1. Where are you from?
Lady: "I will be going off for holiday for 3 weeks"
Me: "Good for you. Where are you going"
Lady: "Lebanon"
Me:"Nice! Where are you originally from?"
Lady: "Well, I'm from Palestine. Since now we don't have a country, we call Lebanon home"
Me:......
If I were not too excited to go home, that conversation would've left me depressed.
2. Acne treament.
Tea Boy:"You use anything for your acne?" *gesturing the outbreak around my jawline
Me:"Err.. not really"
Tea Boy:"Don't pinch it. Later become black"
Me:"Err.. ok"
Tea Boy:" Don't worry, try to use XXX brand powder. Indian shop have"
Me: "Err... I will remember that"
Tea Boy:" Remember don't squeeze aa.. later become black. Not pretty anymore"
To this day, I still can't believe that, that conversation did took place. Well, the guy meant well... though he left me with a huge.. WHAT DA HECK?
3. You're Malaysian?
Guy:"Oh..you're Malaysian"
Me:"Yes I am. Why?"
Guy:"Oh since you're always with your colleague I thot you were from Philipines."
Me:"Hahahahaha"
What else is new.
4. Your name is Junaidah?
Lady Boss:"Here's your id. Your name is Junaidah?"
Me:"Yes"
Lady Boss"Muslim"
Me:"Yes"
Lady Boss:"Oh I thot you're Philipino."
Me:"Hahahah"
Lady Boss" Well, since you hang around with so and so..I thot.."
Me:"Yeah, I get that a lot"
Lady Boss:"This is a beautiful name"
Me: "Really? What does it actually meants"
Lady Boss: "You read the Quran? Well, Jund means like a small army.. or all sorts of elements that was helping Nabi Sulaiman. A very good name"
Me: "Thank you"
This conversation took place after the lady fired me left right and center for ignoring her adhoc request. Never had I spent a morning so productive like this one. Terbakar hati sampai hangus. She seems a little human after I solve her issue and she found out that I'm Muslim. Hmm...
5. Permission slip
Office joker:"How do you find Qatar?"
Me:"OK"
Office joker:"You're married?"
Me:"Nope. Single"
Office joker:"Your family allow you to come here"
Me:"Pardon?"
Office joker" Your family ok with you coming here?"
Me: (still puzzled) " Err.. yes"
Terbangang kejap. I wanted to tell him that I stopped asking for permission to go anywhere after I was I dunno..17, 18? Normally I tell my parents where I'm going. Not asking for permission. And I'm here for work. Not party. And I'm 32. Talk about culture differences. When I told my Malaysian colleague. She just laughed. She remembered going to Kedah when she was in Uni. She called her parents to ask for permission. Her parents said no. Well, no harm, she was actually calling them from Kedah. Yeah, that sounds about right. Hehehehe
Friday, July 9, 2010
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Me - Truly Asia
Scene 1 - Grand Palace Bangkok
Police man eyeing oneself suspiciously when one is queuing up in the tourist line, happily holding the entrance ticket. Is this girl mad? Or is she plain disrespectful? Thai citizen can enter for free. And why is she wearing a hues of colors when everyone else is in black, mourning.
Well, she's not Thai. That's why.
Scene 2 - Spa at Soi Nana, Bangkok
Oneself is standing politely while waiting for the receptionist to finish her customery welcome speech in Thai. Oneself answered rather sheepishly "Err.. I don't really understand you, but yeah - Thanks". Of course it will be followed by the ususal 5 minutes 'I'm sorry I thought you were..' apology.
Oneself will however, return to the Spa yet again, as the 2nd time she's there, the receptionist (who actually is the owner of the Spa) remembered her and warmly said "Welcome back, miss!" Besides, much to her dismay, it's the only place in town that understands English.
Scene 3 - Elevator, Office Building, Qatar
Oneself pretending to be deaf and ignoring the fact that the delivery guy is trying to strike up a conversation with her - in Tagalog.
