And now that I'm back, I realize I can finally breathe easily again. I have a feeling I'll be getting my first peaceful night's sleep tonight since a month ago. Despite the wet and cold welcome, it's good to be back again. And now, I can finally breathe easily again.
~
I've flown a total of 18 hours: Kuala Lumpur to Bangkok to Frankfurt to London. If that wasn't hell, I don't know what is. Never ever fly Lufthansa. With little space, uncomfortable seats, no personal screen and bad entertainment, its aircrafts are the worst. So, unless I'm flying First or Business Class, there's absolutely no way I'm braving the journey to Malaysia. And since that's financially impossible, I guess I won't be seeing the Muddy Estuary anytime soon.
~
I finally bought the Swatch watch I've been eyeing for more than three years. It's automatic - isn't battery-operated. Aside from its transparent display of sophistication with its miniscule gears rotating and a small spoked-wheel acting as a pendulum, I simply love its representation of time: its never-ending ticking. Even when you pull out the stopper to adjust the time, it doesn't stop. Does time really stop for us to adjust our watches? I wonder if it occured to anyone 'I've wasted 18 hours of my life doing absolutely nothing when I could be out there making a difference.'
~
Night flights are so enchanting. The inky blackness of night blots out all other details of disinterest, leaving behind an etch of the city outlined by dazzling lights. The layout of the city becomes more vivid with this contrast of light and darkness. And if you're flying just long enough, the golden chariot of the sun rides the sweet bosom of the sky, unbridled by clouds - strong and mighty in all its splendour.
~
It's surprising how many interesting people you meet on your journeys. On the flight, I was sitting next to a tall pretty German girl a year younger than I who had just spent four weeks teaching English in Myanmar. I couldn't believe the coincidence as we shared similar experiences with each other - e.g. the hillarious banana dance - and give each other suggestions and advice. She's given me the necessary contacts should I want to teach English in Myanmar next year. That definitely kept the insanity at bay.
Also met an old Hong Kong lady who was asking for directions - she must've thought I was from Hong Kong with my dyed hair and pierced ear. Thank God for six weeks in Hong Kong. Although I couldn't follow her fast speech (I had to ask her to repeat herself three times), I got the gist of it and gave her directions. Surprise, surprise! She was also heading to Cambridge.
~
Aside from the usual going out and in, there's nothing interesting to report of my sojourn in Malaysia other than my birthday gifts from my parents. I usually tell people not to buy gifts for me because no one ever gets my taste. And so, instead of seeming ungrateful by not using or wearing the gifts I get, I just tell them not to bother.
This year however, mum bought me a white gold chain on which a key was strung. Apparently, it's a Chinese tradition for parents to give their child a key on their 21st birthday. And being in admiration of Chinese tradition and culture, it was the perfect gift (not to mention it being white gold because yellow gold looks chav-y).
But of course this doesn't mean I'm ditching dad's gift - a Tag Heuer watch. I mean, dad's quite a Scrooge when it comes to money and receiving a watch worth thousands came as quite a shock. It's a beautiful one too - worn by Kimi Raikonen. It feels really weird to wear something on your wrist which costs a hundred times more than the total of what I'm wearing. But in the end, you know what the Chinese say about giving clocks (or watches) to other people.
~
I've flown a total of 18 hours: Kuala Lumpur to Bangkok to Frankfurt to London. If that wasn't hell, I don't know what is. Never ever fly Lufthansa. With little space, uncomfortable seats, no personal screen and bad entertainment, its aircrafts are the worst. So, unless I'm flying First or Business Class, there's absolutely no way I'm braving the journey to Malaysia. And since that's financially impossible, I guess I won't be seeing the Muddy Estuary anytime soon.
~
I finally bought the Swatch watch I've been eyeing for more than three years. It's automatic - isn't battery-operated. Aside from its transparent display of sophistication with its miniscule gears rotating and a small spoked-wheel acting as a pendulum, I simply love its representation of time: its never-ending ticking. Even when you pull out the stopper to adjust the time, it doesn't stop. Does time really stop for us to adjust our watches? I wonder if it occured to anyone 'I've wasted 18 hours of my life doing absolutely nothing when I could be out there making a difference.'
~
Night flights are so enchanting. The inky blackness of night blots out all other details of disinterest, leaving behind an etch of the city outlined by dazzling lights. The layout of the city becomes more vivid with this contrast of light and darkness. And if you're flying just long enough, the golden chariot of the sun rides the sweet bosom of the sky, unbridled by clouds - strong and mighty in all its splendour.
~
It's surprising how many interesting people you meet on your journeys. On the flight, I was sitting next to a tall pretty German girl a year younger than I who had just spent four weeks teaching English in Myanmar. I couldn't believe the coincidence as we shared similar experiences with each other - e.g. the hillarious banana dance - and give each other suggestions and advice. She's given me the necessary contacts should I want to teach English in Myanmar next year. That definitely kept the insanity at bay.
Also met an old Hong Kong lady who was asking for directions - she must've thought I was from Hong Kong with my dyed hair and pierced ear. Thank God for six weeks in Hong Kong. Although I couldn't follow her fast speech (I had to ask her to repeat herself three times), I got the gist of it and gave her directions. Surprise, surprise! She was also heading to Cambridge.
~
Aside from the usual going out and in, there's nothing interesting to report of my sojourn in Malaysia other than my birthday gifts from my parents. I usually tell people not to buy gifts for me because no one ever gets my taste. And so, instead of seeming ungrateful by not using or wearing the gifts I get, I just tell them not to bother.
This year however, mum bought me a white gold chain on which a key was strung. Apparently, it's a Chinese tradition for parents to give their child a key on their 21st birthday. And being in admiration of Chinese tradition and culture, it was the perfect gift (not to mention it being white gold because yellow gold looks chav-y).
But of course this doesn't mean I'm ditching dad's gift - a Tag Heuer watch. I mean, dad's quite a Scrooge when it comes to money and receiving a watch worth thousands came as quite a shock. It's a beautiful one too - worn by Kimi Raikonen. It feels really weird to wear something on your wrist which costs a hundred times more than the total of what I'm wearing. But in the end, you know what the Chinese say about giving clocks (or watches) to other people.
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