Redang.

I had the most incredible, awesome trip ever.

Firsty up, about the pictures: the first two are of everyone eating durians which we got a guy to bring over from Kuala Terengganu. I don't eat durians, so..
The last two, well, I didn't know they were taken. The guys took it when I left their table for a while, haha, and I only found them now. And seriously, I have very few pictures. I think I was having too much fun, drinking in everything that I didn't really take pictures. Besides, Mihkaail and Azmyr had their cameras ready.

To a large extent, the fun I had was due to the company. But the Berjaya Redang beach was gorgeous too. My aunt said it's almost as good as the Maldives. Almost, haha. You can walk out almost 50 metres and the crystal clear water will only be as deep as your waist, with fishes swimming around you.

One amazing thing that happened, happened yesterday, when I got on the paddle boat with Azmyr and Mihkaail. We paddled all the way to another beach! It was just us on that empty, uninhabited beach. It felt almost surreal - as though we were the survivors from Lost or something. When we were leaving the beach, the waves kept pushing us back to shore so Azmyr jumped out and he actually pushed us, together with the paddle boat a short distance against the waves before jumping in himself. Like, whoa!

The banana boat ride was scary but fun! My past experiences with banana boat rides did not prepare me for this one because banana boat rides are traditionally very mild rides. Aren't they? I went on this one with Madz, Myrza and Mihkaail and Mihkaail very gallantly allowed me to sit in front. Hah! The front is the worst! My fingers were so stiff from hanging on, okay! I was so scared that I would topple over into the sea because we went really far out and the waves were SO choppy and wild. There was even one part where the driver cleverly made the tip of the banana boat submerge, and well, guess who was in front? ME! So I almost went in! Haha! The guys behind me kept shouting at the driver to go faster and they later guessed he went at at least 40 knots [whatever that means] so yeah. I was having fun, don't get me wrong, but I was so afraid of falling in. Fuuuh! Apparently banana boat rides can get quite dangerous, especially if you fall in because you can end up breaking your arm or something. Seeing how rough the sea was, I really could understand why.

Snorkelling. I didn't really follow them on their snorkelling trip because I got sick after the first stop, which was a pity because at the first stop, it was 10 feet deep but my cousins said that the second stop had really pretty corals and was much shallower. The next day, it was just Azmyr and I at the Marine Park and damn, the waves were choppy. I was scared that I couldn't swim in those waters but the boatman helped me for a bit. The water was kinda murky though, so we couldn't see much. But when he wanted to bring me to a deeper [and much choppier] portion which had nicer corals, I refused, but Azmyr went with him and I think they dived a little as well to see some big fishes hiding under the rocks.

I learnt how to play pool and table tennis. Madz, Myrza and Azmyr are really good at pool. They have all their different angles and aims! Madz taught me and Mihkaail, and we kept playing against each other because "we have our own system that works". But during the game that Madz taught us, it was funny because he was doing all the aiming for us, haha. Watching Azmyr play table tennis with his dad in a friendly, competitive game, was good fun as well. Apparently they used to have a table tennis table and would play every night after dinner.

The trip to Laguna was interesting because of the boat rides, organized by Joe Glamour. The boats were the old, rickety kind - very dangerous + very fun. Hahaha, crossing over rocking boats, feeling the spray of the seswater and lots of fresh wind made for an unforgettable experience. Apparently, Laguna is supposed to be a more happening place but I prefer the beach at Berjaya because the waters are alot clearer and it's less crowded.

So yepp, basically, it was one of my best trips ever. :) Let's end on this happy note, shall we? Now it's time for lunch.

"In need of a fresh start"

This entry is a cumulative one - it's a result of several days of mindless scribbles, being uploaded at one shot. So if it doesn't make much sense, then, oops! Haha.

Karen Armstrong is inspirational. To be honest, we were really having second thoughts whether or not we should go and in the end, I'm really glad that we went. Inspirational not only because the talk made sense but because it made me want to be like her. I want to be as well read, as accomplished as that lady, who sat up there, occasionally dissing politicians [Dr Yaacob Ibrahim was being a good sport beside her, haha], telling us to look deep into our inner selves, live with compassion and be guided by The Golden Rule.

So I've started work. Albeit it's only for a few days and it's with my sister but all's good. The work is tiring but a helluva lot of fun - I think Hasyim and I work well together because we managed to finish everything before the allocated time. I think this is the perfect job for me because:
1) It's only for a few days which is perfect since I'll be leaving soon.
2) I get to work with someone I like...
3) and my sister. HAHA, she's a good boss. Really. She won't distract you while you're counting flyers! =P.

So watch out for The King and I, yo. If you do decide to go, remember who helped, hahaha.

Anyway, about the overseas trip(s). It's not just Jakarta now, but Jakarta for a few days followed by a domestic flight to Bali to meet up with my uncle and some cousins there. Back to Singapore for a few days followed by Redang with many more uncles and cousins, then back to Singapore again for another few days and finally KL.

It's not something I'm looking forward to for many reasons. :( We've shed so many tears and I've had so many sore eyes [after crying] and yes, I will go, but not because I want to but because I have to. Did that sound a little weird? If it did, it's just cause I don't want to outwardly state my reasons, haha.

I'm feeling apathetic. I figure, in a twisted way, the long trip coming up is good because it will let me clear my head. Sometimes, space is good. Nyeheheh.

I think tomorrow might be our last day of work. Maybe, only. Hopefully not because it is quite fun, mindlessly routine, but still quite fun. Gathering documents and now having a favourite stapler is new to me. Work's also interesting because of my crossing paths with office folk [like SECURITY GUARDS] who are usually very irritable. I reckon being cooped up all day does wonders for your personality. But it's just fascinating, the different characters you meet and while walking around the area, I've discovered completely new places in Singapore. Well, then, that should come as no surprise because I don't really know my way around this island but but but still, the quaint shops around the area and multitude of pubs create a colourful variety that really makes me wonder where I've been all this while, haha.

What is my job, exactly? I'd like to call myself an [unofficial] personal assistant. :D

Tuesday's looming. I'll leave on the 26th, return approximately on the 12th of July. 2 weeks here and then KL.

Won't you say goodbye?

Beauty fades but ugly is to the bone.

Personal hiatus. To work on the things I love.

Oh sweet, with the rest of the holidays stretching out in front of me...

It's time for some good lovin'. :)