Final Friday ~ Art Show

Where Stephanie asked me whether I wanted to go to Tailgate party then watched the homecoming football game or went downtown to Art Show, I have no second thoughts about the answer. Of course the Art Show! We then met up with Stephanie's friend (Ellen) and went over to Art Show.

This is the Art Show held in the Cincinnati Downtown that the artists in the same studio locations open up their workshops to public every last Friday of the month for potential buyers or exhibiting artworks.

The paintings and artworks exhibited were in various styles. New artists, established and famous painter, professional buyer, gallery owners, students and many others crowded this 7 storey building which is situated in an eerie neighborhood in Cincinnati downtown.

We were sipping red wine prepared by the galleries, wandering wandering around, eating cheese and crackers, commenting and appreciating artworks in the same time. It is really a cosmopolitan experience for me!

There are many good painters and I always thought Europe has more talented artists than USA; but Cincinnati Art community are no kidding, they are excellent too!

We decided to leave after 2 hours and while walking to our car, we were so alert and frighten of the surrounding until we got into the car and released our fear. Although not many part of Cincinnati Downtown gave you this kind of feeling, but this was the first experience I ever had in this US trip to feel unsafe!.

After our late dinner and we finally got back, Stephanie's husband told us that there were 2 people shot dead in the same neighborhood, just two blocks from the art show. Did you know it? Of course we did not!

Luckily I was not told about the neighborhood beforehand otherwise I would have missed the great Art Show!

Paris Ticket

When I told Stephanie that I used to travel on the budget airline and visited many cities with low cost and average budget, I can see her envious eyes with unbelievable reaction.

Well, while she was busy working her budget chart for business planning, I am using her laptop at home to book my Paris trip for November 3-7 weekend with EURO 45 return ticket!

I was very relaxed staying home, reading, playing the Soduko and relaxing by her pool.

Traveling is always inspired me and I hope to really see Paris before I return to Malaysia since my first visit back in 2002 was less than 24 hours! Perhaps, I shall bring along the Da Vicci Code and look for what Dan Brown has offered his reader in this novel before Tom Hanks' movie gestures hit the screen next year!

My name is Earl

Quoted from Entertainment Weekly :
The Pot : Petty crook Earl is hit by a car seconds after winning the lottery and then, while hospitalized, he learns about karma courtesy of Carson Daly's talk sho. He compiles a list of everyone he's done wrong (268 sins and counting) and sets out to make good, one misdeed a time.

Keith recorded today's episode and I watched it for the first time! It was really funny and the humors was different from other comedy I had seen. Although Stephanie has to explain to me who is who or what, I enjoyed the show very much.

Because of Earl, I started to think : what if I strike lottery in America?

The PowerBall lottery jackpot was about 259 millions before I left for St Louis, perhaps I shall buy a dollar or two and see my luck!

If if I won the lottery, will I be like Earl and start listing my sins...... oh no!

Kicking off 2nd part of Cincinnati stay...

Today is my final day with Scott's family. I will stay with Stephanie over at the other part of Cincinnati city for next 5 days.

We went over to Stephanie's house for dinner at 6.30pm. It was so great to see her again after so many years since we last met in KL years and years ago.(we could not even remember when!)

I was overwhelmed by her new house and two beautiful daughters.

We had a gorgeous dinner at the back yard; breeze was awesome and the atmosphere was just fantastic.

I definitely enjoyed my stay with Scott & his family especially have a wonderful time having great family fun with his family members.

Tonight, I am going to experience different family fun Stephanie is offering me. I am sure I will have plenty in my journal/blog after this second part of my stay.

Ok, let's kick start of this different Cincinnati experience now....

Traders' World vs Flea Market

We went to Aimee's Dad's house today for lunch before we went to the Trader's World. Lunch was typical American food : fried chicken and potatos, with pecan pie as dessert.

Thereafter, we went to the Trader's World, which is supposed to be a flea market thingy where people trade old and used stuff with collectors or buyers. But today, there are many different kind of stalls selling different types of things in this closed area which is only open on Sunday.

