Friendship? What is that?

What is friendship for to you?

I am someone who really appreciate friendship. Most of my friend knows about that. I care about my lover, my family member, last but not least, my friend. I couldn't live without them.

Sometimes, I realise that some people really take friendship for granted. When they have problem, they will ask the help from you. When they break up or argue with the boy friend or girl friend, they will call you out to talk to you.

But...but... Once they are happily-ever-after with the partner, friendship? What is that?

Yam char? Not free, tired, busy with work, need to watch movie with boy friend, bla bla bla...

Friend for them is always at the last place. Unless their boy friend or girl friend not free, family member not free, colleague not free, client not free, then only will give the outing opportunity to their friend.

Although some of my friends are like that, I have scolded them, angry with them, remind them that they couldn't do so anymore. Still every time when they call me out, when they are hurt by the boy, I am still there for them.

Haih...

earth hour

28/03/09...

2030 hours...

1 hour...

no lights...

is that too much to ask?

-earth hour-

ps: i've always had trouble convincing ppl around me to be more conscious about the environment... a friend once said that it's ironic i work in the oil and gas business... but i think we do what we can to make the world a better place... no?

Oh my Malaysia

While people are discussing about how to solve the shortage of man power like not enough teacher problem and debating about the pro and con of using robot to replace human, my beloved country Malaysia still demonstrating about whether to use English or Malay Language for our education medium langue.

Japan robot, Saya

Both of us also consider as Asia country. Their history is not too old compare to Malaysia. I know that United State or Europe countries have a history few hundred more than Malaysia so our education system, human right, citizen civilisation are not as good as them is something acceptable for me. ( Monolog: excuse! ) Malaysia is only 5 or 6 hours flight from Japan! And why we are soooo sooooo damn behind them?! ( sorry really couldn’t control myself )

I love Malaysia. However, sometimes, on certain issues, I really couldn’t show my passionate towards Malaysia. Why couldn’t you guys just make Malaysia better? Ok…one step back, I am not so greedy and requesting you to be as good as Japan. But, at least, please don’t embarrasses ourself? Couldn’t you?

It is my country, your country, OUR country. Accept it or not, it is a fact that you will never able change. Since then, why don’t at least everyone do something for it’s own good?

Sigh….

happy birthday!

my love,

just want to wish you a happy, happy birthday... although we're far apart, but our hearts are always together...

i love you... =)

What's After SPM

There is a campaign called ‘ What’s after SPM?’. It collects the story what happen to you after your SPM from all the Malaysian. Check this out http://www.whatsafterspm.blogspot.com/

Hope to see young Malaysians are brave enough to do what they want, and to have a different and beautiful road from others. =)

ps: for whoever read my previous blog, I have remove it since it is a serious project which I feel it is not right to put add in 'my way' of comment on it.

from the ss3 with love...

yup, i'm back on the ss3 - this time at sfjt-b (south furious jacket b) performing mostly ct jobs... we're here mostly for the chemicals and also on the pumping side... but then again, once on site, we're all wearing blue coveralls and we all have this big word 'schlumberger' plastered on our back... =)

this time around, i guess i've been busier than most of my other experiences offshore... barely had time to spend with my camera or books and i guess i only called home once in the 2 weeks i've been here? but i somehow still manage to sneak in a few shots...

the now very familiar view of the ss3 with sfjt-b in the background

sunrise from the ss3 with mt kinabalu to the right

i thought i've missed the sunset...

and 1 minute later, the sky turned bright orange...

i know my offshore posts are laden with sunrise/ sunset pics... but truth be told, i'll never get tired of these views... it is amazing to be in the middle of the wide blue ocean and let the beauty of nature take your breath away... i could honestly stand on the heli deck for hours (if only i had hours to spend...) during sunrise/ sunset times just to watch the skies above... so when i get the opportunity, i'll snap away hungrily at these views but my pics never do nature justice... it is something that you have to see it for yourself to appreciate it's beauty...

oh yeah, on another note... i think cl mentioned before that my offshore posts are always very dull without much description on my job... i've explained that i didn't want to reveal anything that i should not disclose on a public site... and just 2 weeks ago, we received a mail asking us to be prudent in making online statements via blogs, facebook groups and etc... i guess a world without boundaries has it's ups and downs...

then again, when have i ever said anything negative about slb, right? =)

whatever the circumstance is, the experience gained over the past 2 years (almost) is definitely character building experience... and every job that i've been to adds to my personality and broadens my horizon... for that i will always be thankful of this opportunity... yes, the work is tough and the hours are sometimes almost impossible... but i've been warned before and i've accepted the offer knowing the path ahead... so can't complain much there can i?

note: i'm working nights on this campaign (6pm to 6am) so i wake up to sunsets instead of sunrises... which is pretty weird... makes me feel like i sleep too much... =)

Jokes of the Day

While I am having lunch with one whole bunch of Structural Engineers, these are some jokes I got today.

Joke A
There is one Chinese professor came to my university to give some class on integration and differentiation. After all the derivation, the lecturer look at me and said, I know...you must be thinking of the equation in 4D, but don't do so, just take the whole equation and integrate in 3D, then you will understand.

