Hi people!

It's raining heavily. Tired. Can't sleep. And it's just 7pm. It's X-files on tv. Haven't sat through an episode for ages. Time to catch up with some eerie abnormalities. Could be interesting as the papers mentioned it's got one of those conspiracy stuff in it. Hey, it's Krychek. Mmm... I thought the guy got some Alien slime/virus/black oil/whatever in him already. Time to be confused, time to think and be entertained! I shall be killing two birds with one stone again - tv and writing weekend stories.

Two weeks of absence on the net.... Just got slightly busy, facing webspace shortage and no adventures to "brag" about. Let me run through some events for the week. Sorry, it's just a habit of mine to pour out everything 'coz sometimes I feel like I'm writing a diary or some momento for myself so that one day, when I'm old and lonely or bored, I could look back at these stuff and I know, it'll give a smile on my face (maybe it feels like writing to myself 40 years from now). Okay, here goes....

New TV
------------

The old tv gave up last week after giving us it's final electrical outburst which no knocking on it's top could help any longer. It had served us well - more than 14 years. Goodbye Phillips, hello Panasonic - 29 inch. I dunno, but dad had that Panasonic 2933 model on his mind ever since the old tv started acting up.

(Hold - hey, this X-files episode is closely related to the Fight the Future movie. Great stuff - for us X-philes.)

My parents bought the VCD player (can do karaoke too) as well. Wah, macam banyak duit. Actually, it's time to change after 14 years, man. But somehow, lately there's a few breakdowns on our stuff already. We just recently changed the fridge as well and our old car got into a tiny bump and the side brake lights got damaged a bit. We're not that well off, so I've got to chip in on the tv. Anyhow, maybe will start to follow the VCD craze and save up on going to cinemas (but then again, I haven't been to one for ages as well).

Cousins visit
--------------------

Two of my younger cousin sisters (Su Yi and Wee girl) and a friend (Wei Wei) of theirs came down from Raub, Pahang on Monday evening. It's school holidays for them (Form 3 and 4). So, yours truly became Seremban unofficial ambassador for the night. Probably you guessed right - I treated them for their first experience with bowling! Glad too, 'coz they enjoyed it very much. Later, a joyride around Seremban and a satay treat as supper. Next morning, my folks brought them up to visit KLIA.

First time at Indian wedding
----------------------------------------

I wonder why wedding bells ring more during year end. Attended a wedding two weeks ago; a week ago, just went shopping with hometown friends around Seremban for the whole afternoon for a wedding gift for another friend who's going to get married in Dec; yesterday attended my colleague cum ex-coursemate's wedding. On Christmas Eve, another ex-coursemate's wedding. See what I mean?

One thing special about yesterday's wedding was it was an Indian wedding. Doreen, Onn Wei, Kim Lee - guess who tied the knot, man? Yep, our Kasturi! Yeah, she didn't make a major announcement - the office colleagues were surprised as well. The hubby is a senior ex-collegian - Fifth College - matching in heights and looks.

The wedding ceremony was in Muar. I joined another Chinese colleague who drove down to Tampin. There we met up with another colleague - Indian guy who stays there. Switched into his car 'coz he's driving. Picked up another ex-colleague on the way. Before going to Muar, we were taken for a visit to Tampin's Taman Rekreasi.

(Hold - Alien spacecraft on X-file! Eu Cheng, you're watching this?)

When we went to pick up the ex-colleague, I did manage to get a look at Hutan Rekreasi Gunung Tampin - so one day, might try to scale this as well! The Taman is like any other taman I guess - plus a few cages of monkeys and birds. I'm sorry, but I feel very sad when I see animals in cages. How would you feel if you were them?

Anyhow, back on the wedding thingy. So, we took the highway to Tangkak, passing by the A Farmosa waterworld (quite impressive - the tall slide looks pretty scary). On the way to Muar after the highway, traffic was real bad. We really got irritated by the jam 'coz we didn't expect one in a town like Muar. However, Muar is quite a big town. As we were entering the town, one can notice the tv aerials on the houses were built very much higher. This is to receive the Singapore channel - I was told.

It was one hour from Seremban to Tampin, another 1.5 - 2 hours from Tampin to Muar. We reached the ceremony on time 7pm. It's held in an Indian temple. At the entrance, young girls held a plate of some kind of oil, some red color stuff and flowers. Those who arrive would dip their fingers into the color stuff and put a dot mark on their foreheads. Actually, I've got loads of questions to ask my Indian colleague, Subra, tomorrow - didn't want to disturb him during the wedding ceremony.

