Pisces Star Cruise at Night...

Dear Diary, 

Mom and I finally booked two tickets to STAR cruise.

The leading cruise line in Asia Pacific

     We were suppose to be onboard this ship last week. However, due to the 7.1 magnitude earthquake in Jakarta which shoke the region here, we decided to call it quits; fearing there will be a potential tsunami hitting the island.

     The ship is 12-storey high and the boarding/disembarking section is at level 3. The moment we stepped into the ship, we were filled with anxiety. We wanted to discover what the enormous ship had to offer. First and foremost, of course was to try the buffet. It was very inviting especially when there were walking band crew to play music at our table. The music completed the romantic settings. There were many activities to choose from; swimming to watching movie, shopping to singing karaoke, and also GAMBLING.

A long queue at buffet dinner

     At 1:00 am, we had finished exploring most parts of the ship. It isn't that big afterall. We decided to have a hot cup of hazelnut coffee each as we sat there watching people passing us by. It was simply relaxing. We then took a walk on the deck overlooking..... hmm.... nothing. It was way too dark at night to see the horizons that separates the sky from the sea. Only calm emptiness greeted us as we looked out the ship.

     By 5:00 am, I could feel my body not belonging to me any longer. Felt as though I was floating on air. Perhaps it was due to lack of sleep. After having the breakfast buffet, I slept on the table, the sofa, and the arm chair, anywhere I could place my heavy head.

    10:00 am, time for disembarkment. I was wide awake by then. I missed the trip yet I missed my bed more. Hence, Mom and I headed home at long last. I was in slumberland for the next 14 hours.

Love Jo.

The essence of time?

Dear Diary,

Ah Pa took me shopping the other day and he insisted on buying me a new watch. I kept wondering why. I already have three watches at home which are still working well. Then, he shared with me some words of wisdoms.

'Time is invaluable. Time waits for no man... or woman. Make full use of YOUR time.'

     Not that I don't know the importance of using time wisely, somehow I find myself continually wasting it away. Is there something that I could do to mend my ways? Even while writing this post, I realised time is passing me by and it's never coming back. How how how?!?!  The  time  in my life is ticking away and I hadn't accomplish much.

Love Jo.

Reminiscing the past in Melaka...

Dear Diary,

02.04.2010 , We drove down to Melaka. It is a small simple town rich with prehistorical events. It all started here from the time of Parameswara, who founded Melaka. Somehow when we reached here, I couldn't help looking at everything with a big awe.

Day 1
Drove around town while exploring the antique architechural building designs. Jonkers street (also known as Jalan Hang Jebat) was our first destination. Handicraft and souvenier stores, boutiques, cafeterias as well as museums; all could be found on this street. The best mode of traveling around town is by foot. However, the weather condition in melaka is rather unpredicatable. At one time, the sun was scorching hot while another, it rained heavily. Luckily enough I was well prepared (with the help of my umbrella which broke under the heavy rain). The people in melaka are extremely friendly, probably tourists get extra attention that's why... But they still deserve a thumbs-up.

At Jonker's street

   
Ride a boat along 'lil Venice'

     Hunting for good food topped the list of to-dos in Melaka as well. It left us drolling for more, we just couldn't get enough of it. The satay celup in Capitol, the nyonya and baba laksa, the durian topping ais kacang, the ball like chicken rice; there's just no end to this list. 

Irresistable, Tempting and Delicious

      The night life in Jonkers street was extremely different from during the day. There were stalls after stalls lining up across the streets. The beautifully litted town looked so alive by night time. Some people were selling their craftworks and food while some danced to the music in a large hall. Some just sits around by the lounge watching others passing by. 

     After a long walk, we took a stroll around A Famosa. Everything is so serene. Only the sounds of trishaws broke the silence of the night once in awhile. Our final stop of the day was at a cafe by 'The Jetty'. The cafe is built over the sea. It was a romantic spot; a wonderful getaway from the hustle and bustle of city life. 

Trishaws walking the streets of Melaka at night

Two feet above sea level at 'The Jetty'

Day 2
Tried some of the best nyonya kuihs in Melaka.

After filling our stomachs, we were ready to visit the rest of the tourists' spots we missed yesterday. Visiting museum in Melaka was alot more fun than it looked.

1. Stadhuys Christchurch 

2. A Famosa Fort

3. St Paul's Church       
There are only some rumbles of the building left. But it is located at the peak of a hill which overlooked most of Melaka. Scenic spot for photoshooting.

   
Told ya it was scenic for photoshooting..

4. Dutch Cemetery

5. Istana Sultan (RM3 per admission)
This is a replica of the real istana.  There are many stories being told in each chamber of thecastle among which the story of our malacca hero, Hang Tuah. We managed to play a tradisional game of marbles called 'congkak'.  

6. Stamp Musuem (RM1 per admission)
It isn't a big musuem but there are many historical moments displayed through those stamps.  One of the stamps which I simply love was the 5 cents stamp. It was cut into two pieces to make 2 and 3 cents stamps. This was due to the shortage of 2 and 3 cents stamps in the post office. Hence, the 5 cents stamps have to be cut and initialed one by one.