We were browsing stalls by stalls, from Golf Set to Levis Jeans, from Used Pots to old books, from Dog food to American Subs, you name it, they have it.

We did not buy anything at the end of the day. We were just wandering around and did our favourite people watching.

We drop by Aimee's mum's house and went to Chinese restaurant on our way home. It was operated to serve local American folks hence the tastes were very much modified to meet local satisfaction. I enjoyed the company though...

Apple Festival at City of Lebanon, OH

We went to the Apple Festival today after Andie's swimming class at YMCA. It was at the downtown of City of Lebanon in Ohio State. I wonder what is the connection of this Lebanon and that Middle East Lebanon. I did not ask, just wonder...

It is apple season now, therefore you can find apple festival elsewhere where all kind of apple related food and grocery stalls are set up to sell. A famous hotel "Golden Lamb" is the oldest hotel in town and the city of Lebanon apple festival was just right in front the hotel. Friends told me that President Bush was here for a speech before. Oh....really?!

We wandered around under hot hot sun, temperature was about 90F or 33C, crazily hot. I had a piece of chicken as lunch, did not buy any apple related items, and we left.

Thereafter, we went to Scott's parents house in the evening for dinner and that was awesome! His dad made home cook meal and we had a wonderful time there, visiting the city of Centerville where Scott grew; not to forget visiting the Dognut shop that he worked when he was in high school and taste the deliciou dognut.

Then, it was the "girls night out" in the late evening...Sarah (Aimee's friend), Aimee and myself went to a pub for a drink after we did Sarah's grocery shopping and had a big laugh on a 4.7% alcohol drunk Sarah after her very first drink! It was real fun!

Cincinnati Zoo ~ Corpse Bride

Today, Scott has to work, so after settled with Andie, we are ready to have a day out at the Cincinnati Zoo!

We met up with Aimee's mum - Anne, at the Greatest Ice Cream Store. This is the famous Ice Cream Store in Cincinnati. I got to know this store because the mum and daugthers I met in Florence who are from Cincinnati told me about this place. I had a Coconut Chip ice cream and it was great! No wonder it is called, the Greatest!! hahaaa...

Anne came with us to Zoo. It is 130th Anniversay for this Zoo, there are some special event in the Zoo to celebrate its birthday. But, the weather is humid today, just like Malaysia, every minute is hot and humid.

We matched to see the first animal and the zoo keeper introduced first elephant to the crowds as :"She is 19 years old and she is from Malaysia.". Ooops... I am from Malaysia too! What a coincident. Suprisingly there were not so many people although it was Zoo's 130 birthday.

Among all the animals, Polar Bear and the Manatee ware my favourite. We could not stand the weather any longer, after 2 hours walking in the zoo, we were too hot to enjoy and left.

After dropping off Anne, we rest for a while and met up with Scott for dinner at another Cincinnati special "Skyline Chili" where spagehtti is served with special recipe of chili and cheese topping. They serve the same in the hot dog bun and apparently this restaurant is Cincinnati food where you will either like it or hate it. It was alright for me because I am familiar with the hot and spicy stuffs and these 'chili' is not too spicy for me.

Me and Scott went for movie after dinner. We went for Tim Burton's Corpse Bride. I wanted to see the Constant Gardener. But because the comment of this movie was : very depressing, so we saw the Corpse Bride. I would want to see Ralph Finnes acting in this movie...

Corpe Bride is another Tim Burton production where you can find Johnny Depp, dark and grey colours dominant most of the time. It was entertaining and I enjoyed it. Flightplan was not one of the option although Jodie Foster is the leading actress. Anyway, I am sure I will watch some more movie later. I was just try to fill up the movie watching feeling that I miss for so long....

Columbus

Columbus is the capital city of Ohio State. There is the university campus in town centre and many commercial buildings and parks in surrounding downtown.

Scott took me to German village for lunch. We had sandwich in a Deli, food was pretty good. It is a self service deli with disposal paper for the sandwich and plastic fork and spoon, more a convenient & easy going meal place.

