A nice little story

This is a story from Tuesday With Morrie.

The story is about a little wave, bobbing along the ocean, having a grand old time. He is enjoying the wind and the fresh air - until he notices the other waves in front of him, crashing against the shore.

"My God, this is terrible," the wave says. "Look what's going to happen to me!"

Then along comes another wave. It sees the first wave, looking grim, and it says to him,

"Why do you look so sad?"

The first wave says, "You don't understand! We're all going to crash! All of us waves are going to be nothing! Isn't it terrible?"

The second wave says, "No, you don't understand. You're not a wave, you're part of the ocean."

... part of the ocean ... we are...

Tuesday With Morrie

I have just finished reading Tuesday With Morrie, by Mitch Albom. It was a great book, a book with lots of teaching. Issues of life - which we never like to talk about - are all discussed here. This is a book i know i will have it with me all the time, read it again and again. A book which teaches us to make peace with our lives.

I like this part about relationships and love:

There is no formula to relationships. They have to be negotiated in loving ways, with room for both parties, what they want and what they need, what they can do and what their life is like.

In business, people negotiate to win. They negotiate to get what they want. Maybe you're too used to that. Love is different. Love is when you are as concerned about someone else's situation as you are about your own.

So You Think You Can Dance

It is BACK !!! Season 3 of So YOu THink You Can Dance is back ! yay ~

Due to my trip back home, i missed a half season of the show. I was watching last night for the first of time of the season, and thought, Damn, i hope i didnt miss much. One thing for sure, i have missed the bottom 10 dancers, and look at the good side, i manage to start with the top 10s. TOP 10s ! They are great dancers.

Watching the show, i was mesmerized by their moves, the smoothness of every single step they take, the creativity they present. It was simply fun to watch them. Great entertainment. ALl these don't come from a few days of training, they come from hardwork, devotion and commitment. Most of them have been dancing for their entire lives, and finally, this is their times, their moment, their stage.

Here's some of my fave vid clips from the show, check it out

Lauren and Neil



Lacey and Kameron
-> This video gives me goosebumps!


Who said ballroom dancing isn't cool, huh?!
Look at them...
West Coast swing by Pasha and Sara, my favorite dance clip so far...

Please.... not again...

Let's talk about flights.

I think, i have never for once had a smoooth flight - meaning there is always "something" happened on my way home to Canada.

I will just briefly go through what happened to me.

Incident 1:
Someday in August, 2004
Location: KLIA
People: Family around

So i was all excited to check-in at KLIA airport. As usual, for flights flying to Canada, i could have 2 luggages check-in, with a certain limit on weight for each luggage. Everyone around was all excited too, mom was trying to help me to push the cart with luggages, but she couldn't really do it.

"Com'on mom, they are heavy. Let brother do it." ..... "Fine"

As we pulled over at the counter, the lady was nice, everything went well with my visas and passports, and finally it was time to check those 2 big boys in...

"Oh no, they are BOTH over-weight!" the lady said, " I can't let you check them in"

Shoot, what could i do now? There was no way i'd pay extra money for over-weight luggages.

Oh well, we opened my luggages, took out things like Milo, a tea set, some plates (i still managed to convince my mom to let me keep some of the plates), some curry powder, some cups...etc

I tell you, it was a mess at the airport.

After a long 15 minutes of taking things out and in.... we've finally made it. Each luggage weighted below 60pounds. *pheww*


Incident 2:
August 31st, 2006
Location: Taipei Tao Yuan Airport
People: Sam and me

After a sleep-over in Taipei, we headed to the airport for our next flight home - Taipei to Vancouver.

We passed through the immigration check, the custom, waited for like hours, and finally, we were ready to go on-board. Right at the door of the passage to the plane, the lady was checking passports and tickets, which was usual. Sam handed in his and went in... and i was after him.... thats when things started to go real bad.....

"Where is your visa?"

I was like, What? My Study Visa is still there, oh it is on the last page of the passport *pheww, dont scare me*

"Right... But where is ur other visa?"

What OTHER visa???!!!

"Temporary Residence Visa for entering Canada!!!"

SHIT !!!! *faint*


Well, you can imagine what happened next. I was not allowed to go onboard ....bye to Sam .... I will just drop all the hassles i went through after that, and instead, will talk about the good things happened to me from my silly, unforgivable, yet so JiaHuei-ish mistake.

