Something New

It was like deja vu...

I called up a friend's mother the night before, and she told me things that were scarily similar to what I had been going through for these past few days, without me telling her about my life.

And the night before I was with another friend, who talked to me all things regarding the spiritual side of the human being.

So now, I am making more friends of the spiritual aspect?

Oh well, it is just another phase in my life. At least it's interesting. Something new.

Burnt Out

I came into work, gloomy to say the least. It was the tenth day of Chinese New Year, and I started to feel rather tired of my recent life.

Don't get me wrong, I am absolutely blissfully happy this Chinese New Year. It has been ten years since our lot graduated high school. Though we are able to meet a few of our friends in between these times, we do not get to see everyone.

Best of all, I get to make new good friends, many of whom are only "pass-by-give-you-a-look" kind of friends when we were in school.

Life is very interesting and fulfilling in it's own way, isn't it?

I am happy, to say the least.

But it has been nearly a full ten days of late night outing, and I am burnt out.

I need a break, guys. Real nice to see you all, but thankfully, you guys are all leaving these few days. No hard feelings, but I will still cherish the moments that we spend together, and your love and heart for me.

Please be safe and take care, wherever you are, my mates!!!

Rag

I woke up this morning, and suddenly things became clear to me.

There were times when I spent too much time and energy doing things that reared no outcome. Yet I chose not to believe in that reality. I like to believe that with my effort, I could change things.

It was great to be able to think like that, and sometimes, things really did change if enough effort and time were invested.

But that does not work for every case.

A piece of torn clothing, however you mend it, will never be the same again, however much you wish it to be.

Reality hit this morning, and I finally decided to let it go.

I will have many more new clothing in the future, though this may be my favorite one, once torn, it will have to go.

Class of '97: Tenth Year Reunion

Sometimes, without realizing it, time most certainly flies. Everyone has their own lifes to live on. But once in a while, some of us would slow down and start to think: How far have we all come?

Ladies and Gentlemen!!!! This is the night of the Tenth Year Reunion for the Class of '97, from the ever famous KHS!!!

It started one night when one of us had a little drink, and started to think about old friends and old school mates. It was then when he decided to have an occasion when everyone of us would gather together and have a wonderful time.

It only took him less than a minute to make that decision, a night to find four others to help him with this project, and less then three months to get eveything ready and everyone invited.

So the date was set on the third night of Chinese New Year, and the invitations sent out. By word of mouth this piece of news spread far and fast. Before Chinese New Year, we all received the news.

It was an anticipated occasion. Who would have thought, we had all graduated high school for ten years.

It was a wonderful night. We have a wonderful crowd, and a wonderful moment. Each and everyone of us is a jewel on its own accord. The night shone because of each and everyone of us.

This was a night of renewed friendship, a night when we said thank you to our teachers who were now older and wiser. A night where we see old faces with a new heart. A night where people are just glad that we were all there.

Blue-green was the colour of the night

Long-found Friend: Janet, you looked fabolous!!!

My pal, someone who took me in like a brother.

And a friend who cares a lot... I thank you... :)

The bunch of sweeties

And the bunch of naughties...

I guess no one would believe that one of us was a teacher retired just a few years ago...

And this, dear all, is the lovely son of the Kho's!!!

Don't we just look good with each other??? Ha ha!!!

Valentine

It's valentine's day, and it started me thinking.

What was the purpose of valentine's day?

They said that it was a day to celebrate the love between two people. I do not object.

They said that it was a day to show your love to your loved one. I do not object.

They said that it was a day to take you love one out for a candle light dinner. Yes, that's romantic.

But was all that necessary?

Who said that one must send red roses to their valentine on this day?

Who decided that one must have dinner in a dimly-lit room with forks and knives with their valentine on this day?

Does it mean that the more roses that one sent, your love for the other is bigger or of more value or richer?

Don't get me wrong. I still blush with happiness whenever I receive flowers on this day, and smile at myself whenever I think of that someone. It's the little gimmicks like this that keep the love going.

But was that all necessary?

Here I am, sitting in front of my desk, looking at the flowers that I received in the day, yet only the feeling of tiredness and dread envelop me.

These flowers are dying. And I hate them.

Red roses are turning into black petals. Dark and ugly.

Until someone called me nearly one in the morning, and came to my place with a bunch of roses.

They were pink, fresh, and pure. They bloomed with the heart of the giver.

And I was happy. Not because I received flowers. But because someone still cared enough to know that I was alone on valentine's day and came to me, even though it might not be valentine's anymore.

I may still be alone. But I have friends who cared. Enough to search the area at midnight to get flowers and make the journey to my place. Friends who love me enough to take care of me in such a sense.

Never my lover, yet today, he was my valentine.

I thank you.

I may be alone, but my heart is warm.

Guys, people, I love you all!!! Happy valentine's day, and may all your days be as sweet as valentine!!!! Cheers!!!

50th Dive

I just realized that I have done exactly fifty dives within a year of gaining my PADI Open Water!!! Wow!!!

I have never imagined that I could actually do it. I mean, it was not even in my mind to try out diving two Octobers ago. But now here I was making fifty dives in less than a year, I should probably give myself a good pat on my back!!! Ha ha!!!

Not that it was anything to babbled for many respectable, hard core divers, but it was a significant milestone for me.

Cheer, guys!!! I did fifty dives in ten months!!! Ha ha!!!

