Americans - Usually the loudest of the bunch. The ones I met were very open, direct and friendly. They were the 'life' of the group.
Brits - Gentlemen and gentle ladies. A few couples we met were very nice and soft spoken. They talked with a gentle intonation and a calm pace.
Aussies - Adventurous bunch. Friendly as always, and would normally stay for weeks (some, up to months) in a place like Hanoi.
Europeans - Mainly French. There was a Russian on board our Shuttle Bus when we were heading to Halong Bay. A few Germans and Scandinavians too. But since Hanoi (and Vietnam) was a French Colony (since the French took control in 1888), a lot of the city's architecture and designs were modeled to the tastes of the French people. This led to the distinctively unique aesthetic appearances of the city, leaving behind rich legacies of stylistic French heritage.
Thais - We met 2 Siamese Monks during our trip to Halong Bay, who barely spoke a word to us. I figured they did not know how to communicate with us in English. Personally, I felt that the Vietnamese language is so much similar to the Siamese language, although the Vietnamese would often like to emphasise otherwise. The lingo, the intonation are somewhat similar to me. And Vietnamese language is probably one of the hardest languages to learn...
Filipinos - Filipinos and Malaysians (especially the Malaysian Chinese) look the same. But once they start to open their mouth and talk, we could easily identify their origins. We made friends with 2 Filipino chaps during our visit to Halong Bay. One was rather friendly while the other is a rather silent type. We exchanged Cards and this chap, Ernesto, even invited us to his hometown and were prepared to arrange for our ground arrangements if we decide to touchdown at Manila one fine day.
Indonesians - I established a contact with a Torajan (a descendant from one of the Sulawesi Clans). He told me he had to travel and move somewhere out of his hometown in order to earn a better living. He is now living in Hanoi with his Sarawakian wife and son. He is currently learning the Vietnamese language in order to better understand their way of life. He shared with me the hardships of the people living in Indonesia as a whole, particularly the squabbles in Sulawesi among the Bugis Clans. We also shared our earnest thoughts on other Political Issues facing this region, citing Corruption and Nepotism being the number one contributors to the Political Instability in most Asean Countires. He agreed with me on many grounds. But the best was when he complimented our Malaysian Leaders for being kind and generous enough to provide all sorts of benefits and facilities to the people and most importantly 'Free Education' to all Malaysians. He was lamenting on how stupid it is if Malaysians do not grab the opportunity of studying and learning in the local schools and institutes, as not all countries are blessed with such 'a luxury'. Some interesting observations from an outsider... and yet we still do not consider ourselves 'lucky'...
Malaysians - We met many visiting Malaysians there, especially at the only Malaysian Muslim Restaurant in Hanoi, Nisa Restaurant. Some were there for a brief working stint (courtesy of Multinational Companies like Ericsson, Canon and such). And some were there for a short visit to the ever-populous city of Hanoi. Some even had the chance of traveling from Ho Chi Minh upwards. Anyway, Malaysians being Malaysians, nights in Nisa Restaurant reminded me of a typical Kedai Mamak scene anywhere in Malaysia minus the chilly weather. You can hear the shouts for a 'Teh Tarik' and 'Roti Naan', simply illustrating the notion that 'you can never change the way you are'...
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Wednesday - 31st March 2010
What's So Important About The Day - It's my Birthday. The Day I turned 34. Yeap, 3 and 4. 34. I ain't getting any younger most definitely (as my body, without much of a haste, would agree) and I have reached the stage where I should already know by now what I want to do and must do in life. But I still believe that, regardless of how old you are, there are plenty of opportunities for you to try out something new, as life is a continuous process of learning... and this goes on until your last breath of air.
What's Different This Year - My stepmother, Mak Cik Normah, celebrates her birthday on the same date too. This would be the first time I am celebrating my Birthday with someone else within the 'Family Circle'. I had actually forgotten about her birthday until my father reminded me of it. So far, she has been very nice to us, and to my father especially. She is indeed a welcome addition to the 'Family Circle'. And I'm really glad that my Dad is so much happier these days. A testament of 'Youthfulness' that transcends age barrier.
