Tuesday, December 26, 2006

Twin Watches

Some months ago, I met this girl whom I noticed wore the same watch as mine. It was cartainly a surprise, seeing a watch similar to mine on the wrist of another, although it was of a different colour.
I mean, what are the chances of that?
So, I asked for our two watches to be photographed together, with the addition of our rings and our mobile phones. She graciously complied.
If you take a very good look at the two watches, you will notice that they portray the two very different characters of its owners. One of them indicates the time in the 24-hourly fashion, while the other chooses the a.m./p.m. style.
Even the mobile phones indicates time in a very different manner. One chooses the digital display, while the other is an analog clock.
With four different time displays, four different times were displayed.





Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Rock Climbing: My Climb

Previously, I talked about the people and the place of rock climbing. Now, this is the real action!
I did three climbs that day. We all did three. We would get ourselves mounted to the rope at the harness, and start climbing.
The first two climbs were for us to get a feel of what rock climbing was. The wall that we climbed was refered to as the "Baby Wall". It therefore had a lot of holes and cracks for us to get a firm grip for support.
The third climb was just inches away from the "Baby Wall", yet it was a much harder climb. The nearer you were to the top, the less cracks or holes there were for you to grip. It would then require more skills and strength to climb it.

This was me getting a feel of sitting on a harness.
Learn to trust the rope, they said.
When I was ready, I started my climb.

Concentration and focus were both very important to get you up there.

This was me halfway through my climb, and looking down at the world below.

Eunice was my belayer when I was climbing.
I had reached the top of the "Baby Wall". Yeah!!!

Now this was me during the much harder climb. I was then one third the distance away from the top.

During that climb, I was too exhausted at some point to continue my climb. Therefore, I sat in my harness and took a breathing break.
Malcolm was my belayer then, and he had to wait patiently for me to gain my strength back. Poor guy...
Me trying to get a good right foot support, while wiping myself with my sleeve.

Now, I had to wedged myself in between the rocks, for there was no more holes or jutted edges for gripping.

Me moving out of the hanging rocks, and trying to move up.

Almost at the top, but still a few inches away...

This was me after the climb. Kim said that I looked like a kid monkey.
What do you guys think?

Tuesday, December 19, 2006

Rock Climbing: The Coaches and The Gears

Rock Climbing is considered as an extreme sports. With extreme sports, you will need to be extremely cautious while you are at it. Therefore, one must always have in mind that the priority is SAFETY!!! For you will always want to walk back on your own two legs in one piece.
The two coaches, Malcolm and Eunice, taught us all about the uses of ropes, belaying devices, knots, and ways of climbing.

Eunice and Malcolm, with Bailey at the back.
They are helping Bailey to dismount after his climb.
(Sorry, guys, this is the best pic that I could find for the two coaches)

First of all, you will need a good pair of climbing shoes.
One good pair of climbing shoes will provide you with a good grip on the rocks.

Ropes are a must.
They said that climbers did not worship the rocks, but the ropes!!!
Then, there is the Gri Gri, which is a belaying device that allows the Belayer to hold onto the leader while he/she is climbing.
Finally, there is the climb harness, which is worn around the waist and thighs of the climbers.
This is so that if the climber falls, the ropes and all devices attached will prevent the climber to fall to his doom.

This was Eunice and Malcolm preparing our climbs.

Malcolm demonstrating the ways to climb the wall.
Trust me, guys, this was no one easy wall to climb.

Malcolm supporting himself with his two opened legs.
There were no cracks or holes for him to support his legs.

Malcolm reaching the top.

Malcolm hanging and talking to us from the top (of the world).

Malcolm, getting ready to come down.

These were us, all watching in awe...

Rock Climbing: Lesson I

Teresa organised a rock climbing lesson for some of us divers the other day, and the lesson was on 17 December 2006, Sunday. There were only six of us, which was pretty much sufficient for a session, given that only one person could climb at any one time.
The climb took place at the Batman Wall, which was about 100m away from the Fairy Cave of Bau. It was named Batman Wall by some Aussies some time ago because during then, this place housed a lot of bats.
We each did three climbs that day, and was coached by two very wonderful coaches, Malcolm and Eunice. They will be in my next post.
For now, I would like to introduce to you, my lovely team mates!!!

A Tat, Bailey, Me and Ah Hii
Bailey and Ah Hii were both very kind to offer me a ride up to the caves.
Thanks so much, Guys!!! You Both Rock!!!
This is Teresa, the leader of the pack!!!
She is one of the coolest girl I have ever met.