Actually when I am walking out of the lecture hall, my brain is not even thinking of the equation in 2D.

ps: for non-engineering reader, 3D means X Y and Z axis, 4 D means XYZ and time axis.

Joke B
In a bioengineering project, calculation/algebra guy will give a report of 400 pages.

Engineer will give 200 pages.

But, biology guy will only give 10 pages.

Lame? ok la...

Common Sense that Not Common

snow is melting nowadays.

If there is some foreigner who read this, they must be fill with questions mark on top of their head. What is so special about all this tips? However, for someone like me who never stay at overseas, especially go through the winter, there are so many things that I never know until I came to Norway. As the title said, common sense for them but not common for typical Malaysian.

1, what to wear?
Always wear more layer instead of thick layer. This is a reminder I got from Kitt Yin before I came to Norway for the first time. Before this, I don't really understand and keep on asking her why? ( I like to ask why a lot on everything until Nic feels that I am annoying) Now, I am fully agreed with what she said. The main reason is you are not going to be outdoor all the while, once you go indoor, it will be warm again, then you will have to take off the jacket. Even go ski or staying outdoor at -20 degree ( the maximum I have experience, so those -25 or -30 I have no idea how it feels), long john (thinnest will do) + T shirt + cardigan/sweater + jacket will do. Jacket means even the thin layer as long as wind and water proof will do.

2, get wet?
snow/water or wind proof jacket, glove, shoe are important gear during winter. Sometimes, the weather is not too cold and bearable. You will feel very cold when the snow stick on your body and it melt become ice water or when the wind blow through your cloth. So as long as you can keep the wind and snow away, you will not feel cold anymore.

I couldn't open the balcony's door because the snow accumulate for the whole winter has block the door.

3, nose bleeding?
put a plate of water under the heater. Nose bleeding is an ordinary problem for people who just reach a cold and dry winter country. It is because the inner layer of your nose is too dry. Usually, you will be fine after few days and always ensure the humidity in the room.

4, skin itchy?
it means your skin are way too dry. Sometimes the skin will be so dry until it turns grey color. If regular body moisturizer cannot solve the problem, I recommended to use some body cream. And body shampoo also change to creammy/oil type which your body still feel slippery even after how many times you rinse off.

ya...the picture quality is bad, however, people are skiing instead of walking in the pic. (if you can see,haha)

5, feel cold?
I believe this is going to sound peculiar for some people. But, it is a good lesson I learn from one Norwegian colleague. I find it is really useful. A lot of people claimed that they will gain weight during winter because the weather is cold and they have to eat more to keep warm. But, I don't see that at Norway. When you feel cold, you shouldn't stay in the house and keep eating. Instead of staying at home when it is cold outside, you should go outside and walk or sport or whatever. The best way to keep your body warm is to move your body! Either go ski, shovel the snow, ice climbing, cycle, or just to take a walk around the housing area. (okay, I saw Norwegian jogging in the snow which I feel that is too extreme) If the snow is too much till couldn't go out, then just move around in the house, mop the floor or vacuum the house. It is always work. Eat more will not make your body feel warmer la, sial meh...

6, slippery road?
must must must! must change the tyre before winter come. Or else...you will be ends up like me. remember my first snow in norway incident? You will not know when the first snow will come, so is better you change one month before winter. If your car are more advance, it should have the ESP button. I don't know what it stands for, but it should be something like when you step on the break, you still can turn your car instead of lock the tyre.

7, Car fog?
remember that the air conditional must turn to allow the air ventilation inside the car. The outside air has to flow into the car to prevent fog on the window.

car versus snow level

8, Tyre stuck in snow?
don't spin the tyre too fast. The more power you step on the pedal, the tyre will spin faster, at the same time, it will lose the grip on the snow floor. So the best solution is let the typre slowly slowly spin and get back the grip to move forward.

9, wind screen water
ohh...don't forget to change the wind screen water to those unfrozen under -16 or -30 degree chemical. If not, once winter come, the whole tank of wind screen water will be froze to ice. Then you have to be prepare you can't clean your wind screen for the whole winter, otherwise, you have to remove the whole tank and melt the water inside.

Many people ask me to post some winter and snow picture, however, I don't have much snow picture. I don't know where to take, how to take and what to take. I have try my best and hope you enjoy the picture on top for the time being. I guess, I will have more winter pictures soon.

about winter? To be continue...

Pattaya, Thailand

Pattaya beach

Before we went, we asked a lot of people where shall we spent most of the night. Bangkok? or Pattaya?

Friend A said Pattaya is just like Batu Feringgi, nothing is interesting, no need spend so many night.

Friend B said Pattaya is nicer because got more pub more night life.

Friend C said Bangkok? 2 days can finish liao la!

Friend D said you think leh? I had been visit Bangkok for 4 or 5 times, Bangkok definitely is the best la!Thailand is a place that had been visited by too many friends of us.

The more comments we accumulate, the more confusing we get. In the end, we decided to spend more days at Bangkok instead of Pattaya. Although a lot of people will surprise what can we do with so many days at Thailand, still we feel it is not enough. Maybe Nic and I were travel really too too slow,Bangkok...still have some places we haven't visit; Pattaya....I am not tan enough. I am still able to lie on the pool for few more days, explore more foods and etc.