What's For Lunch - Aidee treated me with a wonderful Lunch at The Apartment (restaurant) at The Curve, Mutiara Damansara. A scrumptious dining experience indeed as we were treated with one of the best Shepherds' Pie I've ever tasted and Slices of Chicken wrapped with Mashed Potato and Avocado. I was serenaded with a Birthday song by the Restaurant Crews and were offered a Cheese Cake as well. God of Mine... the cake was so delicious... The whole Lunch affair was exquisitely tasty, even the Tomato Soup tasted good. 'A birthday boy served with scrumptious food and delicacies is indeed a happy boy'...
What's Overwhelming - About more than 100 friends from Facebook greeted me with various kinds of Birthday Wishes. From long lost friends to dearest cousins and relatives, they were all lined up to convey their heartfelt wishes and remind me that I have now crossed a new age group. One chap gave me the best thought of the day - I can be in whatever age group chronologically, but mentally and emotionally I could still be as young as ever... It's a classic case of 'Mind over Matter'...
What's Different This Year - My stepmother, Mak Cik Normah, celebrates her birthday on the same date too. This would be the first time I am celebrating my Birthday with someone else within the 'Family Circle'. I had actually forgotten about her birthday until my father reminded me of it. So far, she has been very nice to us, and to my father especially. She is indeed a welcome addition to the 'Family Circle'. And I'm really glad that my Dad is so much happier these days. A testament of 'Youthfulness' that transcends age barrier.
What's For Lunch - Aidee treated me with a wonderful Lunch at The Apartment (restaurant) at The Curve, Mutiara Damansara. A scrumptious dining experience indeed as we were treated with one of the best Shepherds' Pie I've ever tasted and Slices of Chicken wrapped with Mashed Potato and Avocado. I was serenaded with a Birthday song by the Restaurant Crews and were offered a Cheese Cake as well. God of Mine... the cake was so delicious... The whole Lunch affair was exquisitely tasty, even the Tomato Soup tasted good. 'A birthday boy served with scrumptious food and delicacies is indeed a happy boy'...
What's Overwhelming - About more than 100 friends from Facebook greeted me with various kinds of Birthday Wishes. From long lost friends to dearest cousins and relatives, they were all lined up to convey their heartfelt wishes and remind me that I have now crossed a new age group. One chap gave me the best thought of the day - I can be in whatever age group chronologically, but mentally and emotionally I could still be as young as ever... It's a classic case of 'Mind over Matter'...
27th March 2010 - 30th March 2010
THE TRIP TO HANOI - Please refer to the following Website for more details about our little trip to Hanoi, the Capital City of Vietnam: - http://arisaideesadventures.blogspot.com/
15th March 2010 - 26th March 2010
What's Significant - After the 'Green Apples' Procedure, Dr. Zawawi advised me to take only 1/2 a Tablet of Losartan Potassium (i.e. my High BP Tablet) together with a 1/4 Teaspoon of Potassium Salt (i.e. K-Salt) 3 - 4 times per day, since my BP went down to 105/75. Sounded good, but 3 days later, my BP went up to 118/90 (again) and it was not wise for me to take only 1/2 a tablet each day. So, my BP Tablet intake remained status quo i.e. 1 100 mg Tablet each day. And the Doc told me to continue with the K-Salt until my BP gradually becomes more stable. *Sigh*
What's Exciting - Aidee & I couldn't wait to return to KL and prepare ourselves for the trip to Hanoi. we have been planning for this for months. We didn't intend to spoil our moods for anything irrelevant. We packed our bags early i.e. One Week earlier, and we made sure we didn't leave anything behind (i.e. Phone Chargers, Batteries, Make Up Kits, Adam's Necessities, Compass for Prayers, Additional Food Items e.g. Maggi Mee and stuff). The trip to Hanoi was the saving grace especially when it is supposed to coincide with My 'Big Day'...
