Might be culture shock for some

I saw my friend sitting face to face chatting with a man at the age of 60’s. He is partly bald; wrinkles are to be seen from far. I got pretty “kepo” so I walked towards them. When I reached nearer everything became clearer. I can’t help but notice this man’s last one standing tooth which sill hangs on his gum. I didn’t make any comment or say “Hi”, I sat closely to my friend listened to their chat.

“Do you know that Japanese girls love men who speak English? They will adore you; stalk you like crazy if you can speak Standard 3 English.” I have heard this before but sound skeptical to me. The uncle continued “Last time I have had many Japanese girl friends that followed me”. Huh??? Your one tooth hanging like that and Japanese girls all over you ah ??? Sure boh? I can’t stop but laughing in front of him. I know I was rude then again I try not to laugh out loud but to listen closely what he going to say next.

This uncle is telling about his past experience living in Japan. He returns home 10 years ago. He can’t help forgetting his life in Japan so I sat closely, listened to his story. He shares his life stories with us. Like kids listening to bed time stories. He blab a lot of his working life in Japan which I pay no heed till he starts with the culture shock. Subject.

Hope this is not offensive. I’ll share what I‘ve heard – accorded to this uncle statement.

- Prostitution service is counted hourly. An hour might cost you around 10 thousand yen. So if you can finish your pleasure with A woman in less than the few minutes, you can get second B girl without extra charge, finish with B girl you can continue with C girl. What ever it is that 10 grand yen must be settle in an hour. Not bad eh ? Bare in mind this is not for tourist!

- A pub. Alcohol drinks are placed high above- on top of the bar shelves. Waitresses are expected to climb up the bar to grab a drink for a man without wearing their undies. Only short mini skirts are allowed. The rules of this game, men are not allowed to touch the waitress not even a hair.

- Sashimis are spread on a naked body. No utensils are used during the meal. You are to only use tongue to put the food in your mouth. Few people will seat around the body to get hold of that few pieces of fish.

- I think you have heard of sniffing used undies, used sanitary pad, playing with feces and urine.

- There is granny prostitution too. Yes granny is working! People queue for their turn!

I don’t’ know if it’s true. It’s a shame statement that women are treated like this in their country. I know it will be eye opening for some one who never heard of this. If you know more other than this SHARE with me!!! hahhaha......

Part 3. School and Friends

My schooling begun the next day. I was shy and petrified on the first day. Isabella and I went to the same school; Liceo Scientifico G. Brotzu. She showed me to my class then proceeded to her class room next door. Not knowing what I am supposed to do in class, if I should make the first attempt to introduce myself to the class. I kept silent. Everyone looked at me as if I was an alien who has just landed on their planet. Their facial expression gave me the sign.

Image via Wikipedia

My first lesson was “Dante’s Comedia” – Dante Divine Comedy. Good lord, what the heck is that? Cikgu tak ajar di sekolah le! The teacher mumbles her lecture with her soft, delicate sleepy voice. I pay no heed , it was cold and I dozed of in a blink of an eye. She blabs too much. Hahaha..
Next class, Latin. Holly … I felt like I was in a preaching home or something. Continued with French, Mathematics and etc….

Then it was when during recess, people started to gather around me asking me questions that have been boggling their mind earlier. They are bubbly, friendly and easy going. I was invited to go to their home, Christmas party, and was ask to hang out with them. It was awesome. I felt like the most popular student in school. Yeah I am going to win the prom queen. Pulling the leg of, it didn’t happen. LOL.

The school

The Amici

High School and Friends
The first one standing on the right side taught Dante's Comedia.

Friendship blossom, my friends and I started to hang out every single day. I attended party dinner, camping, I was taken care of, friends' parents loved me and I was doing all sort of things that I usually don’t do or allowed to do at home. Time flies. I started to love my life there until it’s time for me to head home. It’s sad that I have to leave every beautiful moments behind but I have gained my love from friends, had the best moment, knowledge of cultures and the unforgettable experience of a life time. The experiences that I have always cherish. I am proud to have supportive parents and has given me this once in a life time beautiful experience.

Visiting the seaside at Villasimius

Camping at Monta Fortubo

“Grab holds the opportunity right in front of your eyes as chances never comes twice.

Life is too short to not make it beautiful and memorable. Share it with your love ones”.”

What about dinner?

My husband and I have a bad habit of taking late dinner, SUPPER. We usually have our dinner; I would say heavy meals at around 9 pm. Some individual does find it odd. Some say that is the time for “tea tarik and roti”. For a diet freak, we are the most insalubrious human on earth. I get people moaning about our eating habit. Thank you for your concerns.It happens because there are times when I have to wait Kent for dinner. I am not faulting him for all this. I love to have him accompany. We eat out all the time due to the time frame we had. It’s unpredictable when to cook. Cooking for 2 is not easy either.