I stayed in Taipei for another 4 days, met up with Wan Xin !!!! Thank gooooodness she arrived in Taipei a few days before me!!! Until this day, i am still very thankful for what Wan Xin has done to me. She lend her hands, she hung out with me, she showed me around Taipei, she spent time with me. She was like a shelter to me when i was in such a lonely and helpless state. I am really glad we had some moment we shared and to keep, even though it was only a short period of time. But a crucial one for me !!! Thank you, Wan Xin : )

Oh, did i mention i was at a - free, 70,000 people concert in Taipei, featuring artists like Guang Liang, Jay, SHE, Tank, Fish Leung, FIR, May Day...etc ? That was wicked ;p !


Incident 3:
July 18th, 2007
Location: Vancouver Airport, Canada
People: just me

So, i flew from KL to Taipei, and Taipei to Vancouver. I had my passport and visas this time. No problem going through custom in Vancouver. That's good, and i am IN Canada now, yay!

After i have checked my luggages again in Vancouver Airport before flying back to Calgary, i was sitting at one of the coffee shops, just chilling and killing time, thinking.... Wow, nothing unexpected arise this time. Yoo hoo ~ no surprise for myself nor my family....

Time was almost up after a 3hour-waiting... I took my carry-on, my book, Ipod and Yes, my newly bought 1L Absolute Vodka. I bought it in Taipei duty free shop, and it was a great deal, and a great vodka. Love it :)

So i was in line for security check before going into the boarding room, where you wait to board the plane. Yea, the security check was pretty tight. People have to take off their shoes, their belts, laptop open, carry-on checked, no water, no creams, no toothpaste, no liquid with more than 100ml allowed going onto the plane... i know i know... i didn't have any of those liquid stuff, i thought.

My turn, cant wait.... But wait a minute....

What is this on my hand? 1 freaking liter vodka !!! and i looked at the big red sign, hoping not to see any warning sign, hoping to see Vodka is allowed...

->No Liquid More than 100ml Allowed ! ..... DAMNIT

The security lady with a very thick Indian accent was like

"Sirrrr, you're not allowed to bring this vodka"

I was like, i knowwww... but i didnt't know !!! Nobody told me about the vodka when i checked my luggages earlier.

"Sirrrr, you're supposed to check it with ur luggages just now"

Why didn't anybody tell me?

"Sirrr, that's not my problem"

Alrite alrite, embarrassed, i took everything and my vodka, avoiding having any eye contact with other people in the line.... i went back out to where i checked my luggages.

The guy who checked me earlier, was like,

" yea, we can check ur vodka for you now but we charge $35 for handling fees. "

Hell no, i thought. My duty-free-vodka costs me less than that.

What to do now... I look around, saw there were people waiting in line checking their luggages. I went over to a guy who was checking his luggages at that moment and offered my vodka.

He was ecstatic. Thanked me for my generosity. I told him what happened and he felt sorry for me. Before i left, i said to him "You're one lucky guy tonight, u know"

" Ohh yeaaaa " he said.


Oh well, something always has to happen. I wonder what is next?

Lost in Transition

Have you ever had this experience - walking or passing by an usual location, yet having totally different emotions?

I have it a few times, a place which left me with the strongest feeling and tension of opposite emotions, is the airport. The same airport, the same transit location, the same sofa you pick to kill your time, the same passage, the same old duty free shops...etc But different feelings.

Remember on April 30th night, it was a chilly spring night, everything seemed quiet and calm around me in the airport. Not many around. Picked a sofa, sat down, had my book out, tried to read. Couldn't concentrate, my heart was pounding hard. I was excited. I was jubilent. Excited to go home !!! The calming surrounding had no effect on my emotions at all. Yay !~ that's how i felt :)

A few days ago, again, picked up the same spot, waiting for another long flight. Had my book out, tried to read but i couldn't do it. Everything around me seemed so normal. The same old duty free shops, ladies welcoming passerby, same coffee shops. But i was feeling completely the opposite of how i felt on April 3oth night. Feeling heavy this time, feeling sad, feeling reluctant to leave.

Same place, different times, different feelings and emotions. How strange eh?

