Tentang Rumah Yang Belum Siap, Majlis Pertunangan dan Singa Yang Menjelma

Sudah lebih sebulan berlalu, dan rasa nya telah terlalu lama saya menghilangkan diri dari alam cyber. Walau pun ‘malas’ telah saya jadikan sebagai alasan sebelum ini, namun itu bukan sesungguhnya alasan yang sebenarnya. Sibuk tu, memang lah sibuk juga. Tapi, siapa pula, terutama sekali yang tinggal di ibu kota ini, yang tidak sibuk, ya?

Selama sebulan lebih yang telah berlalu, banyak sekali yang telah berlaku. Ada yang boleh saya berkongsi dengan rakan-rakan di sini, ada yang tidak boleh, dan ada juga yang saya sendiri tidak tahu cara untuk berkongsi. Entah bagaimana, tetapi tiba-tiba terasa perkataan dan ungkapan samada dalam Bahasa Inggeris mahupun Bahasa Ibunda sudah tidak cukup untuk menggambarkan segala apa yang di rasa dan di lalui. Sementelah pula, saya sedari bahawa penguasaan bahasa saya tidak lah begitu baik, ditambah cacatkan lagi oleh kurangnya latihan yang di buat.

Walau apa pun, biarlah kita berbicara tentang perkara-perkara yang boleh dan sanggup saya kongsikan bersama dengan anda di sini. Yang selebihnya, mungkin ada rakan lain yang akan menyentuh dan memperkatakan tentang nya, atau juga, suatu hari nanti, saya mungkin akan diberikan ilham serta kekuatan untuk menulis mengenainya.

Saya pernah memberitahu pada Aidil Fitri yang lalu, bahawa saya sedang membaiki rumah yang di diami oleh ibu saya di kampung. Pada masa itu harapan saya, ianya dapat disiapkan pada Hari Raya Korban. Betul sebagaimana dijangkakan oleh DITH….memang ianya belum lagi siap. Mungkin lepas ini DITH boleh menilik bila pula saya akan mendapat kenaikan gaji? Bergurau sahaja. Lebih baik saya bertanya kepada bos saya (Aha! Adakah itu bermakna pycno makan gaji? Jeng jeng jeng….)

Bagaimanapun, beginilah rupa rumah itu sekarang. Lebih baik daripada dulu, tidak begitu?

Seperti jangkaan drroza, beginilah rupa rumah ibu saya yang belum siap. Seperti sebuah kubu pertahanan Belanda.

Salah satu sudut di dalam bilik ibu saya


Inilah rupa siling berhias di dalam. Saya sukakan motif yang ringkas sahaja

Adakah para pembaca sekalian masih mengingati Arwah Pakcik Lan dan Mak Nab? Semalam, anak bongsu mereka melangsungkan pertunangan dengan seorang jejaka pilihan hatinya. Memandangkan ibu bapanya sudah tiada, maka kakak sulungnya, Fuzainee yang mengaturkan segala persiapan untuk acara istimewa itu. Saya berasa sangat gembira menghadiri upacara pertunangan tersebut kerana dapat berjumpa dengan ramai sanak saudara saya yang berasal dari sebelah Johor.

Dan walaupun saya tidak melafazkannya di majlis tersebut, namun saya pasti sekiranya arwah Pakcik Lan dan Mak Nab masih ada, mereka tentu akan merasa terlalu gembira dengan pertunangan anak bongsu mereka itu. Saya dapat bayangkan Pakcik Lan dan jenaka-jenakanya yang sentiasa menghiburkan hati para hadirin, manakala Mak Nab pula tentu sekali akan sibuk membuat kerja sambil berceloteh bersama para wanita di dapur.

Kepada Nur Hafizah Mazlan, ucapan TAHNIAH dari Abang Pycno.....(itu lah nama Abang di alam cyber ini). Beritahu awal-awal ye bila nak kenduri nanti. Kami semua nak pergi ke Johor beramai-ramai untuk memeriahkan majlis dan bertemu sanak saudara di sana.

