It's my best friend the 2nd anniversary of his demised.

My buddy, Tee also known as Eric passed away somewhere in 31/03/03 to 02/04/2003. As Tee's decomposed body was discovered by his neighbor, exact date/time of death remained unknown.

Why did he choose to end his life? He was only 30 years old then.
During these 2 years, how I wish he would appear in my dream and tell me so.

Before his death a year ago, he was telling me about his problem with his wife. At times he would whined about the cost of living, his baby diaper bill, etc however there was no debt being mentioned. So I presumed money issue is out of the equation.

We often hanged out together going for drinks and every times he get himself drunk, he would talked about commit suicide. As time goes by, I began seriously doubt his words and this remained one of the regretted I had in my life.

Sometimes I wonder, if I give him a little more care and attention, would this sad story ending be any different. Needless to say, his death was a devastating blow to me.

He is one of the most humorist person I ever knew. Without him, in all honestly, I will NEVER be lively as today. He has transformed me without a doubt and if not for his companionship, during my days in NS and reservist would be characterless.

As my best friend, I've tried to find the words to describe how his death has impacted my life. There are no adequate words in the English language to describe my loss. Till today, I still think of him.

It is a sad thing that this incredibly bright candle has been snuffed out.

The big question is.........
Why did he do it?

I guess I will never know. Even if he able to narrate his story to me now I may not able understand because I have not experience what he has been through.

Tee's death might closed a chapter in both our lives, but his friendship and the happy memories will remain forever with me.

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Some people have unusual character.

Just the other day, there was this man who died when he tried to retrieving his shoe that had fallen on the track when the train pulled into the MRT station.

Gee, I don't get it.
Just a shoe?

Even if he can't get up the platform in time, he can always go to the other side of the track where it is safe. Now the point is, he can informed the MRT staffs to about his fallen shoes.
But he did not.

And there are some weird people as mention below.
Like last night there earthquake in North Sumatra and tremors felt in some parts of Singapore. A few hundred people actually called the police.

Huh, I'm puzzled.
Called the police for what?

What do they expect our police to do? What do they think our police can do?
In fact, not even the most powerful army in the world can do much about it.

For the MRT case, the decease should informed the staff but he did not.
For the little tremors, some called the police.

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You know Ah Long, the shark loan? Sometimes when Stephanie was in Parkway collecting monthly premium from her clients, I got this feeling she's like one.

For Ah Long parts of the debt he collected goes into his pocket.
For Stephanie parts of the premium she received monthly goes into her bank account.

Ah Long threaten use of force if his loaner did not pay up.
Stephanie express the possibility of lapsing the policy if stop making premium payments. Consequences could be dire.

Together we have Teochew porridge for our dinner. Unlike Cantonese porridge (sometimes called congee) which is thick, the Teochew porridge is watery. By the way, half of my bog entries is concerning about food, I reckoned.

Well in Singapore, eating is not just a passion but an addiction.

I found out today she is a Teochew.
(Rachel and Melvin are Teochew as well)




She told me she saw Bear at Pretty Fit's store in Orchard commented he's looked handsome.
Handsome? Her words linger in my mind for the whole night.

So I looked at Bear's picture again and again.
From left to right and top to bottom.



Hmm.......I have no further comment really.

Since I'm on Bear's topic, last week we went to see the movie” Mask with the kid” Phui, this is one of the worst movie I ever seen. We went to this Vietnamese restaurant for a quick snack and coffee before the show.

(spring roll)

Only a dollar a piece

Now the main topic was this Vietnamese Coffee.

Vietnamese Coffee is as much fun to watch as to drink. A real treat, especially for those who enjoy their coffee strong, fragrant and with a nice robust aroma.



Dark, robust coffee is placed in the top part of a Vietnamese coffee filter, hot water is added and the coffee drips sloooowly down into a glass.

A bit of advise though.
If you are in a rush, forget.

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I just did a search on my diary on Yahoo search engine for fun and was shocked to discovered my blog was actually listed! I did not register my blog with yahoo or any other search engine, how come it was listed?

Click here (see No.2 & 3)

My blog is not longer “safe” I feel.

You see, when I first started my website and subsequently my blog it was purely entertaining my friends ONLY. So naturally only my some of my chosen friends will know about this and my family don't even know about my website/blog.