Jet lag (ps: bye mattress)

I am really tired. I couldn't sleep well these past two days. Some said it is jet lag. It makes me tired during the day and awake at night. I guess my body is trying its best to adjust to Calgary's time. I dont wanna take any sleeping pill. I think it is just wrong to depend on medicine for a good sleep.

I need a new mattress!!! and i need MONEY in order to get one.

Dear Super-Uncomfortable-futon, I am sorry, i really have to let you go. You no longer serve your purpose. You were supposed to calm me down, soothe me in, and make me sleep. Instead, you make me arch my back when im on you, you stimulate nightmares, and cause me row and turn the entire night.

You were my heart, my love, my soul. But your getting older and cranky. You were no longer strong and firm, you became weak, soft and the worst is, you are sinking. How do i live? How do i... ?

It is time to surrender. Just leave me now. It is a better thing to do. It is time to surrender. I need a new mate at night.

Bye, my dear mattress.

Correction

Refering to My Birthday Post, i have to correct a disastrous error that i have made....

My best friends, Mrs Lim is going to New Orleans this August, not Florida.

Oops. soli ;p

Packing

帶走的

是一絲絲不捨的心情 ...

Sacrifice

I was reading The Five People You Meet In Heaven by Mitch Albom, and found this chapter about sacrfices pretty interesting and insightful. Here it goes...

"Sacrifice is a part of life. It's supposed to be. It's not something to regret. It's something to aspire to. Little sacrifices. Big sacrifices. A mother works so her son can go to school. A daughter moves home to take care of her sick father. You made one. I made one. We all make them. But you were angry over yours. You kept thinking about what you lost."

" Sometimes when you sacrifice something precious, you are not really losing it. You're just passing it on to someone else."

Seven Eleven -> my birthday, yeeee !~

Seven Eleven (July 11) is my birthday.



Some good friends of mine in Melaka ( my only friends in Melaka, pathetic i know) got together for a nice dinner at Asian Havanna Cafe. I am not too sure why there is an "Asian" in its name. The cafe doenst seem that asian to me, nor western. Its menu has both asian and western cuisines.


I like the word "fusion". I think it suites the cafe better judging on what the cafe is offering. If i am not mistaken, it offers some not-so-genuine western food, some local asian food, some Thai, and some i-have-no-clue-type of food. As a conclusion, i would like to name the cafe " Fusion-Na Cafe" (the "Na" comes from Havanna). What ya'll think?


Oh, speaking of food, Edward had a xxx steak, and guess what, it was a deep fried steak !!! All our jaws dropped !!! The waiter came, and he was like


" yes yes, this IS the steak u ordered"


"But why is it deep fried?"


" hmm..... *silence* ..... I dont know le " Off he ran !


It was a great night overall. The company of friends takes the credit, despite of the so-so quality food.

Some pictures:




Purple Storm - it has no vodka in it. Damnit ! (no booze at the cafe, i should have found out earlier)
Xien Rong (my long lost friend who just came back from Italy) and Wen Yen



24 candles
Sin Ting (going to Florida in a month) , me and Xien Rong

The group: Vincent (my leng chai neighbour with big glasses),Mrs. Lim, the birthday boi, Xien Rong the Ita-lian, Wen Yen the accountant and Edward (he is a very talented singer !!! )

THANK YOU guys for a great evening !!! big kiss ~

What the heck is that THING???

As usual, i was sitting there, having a piece of kaya and butter bread on my left hand, a cup of non-sweet Milo infront of me, newspaper on my right.... while mom was doing the same, enjoying her breakfast.....

"OH MY GOD, what is that?"

"wah kau... what the....."

"RUN !!!! "

" Help...!!! Help...... !!!"

I looked out, had my eyes on this unusual big machine thing, on the river right next to us... and i saw this .....

haha... WEIRD ! but i thought it was wicked !!!

Let's cha-cha

Watch the couple behind me !!! hahaha...

Jonker Street/ Geographer Cafe

It was my last weekend in Melaka, and i decided to wonder around Jonker Street. It was a windy Saturday night. As usual, after picking mom up from her salon, we headed to Kota Laksamana for dinner.

The renowned Jonker Street is simply a block away from where we always have dinner.


