In Kunming & still alive!!!

I have finally reached Kunming. Completed the first league of the tour and I am surprised that I have survived all the way till now. Today is the 6th day that I am having diahhroea. After the 4 days at Shangrila, climbing the Mei Li Snow Mountain (梅里雪山) and climbing down the Leaping Tiger Gorge (虎跳峡) while having food poisoning and not eating anything solid (ate like 1 cup of noodles and 1 bowl of porridge for the 4 days!) for 4 days, I am amazed that I am still here. Surely a most memorable time!

Anyhow, after 8 and half hours of bus ride over the night, we are finally in Kunming. MC is in a cafe, while HJ and I are in an internet bar that does not have Microsoft office installed on the computers so the initial notion of doing my business case is quickly over! Hence, I am blogging instead while HJ bids for her module. (Chongyao, thanks for bidding for me!)

My tummy is still churning! Darn! Oh yes, let me recount my visit to the hospital upon returning to Lijiang from Shangrila. The driver was so nice to fetch me to the hospital. Must also thank Mc and HJ for accompanying me there and helping me with alot of the horrid administration. Paid like RMB 156.40 and got loads of medicine and 3 bottles of drip. So, I sat in the hospital for about 3 hours and got dripped to replenish my fluids. The next morning after eating the medicine, I felt much better. Then I started eating alittle and by the night, I was sick again! Think my tummy is in a very very bad state. Not going to eat anything again. Lucky the doctor gave me some hydration salt!

Anyway, chin keong is still in lijiang. We left him there yesterday night. He will be staying there till 29 before going back to kuning. Have fun! You are quite dare, going to alot of places yourself!

Yvonne and Kenny, nice meeting you all in Lijiang. Looks like you have an enjoyable trip too. Continue to have fun in Chong Qing! Take Care. Beware what you eat! Don’t be like US!!!

The toilet have really been our second home for the past 5 to 6 days already.

Finally got the tickets to go Guilin today but the train only leaves at 8.51pm so, we had like long time to wait. MC wanted to go to a cafe to do his business case, while HJ and I initially decided to go to Shi Lin (石林). We had gotten onto a tour bus that was going to charge us RMB 30 for a round trip when we were told that we were the only 2 customers going there. We figured that there must have been something wrong considering that we were the only 2 people going. Fearing that we might miss our train that night, we decided not to go instead. One of the main reason was also because I wasn’t too good and I needed to visit the toilet every 1 hour to relieve the tummy! (It’s horrible! trust me, I have not had diahhroea for so long a time before!)

What’s worst is that its raining in Kunming, so HJ and MC socks are all wet! That is so demoralizing! Then plus we are all sick, sighs! I never thought the “hardship” tour would have turned out to be sooooo hardship, indeed!

Ok, I am just whining here, because I really don’t know what to do liao. Can’t do very much except whine about this whole experience. In general, I still do not regret going to Lijiang and Shangrila. I will definitely look back in the future and laugh over the entire ordeal!

Anyhow, I am now looking forward to a quick recovery, so that I can proceed on to guilin and have good fun and good food (guilin mi fen?!) …

going to nuah now! byes!

After 泸沽湖

Back from 2 days at the lake. The trip there was an ardous 6 hours bus ride!
The lake was moderately beautiful. (After 九寨沟 no other water body seems to look as good.) The culture of the place, however, was very interesting and exciting.

Next Stop – Shangrila. Will be there for 4 days!

云南：昆明，大理，丽江

I am in Li Jiang!
Reached here at about 10 pm on 19th Dec 2005! That was after a 3 hours bus ride from Dali. Dali Old City was very nice, but when we saw the Li Jiang Old City, we were blown away! The place is just so happening!
Of the 3 places I have been to so far (Kunming, Dali and Li Jiang) Kunming ranks the most boring, then Dali was good and Li Jiang was GREAT!
Anyhow, checked into a Youth Hostel in the Old City and its like only RMB 80 for 3 person room with attached toilet! Tmr will be following a bus to 泸沽湖 or 2 days to see a beautiful lake then off to Shangrila for 4 days!
Everything is great, except for the fact that lter I would have to leave the internet bar and head back to my room and work on my business case. At least for 1 hours or so, so that I can slowly move forward.
Anyhow, this is just a short entry and will be having a nice travelogue when I get back! Yea!
Cheers! … ET is happi!

Holiday begins!

Next phase begins!

Finally decided to post something significant before I head for my trip in a couple of hours. This will be the final trip that I have been talking and planning for for such a long time! Finally, its here! Its like a turning point again.

