#882: Longing to be home

I heeded someone`s advice and asked my sister for some recipes.
Enough cooking tips to keep me self-sufficient.

I cannot believe they are going back without me.
Not that they can help it.
It`s just that..
I miss the place I was born.
I miss my granny`s house.
I miss the wooden planks that go "click clack click clack" which make up her kampong house.
I miss just sitting by the balcony, recollecting my thoughts in absolute serenity and enjoying the mountainous breeze.
I miss passing by the rice fields on motor bikes and seeing the cattle trudge by.
I miss having to ride through the kampong houses for a whole fifteen minutes before I can reach any dining place.
I miss sitting with my grandpa while I watch him weave rattle baskets.
But he`s no longer around so...

Oh man okay I should totally stop it. I can`t take it anymore.

Yes, I miss my cousin dearly too. He`s older than me by a year and already engaged.
Serving the Royal Thai Army now. Yeah, something like NS in Singapore.
I remember him as an extremely handsome young chap.
My sisters and I apparently crushed on him before.
We would be so thrilled to have him ride us out to the town for lunch or shopping.
Of course we would not grab him tightly from behind while he rode us (although we totally felt like doing so).
I fondly remember that we were uber awkward around him...
HAHAHA. I wonder if he has grown even handsomer...
Miss my other relatives too. Some got married, others bore children.
They are so ever friendly though there exists a language barrier between us.
I so regret not mastering Thai.
Many many changes... I wonder when I can finally visit them.

My family would be touching down in Bangkok, though Chiang Rai would be a nearer place to head home.
They will then take a bus to Phayao and listen, the journey would take a day.
That`s right- 24 hours.
My relatives would then be prepared to fetch them in their pickup vans and motor bikes.

Introduction

Phayao has an overall area of 6,355 square kilometers and is administratively divided into 7 Amphoes (Districts) and 2 King Amphoes (Subdistricts).: Amphoe Muang, Chun, Chiang Kham, Chiang Muan, Dok Kham Tai, Pong, Mae Chai, King Amphoe Phu Kam Yao and King Amphoe Phu Sang. Phayao is located 690 kilometers from Bangkok.

Borders
North : Chiang Rai
South : Phrae and Lampang
East : Nan
West : Chiang Mai

Distance from Phayao city to nearby provinces
Chiang Mai 140 kms.
Chiang Rai 94 kms.
Lampang 130 kms
Nan 137 kms.
Phare 156 kms.

Distance from Phayao city to its districts
Chiang Kham 82 kms.
Chiang Muan 84 kms.
Chun 50 kms.
Dok Kham Tai 16 kms
Mae Chai 22 kms.
Pong 80 kms.
Phu Sang Subdistrict 102 kms.

This is where my hometown is located - Pong, Phayao, Thailand.


And the population size.

You can say that I was born a village girl. LOL.

13 days. I know I can live through it.

#881: Me - Rare Gem?

Window shopping in the mall.
Chatted about the everyday stuff and all of a sudden, he turned to look at me and spoke in a pretty serious manner,
"Huimin, do you know that you`re a really really good person? You`re a rare gem.
Not many girls can be like you you know."
My face certainly blushed a slight pink upon hearing it and I laughed it off as a joke and hurriedly changed the topic.
Now that I think of it, I probably should have done something back in appreciation.
Sigh.

#880: The wonders of Retail Therapy

Oh did I ever mention that RETAIL THERAPY works for me?
I am not an extravagant shopper because I cannot bear to part with my hard earned moola.
And not to mention that I still have debts to pay off to my aunt.
However, I will uncontrollably pamper myself when I feel down and moody.
For instance, I had a tiff with LHH over our family dinner on Dumpling Day.
Resulted in me stomping off and heading home myself.
In a graceful manner though.
The next day, I went to have my hair highlighted.
And the result turned out to be like this:

Five blonde streaks and two pinkish-red ones by the right side of my hair.
I kinda prefer the pinkish-red ones to the blonde ones (probably because they cost more than the blonde ones).

