I Could Show You Incredible Things

I survived Saigon for a week now! It may sound dramatic but honestly because I commute to work daily it is kinda dangerous at times. But hey I am very grateful still here and eating my way around Vietnam and meeting more people.

Today I'm gonna give a tutorial on how to eat one of Vietnam's traditional cuisine, the bánh bèo. In Vietnamese, the word bánh usually refers to a food which is made of rice and it is usually a bread, cake or even pastry. 

Presenting the bánh bèo!

Step one: Use a spoon and pour the sauce over the bánh bèo

Step two: Use the spoon to cut the bánh bèo into four slices. You cna cut to five or even 10 if you want to.

Step three: Use the spoon and scoop the bánh bèo and savor the deliciousness

So week one ended in Saigon and I sitll have slightly over 4 weeks to go. I still have plenty to eat and plenty of time to do so! 

Life is like a book and our experiences fill up the pages. Let's make sure each page is filled with awesome experiences. Fill your life with colors. Do not grow old and have regrets.

That's all for now. More to eat in the next 4 weeks!

And I Can Picture It After All These Days

Greetings from Ho Chi Minh City! I just landed today and after almost 24 hours I finally reach my host family. I'm currently in Vietnam for Global Passport, a national project which aims to improve the English competency of youths in Vietnam to help them taking on the rising ASEAN market.

My first impression of Saigon is like Kuala Lumpur in the 90's but you replace every single car with a motorcycle. The amount of bikes here is insane. The traffic is even more insane. If you think Penangites are aggressive drivers, nothing can prepare you for the traffic flow in Saigon. To cross the road, you gotta walk like a boss.

Goodbye Malaysia!

Hello Saigon!

I travel around the city carrying my luggage on a motorbike. As odd as it may be, it's practical here lolol

Vietnam is famous for their food and I can see every corner of the street, there is constantly a stall here and there. They have a lot and a lot of food. I foresee a happy Lee Jing eating half of Vietnam.

The famous Phở which is pronounced as fuh

Soursop smoothie

Half eaten sundae from KFC. Yes there is  KFC in Vietnam

One of many coffee I foresee I will try. I'm more of a tea person though

I... have no idea what it is called but it is only RM2.50!

And this is only RM3.50

The food is interesting and some are cheap and some are not. My EP buddy Jasmine says she will try her best to bring me to eat everything there is to eat here. This is a life eating experience hahahaa.

Overall I'm truly amazed by the people here. I've only met the students today for the first time and they are so eager to learn more about me. I need to speak slower and clearer .

I have about 12 classes with them and I hope I will be able to help them as much as I can. Their passion is really inspiring. 

Lesson of the day: Take more pictures with people instead of food lolol. I just realized I have one picture of people. And I had a weird expression -.-

The tour guides of the day, Colby Wong from Australia and Jasmine my EP buddy who babysit me a lot the entire day

So now I'm staying with a host family who treats me as though I'm one of their own. Vietnam is truly a friendly country. Unlike Malaysia

Day One in Saigon checked!

Kaleidoscope of Loud Heartbeats Under Coats

Hello 2015! The first blog post of the year although it is 10 days late, well 11 now as it just turned to 11th of Jan

It's been forever since I ride the ferry which is way further from my place than the bridge but today I wanted to sit the ferry 

This stairs is what freaked me when I was a kid.

Look at how steep it is.

Like seriously steeeeeeeeeeeeeep

Somehow I don't feel surprised to see this 

I went to island to get postcards and keychains. What amused me the most is how the shop keepers react to me when I speak hokkien. Well their major market is usually tourists so they don't really expect locals to buy stuff about Penang. I find their reaction when I speak amusing.

After one intense week of exams and stressing out because was over worrying we might not make it in and out of Pahang, the first semester has come to an end!

Okay maybe I have yet to recover all my energy which is why I can't really think of what to write D:

Off to Vietnam in a day! teehee

In The End In Wonderland We Both Went Mad

Begin your essay with the sentence "I was never so happy..."

I remember getting to write narrative essays in SPM. That was one of the few reasons I enjoy English. Being allowed to be creative and write about anything. After SPM all the essays written are usually factual essays which greatly inhibits the imagination.

During high school my essays are usually dark and grim. I am not sure if my teacher will feel concerned for me when she read my essays. This is what I usually write. The plot is kinda the same even though the style I use now is different than when I was in form 5.

So yup here it goes:

I was never so happy when I saw then sun set and felt the wind rush on my cheeks. I cracked a smile on my lips and close my eyes just before I hit the ground.

