I amresting at home today; the doctor gave me a day off for the fever I developed since yesterday afternoon. I took a nap after my medication, and there my boss’sname appeared on my phone screen. Pressed the Accept button and there hestarted to ask me how am I doing.  I saidnothing serious just needs some good rest and thanks for asking. Immediatelyhis tone sounded like he wasn’t happy that I am on MC, another guy on MC andthe rest of them having tough time in office.  He asked me if I could be able to come back towork tomorrow, what?  Is that yourconcern my good boss?  I shot him back,asked him how many days of MC I took since the last 4 years I work with him! IfI am not mistaken, it’s fucking less than 10 days! Do you call me or spend me agood cup of aromatic hainam kopi- o when I was the one working dead shit andothers were on MC? Hell no!

Okay, that’sit! I wish I could continue but better not to waste my brain juice and wouldn’twant it to explode; else I have to take another few days off and boss keepasking why always on MC!

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Early this year, I had a chance to spent a few days in the island of Koh Lanta for a short vacation break.I spent 4 days and 3 nights at this remote island west coast of Krabi Province. To many people, Koh Lanta might sounds alien to them compared to the mainland, Krabi. While it is still relatively unknown but this island is a heaven for many of the Scandinavians to escape the cold winter back home.

Koh Lanta Pier

I reached Krabi in just 2 hours flight from Kuala Lumpur, landed and straight hunt for transport to the Krabi town just to catch the passenger ferry to Koh Lanta. Unfortunately, the bus that I boarded broke down halfway and we had to wait for the back-up bus. Weather was hot and being frustrated that I have already missed the last passenger ferry to Koh Lanta. Thus, my plan changed by needed to take the minivan via the ferry. First the ferry will take us to Koh Lanta Noi, then only to Koh Lanta Yai! The whole journey from Krabi to Koh Lanta Yai took us freaking 6 hours! Instead of the normal 2-3 hours passenger ferry ride, or minivan without the long queue.

Bus broke down at Krabi

Ferry to Koh Lanta Noi - Koh Lanta Yai

As soon as I checked in to my hotel, Andaman Lanta Resort, I couldn't resist to hit the clean crystal sandy beach watching the sunset. I have finally set my foot on the beautiful beach, and began to start my exploration. Which I started with exploring the town, which is just a small town with two rows of shoplots. The locals are friendly, the food is excellent! Being tired, I decided to retired and called it a night with a glass of Red Label with the nice sea breeze.

White Sandy Beach

Koh Lanta Town

The next day, where adventure began. Island hopping! This half day island hopping really awesome! You got to see the beautiful islands, corals and you got to have some fun filled time at Phi Phi Island. Although it is too touristy. I also met a few new friends from Canada, France, Norway and England!

On our way to jetty for island hopping

Getting ready for snorkel!

Crystal Clear Water

This is where they harvest bird's nest.

Monkey Island

Phi Phi Island

Friends from Norway

Later in the evening, I got back to the resort and went for the authentic Thai oil massage just at the beach, waiting for the sunset and do just nothing at all. Dinner was great,tomyam at the jetty with cheap Thai beer for the night and some shopping at the town.

This is an ideal place for family vacation.

Sunset at Koh Lanta

The next morning, I rented a motorbike and cruise through the small island and ended up at the highest peak of the island. Here you can see the overview of the Andaman Sea, and there is a nice lovely cafe run by a family. From there, I continued my ride to the Old Town to catch the glimpse of the old folks and many of them are from Chinese origin.

Peak of Koh Lanta

Rented a motorbike

From Old Town, my last stop would be the Sea Gypsy village near to the passenger jetty. To my surprised, I was very welcomed by the kids the moment I stepped into the village. Kids just surrounds you and they just pose for you to take pictures!

Sea Gypsy Village

Sea Gypsy Kids

Pose with the kids

Friendship

Of course later in the day, I spare some great time for “gastronomic adventure” before I fly back the next day. I went to this French Bakery, run by a French baker who stays here for few years before he decide to open his own bakery. Believe me, this is a place not to be missed! Truly authentic French Bakery in a small Thai island.

Authentic French Bakery

Yum! Yum!

Te

Tell It to the World

Later in the night, I had myself a freshly caught Red Snapper and asked them to grilled for me at a cost of RM25 inclusive of the prawns! My Chardonnay cost only RM10, overall RM35 for a great meal and exotic fire entertainment by the locals.

