Sex And The City

Mood: Relaxed

Listening to: Hitz TV on Astro

Time flies so quickly without realisation.

Chinese New Year is almost over, my long-awaited trip back to Kuching has ended and now my real adventure begins.

In a space of 3 weeks, I’ve rushed through the following activities…

1. Reunion with my mum and dad – who never cease to drop hints about my getting hitched…

2. Reconnected with high-school friends, ex-colleagues, old flames – funny how almost everyone is married, except me…

3. Met new friends and acquaintances – I’m slowly organising the names and numbers in my phonebook…

4. Celebrated CNY and visited too many homes while having eaten, drank and gambled too much – I’ve put on 3 kgs…

5. Got a new job, new house, new car – I just need a new free “personal assistant-cum-translator”…

Yes, it’s been a hell of a month. And it’s been really fun.

And now I’m back in Kuala Lumpur.

So far, the past few nights have been no less exciting.

I’ve gotten myself lost while driving – even with the GPS on – and encountered road blocks while trying to familiarise myself with new hangouts.

Today, I’m taking it easy.

Special mention goes out to the very beautiful Eiling who has been extremely gracious, accommodating and helpful during my initial trip here. She treated me to a scrumptious steamboat dinner and the most exquisite roast-pork lunch ever

I’m looking forward to doing a bit more exploration this weekend, once I’ve gotten enough sleep to make up for the past month…

2009, A New Adventure

Mood: Mixed Feelings

Listening to: I’m Leaving On A Jet Plane by Aerosmith

I’ve packed my bags, all ready to go.

Saying goodbye without knowing when I’ll be back again.

KL, here I come.

What life holds for me, no one knows.

Only time will tell…

Adieu, 2008

Mood: Melancholic

Listening to: Goodbye Yellow Brick Road by Elton John

How time flies in a blink of an eye.

2008 is almost over, 2009 is nearly upon us.

Only 7 more hours to go, the sands of time is unrelenting and inexorable…

*****

I’ve always had my way of putting things in perspective with each passing of the year.

It comes with experience and observation, and so far my so-called theory hasn’t failed me.

You see, it goes something like this…

A year that begins positively, ends negatively.

And vice versa.

Therefore, it is always better to start the year in a mediocre fashion.

At least I know how it’ll end…

*****

In retrospect, 2008 has been a very poor year for me.

But along the way, I did experience some highs.

And so it is that I’m ending the year on the low, not to mention the beginning of the new year as well.

At least I hope, that 2009 will usher in a new era for me personally.

*****

Wishing all of you a very happy new year indeed. May you keep your resolutions and may peace, prosperity and good health be bestowed upon you.

All I Want For Christmas

Mood: Peaceful

Listening to: All I Want For Christmas by Mariah Carey

Without risking sounding like a beauty queen, all I really want for Christmas is love and happiness for all mankind.

And world peace too.

After experiencing all the ups and downs and unexpected twists and turns throughout the whole year, it’s always refreshing to just take a step back, breathe and take stock our lives.

What better time to do it than during Christmas, a season of joy and blessing.

A time for God, family, friends and all loved ones. But most importantly, a time for ourselves too.

Merry Christmas to you and your family. May you find love and peace during this festive season!

Moon 月 亮

Mood: Tranquil

Listening to: 月 亮 代 表 我 的 心 (Yue Liang Dai Biao Wo De Xin) by Teresa Teng

Mid Autumn Festival.

Also known as Moon Cake Festival.

One of my favourite events of the year in the Chinese calendar, it’s a time to enjoy delicious moon cakes and light up lanterns.

Contrary to many people’s perception that moon cakes are too sweet, unhealthy and the like, I’m not bothered at all. If you exercise hard enough, you shouldn’t have to worry about calories.

I love moon cakes.

*****

I bought a box of moon cakes from Sunnybank today.

There are so many brands on display, ranging from the expensive to the more affordable.

The famous Wing Wah brand was a tad pricey so I bought the mid-range ones…

Imported from Macau

Assorted flavours - red bean, lotus, green tea and coffee

Afternoon cuppa - moon cake and kwan yin tea

Sipping tea and savouring moon cakes while watching the TVB drama, Moonlight Resonance.

Asian style cuppa, just the way I like it.

*****

The Australian Weather Bureau is forecasting fine weather tonight.

I think I might just pull out a deck chair, hang out at my back yard and gaze at the moon.

The perfect complement would be to play the soothing tunes of 战 台 风 on the 箏 (Gu Zheng) while hoping that a beautiful maiden would suddenly fly down into my arms, just like in the wuxia films.

Unfortunately, I’m not in one and I can’t play it either. Even if I tried, I’d only attract wild possums from the trees.

Definitely need some professional lessons from eiling.

*****

Starlight, star bright.

Complementing the moonlight.

Resonating through the night.

Such joy to behold a wondrous sight.

我 就 是 喜 欢 看 月 亮 …

Note: Coming from an English background, learning writing and reading chinese characters by myself and without the help of a tutor is really challenging. Speaking Mandarin and Cantonese is at least easier, thanks to Hong Kong’s TVB and Taiwan’s TTV.