P/S: Dan baru sebentar tadi, rumah jiran kami di kunjungi dua ekor Singa. Saya mengambil kesempatan untuk mengucapkan Selamat Tahun Baru. Semoga di tahun "Baby" ini, kita semua akan mendapat kebaikan dan kesejahteraan

Sang Singa mencari-cari ang pau

Seperti mahu berkelahi pula mereka berdua ini. Agaknya yang satu mendapat ang pau lebih?

Only the best wishes for a good friend...on her special day!!

From Bea and Pycno:

Happy Birthday Roza, our very good friend
To us you are heaven sent
We’ve never known a brighter spirit
With all good thoughts and deeds of merit

A kinder person we’ve rarely known
Your friendship true and love you’ve shown
So today our special friend
With all our love we do send

Special bouquets of all God’s flowers
Filled with prayers with all His powers
To keep you safe throughout your days
And strength no matter what comes your way

Be strong my friend, and may Allah always be with you

...zzzzz........

I'm just lazy to post anything for now. Lazy to leave any comments and lazy to even think. I'm lazy to even finish this sentence.........zzzzzzzzzz........

White flag.....I surrender.

Cinta.

Sungguh pun Pycno suka menonton, tidak lah pula gemar Pycno mengheboh-hebohkan cerita apa yang telah ditonton atau bakal ditonton. Bukan nya apa....Pycno sendiri tidak bangga dengan hobi ini, malah sedar dan malu dengan diri sendiri. Ingin sekali saya mencari sebab dan alasan untuk membawa bersama anak atau isteri untuk menonton bersama. Setidak-tidaknya kalau terserempak dengan orang yang mengenali Pycno di pawagam, senang saja saya memberikan alasan bahawa Pycno sebenarnya di 'paksa' anak atau isteri untuk menemani mereka menonton, walaupun hakikat adalah sebaliknya.

Paling saya gemar ialah menonton sendirian di pawagam yang tidak ramai penonton, atau lebih baik lagi, langsung tidak ada orang yang menonton selain dari Pycno. Apa lagi kalau cerita nya bagus, dapatlah saya menghayati cerita sepenuhnya tanpa gangguan orang disebelah yang mengunyah bertih jagung atau menghirup coke atau pepsi, siap dengan kesan bunyi nya sekali. Pycno juga tidak sabar dengan orang yang menerima panggilan dari telefon bimbit mereka sewaktu menonton. Demikian juga dengan pasangan yang bukan sebenarnya berhajat untuk datang menonton, tapi sebaliknya lebih berminat untuk berlakon didalam panggung. Gelagat-gelagat yang kurang sihat inilah menyebabkan Pycno tidak berapa gemar untuk membawa anak-anak bersama. Mujurlah juga anak-anak saya sendiri tidak pula gemar menonton.

Namun begitu, kalaulah anda kelapangan, pergilah menonton filem CINTA. Bawalah anak dan pasangan anda bersama. Ada pengajaran untuk semua. Saya telah membawa Bea dan anak-anak menonton semalam, dan kami semua bersetuju ini adalah satu-satu nya filem Melayu yang baik sekali. Kalau sudah menyaksikan filem itu nanti, berikan apa pendapat anda mengenainya.

Selamat menonton...

P/S: Untuk menyenangkan Mama Sarah menyanyi bersama, saya sertakan lirik lagu dari UNGU. Mama sarah hanya dibenarkan menyanyi bersama, BUKAN me'nyumbangkan' lagu tersebut, ya!! ;)

Tercipta Untukku

menatap indahnya senyuman diwajahmu
membuat ku terdiam dan terpaku
mengerti akan hadirnya cinta terindah
saat kau peluk mesra tubuhku

banyak kata
yang tak mampu kuungkapkan
kepada dirimu

Chorus:
aku ingin engkau slalu
hadir dan temani aku
disetiap langkah
yang meyakiniku
kau tercipta untukku
sepanjang hidupku

aku ingin engkau slalu
hadir dan temani aku
disetiap langkah
yang meyakiniku
kau tercipta untukku
meski waktu akan mampu
memanggil seluruh ragaku
ku ingin kau tau
kuslalu milikmu
yang mencintaimu
sepanjang hidupku

aku ingin engkau slalu
hadir dan temani aku
disetiap langkah
yang meyakiniku
kau tercipta untukku
meski waktu akan mampu
memanggil seluruh ragaku
ku ingin kau tau
kuslalu milikmu
yang mencintaimu