What's Occupying My Time Mostly - Pelangi Sdn Bhd has been giving us a lot of things to occupy our minds at the office. We are now handling a few of their projects courtesy of their idea of engaging only one Agency in JB to handle the bulk of their A&P activities. Late night works and frequent visits to Client's Office were the norms of the days, and the creative juices began to flow again...
What Transpired Along The Way - I had to visit the Immigration once again to settle the Termination of Bibik Sumi's Contract and Permit since she no longer wants to stay with us. At the same time, Kamarul's sister, Ana, decided to engage Little Touches Communications for her Akad Nikah's Catering Services. Not a big number though. But, it's good especially during 'quiet times'. And since my brother, Caymee, will not be around on the 27th of March, and since Aidee and I will be off to Hanoi then, Daddy and Mummy were tasked to assist us in the Catering Services. It will be thier first assignment, should they choose to accept it. Simultaneously, Aidee's Kelisa's Insurance and Road Tax will be expiring soon. I had to call my good friend, Kannan of UniAsia to provide us with a quick service. All in all, March was quite a busy month for me and the whole family. It's good to be busy again...
What's Exciting - Aidee & I couldn't wait to return to KL and prepare ourselves for the trip to Hanoi. we have been planning for this for months. We didn't intend to spoil our moods for anything irrelevant. We packed our bags early i.e. One Week earlier, and we made sure we didn't leave anything behind (i.e. Phone Chargers, Batteries, Make Up Kits, Adam's Necessities, Compass for Prayers, Additional Food Items e.g. Maggi Mee and stuff). The trip to Hanoi was the saving grace especially when it is supposed to coincide with My 'Big Day'...
What's Occupying My Time Mostly - Pelangi Sdn Bhd has been giving us a lot of things to occupy our minds at the office. We are now handling a few of their projects courtesy of their idea of engaging only one Agency in JB to handle the bulk of their A&P activities. Late night works and frequent visits to Client's Office were the norms of the days, and the creative juices began to flow again...
What Transpired Along The Way - I had to visit the Immigration once again to settle the Termination of Bibik Sumi's Contract and Permit since she no longer wants to stay with us. At the same time, Kamarul's sister, Ana, decided to engage Little Touches Communications for her Akad Nikah's Catering Services. Not a big number though. But, it's good especially during 'quiet times'. And since my brother, Caymee, will not be around on the 27th of March, and since Aidee and I will be off to Hanoi then, Daddy and Mummy were tasked to assist us in the Catering Services. It will be thier first assignment, should they choose to accept it. Simultaneously, Aidee's Kelisa's Insurance and Road Tax will be expiring soon. I had to call my good friend, Kannan of UniAsia to provide us with a quick service. All in all, March was quite a busy month for me and the whole family. It's good to be busy again...
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Saturday & Sunday - 13th & 14th March 2010
What's Interesting - Tim Burton's update of 'Alice in Wonderland'. I have read many reviews - good ones and the not-so-good ones. But, I did not want to be swaggered off by any unwarranted opinions. So, I had to see the movie for myself. And so I went to the TGV Cinema at Tebrau City together with my son, Adam and my wife, Aidee. Aidee was the one who was actually more excited than me about seeing the movie because she has read the storybook (who doesn't, actually) and she has seen numerous other versions of 'Alice'. We both wanted to see what Burton and Depp could bring to this wonderul tale originally written by Lewis Carroll. Would it be a classic, joining the likes of 'Beetlejuice', 'Ed Wood' or 'Edward Scissorhands'? Or would it be as quirky as say 'Sleepy Hollow' or 'Charlie and The Chocolate Factory'? Burton is indeed capable of producing many gloriously 'weird' stuffs but I was always reminded by some of his abysmal outputs e.g. 'Mars Attacks!' and particularly the remake of 'Planet Of The Apes'...
What's The Verdict - The movie was so-so... Nothing great... For other references on movies, check out my other blog http://jerichojive.blogspot.com/. You can find some interesting reviews on local (i.e. Malaysian) as well as foreign movies. Personally, I'd prefer the 1976's version of Alice in Wonderland starring Kristine DeBell (i.e. for obvious reasons, if you know...).
