2008 10 Milestones & Tombstones

10th wedding anniversary. The Aluminum Anniversary! Yum Seng! Honeymoon is over la, but the hard work starts now in raising the kids to be good beings. Yeah, life is no longer just the 2 of us, life revolves round the kids. Hopefully in many moons to come, these 2 kids will bring us the honey!

9 days 6 nights Tour De Italy in November. That was the out of the box equation by the travel agency. The extra 2 days were spent in airports and lost to time zone. Visited Rome, Pisa, Florence, Venice, Verona, Milan and a short trip to Swiss border! (Postcards from Bella Italia, posted on 27 Nov).

888 Fatt! Fatt! Fatt! Slow and steady in assets accumulation. The extra cash was forced to work hard for its own good. Long term is the game. Even though the share market tanked, the only way is up! Other newsworthy piece was that the wills were done up nicely. Sorry dude – nothing for you! (Long Term Investment Goals, 16 Sept & Seek Wealth, 22 Dec).

7 years old daughter survived Primary 1. The horror stories on pressure and difficulties in coping with the screwed up education system were all unfounded. Yes, the education system could definitely be improved. No, the kid did not dread going to school. As a bonus, she indulged in badminton and dancing and thoroughly enjoyed herself! Being an all rounder is the way to go! (Dance, Little Lady, Dance, 5 Aug & So You Think You Can Dance, 30 Jul).

6- June 2nd – new kid on the blog! http://metta88.blogspot.com. The rest is history! (New blogger in town, 2 Jun).

5- May 4th – first visit as a hospice volunteer to spend time with cancer patients at Oncology ward at GH. There is so much to learn from these patients and their caregivers. Tour of duty is every first Sunday of the month. (An Evening With Cancer Patients, 4 Aug).

4 Death! Mom lost 2 persons dearest to her within 2 months; her hubby (3 Oct) and mom (3 Dec)! RIP - dad and granny. (Obituary, 3Oct & Obituary II, 3 Dec).

3 – Mar 8 12th general election – Enough is enough. Malaysians voiced out via the ballot papers. The out of touch ruling party lost its 2/3 majority and 5 states. Many deadwood, arrogant and big headed politicians were consigned to the history book!

20th anniversary for VI Class 88. It was that long since we sat for our SPM and last met some of the mates. Great reunion on 1 Nov! The comradeship was still strong and it showed in the football field as we won the VIOBA Inter Batch Football tourney. (High n Low, 2 Jun).

1-first appearance in a golf tourney in Saujana. It was only my third outing on the green but it was definitely a day to remember. Yeah, how I wish I was the numero uno!

Goodbye 2008!

Happy Holiday

It is the year end holiday season. Time to spend your money and leave for the dream holiday! Here are 10 travel tips.

1. Plan early. Lookout for great deals, keep track of advertisements, visit fairs and compare prices. Lookout for exclusion clauses, terms and conditions.

2. Go through the itinerary. How many meals? Mode of transport? Type of accommodation?

3. Passport & Visa. Make sure the passport has six months validity. If visa is required, ensure sufficient time for application.

4. Local customs / laws. It is not nice to offend the locals!

5. Money. Monitor the exchange rate earlier. Foreign currencies are dipping at the moment. Encourage to use credit card for large purchases as it is possible to get better rate!

6. Weather. Find out the best time to travel. Pack the correct clothes.

7. Personal safety. Avoid high risk places! If you are travelling alone, inform someone on your itinerary.

8. Keep lists. Get all the contact numbers i.e. credit card, embassy etc

9. Don't leave your address on your suitcase. If it is stolen, someone may pay a visit knowing that you won't be in! Just tag your contact number / e-mail is enough.

10. Ticket. What a way to start the holiday, all packed up and ready to check in but could not find the ticket.. & passport???

Happy Holiday!