Scott has a 7-month old daughter - Andrea (Andie) and his wife Aimee is a vey nice and friendly person. This is also the first meeting with his family. Andie is a cute little baby girl. She has very beautiful blue eyes and fair white skin.

We then went to the downtown area strolling around the shops and galleries to explore the city. I did not expect the weather is Summer temperature, my luggage did not include many summer clothings, I do not even have a decent sandal!! When I flew in from Germany, temperature was 18C. I was overwhelmed by the hot weather in Columbus.

We have a dinner appointment with Aimee's friend and her mum at The Cheese Cake Factory in a big shopping complex area at 5pm. Everybody just ordered simple meals to save room for the cheese cake dessert. It was yummy.... just too sweet for me. but, hey.. Welcome to America! everything here is Big and Sweet.

We went back to Cincinnati after dinner. Andie was crying and not too happy of the 1.5 hour road journey. By the time we arrived back at Scott's house, she has exhausted.

Scott has a beautifuul house in a new and nice neighborhood. I am going to stay here for the next 5 nights! Hopefully the weather is great and Hurricane Rita will not bring too much rains.

OH, Flower - Happy Birthday to you!

Frankfurt-Chicago-Columbus

After I decided to fly on AIR India from FRA-Chicago, I was very much looking forward to a new experience of flying the Indian National carrier. Although it may not have good reputation, no individual back seat TV, old air craft, unknown service and passenger line, I was confident about the flight since this is the cheapest I can get to USA.

It was not too bad after all. Check in was smooth, was asked many questions, anyway this is formality to fly in to USA. I was actually trying to look for FREE Internet station in Terminal A, but could not locate one.

The flight I was on, AI 127 to ORD (Chigaco O'hare International airport) was originally from Mumbai India.(With Stopover in FRA, and destination to Chicago). Expected to have many Indian passengers and few European Travellers. Flight was not full, seat was old and yucky as expected. On board meal was Vegetarian and Non-veg, not the Fish or Chicken type! But, I found them delicious because of the Indian spices cooking. They were just too little compare to MAS. Well, I guess I can not compare MAS since MAS is the best !!

I did not sleep well on the plane, was trying to keep up to the local timing so that I would not have jet lag later. Movie entertainment was not that fantastic, with one hollywood movie and one Indian classic movie. It was kind of experience for me for the first time watching the Indian Movie on a plane and listening to David Tao and Sammi Cheng on the Audio selection.

Plane arrived Chicago at 1625. I was the only Chinese among the Indian passengers and some Germans travellers. Immigration was smooth and I got through with no problem, collecting luggage, head to Midway airport.

My friend PY booked a domestic flight for me from Chicago Midway airport to Columbus at Ohio State. O'hare International airport is about 1 hour car drive to Midway airport. My next flight is 2115 on Southwest Airline.

I got on a shuttle van and there was only 2 passenger heading to Midway after few stops collecting people, taking passengers from other terminal etc...And, finally we were on the highway to Midway, after 45 minutes driving around airport terminals.

First Impression of Chicago O'hare airport was, it look similar to Miami International airport. Chicago is a big city, and I was not in a hurry to see Chicago as I will return to after my Ohio and Missouri trips.

Flight to Columbus was cool, great evening view from both Chicago and Columbus cities. Columbus is the capital city of Ohio state. Scott and his family drove 1.5 hour to pick me up as their house is at Cincinnati.

Midway airport is a domestic airport connecting many American cities. Those you can find in many American movies and people are casual and McD is just in front of the boarding gate where you can grab fast food before boarding.

After I arrived at Columbus and ready to go, Scott appeared. This was the first time we met after so many years of emailing each other! Unbelievable...

It was a long day for me and rewarding to meet up with Scott finally especially knowing that he has booked me to Westin hotel where I need a good night sleep and the Westin Heavenly Bed is just perfect.

Past Midnight now, I will meet Scott's wife Aimee and her daughter Andrea tomorrow... what a wonderful traveling day!