Papa Bear

I was scratching my head wondering where my profile picture had gone to when my eldest son came around and casually provided the answer. Since he was so kind in explaining why my picture had mysteriously disappeared, I also asked him to find a new picture for me. I thought I almost heard a snort of disgruntlement from him

Anyway, this picture really depicts me. On more than one occasion I've found myself falling asleep in my chair while reading the daily newspaper, or any other reading material for that matter. Somehow or rather, even Bea and Elvis also ask me to go sleep in the room. The problem is, when I want to go sleep, I can't. So I end up sleeping on the chair in the end. Kadang-kadang sampai sakit leher dibuatnya.

Just a short, short entry. To relieve the sakit mata from reading too much ;)

Apa khabar semua?

"I Just Called to Say I Love You" is a song written, produced and performed by Stevie Wonder as part of the soundtrack to the 1984 film The Woman in Red. The midtempo ballad expresses how simply calling someone to tell them you love them can make even the most unremarkable day of your life magical. It's one of Wonder's most simplistic, sweetly melodic and sentimental songs, and, with its quintessentially mid-80s synthesizers and drum machines, is a far cry from his more organic and experimental 1970s material. For those reasons it was savaged by critics upon its release. However, the public were seduced by its simple charms, making it easily Wonder's most successful single to date.

The song was number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks from October 13, 1984 and also became Wonder's first UK number-one hit, staying at the top for 6 weeks. It also won a Golden Globe and an Oscar for Best Song."

The extract above is from: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. I'm pretty sure though that DITH and Ikelah would be so familiar with the lyrics and the simple tune. In fact that was also our (Bea and me) special song. It was as if Stevie Wonder knew what was going on and had specially written those lyrics when Bea was so busy 'kelip-kelip mata kat Pycno tidak berapa lama dahulu'....he...he.... ;)

I am still very busy at the moment. This short entry is just to say that I love you....ALL of you.

And to Bea, Pycno sayang kamu!! Thank you for the help. I really appreciate it.

On Pause Mode..........

I will not be making any new entries for the next three or four weeks. Which is funny, because that seems to be what I have been doing all along. But at least before this, the thought of posting something was there. However, in these coming weeks, I won't even have the capacity to think of writing a new entry as I will be too busy to do so. But this is some relaxing music to accompany those who happen to drop by. Just ease into your chair and loosen up. Light up a scented candle for some added aromatherapy. Pour yourself some sparkling fruit juice and close your eyes as the music takes over.

Music has always been a very important part of me. For all you know, we might just be listening to and enjoying the relaxing music together :)

Enjoy.......

Satu Hari di Hari Raya.....

Perubahan pada lagu yang mengiringi entri ini hanyalah sekadar menandakan kejayaan Pycno yang baru sahaja menamatkan 'puasa 6'. Syukur Alhamdulillah. Walaupun rancangan pada awalnya ialah untuk memulakan puasa enam hari di bulan Syawal, sehari selepas Hari Raya Aidil Fitri yang lalu, Pycno hanya berjaya memulakan misi pada hari Isnin yang lalu. Itu pun Pycno tidak dapat melaksanakan nya secara berterusan. Maklum saja lah, bila sudah mula bekerja, ada-ada saja cabaran nya, samada dalam bentuk jamuan yang diadakan di pejabat, atau jemputan rumah terbuka yang di adakan. Tidak kurang juga cobaan dan dugaan dalam bentuk kueh-mueh yang masih ada di rumah, di tambah pula dengan ahli keluarga yang semuanya belum lagi memulakan puasa 6 lagi.