What's Unforgettable - The Night when I had to finish off the ordeal of taking Epsum Salt with Water at 6.00 pm and 8.00 pm. The idea was conveyed to me by my brother, Rozman, who have had bouts of Stones in his Gallbladder. The method of eating 4 - 5 Green Apples per day for 6 days worked on him. It cleared off his tiny little stones. And so I tried. By 10 pm, I should be supplementing my internal organs with a 1/2 cup of Virgin Olive Oil and 'Limau Nipis'...
What Happened - Bountiful visits to the Bathroom, as predicted. More than 18 times, if I could remember. There were continuous visits within minutes. I actually cleared off my bowels.
What's Good Thereafter - My BP went down to 105/75, courtesy of the Epsum Salt (i.e. Magnesium).
What's Not So Good Thereafter - The trips to the Bathroom should have ended early in the morning. But it went on for the next 2 days, albeit at a lesser frequency. The pain was bearable but the 'trips' were kind of troublesome at times... *Sigh* Imagine the length I would go through to improve my overall health and well-being...
What's The Verdict - The movie was so-so... Nothing great... For other references on movies, check out my other blog http://jerichojive.blogspot.com/. You can find some interesting reviews on local (i.e. Malaysian) as well as foreign movies. Personally, I'd prefer the 1976's version of Alice in Wonderland starring Kristine DeBell (i.e. for obvious reasons, if you know...).
What's Unforgettable - The Night when I had to finish off the ordeal of taking Epsum Salt with Water at 6.00 pm and 8.00 pm. The idea was conveyed to me by my brother, Rozman, who have had bouts of Stones in his Gallbladder. The method of eating 4 - 5 Green Apples per day for 6 days worked on him. It cleared off his tiny little stones. And so I tried. By 10 pm, I should be supplementing my internal organs with a 1/2 cup of Virgin Olive Oil and 'Limau Nipis'...
What Happened - Bountiful visits to the Bathroom, as predicted. More than 18 times, if I could remember. There were continuous visits within minutes. I actually cleared off my bowels.
What's Good Thereafter - My BP went down to 105/75, courtesy of the Epsum Salt (i.e. Magnesium).
What's Not So Good Thereafter - The trips to the Bathroom should have ended early in the morning. But it went on for the next 2 days, albeit at a lesser frequency. The pain was bearable but the 'trips' were kind of troublesome at times... *Sigh* Imagine the length I would go through to improve my overall health and well-being...
Friday - 12th March 2010
What's My Regimented Diet - I have been taking 4 - 5 Green Apples per day in an attempt to clear off the Stone in my Kidney. Let's face it... I was never much of a Fruit Eater prior to this. Only after I was diagnosed with High BP and after that incident of Blood in my Urine, I was forced to consume more veges and more fruits...
What's My Method For Temporary Stress Relief - I had to go see Pak Cik Sahak Bomba at Kampung Pasir for a regular dose of 'Urut Jantan'... My body was aching immensely. I needed an expert touch to do what's necessary...
What's My String of Medications and Supplements - I am currently taking 3 types of Herbal Drinks each day i.e. 'Herba Pati Madu Sawda' early in the morning (before breakfast), 'Teh Herba Mas Cotek' after breakfast, and 'Habbatus Sawda Jintan Hitam' after dinner. That should help improve my Blood Circulation, and eventually reduce my BP, and hopefully get rid of my Kidney Stone. I am also taking Omega 3 6 9 and Garlic Oil as additional supplements. And that does not include my BP and Cholesterol Medications i.e. Losertan Potassium and Simvastatin. Purgghh!!! What a life... :-)
What's My Method For Temporary Stress Relief - I had to go see Pak Cik Sahak Bomba at Kampung Pasir for a regular dose of 'Urut Jantan'... My body was aching immensely. I needed an expert touch to do what's necessary...