Cologne Deutz <- -> Papenburg

Stayed one night in Cologne Deutz Youth Hostel because of late flight last night from London. Hostel facility was good and breakfast was typical German YH breakfast.

I managed to change to a 4-bedded room despite of confirm booking for single room. The YH reception guy was upset about my enquiry, but who cares?

Two other beds were taken by 2 other women and 1 was empty bunk. The German lady on the lower bunk bed in other side of bedroom was making lots of noise, snoring the whole night. My lower bunk bed Spanish girl could not go to sleep and cursing like hell. I was awake after the Spanish girl making funny bird sound to soften down the snoring woman. I just could not bother because I could sleep anywhere and was too tired to involve.

It was funny because when I met the German woman at breakfast, she asked me : "Slafen gut?" (Sleep Good?) I said, ya! of course. I did not want to tell her that she had made the terrible noise last night because she is leaving today!

Today is also my busy day because I have to go back to PPG to collect my luggage and exchange my London trolley bag for tomorrow Chicago flight.

3.25 hour train journey back to PPG, my apartment is no longer my apartment! Frau Muenster has cleaned all the stuff and changed the apartment to its original decorations where you will not realise that I have spent 3.5 years in that place!

After laundry and getting my travel insurance done, I took another IC train for 3.25 hours back to Cologne Deutz YH.

I felt that I do not belong to PPG anymore, I am a traveller who has no permanent base in Europe now. Sad...

Leaving London

I thought I will visit British Museum...

I thought I will do a bit tourist's thingy at London down town before I leave...

I thought I will still get a big Guardian Paper on Monday...

I thought I will used the off peak Travel day pass to the maximum...

I just realised that Christina has to work and I am not working on Monday and the rest of the days anymore!

I packed my belongings, wondering why I still has so much weight in the trolley bag; perhaps the feeling had transferred into my belongings to carry back to Germany.

I met Christina in town for Lunch. We went to Malaysian Restaurant at SOHO, called Melati. I ate Mee Goreng Istimewa, she had Nasi Lemak. Very nice meals and very patriotic lunch.

It was another beautiful day, Sun was shining, weather was not cold and food was good!

It was just because I knew that I will not see Christina for a while although we may meet in Msia next February.

It is not cool to know that I will not return to London soon and traveling to some other European cities with Christina again...

I took a Southern train to Gatwick, after failing to visit British Museum or having nothing attracted my attention in London centre. I guess, I just want to keep the museum for my next visit so that I know I have something I still need to do when I return to London.

EasyJet was on time to take off for Cologne destination. I was sitting at the aisle seat in the plane so far to be by the window to enjoy the great evening view of this metropolitan city.

Goodbye London! I hope to see you real soon!!

Moonlighting @ London

It is 8-15 Chinese Calendar Mid Autumn day!! I always like this day not because I received the moon cake from HKG Supplier every year, eat like hungry ghost, but also enjoy looking at the moon and thinking of family and friends at the other side of the world.

Its Sunday in London, what could you do if not DIM SUM in Chinatown to begin with?

Me & Christina went to Chinatown for Brunch, the streets was decorated with lantern and banner wishing all Happy Mid-Autumn Festival. It is very festive and was great to be in China Town to feel the happy atmosphere.

Dim Sum at Lido Restaurant. We ordered 10 different dim sum and they are all so good until we could not move after our meals!! Price was reasonably cheap compare to other restaurant we have been to.

We took a walk and head to the Thames River for the Thames festival held by London City celebrating the 2012 Olympics besides the theme of unity and London as a city for all.

There was this Okinawa dancing where we got our Summer Japanese fans. There were plenty of food store, book and handicraft stores along Thames River. Lots of people and very busy Sunday afternoon. Parade started at 7pm and fireworkds at night. But I was not there to see all the final bit because of the dinner at Christina's place tonight.

Before going back to Beckton, saw a exhibition about China under the London EYE City Hall and decided to take a look. It was not a pleasant exhibition for beautiful day because the main core was featuring the Rape of Nanjing. Sad feeling after reading and watching the documentary about the history event in China. I decided to leave and head back before 7pm.