There is always this one spot in the municipal park I always love to go to. There is always this one bench where I always have my lunch or read a book during my break time. This spot has always been my favorite place to go to because in the hectic and hustle bustle of the city, there is a certain peace in this park which attracts me.

Today is just like any other day. I left my office for lunch at 1:00 p.m and I head to my usual spot in the park. I sat down and just as I want to open my lunch box, a person crashed into me causing me to drop my lunch on the floor. I love my food so my only reaction was to stare sadly at my spilled lunch scattered on the floor.

"I'm so sorry! I didn't see you there" said a voice which echoes of summer. I look up and I gaped like an idiot. Because I saw the girl of my dreams. She looks so perfect. She had a heart shaped face. Her long black locks swept by the wind. Her round apologetic eyes. All I can do was stammer like an idiot and gape at her. "I'm so sorry! I will pay for your lunch okay? Better yet I will make it up to you. Let's go have lunch now!" Her voice sound so sweet. I only mumble okay and followed her across the park to a nearby cafe.

She proclaimed the was the most clumsy person in the world. She often trip and stumble everywhere. I felt as though I was in high school again. While she talked I felt shy to even look at her directly and I just nod and mumble a reply. I am confused. Why do I felt so shy? I have talked to girls before. Heck I even dated a few girls before. Why is she making me feel so odd? I look at my wrist and noticed the time. I need to go, I got up and told her I need to get back to work. Before I left, I asked shyly " Erm... May I know your name?" She looked surprised. "Oh so sorry again! I been talking so long and I have yet to introduce myself. Hi my name is November, it's an odd name I know but it's mine and I like it!"

Since that day I stumbled upon November, I went to the park everyday during my lunchtime with hopes I will get to see November again. I am not someone who believe in fate but somehow after meeting November by chance, I am starting to believe in fate and destinies. Perhaps it was fate that decided my chance encounter with November. I sat on the bench day by day. However two weeks had gone by and I did not see November again since that day.

"You really like to come here don't you?" asked a familiar voice. I look up and it was November. I did my best to contain my excitement and said hello. She sat down beside me and I told her how much I love this spot in the park. About how I always come here during my lunch hours to enjoy the serenity. "I grew up around here. I often come to this park and spend countless hours in the playground when I was a kid. I moved away from here after I got my job but I still come here whenever I can" said November in her melodic voice.

As weeks turned into months, my encounters with November become more frequent, We talk about everything. I begin to feel more comfortable with November. We talked about everything. As the days come to pass, I am starting to fall in love with November. I always think one day in life I will meet someone who will be the one. November seems like the one. People come and go but I felt November will be the one who stays, forevermore.

Two months after meeting November for the very first time at the park, I asked her out. She looked puzzled and surprised when I asked her. "You are cute" she giggled. "Okay I will go out with you." she agreed with a smile. I was so happy.

And so we went on our first date and from first went on to second and third and on the seventh date on the first of November I asked her to be my girlfriend. She reacted the same way she did when I asked her out for the first time. She giggled and gave me that smile that could light up the darkest nights and she said "Yes, I am yours"

*This is the time where I look at my watch and see how little time I have left*

I love to read fairy tales when I was a child and now it feels like I am living in one. I am now dating the girl of my dreams and things are looking good. Life seems to be moving along the happy ending. We were happy together. Like every other couple we have our arguments and small fights but even after every fight we will still make it up and be happy.

From months to years. It's been 3 years since November came into my life and I really think she is the one. I felt it was time I asked her to be my wife. We met for the first time in November so it should be right for me to propose to her in November. I planned everything out. I am supposed to be away on a business trip and I will come home early to surprise her and ask the big question.

So finally, on November 25th exactly 3 years since we met, I knock on our apartment door. "Evans!" November said when she opened the door. Her hair was in a mess. She looked shocked and exhausted. "I thought you are still away on your business trip" I told her I came home early to see her on our 3rd year anniversary. "Erm well can I come in?" November stepped away from the door and let me in. That is when my my world shattered. There was another man in the bedroom.

My mind went blank. I backtrack my steps and went out of the apartment. I heard November called after me but I just walked up the stairwell to the rooftop. I thought everything was perfect. How could I not see this coming?

The sun is setting now. I stood on the ledge looking down from 20 floors up. The world feels so serene. The wind on my face. The setting sun giving the sky a majestic blood red hue. I felt the tears trickled down my cheeks. Perhaps life is really like a fairy tale without a happy ending.