There in the temple, the ceremony already started with prayers from the Indian priest and the bridegroom. The music was provided by two men only - one on a special drum and another on a special blowing instrument - real loud. I met up with some ex-coursemates, Soma (he's doing fine in UM, further studies but didn't manage to ask him what's he dealing into), Vanaja and Renuka (teased both of them when would be their turn - as for myself when teased back, the answer is seriously "Never Ever"!). Even met up with one of our professors - Dr. Selva who was there with his family but I think he must be wondering who's this girl shaking hands with him....

After the bridegroom's prayers part was over, it was followed by the bride. Wow, Kasturi looked quite different (Subra said something like one-inch make up?!) - of course beautiful. Lots of bangles and gold accessories. Similar chants by priest - I dunnolah... he dipped some kinda leaf into some kinda oil/water/liquid then flinged it at the bride so that some droplets fell on her. There's also coconuts, coloured rice and petals of flowers around.

After the bride's prayers was over, we had to wait awhile coz both of them would change into another new attire before performing another round of prayers together. Then, there's some another tradisional ceremonial stuff done - the bride had to put some colourings on her parent's foot. Couldn't get to watch all of it because the view was blocked by other family members.

Once the ceremony was over, everybody started to line up at the buffet table. There's some kinda special rice served, curry, vege, bean curds - all vegetarian stuff because we were in the temple (no meat allowed in Indian temples). There are other guests lining up to wish the married couple. We did that after our dinner. Managed to take a group photo with the couple as well, thanks to a teacher who looked like some professional photographer with two types of huge cameras. When questioned, he mentions it's his hobby and some more the groom's brother was one of his former student.

I only reached back home about 11.45pm. Whew, so tiring. Nearly wanted to decline the next day's Bukit Melawati climb. But then again, if you know me well, one thing it's very hard for me to say 'no' for a chance to try out new stuff.

Bukit Melawati
----------------------

Next morning, got up at 5:50am. Actually, timed myself to wake up at 6 but mom didn't want me to be late. So managed to catch a KL bus at 6.45am - so my estimation of reaching Puduraya within an hour should be no problem as I said I would reach KL by 7.45am. But as anticipated, I knew I had to wait for others no matter what (it's fated by the heavens above - I've just had these so many cases from teenager till now). I had brought a book along but since I was gonna be fetch by Guan Hoe who lives around the area, I decided to admire Puduraya morning scenery and go on my people-watching antics again. So many uncle ask me whether I wanna take taxi or not. *Chuckle.

Guan Hoe, I must thank you and your family members for your warm hospitality. Thanks also for the morning coffee which I actually needed and also for the apples. See, I waited for the others in his home.

We started our climb from the foothill of Bukit Melawati at about 9.30am. Before going up, the view was quite spectacular. Bukit Melawati situated in Setapak area is actually a limestone hill. So, the rocky parts of the hill is quite an entreating view. Who are we? Well, the normal gang - my ex-housemates abdullah, lion king, tiong (adopted one), meng heng and sing hoon plus guan hoe (adopted two/too?).

On the whole, I think Bukit Melawati climb is more challenging and more rewarding than Gunung Angsi. Might get shot for saying this statement but it looks that way. More challenging 'coz the rope part was steeper and the time to climb using the rope was longer. But Gui, this is still so much easier than Gunung Ledang. Just wished my shoe had a better grip on the ground coz the ground was pretty grainy.

More rewarding coz the view on top was quite exhilarating - thanks to a nice view of the Klang dam (I think this is the name). Plus on the other side there's a view of KL city but unfortunately it was quite hazy.

We reached down by 12.30pm I think. Had lunch at Section 2? of Taman Bunga Raya somewhere around TAR college. Then went back home 'coz I was really pooped. EC, I didn't visit the stamps exhibit at Dayabumi - too smelly and tired!

Now
--------

When I came back, I just had to run through the weekend papers. By that time, I couldn't sleep already and haven't done so up to now. I'm actually working on my homepage - more on the Europe story because trying out a new interesting stuff that is making an image map. So far, downloaded a software to make an image map. I've got my map route scanned so that I need to play around to eventually come out with a "clickable" map picture. Gotta find a new "home" for my homepage coz I already finished up the space allocated. This is because I simply chose a free website without even going through other available choices.

Also enjoying some songs from Alanis Morrisette's new album. However, still prefer the old Jagged Little Pill. New songs which I find quite enjoyable are like front row, thank u (the moment i let go of it, was the moment i got more than i could handle, the moment i jumped off of it, was the moment i touched down), that i would be good (that i would be good even if i lost sanity, that i would be good whether with or without you), UR, one (this song is reflective for me) and unsent (i should write a song like this one day). I guessed I always find something memorable from her lyrics.

Chow, for now.

Regards,
Li Li