Back to Kuching

I'm finally back in Kuching to end the year 2010 after a really adventurous year. For the first time I have traveled so much. Overall, I have actually spent 54 hours in the plane this year. Awesome!! It's only the beginning...

Kuching hasn't changed much. Same old weather. Hot and humid. I'm back to sweating after showering. New shopping complexes coming up and lots of new shophouses. More good places to eat of course. That's what Kuching's about. And of course one of the most drastic change I've seen is the Kuching Waterfront. No more old wet market. Instead it's more parks. The view now is so much nicer compared to the one before.

As for the people it's still same old same old. Having seen and lived with all kinds of people from different parts of the world, I think the people still have a lot to learn. Typical. Just this morning, a woman opened her car door and dropped some rubbish on the road right in front of my shop. Such a PIG FACE. Why do that when there's a big green bin right next to her car!!

People using the phone while driving is among the worst things to do on road. Just this week, I've seen more than 10 drivers doing this. And these drivers drove like shit, which is why I looked at them and saw what they did. And with the I-phone nowadays, I think it's gotten worse. One of those drivers not talking on the phone but he was looking at his I-phone and scrolling. In Spain, you can't even use the bluetooth handsfree. As long as there's any earphone or phone at the ear, if you get caught, you'll be fined. But here. Handsfree allowed also don't want to use.

Aite.. I got to go.

Back in Aus

I'm back in Aus... after three good months in holy Spain. But I think only my body has reached Melbourne.. My brain is definitely still in Spain. Wandering around or even just sitting in the apartment in Girona.

I can't believe I actually spent 2 whole days just to travel to Melbourne. Reached Barcelona airport at 7 a.m on Thursday and reached Tullamarine airport in Melbourne at 10.30p.m on Friday. But it was ok for me because I used Qatar Airways. It definitely is a good airline especially for long distance. The shorter distance is average for me but the long distance plane is REALLY GOOD!! The plane itself is comfortable. Spacy and the seats are not too hard. It's even better when you sit by the window because you can lean on the sides. Totally comfortable..

Then there's the entertainment screen. So many different entertainment you'll never get tired. I actually managed to watch some of the latest movies like Grown ups and Marmaduke. So, all I did is sleep eat watch.. then sleep again. 14 hours of flight doesn't seem long for me.

As for the service, it's awesome. The air stewardess are all pretty and they smile all the time. Probably that's why they are pretty. Like they say, smiles improve one's look. And there are 3 meals altogether on the bigger plane. Pretty good meals especially the cream cheese cake for dessert. And throughout the flight, you can actually ask for fruits, sandwiches or drinks. Not bad right??

Qatar Airways also allow you to have a connecting check in of your luggages although the gap between two flights are like 6 hours. How good is that?? That's the thing I like because I don't have to take my luggage out, wander around the airport for a few hours, and then check in again... like AirAsia. The ticket price for Qatar is not expensive either. It's definitely not as cheap as AirAsia but it's reasonable.

I'm not promoting Qatar Airways or anything here. It's just my opinion

Anyways, I'm still settling down in Melbourne. I've gotten used to waking up early in Spain it's automatic for me here too. 6a.m and I'll wake up without the use of alarm. Hmm... I realise I've never used alarm at all too... in Spain as well. Although I sleep like a pig, somehow I can just wake up like that at the right time. I think I used the sunlight as my alarm clock. Once there's light, I'll wake up. I've tried closing all the curtains and as expected, I didn't wake up on time.

I don't really know what I'm doing here now though. No classes and still looking for jobs. Should have gone straight back to Malaysia or just stayed in Spain... I want to stay longer in Spain!!

Time to Say Goodbye to Spain =(

It's been quite a while since I've last updated. Been really busy with different things. I'm still in Spain but SADLY I'll be leaving Spain on Thursday which is in two days' time. OH WHY SO FAST!!!

Well, I've just had the best night in my life last night. My supervisors (since they have all supervised me throughout the three months and I've spent the most time with them); 4 of them, and my supervisor's cousin, which is also my housemate have actually organized farewell dinner for me. How lucky am I yea? It's good enough I manage to get a training in Spain but I also managed to have great great people around me, leading and guiding a noob wanderer in Spain. I think that's one of the reason why I love Spain so much.

And it's not just a regular dinner. It's a surprise dinner.. HAHA!! how cool is that!! I would be really happy if I had regular farewell dinner or lunch with them but again, they actually spent some time organising a surprise dinner. And it definitely is much easier for them because they communicate in a different language. But of course, with my eavesdropping ear and my nature of extreme curiosity, I did find out a little bit earlier before the dinner =D. But I'm still surprised because I don't know who would be attending.

So, we had dinner at this very famous Catalan restaurant in Girona.

Pictures of famous people who ate at this restaurant

This restaurant sure have got delicious local cuisine. Well, if you don't know how Catalan food is like, below are a few famous ones

It's not Catalan if there's no Jamon

That rounded thing is rice with pork blood

Underneath, there's baked potato with eggs

Botifarra or something like that... which I love very much!!