Mango with Glutinous rice

If wanna talk about the quality of the beach, Pattaya is no way compare with Redang, not even Cherating. However, if you are going to Pattaya with a thinking that it is going to be a relaxing beach destination, then sorry, definitely you will be very disappointed. In the other hand, if you ignore the point that it is a beach instead just treat it as another famous tourist spot. Then you will full of surprise and enjoy it!! You wanna know what is the surprise I am talking about? =)

The world wide famous transsexual lady show… ( we went for Alcazar instead of the Tiffany)

Live sex show…male and female, male with male, male + male + female! Shemale show

Vagina show…or is it called ping pong show as well?

Surprise?!

I have heard a lot a lot of story about it. I guess I knew since I was real young. Penang is near to Thailand, so there are a lot of auntie uncle who always travel there. Those shows has been there for 10 or 20 years, so I knew it really long time ago. But, "know the existing" and "watching with your own eye" is really two different thing.

Pretty ya?

Talk about transsexual, Nic is always very proud of himself because he can so called "look through" whether is a she or he either from the apple, attitude or gesture. After the Alcazar show, about the transsexual at Thailand, the only conclusion that Mr Nic have to say is…no need waste the effort to distinguish whether is a she or he. As long as they are pretty, it is fine. Those shemale…they are just too perfect! In every single way. The body, the face, the gesture, and some of them don't even have Adam's apple!

Male and female having sex in front of you? Something like watching porn movie lo. Male + male + female? Okay la… But, male + male with karma sutra position and like gymnasitc? Argh!! It just…just freak me out. Eewww… (clarify, I am ok with gay but not seeing them in their own private action,ok?) Zhi Ying said she went for the live sex show at Amsterdam. I saw those banner but I didn’t go in. From the way she describe, it is not much surprise. I went in to the Go go bar at Amsterdam, lady with bikini dancing on the bar pool (something like Patpong bar, which is so common for Thai). And I also know there is a bar at Amsterdam where every waitress and waiter are totally naked. Still, I would like to say Amsterdam is nowhere compare to Pattaya. Hahaha…If you have a chance to travel Amsterdam, save the money for those show and spend on trying new weed since you can watch all those show at Pattaya with much lower price and more entertaining.

Vagina show…ya…heard of it…many many times. But, when you are there, with your own eye, even Mr Cool – Nic's jaw is just....drop. Put live bird, fish, tortoise, shaving blade into the vagina, blowing off candle, shooting banana with it…er…enough action talk I guess.

Is it fun? Isn’t it fun? We are not talking about the quality of the sand, how beautiful is the sunset or sunrise, no beach talk. But just listening to all I have mention on the above, I believe it already worth for a trip there.

However, all the show I said are prohibitted to take picture. They are very strict on this, ok? So I couldn't attach any of those "interesting" part for the trip. Nevertheless, here are some candid photograph during the stay. Enjoy!

ps: I am trying to have some slide show with those picture. But it seems like this code is not too good and I am lazy to do anything on it right now. I will get a better code for the next photo post.

wedding bells...

had the good fortune of being in kl for zh's wedding on valentine's day - cheeky guy to pick such a date for his wedding... he won't have trouble remembering the anniversary date now... and 1 gift for 2 occasions... how smart is that? hehehe...

i already had to miss out on ang's wedding and i'm praying hard that i won't miss zh's wedding as well... and guess what? looks like my prayers were answered indeed! well, i'll keep this post short and sweet... it was a beautiful wedding and i'm so very glad that i was there to witness it...

anyway, to zi hui - congratulations bro and have a blessed marriage... was really happy to be a part of your wedding... =)

zi hui and sze yann moments before exchanging vows...

you may now kiss the bride - never thought i would see this scene... thought we were forever young... =P

mr and mrs lo zi hui...

the newly weds walking down the aisle...

the next couple headed for the aisle?

victoria institution

this for me has always been victoria institution... i have never known it by any other name... but to hear it officially recognized as victoria institution does put a smile to my face...

however, this school is not just about the name and the past glories... and no - i shall not condemn the school or it's students for all the "shortcomings" or "failure" to live up to it's traditions... all i want to do is to remind the current victorians to wear the school badge with pride and to always remember these lines from the school song...

Let us now with thankfulness

Praise the founders of our School

Let us now with thankfulness

Praise the founders of our School

For their foresight and devotion

Some who came across the ocean

Some Malaya's own sons

All true Victorians

Let us next remember here

All who passed through this our School

Let us next remember here

All who passed through this our School

Not one race but one in feeling

For a school to each appealing

That instruction be not all

Nor this School just roof and wall

Let us lastly pledge ourselves

Ever to uphold our School

Let us lastly pledge ourselves

Ever to uphold our School

In our work and in our leisure

With such zeal and in such measure

That the new Victorians

Match with Old Victorians

Bangkok, Thailand

Bangkok city night view

Nic said that I am going to have a long post. Since he already make the promise, it seems that I have no other choice. Before this, I am enjoying my holiday at Malaysia. During that period of time, I am really too busy to meet every single of my friend until I totally ignore this blog.

