Under the Sea

Always been my dream to explore under the sea... under the sea... Gosh, I am starting to sing Ariel's song in my head.
So, the 1st step: buying the brand new expensive manual --> as, you can see here. Done!

Now the next hard part is, reading it ...>.<~~~ maybe tomorrow, if I have the mood
and next, I need to conquer my laziness and get myself to go for the training ....
Sigh, kinda wish I can just have ability without much work. Hehehe...

Things Change

May 1998, things were in chaos.  Heard rumors other cities been in riots – looting, raping, burning, all those things that you thought can only be seen on TV and would only happened to someone else. Seen semi-military (or so called legalized hitman) people been gatherings. Things were not good. Most of my Chinese classmates been skipping class for days, some even moved the whole family to neighbouring countries.

One day, my school really closed down, situation was really critical at that time. It was like a ghost town. Our shop were closed too.

I remember, a  Moslem highschool friend called me that afternoon, to ask if me & my family were alright & even asked if we have a place to run or hide from all those riots.  Even the mother was very sincere and concerned about us.

I didn’t take the offer. We believed we’ll be OK.
My friend said, "Call me anytime you need us, you can come here anytime you want"
After Mr.Suharto stepped down, things turned out to be OK. We continued our studies, until we all graduated and walk on our different paths.

A few weeks ago, finally I met my highschool friend again,  we haven’t met since our graduation day, it was like 15 years ago. I guess none of us ever changed, we still chat like we what we were years ago.  Only now with stable job, family and kids. Happy life J

It is until I added my friend on Facebook then I realized things were not like it used to be. Apart from the wedding picture, the Facebook page was full of radical Moslem ideas, like wanting Syariah Law to be implemented, hating other religion, Israel vs Palestine things. 

I don’t understand why someone who was able to concern about me - a Chinese minority’s safety 15 years ago turned into a die-hard someone who want to turn the whole country into a hardcore Moslem nation.

What has happened in the last 15 years?

Why did you lose your sincere humanity?

I hope it is just on your Facebook page; cos I still find you very warm and polite that day.

I really hope it wasn’t you who write all those hatred stuffs on your page.
I really hope so...

"I am changing. You are changing. Let's not be disappointed when we find each other different"

My Dearest MVP

undated

undated, Japan

undated

with King Norodom Sihanouk, Pnomh Phenh. GANEFO ASIA 1966

 Indonesian Basketball Team  - GANEFO ASIA Pnomh Phenh 1966

undated, with Presiden Soekarno

another year older...

13 June 2014

Camera Guilt

I have been on constant search for a perfect camera over these past few weeks. I've been reading more camera reviews than I ever been my whole life.

Yesterday, I was reflecting my fate with camera, then I remember my dark past about it. Something that I put aside on my memory.

Years ago, when I was still in my uni, I worked part-time as a waitress at a small Malaysian restaurant. That restaurant somehow cater as a black market too. Maybe because most of its customers are Asians, we are somehow fond of something illegal. Apart from super delicious foods, my boss provided whatever you need for.

So, they provides non-taxed cigarettes, perfumes and liquors (usually bought from Airport Duty Free Shops & carried by students or stewards/ess)

Then, they also sell stolen goods. U can get any kinds of second hand phones, laptops, even projectors. All are stolen goods. Some are password-locked, but you can easily unlock it somewhere in Chinatown. I once saw the "thief" delivered a plastic bag of stolen goods. It was sold per bag! (which easily contained 20 or more phones). The prices were crazy! 

One day at work, I saw a SLR camera. At that time, there were no such things as digital camera yet. I was really fond of that camera. So, I bought it from my boss, I can't remember how much it exactly costs me, maybe around AUD200 (maybe more). It was a big money for me. I can't remember the brand or the lens too. I did a lot of thinking when I wanna get it. It was beautiful, came with a seasoned leather case. 

I brought it home and opened it up. Don't ask me why I didn't check it at the restaurant, I don't know why I didn't. So, I opened it up, and what I saw is... someone put a name & a phone number on the camera. Also on inner side of the case, it was written "If misplaced or stolen, please contact xxx on xxxx"  (well, not the exact words, but something like that). I felt very very guilty holding that camera.

I wanted to call the lady (yes, it was a lady's name), and give it back. But I also worry about my hard-earned AUD200. 

If I returned the camera to her, Would she give back my AUD200? 

Would she ask me where I got it? 

Would she think I was the thief? 

Would my boss get into trouble?

I was in limbo! I brought the camera back to the restaurant, a friend saw it, and said "I wanted the camera, but you bought it first. Do you even know how to use it?"

I told him about the name & phone number inside. I told him I wanted to return it. He said I was an idiot, cos I would go to jail, cos I bought stolen goods. I was scared. So he gave me AUD200 and took the camera away. 

Now that I own a proper camera, I can totally feel the pain of losing such precious device. 

I should have returned the camera to her, right? The guilt is still lingering after years.

miniature Ice Cendol Cart

My biggest regret on my Bandung trip is that I didn't buy those amazing clay kits.

I would love to make my own clay creations :(

I got this miniature "Ice Cendol Cart" on my meeting. Making me more and more eager to create my own stuff :( 

Look how cute and realistic they are!

Happy Vesak :)

Bought this Baby Buddha statue in Lumbini, India. I never opened the package since I got back, I just can't think of a proper place for it in my place.

Earlier this week, I was wondering if somewhere might need an extra Baby Buddha for Vesak Day celebration (I think I have telepathic ability now). And the offer was accepted, so the Baby Buddha flew all the way to its new place ready for the big day. 

Here is the pic of Baby Buddha on yesterday's Vesak Celebration. 

May all beings be happy. I am definitely happy for how things turn out to be 

Thank you my Dear. Really appreciate it :)

Needle Felted Poodles

Always been fascinated about needle felting, even before I know the method's name. The first time I saw needle felting was in Istanbul-Turkey's Grand Bazaar. I dun understand why they can create something from wool without any knitting. Magic!
Googled the net and still wonders why stabbing a loose wool can create a figure? Doesn't make sense at all.

But then last month, when I was visiting Ginza's handicraft haven (Tokyu Hands), I bought a needle felting kit: it has all the wool material, instructions and the most important thing: the needle!!!
And since I have the urge to master this method, I end up buying more kits that I could ever imagine - especially for something I've never done before

This is my first attempt in needle felting, quite satisfied about the result. I think I am not too bad for a beginner (tap on my own shoulder. haha!)

How do you like my fluffy poodles?

Wander alone like a Rhinoceros

Khaggavisana Sutta: A Rhinoceros. 

Translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu

Renouncing violence for all living beings,

harming not even a one,

you would not wish for offspring,

so how a companion?

Wander alone

like a rhinoceros.

For a sociable person

there are allurements;

on the heels of allurement, this pain.

Seeing allurement's drawback,

wander alone

like a rhinoceros.

One whose mind

is enmeshed in sympathy

for friends & companions, neglects the true goal.

Seeing this danger in intimacy,

wander alone

like a rhinoceros.

10 years ago

A high school friend posted a status on her facebook last month:

"Happy 10th Wedding Anniversary, my Darling"

She posted that on the same week I posted my Japan trip photos

The irony is 10 years ago, I visited Tokyo Disneyland for the very first time; and I was actually visiting the playground again after 10 years!!! 

>.<~ this's bad. So bad.