Sebenarnya Bea kurang sihat sejak seminggu yang lalu, batuk dan demam. Alhamdulillah beliau sudah kembali pulih, bahkan sudah memulakan berpuasa hari ini. Jadi sempat juga lah kami berbuka puasa bersama-sama petang tadi. (Bagi Bea puasa hari pertama) Pada kebiasaan nya, Bea yang lebih awal menamatkan puasa 6 nya, tapi kali ini Pycno yang berjaya mengatasi nya. Sebagai merayakan kejayaan, selepas menghantar Elvis ke pusat tuisyen 8 malam tadi, Pycno bawa dan belanja Bea makan di Kopitiam Old Town, di cawangan terbaru mereka di Alpha Angle, Wangsa Maju. Kami minum kopi susu, dan makan roti bakar disapu kaya dan mentega, dan telur masak separuh. Makanan nya 'simple' sekali, tapi suasana di situ mengembalikan ingatan kepada zaman 60an dan awal 70an. Terkenang Pycno betapa seronoknya minum di kedai kopi sebegitu bersama arwah Ayah dulu. Kalau lah Ayah masih ada, pasti Pycno membawa nya untuk minum bersama-sama lagi, tapi apakan daya...

Sebagai merayakan kejayaan menamatkan puasa 6 ini juga, InsyaAllah Pycno bercadang untuk membawa Bea dan Elvis bercuti 3 hari 2 malam. InsyaAllah, kami akan ke Pulau Pinang pada hari Rabu ini. Bea sebenarnya agak keberatan untuk pergi sebab katanya, beliau baru sahaja memulakan puasa Syawal nya. Tapi Pycno memujuknya dan berjanji akan memberikan sokongan moral agar puasa nya tidak akan terjejas, bahkan ini juga memberi peluang baik bagi Bea untuk berbuka puasa dengan nasi kandar di Penang nanti.

Okay lah, kalau rajin Pycno akan menulis lagi di Penang nanti. Kalau tidak, dengar dan nikmati serta hayati lah lirik puitis dari M. Nasir dalam lagu ini...

Satu hari di Hari Raya

Ku lihat cahaya bersinar indah

Langit cemerlang tak terkira

Tanda kuasa yang Maha Esa

Memberi nikmat pada manusia

Satu hari di Hari Raya

Ku dengar irama yang sungguh indah

Ku coba mendekati padanya

Kira irama itu adalah

Suara pujian pada yang Esa

Satu hari di Hari Raya

Aku menangis tanda gembira

Aku menangis tanda ku cinta kepadaNya

Satu hari di Hari Raya

Ku lihat wajah suci ibuku

Ku lihat wajah kasih ayahku

Ku gembira

Mungkin inilah dia kebahagiaan

Bila Takbir Bergema

What a journey…

Yes, it was. It was on Saturday afternoon – after Asar, to be exact – that I decided to 'balik kampong'. Initially, the journey back was promising even when you take into consideration the mamak who virtually slaughtered us with his pricey (and may I add, unpalatable) curry at a restaurant in a quaint, small town three hours away from Kuala Lumpur. Yes, that was where we broke our fast. But that did not dampen our festive spirit. In fact, my Elvis was singing non-stop his latest craze, a song entitled “But It’s Better If You Do So” by Panic! At The Disco. Musical bands today have such funny names, wouldn’t you agree?

It was only when we reached the next town, that the nightmare began. As we were ascending the steep hills, traffic was at almost a standstill. I had frightening thoughts that probably an accident had occurred ahead of us. Thankfully, it was only a very heavy lorry in the way. Still……

So how was my Raya?

It wasn’t so much of the celebration, neither the place nor the food. Instead, it was more of spending time together with my aged mother. Raya this time around was all about her. In fact, I was hardly moving around, going out. I wasn't even going around visiting my relatives. Time was not only short, but also precious to me and the children. It was more of me staying at home and reminding my children to go sit down and make small talk with their grandmother.