Dinner is Hot Pot - Steamboat, organised by Christina's housemate from Guangchou. Other housemate from Dalian and Guangchou has friends from Hong Kong and different part of China too. Food was awesome, lots of green vegetables which I missed so much in Germany.

It was very funny though, in the round table of 9 people, 2 Malaysians, 2 from HKG, 2 from Guangchou, 2 from Dalian, 1 unknown China city; sitting together at a Eastern London house having Steamboat, but communicated with Mandarin + Cantonese with translation by English on and off. Christina did not speak Mandarin well, 2 HKG people can understand Mandarin, but could not speak that fluetly except Cantonese; 3 other non Guangchou girls speak Mandarin but don't understand Cantonese; 2 Guagchou girls speak Cantonese and Mandarin. Everybody speak English definitely. When some words are needed for elaboration, English is used to describe. It was funny to be present to experience the "unique" situation because all of us are CHINESE!! I just want to say that I am proud to be able to understand all conversation without difficulty or translation in English. This is really something cool for me on that table to be able to change my tongue easily to every person in Mandarin and Cantonese!

Unfortunately, we did not see the Moon! we had mooncake, but could not locate the Moon at all. I was disappointed, but was happy to have such a good food and fun company on this important day.

Previous years Mid-Autumn Festival was so plain until I do not have solid memories about it. But 2005 Mid Autumn London Steamboat day, I am sure I will remember forever!!

Stratford upon Avon

We got up early today to go to Victoria Station for a coach to "Stratford upon Avon". This is the Shakespeare's born place. When Christina asked me where I would like to visit, I have no specific idea, so this is her pick.

The National Express that we got on was very futuristic. The Driver was funny and friendly to passengers and the leather seats are cosy too. The coach is cleaner than the usual NE coaches. For GBP16/- return trip, this is not a bad choice at all.

Unfortunately the journey was a bit too long due to a couple of accident on the highway as well as 2 stops before arriving the destination. We were so hungry by the time we arrived Stratford upon Avon.

The weather was lovely, the city centre was marvellous. Avon River play the big part to make the city so cultural especially when you are visiting Shakespeare all about.

After grabbing light sandwich lunch, we headed to the house where William Shakespeare was born. It was a big house or considered wealthy in the 16 century especially not many people could own big space. The original house was no longer existed. The museum was reproduced to make it as close as the original to give visitor the impression where WS was born and how the condition and settings of the house were.


We visited another two premisses related to WS before visiting his tomb in the Holy Church. The weather was lovely, although it rained for a while, but our mood were not affected at all. Because of WS, there are so many tourist and visitors come to Stratford upon Avon to visit each year. Theather showing his plays, elsewhere you go, you could see his name and related items featuring in restaurant, bars and hotel.

I saw an Malaysian restaurant called "GeorgeTown" in the main street. But we did not try the Lemak Laksa or Tandoori Chicken, we wanted to return to Bayswater to have our favourite Four Seasons Roast Duck!!

After wandering around the city centre, getting some snacks for the return journey, we head back to Coach Station returning to London at 1730.

The coach back to London was ontime and by 2100, we were already at London Bayswater. Unfortunately when we arrived at Four Seasons, the roast duck were all finished!! how can this happen on Saturday night? The queue to the restaurant is still long, we decided to try another restaurant opposite FS for roast duck. It was good and we were happy at the end of the day.

We then went to London Tower Bridge and St Katrina Whaft. The moon was so beautiful and bright, the evening was so lovely. Right in the heart of London, wandering around the most upscale yacht berthing whaft, I pointed to Christina that I wanted to own the Penthouse of one of the apartment that can see Tower Bridge!! It will be a good dream tonight, although I know my London Apartment dream will never come true...

When you have a dream, it make you move forward, nothing wrong with it; the sadest thing is if you do not have a dream.... guys, let's dream!!

Stratford

I have no special itinerary for today at London, just sleep in and take my own sweet time to decide what I want to do.