When I am back in Tawau, I will have my dinner at around 5.30 -6.00pm. Grandma cooks at 5 pm. Dinner will be served at 5.30pm. Yes, it’s an early dinner. Some people might have just return from tea time but we induce dinner at that hour. My brothers and I, without grand ma acknowledging, tend to have our second round around 8 pm. She has a habit to sleeps at these hours. So we will sneak out to have supper. Hahhaa….

We had our dinner at 12 am today. I know we are killing ourselves slowly. Ok, let’s not talk about my eating habit. Kent and I usually have steamboat at this restaurant. Nothing lavishly exquisite, it’s quite affordable. We ordered 2 persons consumption at the price of RM28.50 included 4 Chinese teas – “Suet cha”. Our throats were parched so we had 4 teas.




Assorted foods for 2 persons.



The condiments


"Yin Yang " soup , Tom Yam and regular chicken stock soup.



One of the sign board in the shop.

Located at Jalan Mutiara Raya, Taman Mutiara Raya, Cheras. -Taman Mutiara Barat,
Same block as Station One is situated. - Website taken from Station One.
Rating - **

Part 2 - First day in Cagliari

Their Fiat pulled over in front of a 3 stories, dainty - contemporary bungalow, located on top of a hill. Exquisite bungalows with its own unique designs are to be seen around the neighborhood. It’s as though standing in front of the rich and famous. At some point, I can glimpse partly of the suburbia and the scenic glistening sea waters. It was an astonishing view.

I was invited into the house, Simone, their Bullmastiff were constantly barking and wagging its tail welcoming me whilst walking towards their home. Simone was huge; I never came upon a dog that immense where I hailed from. I was petrified and simultaneously wanting to pat him. I didn’t get to pat him. My host mother, Margarita – a doctor, ushered me inside her house.

It was cozy and warm inside the house. Isabella, my host sister – a high school student, showed me to my room which was on the loft. I had my own room. I possess my own study table, my comfy bed and a closet and a funky radio. It was too perfect to be true. I usually sleep with my sister back at home. Now I get a hold to have my own room! The room comes along with a perfect view.

Lunch was prepared after they showed me around the house, Antonio, my good looking-host brother – A law student, came home for lunch. We sat on the dining table and started our conversation. They are very passionate and enthusiast where I came form. I was filled with incertitude questioned of curiosity. Bare in mind they don’t really speak English. They rendered me a dictionary and that was how I communicate with my family. We had language barriers. Dictionary was like part of my limbs.

My first day in Cagliari was superb. I would normally hang out with Marge and Isa, Ant was busy with his studies. Dusk came, Marge took Isa and I for a ride in Quartu Saint Elena. The town was pleasant, again may be the illuminating lights did some trick that brought my attention. It was breathtaking. We roamed in the town, ate dinner and had some creamy gelatos. There were ample of stores selling cute, rugged, and erstwhile to fine merchandise. Clothing stored and bistros were everywhere.

It was all worth while for flying miles and leaving my loving family. It was an awesome experience and cognition knowledge, a cultural memes that will remain unforgotten in my whole life.

Continue…

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I ended my blog earlier because I was distracted again, FOOD!

Crabs for supper!
YES CRABS!

I am not sure the name of this dish.
Chef decided to cook something different for our fussy taste bud.
Rate : 4 stars for this!

Part 1. How it all started...

Once you have attempted to fly solo, the gumption, the “chi” of yours will increase automatically. “Sap-sap-sui la!”

Buy a plane ticket,shut one eye and the last thing you know you got on a plane and reach your destination. Kerfuffle no more.

Back to my chronicle……

After I succeed my AFS interview in Kota Kinabalu, I flew back home, Tawau on that same day. I went back as my SPM examination was held few weeks later. I was excited, gouge, all types of mixed notion. I was panic with my exam, happy for my interview success. All I can think throughout my exam was my AFS program. I can’t even concentrate on my exam papers. What is Chemistry? What are the equations? Who was the English Resident that got murdered in Perak? No, not a word. I am not sure what my answer was. Luckily, I did nifty in my SPM with Grade 1.

Finally, the day I have been eagerly waited arrived. I flew 18 hours (correct me if I am wrong) flight to Rome all by my self. Of course I am proud at that instant. Imagine an adolescent flying to Europe all by her own, not acknowledging anyone seated nearby. No travel guide and no I do not put on Traveling Alone Tag. No GPS, no mobile phone, no maps, no nothing. Hahha… There were 4 exchange students who flew along with me which was not known till I arrive at Rome.

Wondering what I did during long-haul flight? I slept. I wake for my meals and slept again. This kinda repeated few times. Played some Nintendo games. Watched some lame movies. Read the in-flight magazine. The best part was I video recorded my self (cam –whoring) with some uncles and aunties on the background. There was no good-looking man around my designated area. No fun right?