What made me feel so proud was when Bea and my only daughter helped my mother to 'mandi sunat Eidulfitri'. My old mother was so touched by this gesture of kindness that she couldn’t help but cry. In fact, she cries a lot now. When we salam, kiss and hug her on Raya morning, tears roll down her cheeks. Deep down inside, I know that they are tears of happiness. And I am the kind of person that can’t help but feel choked with emotion everytime I see another person crying. As she was being bathed, my mother asked Bea whether she (Bea) had the opportunity to do the same thing with her own mother. Bea replied that she did not have that chance. You see, my mother-in-law suffered for only a brief period before passing away due to cervical cancer, which was only discovered at a very late stage.

That simple episode, to me, was a chance for Bea to do something which she never got to do with her own mother. And for my own mother, it was an opportunity for her to see another side of her daughter-in-law which she has never seen before this.

I’ve told you that I am now helping to repair my mother’s house to make it more comfortable for her. As a result, she is at present staying with my eldest sister, whose house is just a couple of houses away. I was hoping that the renovation work would be complete before Raya, but it turned out that progress was a bit slow. This is how the repaired house looks like, as of now. What do you think? Can it be ready by Raya Haji?

Raya pics

Mama Sarah and Mynn were asking for my Raya pictures, but unfortunately, the only pictures that I can share with readers here would be the one above and the one below. So, to both Mynn and Mama Sarah, can I present you with a bouquet instead?

Sorry Mynn and Mama Sarah. You see, if Pycno shows himself, then he will have to stop blogging. You wouldn’t want that, would you? Both DITH and Ikelah already know the reason to this because we’ve already met in person. But believe me Mynn, as a ‘celebrity’, I am quite sure that you’ve seen me around. Try looking back in all the entertainment magazines that you possess, or you can either go to the World Wide Web. I’m really, really sure that you must have seen me once or twice without realizing that it was me. Here’s a tip for you: Wikipedia hehehehe……Sorry, just kidding Mynn. But don’t worry. I’ll reveal my true self when the time is right.

Lastly, much as I’ve reminded DITH to start on Puasa 6 as soon as possible, I’m ashamed to admit that I haven’t started with my own. But I’ll get to it. I promise. Let’s have a challenge to see who’ll finish first, shall we?

Selamat Hari Raya everyone :)

And Finally...A Ramadhan/Syawal Entry

Jangan Raya lagi, we’re still in Ramadhan…

Just a couple more days of Ramadhan left. A good friend of mine sent me a message at the beginning of the fasting month, reminding that this may just be the last Ramadhan of our lives. It was somewhat a shock treatment to me. But when the message finally sank in, how true it can be. And sometimes, we take for granted our Ramadhans, and then Raya comes by and we have fun. And then another year goes by, and by the time we realize it, the fasting month has once again arrive at our doorsteps. And so the cycle continues. Just goes on to show how we take things for granted; our loved ones, our fasting, and indeed, our lives too sometimes. But what if, this year really was the last Ramadhan that we get to celebrate? Hmm…..

Balik Kampung

I have not yet decided when exactly to begin the long journey back home. As of now, I am still waiting for the masses to finish with their ‘exodus’ (the news predicted that these two days would see a massive convoy going back to their respective kampungs). To those who decide to drive this Raya, please do take care. It was only just tonight, as I was fetching my eldest son did I witness an accident along the Genting-Klang road. Send shivers down my spine, it did; and I don’t think that the driver survived, judging from how bad the state of the vehicle was in. I don’t enjoy driving, especially long distances. If I had my way, balik kampong should be either before or after everybody has gone back. But mental images of my aged mother waiting in anticipation for our return push away any thoughts of procrastination. Just as I am happy now that all my children are back home, I am sure that my mother too would be happy to see us arrive at her doorstep.

Baju Raya

I once wrote that in my younger days, Raya was quite full of suspense since I would be always asking “Will there be a Baju Raya for me this year?” This is not so with my children since they already know that they will get Baju Raya. Instead, the question that they frequently ask would be “What colour is our theme this year?” It has been for many years now that I try to have the family members wear different shades of the same colour. I am tempted to tell you what colour we’re wearing this year, but I think I’ll keep that as a surprise. Who knows? Maybe you will get to see....hmmmm……..