Christina has to work, will meet her in Cutty Sark Greenwich for dinner tonight. But, I don't really want to go to downtown although I keep on saying I have not seen the British Museum yet.

Stratford - East London, 2012 Olympic games will be held in East London, I could hop on to a bus and take a look.. OK, just do it then.

Had a piece of white chocolate cookies as breakfast, getting on bus 262 to Stratford, about 25 minutes journey, I see the other side of London where I will not notice if I am just a tourist in city centre. Nearby neighborhood are mostly African people. Not so organised compare to other neighborhood, many Indians too. A bit uncomfortable if I would have to walk on the streets at night, may be I am just too sensitive.

Bus arrived the last stop and it is a busy station, combining tubes and bus facility in nearby area, a lot of commuters in and out, especially with the shopping centre just right in front of the station.

I was actually after the Bar which serve English Breakfast, but when I went in a restaurant call "The Swan" it was too smoky and I did not want to stay. Then, I saw KFC!! this was then my choice of lunch!! No kidding, we hardly eat KFC in Germany and like the other national food, you will definitely want to eat KFC if you can't think of any other option. This was the same thing I did when I was in Dover, all of us, went in to KFC for lunch!! Trust me!

Nothing much to see or perhaps I did not walk too far away to explore the city except the shopping complex area. The mall looks very much like Sungei Wang plaza where you have stores selling all sort of things in narrow and dark corridors.

I spent about 1.5 hour in WHSmith book shop after nothing interested me in the shopping complex. Bought 2 travel books, and heading to Canary Warft for coffee while killing time waiting for Christina for dinner.

It was a bad choice to hang around in Canary Warft and take the DLR to Cutty Sark in rush hour especially there are so many offices in CW that many commuters on DLR heading the same direction. But, I felt good among them with casual outfit, no work stress.. hahaaa..

Dinner at a Chinese restaurant which serve standard noodles, rice and fast food. Price is cheap and the portion was huge!! Surprisingly the quality is good too. Christina said because this is a student area, so it is not too expensive compare to China Town.

We thought we could catch a movie in Showcase Cinema on the way home, but the timing was not right to see "Pride and Prejudice". It was so cold at night, but the moon was bright and beautiful. Then, we decided to go back and save our energy for our trip to Stratford upon Avon tomorrow.

Papenburg - Dortmund - London Luton

This is definitely a day of traveling! Immediately after my last day at work, I decided to fly off from Germany.

Went to terminate my T-online internet account in the morning meaning getting the access to post the blog will solely depend on internet cafe of friends' PC. But, hey, this is something I have to adapt to with new beginning!

Drove car to office, saw Lee Lee who is flying off tomorrow to Msia. May not see her again in few months time, sigh.

SK sent me to train station, we stood under the grey skies chatting for 30 minutes waiting for the train to arrive. It was quite a sad feeling, although I am going for holiday and he is leaving home tomorrow for holiday too. Perhaps, train station, timing and sky colour are not the good elements to say "goodbye"??

I got up to IC437 train and begin my journey at 1305pm. Skies are still grey, I remember a song from Momoko Tao "don't be in tears for me, skies...." Feeling was complex, yet relieved.

Arriving Dortmund HBF at around 1530, after grabbing my lunch, I missed the scheduled airport express. Return to train station again to catch next connection train to nearby town for a nearer bus to airport. Luckily time is enough and I remembered the town's name. It was raining heavily when bus arrived Dortmund airport.

I checked in with EASYJet to London Luton, flight was on time, that's the beauty of EasyJet, punctual most of the time. However, the flight wasn't comfortable because of much turbulence.

I never flown to Luton, the airport just look "chap-pak-lang" to me comparing to other 3 airports of London. Coach to City centre was on time too, my timing was just right to be on 1930 coach to arrive Baker Street Tube Station at 2045. It was OK and I managed to be in the tube by 2100 heading to Canning Town.

The feeling of being in the tube after July blast was a bit unusual, but everything is just fine! Christina will meet me at Beckton DLR station, I was not really tired, just a long traveling day !