Not to worry, I do not look lian-ish. The streaks are really subtle and there are only seven streaks in total so they are barely noticeable.
Don`t wish to dye my hair again so I`m letting the black grow out and add a lil spice by having highlights.

It actually feels good to indulge in compulsive purchases at times.
At least your mood lightens up you see.
And more importantly, you feel good.

Ornie told me to do her FB quiz.
I was not flattered she used my name in some of the questions. HAHA!



This woman is one crappy siao ding dong la! Never fails to crack me up with her nonsense!

And this man NEVER fail to piss me off.

"Benjamin: my god... your blog has become... dare I say, retarded."
THEN DONT READ LA.
It won`t kill me to lose ONE reader. I still have a steady flow of forty readers, as calculated from my daily hit counter.
Darn hurt leh. Retarded?! Not even the least bit okay.

Luckily I have such a worthy friend to maintain that smile on my face.

Appreciated. Like always.

Okay so I just popped 2 paracetamols.
The giddy spell ain`t going away. Since morning till now y'know!
I thought a nap would make the dizziness go away but boy was I wrong.
I already slept the whole of yesterday (thursday).
Watching morning soccer matches can really make me zombie-like.
And I believe all of you know that when I am deprived of sleep, my nasty temper kicks in.
SO I CANNOT AFFORD TO LACK SLEEP. Haha.
I hope all will be well tomorrow.

And I watched the season finale of Ghost Whisperer on 5 just now.
Man, gonna miss the show... No idea when Season 5 is gonna air.
**Just checked Wikipedia and they stated that the season premiere for Season 5 is slated to air in the states on September 25th, 2009.
WHAT!!! THAT IS LIKE AGES AWAY!!!

So. Man U lost and gave the prestigious cup away to Barca. Barcelona SO deserved it.
Yeah you heard it right. I may be fanatic about the greatest club in the world IMO but I have to be rational as well.
A rational, yet fanatical fan! HAHAHA.

And I realised something while I was making my way to Adrian`s house that morning.
I was the only one on the road.
I swear I didn`t see a single soul on the road. Or rather, a living human being.
Just tons of cars.
So, the question that kept bothering me was, "Am I the only one who does such... beyond logic stuff?"
Oh man, I`m really one weird being.
Maybe this phrase would describe me aptly.


Oh yes. Desmond called me yesterday, faking a policeman. And I can`t believe I got tricked by him. I was uberly humiliated la!
He actually told me he called from Bedok Police Station and he needed me to get there rightaway to have my statement taken because there were posters of me on the walls of Blk 37, Bedok South Road.
He can even name the street and block!
Goodness me, can anyone imagine my fright at that point of time?
I was scared stiff la.
Eh you cannot call me gullible because I... well, generally I do not doubt people`s motives.
And I am not naive too! I am just... easily taken in and mischievious people exploit that weakness of mine.

He also told me that he would be having a knee cap operation at East Shore today and hoped that I could make a visit.
This was not a scam so I told him okay.
I thought I will go down in the evening and it turned out that I made the right choice because he called in the afternoon and said he finally decided not to be admitted.
Saved me a trip!

A piece of bad news to share though.
Benjamin Quek passed his driving test today.
HE PASSED HIS DRIVING TEST. WHAT WAS THE TESTER/MARKER THINKING?!
Well, congratulations if you are reading this.
Pfffffft.

Yes yes the day has finally arrived. Ooo so exciting!!! Even Mr Ferrero also knows about my dying affection for football.





See this poster? C Ronaldo is a tad closer to the foreground which means that Manchester United will emerge as the champions. :) Groundless reasoning I know, BUT we shall see.