Kuih Raya

Pycnogenol has not made any kuih raya since…dinosaur ages, I would say. We have always been busy and friends have always been so kind hearted to give us their kuih raya. Of course, as a saving grace, I do also buy my own kuih, to bring back to the kampung. Kak Zah (if you remember her) has given up on asking me whether the kuih that I bring back are bought or made, as she already knows the answer – and so do you, I think. What is your favourite kuih raya?

Raya gatherings.

Last year has got to be one of the more memorable Rayas for me since it was the Raya where I had the opportunity to meet a number of good friends. And even now, I am still smiling as I remember the looks on both ikelah and drroza‘s face when they finally found out who pycnogenol really was *wink* They were so surprised that they managed to forget about asking for an autograph. Not forgetting, nurelhuda and her lovely children. It was such a joy to finally meet all these wonderful people in person. Of course, it was only this year that I was able to meet sofi, sarah, habibah and solehah. But the same facial expression was painted on all of their faces – especially solehah and habibah ;) Actually, all this talk about raya gathering is just to tease mynn and mama sarah. So mynn, if you want to have a personal raya gathering with pycnogenol, do tell my ‘secretary’ earlier – three months in advance would be just nice. And do bring along that DSLR of yours. You wouldn’t want to miss out on the opportunity of taking pictures with me, would you?

Selamat Hari Raya

As much as pycnogenol likes to make jokes and pull the legs of others, I always remind myself not to go too far. But as a human being, I may be unaware of the mistakes that I have made. So to those who may have felt a bit disturbed by my banter, do forgive me. It wasn’t intended to be malicious; just to lighten up the festive spirit. So guys, Selamat Hari Raya and Maaf Zahir Batin dari pycno, bea and anak-anak.

p.s. you will realize that there’s a raya song accompanying this entry. Thanks go to sofi for her help. I know that you’ve sent me the instructions a long time ago, but it was only after my eldest son came back today, did I manage to make the thing work (Yes, I am that bad with technology).

Food for thought

Some people misunderstand the meaning of exchanging ‘salam’ and seeking for forgiveness during Raya, or any other day for that matter. I have given this some serious thought and am I right to say that: Forgiveness is a gift that you can give anyone - the dead, the dangerous or even The Big Creep, your enemy - at any time, without strings. And such a gift may be the healthiest thing you can do for yourself. Reconciliation, however, is not always possible or even desirable. For example, you can forgive someone who has battered you, but your safety requires that you keep away. Or you may forgive a compulsive gambler, but never loan them money. So forgiveness is always a good first step, but the next step, reconciliation, takes careful consideration because it takes two.

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.......

My Elvis had a good laugh watching this clip after Subuh tadi. Enjoy...

May the blessings of Allah shower on you...

As the crescent moon is sighted, and the holy month of Ramadhan begins....

May the blessings of Allah shower on you...

A few more shots...

I’ve wanted to properly update my entry and continue with my tales of Thailand, but last week I was so busy conducting workshop to train colleagues at my work place. Not only that, my third son, who is in a boarding school in Kajang got his left middle finger slammed by the door (caused by the wind) at the mosque in his school.

The nail which was causing excruciating pain to him has to be pulled out. As a result, I had to take him home and the whole of last week he had to be taken to the clinic almost every day for dressing. He is now back in school, but I still have to visit him every other day to send him for dressing. Luckily the school is only in Kajang which is only half an hour’s drive away from home.

To continue with my tale, one of the places I visited in Bangkok was Jim Thompson’s house. This intriguing American came to Bangkok in 1945 and three years later, founded the Thai Silk Company before setting about the mammoth task of dismantling six teak houses from other parts of Thailand and reassembling them in their current location.

Unfortunately, we were not allowed to take any photos inside the house itself.




Another classic northern-style teak house that I saw was Baan Kamthieng which was originally constructed in Chiang Mai more than 200 years ago and donated to Siam Society by its owners and reconstructed right in the middle of the city of Bangkok.