Sunset again

Dinner by the beach

My dinner - Red Snapper

Entertainment by the beach

The next morning, I had to leave early back to Krabi. I was a bit sad to leave this beautiful island but coming here is like a discovery for me. In near future, this turquoise colour sea will be the favourite hunt for every beach goer, replacing the ever touristy Phuket or Koh Samui.

I just finished reading a book, Have a Little Faith by Mitch Albom, which so happen he is one of my favourite writer since I read his book 5 People You Meet in Heaven few years ago. His best selling non-fiction "Tuesday With Morrie" was an instant hit and was adapted into a movie as well. His latest project "Have a Little Faith" is another wonderful non-fiction, no doubt. Although the story might be almost the same like Morrie but faith was all about in this new book.The book is really heart warming and a story told by a writer with soul. Here is what the book is all about;

Have a Little Faith begins with an unusual request: an 82-year-old rabbi from Albom’s old hometown asks him to deliver his eulogy.

Feeling unworthy, Albom insists on understanding the man better, which throws him back into a world of faith he’d left years ago. Meanwhile, closer to his current home, Albom becomes involved with a Detroit pastor – a reformed drug dealer and convict – who preaches to the poor and homeless in a decaying church with a hole in its roof.

Moving between their worlds, Christian and Jewish, African-American and white, impoverished and well-to-do, Mitch observes how these very different men employ faith similarly in fighting for survival: the older, suburban rabbi, embracing it as death approaches; the younger, inner-city pastor relying on it to keep himself and his church afloat.

As America struggles with hard times and people turn more to their beliefs, Mitch and the two men of God explore issues that perplex modern man: how to endure when difficult things happen; what heaven is; intermarriage; forgiveness; doubting God; and the importance of faith in trying times. Although the texts, prayers and histories are different, Albom begins to realize a striking unity between the two worlds - and indeed, between beliefs everywhere.

In the end, as the rabbi nears death and a harsh winter threatens the pastor’s wobbly church, Albom sadly fulfills the last request and writes the eulogy. And he finally understands what both men had been teaching all along: the profound comfort of believing in something bigger than yourself.

Have a Little Faith is a book about a life’s purpose; about losing belief and finding it again; about the divine spark inside us all. It is one man’s journey, but it is everyone’s story.

From a Sermon by the Reb,1958

"A little girl came home from school with a drawing she'd made in class. She danced into the kitchen, where her mother was preparing dinner.

" 'Mom,guess what?' She squealed, waving the drawing.

"Her monther never looked up.

" 'What?' she said, tending to the pots.

" 'Guess what?' the child repeated, waving the drawing.

" 'What?' , the mother said, tending to the plates.

" 'Mom, you're not listening.'

" 'Sweetie, yes I am.'

" 'Mom', the child said, 'you're not listening with your eyes'. "

You know what, I almost cried reading this during my train ride back home after work. There was a part where it reminds me of my late dad, when he was in the ICU and how also the eulogy that I've prepared for my dad's funeral service.

This is one of the greatest book that I've read so far. Give it a try.

This is funny, usually it should be the other way...now Ris Low the next lole model

Sorry for the MIA (Missing in Action) for the past weeks, weekends has been quite hectic when it comes to party?  

Well, just a quick recap what happened two weekend ago. Black Eyes Peas was in town(just to meet me) for the St. Arthur's Day celebration (I think the German Shepherd a.k.a Pope should consider declaring Arthur a Saint lah).  Anyway, overall we only enjoyed the BEP performance and of course the fireworks display at the end of the party. As usual, we had our rounds of Guiness Stout and came back totally exhausted like dead meat. Cheers Arthur!

                                                                Me, Skan, FM, Cheng Yee, Jon and Endee

Over the last weekend, I attended my first CS Gathering! Celebrating Kaisa's birthday in Kuala Lumpur with a bunch of happening travelers. Kaisa herself from Estonia, her boyfriend Ciro from Portugal (which he was quite amused with my Portuguese name,haha), Carlos,Paolo and Velaria from Italy and of cos there were others too. We had great feast of drinks and food, some even passed out at the pool side. Great knowing more people. Anyway, couldn't join them tonight. My car is with the doctor, it need a healing hand. Of course, my savings are drying up as well...anyone willing to give me a sponsor? Sigh.

I watched the movie Know1ng few days ago, I do not agreethat Know1ng is a very good movie but the story really catches my attention. Tomake it short, I dissect the plot from wikipedia

“In 2009, the time capsule is opened and the drawings aregiven to the current students. A boy named Caleb receives Lucinda's envelope.