But now, I believe is time for me to record down my trip to Bangkok.

Traffic jam at 10pm?

I have heard a lot of people said how busy Bangkok is but until today I have never been to a city which is really more busy and dense than Kuala Lumpur. I know that New York, Tokyo, Jakarta, Mumbai, Shanghai will definately more crowded than KL since I never been to those places so Bangkok is consider the first city I feel the busyness.

The amout of car, people, building...wow...eye opening. The traffic jam which is so bad until 24 hours jam, the jam for the whole highway which might be 10km long. I believe due to the traffic jam, it trains all the tuk-tuk driver's amazing skill a 90 degree turn, from third lane cut into first lane in split second. The taxi driver that can follow the car in front all the way without even letting a motor bike over take him.

Tuk tuk driver that peeking through the mirror, laughing at us because we were so scare with his driving skill.

ei ei...don't keep on talking bad about Bangkok. Many friends of mine who like to visit Bangkok definately they have their own reason. Food is always one of the factor that whether I like a place or not. Like I don't mind to go Italy for few more times because its cheap and nice wine. And Bangkok will definately a place that I will go back again if I have the chance because of the food.

The food is not only cheap but the variety and quality of it really really add a lot of credit to the whole trip. No matter the food in the restaurant or snack at the road side also always surprise me. Needless to say, the world wide famous tom yam, the green curry, the pork satay that Jason mention in his blog, the mango sticky rice, the fried kueh teow, the kueh teow teng, even the wan tan mee! Oh my god, it is enough for the list now.

Almost forget to mention about my carelssness about the trip. Whenever I travel at Europe, I will always check the weather forecast before I go. Before I go Thailand, I am very excited for a holiday with hot sun, windy and beach. When I am packing my luggage, I brought all my short pants, mini skirt, strapless T shirt. But I am so so so wrong!! I thought Thailand is South East Asia country. I thought all Asia country will be as hot as Malaysia. Silly me! When I reach Bangkok it was during the winter time. Bangkok with winter? Bangkok with 14 degree celcius? Much colder than Genting Highlands? Haih...really really shame by sillyness. =p Lesson learned, no matter where you guys are going in future...must! must check the weather forecast before travel.

As all the tourist did, we did visit all the tourist spots and shopping centres.

Enough story telling in the beginning, let me write the rest of this trip in an Engineer way. haha...

Siam paragon, centre world - cheap levis and bra for ladies. Besides, it is a good place to see a lot of pretty secondary school girl with sexy uniform hanging around the shopping mall.

Pratuchat - a must visit place if you guys plan to buy souvenier or any T shirt. One very important tip, must buy at least 3 pieces or above. The price will be total totally different if you buy more than 3 pieces.

Patpong - it looks exactly like Petaling Street except along the street there are full of pubs where got young ladies who wear bikini and dancing on the stage.

The only good auntie at Floating Market

Floating Market - full of bad bad hawker who sell super duper expensive stuff to tourist except for an old auntie who is selling cake. The worst part is all the souvenier they sell I can guarantee you can find the same stuff at Bangkok city with much cheaper price. They are bad not only because they sell expensive stuff, they will not give you back your changes if you give them big notes. They will either ask you to give them the rest of the changes as tips, or they will push something else to you as in return. BAD!

Grand Palace - hmmm....it is really grand as the name said. But, like Vatican Musuem, please estimate you need to spend one whole afternoon there. And please be prepare that it is going to be very very hot and tired after the visit.

Temple of Dawn

Dawn Temple - Although the Grand Palace has a very nice temple which bling bling from every single angle, still Dawn Temple is a not bad place to visit if you have the time. Some how, it has its own uniqueness. The detail of the craving and the steep steps are something different from the other temple.

Some of my friends said that I never put any picture of Nic and I together at Facebook. Let me attach a picture of us took at Grand Palace here. The temple grand, gold and shine or not?

conflict

the sun rises, brightly blazing in the skies

a new day, a fresh start - the same dreams

awoke with hopes and desires and spirit

ready to face the challenges of the day

the day is full of choices, decisions

equipped for some, guessing for most

i took the one less traveled by

and that has made all the difference

i'm still fighting but i'm barely breathing

i feel small, inadequate - like an infant

i dropped to my knees and hold my hands

in prayer, asking for guidance and strength

the stars and moon sings a sweet lullaby

the phone rings, a familiar voice says hello

a voice so soothing, takes the troubles away

goodnight troubles, there's always tomorrow

ps: the last 2 lines of the second verse was taken from 'the road not taken' by robert frost.

i dun think i am the kind to actually travel uncharted territory. however when i am faced with a decision, i usually take the one that would challenge me the most. dun get me wrong and mistaken me as the adventurous kind that laughs at the face of danger. everytime i'm face with a decision like that, i decide with fear in my heart... for i know i'm taking a risk and as risk always is - sometimes it pays off, sometimes it hits you back in the face...

but i also believe that we should live life to the fullest every single day, no? so i make decisions that would not make me look back with regret 5 years down the road. again, this is a phrase often overused and abused. it's always easier said than done. always. for you always gain something by losing something else... and more times than most, it's always something precious and close to your heart that you will have to sacrifice.