Scene 4 - Souq Wakif, Qatar
Oneself is oblivious of the chatter by the waitress. She only looked up from the Menu when she hear.. "Maam?". Her officemate asked her, did you notice the waitress was speaking to you in Tagalog? "Hahaha.. really? No I didn't". Officemate automatically appointed as spokesperson for queries in Tagalog.
Secne 5 - Hyatt, Qatar
Officemate trying to convince a Philipino staff that oneself is not from the Philipines. How to settle this? "Show her your passport". The staff was surprise that both of them were telling the truth.
Scene 6 - Shoe shop, Dubai
Shop assistance, while bending down looking for the right size for the slipper -"Maam, excuse me, are you Kabayan?"
Oneself " No, I'm not. I'm from Malaysia. Why? Do I look like a Kabayan?"
Shop assistance " 100% maam"
Oneself - rest her case.
I can't remember if anyone thot that I'm an Indonesian before when I was in Bandung or Bali, but I think it did happen once when I was in Malaysia. I followed a friend and her family for a balik kampung trip. One of the makcik there thot I was "anak angkat Indon". My friend laughed her ass off. Ya, laugh away. Despite her very gadis Melayu terakhir name, she looks like 100% Amoi from Tanah Besar.
I think there were once a chinese lady who spoke Mandarin/Cantonese to me back in Batu Pahat. Timkai?
How should I know.
In Ho Chin Minh, I don't think anyone thinks I'm Vietamese. Or they did and I don't remember? Anyway, I don't think that they would since I'm 3 times the size of the normal average people there. Hahah.
So, there you go.
I'm indeed truly asia.
Police man eyeing oneself suspiciously when one is queuing up in the tourist line, happily holding the entrance ticket. Is this girl mad? Or is she plain disrespectful? Thai citizen can enter for free. And why is she wearing a hues of colors when everyone else is in black, mourning.
Well, she's not Thai. That's why.
Scene 2 - Spa at Soi Nana, Bangkok
Oneself is standing politely while waiting for the receptionist to finish her customery welcome speech in Thai. Oneself answered rather sheepishly "Err.. I don't really understand you, but yeah - Thanks". Of course it will be followed by the ususal 5 minutes 'I'm sorry I thought you were..' apology.
Oneself will however, return to the Spa yet again, as the 2nd time she's there, the receptionist (who actually is the owner of the Spa) remembered her and warmly said "Welcome back, miss!" Besides, much to her dismay, it's the only place in town that understands English.
Scene 3 - Elevator, Office Building, Qatar
Oneself pretending to be deaf and ignoring the fact that the delivery guy is trying to strike up a conversation with her - in Tagalog.
Scene 4 - Souq Wakif, Qatar
Oneself is oblivious of the chatter by the waitress. She only looked up from the Menu when she hear.. "Maam?". Her officemate asked her, did you notice the waitress was speaking to you in Tagalog? "Hahaha.. really? No I didn't". Officemate automatically appointed as spokesperson for queries in Tagalog.
Secne 5 - Hyatt, Qatar
Officemate trying to convince a Philipino staff that oneself is not from the Philipines. How to settle this? "Show her your passport". The staff was surprise that both of them were telling the truth.
Scene 6 - Shoe shop, Dubai
Shop assistance, while bending down looking for the right size for the slipper -"Maam, excuse me, are you Kabayan?"
Oneself " No, I'm not. I'm from Malaysia. Why? Do I look like a Kabayan?"
Shop assistance " 100% maam"
Oneself - rest her case.
I can't remember if anyone thot that I'm an Indonesian before when I was in Bandung or Bali, but I think it did happen once when I was in Malaysia. I followed a friend and her family for a balik kampung trip. One of the makcik there thot I was "anak angkat Indon". My friend laughed her ass off. Ya, laugh away. Despite her very gadis Melayu terakhir name, she looks like 100% Amoi from Tanah Besar.
I think there were once a chinese lady who spoke Mandarin/Cantonese to me back in Batu Pahat. Timkai?
How should I know.
In Ho Chin Minh, I don't think anyone thinks I'm Vietamese. Or they did and I don't remember? Anyway, I don't think that they would since I'm 3 times the size of the normal average people there. Hahah.