And where would I be watching this crucial match? I have this fellow fanatic fan of Man United. He is so kind to offer me his house (and other friends as well) to watch this dream match!
I am full of gratitude I tell you and the only way to repay him is to buy hm chips. HAHA!
Of course my mama had a lot of opinions about me roaming the streets at 2am in the morning and she nagged and nagged BUT like I said, considering my dying passion for football and on top of that, the dream match not to be missed clearly triumphed over her worries. :)
She did suggest to accompany me to the nearest kopitiam and squeeze with the ah peks over there.
Goodness I was so flabbergasted! No way am I going to do that. Kills the mood leh. But I truly appreciated her gesture la. Mrs Lim is so sweet right. I know. I love her too.
And I already promised to buy Mac breakfast for my siblings before they go to school so they kinda helped me intercede with dear Mum too.
SO I AM FREE TO GO!
Oh yes and the issue on propriety. I know I shouldn`t even be out at such an unearthly hour, much less, in a guy friend`s house BUT my friends are all good friends. And watching classy football with good friends is always a pleasure in life.
So, no more worries need to be undertaken by me!

Manchester United ALL THE WAYYYYYYYY~

5-26.

Sometimes fate throws two lovers together, only to rip them apart.

Seet is the new tigress in the house. Children BEWARE. ROFL.

ANNOUNCEMENT

Exactly a week from now, and at the exact time this post was created, my family (excluding LHH and me) will be up in the air while on a plane to Thailand.
Home Sweet Home for dear Mum.
Because of the fact that I have school, and because of the fact that LHH does not wish to travel overseas (what a lame excuse), I will be stuck in Singapore babysitting a 17 year old rebellious kid while trying to wash my own clothes, whip up my own meals and of course, juggling my schoolwork amidst these chores.
A test of independence huh.
I predict 14 days of take-aways and stinky linens.
I hope my wardrobe bursting of clothes is enough to last me for a fortnight.
Just so you know, I haven`t the slightest idea of operating the washing machine (though I think it`s sort of idiot-proof) and I only know how to cook maggie mee and sunny side-ups.
Yes yes I am not as talented as my sister in the field of culinary art who cooked that huge pot of green bean soup for me.

I will miss them SO MUCH I`m gonna call them every night. :(

PS: Anyone keen to put me up for a fortnight?

The English Premier League 2008/2009 has just ended!
And with the kindness by Starhub which broadcasted one of the matches live on Preview channel, I got a rare chance to relish watching football in the comfort of my couch.

Sunderland vs Chelsea.


Though Sunderland lost the match 2-3, the fans were delighted when they found out that they need not be relegated and thus, broke into a frenzied mess.




And according to the league table, the last three teams are to be relegated.
Newcastle? The magpies? Oh man. That`s some shocking news. I mean, Alan Shearer and Michael Owen were legendary players from that club!


More football to come next Wednesday, or rather Thursday morning SG time...
Manchester United in action in the hope of retaining the honorary Champions League title!
Guaranteed some football action in world class style.

There has been this "How well do you know XXX?" mania on Facebook recently.
I have been observing the results and finallly arrived at this alarming conclusion myself - friends that I thought were well considered BFFs do not really know each other that well at all.
Of course I speak not of one but numerous examples to substantiate my statement.
Some may think, "Wow, I have this incredible friend who I hang out with almost everyday and that we are so close we even share clothes and what not. We talk about everything under the sun and never fail to sms each other every single day! We are the closest friends in this world!"
What baffles me is... "REALLY? IS THAT THE CASE?"
Apparently not la duh.
Stop deluding yourself and open up your eyes!
Ask yourself, do you even know definitive details of your so called BFF?
Personal details like his/her favourite hangout spots, favourite quote, first pet, childhood nickname and et cetera et cetera...
These questions may look seemingly insignificant but they end up being significant enough to make you realise that hey, maybe, and I`m just saying maybe, you really do not know your best friend as well as you thought yourself to be.

best friend - 1 dictionary result

Main Entry:	best friend
Part of Speech:	n

"Best friend"? It`s a mere noun.