how many of you out there understands this post? not many i think... i just felt that lately, my posts have been without a personal touch... without emotions... for fear of something or another, i've made my posts very neutral... i think it's time i started to express my feelings again in a form that i enjoy doing... it's time i use this blog for the very purpose i started it in the beginning...

ps2: do expect a long post (most probably from cl, as i will use my usual excuse of the lack of time to write one) and lots of pics (i can contribute to this) in the near future. i have just returned from a 16 day vacation in which i've travelled to bangkok and pattaya of thailand and also to penang for cny...

oh yeah, a very happy new year and may the year of the ox gives us all enough resilience to face the tough times that lie ahead of us... =)

Wishing List

From Kitt Yin and Taka blog, I saw a list of stuff they wish. A so called Wishing List. Looking at their wishing list, it makes me wonder....what will be the item on my wishing list. My wishing list changes from time to time. As I grow up, the price of those items on my wishing list is getting more and more expensive as well.

I am someone who feel grateful with what I am owning. No matter poor as student, or earning little money as an engineer, I am always feel satisfy with what I am having. And I am always telling myself to appreciate what I have now. Even though I am satisfy with what I have, everyone still have a wish list, and I have mine too. Am I contradicting myself? =)

Today, an item that want to be rank on my wishing list, it has to be at least 4 digits. Want to be on top of my wishing list? er....maybe...RM xxx xxx?

When I am 10 years old, a pencil box which cost RM 15 sounds so expensive for me.
When I am 15 years old, a school bag which cost RM 150 sounds 'wow' to me as well.
When I am 18 years old, a top which cost RM200 sounds so far from me.
When I am 25 years old on 2009, it has to be a RM xx xxx only can make me 'wow'.
What will happen when I am 30 years old? RM x xxx xxx?

It is like an exponential graph which climbing a steep slope that even myself begin to question against myself. Am I going to lost myself in this materialistic world? I couldn't control it since my brain and eye are the boss. Their are the one who're looking at more and more super branded stuff.

I had a conversation with Jessica Tan about it that day. She feels nothing wrong with that. Human are tend to climb up. By putting our target to more expensive thing, we will work harder, earn more and aim higher. It signifies that we are growing up and moving forward. I agreed with her. Deep inside my heart, I feel nothing wrong as well. (anything wrong meh?! chew)

On the other side, I start to worry that am I getting more and more materialistic? Am I becoming someone who only buy the most high technology hand phone, dine in those restaurant rated 4 star in magazine, study on all the fashion magazine and website which is the latest hand bag from Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Prada, Hermes, Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta? Am I? Am I?

Aiming for more expensive thing...

good? bad?

However, I am still the one who wear a cloth from aunties boutique, like to buy earring from little stall, shop for shoe from night market (pasar malam)! Me is still me. Yes, I admit that I am getting more and more greedy. I am not so easy to satisfy anymore. Nonetheless, my eye still widely open, I am not yet blind by money. Never.

The end of 2008 - The start of 2009

Reading michaelooi.net in the morning as usual in my office.

He has the habit of writing a summary when it comes to year end. A post that summarise what had happen in the past and resolution for the coming year. I was thinking shall i write a summary of what i have done for the past 1 year?

Looking at his summary, I feel that at my stages of life, it is really too many unknowns. For people like him, everything seems to be so in order. He can make a list of what he plan to do; he can sum a list of what he had done too.

But for me...I can't have any resolution for the coming year since I am not sure how long I will be working at Norway. How long I will be in this company? How long I will start to buy my first house? How long for me to get into marriage?

I can't be like him...resolution is luxurious for me.

How to summarise what I have done for the past one year as well? What I have done? A new job? Travel a few countries? What does it has to do with adding value to my life?

Don't want to talk about my life, I only can summarise what I have write here for the past one year and what I want to write in the coming year. I has been writing in this blog for about one year.

The first time when Nicholas introduce me into this blog, he mentioned that I will have some Chinese post. Until today, I never write anything in Chinese. Throughout the year, I wrote down many article in Chinese, but never post it because I doubt how many people in this blog can understand. I feels that 90% reader from this blog are Nic's friend who don't read Chinese. Since majority of the reader don't understand Chinese, so I never have the motivation to blog in Chinese. Another reason I said that I might write in Chinese because of my poor English.

The more I write the more I am frustrating by the limitation of vocabulary and adjective. Especially adjective, it is still very troublesome for me whenever I want to describe what I see and how I feel. It is a good sign that I am aware of the it. But, I feel frust because I couldn't break through the barrier. I has been reading English book for some years, writing here for the past one year. I don't see any big improvement in my English.

At the same time, I can foreseen my Chinese is walking away from me. Honestly, I am always feel sad when my Chinese is deteriorate. One of my wish in the next year is I want to keep my Chinese level. I do not dare to say I want to improve it, at least, I want to maintain. Besides, I hope that I can learn more on the Chinese culture in year 2009. Something that I has been wanted for so long. Keep finger cross I will have the determination for it.