So, there you go.
I'm indeed truly asia.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Too Much Of A Good Thing - The Sons
There's a chill in the air comin' off the river tonight,
Sure am glad I chose my sweater,
Walk alone, I walk alone tonight,
Yeah, I've felt better.
But I know, in my heart,
One car in an alley is better than a vacant lot,
And you'll see, on my face,
Lines on a young man can find their place.
Baby, I have left so much behind,
Until I passed the same place twice
Now I see just what ya done to me,
Too much of a good thing.
Can you hold the line,
another call's comin' in,
Might be the one I just got over,
Back and forth and up again,
For just a wrong number.
But to scream a good cry,
Could leave me naked in some stranger's eyes,
So I'll whisper, a little cry,
Hope this memory'll soon pass by. Ooh.
Baby, I got feelin's old and strong,
I did not think they'll last this long,
Tell me why your light keeps turnin' on,
I say too much of a good thing.
Too much of a good thing.
A lonely voice finds little demand,
it turns too shy and afraid to make a stand.
For one last time can't you listen to me,
Baby don't let me go silently
You're too much, you're too much.
You're too much of a good thing,
You're too much of a good thing, too much
Much too, much too, much too, much too, much too, much too, much too much,
You're too much of a good thing.
This is one of the coolest song that I have ever heard. Almost forgot about it. Though I'm not eager to watch Dumb and Dumber again, I would listen to the soundtrack till my ears fall off. Best gila!
Speaking of too much of a good thing, this long 'holiday' will soon be over. 2 more days to go. Can't wait to go back. Nasi lemak terminal and roti canai, here I come!
Sure am glad I chose my sweater,
Walk alone, I walk alone tonight,
Yeah, I've felt better.
But I know, in my heart,
One car in an alley is better than a vacant lot,
And you'll see, on my face,
Lines on a young man can find their place.
Baby, I have left so much behind,
Until I passed the same place twice
Now I see just what ya done to me,
Too much of a good thing.
Can you hold the line,
another call's comin' in,
Might be the one I just got over,
Back and forth and up again,
For just a wrong number.
But to scream a good cry,
Could leave me naked in some stranger's eyes,
So I'll whisper, a little cry,
Hope this memory'll soon pass by. Ooh.
Baby, I got feelin's old and strong,
I did not think they'll last this long,
Tell me why your light keeps turnin' on,
I say too much of a good thing.
Too much of a good thing.
A lonely voice finds little demand,
it turns too shy and afraid to make a stand.
For one last time can't you listen to me,
Baby don't let me go silently
You're too much, you're too much.
You're too much of a good thing,
You're too much of a good thing, too much
Much too, much too, much too, much too, much too, much too, much too much,
You're too much of a good thing.
This is one of the coolest song that I have ever heard. Almost forgot about it. Though I'm not eager to watch Dumb and Dumber again, I would listen to the soundtrack till my ears fall off. Best gila!
Speaking of too much of a good thing, this long 'holiday' will soon be over. 2 more days to go. Can't wait to go back. Nasi lemak terminal and roti canai, here I come!
Monday, July 5, 2010
It's been a year
There's a lot of fathers out there, but only one that I can called Ayah (or sometimes Bapak..just to annoy him :P).
May Allah bless him always.
Al-Fathihah.
May Allah bless him always.
Al-Fathihah.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
The Bros from Afghan
The pictures below are actually a mashed up from 4 separate visit to this restaurant. Out of the 4 times, we ventured out 3 times by ourselves. The first one, Ima and Man bawak (thanks guys!).
Lepas tu asyik termimpi-mimpi aje, maka kena lah pergi lagi. 3 times yang pergi tu 3 times la jugak pusing-pusing almost sesat. We got all sort of variation of the direction to the place. Kejap teksi ni kata Ar-Rayyan, kejap kata Gharaffa roundabout, kejap Gharrafa Comercial Street, kejap Baladi roundabout, Slope Roundabout la. Aku tak tau la. Tapi bila dekat nak sampai tu, aku tau la mana hala nak tuju. That's my inner GPS kicking in.