And of course all kinds of dessert to choose from.

I've always controlled myself from drinking too much but last night, I let myself enter into the next level of drinking. Well, it's Spain so it's stupid not to do it. Ok.. let me explain how people drink here in Catalunya. First, before dinner, we have a glass of beer. Then during dinner we had red wine.. three bottles of wine for six people in a meal. It's like half a bottle for each person. Then after meal, we had shots of some local alcohol which I don't know the name. I was given four shots. It's like a three course drink where there's appetizer, main and dessert drinks..

Beer and wine together?? Now who's the better drinker huh...

My first shot ever in my life.. =D

I don't know the name of this. It's vodka similar but locally made.

My supervisors and my housemate..THANK YOU!!!
Which one is my housemate??

And after dinner, I went to a bar with the rest of my housemates and had another bottle of beer. Then we're supposed to go to another place but I was already wasted so we headed home.

I'll be BACK IN SPAIN SOON!!! It wouldn't be the last!!

Celebrities and their plastics

For a long time I have been adoring these celebrities for being hot and successful. But recently I've found pictures of their before and after... and all likings just dropped. For some it dropped drastically while I still liked some of them. All I have learnt is that most celebrities are partially man-made after all. We can't find someone that's 100% good-looking...

First and foremost would be Megan Fox, the recent buzz for her total hotness.. I wasn't surprised she was plastic though because it was impossible to have such hotness without paying a certain price to go under the knife. I was just surprised on how different she looked. If she didn't change herself, I don't even think she'll get the part in Transformers

Her investment is worth paying for after all huh..

Then there is Giselle Bundchen, the highest paid model in the world. She too was partially man-made like the terminator. And again she had made a very good investment

Then there is Anna Faris. If she did nothing, she wouldn't be on screen. But I still liked her because she is a good actor. Her movies are all funny as hell..

Catherine Zeta Jones... One of hottest women on earth. I just envied Michael Douglas so much. It made me confused sometimes on what women wants. Anyways she looked so different before that. Definitely much hotter as she matures... like wine. I'm not sure if she's done much but I'm sure she had some injections here and there..

Jennifer Aniston would be the other bottle of wine. Definitely much better looking at an older age rather than when young. And of course I'm pretty sure she has some make-overs too

Demi Moore. This is one star who aged like Benjamin Button thanks to her surgeons

Michelle Pfeifer... A star whom I think resembles a goddess.. but now I have to categorize her as a plastic goddess

I would love her better if she maintains like the picture on the left. But unfortunately Hollywood wants people with narrow nose.

 And last but definitely not least would be Sarah Jessica Parker. Look at how much different she used to be.. But I do think she has overdone herself. If you watch Disaster Movie, you'll see that she's being recognised as a transverstite.. Haha funny..

Well, now I know... all these stars can only be seen but not to be touched. I laughed at those who believed Santa Claus was real.. but now I have to laugh at myself twice as hard for believing that those celebrities are natural.

But luckily, all these surgeries above are perfect surgeries... Some went terribly wrong and in the end they turn out worse than before..Really bad investment and a total waste of money..

I was just curious. Perhaps after many many decades when they have passed away, do you think they will fully decomposed or would they leave behind some plastics which would pollute the earth. Or maybe the next generation of archeologist will have some great findings... "Look what I've found, a fossil of Demi!!"

Lesson to learn.
If you want to get into Hollywood, you need to get yourself some plastics. But too much plastic will push you out of Hollywood
If you want to earn big bucks, you can venture into plastic making... or in other words, become a plastic surgeon

COWARD on the loose!!

Some guys are just really coward. Really coward to the point that he can't be a guy. Why in the world does this happen?

I've got a friend (A) who recently is in so much depression because of this cowardly guy. If you want to end a relationship at least have the guts to end it face to face. But this guy unfortunately didn't have the balls to do that. If he has found another person that's fine but why does he have to let A hanging in the middle like that? Wouldn't it be less selfish if he just tells A what really happens and at least both can depart their own way.

Can you imagine, first A got suspicious of her boyfriend liking another girl whom both of them knew. Well, the guy kept on saying no and convinced A that he'll never like that girl. But he did say they shouldn't continue theirs either... after six years. And he left to another state, clueless on what she has done wrong.

And as time goes by, A got more and more suspicious. She found pictures in Facebook of the guy and the girl cuddling comfortably with each other.. She called the guy many times but he never answered. He then changed his contacts and what's funny, he blocked A and all their mutual friends in Facebook. LOL!! that's what only a 10 year old would do. Cowardly acts.

And recently A asked one of the guy's friends and the friend told her that the guy and the girl are together now. What a cowardly person. I don't even know what adjectives to use.

So, A is left really depressed (I mean really depressed but there's no need to say how depressed) about everything she has been through with that guy. I understand guys changing their minds really fast. But come on.. if you're brave enough to change your mind, be BRAVE to tell the truth. At least she can be sad earlier and then recover earlier instead of be sad for a few months clueless of what's happening and then be even sadder when she found out the truth.