I talked to many people about the deteriorate of my Chinese. None of them feel it is a problem and they don't understand why I am so bother by it. All of them agreed that English is much more important today. I shall pay more effort to concern about my English rather than maintain my Chinese. More over, my Chinese foundation is consider very good. I admit that my definition of so called 'good in one language' is very strict. Be able to speak, write, read is not my definition of command the language. It has to be include to know well about the culture, literature and history too.

I has travel some place in the last year and I blog most of them. The reason I blog is to share some travel information on my personal feel instead of those typical information we can get from the net. Second reason is I want to recorded down some memory as well. From Nic and my notice, reader doesn't seems to be interest on my travel post. Reader are more interest on post regarding personal feeling. So, I might cut down those blog in the year 2009. Besides, I am a bit tired of travelling too. One conclusion I can make for my year 2008, I am not someone who like to travel. Travel is not be my hobby.

I do notice a lot of blog will normally post about their sad moment or story. Rarely will have anyone who write something happy. Because sadness is an emotion that will spread faster than happiness. However, I don't like to write some serious and heavy feeling post. Me is still me. In the coming year, I will still post happy moment instead of sad moment. haha...

That's it. After this, I will spent more time with family and friends. So, should be less post from now on.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone.

from the ss3 with love...

well, the title should read from west alliance/ miri/ ocean rover/ miri/ ss3 with love... with a little bit of labuan here and there... =P

the past one month has been crazy (in terms of travelling) for me...

05/11/08 - miri

06/11/08 - west alliance

13/11/08 - labuan

14/11/08 - miri

16/11/08 - kl (i'll talk bout this later...)

17/11/08 - miri

18/11/08 - labuan

19/11/08 - ocean rover

23/11/08 - miri

07/12/08 - labuan

10/12/08 - ss3

and hopefully back to kl before xmas... *fingers crossed*

how crazy was that? and really, all those travelling and changing of locations just took the whole month away from me in a blink of an eye... actually, thinking back, the whole year went by in a heart beat didn't it? the year started kinda slow, picked up pace by around may or june and now it's coming to an end at warp speed...

anyway, here i am, on ss3 once more for a datafrac job on barton 206. simple job in terms of the operation and execution but pretty much technical. it'll be interesting coz for the 10 weeks or so that i spent in oman, we've been performing datafrac before every prop frac job and i didn't have a clue on what's going on... i just knew that we were getting critical data out of the job, but that's about it... and now, after school and after catching up on all the technical aspects of the job, i'll actually be able to read the plots and know for sure (i hope) what it is exactly that i'm looking at...

but really, lately, i've been so absorbed in my work and trying to catch up on so many things that i've just lost touch on almost everything else... i barely called/ chatted with cl over the past one month... i've barely called my parents... i missed one of my best friends' wedding... and as you've probably noticed, i've abandoned this space of mine as well... at times, i was just too busy to do anything about it... but at times i've gotta admit, i was just purely tired and lazy... so while the ss3 is being anchored down, i'm just taking this opportunity to tell the world (if anyone is interested) that i'm still here!

_____________________________________________________

*for ang*

congratulations on your wedding... i'm so sorry that i had to miss your wedding and trust me, if i've had any other options i would have been there... the first among us to tie the knot and i missed it! darn... anyway, wish you all the happiness with spl and may we soon see little angs running around... =P

_____________________________________________________

btw, although i've always dreamt of celebrating a white xmas - christmas has always been associated with snow so i guess that holds true for every kid who's never seen snow... but i'm in danger of celebrating a very blue xmas this year... surrounded by the wide, blue south china sea... =(

right now it still looks very likely that i'm still gonna be able to make it home before xmas... but there is a slight possibility that i won't and i'm praying hard that i'll be home for xmas...

well, i've gotta go now... it's getting really late and this post is getting really long... i'll end this post with all the pictures to make up the past one month that i've left this blog alone...

flaring on the west alliance - thanks to this very successful well, we once again went to the west alliance, rigged up and rigged down without executing our job...

this is me letting out all my frustrations at having to go through the same experience... twice!

just being a proud malaysian on the west alliance...

been on a few rigs now, but i've never seen them jacked down before... here's 2 of them that came in for maintenance at the labuan jetty...

here is the ocean rover... and a successful job for murphy oil...

remember the west setia and the kikeh spar?

they never cease to amaze me... we're in deep waters here - water depth at 1300m... some ppl feel sick even on the rig and these fishermen stay on those boats for days - come rain or shine...

after 4 visits to miri, i finally had the chance to see the grand old lady on canada hill - the first ever land rig in sarawak... thanks to amie...

sadly this is just a replica of the original... not only the structure but also the location... i think it would have been so cool if they could have maintained the original... maybe they can still do that with the last land rig in sarawak?

the view of miri from canada hill... see that tall building in the middle? i stayed there on my last trip to miri for 2 weeks - that's the mega hotel... and the building on the right is the imperial hotel which i stayed in my first 2 visits to miri...

tusan beach... also in miri - courtesy of amie amir again... says this is a good place for her geological field work of some sort... =)

we arrived just in time to catch the sunset...

need more work with my photography skills...

Santa Claus is coming to town...