Anyway, like I keep repeating, there is alot of first that happened in Shanghai. So, the lastest being – I got drunk! I did not get drunk the last time when I had so many glasses of Chinese Wine with my company, but this time around at the “Thank You” Dinner on 16 Dec 2005, I think I really drank more than my fair share of beer. It was as though Heineken was on free flow, which was really what it seemed. (In fact, I wasn’t the only one drunk, some Mr GY was also drunk.)

First thing – Thanks to everyone for helping me when I was drunk. I really really needed it and I really appreciate it … shuhui, yvonne, mc, cheewei, etc … whom I dun even recall helped me! haha! (Like I said, I was drunk!)

Then I must say that whatever I said when I was drunk might be true, most probably be true, but whatever the case, if you think whatever I said needs to be taken with a pinch of salt or censored, please do me a favour and take it with a pinch of salt or censor it. HJ: Your yu rong fu really sucks! But all that matters is that it keeps you warm. KC: no, I dun think HJ is the most attractive girl around, though she surely has her charm. (HJ no offence!) Any other matters I need to clear up, please approach me! (“,)

The KTV at Pudong Shanghai Ge Cheng was really a very comfortable place to sleep. Konked out when my butt hit the sofa. That was after I had to navigate myself into the building after being left outside in the cold by the rest of the group, cos’ I just wandered off for a bit … heh! Lucky, I could still call people! Still sane, alittle! (sarah, lucky you never come haha!!! I think prof teo would have interesting stories to tell the rest of noc, about shanghai people. Now, another name for me too. Edwin ‘Zong’ and also the dr$%k!? oops! darn!)

Anyway, the feeling of being high is like totally out of this world. To a certent extent it was good! But it scares me alittle as well. Why? Cos’ when I am drunk, I know perfectly what I am saying to each and everyone of you, but nonetheless, I say it anyway. Its like totally lowered inhibitions and defenceless! Well, I am definitely staying away from Alcohol for a while!

South Beauty!
A very nice restaurant, bar place along Yanan Road 881.
The food was great, a fusion between Si Chuan and Cantonese … for 9 of us, the bill hit RMB 1231 … hmm alright for the class of the food!
Then we subsequently adjourned to a pub which was part of the place, for jazz and desserts … our bill RMB 829.
Indulgence in Chocolates! yum yum!
For mc and kc it was mostly indulgence in eye candy … the jazz singer! haha! I am sure you can refer to KC’s blog for pictures of the singer!

oh … in 4 hours, I would be on the bus to go to the airport! Exciting!

Ask, and you shall be given!

The amount of believe that I possess now is quite high. I never tried to ask for something. Maybe I will really ask for something and see if it really comes true! I’m very uncertain about it, cos’ its like taking a gamble and, yes once again, its something that I have never tried before. (mind you, I have still yet to try smoking.) It would be like a huge step, but I am torn between knowing what the feeling would be like and giving up the current status quo of things. Hmm … life is such a dilemma … why can’t things be Just Simple! Things happening when they need to, things beginning when they have to, things starting when they can! Perhaps, no solutions or scenarios there are that I can or should ask for. I should just ask for “Peace” to settle it. When peace comes, then the mind will clear and everything can happen in their time. Gosh, I am being so enigmatic here … sorry hor … I am not DRUNK … haha! No alcohol today, like I said!

Enough crap … going to start packing for the trip. Packing in the laptop too, cos’ have to do Business Case and Analysis and Internship Report and Business case Presentation along the way to submit by 31 dec.

Good night people, and till another time … bye!

Last Day at MBO

Today is the last day of work!

 

Finally cleared all the documents, files everything properly, categorize everything, left behind notes on how to use, when to use, where to find, etc, sent out emails to inform clients I am leaving, sent out thank you emails, clear up PC in office, uninstall alot of programs, delete alot of personal stuff, remove alot of rubbbish, defragmenting the computer and now, I think I am done with all the house keeping.

 

I have mixed feelings about the time I have spent in MBO, but nonetheless, it had been a most memorable time in my life! The last time I will be looking out of the window of my office that reveals a glimpse of Nanjing East Road.

 

2 days before I fly for my trip to Yunnan and I do not forsee myself completing all my reports before then. I shall be bringing my laptop along for travel and attempt to complete the reports along the way!

 

I am not exactly upset or anything. I am just in a very contemplative mood (which of course occasionally borders on fustration, regret and unhappiness) trying to look back on this 1 year. On what I have done, what I have learnt, how I have grown or matured, how I have become better or stronger (if any?)? So much questions, yet so few answers. I realize the answers are for me to find out, so I say "I patiently seek". If anyone would like to assist in helping me seek faster, feel free!