Displayed are items traditionally used by Thai farmers and fishermen. Unfortunately again, we were not allowed to take any photographs inside the house itself. A very large variety of Thai flora and fauna can be seen in the garden of the house. The following is just a sample:


Both Jim Thompson’s house and Baan Kamthieng is open daily, except Sunday and Monday from 9:00 A.M.-12 noon and 1 P.M. - 5 P.M. An admission fee of 100 Baht, is charged to help maintain the property and grounds. It is located on 131 Soi Asoke (Soi 21), Sukhumvit Road.

It is located on 131 Soi Asoke (Soi 21), Sukhumvit Road.

A Belated Anniversary Wish…..

Dear Ikelah and DITH,
It’s wonderful to see love strengthen and grow through the ups and downs of life.
I only hope that ALL of us will find that kind of love, commitment and passion in our lives.

Happy Anniversary guys. I know now that you had your special 'makan-makan' at the Lemon Tree, so the above song is specially dedicated to you...Better late than never. ;)

Goodbye to you, my yellow brickroad........

Goodbye Yellow Brick Road

When are you gonna come down
When are you going to land
I should have stayed on the farm
I should have listened to my old man

You know you can't hold me forever
I didn't sign up with you
I'm not a present for your friends to open
This boy's too young to be singing the blues

So goodbye yellow brick road
Where the dogs of society howl
You can't plant me in your penthouse
I'm going back to my plough

Back to the howling old owl in the woods
Hunting the horny back toad
Oh I've finally decided my future lies
Beyond the yellow brick road

What do you think you'll do then
I bet that'll shoot down your plane
It'll take you a couple of vodka and tonics
To set you on your feet again

Maybe you'll get a replacement
There's plenty like me to be found
Mongrels who ain't got a penny
Sniffing for tidbits like you on the ground

Tak kan naik 'sky train' aje...

Besides the sky train, Bangkok offers an array of colourful taxis, a total of 9 colours we were told, and they are all mostly Toyota cars.

Bangkok taxis all have meters and thus would be a good way to travel around. They bear the legend 'Taxi Meter' on the roof. The price starts at 35 bahts (about Rm3.50) for the first two kilometres and approximately 5 bahts per kilometre thereafter.
(The ladies would look pretty in pink taxis)
There is no need to tip although it is appreciated. To call a taxi phone 02 319 9911 and will cost 20 bahts extra. Make sure the meter is switched on as you move off. If the driver refuses, leave that taxi.
(A metallic saga-red taxi)

For long distance destinations such as the airport the price can be negotiated but it is normally cheaper to use the meter.

(Tuk-tuks in a row)

Tuk-tuks (that’s the correct spelling, Ayumi) are those charismatic little three-wheelers with a padded bench for two in the semi-open rear. They are two-stroke vehicles, named for the sound made by their engines, which belch out at high volume noxious fumes to pollute even further a city already swimming in carbon monoxide. Fares in tuk-tuks are negotiable, which is not to be misinterpreted as meaning that they are cheap. I remember once taking the tuk-tuk back to my hotel, and I was charged 50 bahts, whereas when I took a metered taxi, I had to only pay 350 bahts for the same distance.

Since customers seem to prefer the comfort and fixed fares of metered taxis these days, it has become even harder to bargain for a reasonable price in a tuk-tuk. The shortest journeys will cost about Bt30, and that will cover only about two kilometres. In general they are no cheaper than metered taxis, although more colourful. If using one, be careful with possessions. Since the rear is only partially enclosed, anything on the extremity of the seat is vulnerable to the hand of a passing motor-cyclist, for example.

Much as a ride on the tuk-tuk is an experience not to be missed in Thailand and much as you would also enjoy taking a ride in all those colourful, wonderful metered-taxis, for Pycno, it was nothing less than this to take him round Bangkok in style….he…he…..

(Oh yes, keep on dreaming Pycno....)

A Thai Song to spice up my Thai entry...

Bangkok Part 1 (reason why I was on pause mode)

Bangkok is hot and humid this time of the year. Yes Mama Sarah, that was what Bea presented me with for my last birthday - a holiday in Bangkok!! She knew that I had such a great time the last time we were there, and that was December last year. We had such a wonderful holiday with the whole family (except for my eldest), in Bangkok last year and I have not stopped talking about it. Bea must have sensed that I wanted to go to Bangkok again, and that would have also been a good opportunity for me to take my eldest son with me for a holiday cum bonding session. Unfortunately that was not to be, for my son had to be back in College for some programme.