Beckton - last stop of DLR, Christina was already standing with umbrella! It is my first visit to London in year 2005 although I did meet up with Christina in Lubeck in February. It is always nice to see her again and visit London who knows when I will return next??

Dinner is waiting... yummy.. I am glad I am here in London again!! I love London!!

Last day at Work....

靓女婷 wrote this to me :
congratulation !
finally, reach the end of the day. 珍惜今天的每一时, 每一刻吧 !!! 或许还是如往常般没变, 讨厌的事还是continue 的到来. 但是我想, 今天你面对它们的心情是不同了!!!!

hv a wonderful trip & awaiting to see u at Lorong Kiambang !


Yes, today is last day at work. It was a bit crazy because of things to clear and handover. sent out email announcement, got few replies from friends, otherwise the day went just like that, headache was I could say because no solid lunch in the afternoon.

Any different to the normal working day? I guess the only joy was at 8pm where all the unused papers were cleared and thrown away. Besides the migrane and heavy head, I felt sick because of the air in my stomach. that was definitely not i had expected on the last day at Papenburg office. I was not happy though, a part of what needed to be done or supposed to be done on the last day at work. What could I say? I am just too tired, even until the last day...

Well, some encouraging replies actually made me pleased for what I have done. That made me smiled and definitely going to be missed.

Going to London tomorrow for few days. Can't wait to fly but body started to display weak signs resulted from lack of sleep for the past few night. Sigh,,,,

Anyway, I will be energetic again and feel better to write more. May be today is not in the form.

Farewell, Papenburg office.....

1 day to go !!

My sis HT emailed me today to remind me that I have 1 more working day to go for my last day at work tomorrow in Papenburg! Yahoooo!!! She said : "so, you shall be saying farewell and chit chating, catching up with colleagues, "lepaking" (Malay - doing nothing) already, right?" I wished! Sigh, still need to do my job and follow up outstanding stuff :-(

Then, rush home at 2pm to organise the packages collection by agent's transporter. 10 cartons and 1 full luggage of clothes. My apartment became so empty now. On the way back to office, stop by at McD for Caramel EIS (Deutsch - Ice Cream)litte treat for the team in office. Then, I received a box of Mooncake from a HKG Supplier by UPS! so sweet of them sending me mooncake every year. I thought I would not be able to get it this time, but it came just in time to fill my stomach. Yummy!! By the way it is the famous Hong Kong Wing Wah Mooncake. Thank you, Mr Chan! He knows we have to travel miles to get mooncake, therefore he sends us mooncake from miles, what a nice gesture.

The moon is getting rounder each day. I am also counting down my working hour each day in order to blow the start whistle for my trip. Things have been unbelieveable these few days especially while doing my packing, discovered new excitement I did not notice in the past from family and friends' emails, post cards and letters, every moment seems to be so amazing.

I have accummulated a lot of sweet, sour and bitter memories, but of course happy moments still dominating the period of stay.. Besides, learning to be more tolerance, patience and open minded has given me wider vision to look beyond and outside the box. I may not be perfect at the end of my stay in Germany, but I am sure I am a better person and wiser.

Hong Kong Disneyland

Watched BBC today, HKG Disneyland grand opening day. Lion Dance, Chinese drum music, chinese ribbon dance, RED costumes, RED decorations... everything looks like Chinese New Year occasions than a Walt Disney event. It is funny to see how the Asian culture blend into the international WD to display a localise interest.

I have an upcoming trip to HKG in December with my youngest sister Vivien to Disneyland. As I had read some reports and critics in HKG newspaper and website about the negative response from local people about this theme park, I thought of the hectic operation support we encounter recently to provide sufficient supplies to our operations on board to run the show and make the guests happier. Same theory, I guess.

This Disneyland is still new and is first one in the Chinese land; high expectation will result much dissapoitment; this is normal for a new opening.

I hope by the time I go to HKG, things will be much improved and operations is running smoothly because Vivien will definitely want to enjoy at least 2 rides of Space Mountain!