To conclude, he's a COWARD.. and I'd really like to punch him in the face for A if I met him. Go be a transverstite. You don't deserve a girl in your arms. I don't blame the other girl because this is relationship but I do feel sorry for her for she might face the same thing too.

The Awesome Sagrada Familia

Well, after Zaragoza, let's move on to Barcelona. When I hear the word Spain, the first next word I would think of is Barcelona. I guess most of you will have the same answer too... except a few whose first next word would be "hot-girls". To be honest, I didn't really know about Madrid until I came here. I thought Madrid was just a football team's name.. Real Madrid. Don't blame me. At least I'm better than some Malaysians who didn't know Sarawak was in Malaysia.

And in Barcelona, for a foreigner, the most important spot to visit would be the Sagrada Familia. Even more important for foreigners who are architects or civil engineers. And of course I wouldn't miss that. But I haven't manage to get into the building yet. Just outside... I'll try to go in the next time. The queue was just too long and we didn't exactly have the time for that. It will take one whole day just to tour the Sagrada Familia.

The long queue outside the building.. I think there's a limit of how much time you can be in the building considering the really long queue.

I suppose it's worth standing under the sun waiting for our turn.

The Sagrada Familia is famous for its complication. Well, it's not a rumour. It is a fact that it's really complicated. It's such a gigantic building yet the fine details are all there. It's true that this structure is a 3D piece of art. Even my art is not that detailed. Gaudi is just amazing. He could design a building so artistic yet he was able to know that the structure will not collapse. I think I would shit in my pants every day if I work with him. And of course, the construction workers are extremely good too, to be able to make the plans into reality.

The Sagrada Familia, as known is divided into two main facades, The Nativity Facade and the Passion Facade. For this post, I'll just talk about the Nativity Facade. Can you imagine, I've taken so many pictures yet all the pictures are of different details. And the structure is still not complete yet. There's still another facade, the Glory facade which is under construction.

The Nativity Facade.. Still standing tall

How?? How did he do it? Without technology.. I guess technology is nothing. It's just the matter if we want to do it or not. Technology is just a lazy way

Can you see? Fine details even at the peak of the building.

So complicated... Even complicated when everything is made of concrete. There's a story behind all the designs

Zoom in. The statues are still not that difficult but the bushy mushy walls.. How did he even sketch it out in the first place

This building is also a good place for photographers to get inspiration. I wasn't interested in photography at all but when I visit this spot, suddenly I just got inspired. And so I started playing with my camera. If only I had a DSLR camera. It would be more fun. And of course it would be much nicer if edited. But I don't like make ups so it's always good to let it be..
Here are a few.. At the same time look at the story told by the structure.

I like this one best..

And opposite the Sagrada Familia, there is a beautiful garden to supplement the structure.

Synchronized duck swimming.. Do you think they are trained to do that too?

From the garden, you can capture the view of the whole building. Otherwise it's impossible because the building is just to big to fit into the camera.

I'll stop here. There's the other side of the building still. Till then.

Warning: Don't Drive in Spain if you're lousy!!

If you're a lousy driver, don't drive in Spain.
If you take ten minutes to park your car, don't drive in Spain.
If you're the type that loves your car so much, where one scratch on the car equals to a slit on the wrist, DON'T EVER THINK OF DRIVING IN SPAIN!!

Why??
Drivers in Spain are much more aggressive. Vehicles are fast and honks are regularly used on the road. If you're slow, take the bus or walk.. Don't drive. But still, in Spain, cars stop for pedestrians... unlike in Malaysia where pedestrians ridiculously stop for cars.

As for the parking skills in Spain, it's like heaven and earth compared to Malaysia...haha.. might exaggerate a little bit but you know what I mean..

PLEASE take note that most vehicles in Spain are manual geared... and they don't have rear sensors for reversing like we do.

Here are a few pictures that speaks a million words...

Firstly, all the cars always park in a straight line. No odd one out, because the pavement width is allocated just enough for its purposes... And look how close they park to the curb.

And they park really close to each other. And if you're a noob driver, I bet you'll sit by the roadside crying while waiting for the other car driver to come.

A head in parking.. How the hell do they even know they have reached the limit before knocking the wall??

And this one, the gap between the front car and back car is pretty close.. Trust me, it's PRETTY CLOSE!! And judging by the way the red car is parked, I'm pretty sure both the blue cars were already there before the red one comes..

Well, let me prove how close it is in front...

TADA!!

Yepp, that's what I mean by PRETTY close.. Right now, my six sense tells me that you have either opened your mouth for a while or have taken a closer look at this picture.

It's so close, that both cars touched each other. Let me emphasise.. touch. Not knocked.. You can see the gentleness of the touching.. haha..

If it's back home, the owner of the car in front would have starved for one week thinking about his or her car.

Then he or she would have gone for a police report... But then again, the authorities will say, "We'll need 7 working days to process and look into the matter." And it never came back so the owner waits until he eventually forgets the matter..Case solved =D

So, do you still wanna drive in Spain?? I know I will because it's driving on the right side of the road.. and that makes me feel like in the movies.