Image by pixseb via Flickr

I arrived at Rome Leonardo da Vinci (Fiumicino) Airport

after the long-haul journey. I was greeted by an Intercultural Volunteer with my large font name on a white card board. along with AFS logo. We (me and few unknown girls) were brought to visit the Colosseum, the Aqua duct, Fontana Di Trevi…other unique historical piazzas. Rome is perfectly beautiful. I was in love when I first step in Rome especially standing in front of the Trevi fountain. The lighting, ambiance, the ravishing outflow, I was speechless. It was sooooo romantic. Awwwww….That was my first encounter on a Europen architecture. I know I resemble a peasant in a city.. :P

I rested a night in Rome. The very next morning, I flew to Cagliari, Sardenia. “Alone again naturally- Gilbert O'Sullivan". Plane taxied down at the tarmac, I step out of the airport, and my host mother and sister were expecting me at the arrival. They were delighted to see me wanting to bring me back to their warmth home. This is where my life as a student exchange started…..

Travel Solo

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

Traveling unaccompanied is something I have been practiced for years. I remembered my first solo trip was flying from Tawau to Kota Kinabalu which takes 45 minutes to reach the destination. I was invited to attend an interview for my AFS. I was 17.

I was sat between 2 strangers. Sitting between some strangers are not something I savored. For instance, I will sneeze to death if they wear heavy cologne or weird odor, the miserable feeling of placing hand on the arm rest, it’s like contending with the one seated beside, who ever get to place the arm first, the arm rest it’s yours for the rest of the flight. Reading, small books are always convenient and appropriate, things get a bit complicated when it come to newspaper. Imagine you are reading an interesting article, hands holding newspaper wide open, and then you flip and simultaneously the person seated beside you is massive. You might unintentionally touch his tummy or legs! Going to a washroom or passing the in-flight meals is as well disobliged.

I opt to sit next the gangway. At least I still possess one last arm rest .LOL. I could do stretch out at the gangway, visiting the flight attendance stall to check out hunks, or asking for freebies and going freely to the washroom with out interrupting others. Last but not least, I’ll be the first to get my hand luggage on the head compartment. I do believe that, it is also safer to sit next to the passage. If it happens to be an emergency, you might give yourself the time to flee to the nearest exit. Judge yourself.

P/S: I am referring to the Economy class seats.

Up next more on traveling..

Blogging doubt

I feel awed when I blog. I don’t master good English which is evident when you go through my writings. Reading my write up you will regard me as an adolescent who is just getting down writing. I enjoy reading and envying other bloggers, who are capable to blab their way with their skills. I don’t mean in a professional etiquette manner, it’s the skill, a skill where by attracts people to hunger for more. The deep desire which wants you to read more than what one is anticipated.
Patrick Teoh conveys him self with short writing, powerful words. His written material is really impressive. If I could have the talent……

Working day...

Working days went awry. Hand ache, back pain, muscle pain. I know I am such pain in the ass. I grumble everything. God, I am dog tired. Today I remained standing around the clock for 8 hours grooming mutt which is really killing me. Believe me, that is my hourly paid part time job. ~ KNN

Returned home, was thinking to finished my remaining birthday cake which to my amaze; the bananas on the inner layer (cake) were rotten black. It totally messed up the whole cake. Very disappointing indeed. Throw out the cake, looked at the stove. Staring at the stove grumbling about eating, wind up hubby is the one who masak instant noodle for me ,ohoho…Morale of the story No. 1 . Do not keep cake refrigerate for too long. No.2 I am thankful I got food to eat. No.3. I am damn lucky to have my man. No. 4 Always have instant noodle at home, convenience for lazy bum like me.

I got distracted while blogging. Hubby is watching Land of the Lost starring Will Ferrell. Will, a scientist and 2 of his entourage spat to a weird futuristic mix fantasy place. They met a primate and funny things happened throughout their search for their lost machine. I love the part when they hallucinate. Will was eaten by a T- Rex then got pooped out. A giant Alaskan crab fell and returned cooked all of a sudden.Too much information, you got to watch this wacko loony movie.

Image via Wikipedia

Image by zonalpony via Flickr

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Highlight of the day

And I thought nothing is gonna stop my slumber. Slept at 4 am.

“THUMP THUMP KNOCK KNOCK”. Liam and Pedro barked louder than I expected. I doze a little, kicked my blanket, screamed “Coming lah uii enough with the barking and bumping”. Thinking, I am not going to entertain a salesperson. I was dog-tired.