Aye I`m just experiencing an epiphany. No hard feelings for anyone. =D
At least I know Huiqi`s favourite quote is "Love sought is good but given unsought is better".
Okay so c`mon everybody, let`s do ourselves a favour by trying to get ourselves know more about our surrounding friends!
That will most definitely make you feel worthy as a friend to others. Cheers.

Ohmyheavens. I cannot stand people being too nice to me. A tad of a sadist I am, I know.
Can`t help it. I will totally melt and get so totally moved by the kindness rendered towards me I will actually tear.

What really happened? When I woke up this morning, I realised that Ling is making green bean soup. I thought, "Hey thats really common la. Mum probably put her up to this."
When Mum came home, she was startled by the HUGE pot of green bean soup. I asked her, "Didn`t you ask Ling to cook it?" and she shook her head.

Turned out that Ling went to the market, bought all the relevant ingredients and cooked it for me because green bean soup is supposed to be cooling for my heaty system.
HOW SWEET CAN THAT BE!

Love this sister of mine!

And then Mum brewed bird`s nest for me- a gift from Aunt to help boost my immunity system and hoping for me to recover faster. Bird Nest leh!!! I don`t even remember having bird nest exlcusively for ME lor. Goodness.


So I`m asking, why is everyone being so nice to me...?
Not that I`m resisting kindness. It`s just that... I feel so loved.

And as promised, here`s the post on my belated birthday celebration held at Marina Barrage, which, by the way, was conscientiously planned by.... Terence Tay, my good buddy!

Date/Day: 27th March 2009, Friday
Time: Forgot but I clearly remember that the weather was SCORCHING HOT.
Attendees: Me, TT85, Ornie, Angela, Evi, Rudi and Syam.

Meeting place was Marina Bay station. We were then shuttled to Marina Barrage.






Because the weather was so frustrating, and because I was clothed rather inappropriately for such sweltering weather, my nerves got onto me and I suspected TT85`s motive in wanting to celebrate my birthday at such a torrid place. He must be playing a prank on me lor. I was then proven wrong when I caught sight of the place upon reaching Marina Barrage. Good grief! I never knew such a beautiful place exists in Singapore! The azure sky, the cerulean sea - a dazzling bluish sight !

And as I have mentioned earlier, the weather was horrible so we decided to ditch the sea and take comfort in the air-conditioned exhibition hall.

It says, "Sustainable Environment, Sustainable Singapore".






We do not appear that "ghostly" under those neon green lights, do we?


Some observant ones would have discovered that I attempted some sort of a "centre-parting" hairstyle that day. HAHAHA. STOP LAUGHING IDIOT(S).






...fresh air, healthy land, clean water...


A plethora of empty bottles.




Mirror mirror on the wall, who`s the Fairest of them all?












Oh I adore this photo of us the best! So photogenic!

PS: And for once, he appears taller than me.











Look what I mean by the sky and the sea yeah? A pretty sight, agree?




I wonder where this looooong walkway leads to...? Shall find out one day... Heehee.


After the tour in the exhibition hall, we got kinda tired and started acting maniacally outside the cafe.
My buddy with my hairclip. Drag queen wannabe!


Oh...my...goodness.... I am speechless...

which made me think of something- this is something that I can never make Benjamin do. HAHAHA! He`s too much of a MCP liao.

Classic. Everyone remember to screenshot this okay. Look at it when you`re feeling down. It will most definitely bring a disgusted smile on your face. xD Okay okay I can sense the dagger coming after me now...


Though he has some really idiotic moments captured on camera, he can be ambassador-material as well. Just look at this picture- doesn`t he look fitting for a product spokesperson?


And when the sun was not so blazing anymore, we ventured outside.
Gorgeous city skyline.


Professional photographer eh? What we were lacking was a DSLR. HAHA!




Hello I am the birthday girl!


Thank you people for taking time out to celebrate my birthday!



Thank you lovelies. Appreciate your company.
PS: Buddy, why can`t you just take a proper normal looking photo for once?!