Diving in a Cave

A few of us went diving in a cave somewhere in the area of Bau, Kuching the day before. Yes, we dived in a cave. A high-ceilinged cave, with a small body of water from the entrance halfway into the cave. This was no cave diving in the normal perception.

It was raining heavily in the morning before we went up to the cave in four vehicles. Some were worried about the weather, some were worried about the darkness underwater, some were worried about the cold water, but mostly, at least for me, I was more worried about the mountain rush of flood that was known to sweep people away.

The rain stopped when we reached the cave, which was situated off road, some distance away into the bushes. There was a trail for a single car to pass through, which was both rocky and muddy. Trees and underbushes had overgrown over the track, hitting the windscreen everytime we passed. I drove my Pajero as slow as I could, while CS and Angel chatted. Angel was all bubbly with excitement. It had been a while since I last saw her this elated.

We parked in a small clearing just outside the cave. Then, we changed and got our gears ready. I was a little slow and unorganized. It had been two months since I last dived. You get a little rusty after a while.

The cave was a lime-stoned cave, with high-rising walls that reached about eight metres in height. The walls were rough and red, with different rock formation. When light was shine upon them, it glittered with gold colours. It was once a gold mine.

The water was right at the entrance. When disturbed, the sediments at the bottom would muddied it. The sediment particles were red, like the walls. They were not exactly mud, nor sand, or even silt. I would just call them red sendiments for the time being.

With our fins and torch in hand, we wadded into the cold water. David was our guide, and he brought us in. Everyone was rather disorganised in the first place. It was dark, and the visibility rather bad. Everybody tried to stick together, which in the end caused us all to bump together, like a school of big fish.

The water was swallow, 4 to 5 metres deep at most. Thus, it was important that we keep ourselves buoyant and not disturbed the sediment bed. Lights were shining everywhere from torches and camera flashes (we brought underwater cameras). There was nothing much on the bottom except for rocks and sediments and a few near transparent fishes. These fishes were so small and thin, that it made you think of those who were never fed enough. The fishes were non-responsive when the lights were shone on them. They were either not used to having to run from danger, or they were just too starved tired to give you a damn.

It was not long before we came to the end of the water body in the cave. From the shore up it was another long passageway deep into the darkness. We could still see light from where we entered the water. There was a bend halfway down the cave, but it was not so steep that it blocked out the light.

The few of us took a few pictures at the end of the water body before we submerged again and dived our way back. We were getting colder by the minute. At one point, my light went out. It was not just mine. A few of us suffered the same fate underwater. The light would come again when we surfaced, and off a little while later underwater. We were guessing that it was the cold that turned the lights off.

This was not exactly cave diving. But it was really a unique experience, and a good introduction if one was interested in cave diving. I won't mind trying another cave dive, but not this cave anymore.

Filler Post, Again...

My internet connection have been compromised with some problems with my computer back home. Therefore I was not able to update my blog as often. Furthermore all my pictures of Sipadan are in my PC back home. So, for Sipadan updates, no known date yet.

Life is still pretty much the same, except for the part that I will have to wait until at least March to start diving again. Working, eating, sleeping, hanging out with friends... that is pretty much it. My life.

One thing to note though, my sister just came back for holidays two days ago. She looked the same, although slightly tired. All the traces of late nights and hectic schedule, exposing themselves on her features.

Me, I'm at work now. And have to stop here. There is this one guy who likes to talk a lot and he's bugging me with all his TALK!!! Hey, I'm trying to concentrate here!!!

Oh boy, that's all for now.

Filler Post

It has been a while since I last updated. Life has been busy, what with my work and my family. I guess being busy means that it was time-fulfilling, yet that should not be the reason to neglect some of the things important in life, like your family and friends.

I was in Johor Bahru for a day and three nights. Imagine that.

It had been almost four months since I last went there. The last time that I was here, I received a shock that made me more wary about making friends round and about. Things that you just cannot predict from a person, they are crazy and they make you crazy. However, having said that, I am pretty much a crazy person too. I make a lot of people go crazy. Haha!!!

Well, that's update for now.

Sipadan update will be coming soon.

Happy New Year!!!

I got myself wasted on Christmas eve, so I decided to go sober on New Year's eve.

But heck!!! I still managed a few drinks!!!

I mean, com'mon, it's new year's eve!!!

The place that I went to was absolutely crowded. It was barely 10 p.m. and the pub was filled!!!

But I was getting bored. I mean, the place and crowd were alright. My friends were there, and there were familiar faces from the front to the back. No, the place was right. The crowd my crowd.

It was the waiting that brought me down. But that was not truly the main reason why. I was already bored even before I went to the pub.

What happened during the celebration on Christmas eve was very downheartening, and I just hated it when things got complicated, especially when it came to having fun.

Fun is a simple thing. If it complicates things, then I would rather not have it at all.

Call me boring, and call me extreme, I would rather stay away from all that.

So, I kept my crowd simple on new year's eve. A few close friends, and a familiar place. I want a trouble-free night of celebration!!!

So I did.

Thanks, guys, all of you, for being that good and fun bunch!!! I really appreciate it, and was happy and relaxed. I knew that I did not exactly get my head all in for the fun, but it was so much better than my Chirstmas eve.

So, once again, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! I'm glad that I get to welcome the new year with you all. May you all have a wonderous, blessed and fruitful year ahead!!!

Cheers!!!

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.

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?

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

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!!!

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.)

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.

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!!!

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!!!