Norwegian have some Christmas traditions and I want to share with everyone here. First, it is the Jule Calendar or Christmas Calendar. A calendar which has 24 days on it. It is a count down calendar to Christmas from 1 of December until 25 December. Every day, the small kid at home will open a box which means one day nearer to Chirstmas. They also will receive one small present everytime they open the day. It means 25 presents for one Christmas!!! Sounds cool,right!! 25 Christmas presents leh.

However, my Norwegian teacher told me that those present usually are small presents for kids. For example some eraser, pencil, ruler or most common is chocolate. Some major chocolate manufacturer will have the Christmas calendar which contain 24 different types of chocolate. Everyday, the kid can open and take one chocolate from the calendar until Christmas.

This is a Christmas Calendar from Kinder Chocolate. But, this calendar doesn't belong to any kids. Somehow, many process engineers in our company bought the calendar too. =)

As you all can see, the calendar already has 5 empty spaces which means 5 days gone and it is getting nearer to Christmas! However, instead of taking one chocolate per day, those engineer sometimes took 2 chocolates a day! I took the picture on 2 or 3 of December. They are not following the rules!

This is a photo taken from my office's reception which is a simple candle stand. Some are really nice.

Another tradition is the 4 candle for 4 Sunday on December. On the first Sunday of December, the family will light one candle after breakfast. They will only light one candle each Sunday. The second Sunday, they will light the 2nd candle. And it goes until the 4th Sunday which is the end of Christmas month. So those candles are different height with one is shorter than the other one.

When they are lighting the candle, they will read a tradition poem together. The meaning of the poem is something like the first candle will bring happiness and the last candle will bring peace to everyone who shine under the candle light. I couldn't remember the meaning of second and third candles. I have the poem but it is in the car and I am lazy to take it since it is cold outside. =P

Besides, Norwegian eat pork, pork sausage, some red cabbage and fish during Christmas dinner. Usually they will not eat beef on the festival. And, they also have their own version of Santa Claus - Fjøsnisse. They believe in a small version of Santa Claus who will take care of their animal. He is the secret keeper in the barn. So most of the family will leave one bowl of porridge with a spoon for him on Christmas Eve night. If he eat the porridge and the bowl is empty on the next morning, it means those sheep, goat and cow in the barn will be save for the following year. If not, it might have some sickness to the animals. I don't have the picture of the little Santa Claus. But, it looks exactly same like Santa Claus except it is much smaller in size. All kids are looking forward for white Christmas, they will not be happy if the snow is too little during the Christmas. As I heard from all the Norwegian, the snow at Norway is getting less year by year due to the global warming.

Wish the snow will always cover this peaceful land - Norway on each Christmas. And wish everyone to have a great Christmas.

Amsterdam, The Netherland

holland = windmill

I went Amsterdam 2 weeks ago. This is a trip which different with all the trip that I went before because the main purpose of the trip is not going for sight seeing but for the night life at Amsterdam. =)

1. drugs
no doubt, Amsterdam is famous for that. A country which smoke weed is legal. Along the street, you can see coffee shop everywhere. Every street at least will have 2 or 3 coffee shops. Obs…forget to explain, the meaning of coffee shop does not mean you can drink coffee there. Instead it means you can smoke weed there. The product of weed is not only in cigarette, it also came in lollipop ( I wanna buy to bring back to MY so much!! But worry later get caught =P ), cake ( so called space cake), chewing gum, candy. Besides, there have one type of mushroom which called magic mushroom. It is really-to-eat. A mushroom that can make you hallucinate after consume.

Did I try? Er…yes, of course. =) But, I admit that I am scare, only smoke a few puff of tobacco + little little weed, the cheapest indeed.

How do I feel?…er….feel like the world is spinning lo. =)

As I heard, different people will have different reaction and feeling after drugs. Those drugs will strengthen your personality which either be positive or negative. Fyi, my travel mate keep on smiling for the whole night after the cheapest tobacco + weed.

2. red light district

cannot take picture of the girls, so...''fancy'' chocolate as a replacement?

er hem….sophie and I were expecting that there will be naked women standing in front of the glass door. We were disappointed. They are not totally naked, however, in their very very sexy bikini. Read from a lot of websites, it is forbidden to take picture of those prostitute. Of course, it is rude by the way. So, no picture here.

The first time we reached the red light district in the morning guess what we saw? Super duper fat and ugly auntie who wear bikini and sat there waiting for the customer. Eaukkks….i was thinking…what the?!! This type of quality?? Cannot be!

After that, I get to know that renting the glass window is something like renting a shop. If you rent at night, the rental is expensive. It is much cheaper during the day time. So if your business is not so good, of course you will rent in the morning. So who will rent the window in the morning?

I went there at night again. And now..it looks more a like…better quality now, haha…Those girls will knock on their window when there are single guys walk pass. A way to promote themself. They will not invite youngsters who walk in a group since they know those youngsters are there to 'see' but 'buy'. Some of them will talk in their phone, do manicure in their own space. Even you stand in front and look at them, they will totally ignore yous existence and treat you as transparent. (maybe because I am gal, not potential customer)

The glass room is really a cute space. And I have to say, really convenient…it is a small room which occupy with a bed, a basin, and a chair. There is a huge glass window with curtain and door. Once the customer enter the room, pull up the curtain....shh....