Postcards from Bella Italy

Ciao (pronounced chaow). Spent last week in Italy, courtesy of the entity that pays my salary. Let me share some facts and figures on Italy:

Italy is a founding member of EU and G8. It was ranked as the seventh largest economy in 2006, behind US, Japan, Germany, China, UK and France. The economy remains divided into a developed industrial north and a less developed agricultural south. The less developed south is a haven for organised crime.

Italy has a smaller number of MNCs than other economies of comparable size. Instead, the main economic strength has been its large base of SME companies.

The major exports are motor vehicles (Fiat, Aprilia, Ducati, Piaggio), petrochemicals (Eni), electricity (Edison), home appliances (Merloni, Candy), aerospace/defense (Alenia, Agusta), firearms (Beretta); but the more famous exports are fashion (Gucci, Armani, Valentino, Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, Benetton, Prada), food (Ferrero, Barilla, Martini & Rossi, Parmalat), luxury vehicles (Ferrari, Maserati, Lamborghini).

Italy is ranked as the fifth major tourist destination in the world, with over 43.7 million tourists a year.

However, the financial crisis did not spare Italy. The banks have weathered the crisis better than their European peers but its economy contracted by 0.5% in the 3rd quarter, the steepest quarterly fall for a decade. Analysts expect the recession to continue for at least three more quarters and full year GDP is seen falling by around 0.3% in 2008.

Prime Minister Berlusconi urged Italians to keep shopping. From observation, they are heeding the advice as the malls were mostly packed with local and Japanese shoppers looking for Gucci, Prada and French brand Louis Vuitton!

Grazie (pronounced graatseeyay). Chiveo

The Killing Fields

Khmer Rouge, the rogues, the heinous bunch of radicals who destroyed Cambodia from 1975 to 1979. The genocide resulted in the deaths of an estimated 1.7 million people from starvation, disease, overwork and execution (Total population of around 7 million). The Killing Fields were a number of sites where large numbers of people were killed and buried.

The executed were buried in mass graves. In order to save ammunition, the executions were often carried out using hammers, axe, spades or bamboo sticks. Some victims were required to dig their own graves. The soldiers who carried out the executions were mostly young men or women from peasant families. (Brainwashed into killing even own flesh and blood)

They arrested and killed everyone suspected of connections with the former government or with foreign governments, as well as professionals and intellectuals. Meaning if we were to live there and then, we won't be here blogging and reading! Crazy, make no sense.

Why am I so worked up? Like you and me, it happened long time ago, not in my backyard, so could not be bothered until I had the chance to step foot there. Stories from the locals, the guides, museum visit, it seemed every household had at least a fatality! Crazy, make no sense.

In today's news, 1 of the leaders was being tried. Many had died without facing justice. This is not the point. The point is this type of genocide should not be repeated but alas, we had seen many copycats such as witnessed in Bosnia, Rwanda, Acheh etc. Just hope that's the end!

The 1984 film adaption "The Killing Field" won 3 Oscars! Check it out.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/7/2/apworld/20080702125904&sec=apworld

top pic - stupa housing skeletons, on The Killing Field

bottom pic - outside the Genocide Museum (former school converted as torture centre - now d museum) after the tour - looked very shaken in my beloved LFC away jersey.

Contentment Is A Bliss

India. Cambodia. Just to name 2 countries that you should visit for a change. Health warning -might not be suitable for the faint-hearted! Unless you are a hardened traveller or war veteran, chances are you will be moved by some of the happenings.

In Mumbai, the haves and have-nots are in a totally different world even though they are in the same city. Many migrants from the rural areas ventured into the city to seek greener pasture. Some would make it, while some would live hand to mouth. Few scenes moved me. One was this girl, who was slightly older than my girl, came over to our car, which stopped at the traffic light, in a slight drizzle. She was asking for some 'dough'. Hey, why was she not in school! (This remind me of the alleged child labours that are rampant in these countries).

Another scene, this family was practically living under a highway flyover. A naked toddler was seen running around, probably growing up labelling that dangerous area as his playground while the mom was busy preparing some food.

