escapism

Some days I wake up and I feel like I'm 30, which is what I'll be in a couple of months time. This doesn't usually happen and I'm not aversed to aging but today is one of those days that I actually feel old and lousy.

Well, maybe growing older is not the real issue here. It's growing 30.

When I was in my teens, 30 seemed a lifetime away. Turning 30 is for old people. Old people who would've accomplished many things and has life in the palm of his/her hand. He would be the owner of a metallic convertible. She would travel to any country she fancy. He would run his own million dollar business or at least be a top executive in a multinational firm. She would have a career, a loving boyfriend and live in an apartment on the hill with breathtaking views of the city.

So I'm turning 30 and I'm wondering where I stand in my path of life. Have I achieved everything that I possibly could? Or am I procrastinating my life away?

********

The other day I decided I should take off and travel on my own for a bit. I've always wanted to do this solo self-discovery travel the world thingy. There's so many places I could go that I can't quite decide.

I wanted something quiet and non-hectic. A place to stay that's cozy and homey. That is how I found Greece.

This is a house in Agios Vasillis. It comes one bedroom with a queen size bed, living room, fully equipped kitchen and bathroom with marble shower. From the balcony, I may enjoy a panoramic view of the Mykonos town, harbour, and islands beyond. The sunsets are said to be magnificent. This house can be mine for Euros 150 per day with a minimum 7 days rental period.







Alternatively, there's this Hotel Heliotopos that looks so chic and romantic and yet rather homey. I like how everything's white in Greece. See the pretty butterflies on the restaurant walls.















I can imagine myself bumming around sipping on orange juice while contemplating mind-numbing questions like what to have for dinner or where shall I go tomorrow.

Source:
http://www.mykonoshappyhomes.com/house_agios_vasillis.html
http://hotel.heliotopos.net/

another day in the drama that is Malaysia

RAJA PETRA, TERESA KOK, SIN CHEW REPORTER ARRESTED UNDER ISA

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 13 (Bernama) -- Blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin, Seputeh member of parliament Teresa Kok and a Sin Chiew Daily News reporter were arrested Friday under the Internal Security Act (ISA).

Raja Petra was picked up from his house in Sungai Buloh at 1.10pm, Kok in front of her condominium here at 11.20pm while the Sin Chew Daily News reporter, Tan Hoon Cheng, was picked up from her house in Bukit Mertajam in Penang at 8.30pm.

Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar confirmed the arrest three.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar earlier Friday said that Raja Petra was detained after it was ascertained that he could disrupt and threaten security and public order.

Syed Hamid said when contacted that the blogger's detention came in the wake of various statements published by Raja Petra in his blog "Malaysia Today", the latest being a commentary which allegedly ridiculed Islam and Prophet Muhammad.

Raja Petra reportedly incited Muslims with a commentary on the article "I promise to be a good, non-hypocritical Muslim" which contained sentences that ridiculed Muslims besides allowing a commentary which ridiculed Islam and Prophet Muhammad with reference to the article "Not all Arabs are descendants of the Prophet" published in the "Malaysia Today" blog.

Section 73(1) of the ISA permits the detention of an individual for up to 60 days.

In Penang, news of Tan's arrest prompted several political party leaders, reporters and photographers to gather outside the Seberang Perai Tengah district police headquarters where the reporter was taken to.

Tan's family members were also there but declined to be interviewed.

Tan is the reporter who wrote the news claiming that Bukit Bendera Umno division chief, Datuk Ahmad Ismail, had said in a ceramah during the Permatang Pauh by-election that the Chinese were mere "immigrants" in the country.

At 11.10pm, Tan was seen coming out of the Seberang Perai Tengah IPD accompanied by two policemen and entering a Proton Waja car, believed to be heading to the state police headquarters on the island.

The car was also escorted by two dark-tinted Proton Wira cars, and on passing by the group of waiting reporters, Tan managed to wave at them.

Bukit Mertajam MP Chong Eng, who was earlier allowed by police to enter the IPD to see the detained reporter but was not allowed to speak to her, told reporters that Tan who was not handcuffed, appeared calm but shed some tears.

Some 100 leaders and supporters of political parties, including from MCA, Gerakan and DAP gathered outside the police headquarters and lighted up candles as a sign of protest over the reporter's arrest.

Meanwhile, Raja Petra's wife, Marina Lee Abdullah, said 10 policemen came to the house and detained her husband at 1.10 pm and took him away at 1.50 pm.

Marina said the police also took several tapes and a computer from her husband's room.

Raja Petra was detained under the ISA in April 2001 for his involvement in the reformation movement and was held for 53 days at the Kamunting Detention Centre in Taiping, Perak.

How is it that the reporter who reported a racist statement made by Ahmad Ismail gets arrested under ISA, for being a threat to the nation, while that damned racist goes around the state holding press conferences defending his views, not being sorry about it, and refusing to apologise eventhough the Deputy PM had apologised on his behalf? And he gets invited to tea with the PM so that he could explain his actions.

WTF is going on???

Now they claim to arrest Tan as her safety was under threat. You mean that's what the ISA is for? If her life is in danger, shouldn't you, I dunno, send some police over to her house instead? Or maybe put her under some protection program? Honestly, I really wouldn't know. I'm not in the business of peace enforcement or provision of protection services.

Really now, do they somehow pity Anwar and try help out his crusade a little? I think it's working.

guess what i found on YouTube?

More Japanese Tetris!!

live with no regrets: inked (ep2)

Joy Wong replied! She's Jimmy Wong's daughter. She said she'll book me into her time. All I gots to do is give her a call one or two days before I go over to fix up the appointment. How cool is that??? OMGOMGOMG... this is so happening!! Please please please don't chicken out.

Deeeep breath. Deeeeep breath.

I've got 3 weeks. Time to revisit the design I wanted and decide where I want my ink.

Gahh.

live with no regrets: inked (ep1)

For someone who's crazy about tattoos, it's rather confounding that I don't have one (yet). It's one of those things that I've been putting off and talking about for far too long.

It started during my studying days, on my various traipsing around Sydney town. I would sometimes walk past this tattoo studio called the Illustrated Man. I remember being very fascinated by the colourful pictures on the facade of the studio. Then there's the huge TATTOO STUDIO framing the entrance. Of the many times I contemplated to boldly walk through the door and bellow "Gimme an ink", never once did I grow any balls. That would probably help. But damn, was I so seduced.

Years later and after many just talks and parental approval (close enough), I went to Borneo Ink to set up an appointment. As opposed to generally peeping from the outside, I actually walked into a tattoo studio this time and talked to a tattoo artist. I had done my research and I sorta have a design in mind and I sorta know where I want it. But it takes about a month to fully heal and I was to take off for my OWD in two weeks. It'll never heal in time. Salt water + healing wound = BAD IDEA.

Then this morning, whilst deep into work, a sudden thought hit me "Hey, why not get inked in Bangkok?" I have no friggin idea where that came from too. So I googled and read some forums/blogs and the consensus was Jimmy Wong's da bomb. I googled some more and I found an email address. I just wrote him.

Is it meant to be this time around?