What's My String of Medications and Supplements - I am currently taking 3 types of Herbal Drinks each day i.e. 'Herba Pati Madu Sawda' early in the morning (before breakfast), 'Teh Herba Mas Cotek' after breakfast, and 'Habbatus Sawda Jintan Hitam' after dinner. That should help improve my Blood Circulation, and eventually reduce my BP, and hopefully get rid of my Kidney Stone. I am also taking Omega 3 6 9 and Garlic Oil as additional supplements. And that does not include my BP and Cholesterol Medications i.e. Losertan Potassium and Simvastatin. Purgghh!!! What a life... :-)
Wednesday & Thursday - 10th & 11th March 2010
My Thoughts On American Idol 2010: The Male Contestants - What the hell happened to Andrew Garcia??? From "Straight Up" to the bottom of the sea... I guess he may have peaked too soon... And as people's expectations began to pile up, he lost focus... And the biggest setback of it all, he may be one heck of a musician and a talented singer-songwriter, but he definitely has lousy tastes in song choices... "Genie In A Bottle"??? Auwww!!! Come on, dude!!!
My Thoughts On American Idol 2010: The Female Contestants - I would put my money on Crystal Bowersox and Siobhan Magnus. Two very talented singers with two varying styles and interpretation of music. Siobhan, in particular, surprised me a lot with her high-pitched voice and her unique appearance. These two, in my own personal opinion, are the ones to beat...
My Earlier Predictions vs. The Final 12 - I was right in my predictions for the Male Finalists. Toddrick Hall and Alex Lambert finally said goodbye to their hopes of being an American Idol. Shaky performances from the two may have resulted in them being voted out. 100% agreeable. But I was actually kind of surprise when they announced the two eliminated contestants from the Female Group - Katelyn Epperly and Lilly Scott??? Lilly Scott??? Lilly??? The two-toned silver haired hipster with an unconventional voice??? What were the Americans thinking??? It should have been Katie Stevens and Paige Miles... not Katelyn and most definitely not Lilly...
What I Think - What a waste... American Idol would have benefitted from the originality and the type of music that Lilly Scott is capable of producing. Underneath all that sugar-coated mainstream talents that have often been the product of American Idol, Lilly could have been 'the refreshing' agent we needed. After all, Lilly did ever so well during the Hollywood Week Auditions, earning high praises from all the judges on her originality and vision as an artist. This simply served as a pleasant reminder to us all that despite what usually transpires, music can exist and thrive beyond the mainstream. Last year, we had Adam Lambert. This year, it could have been Lilly Scott...
My Thoughts On American Idol 2010: The Female Contestants - I would put my money on Crystal Bowersox and Siobhan Magnus. Two very talented singers with two varying styles and interpretation of music. Siobhan, in particular, surprised me a lot with her high-pitched voice and her unique appearance. These two, in my own personal opinion, are the ones to beat...
My Earlier Predictions vs. The Final 12 - I was right in my predictions for the Male Finalists. Toddrick Hall and Alex Lambert finally said goodbye to their hopes of being an American Idol. Shaky performances from the two may have resulted in them being voted out. 100% agreeable. But I was actually kind of surprise when they announced the two eliminated contestants from the Female Group - Katelyn Epperly and Lilly Scott??? Lilly Scott??? Lilly??? The two-toned silver haired hipster with an unconventional voice??? What were the Americans thinking??? It should have been Katie Stevens and Paige Miles... not Katelyn and most definitely not Lilly...
What I Think - What a waste... American Idol would have benefitted from the originality and the type of music that Lilly Scott is capable of producing. Underneath all that sugar-coated mainstream talents that have often been the product of American Idol, Lilly could have been 'the refreshing' agent we needed. After all, Lilly did ever so well during the Hollywood Week Auditions, earning high praises from all the judges on her originality and vision as an artist. This simply served as a pleasant reminder to us all that despite what usually transpires, music can exist and thrive beyond the mainstream. Last year, we had Adam Lambert. This year, it could have been Lilly Scott...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)