time allows me to do so. Although Prague is always my number 1 wish to visit place at Europe but I do not think I am able to go in this few months. The most beautiful Europe city, Prague, sigh...Ok, so now, let's hope for our all-time-busy mr nicholas to post about US soon.

The Ranking of Life - Stockholm, Sweden

Among love, friendship, family, money, career, what is your ranking for these?

Money will never be the first for me. I know a lot of people said that at my age, money should always come first. But, can you answer me what is the age that money should go behind? when you are 50? or 90? Nobody know how long he/she can live. Who knows maybe the next morning when you are on your way to work you already hit by a car and die at the age of 25?

One of a friend I knew during Baker Hugh interview always recall me the sudden of life. He went to the class as usual one day when he is on his way to university, he hit by a car. By the time he woke up is already 3 weeks after the incident. He is 1 year elder than me when we went interview together because he stop his studies for 2 semesters. After the accident, he always try all the dangerous thing like Bungee jump or roller coaster without thinking twice. It is because he know deeply what is the meaning of nobody knows what will happen tomorrow.

Every time before I go to travel, I will ask myself. Shall I keep the money? Or shall I just travel and look at the world without calculating what is the figure left in my bank account. Obviously, I am choosing the second option. You should see the world when you are still able to see the world.

I am not going to talk much about Stockholm trip as what I have did before. The most remarkable place that I been is the Nobel Museum. Although the museum is small with only words and poster, it gives very huge impact to me. The museum is exhibiting about all the Nobel winners, of course, and many information about human right. It tells how China is blocking the Internet information from the citizen, talks about Rwanda Genocide, under wage Indian work force who work 12 hours a day, under toxic situation (those work in dye factory) and etc. Human right, democracy, freedom of speech, sincerely wish Malaysia can be like that soon.

The reason of me sink into the sea

Why I am so quiet recently? Why there is no post from me for the last 2 weeks? Am I sink into to North sea?

Nope. It is just because I travel continuously for 2 weekend and make me no time to blog about it.

So, let's hope for Stockholm, Sweden and Berlin,German trip next.

Stockholm, Sweden

Hotel Adlon at Berlin where Michael Jackson was "throwing" the baby through the window.

The End of Winter

Many friends especially my colleague at China and Malaysia has been asking me to post more winter picture since the moment I came back to Norway. I am just too lazy to blog, no idea what to blog! But now, I guess I cannot delay the winter post anymore because spring is knocking the door!

A picture taken from my office parking as requested by all the colleague. The snow is higher than the car.

I love winter. Norwegian favourite question to foreigner: do you like to ski? Honestly, I like to ski, I enjoy cross country and Alpine ski, both. Although my ski experience with extremely muscle pain every inch of my body after my first cross country ski and bruise on knee + leg after my Alpine ski still I kinda like it now. Besides, I can go for some parallel turn instead of wedge turn on my last ski tour with my colleague. Hooray! Finish green slope this year, is it possible for Blue slope? Greedy me. =)

Company trip with the Norway office colleagues.

Credit to Sondre for taking the pic.

Every Norwegian go for ski during winter and I forced myself to upload all the ski picture by this week because Easter Holiday is coming on this weekend. Normally Norwegian will go for the last ski during the Easter Holiday after that they will keep their ski boot in the store. One of their practise in many Norwegian family.There is a cross country ski for children in the city centre of Sandefjord. Most of the "participant" are not really skiing to finish the track but rather let their parent to hold their hand to walk till the finish line. =) Look at Participant 68, how old is he?! 3?

And the participant cry out loud when they fall. haha

I admit that this winter had brought me some unpleasant experience - the accident and so much of trouble when I have to shovel the snow away. However, when I look at the snow flakes flying down from the sky in a quiet jungle, when I can go to the top of the ski mountain and looking down from there. I'll forgive you winter. Love you too.