Thursday, 29 April 2010

Patriotic by Convenience

It was kind of late and mom asked if I could just pop out to buy bread from the nearby petrol kiosk. She also wanted me to get some bananas, but at 11pm, I highly doubted I would find any.

So anyway, I decided to take the opportunity for a casual drive around Subang Jaya. So weird that I decided to do that, because it wasn't as if I hardly get the chance to drive around at night. Quite the opposite actually. But I guess things felt different because I wasn't really in a hurry nor was I headed anywhere in particular. So I quite enjoyed myself.

The bread was easy enough to find, there are so many petrol kiosks and 7-elevens all over the place. I wonder if anyone's ever stopped to count the total number in Subang alone? Nevermind, just a thought. Why do we need so many? Maybe it's a good sign that we live in abundance, no? Yes!

I found my way to SS15 and it was CRAZY! So late (relative, yes I know) and still so packed with people! Thankfully, I managed to find a parking spot nearby, and even though I was in the shop only a little while, I came back to discover that some bozo decided to double park his fancy-schmancy foreign 4-wheel drive car right behind mine!!! *GROWL!* What to do? Horn like crazy la!

I wanted to head back, but thought I'd give the search for the illusive late bananas one more try. So I drove to SS14 and lo and behold! There was an Indian convenience shop still open! "How Convenient!" (Haha!) But seriously, I was impressed! Where else will you be able to find bananas for sale so late in the night? Only in Malaysia la. Suddenly I felt so proud of my country. Despite all the political hoodlum mess, Malaysia's a pretty cool country to live in (not temperature-wise).

Where else is food so conveniently and readily available even in the wee hours of the night???!!! And there were Ramlee Burger stalls aplenty too!!! (Ooo... I was so tempted to eat lor! *RAWR* Dang you RAMLY burgers!!! WHy must you be so scrumptiously deliciousely tastily oily fatty unhealthily tempting me??!!!!! AAAARRGGGGHHH!)

But I forced myself to say NO! Rather, I didn't stop and get out of the car. Easier that way so's you don't get hooked after catching a whiff of the aroma~ mmm... (STOPITSTOPITSTOPIT!!!)

So in conclusion, Malaysia's a pretty cool place to live in (not weather-wise again)(Unless you're forced to be on a diet, which I'm not. I AM however, very random this evening, as you've probably already noticed). Incidentally, I'm participating in this event called Run For the Nation where we get to go on a prayer run and pray for our nation. We must pray for our country lor. If we should admit it, we actually love her deep inside if we love our Roti Canais and Nasi Lemaks and Char Koay Teows at 1am. (Shops in Australia and the UK closes at 6pm!!! Hello??!!! Where you gonna satisfy your midnite hunger pangs?)

Tuesday, 20 April 2010

To Bangkok and back again

Currently on my term break... 2 weeks is all we get, but much appreciated nonetheless! I'm riding through my second week now, but last week was great! Decided to spend some time with my parents in Bangkok, and when they heard I was coming, they asked me to bring my 5-year old niece along. So that was a pretty cool experience! She was well-behaved, so no horror toilet-related stories to tell! Haha!

Anyhoo... I'll let this be a picture post! Enjoy!

Day 1:
After morning church service, brother literally (almost) flew to the airport (in a car).
Arrived at airport, boarded, and waited... and waited... and waited...
Eventually took off and arrived 20 minutes late. Whee!
Went back to dad's apartment, chilled, swam (I think) then went for walk at the mall.
Then it was late and I was tired, so early sleep. (Although the clock showed 11pm, it was 12am Malaysia).

Mom was waiting at the airport to welcome us.

Swimming pool at dad's apartment.

Day 2:
Woke up early, visited gym and swimming pool.
Had breakfast then went to visit "Ancient Siam".
Went for Thai Massage (awesome!)
Dinner, then movie on laptop "Christmas Carol".

Dad's apartment in the background. Behind me was the shopping mall. It's THAT near. Oh, and on the day the REDs were bombing the city centre, my family members all decide to wear PINK! -_-''

Ancient Siam is a place full of replicas of historical old buildings. Beautiful gardens too!

But the best part of the visit was that I got to drive...

THIS!!! Muahahaa! You could rent bikes too, but nah! "Get out of the way, slowpokes!"

No pictures of the Thai massage. But it was so relaxing, I nearly pee-ed! Haha! My dad next to me fell asleep and was snoring away.

Day 3: Songkran Festival! (Water Festival and Khmer New Year)
Woke up early-ish again and went gym and swimming.
Went to shopping mall, but diverted to Chao Phraya river ride instead.
Night time at "Limpini" (I don't know how to spell it) Market.

Songkran was an experience! Perfect strangers would stand by the streets with pails and water guns and white powder; all for the cooling effect! It was respectable for the younger ones to splash water on the elders, and to put powder on their faces. If you ask me, it was an excuse for the kids to get revenge for making them eat the last piece of vege leftovers the previous nite! =)

So traveling with the niece does have some of its perks! *Hello!*
... people kept wanting to give her freebies!
*ahem* (what did you think these 'perks' were?!!) =P

so here we go... boat ride on the Chao Phraya River.
Oh, and for those interested to know, this is the Bible Seminary in Bangkok. Next to the river...

After the (long, hot, sleepy) ride, we had a quick bite and headed to the Limpini / Limpuni / Limpungi (somebody help me out here) Market. I did manage to get a shirt or two.


Oh, but the highlight of the evening, I must say, would have to be the "tuk-tuk" ride to the Market! High speed, dangerous, packed ride speeding down the streets of Bangkok!


Someone obviously enjoying herself.





Day 4:
Woke up not too early this time, but still had enough time to visit the gym and swim again! Fuiyo! Feel so healthy!
Went to MBK mall for a little more shopping with the family. This time we rode on the bus and MRT!
After that, it's off to the airport for me and not too long after, touch down in KL LCCT! Home sweet home!


No pics of MBK. But you know what they say, "See a shopping complex, you've seen 'em all!"
*hyuk!*

End.