Dah tu everytime pergi, lepas makan duduk lagi bersidai kat kedai tu, tak balik-balik. Bengkek je brother-brother tu semua. Hehehehe. Bukan tak nak balik bang, tunggu teksi yang tak sampai-sampai sebab depa pun sesat dengan direction kitaorg. Hahahahha
I shall miss this a lot - nasi dulang from Afghan Brothers. Makan atas lantai, sharing dalam dulang, kalau perut sebu boleh landing terus, hehehe.
The grilled Hamour is to die for. Serious.
Lepas tu asyik termimpi-mimpi aje, maka kena lah pergi lagi. 3 times yang pergi tu 3 times la jugak pusing-pusing almost sesat. We got all sort of variation of the direction to the place. Kejap teksi ni kata Ar-Rayyan, kejap kata Gharaffa roundabout, kejap Gharrafa Comercial Street, kejap Baladi roundabout, Slope Roundabout la. Aku tak tau la. Tapi bila dekat nak sampai tu, aku tau la mana hala nak tuju. That's my inner GPS kicking in.
Dah tu everytime pergi, lepas makan duduk lagi bersidai kat kedai tu, tak balik-balik. Bengkek je brother-brother tu semua. Hehehehe. Bukan tak nak balik bang, tunggu teksi yang tak sampai-sampai sebab depa pun sesat dengan direction kitaorg. Hahahahha
I shall miss this a lot - nasi dulang from Afghan Brothers. Makan atas lantai, sharing dalam dulang, kalau perut sebu boleh landing terus, hehehe.
The grilled Hamour is to die for. Serious.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
1 Week Notice
...suddenly it's already time to go home? Where did the last 2 months go? I will be home free soon but not before navigating thru the crocodile infested rivers (that's being on standby for this weekend month end), finding my way out of a jungle full of poisonous creatures (that's packing my ever expanding luggage), crawling thru fields full of mines (that's a few more days at work, next week) and finally driving thru a long road full of potholes (that's getting thru the crazy airport departure procedure and the long flight back).
I'm so excited. I just can't hide it. I'm about to lose control and I think I like it.
Wuhuuu
What am I gonna miss most? Or what am I not gonna miss at all? I'll start with the 'negative' list first
10. Having sand/dust/tiny annonying particles in your eyes on windy days
9. The first gush of hot air blowing to your face as soon as you step outside.
8. The feel of your face scrunching up as soon as you step into the 15 degrees office after spending 30 minutes in the 45 degrees hot oven outside.
7. Having pipping hot water no matter what time of the day when you turn on your tap
6. No chilli sos!
5. Looking at vast areas of sand and nothing but sand
4. The roundabouts
3. The sprinklers that goes off when I get home
2. Roller coaster rides and F1 Drivers disguise as Karwa and Karwa Drivers.
1. Are you Kebayan? (NO.I.AM.NOT)
.............. let the madness begin.
I'm so excited. I just can't hide it. I'm about to lose control and I think I like it.
Wuhuuu
What am I gonna miss most? Or what am I not gonna miss at all? I'll start with the 'negative' list first
10. Having sand/dust/tiny annonying particles in your eyes on windy days
9. The first gush of hot air blowing to your face as soon as you step outside.
8. The feel of your face scrunching up as soon as you step into the 15 degrees office after spending 30 minutes in the 45 degrees hot oven outside.
7. Having pipping hot water no matter what time of the day when you turn on your tap
6. No chilli sos!
5. Looking at vast areas of sand and nothing but sand
4. The roundabouts
3. The sprinklers that goes off when I get home
2. Roller coaster rides and F1 Drivers disguise as Karwa and Karwa Drivers.
1. Are you Kebayan? (NO.I.AM.NOT)
.............. let the madness begin.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
32 Songs
I just was browsing, reading about random songs and checking what they actually meant, when I came upon this review about a book by Nick Hornby - 31 Songs. It's mostly about songs that have some significance in his life or just songs that he really love. I shall buy this book if I ever find it (or ada ke sesape yang nak belikan as a birthday present? ke aku dah ada buku ni :P). Looking thru his list, I only know one song - I'm Like a Bird by Nelly Furtado. The rest, apakah mereka? But it got me thinking, if I need to list down 31 songs that I like or may have some meaning that I can relate to, what would my list be?