Ah well…you guys would know me by now. I don’t really need company to have a good time all by myself. In fact my entry of Saturday, August 19^th, was to mentally prepare readers of my blog for what’s coming in this entry. Yes, I was all myself holidaying in Bangkok for one whole week!!

(That was my hotel in Bangkok)

Grand Tower Inn Rama IV is situated on prime location with easy access to major business and shopping areas. Visitors can take full advantage of easy access to the expressway with Rama VI exits both northbound andsouthbound nearby. In addition, BTS sky train (Saphan Khwai Station) is within a few minutes walking distance.

I find travelling by BTS sky train so convenient.

They have bigger and more spacious trains.

I bought myself the unlimited day-travel ticket, and that will take me to any of the following destinations:

(For a mere 100 bahts, you can travel to any of the above destinations the whole day long)

On Sunday, 20^th August, Chatuchuk market was my first destination.

This has to be any serious shoppers’ priority itinerary in Bangkok. It was so hot, and I sweated so much, but it was okay because it was so much fun, and I got so many great deals. This market is indescribable - you really can't understand the enormity of it until you see it yourself. Essentially, it's just a bunch of stalls that you can find good deals at (if you know how to bargain), but really it was so much more because you shop with the locals. It isn't like shopping at the souvenir stalls on the street. I expected to see many more tourists at the market, but really, the locals seemed to outnumber us by far. You will see things that are so odd and quite hilarious and unexpected. I’m not going into the details of that. My advice: Try to arrive fairly early - it'll be less busy and slightly cooler; Drink lots of water; Don't be afraid to bargain, but if that's not your thing, you'll still get a reasonable deal. Believe me,you’ll have lots of fun!

(To be continued...)

Happy Birthday Bea...

A True Love Is The Only Rose Without A Thorn

Thank You For Being Everything I Could Ever Want. You've Filled My Life With Joy. I Am So Glad You're A Part Of My Life…..

Happy Birthday Bea…..

Dont Worry....Be HAPPY !!

"If I do not want what you want, please do not try to tell me that my want is wrong.

Or if I believe other than you, at least pause before you correct my view.

Or if my emotion is less than yours, or more, given the same circumstances, try not to ask me to feel more strongly or weakly.

Or yet if I act, or fail to act, in the manner of your design for action, let me be.

I do not, for the moment at least, ask you to understand me. That will come only when you are willing to give up changing me into a copy of you.

I may be your spouse, your parent, your offspring, your friend, or your colleague. If you will allow me any of my own wants, or emotions, or beliefs, or actions, then you open yourself, so that some day these ways of mine might not seem so wrong, and might finally appear to you as right – for me. To put up with me is the first step to understanding me. Not that you embrace my ways as right for you, but that you are no longer irritated and disappointed with me for my seeming waywardness. And in understanding me you might come to prize my differences from you, and, far from seeking to change me, preserve and even nurture those differences.”

I was so moved by the extract above, taken from an old book as I was browsing at the Pay Less Book at their Amcorp Mall branch, yesterday. You guessed it right. I just have to buy the book entitled: Please Understand Me, a book about character and temperament types, written by David Keirsey and Marilyn Bates and I am reading it right now.

In my last entry, I gave you a list of the things which made me happy. And if you remember, I put “I’m going to be very VERY happy end of next week. Don’t ask me why cos I’m not telling you” as the last point on the agenda. Yes, I did. If you don’t believe me, you can look back.

Well, it’s already nearing the end of the week and I’m starting to get giddy with the feeling of joy. Don’t ask me why cause I’m still not telling you. However, I will let you in on this much: I will be on pause mode for a week *wink*wink*

In the mean time, please ponder on the extract above and tell me what you think of it. I will be so busy and so HAPPY till end of the month.

Till then, have a happy week everybody!