A very Italian Brunch

It's another typical grey Papenburg weather. Kim invited us for brunch at her place. Italian bread, Olive, Mozzarella cheese, tomato, ham and tuna, very Italian. Pink Champagne was surprisingly a nice match for an early afternoon meal.

This is last weekend before I leave Papenburg next week. For those who may not know about my recent move, I am officialy resigned from current company that I worked for 10 years and September 14 will be my last day at work. It is quite sad to make a decision to close this chapter of my life in Europe but it is also a relief for me to be able to have time for myself and think what will come next. I guess the sky read my mind, because the sun was hiding and avoid to colour up the Sunday morning.

Despite of usual grey weather, we had a great brunch. Food was good, thanks to the host, Kim & Trevor and little Sam who was not quite behaved in good mood because of only an hour nap. It was kind of farewell brunch since Lee Lee & myself are both leaving Papenburg next week. We received a special present from Kim & Trevor with much Loves. It also came with a handmade card from Kim that described the feeling. That was really sweet and needless to say, in such an atmosphere, speech will only make us cry, especially we could not hold our tears very well and often cry no matter happy or sad occasions.

It has been a fruitful 3.5 years working experience in Papenburg, Germany. 3 ships new building projects, many days and nights spent in the office, going through many summer autumn winter spring. It has been really hard for the past 9 months. But now, I am very much looking forward to my holiday from Septemer 21 to October 30 and One Way Ticket "Balik Kampung"(returning home) trip in November.

I must also admit that I gain a lot from past 3.5 years and I travel extensively within European cities a lot to compromise my hardworking days and nights. However, I believe that there is next train waiting for me to get on and enjoy different scenery along a new journey. My current train has almost reached the final destination and I am about to board another new train to start new chapter of my life.

Many friends have asked me what I plan to do next. Well guys, I have no idea yet. I am sure I will rest well and think later. I want to do many many things, however losing fixed income isn't a fun thing too. Therefore, when I really getting desperate and need your helps, please do send SOS troop!

Agassi is playing Federer in the US Open Men's Single Final now. If Agassi can work so hard to reach the US open final in the age of 35, I am sure to begin a new career in the age of 35, there is still lots of hope for me.

Lastly, thank you Kim & Trevor for everthing!! @}--- (p/s : this rose isn't as nice as your verandah one, but is special dedication for you for Today!)

Sour Herring to begin with...

September 10, 2005 seems to be the special days. Two of my friends birthday (GCH & DL : Happy Birthday again!). But the most eventful moment shall be the "Sour Herring" eating at Stig's place! Stig is my colleague from Northen Sweden. He has invited us to have this Northen Swedish delicate at his garden today.

I made a point to call my sister Vivien 5 minutes before I went to Stig's house to tell Vivien that I was going to have this exotic food. This was because Vivien was here in Papenburg at Stig's place having the moose heart where the sour herring date was kind of set. Unfortunately she is back at M'sia now and probably Stig has to send her the Air-tight can for her to try later.

Well, was it good to begin this "salted fish" + "durian" + "dirty socks" smell in the sunny early evening, I was not quite sure, but I am pretty sure now if I go to brunch at Kim tomorrow, she will definitely need to clean the house immediately :-)

This is actually the fermented herring fish in a can and consumes by most Northen Swedish. When you attempt to open the can, the first air pressure pop out was really smell worst than a dead fish. So, how did we eat then?

Started with a soft Swedish bread, spread with butter, took fish from can - clean the main bone, smashed potato and put them together with some onion on the bread and wrap them then eat! Simple, first bite was alright until you felt the fish. The smell and the salty fish slowly conquer your tongue, that's how the "special smell" gradually occur.

It was kind of experience and I am sure my sister will enjoy it! So, guys... this is definitely something we will not eat in Malaysia and also something like a "Once in a life time" thingy unless you are a Sour Herring maniac like Stig.

Anyway, this is my first blog and I would like to take the opportunity to thank SKook for introducing me to this site. More blogs to come especially my long holiday will kick off soon.