Right... 31 songs. Well, since it's my birthday why not 32 songs. Easy? Not at all! I have so many favorites that I wanted to put in. The whole Bon Jovi albums, or Jagged Little Pill album or Alleycats song, or songs when I was in PPP or those from the old rock kapak phases.
I thot this should be fun, now sgt stress. I love songs with great lyrics - so all the songs below has a line or two or a whole verse, that if I could, I would quote. Perhaps one of these days I could write a book about them as well. Haha.. dream on.
So with great difficulty, here's my 32 songs, in no particular order what so ever.
1. Adele - Chasing Pavements
2. Semalam Yang Hangat - Wings
3. Your Winter - Sister Hazel
4. Antara Anyer dan Jakarta - Sheila Majid
5. Come to My Window - Melissa Etheridge
6. Warwick Avenue - Duffy
7. Good Life - Kanye West feat T-Pain
8. Senyumlah Kuala Lumpur - Alleycats
9. Scar Tissue - Red Hot Chilli Peppers
10. It's Too Late - Carole King
11. Hate Me - Blue October
12. Bukan Rayuan Gombal - Judika
13. Empire State of Mine - Alicia Keys and Jay Z
14. Wish You Were Here - Pink Floyd
15. Murder On The Dance Floor - Sophie Ellis Baxtor
16. Janie, Don't You Take Your Love to Town - Jon Bon Jovi
17. Yellow - Coldplay
18. Midnight Train To Georgia - Gladys Knight and the Pips
19. Heaven - Life
20. Drops of Jupiter - Train
21. Super Duper Love - Joss Stone
22. Let Me Let Go - Faith Hill
23. You Don't Know Me - Jann Arden
24. Insensitive - Jann Arden
25. Blower's Daughther - Damien Rice
26. Babylon - David Gray
27. Not The Doctor - Alanis Morissette
28. Lately More Than Ever - Hobotalk
29. Melt My Heart to Stone - Adele
30. You and I Both - Jason Mraz
31. Trouble - Ray Lamontagne
32. Come Undone - Robbie Williams
And, I have not seen anything as inspiring as this performance. Best gila.
"Come Undone" - Robbie Williams
So unimpressed, but so in awe
Such a saint, but such a whore
So self-aware, so full of shit
So indecisive, so adamant
I'm contemplating, thinkin' about thinkin'
It's overrated, just get another drink and
Watch me come undone
They're selling razor blades and mirrors in the street
I pray when I'm coming down, you'll be asleep
If I ever hurt you, your revenge will be so sweet
Because I'm scum, and I'm your son
I come undone
I come undone
So rock 'n' roll, so corporate suit
So damn ugly, so damn cute
So well-trained, so animal
So need your love, so fuck you all
I'm not scared of dying, I just don't want to
If I stop lying, I'll just disappoint you
Come undone
They're selling razor blades and mirrors in the street
Come undone
I pray when I'm coming down, you'll be asleep
Come undone
If I ever hurt you, your revenge will be so sweet
Because I'm scum, and I'm your son
I come undone
So write another ballad, mix it on a Wednesday
Sell it on a Thursday buy a yacht on Saturday
It's a love song, a love song
Do another interview, sing a bunch of lies
Tell about celebrities that I despise
And sing love songs, we sing love songs so sincere
So sincere
Come undone
They're selling razor blades and mirrors in the street
Come undone
I pray when I'm coming down, you'll be asleep
Come undone
The young pretend you're in the clouds above the sea
I come undone
I am scum
Love your son
You've gotta love your son
Come undone
You've gotta love you son
Come undone
Love your son
I am scum
I am scum
I am scum
I am scum
I am scum
I am scum
~K-lynn if you are reading this, pick a song that you like and consider that I dedicate it out to you. Happy Birthday! Please tell me that kau cuti hari ni ;) ~
Right... 31 songs. Well, since it's my birthday why not 32 songs. Easy? Not at all! I have so many favorites that I wanted to put in. The whole Bon Jovi albums, or Jagged Little Pill album or Alleycats song, or songs when I was in PPP or those from the old rock kapak phases.