I walked to my door and saw 2 men with few casks of my distill water. WHAT at this hour?? Finally they are delivering today. It has been days since my ordered. Imagine days without distill water. I have to parch my throat a little just to save the last drop of water. I was awake by then, helping them to carry the water in. Really KNN~

Hubby has to work a little late today; I followed along my sister and her friends to 4 Happy Seasons Restaurant in Setapak for dinner. The restaurant is themed with 4 different seasonal climates under one roof. Ahem... – Control by air-conditioned. It’s a new vibe in town where TARCIAN talks of. So this ex- Tarcian has to try out to get into the vibe too. Hahah…

Food and menu expectation – Not bad, ample of variety and pricy.

Value: $$$ - 3/6$

Environment – Fresh and contemporary.

Rate – 3/5 stars ~ service is a bit sluggish.

Recommendation – Give it a try. Endeavor the WINTER.

Starters :Vietnamese BBQ beef, Main Course: Mixed Grill Rice , Drink: I had milk tea. I can't recall the name on the last picture. By the way its not the camera's error the actual environment is chill and blue.

Gals day out and the day after.

I had a girl’s day out with Alice yesterday. I picked her up at a nearby train station and uhhh..I got a bag from her. She gave me a bag!!! Thank you! The weather was cloudy and it really went well for us to have prawn me and "kai chap" a hawker stall some where in between Jalan Sanpeng and Pudu. I usually perspired a lot when I eat on that point. o_O.

Har Mee and kai chap


We normally keep in touch via Windows Live Messenger and ahemmm… errr…at some point we had not been seeing each other for quite sometimes. We don’t have the time to get together. She is busy I am busy.. KL ..always jam .. hehee….

After our breakfast, we head to Pavilion wondering and hunting for great bargains as Malaysia Mega Sales is going on at the moment. We were quite disappointed as not much of deals or bargains as we believe it will be. We were thwarted; Alice took me to The Loaf for (sam tim sam) 3.15 pm tea time. I got to tell you, I love the mini U Hu! Hu! Indulgence, delicious, scrumptious you name it. Did I leave out “pricey”? Both of us love Durian Obsession deucedly.

The U Hu! Hu! I am craving for it now.


Alice if you are reading this, can we arrange another meeting? I am taking you to makan. Just forget about your purse. Leave it at home. Thank you very much for the nice evening and meals!!

Today, ~mid day le, I went back to my part time job, my short article for and about the company I am working with has been published. I am very proud for my self hehee…I didn’t get a cent for my article. #$%^& then had back ache and oh well I don’t want to “lecture” about it. I am off – sitting on my ass again tomorrow. Shit ~

After the ass day at work, I am happy that I was finally home. My Hubby has prepared dinner by the time I reached home. Sweet! I love him for doing that. Then we head to JJ to redeem my JJ voucher which to my avail, no use one la. I am not sure what are the purpose of the vouchers is since there are not much of discounts or deals. Sound like shenanigans only. We then went to watch Public Enemies. Johnny Depp is so sexy as always ~

Image by nicogenin via Flickr

I don't want to mention anything about the movie to ruin your show!

Tag of the day ~ Bye Bye Black Bird!

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7th July 2009

I got my “cue that I am getting old” day today. Urghh….I am comparing my photos and checking in the mirror if there are any new wrinkles. How will I look like when I reached 40?? Yikes…

The night before, 2 am in the morning David, hubby and I went for errr….. Supper or breakfast. I don’t know how you describe that. We went for Szechwan delicacies. I like a few dishes there especially the “Mala pig stomach:” Other dishes are just too piquant and peppery for me. Imagine having a heavy meal before going to bed hehe… It reminds me few years ago I had Bak Kut Teh in the middle of the night before going to bed. We kind of had that happen quite regularly. Friends will wake us up for Bak Kut Teh. Well that was when I was still young and cute .. hahahaa and this is how I end up appearing round and big. Voluptuous can ah ?

I had a great night out with my hubby, sister and her fiancé. We had dinner in a Japanese Restaurant. Then had a few drinks in a bistro. We had a little chitchat and we compete ourselves drinking hahaha… I guess sister ate a bit full she throws up after that. Hmmm…. I should have record her action and load to You Tube hehe….kidding sis. It was a lovely night though.

Birthday cake, some food (there were more) and a whole beer tower.

As I reached home I tuned in 8tv to watch Michael Jackson The Memorial’s live. It was touching, emotional and heartbreaking especially when the family gave their speech and the songs that played, we are the world, Heal the world and the music Man in the mirror. Tears flow down my cheeks. I am emotional. I can’t witnessed such sad tragic. It was a beautiful and memorable service. I didn’t see Macaulay Cluckin which I thought he would be there.

Michael Jackson via last.fm

The only Moon Walker, the king of pop, the word’s best entertainer will no longer be judge, jeer, humiliate and accused. He is finally rest in peace.

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