7. Maritime Musuem (RM3 per admission)
It is a musuem in a large ship. One of the sad stories told was : A large ship sunk a few minutes after departing from the habour on its first voyage. Many people on board died. This story reminded me of 'Titanic'. Don't you think?

After all that exploring, it was night time and we decided to drive to Port Dickson for seafood. We got lost somewhere between Melaka and Port Dickson but luckily Bebe got his GPS working. We managed to get back on the right path. The seafood in Weng Yin Seafood restaurant was great probably we were really hungry by then. Then we took a walk in the pasar malam near by before going to the beach. There we walked along the beach, played with a mini-crab, build a miniature lagoon while waiting for low tide at sea. By the time we headed home, it was late midnight. We could not imagine at the end of the day we walked that much distance and not feel tired a single bit. It was fun and worth a second visit. 

Love Jo.

'...but I still know who she is.'

Here's a love story of an old man:

It was a busy morning, about 8:30, when an elderly gentleman in his 80’s arrived to have stitches removed from his thumb. He said he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9:00 am.

I took his vital signs and had him take a seat, knowing it would be over an hour before someone would be able to see him. I saw him looking at his watch and decided, since I was not busy with another patient, I would evaluate his wound. On exam, it was well healed, so I talked to one of the doctors, got the needed supplies to remove his sutures and redress his wound.

While taking care of his wound, I asked him if he had another doctor’s appointment this morning, as he was in such a hurry. The gentleman told me no, that he needed to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife. I inquired as to her health.

He told me that she had been there for a while and that she was a victim of Alzheimer’s Disease.

As we talked, I asked if she would be upset if he was a bit late. He replied that she no longer knew who he was, that she had not recognized him in five years now. I was surprised, and asked him, ‘And you still go every morning, even though she doesn’t know who you are?’

He smiled as he patted my hand and said, ‘She doesn’t know me, but I still know who she is.’

I had to hold back tears as he left, I had goose bumps on my arm, and thought,‘That is the kind of love I want in my life.’

True love is neither physical, nor romantic. True love is an acceptance of all that is, has been, will be, and will not be. The happiest people don’t necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everythingthey have. ‘Life isn’t about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain.

Woohoo~~~

Dear Diary,

Chinese New Year has just ended today with the 15th Lunar Day. Woohoo~~~~ Welcoming the new Year of the Tiger with a loud roar. 

Day 1
14.02.2010, the new year falls on the same day as the Valentine's Day this year... Celebrating both festivities with family at a relative's home. Every year without missed, there will be a steamboat enough to feed the mouths of 20-30 ppl. So every hour of the day is about eating, eating and more eating... Within a few hours, the stomach is already as hard as overcooked jelly. After all the hard work of eating, i laid flat on a sofa with the rest of the family while enjoying the cny telecast on tv. Ah~~~ the joy of sitting around doing nothing...

Day 2
He reached here from his hometown. Mamak on second day of cny was the only choice we had for eating out. Most of the chinese cafeterias and hawker food stalls were not opened. At home, we watched a valentine's special movie on tv. They arranged 4 complete strangers to form two separate couples. It was one of the funniest moment when one of the couples; a thin tall man ended up being with a short big sized woman. They have to prove their love in front of their in-laws. At night we were playing cards at my aunt's. 

Day 3
We met with our photographer. Yes... another free outdoor photo shoot for couples! We had to plan the theme, the dress code, the types of emotions, all in advance... 
That night, I had a reunion with my ex-high schoolmates. It's an all-girls gathering.. But I brought him along... I loved how he blend in with my friends, sitting there patiently as I chatted with all of them. Deep down inside, I was really proud of introducing him there.

Day 4
Our photoshoot is TODAY!!! ...and we hadn't packed our attires. We slept in late after clubbing the night before. We were looking like two half-dead zombies walking around. To our surprise, the photoshoot location was exactly beside a large drain... No wonder it's free... *sigh*
By the time we reached home it was night time, thanks to the massive bumper to bumper car jam.. We decided to walk all the way to Kek Lok Si temple soon after. WALKING there was not a brilliant idea especially when you have had a long day before you... We were limping back and stopping at each bus stop for a seat on our way back. 

Day 5
Visiting from house to house with coursemates... We then took a bus to KL together. As soon as we reached KL-Puduraya, we dropped our bag at the luggage centre, then off we go to Petaling streets for dinner and some shopping.

Day 6
Movie's day with his parents. We booked tickets for four at Timesquare GSC cineplex for '72 tenants'. The movie was hilarious but there was not much storyline. We had KFC for lunch before we continue on our shopping spree. His mother cooks great tasting soups, which we could never have enough. We went to Isaac's house for another gambling session.

Day 7
We had attended two reunions on this day. One was with his civil engineering coursemates at Shogun, 1 Utama. Japanese buffet with many selections of food to choose from. I personally love the cheese baked snails. We had a very heavy dinner too with his KL friends, during the second reunion gathering. Again, we were having 'maths classes' in Rachel's house. It was a fun activity especially when it involves cards and mahjung.

Day 8
We woke up to have an early breakfast at the market near his house. I felt sad as it was about time for me to bid farewell to him and my holiday... I cried on the bus, seeing him going off. I'm sure I am going to miss him... AGAIN... 

Love Jo.