The Farmer and the Land

A friend of mine recently relate to me a particularly intruguing
story. Of a Farmer and a Land.

Once upon a time, there is a piece of Land. Perhaps during its glorier
days have been pretty captivating.
But as time moves on, the Land began to dry...and the number of
farmers interested in this piece of land has decreased dramatically.
There is one particular Farmer though, for few years have not given up
on this piece of land. This Farmer nurtured the land whenever a chance
is given.
The Land knew the Farmer was interested and keen to acquire it to
start a garden or perhaps grow it into a potato farm, with lotsa small
potatoes.
But the Land being the choosy one chose to keep that Farmer at bay and
rather let no one tend to it instead. Years gone by, not a single new
and potential farmer show up...and the Land grew wearier as it began
to dry up. The price of the Land has dropped significantly. Bidders
were few or none. Except for the particular Farmer who still bid the
Land at its once peak price. In the end, the Land finally accepted
that bid. I would believe the Farmer would have been the most happiest
person. Finally the bid has won the Farmer its prized Land. But will
the prized Land be worth the same land it used to be back then? And
will the Land still be satisfied with the bid price...and produce the
Farmer with equal quality of flowers and potatoes? Will the Farmer be
forever happy although knowing that it is not the Land's first choice
but rather no-choice?
Life is mostly about demand and supply, but in this case...life is
just fascinating! Stay tuned for the next boring episode of the Farmer
and its mundane piece of Land.

Caffeine Junkie

All my life...from the moment i started drinking till this day, i have never consume more than 3 cups of gourment coffee per day.
But on this day of my 32nd anniversary i took up a challenge to down 4 in 4 hours. Thats a simple math of 1 cup / hour!
Although i do not need to fork out a single cent, it is not the monetary value that i worry about. What lies ahead...is frightening.
Machiato, Latte, Mocha and Cappucino. The cocktail mixologist in me were screaming when the challenge was thrown, i gulped it down and pressed on.
Its 1630, and i still have the Cappucino and about 1/4 of Mocha to go. I'm feeling rather sick already. I hope I wont throw up in office and make fool in front of my new colleagues.

Get set, ready...FLY!

This is my 2nd week into my 5th or 6th job. I couldnt properly keep track now. Like all the past jobs I've held, the first 6 months to a year...it is all good and jolly...well, most of the jobs at least. This one is no difference and i'm keeping the ball rolling on my own with a few gentle push and tugs.

I've been to the Gym twice now with M, my new staff pass allows me access to Intercontinental's Clark Hatch for free. The first thing among others which i'm glad about. I've made a pact with M, this will be our Thursday evenings from now on.

Next best thing should come in May; and it will most likely occupy my Wednesday nights...but the story will have to wait until then.

This evening, after work... myself and Terrence rushed over to Lavendar eagerly seeking our new thrill. After paying 160$, and 1.5hours later, we both agreed that we would be doing this again for many more times to come. Though we both left feeling alot worse...AND better than before. Worse for the fear of what tomorrow may bring to our fragile and weak body...better for the fact that we are now acolytes of Sifu Chua. We just acquired our Level 1 - 小念头. We can bring some pain to petty thieves now! My new Monday routine for many more months to come; or at least that's what i hope.

That leaves me with only Tuesday and Friday. If all goes according to plan, my Tuesdays will be filled up pretty soon. And I think I'm gonna leave my Fridays for some Happy Hour, just in case ;)

The long road home

From the thrill and new breath of air when i stepped out of my old company, to my uneventful but relaxed break back home, to the hazy weather and chilly streets of Hanoi. Time has flown by me by 3 weeks or so.

I've managed to finished the book of souls and left it in the good hands of dylan. The tiring trip to Halong Bay...the dreadful 3.5hours drive from Hanoi to Halong City...the boring boat ride into the bay but splendour cave exploration...and the other dreadful 3.5hours bus ride back to Hanoi...with a drunken German guy bashing away political trash with an American at the back of bus...its all a very tiring 'adventure', and it was just the only beginning. Not to mentioned i've been conned twice by cab drivers...one armed with a fake taxi meter that beats even faster than my old heart could take, the other...a pretentious scumbag who 'mistakenly' took my 100k as 10k, and i only realize it till way after.