“Nostalgia”

speak to me in a language i can hear (that i can understand)
humour me before i have to go (away from everything)
deep in thought i forgive everyone (for they have forgave me?)
as the cluttered streets greet me once again (too many people, too much noise!)
i know i can’t be late, supper’s waiting on the table
tomorrow’s just an excuse away (but, still it comes whether you like it or not!)

so I pull my collar up and face the cold, on my own (I walk on … )
the earth laughs beneath my heavy feet (I trudge on … )
at the blasphemy in my old jangly walk (I carry on … )
steeple guide me to my heart and home (I seek on … )
the sun is out and up and down again (I see and I shall find … )

Almost there!

Strike 1
Strike 2

One by one, I am striking off the items on my checklist! Good thing!

One by one, the day to fly off to Yunnan is nearing! Good Thing! Bad Thing!

No deep entries here, for whoever is looking for it. I am preoccupied with too many matters to be blogging. Anyhow, recently blogging has lost its appeal. After all, its just another place to vent anger and what’s the point of venting anything when it is more often than not subjected to the same rules of self censorship that is imposed on alot of things that are censored too.

Too some people, I might be a person who is too enigmatic – i.e. too much secrets, but I feel sometimes that I am too easy to read if you bother to figure me out. Anyhow, that is yet another story that needs not or will not be elablorated further here.

Next up: Business Case Analysis

Food, Glorious Food!

I am full! Very full indeed!

It had been days of indulgence. Leading an extravagent lifestyle while I am still away from the practicality of life back home. Living a life that I would not do anywhere else, at least not right now. From Shopping, to eating at Kenny Rogers, Drinks at Shintori, Food at Si Chuan Restaurant, Drinks at CJW Xintiandi, Buffet at Japanese Buffet, the extravagence simply plays itself out in a unstoppable motion. I’ve spent near RMB 1K since my brother came to Shanghai. Is it me? Or is it him?

Sure its nice to indulge in class and extravagence every so often. It takes away sorrows, eliminates the worldly suffering and for that moment, it extricates you and immerse one into another place and time where worries do not exist, where past and future makes no difference, cos’ all you want to do and care about is enjoying the moment right in the present.

And then, the moment ends, you are stolen back into the cold (it is cold in Shanghai.) and all your senses come alive again. The sore throat, the blocked nose, the aching legs, the painful shoudlers, the mindless worries, the endless to dos, the insufferable deadlines, the towering tasks that await, they all come swarming back. Like a host of locust they cloud out the clear sky and drown you in a mess of noise and immeasurable darkness.

And you walk on, because its all you can think of that will get you out of this. Yet, you are unsure as to whether the path truly lies in the direction you have chosen to travel. All around looks the same. It’s do it or wait around and be consumed.

Walking on, you begin to pick out faint lights, distant landmarks that call out to your faded memory. You were here before! A place that you had forgotten when you were lost. Is coming back to familiarity the way to go? Or, is finding new horizons the better course of action?

You make no decision. Standing there. Still in the cold. (Hoping it won’t get worst with rain!) Waiting, while precious moments pass you by. Your hair pales into a lighter shade of white. Your skin tightens with ridges. Your energy ebbs. Your sight shortens. Your breath quickens. Yet, you continue to wait.

What are you waiting for? Do you even know what you are waiting for?

Are you waiting for fear of the unknown? Waiting in anticipation for an epiphany? Or simply waiting because there really isn’t anywhere to go?

—
and once again, I should “win” and award for the wonderful story that I have conceptualize! hahaha!

1 more week to end of internship

time flies! its really coming to an end now!
I haven’t been in a very contemplative mood recently, mostly because I don’t want to think about anything. And, the truth is that I have been rather irate recently. Easily disturbed by mundane things, easily fustrated by matters around me. I’m sure its not any single issue that is causing this. It surely has to be a combination of many factors that add up for something to happen like this.

just read an email from a friend and it has wonderful advice:

1. Decide to let go of what you cannot change.
2. Decide to get happy.
3. Take back the responsibility for your own joy.

You are as happy as you get urself to be! Ok, now the challenge is to be happy and to be responsible to myself too! (“,)

Surely, it will happen. Its time for divine intervention! “Ask, and it shall be given you.” (“,)

peaceful

it’s oh, so peaceful here
There’s no one bending over my shoulder
Nobody breathing in my ear

In the morning fun when no one will be drinking any more wine
I’ll wake the sun up by givin’ him a fresh air full of the wind cup
And I won’t be found in the shadows hiding sorrow
And I can wait for fate to bring to me any part of my tomorrow.