His father John Koestler, a widower and professor of astrophysics at MIT takesnotice in the paper, and further examination makes him realize that part ofthese digits form dates and death tolls of every major disaster over the pastfifty years, in chronological order, and suggests three disasters yet to come.”(Souce: Wikipedia)

Well, just as the movie ended something caught my mind andit kept pondering about it. Are we living fragile on earth, not knowing whatwill happen tomorrow or day after that. Coincidence on that day I saw themovie, it was the 2nd year that something major happened to myfamily. There were unexpected events that put me on a major shocked andsetback, does not know what to do being the pillar of the family together withmy sister. All the while, we have been hoping that our parents will do somethingwhen we have encountered a problem. Things got worst when dad passed away twomonths later; we were all unprepared to take over the charge from our latedaddy. Unprepared – that’s the word.

Back to the plot and reconnecting it with our daily life,what will it be if we can read or predict the future. Are we going to fully makeuse of the supremacy and change the history? Thence I don’t need to worry aboutthe future, just like working on something by knowing the root cause andpermanent solution prior fixing it. Simple, even kids can do it.  

On the other hand, I think God himself is a real joker…therecould be no such thing as a person to predict the future. Even a fortune tellerdoes not guarantee anything about that. God just want us to encounter and learnfrom the torment moments. It is our human nature to learn from the hardship, asnothing comes like just a spur-of-the-moment of your finger. I am not sure ifyou do believe that but I’ve learnt life hardest lesson in lieu of the hardshipthat I’ve been through.

Yesterday early morning, I got a call from Mary “John’sheartbeat stopped” and it just made my life stopped for a moment not knowinghow to responds to such news. Although I personally don’t know much about Johnbut being Mary’s brother I felt like losing someone close to us. Like the wholeposting is all about…things happen unprepared. May his departed soul rest inpeace. Amen.

"I think that, with age, people come to realize thatdeath is inevitable. And we need to learn to face it with serenity, wisdom andresignation. Death often frees us from a lot of senseless sufferings."  Paulo Coelho (TheDevil and Miss Prym: A Novel of Temptation)

Have you ever feel guilty, when you know you can avoid illtreated to someone else. Something happened today, between me and a disabledperson that needed my help. You see, I am the type of person who concentrateson my work and I disliked being disturbed when I am doing my work. I feel irritatedeasily if someone just tries to disturb me. So what happened when I was helpingout this person, she kept on asking me about this and that! I tried to be niceto her but I think after a while, I lost my patience and I told her to let mesettle one thing at a time. I felt so bad; I know with her condition she desperatelyneeded a helping hand. At the same time, I found out that she is beingdemanding as well! Sometimes I think it is not cool being too helpful, at theend it might not bring any happiness to me or the other party. Ignorance isbliss. I had many encounters whereby my help wasn’t appreciated at all! Someeven just walked away from my life. Well, possibly it is just us – a true humannature. Back to the story of me and the disabled person, I helped her and atthe end I just try to get a quick job done and walked off. I did and I justhope that I don’t make any one sided judgments.

Today is my nephew's birthday, his first birthday. Since he is in Penang, I don't get the chance to celebrate his birthday today. On the other hand, we threw him a birthday party at McCurry McDonald's last weekend back in Ipoh. After a few months didn't get to see him, I don't think he can remember how his uncle looks like

Ethan - 4 days old

Ethan - 1 Year Old Today

Happy Birthday Ethan!

David is awesome! Gonna get addicted to his music!

We all know our neighbour Sing-gah-pour is a very smart country, that's why all our fellow friends in Johor sending their kids to study there. (Children go school,daddy visit Geylang find Ah Gua) Kiasu mah! In Singapore hor, the engrand berry powderful one...you cannot tok engrand you are not Singalan Singaporean.If you can tokkok,better still!  After so many years, Sing-gah-pour always looked down on us. They have jiggy NEWater, Sentosa and Orchard Rd. But hey, at least hor...we don't send a lousy engrand speaking lady to South Africa to represent them for Miss World lor. So jia lat wei, i wonder she's a big fan of "I Not Stupid" by Jack Neo or "Dun Pray Pray" PCK Ptd Ltd.

Miss Singapore World 2009 - Lis Low

So next time you visit Sing-gah-pour, remember to go Sentosa buy a piece of bigini and gins from Orchard Rd cos only available in Sing-gah-pour. Uniquely Sing-gah-pour indeed! Hee Hee Hee.