The Holidays

Deeparaya is over, back to reality. It is nice to have a break from work and be around the companies of friends. I went on a 1 day Genting trip during Deepavali, the drive was pleasant, and First World Hotel has improved comparing to its initial days when checking in was a nightmare. We are checked in in less than 10 mins. Of course there is not much to do, nothing to shop also. Food is extremely expensive. Forget to mention about the casino, as usual lots of customers, not many winning, what else is new.

I will be doing some travelling to Chiang Mai, not very excited about it, I wonder why not. Need to do some homework about the place and make some plans for handicraft shopping.

Mentally I am excited about the next "big" holiday in 2007 which we are planning, a drive around continental europe by car starting from Frankfurt down south to Rome and back to Frankfurt on the other route. There is another choice by flight via mutiple stops from Frankfurt - Rome - Southern Spain - London - Frankfurt. Whatever , I am equally excited. It is a 2 weeks journey. I hope this trip will happen.

The stories told by my friend

Recently I had been motivated by the stories and life experiences told by my friend. It is her about her travels and her friends' view of life. And as usual, these stories happen in a different continent. ha ha. I wish she would blog it down so that it can be shared to others, and I will keep persuading her.

I think what is most interesting about her stories is about her perceptions of what she experiences from her many trips, the thinking of her friends and their interaction. Planning for future, willingness to try new things and living the moment.

Way to go friend, you keep it up.

Selamat Hari Raya

Today is first day of Raya and i would like to wish my muslim friends whereever they are "Selamat Hari Raya"...they don't know of this blog. It is ok, it is the thought that counts. After midnight this morning there was some fireworks, saw from my window. I guess many of us would consider Raya as another holiday, i do too. Last night i felt sympatatic towards the man at the MAS check in counter and Ilyana (nice name) who is one of the crew at KFC. There are many more foreign workers who did not celebrate with their families. We actually talk about going to open house for the experience but didn't materialise because of the crowd.

I also notice that racial issues is now a hot topic of dicsussion in my friends blog & media, many discussions revolve around unequality etc. Though these discussions on the issue are valid, it is quite sad in my opinion for several reasons. One, it is still being discussed till today. Secondly, there has never been equality of any sorts, in the history of human kind. Have we forgotten? There is always a group better off and a group less better off/worse off. Total equality should be at best functions as a "goal". To achieve it as an "end" is of course much welcome.

Thirdly, we should be focusing on the big picture. Why split hairs when there is a bigger fish to catch if attention is focused to the right directions? There are many nations in the world, we are competing with our neighbours and distant neigbours. Would you agree if national competitive advantage should be the main agenda?

Fourthly, I would recommend any lovers of world history or seekers of answers to read this book, Guns, Germs and Steel by Jared Diamond. Was first recommended to us in 2003 by JZ.

"This too shall pass".