On my 3rd day, just when i'm waking up from a late night of watching 'the nottie and the hottie' with dylan till 3am, i was greeted with the news of his father's passing. He was up way earlier than me and was already rushing out of the door right after telling me to make myself at home and to lock up the doors when i leave on Sunday. I was still...striken. The entire day, i couldnt help but to think of the tragedy...a death all so sudden...and it had to happen when i was visiting. Somehow it took a big bite on my mood for the rest of the day. I spent the day wandering the museum and old prison house...and having ice cream...and again, walking by the big lake. I paid a persistent motor driver - Van, 140K for taking me around the few places in his motorbike. Something which i thought would probably help clear my head from the weather, i'm glad it did somewhat. It's another hazy day out, a gray afternoon and it began to drizzle past 6pm just right after i was done with some light souvenir shopping. I decided to flag a cab back and had a quick dinner by the cafe downstairs.

It's 930pm back home...830pm local time. The nights' still new, the streets still bustling with honks and beeps. I just wish tomorrow would come sooner, I'm eager to go back home. I've booked another ticket...one earlier than my supposed flight. One which i've spent a handsome amount on...but the thoughts of having to spend another full day here having to wander town alone in such a mood sort of makes everything worthwhile. I'm only looking forward to go home, spend some time in the company of friends and silently prepare for my 1st new day at work. I hope dylan is pulling through alright, i made a silent prayer at the shrine by the museum earlier. In the hopes that his father would find redemption soon.

Today

Today is 立春. Today is also the day I sign my new employment contract. Today, is the day I resign from my current company. Today is a good day indeed.

The all new things to come...

This new year, for the past 6 days; i can't say it's been the best the new year i've seen. And yet, it wasn't the worst either. I dont recall having a start which is really that bad to be called worst.

On new year's eve, there was Karaoke with the folks from work. We got early release on that day, so we sang our hearts out at Party World till 8PM. Though i'm still having my stiches over the spot where my right wisdom tooth used to be..i did a couple of oldies to soothe the pain. Then we went over to Cineleisure to catch Avatar in 3D, was a pretty interesting show. My 2nd 3D movie, so far i have not been disappointed in any way. Well worth the price of 13$.

By the time we finish the show it was already 1130ish PM. Almost due for countdown. A few people ran off right after the movie, fearing the crowd after the countdown. I stayed behind with another friend, we rushed over to Marina; was halfway across cityhall by the memorial...when they let off the fireworks. So we just stood by the roadside, spending about 15mins tilting our heads over the lights. Not the most mesmerizing fireworks i've seen, but i suppose its better than watching a pathetic tv box at home.

Got some icecreams from Ah Pek by the road side for 1$ a cup and headed for supper. Called a cab and reached home by 330am. Not a bad one i must say. I'm grateful for the company that i keep.

6 days onwards, i made a decision. Today, i told my boss that i would agree to take up the new post that he offered me the day before the year ended. No, it is not a promotion. It is just a change of role. Someone resigned, i was just offered a chance to fill-in. Judging from the lack of things on my department...i dont suppose i would have alot of 'choice'. I have my dream. But sometimes dream have to give way to reality. Perhaps my dream will have to be on hold till my next slumber. Reality checks are always painful. For now, i guess i'm just gonna have to bear with the pain, grit my teeth and move on. I'm feeling alot restless, hopefully the dust would settle soon. I do not like this feeling, where i'm trying best to gauge, to feel what i'm suppose to be feeling...like finding a missing button in the dark with your eyes close...and not recalling if your button is square or round...this is not a good feeling, it's not easy to get people to share either.

i'm hoping its all gonna turn out better, for a better year and when the year comes to an end, i can relook into this entry and said i've done a pretty good job. Like BBfren use to say, Hope Springs Eternal. I only hope eternal is forever.

Spendid way to end the year

I have stopped writing, or least i thought i have. Alot of misfortunate events have followed thus so far, and i havent been able to concentrate nor on work or on personal life. The bleeding from my gums the past few days have been ascertained to be the effects of my third molar, a.k.a wisdom tooth. Got it extracted earlier for a hefty price of 700$! Hopefully my dental budget from work can cover this.

After my extraction i called home. Yes, i was feeling rather homesick then. Incidentally, Dad said he extracted his just a few days back for just a mere RM60. Why such a big difference? {shrugs} Perhaps...oh well, i really cant think of anything to assume.

The bleeding hasnt stop since 6pm. It is now 12:10am. I hope i still can see daylight tomorrow. Doc has given me 3 days to cover for this minor surgery. I was wondering why earlier, now that i'm beginning to feel the sore in the jaw and my forehead warming up than usual. I think i can guess why i was given 3 days.

It looks horrible, when the nurse asked if i wanted to 'take home'. I told her no, then i thought why not. For 'remembrance'. Now, i kinda regretted that decision. How am i gonna dispose of this part of me...down the trash can just dont feel quite right...