Also, blogging allow some of my friends to know what going on when I'm too busy to get in touch them.

I'm not an attention seekers nor do I need mass audiences to read my blog. Currently am content with just a few friends dropping by.

Recently I have given my blog address to one of my colleague. As more friends are reading, it somewhat becomes a sort of motivation tools for me to write. As usual, I have asked her not to leaks out my blog to the rest in the company.

Now that she knows, come to think of it, how to whine about my job next time?

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Day 2 in KL

(Sorry for the late field report been very busy. I know I am already way behind in this blog.)

Finally, both of us had a good night sleep!

Quickly we went took a train to KLCC to visit the Petronas Twin Towers. I have been there before with Rachel but not mum. So acting like a tour guide I briefed her about the place.



The train there is so much shorter than ours here. I wonder why?
I mean shorter train body have the lesser capacity of passenger thus lesser earning isn't it?

Ah, the Petronas Twin Towers ever looks so majestic.



Because of school holiday there was a long queue in getting the ticket to the sky bridge.

The sky bridge was the bridge that link the 2 towers. It was a double-decker skybridge located at the levels 41 and 42. At the 41 levels is open to visitors and for levels 42 is for facilitate movement between the 2 towers (for staffs only)

Here I am.




This is my second time up here, first was with Rachel and now my mum.
It was kind of weird I must confessed.

As we taking the 1:30pm coach back, we still have time and we proceeded to Central market for sight seeing.



The KL Central Market is one of the most popular tourist spots in KL, and is a haven for souvenir hunters. It used to be an old "wet market" (meaning the market floor is wet from melted ice, water splashes etc) selling meat, vegetable and other local produce, and was converted into a "air-conditioned and comfortable" tourist haven selling Malaysian souvenirs, arts & crafts, traditional wear etc.

(mum looking at one of the sculptures)

You can get practically anything from Central Market, from the usual T-shirts and souvenirs to traditional handicraft, like batik cloth, hand painted shadow-play masks. You can even take home porcelain statues of Hindu and Chinese deities as well as wooden Orang Asli sculptures. Everything that your heart desires would be available here!

I cannot resisted taking a picture of myself there.

(Behind me was a 20 years old trishaw)

It is time for home. Seriously, I missed home.
I have been to Indonesia, China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Taiwan and Cambodia still I miss my home during my stay there.

The only time when I was in Australia and New Zealand I don't miss Singapore at all.

(backpacker Nick)

Coach was late and we boarding at 1:45pm and by 8:30pm we were back.
(Bus fare to Singapore was RM25.00 for one person)

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Day one in KL

Woke up my body aches, all my muscles sore and my mother was even worst condition than me. We decided to leave for KL in order to avoid Joyce. This decision I believe was the wisest we ever made so far in our lives. Told Miss Malacca (Joyce) of our little adjustment in plan and we made our way to bus terminal in the morning.

Ticket to KL was rather cheap (RM7.90) and it took just under 2 hrs to reach there. Before boarding our bus, I gave Miss Malacca a grinned of relieved.

Left Malacca at 10:00am and reached KL 11:50am.

(KL bus Terminal)

Once disembarked my mum and I crossed the bridge and found a budget hotel. RM50 for one night we took it without hesitated.
We took it not because it cheap, it because the aftermath of yesterday walking.
We were too fatigue to walk anymore.

Have a short rest before any exploring of KL and the first stop was the Berjaya Times Square.
I'm sure you guys been to there no point telling more about this place.

(Taken at indoor amusement park)

We travel to Chinatown and I find this hotel very familiar. Ah yes, Rachel should know.

(Mum)

(Hotel)

We didn't explored too much as we both were extremely wear out completely because of too much walking in Malacca. Really, it was a total draining of physical or emotional strength. We reached a verdict, we settled conclusively we are heading back to Singapore tomorrow.

After 2 days of torturing(walking) it time to release some “heat” inside us and I'm not sure what is that called.
It almost like jelly and it's black color. You figure it out.

(Mum looked so happy)

(KL, Chinatown)

There have hawker stalls selling food along the street side. The atmosphere was good and there was a healthy crowd there that persisted even after midnight, sampling durians, fried oyster cake, claypot rice, grilled fish, satay, etc. I also unearthed a stall selling claypot chicken rice.