We over heard the negotiation between the client and the prostitute. It is about €50 from a quite pretty girl. What type of service does that €50 included, then I am not sure. We suspect €50 is just for one time. No kiss, no squeeze. =P

Most of the pretty girls will not stand at the main street window. The main red light district street are not so many prostitute shops. If you walk to the small small alley that split from the main red light district road, you can see even more! Those alley are as small as only 1 person can pass at once. I saw one asian prostitute lo! Not bad not bad.

3. club

once 11pm, not only have to queue to enter, but also need to go through metal detector before enter.

We went a famous club named "Escape" at 930pm. Usually I will go clubbing from 10pm to 12am at Kuala Lumpur or Penang. We were early that night and I was expecting to sit in the club for some drinks while waiting for the club to fill up. That is how we used to be at Malaysia, I think. Surprisingly, when we reached the club, it is written Business Hour 2300 – 0500. what?! Not yet open? We waited till 11pm then only able to enter the club. Before enter, we had to go through metal detector! This is the first time I saw a metal detector for a night club.

At Amsterdam, most of the street are dead, pretty dead from 8pm – 11pm even red light district also the same. After11pm, only can start seeing people flow into the street. The city is dead from 8-9am as well, it wake up on 10 or 11am. It is a city which is so focus on the night life until everyone there seems to be sleep late and start late.

4. beer + absinthe

heineken logo

World famous beer, Heineken brewery is located at Amsterdam city. Heineken Experience is a famous things-to-do there. What does it means by Heineken Experience? It means you can experience how Heineken brew their famous beer step by step. You are not only allow to visit their brewery, you are entitle to taste the beer there as well.

I thought Heineken experience is closed under construction when I visited Amsterdam. I read the news from Heineken official website. But a guy who is selling bus ticket told me that although it is under construction still it open for visitor. Yeah! yeah!

Since I visited during construction time, it is €5 cheaper! Basically the whole construction is 90% complete only left the main entrance path which is still under construction. So, I didn’t lose anything even visit during their renovation. The valuable part about the Heineken Experience is not able to visit how Heineken brew their beer, but is the staff will teach you how to taste beer! According to the staff, tasting beer is like tasting wine. Should smell, look at the color, then only taste! Wow….only beer…

absinthe

Absinthe is a type of herb liquor which can contain super duper high alcohol level which can go up until 70 or 85% of alcohol. Basically it is something like drink alcohol from chemistry lab la. (i heard russia's vodka can go up to 95% alcohol level, that one is really drinking alcohol from lab) Amsterdam banned all the businessmen sell absinthe few years back. The funny part is…it is illegal to sell, but legal to drink, own or buy…har? So? Doesn't make sense, right? The owner of a liquor shop told me that it is just some business trick between wine and absinthe maker. The wine maker are jealous of the hot selling absinthe at amsterdam so they go to the Parliament and making noise want to ban absinthe. So, the parliament set the rule to ban people from selling absinthe from then on.

Enough travel Europe post for time being. I wish that the next travel blog that I am going to post is a travel experience to Asia country. After so many posts about Europe, I feel that I shall write more about Malaysia instead of Europe. When I go back to Malaysia this time, I will blog more on KL, Penang, Taiping and etc. I plan to write down more on Malaysia local food. So that when I am homesick next time, at least I can read it from the blog. Can't wait to be home lo!!

Distant vs Love

Some of my friends just broke up with their partner recently. The major culprit of them walking on their own path is because they are not physically together. So called long distant relationship.

Is it physically together is that important in a relationship? Does physically together is a guarantee that the relationship will not have prob? Is it both of them dating with each other everyday means they are deeply in love?

So many husband and wife are sleeping on the same bed every night for more than 10 or 20 years, some of them living under the same roof for half of their life, still, divorce, affairs, argument...

Ain't them physically attach enough?

The soul is not there, the love is not there means it is not there.

I know...when you are weak, you wish that your loved one can be there by your side to share your sorrow. When you are happy, you wish that he or she is the first one who know the great news.

However, even he/she can't share the joy with you, the pain or sorrow with you at the first moment, is that reason valid enough to leave the one you love the most?

He or she is your love. Someone you choose that you are willing to spend the rest of your life with. I always believe it is not easy for two strangers to fall in love together, to walk the same path together. He/she is someone that you are willing to tell him/her that you love her. It is easy to break up but it is never easy to get back together once there is a scar in the relationship.

Although we are too young to talk about death, but every couple, no matter how sweet they are now, nobody can be physically together forever. One day, one of them will leave the world first. Then the partner will be living in this world...alone.

Can God of Death wash away our love even he/she left us forever? Can time faded our missing to him/her?

Even death cannot separate two lover apart

ps: this is a sculpture from Gustav Vigeland at Vigelandsparken, Oslo. One of my favourite.

money vs dream

heart talk

go for your dream. you're still young. with time to fail and start fresh. it's going to be an adventure. you're going into the unknown. give yourself that chance. you deserve it.

logic talk

money. career stability. bright future. forget your dream.

=(