My flight to Malaysia and Thailand was confirmed today.

So that is one worry down. This trip will be very productive because everything is falling into place. The whole trip is roughly 20 days and every segment of it i will be spent meeting old friends at just the right timimg.

It is a stroke of pure coincidence i suppose.

In a nutshell, this trip will allow me to meet up with my cousin from London whom i have not seen in 4 years, my friend from New Zealand whom i have not seen in 2 years, my friends from Melbourne who will "coincindentally" be at Thailand in the seven days i am there and lastly an old friend from Sydney.

Yay and Wow.

Fleeting Pleasures

Your face, your scent, your presence, your embrace, my memory.

Let us cross paths again one day.

My Family

The recent passing of my favourite grandmother has given me a change of heart. If everything goes according to plan, i will be making my way back home in a month time for my other grandmother's birthday. I have always shied from the opportunity to return home. I would make a stop at Kuala Lumpur but never divert to Kuching although it was merely an hour flight away.

This time however, i realised that i could no longer hold my family in contempt. Sure the typical folks back home are nosy and gossipy. Nontheless, that is who they are and they are my family, my heritage, my identity. I love them.

I am rather excited honestly. Everyone from across the globe will be back. Cousins i have not seen for twenty odd years, aunties who i have never met and new additions to the family tree whom i have not seen as yet.

Take a big family photo and then wait another ten GODDAMN years to get together again. By then... who knows what changes there would be. There will be fresh blood, offsprings, but also missing loved ones who will leave us. Those who have witnessed the exponential growth of the family, those who were there at the very beginning.

Looking back at the photo taken ten years ago of the whole family fills me with sadness. Everyone has grown up, people have moved away, take the head of the family away and everyone disperses. You see, after the death of my grandmother, there would not be any more reason for anyone to return home. Who knows when would my dad see all his brothers and sisters all at once again? No one is left to pull the cords.

I remembered just four years ago i used to boast of my family. I had two greatgrandmothers, two grandmothers and two grandfathers. And in just a span of 4 years i have only one grandmother and grandfather left. Circumstances change before you even realise it.

I am going home!

Tanned is Passé

Time to get shortchanged. HEFTILY!

So i have reached the age where my four wisdom teeth are emerging. Basically i was referred to by two dentists to a surgeon as my case was very serious. Lookin at the X Ray image, my bottom two teeth marked with a X are growing horizontally. The dental term being "Impacted" pretty serious as the roots are threathening my nerves near my jawline. Any mistakes in the surgery would mean paralysis around my jaw.

I am pissed scared to tell you the truth.

The other downside is the money involved. I will be charged A$2200!!! The whole procedure and all. That was when my friend recommended me to do overseas. In malaysia, the same procedure would cost A$150. Just compare the difference! The ticket back would be in the vicinity of A$1000. Add it all up and it still is much cheaper. What is more, i get to go on a holiday, go shopping and eat my favourite noodles.

Called my dad who is currently in Malaysia to investigate the dental practices in my hometown. He showed them my X Ray and they said it is better i did it in Australia where they are better at such a complicated procedure.

Sigh I HATE THIS!

A Delayed Retrospect of 2006

2006 will not be remembered as a year of undiluted pleasures. As a matter of fact, i scorn it. It is ironic that my graduation certificate and studio photos of me with the forementioned document clenched in my fist and embellished on the walls of my home should in fact instill in me a sense of pride and accomplishment. What more to say that i secured myself a place in the workforce? Accomplishments designed to be recorded in the annals of my own memory.

Nope! It definitely was not enough. 2006 was wrought with uncertainty, blemished with the perpetual reminder of my shortcomings, loneliness and the erosion of my dignity. So i laboured all the past years to be in receipt of my current status. What next? I definitely did see the light at the end of the tunnel and upon arrival deemed myself as dissatisfied as ever.

I am frantic! A zealot of progress and advancement. The impetus in me gnawing at me. 2006 was a hindrance, a transition. Imperative as it may be, it was a grievance.

There was however, something that would balance the scales. Once again i have met and befriended a great deal of people that has that effect on me... "Did i REALLY meet that many people in 2006???"

I am rather certain of myself the relationships forged in 2006 will follow me through many years.

Goodnight!

NYE... Please be good to me 07'