Just pray that they will be the next rag to riches stories. The next Bollywood diva and superstar cricketer respectively. There are many more humbling encounters that should make us ashamed of our 'lifestyle' and wastage attitude. Things that we took for granted and thought the world owed us a living! Wake up fellow human beings. Be content. When feeling down and out, remind ourselves 'at least we are still alive' to rectify ourselves and the only way is up. Bring ourselves out of the depression and count on fellow family members and friends.

Wow, so serious. A lighter note. Why do they change Bombay to Mumbai? It was politically incorrect to Bom d Bay post 911 but sounded cuter to Mum d Bai. He!he! Was it original? Anyway thousand apologies if it offended anyone.

pic - not the naked toddler la. Captured in cambodia few years back. The tongkang was 'home' and 'playground'. The kids looked so contented, waving at us. So stop complaining about low water pressure, blackout, hot weather etc.

Mumbai - Wee-kipedia

Mumbai is the largest city in India. It is the 2nd most populous city behind Shanghai. Along with suburbs of Navi Mumbai and Thane, it has a population of 19 million. It is a commercial and entertainment hub of India. It contributes 5% of India GDP.

Did not get the chance to visit the proper Mumbai as the business contact was based in Navi (new) Mumbai. However on the last day, few hours before the flight, managed to visit the Film City. No access to any indoor filming (inside some warehouse type buildings) but managed to witness the construction of a fortress (pic, left). According to the worker, it's for a TV serial, a Ramayana based ancient war epic!

At the edge of the Film City, captured the signage "Leopards Territory". The local said the leopards will be out roaming from 12 midnite to 6 am. He even showed us the rocky area where the leopards supposedly 'lepak'. Not sure if our beastly Mat Rempits get their cues from these beasts!

Public transport is a plenty. Local rickshaws (pic, right), taxis, buses, trains etc are everywhere. The drivers who horn the loudest get the right of the way! Yes, everyone horns. Horn at the junction, horn before overtaking, horn to get the other motorists to give way!

Managed to get some Punjabi suits and leather handbags for the wife. Not forgetting her fav fruit, mango. She is grinning from ear to ear, till today! Now, she is keeping her fingers cross that I travel there more often! She has already started compiling the colours and shapes of future purchases!

Alive & Kicking in Mumbai

Landed in wrong part of Mumbai. Partner is based in Navi (new) Mumbai not the Bollywood end of Mumbai. Additionally, being holed up in office working with Sanjay, Sandeep and Sunil. So there is no way of celebrity sighting. Aiyah!

Food wise - superb. Have my fair share of briyani, mutton, roti, curry, tea, aftermint etc.

It is monsoon season (June to August), so it has been raining every now and then. Traffic is terrible. As a metropolitan, obviously it is huge, so travelling from 1 office to another take more than an hour. KL traffic is nothing!

Lots of cricket coverage on TV. At last count, yesterday night, there was 4 channels showing cricket matches. Cricket is like a religion here. The players are multi millionaire and demi-god. Exactly 25 years ago (1983) today, India won its only cricket World Cup in England. In the press and TV, there were so many coverages and footages on the historic triumph.

India was not among the favourites and against all odds, the great West Indies team was beaten in the final. This victory changed the landscape of the cricket scene in India, forever!

Bollywood

Schedule to fly into Bollywood tonight. Serious works with the Indian counterpart for the next few days. First trip to Mumbai. Previously visited Delhi, Bangalore and Hyderabad.

Mixed feeling though. Now very 'domesticated' unlike swinging bachelor days when every opportunity to travel is savoured! Gonna miss home! Yeah, big baby like me gonna miss the wife and kids! As usual, gonna enjoy the food. Briyani, mutton, sweet deserts etc.

If time permits, will love to get some Punjabi suits and a cricket bat! As an added bonus, maybe a date with Aishwarya Rai! He!He!

Will be back in the blog next week. Will post some photos.