Our group photo
Back, from Left: Bailey, Ah Hii & Malcolm
Front, from left: A Tat, Teresa, Karen, Me & Eunice

Friday, December 15, 2006

Just A Note

I have received some of the pictures from my last trip to the Sipadan island. Therefore, I will be updating my blogs with stories and pictures about the trip very soon.
Pardon me for taking such long time to do it. We have more than 2,000 pictures to be processed, a joint contribution by all the cameras brought to Sipadan/Kota Kinabalu trip. The process of getting pictures from everyone, and burning them into the CDs took a certain amount of time.
And with this, I would like to extend my deepest gratitute to my dear friend, Bailey P., who had spent countless hours and effort to make such wonderful presents for all of us. You have our thanks!!!
Finally, Johnny-boy!!! I heard that you are leaving for your home town today!!! Have a great holiday, J-boy!!! Come back bring us something lar... You know we all very greedy one!!! But we are also very nice to you bah.... Haha!!!

Thursday, December 14, 2006

December Babies!!!

We had a simple celebration of December birthdays for both Chris and Kevin at Pizza Hut, Jalan Song, the night before.
We bought a cake for the two of them, and ordered four pizzas for nine persons. And because we were celebrating birthdays, Pizza Hut actually gave us an addition of two pizzas, for free!!!
Pizza Hut actually closed off the first floor, reserving it for the purpose of birthday celebration. We were one of two tables of customers allowed upstairs, and it was pretty quiet compared to the full house down below. I guess it was for better control and monitoring of such celebrations. Consider it a courtesy to Pizza Hut's customers. For birthdays, you get privacy for eating pizzas...

Chris and Kevin's birthday cake.
It was wholely made of chocolate, by Taka.
The elongated spikes makes me think of sea urchins.
Chris and Kevin

Kevin and Karen

Cindy and Chris

EL and Karen

CK and XXX
(I'm sorry but I've forgotten your name, again.)

Sunday, December 10, 2006

Tony's Wedding Dinner

Tony had his wedding dinner on this night, and I had the honour to be invited to this occasion.
The dinner was at Tian Soon Restaurant in BDC, and a rough number of 300+ people were invited.
The food was slow to be served, and the taste was just alright, albeit slightly salty for some.
Tony N. and his wife
They have been together for so long that people has trouble remembering when was it that they first started dating. :)
Linda and Adelyn
Linda and Adelyn are best friends since high school.
They are friends of Tony from the scouting days.
This was supposed to be a night of celebration, but something really bad happened that night too.
When Tony's family got home after dinner, they found out that their house was broken into, and some money stolen. Luckily, they did not leave any of their gold and jewelry in the house.
Tony made a police report immediately afterwards, but the whole atmosphere was destroyed. It was supposed to be a happy occasion.
I'm sorry, Tony. I hope things will get better for you and your family.

Monday, December 04, 2006

Honey!!! I'm Home!!!

Finally!!! I'm back!!!

I was off diving near the Sipadan Island and the islands around the Kota Kinabalu (KK) area in Sabah, Borneo. Thus the reason why I was off line for SO..... long.

The trip took nine days, and I went white water rafting at the the Padas River in KK too!!!

Sipadan was the place to dive. The marine life was so full and rich, this place was like a jewel to all divers!!!

Man, diving is the life!!!

Friday, November 24, 2006

Saturday Night Gals

I went out with two hot yet cool ladies last Saturday night. They were my school friends from high school. Looking at them I realised just how far along the road we have all come along since our schooling days.
We drove around the city after tea at Exza, which was something that I liked quite a lot.
Thanks for the wonderful night, gals!!!

KS and Annie N.

Super Hero

I went to my dive centre on this night and guess who did I meet?

*~ Aqua Man!!!! ~*

" Hi!! I'm Aqua Man, your friendly, water-neighbourhood hero..."

Aqua Man in action!!!

Thursday, November 23, 2006

无题

来之则有之,
去之则无之,
无之亦安之,
安之亦乐之。

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

May Be I Should Play

Life is getting boring.

It is the same thing day in and day out. There is not much excitement in it.

I guess I am just feeling a little bit down these days.

I mean, why am I so serious about some of those things?

Girls should play around, don't they? ;)

May be I should start to play around... :D

Don't tell me it's a bad thing...

Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Bad Taste

I was sitting around idly with some friends of mine in a coffee shop the other day, when a fight broke out just two tables away from me!!!
It was a bright afternoon, and that was not a very crowded place. Occupancy of the shop was roughly about 40%. Karen sat in front of me. I was talking to her half-heartedly, while my mind wondered to my work.
At one point, I jerked my head up to a shadow behind me. I do not usually do this, and I do not usually take note of the people around me. But for some reasons, I jumped a little when this man walked up behind me, and I took a good look at him.
That was an ordinary man. Thin, fair and medium height. He had curly hair, which was rather unusual for a chinese, and he wore glasses, those old-fashioned type of glasses. He was in a rather plain, white-washed, yet clean shirt. He had on his face, a rather stern and grumpy look. I did not think of him as aggressive then. But thinking back, he did look a little dark in his expression, like he was quite unhappy with something.
It was a hot afternoon, and Karen was talking about buying chocolate from the airport.
No, you don't need to buy it from the airport. It's much cheaper here in a supermarket.
Oh, yeah?
Yeah... Go to DPS, it's right across the road. The chocolates there are much cheaper.
OK.
Karen and her sister left a short while later, while I continued to sit idly listening to the others talk. Oh, it was a hot and lazy afternoon.
*Pang!!!!*
For one moment, every eyes were trained at the source of the sound. It was the unhappy man. He was with a bunch of people, having his lunch, and there was another older man sitting right beside him. Unhappy man was staring at this older man with intense eyes and tightly-sealed lips.
Then another man in black sitting across those two stood up and came over to this side of the table. He mumbled something in his mouth, pulled the chairs and table away, and started punching the older man in his ears.
The older man did not make a sound.
The only sould that I could hear was the sound of flesh hitting flesh.
We sat stock still at the sight of that. Inside me, there were two voices. One told me to duck and leave then, as quietly as possible. The other part of me was actually aroused with all the excitement from the fight. I was not too sure what to do then.
At least I knew that I was still a safe distance away.
The man in black then lifted his knee and brought the older man's head down to it. It was then that the older man gave out a sort of sobbing sound. He was still sitting in his chair.
Another man took a chair and threw it at the older man.
A waiter came up to our side and motioned for us to leave, quietly.
So, we left.
But whatever I saw back there, left a very bad taste in my mind after.
Even to this day, which was about a week later, I still could feel that air of hostily and danger whenever I thought back to that incident. The intensity of it weighs down on my heart wherever I go, and whenever I am alone.
This cannot be good. Fighting can never be good.

Monday, November 20, 2006

Better Days

Things just have not been going on too fine for me these days. November is a month of bitterness/happiness cocktail. And I thought that we were supposed to have a good month as a birthday month.
Bitterness: Things just come hitting me on the head by the waves. First, there is the issue with my work. Then, there are issues with my friends. And finally, there is this guy that I secretly admired who decided to get married. He is learning to speak his partner's dialect, for Christ's sake!!!
Oh, shucks...
Happiness: It's my birthday month??? Does that count??? And he has finally found his happiness??
Oh, well... It doesn't matter. It's not period, I mean this choppy month, not the guy's relationship. I do sincerely wish him well in his future "undertakings". Ha!!!
Seriouly, I'm happy for them. They are my very good friends. I was rather annoyed actually when I first heard about them this morning, but that annoyance vanished like smoke into thin air in half a day's time. I mean, how could I not be happy to see them happy? They are a good couple.
I guess it just means that I did not fancy that guy hard enough.
Oh, bother... There will be other trees in the forest, and I live in Borneo!!! The rainforest island!!! Ha ha!!!
And for the sake of faith and hope, let's just hope that this month will get better with this song, by the Goo Goo Dolls: Better Days.
May all of us be blessed with the happiness of life, simple, true and sweet. Cheers!!!
And you ask me what I want this year
And I try to make this kind and clear
Just the chance that maybe we'll find better days
Cuz I don't need boxes wrapped in strings
And designer love and empty things
Just the chance that maybe we'll find better days
So take these words
And sing out loud
Cuz everyone is forgiven now
Cuz tonight's the night the world begins again
I need someplace simple where we could live
And something only you can give
And that's faith and trust and peace while we're alive
And the one poor child who saved this world
And there's ten million more who probably could
If we all just stopped and said a prayer for them
So take these words
And sing out loud
Cuz everyone is forgiven now
Cuz tonight's the night the world begins again
I wish everyone was loved tonight
And somehow stop this endless fight
Just the chance that maybe we'll find better days
So take these words
And sing out loud
Cuz everyone is forgiven now
Cuz tonight's the night the world begins again
Cuz tonight's the night the world begins again

Saturday, November 18, 2006

What Ya Thinking???

Saturday came, and there was nothing that I could do.
If I were to look, there would be a milllion things to do.
But I was lazy.
Laziness is one of my biggest problems in life. I am not quite a high achiever due to this "illness" of mine.
Come to think of it, if I were not lazy, then what would I have become?

I could be THIS!!!!

Russia's Top Woman Player
Maria Sharapova
Or this!!!!
France Presidential Candidate
Ms. Segolene Royal
Or THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Miss Bikini World 2006
Miss Ecuador

Wednesday, November 15, 2006

My Pic

I quite like this pic of myself in the mirror.

Edward's Birthday: Stage III

November 9, 2006. Thursday. 12.45 a.m.

The night had finally started.

The KING of the day!!!

It started with just the singing.

The Boogie-Man boogie-ing his boogie-bum.

The three tenors...

One couldn't get any happier...

This pic was dedicated to our beloved friend and sister in the faraway land of the United States.
Angel wanted this for you, Fish. :)
There are some things that we will always share.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ED!!!