After some observation I told mum this is our dinner.
She nodded with approval.

(Claypot sesame oil chicken)

Just next to our table there a stall selling soup boil over charcoal along the busy street.
Wow, must try.


(Lotus soup)

Those who frequently drink soup will know boiling over charcoal is so much better than over the normal fire stove.
It was heavenly!

Mum used to have cook soup in this traditional way but ever since moving to Pasir ris, she stopped.

Still, I told mum this is nothing compare to her cooking and she seemed so pleased. Women whether it 7 years or or 70 years old is all the same, they like to be humor.
(Mum's lotus soup really taste better)

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Day two in Malacca

Did I have a good night sleep last night? It's very obvious isn't it?
NO!

Breakfast time, we took a bus to the town to try local dim sum. Malacca is well known for her heritage and tradition and it no surprise most of the houses are very old.

(the place where have our dim sum)
(Damage: Rm15.00)

When you enter the town and start your exploration, it almost like a museum on its own. Each building itself like a “ museum within a museum". Everywhere you look, you will see quaint old buildings, in which some are as old as the history of Malacca itself.

(Most of the street looked like this)

We started off by visiting a old temple.

(My mum was investigating)




See beside my bag? The blue colour?
That's digital camera, I have to use my phone cam for my blog and the digital camera to take serious picture.
Yeah, I was very 'busy' indeed. haha

See the local trishaw.



Here, the trishaws will be the most striking thing to catch your eye. Some of the trishaws are old and worn-looking whilst some are impressively gaudy. There are bright tinsels and trinkets in hues of bright orange, red, and yellow hanging from the umbrella covering over these trishaws.

Along the way, I saw something....

(see the man's right hand)

Using a man's shaver, he shaving the hair of the pork.

After spending the whole morning exploring the town square, we went to A'Famosa. It the hallmark of Malacca and perhaps one of the most photographed subject. Built by the Portuguese in 1511 as a fortress.


(I had to climb up a hill)


You know how hot is the weather?



What does it tell you?

We visit the famous Christ Church which more attractive to me than most. Built entirely of red bricks that were brought in from Holland, the building was erected by the Dutch.

(One of the most photographed area in Malacca)

(The inside)

We visit another church called the St Franics Xavier's Church.



Oh I forgot, we were eating chendol, Joyce (my mum's friend) was boosting how good Malacca was...bah...bah...bah.
She said even for the local chendol they use younger coconut milk than in Singapore.

Can you believe this crap?

She compared foods, houses, transportation and everything here is cheaper and so much better to Singapore.
Hello......Miss Malacca, comparing Malacca and Singapore is like comparing apple and orange.
What does she know, anyway.

In a mere more than half a day, we covered most of the place of interest. So should we do? Now it time for Joyce to show her so called “quality”. Bring us for dinner and we walked for a good 3 km before reaching. Asked her which bus goes there and she responded, “very near”.

3km near? Under hot sun?

(Walking)
(More walking)

She wants to save bus fare and she rather walk. She is my mum's friend so I had endured her way. I was cursing and swearing from behind. I, never in life walked so much apart from doing my national services, really I'm not kidding. Finally after walking for more than half an hour, we arrived.

(Sell satay)

(Food it's raw you just dip in the boiling gravy)
Damage: RM15.00

We walked again as she want to save on bus fare (RM0.50) and I was raging furious. How come I didn't suggest taking taxi? It is because it her decision and as a respect for my mum's friend, I didn't voice out. Anyway, my mum was beginning to disapproval her way.

What REALLY made me mad was, we arrived a shopping centre she offered to buy us drink. This is the FIRST time she paying! I told her we could buy at the local fast food, instead she said buying in supermarket was cheaper.
Ok, do her way.

(Cheapo in pink top with umbrella)

1) She took the non-cold cans drink as it is cheaper than the cold cans drink.

2) Next she went to the fish department and asked for ice.

3) After getting the ice, she placed the 2 cans drink inside and make me carry it.

(One for her, one for me)
(My mum didn't want any drink)

I seldom used to word “fuck” in my blog and I'm not hesitated to use it now.