"Jonker Street, formerly known as Jonker Street, is a definite haven for antique collectors and bargain hunters. Authentic artifacts and relics some dated as far back as 300 years, can be found among a host of interesting collectibles, each with its own history and mystery " .... Cuti-Cuti Malaysia

Yes, it is always THAT crowded. The street has attracted many locals and non-locals. There is alot of things to see and buy, and they are not expensive. It is a good place for souveniours shopping.

Before we headed down JOnker street, mom and i decided to walk along Melaka river, Sungai Melaka, and took some pictures :)

Nice view eh? We were standing beside a river with a long history, longer than the history of Malaysia. "Melaka will never be gifted with the glorious history in the past without the existence of Sungai Melaka (Melaka River). It signifies the emergence of Malay Sultanate of Melaka, it marks the beginning and ending of each war, it was one of the main factors attracted foreign colonization, and it was the place where Melaka began. " .... and where Malaysia began.

Along Jonker Street, there are stalls selling antiques, souveniers, and even food. I personally find it a great street to kill your time, fasten your digestion after a big supper meal, and seeing things, buying things, and even having some local delicacies (if your tummy still allows you)




Pineapple tarts !!! My favaroute!~ These are the traditional types. THere is another type...


this !




There were aunties dancing. I think they were doing some sort of techno line dancing. Guess it is the coolest thing for them *faint*


Geographer Cafe, which has won an architectural award not too long ago, is one of the landmarks in Melaka. My mom and i like to hang out and chill with a drink (or two) at the cafe. It is partly owned by my friend's dad, but it doesnt make me a VIP for the cafe. darn!



Yup, thats me doing cha-cha with Suh Poh. I was "pulled" to the dance floor by Aunt Lily. Suh Poh has been dancing for some years and i think i was honored to dance with her. She moves!~



Mom, Aunt Lily, and me. Aunt Lily, we called her, the Dancing Queen of Melaka. hahaa... She started dancing even before i was born. She is a cool aunt to hang out with. You just cant stop laughing when your around her.




It was a fun night. THE END


It was 1am, back at home, by the pool.


In the elevator. Family-habit ;p

Beatboxing

I received this video from a friend, Ah Mao, not too long ago. I think the video was really cool and the dude in the video does have soemthing to give. enjoy ~

"Beatboxing is the art of vocal percussion. Although the term "beatboxing" derived from hip hop culture, it is not limited to hip hop music. It is primarily concerned with the art of producing drum beats, rhythm, and musical sounds using one's mouth, lips, tongue, voice, and more. It may also involve singing, vocal imitation of turntablism, the simulation of horns, strings, and other musical instruments" Wikepedia

Cameron Highlands' Trip June 2007

On our way up to Cameron Highlands, we ( actually it was me) spotted some natives selling wild durians, or we called them, kampung durians by the roadside. Thought kampung durians were gonna be good, especially those up in the highlands. Well, we had too high of hope. Too bad! (Darn, there were EXPENSIVE)


The natives' shop lot. Errmm... pretty safe eh?

kampung durians....

After a long snaky road up to Tea Boh, we sat down by the balcony, having cakes, and of course some really good Tea Boh, accompanied by a picturesque green hill scenery. heaven !~

Me, mom and brother @ Tea Boh cafetaria.

Cousins, JoJo and Jian @ the Smoke House.

Meditator wannabe, thought he could calm, train and empty his mind by sitting on a stone, under a tree. POSER!~

I thought i look cool. Paiseh

We were at the Native Reserve Park the next day. Those are the houses in the park. I really wonder how could they live in this kind of housing condition.

A cute native boy with my cousin.

The older kids were cleaning dishes by the river...

and the younger ones, well, playing marble ball aka guli.

We visited a farm, and gardens.....

doing stupid poses ;p

Untitled

Yes, Jia Huei is back.

There is so much to say and so much to show, but it seems pretty impossible to list them all out at once. I will take my own sweet time, showing you all what i have been through, what i've done, and what i am becoming. A little of patience is certainly needed.

University is finally done! Yes, i have graduated in May and guess what, i missed my once-in-a-lifetime-convocation. The reason behind the decision was that, i wanna be home! Call me a HomeBoi, or whatever, it is all good. Being so far away from home for this long, definately has open my eyes in all aspects of my life, especially the importance of being around family.

Yay! ~

Thats how i feel right now, am very content and happy with what i am having, thankful for what i am given, and no regrets with what i have missed. There is always sacrifices on things one is gaining.

I am happy about it :)