I thot this should be fun, now sgt stress. I love songs with great lyrics - so all the songs below has a line or two or a whole verse, that if I could, I would quote. Perhaps one of these days I could write a book about them as well. Haha.. dream on.
So with great difficulty, here's my 32 songs, in no particular order what so ever.
1. Adele - Chasing Pavements
2. Semalam Yang Hangat - Wings
3. Your Winter - Sister Hazel
4. Antara Anyer dan Jakarta - Sheila Majid
5. Come to My Window - Melissa Etheridge
6. Warwick Avenue - Duffy
7. Good Life - Kanye West feat T-Pain
8. Senyumlah Kuala Lumpur - Alleycats
9. Scar Tissue - Red Hot Chilli Peppers
10. It's Too Late - Carole King
11. Hate Me - Blue October
12. Bukan Rayuan Gombal - Judika
13. Empire State of Mine - Alicia Keys and Jay Z
14. Wish You Were Here - Pink Floyd
15. Murder On The Dance Floor - Sophie Ellis Baxtor
16. Janie, Don't You Take Your Love to Town - Jon Bon Jovi
17. Yellow - Coldplay
18. Midnight Train To Georgia - Gladys Knight and the Pips
19. Heaven - Life
20. Drops of Jupiter - Train
21. Super Duper Love - Joss Stone
22. Let Me Let Go - Faith Hill
23. You Don't Know Me - Jann Arden
24. Insensitive - Jann Arden
25. Blower's Daughther - Damien Rice
26. Babylon - David Gray
27. Not The Doctor - Alanis Morissette
28. Lately More Than Ever - Hobotalk
29. Melt My Heart to Stone - Adele
30. You and I Both - Jason Mraz
31. Trouble - Ray Lamontagne
32. Come Undone - Robbie Williams
And, I have not seen anything as inspiring as this performance. Best gila.
"Come Undone" - Robbie Williams
So unimpressed, but so in awe
Such a saint, but such a whore
So self-aware, so full of shit
So indecisive, so adamant
I'm contemplating, thinkin' about thinkin'
It's overrated, just get another drink and
Watch me come undone
They're selling razor blades and mirrors in the street
I pray when I'm coming down, you'll be asleep
If I ever hurt you, your revenge will be so sweet
Because I'm scum, and I'm your son
I come undone
I come undone
So rock 'n' roll, so corporate suit
So damn ugly, so damn cute
So well-trained, so animal
So need your love, so fuck you all
I'm not scared of dying, I just don't want to
If I stop lying, I'll just disappoint you
Come undone
They're selling razor blades and mirrors in the street
Come undone
I pray when I'm coming down, you'll be asleep
Come undone
If I ever hurt you, your revenge will be so sweet
Because I'm scum, and I'm your son
I come undone
So write another ballad, mix it on a Wednesday
Sell it on a Thursday buy a yacht on Saturday
It's a love song, a love song
Do another interview, sing a bunch of lies
Tell about celebrities that I despise
And sing love songs, we sing love songs so sincere
So sincere
Come undone
They're selling razor blades and mirrors in the street
Come undone
I pray when I'm coming down, you'll be asleep
Come undone
The young pretend you're in the clouds above the sea
I come undone
I am scum
Love your son
You've gotta love your son
Come undone
You've gotta love you son
Come undone
Love your son
I am scum
I am scum
I am scum
I am scum
I am scum
I am scum
~K-lynn if you are reading this, pick a song that you like and consider that I dedicate it out to you. Happy Birthday! Please tell me that kau cuti hari ni ;) ~
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)