"Evans?" November call out softly and apologetically. "I'm so sorry.. I didn't mean for you to find out this way." She inch closer to me. "Erm.. Just step off the ledge please and talk this out" Her voice sound broken and frail. I really don't know what to say to her. She moved closer to me. Now she is behind me. Looking at my back while I stare out to the sun set, standing on the ledge. "Evans?" she reached out towards me.

The moment her hand touched me, I pushed. I saw her stumbled upon the ledge. I saw her face as she fell. How terrified she is. Her tears carried up by the wind as she fell. The last sound I heard from her is a loud sickening splat as her body crashed on the pavement below.

I didn't know why I did that. I stepped off the ledge and puked. What have I done? I loved her with all my heart. How could I pushed her to her death? Shuddering, I knew there is only one thing I can do now. I have no where else to go. I climbed back on the ledge. Looking at the sun set. That November sun set. The last day I get to see November. I took a deep breath and jumped.

So basically all my essays in form 4 and form 5 were like that. It is usually a love story where either I cheat on someone or the girl cheat on me and everyone dies in the end. I got an A for it sometimes. I can't remember what name I use last time so I used November as the girl. A very grim essay indeed lolol

November has come to pass and say hello December!

BRING ON THE SNOW!


CHRISTMAS!

It's the 1st of December and I got a test -.-

It's the last month of the year and hey let's all make a list of the things we want to do before the year ends and procrastinate until 31st of December to get it done

The nutella with an identity crisis. Am I a nutella? Or am I m&m's? Oh god what am I?!

Okay I should get back to cramming my head with phase modulation theorem. Good Night Peeps!

I read somewhere dreams are stories of your life written by your soul. Last night I dreamed I was defending my house from a zombie apocalypse to protect my otter. Time to prepare for a zombie war.

Yup zombies. ikr

Someday When You Leave Me I Bet These Memories Follow You Around

“Memory gives moments immortality but forgetfulness promotes a healthy mind. It’s good to forget.”
— Hannibal

If you have watched or read The Fault In Our Stars, you would have probably heard of the fear of oblivion. Let's be honest, we all crave attention even if it's just a little. Who wants to go through life unnoticed? Not matter how much you can deny it, you must admit you feel nice when you get acknowledged.

Often we live our lives for the sake of others. Or maybe it's just me Often so we live in the past, keeping hold on memories which brings us joy. Or maybe again it's just me

Why do we do that?

I have no idea what goes on in my head most of the time which is why I kept a blog to keep track on my train of thoughts. Today for instance, I was submerged in my notes trying to stuff everything I can in 3 hours for a test when suddenly I recall a memory from a year before. Have that ever happen to you before? Recalling random memories out of no apparent reason. There are some memories that will be with you for eternity. Those moments have obtained immortality.

In my blog I randomly pour out thoughts, however in real life when I meet people I subconsciously avoid talking about myself. I do pour of random thoughts but none are relevant to who I am. Why am I more open in a public blog where everyone can read but I am more reclusive to the people around me? Perhaps I can just randomly type here without worrying about what other people may react.

Perhaps that was the reason I met so many Summers and no Autumn. Ever so often I don't talk about myself or trying to find out more about the Summers and just talk random thoughts on daily matters. Now I know why you are so frustrated sometimes.

Denial and Isolation

Anger

Bargaining 

Depression

Acceptance

This may have been one of my most messy post. My thoughts are scattered everywhere. In short, I am still harboring doubts on acceptance. Deep down inside I still hope Summer will become Autumn.

“Wishes of one's old life wither and shrivel like old leaves if they are not replaced with new wishes when the world changes. And the world always changes. Wishes get slimy, and their colors fade, and soon they are just mud, like all the rest of the mud, and not wishes at all, but regrets. The trouble is, not everyone can tell when they ought to launder their wishes. Even when one finds oneself in Fairyland and not at home at all, it is not always so easy to remember to catch the world in it's changing and change with it.”
― Catherynne M. Valente, The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making

Keep up with the change else the world and everything else will just leave you behind. That is a reason why things and people are always changing. Nothing is meant to remain the same forever. If everything remains the same and nothing happens, we would still be living in caves now. I don't like when people and things change before I could accept it. More so often I cling on to the way things are and hold on to those memories. Perhaps I fear oblivion more than solitude. Can I survive being alone or being forgotten?

 If you have read everything up to this point, here are pictures of food to show my gratitude

As odd as it may sound, I am not suicidal. I just like doing random things for random reasons.

I think I'm going to take some time off this blog and finish up all my novels before the exam season is upon me. Please don't miss me. When I say that I meant please miss me and beg me to write more because I secretly want people to read my blog and learn more about me and in return empathize with me and perhaps one day I will meet Autumn

Good Night Peeps!