What the fuck!

This is so fucking embarrassing and like I said before as a respect for my mum's friend I took the job most unwillingly. The ice melt fairly quick and in no time I was holding a plastic bag filled with water and inside, 2 cans drink. The best part was I unintentionally knocked the plastic bags over some rack and it began to leak water.

My goodness, all eyes were staring at me and this is so embarrassing. Wau piang, like this she also want to save. What a cheapo she was. If she was my mother, I disown her right now.

After that we walked another 4 km to our dinner!(Save bus fare again). Save that RM0.50 for fuck. I am really angry, even my mum was mad and when dinner was over Miss Malacca (Joyce) said have to walk again to take bus back home, I was hopping like a grasshopper with enraged. If I'm a person with multiple personalities, I would hold her for as a hostage and slowly torture her.

This time, I took over her command and in no time 3 of us were in a taxi going back her place.

Talk about her, during her conversation with my mum, I found out she washed her hair between 3 to 4 days, cuts her own hair and uses no detergent for washing her clothes.

Stingy, stingy my dear friends.

Her income: She rent a condominium in Orchard road, In return she sub-rent all the rooms to foreign students this way she earns a good living. The condominium in Malacca is also rent out but recently the tenant moves out.

My mum and myself were both exhausted from walking and we agreed the way it goes, we cannot stay long. We must find another alternative.

I think I have the answer.

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Day one in Malacca

Our bus at Golden Mile left for Malacca at 9:30am sharp, traffic and the bus journey was very smooth. Reached Malacca bus terminal at 1:45pm. My mum's friend was there and they greeted each other like long lost sister minus the hugging part.

My mum's friend called Joyce was a very thrifty, calculating and most of all, extremely stingy person. Oh no, I'm not judging her by the look and further more it only my first meeting with her. You guys will know later.

We had our lunch at nearby A & W and she led the way to take a bus to her place.

(Mum on the left)

(Outside view of the bus terminal)

I was fairly surprise to take a bus instead of a cab since I am prepared to pay but as a respect for the elder I just follow instruction. Not that I can't take bus, it is because the of heavy baggage that's why. The bus fare was very cheap about RM0.50 to RM1.00 depending on the distance.

As you can see, it is no world class public transportation.

(Fare: Rm0.60)

As it has no air-con, the driver left front and back door open to allow wind to come in.
Oh yeah, it was very hot.

(Giving blow with the wind new meaning)

We are staying at her condominium and when I saw how “good” it was, I nearly fainted.
It looked like a old apartment to me.

(Outside view)

When we went inside, even worst I nearly vomit blood.


(U see the sink on the far end? That is the kitchen!)

It was quite bare, kitchen was terrible condition and TV is not working. Never mind, I told myself just bear with it for a couple of days then we're off. But the real torment was, when I found out me, my mum and including herself will be sleeping together in the living room.

At this point, I feel like strangling Joyce.
Afer so many years watching wrestling, I think it about time to try some of their wrestling moves.

I am under great depression right now, folks.

What does she mean all of us in sleeping in the LIVING room?
Three adults all be sleeping in the living room?
What happened to the other 2 rooms?

I assured you guys it is not occupied.
Ok, my mum and myself sleep in the living but she as well?

Seriuos I don't quite understand her and with her weird behavior's leads to the absence of my moral already. Did I mention when you bathe and tap water is yellowish? Arrgggg......

(By bus) At night, we for dinner near the Meleka Raya Plaza, called the Dragon Inn.
Ordered curry fish head in clay pot for 3 persons.

(Damage: Rm26)

After dinner, there is no direct bus back to Joyce's house what did she do?
Asked us to walk to another bus stop to take the bus. The catch was, we have to walk.
My goodness, we walked for more than 3km before I give up walking and I finally flag a taxi.

She is a miser person willing to walk for km in search for a bus stop. Even there is no direct bus, we could always change buses to reach her house, right? But she want to save RM0.50 so she walk. She walked, we followed. Damn, I'm so pissed by her even my mum cannot stand her and it's not as if we are asking her to pay.

Fuck, I'm really freaking pissed off by her.
(By the way, lunch, dinner and taxi fare back I paid for it.)

It's only the first day and my nightmare about to begin.

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